THE GENETIC DUPLICATE – Day 5 Part 4
On board the Celestra, Kyra, Kim and Julian were stepping off the shuttle. Seth and Starbuck were talking in the waiting area.
As Kim walked up she asked, "Starbuck, why are you here?"
"Kimberly, that may not be your business," said Kyra.
"Actually, I'm here to observe Kim," said Starbuck. "Cmdr. Adama didn't like the idea of Kim doing this without supervision by someone from the Galactica."
"So if everyone will follow me, I will show the way," said Seth.
Without attempting to move Kim asked, "What kind of vision will I be seeing if I get one?"
"I rather not tell you at the moment," said Seth. "I don't want the knowledge of that to influence any of your visions."
"I don't thank it would," said Kim.
"I don't want to take that chance," said Seth. "Now follow me, everyone."
As Kim, Kyra and Julian followed behind Seth and Starbuck Kim would look around as if she was in a museum.
Kyra saw how Kim was observing the surroundings of the corridor. She then put her arm around her and asked, "Is there anything wrong?"
"Why are you asking me if there is anything wrong?" asked Kim. Starbuck looked back.
"You are looking around in a curious manner," said Kyra.
"I might not come here again, so I'm just looking around and making a memory," said Kim.
"Okay," said Kyra.
Halfway through the corridor the security officer Victor Rotor stepped in the corridor and saw Starbuck and the others. He walked up and asked, "Starbuck, what's going on?"
Everyone stopped walking as Victor walked up. Starbuck then answered, "I can't answer that."
"Why can't you?" asked Victor.
"Victor, we have our reasons to be here, now if you'll excuse us, we'll be on our way," said Starbuck.
"Starbuck, not one of you are residence of the Celestra, so I do need to know what business you have here," said Victor.
"Victor, I see you are taking the security of the Celesta seriously, but we are authorized to be here," said Starbuck.
"If all of you our authorized to be here then you shouldn't have a problem with me contacting the Galactica," said Victor.
"Victor, contact whoever you feel to be necessary," said Starbuck. "We are continuing on though."
"Victor, before we do move on, can you let Dr. Anna Woodland and Saxon Nettleton know that Seth Whitefeather would like to see them," said Seth.
"Who's Seth Whitefeather?" asked Victor.
Kim looked at Victor in a confused manner.
"That would be me," said Seth. "They can find me in the corridor where Murdock Whistler was found."
"What business would you have with them?" asked Victor.
"Victor, again that is a private matter," said Starbuck.
"A private matter," Victor mocked. "You want to see one of our leading physicists, so I'm afraid that falls within the business of the security."
"Victor, Saxon Nettleton is a security officer, so the ship's security will be involved," said Starbuck.
"All right," said Victor. "I will tell Saxon and Dr. Woodland that you want to see them. Saxon will also be instructed to make a report on this."
"You do that," said Starbuck.
"I will," said Victor. "The security will be watching you while you are here also." Victor then saw Kim looking at him as if he lost his mind. "Little girl, is there anything wrong?"
"Have you ever been dropped on your head as a baby?" asked Kim.
Starbuck laughed as Kyra exclaimed, "Kimberly Elizabeth, now that was rude."
Starbuck quickly said, "I have been wondering the answer to that question for more than three years."
"Starbuck, you had this little girl ask that, didn't you?" asked Victor.
Before Starbuck was able to answer the question Kim crossed her arms and said, "I'm beginning to take offence of being called a little girl."
"Kimberly, you are to hush," said Kyra.
"Victor, Kimberly is a very smart young lady, so I didn't have to say anything to her. She noticed on her own as to how bright you are." said Starbuck. "Now, if you will excuse us, we have somewhere to be." Starbuck then walked past Victor. Everyone followed Starbuck.
Kim caught up to and walked beside Starbuck. She then asked, "Starbuck, do you really think I'm a very smart?"
"Of course I do," said Starbuck. "No one ever told you how intelligent you are?"
Kim gestured to Kyra and said, "Mom tells me I'm smart, but I don't think she would tell me different anyway."
Kyra slightly grinned.
"What about your actual parents?" asked Starbuck. Kim just shook her head. "I can't believe your parents never told you how smart you are."
"The only thing my parents ever told me was that I had a smart-mouth and an occasionally called me smarty-pants when I prove something to them," said Kim.
"I can't believe your parents didn't notice how smart you are," said Starbuck.
"The only time my parents noticed me was when I done something wrong; otherwise they were focusing on their stupid careers," said Kim.
"I know what your father did, but what did your mother do?" asked Starbuck.
"My mom is a lawyer who deals with legal documents for big companies," said Kim.
"Would you get good grades in school?" asked Starbuck.
"In math I got B's and in everything else I would get A's," said Kim.
"I'm not familiar with that grading system," said Starbuck.
"In the order from best to worse the grades are A's, B's C's, D's and F's," said Kim. "A plus or a minus symbol can also be added to the grade to show how well someone did. I would normally get an A-plus in history and a regular A or an A-minus in science."
"According to what you said you made good grades," said Starbuck. "And your parents didn't think you were smart?"
"They thought I studied a lot, when I hardly ever studied," said Kim.
"You didn't study?" asked Starbuck.
"I always had my homework done before I left the school building," said Kim. "If I had anything left to do it was math. Most of the time, I would take my math homework to a friend's house and done it there. At the most it took me an hour to do. After that my friends and I would hang out somewhere in the neighborhood."
"So your parents thought you were at a friend's house studying while you were running wild in the neighborhood?" asked Kyra.
"They didn't care enough to find out that I wasn't studying, so I didn't bother telling them," said Kim. "As long as I got A's and B's in my class and didn't cause a political scandal they were satisfied."
"Didn't your parents love you?" asked Starbuck.
"They loved me, but they were more focused on outdoing the Joneses than caring to find out what my two brothers and I were doing."
"Is Joneses a person?" asked Kyra. .
"Outdoing the Joneses is just a saying," said Kim.
"The phrase is actually keeping up with the Joneses," said Seth.
"Not the way my parents lived," said Kim. "My parents had to have the better house; the best furniture inside the house and the better automobiles."
"I knew people like that on Caprica," said Starbuck.
"My brothers and I had all the material needs that money could buy," said Kim. "We had nice clothes; there was always food in the house. We even had an indoor swimming pool so I was able to go swimming at anytime I wanted to… or at least when I wasn't grounded anyway. But what my brothers and I were lacking weren't able to be bought."
Kyra walked up to Kim and put her arm around her. She then said, "You don't have to worry about me trying to outdo the Joneses." Kim grinned.
Minutes later Seth led everyone to the spot in the empty corridor of where the body was found. As Seth was walking up he said, "Okay Kim, this is where I would like for you to attempt to get a vision."
Kim looked around and said, "There is nothing here to pick up."
Seth pointed to the floor of where Murdock's body had laid and said, "Perhaps you can feel the floor in this area."
Kim looked at Seth in a curious manner and asked, "What's going on?"
"Kim, you will find out in due time," said Seth. "Until then, can you humor me?"
"Fine," said Kim. She then walked to where Seth had pointed; bent down and rubbed her hands on the floor.
Kim rubbed the floor for a few seconds. Seth then asked, "You are not getting anything, are you?"
"I'm not even getting dirt on my hands from the floor," said Kim. "The floor in this area is real clean." Kim then looked up the corridor. "Why is this area so clean and not…" Kim saw a blood spot on the floor at the wall. "Oh God, you are wanting me to get a vision of Murdock Whistler's murder."
Seth looked at Kim in a curious manner and asked, "Did you get a vision?"
Kim stood up and said, "No, I'm just piecing together the evidence."
"What evidence?" asked Seth.
"You told Victor that we can be found at where Murdock Whistler was found; this area of the floor is cleaner than the floor a few feet in both direction, which means a mess was cleaned up, and I see a blood spot," said Kim. "So what else can it be?"
When Kim looked at Kyra, Kyra slightly grinned and shook her head.
"Where is there a blood spot?" asked Seth.
Kim pointed to the floor at the wall and said, "Right there."
"It seems that the janitorial crew didn't clean very well," said Starbuck.
"That might be a blessing," said Seth. "Kim, touch the blood spot and see if you can get a vision from that."
"I'll try," said Kim.
Before Kim was able to bend down, she along with the others heard foot steps moving closer to them. When everyone turned to look, Anna Woodland was walking up while carrying papers.
"Kim, wait a second," said Seth. When Anna approached, she looked at everyone in curious manner. "Dr. Woodland, it good that you were able to meet us here as quickly as you did."
"I am only walking through the corridor," said Anna. "I am not here to meet anyone."
"Oh, well, Dr. Woodland, I don't want to hold you up; however, I would like for you to meet Kyra, Julian, Kimberly and of course you probably know Starbuck."
Kim waved and said, "Hi Dr. Woodland."
"Kim, you should shake Dr. Woodland's hand and not wave," said Seth.
Anna looked at Seth in a curious manner and said, "I really need to get going."
"It would only take a second and then you can be on your way," said Seth.
"Fine," said Anna.
When Kim's hand touched Anna's hand she got a vision of what Anna was doing minutes after the destruction of the colonies.
In the vision Anna was in the halls of what was left of a large building. A duplicate Cylon of Doyle and Anna were looking over a woman's body.
The Cylon said, "Meredith Green is dead Dr. Woodland. It is time for you to leave while you can."
Anna looked at the Cylon in a surprised manner and said, "I can't do what you are proposing."
"If you don't then you will be dead like her," said the Cylon. "Don't worry; I will be beside you the whole time."
Starbuck slightly shook Kim and brought her out of her vision.
As Kim was coming out of her vision she saw a ghost image of the Cylon standing next to Anna. The image faded quickly from Kim's sight.
"Kimberly, are you okay?" asked Starbuck.
"I'm fine," said Kim. "I just got a vision of Dr. Woodland's past that's all."
"What did you see?" asked Kyra.
"I saw Dr. Woodland and a man inside a building that was in ruins, and they were looking at a woman's body," said Kim. "Dr. Woodland, that man was telling you to leave while you still can, so I'm guessing the scene I saw was just after the destruction of the colonies."
Dr. Woodland had a confused expression on her face. She then asked, "What's going on?"
"Dr. Woodland, Kim has a special ability to see past and present events," said Starbuck.
"Counselor Whitefeather, you think I had something to do with Murdock's death and you set me up with someone that can see into my past," said Anna.
"Dr. Woodland, Mitchell Brock is innocent and I'm just doing what I can to prove his innocent," said Seth.
"I had nothing to do with Murdock's death and I'm a bit appalled of the accusation," said Anna.
"I done what I did because you lied to me and my partner yesterday," said Seth.
"Excuse me?" asked Anna.
"You told me that you never met with either Murdock or Mitchell again after you left the Rising Star," said Seth.
"That is correct," said Anna.
"That is not correct," said Seth. "You met with Murdock at some point after you left the Rising Star." Everyone saw a worried expression on Anna's face. "What were you and Murdock meeting about?"
Before Anna spoke Kim noticed Anna looking at the spot of where Kim saw the Cylon standing. Anna then said, "Counselor Whitefeather, I find you as being unprofessional by asking me that question in the presence of this group."
"You're right and I apologize for my unprofessional behavior," said Seth. "Before I leave the Celestra I will come to you in private and repeat my question. That should give you ample time to come up with an answer."
"I will be in the lab," said Anna.
Before Anna was able to walk away, Kim said, "Dr. Woodland, before you leave I would like to ask you something."
"If it is about the Murdock's murder, I'm not answering," said Anna.
"It's not about that," said Kim. "It's about the ghost that is beside you."
Everyone looked at Kim in a curious manner.
"Ghost?" Anna mocked as she looked again at where the Cylon was standing. "There is no such thing as a ghost."
"You just looked at him a second time," said Kim. "How long has he been with you?"
"There is no such thing as a ghost," Anna insisted.
"The ghost is of the man who told you to leave while you can," said Kim. "And I know you can see him because you looked straight at him twice."
"Kim, can you see ghosts?" asked Kyra.
"Not usually, but I saw this one just as Starbuck was waking me from my vision," said Kim. "I saw a glimpse of him just for a couple of seconds and he was standing right where Dr. Woodland was looking."
"I'm telling you that there is no ghost anywhere around me," said Anna. "In fact there is no such thing as ghosts"
"That is not true because I have seen a ghost one time before today," said Kim. "I was five and I saw my grandpa's ghost before my family knew he was killed in a plane crash." Kim saw everyone looking at her in a curious manner. "It was night and my grandpa's ghost woke me up. He had promised me that he was going to visit me that coming weekend for a belated fifth-birthday-visit and he had never broken a promise to me before so he visited me the way he did to keep his promise before he crossed over. When my grandpa faded from my sight I went and woke up my parents and told them what had happened. They thought I was only dreaming it, but then they received a phone call about his plane crashing a few minutes later."
"That's interesting," said Kyra.
"Interesting or not there is no ghost beside me," said Anna. "Now if you all excuse me, I want to get to the lab before I'm late." Anna then walked away.
"Why is she denying that there is a ghost beside her and that she is able to see him?" asked Kim.
Starbuck put her hand on Kim's shoulder at the same time Julian took her hand to ask a question. Kim then had a severe headache and past out from the pain.
A second later, Kim woke up on the floor with everyone looking at her in a concern manner. Kim then sat up and asked, "What happen?"
Evner was walking towards them.
"You past out," said Kyra. "Starbuck caught you before you fell. Are you okay?"
"I have a headache, but I'm okay," said Kim.
"Kim, your medicine is not with me, so are you all right until we get back to the Solar Flare?"
"I think so, it's not too bad yet," said Kim as she went to get up.
As Kim was getting up Starbuck said, "You need to take it slow. You don't want to pass out again."
Kim stood up and said, "I'm okay, honest. I don't know why I past out. That has never happened to me before."
"Kim, are you all right to continue?" asked Seth as everyone heard Evner walking up. Everyone turned to look.
Evner saw Kyra. He then walked up and said, "While I'll be. It's Kyra Lockwood. The last time I saw you was about four years ago. You left to use the turbo flush and you never came back."
Kim looked at Evner in a curious manner as Kyra said, "I drunk too much and I got sick. Bethany was supposed to have told you and Grant of where I went."
"She told us, and after you left, you acted as if I never existed," said Evner.
"Yeah, well, I don't get out much, so I thought I would be boring for you," said Kyra.
"You never gave me a chance to decide that," said Evner.
Kim interrupted and said, "If you two would like to be alone, Julian and I can go down the corridor for a few minutes."
"Kimberly," exclaimed Kyra. When Kim looked at Kyra, Kyra was shaking her head.
"I'm just trying to be helpful," said Kim. She then grinned.
"Kim, are you all right to continue trying to get a vision for Seth?" asked Kyra.
"I can continue," said Kim.
"What do you mean by getting a vision?" asked Evner.
"Kim is capable of seeing certain events," said Kyra.
"So Kim is capable of gaining knowledge to events when she is not around to witness the events herself?" asked Evner.
"Something like that," said Kyra.
Evner looked at Kim and said, "That is interesting."
"Seth, what do you want Kim to do?" asked Kyra.
"Kim, as I was going to have you do a few minutes ago, I want you to touch the blood spot on the floor," said Seth.
"What blood spot?" asked Evner.
Kim pointed to it and said, "That blood spot." Kim then kneeled down and touched it. A second later she stood up. "I didn't get anything. So what's next?"
"Well, I wanted you to shake hands with Saxon Nettleton, but I'm not sure when he will get here," said Seth.
Evner said, "I saw Saxon going into the mess hall about five minutes ago."
"Seth, so far Kim hasn't have a vision of the case you are working on, so I believe we should drop this," said Kyra.
"We still have one more shot at it with Saxon. That's if Kim is willing do it," said Seth.
"Sure, I'll do it," said Kim. "I'm a little thirsty anyway."
"Okay. Someone needs to lead the way," said Kyra.
"Thanks, Mom," said Kim.
"Mom?" asked Evner.
Without hesitation Kim said, "Yeah, she's my mom. She had me when she was sixteen."
Evner looked at Kyra in a confused manner. Starbuck and Seth were slightly amused. Julian didn't know what was going on.
Kyra was stunned. She then exclaimed, "Kimberly Elizabeth, don't be telling people that."
"Mom doesn't want people to know that she had me at an early age," said Kim.
Kyra said in a stern manner, "Kimberly Elizabeth, you are to tell Evner the truth right now."
Kim laughed and said, "I'm only joking."
"Yeah, well, you are getting a little too comfortable with joking with me," said Kyra.
"My goal is to get you to lighten up and not take things so seriously," said Kim.
"If you are not careful, you will joke yourself into being grounded for a month," said Kyra.
"I will consider myself warned," said Kim. She then looked at Evner. "She is not my mom, but she is my guardian." Kim looked at Kyra and showed a cocky grin. "How's that?
"Better," said Kyra.
Starbuck asked, "Shall we go to the mess hall."
"Yes, lead the way," said Kyra.
"Kyra, I am really interested in observing what Kim does, so do you have any objection with me tagging along?"
"Starbuck, do you see a problem with Evner observing?" asked Kyra.
"I don't see any problems with it," said Starbuck.
"Okay, Evner, you can tag along," said Kyra.
Minutes later everyone walked into the mess hall. Starbuck and Seth looked around the room for Saxon. Kyra gazed over the room and saw Grant and Bethany. Lydia was in the stroller next to their table. Julian stood on the opposite side of Kyra from Kim.
Kim noticed a disgusted look on Kyra's face and turned to look. Kim then asked, "Is that the person you have a problem with?"
"Kimberly, do not start that," said Kyra. "I do not have a problem with anyone aboard the Celestra."
"Then you won't have a problem with me going over and saying hi to Bethany and Lydia," said Kim. Kim then made a movement in Bethany's direction.
Kyra grabbed Kim's arm and said, "You are not going over there."
"Oh, so he is the reason why you have a problem with being here," said Kim.
Julian watched Kyra and Kim in a confused manner.
"Kimberly, you are pushing your luck with me," said Kyra. "Now stop."
"Was that guy an ex-boyfriend of yours?" asked Kim.
"I just told you to stop," said Kyra.
"Hey, if you have a problem with that guy then that will affect me to," said Kim. Kim then grinned.
"Okay, you're right, but I will tell you when I'm ready," said Kyra.
"Fine," said Kim. "Can you tell me at least who he is?"
"His first name is Grant," said Kyra. "He is Bethany's husband and Lydia's father. Now that is it for this discussion."
"Can you tell me why you have a problem with Grant," said Kim.
"Kimberly, you are about ready to cross the line with me," said Kyra. "Now stop."
"Okay, okay, I'll stop," said Kim.
Starbuck stepped up and said, "Kyra, Saxon is not here." Starbuck then saw Grant at the table. Kim noticed Starbuck as Starbuck stared at Grant. "Seth left the mess hall to re-ask Dr. Woodland that one question, so you, Kim and Julian can go if you want. I'm returning to the Galactica."
"I still want to get a drink," said Kim.
"Kim, I'm sure you are not dying of thirst, so you can wait until we get back on the Solar Flare," said Kyra.
Kim gestured towards Grant and said, "You just don't want me to get in the food line because of him."
"Kimberly, don't start," said Kyra.
"Okay, fine, I will wait until I get back to the Solar Flare to get a drink, but if I start coughing up dust, you will know why," said Kim.
Julian tapped Kim and asked, "Are you really going to cough up dust?"
Kim looked at Julian in an uncertain manner as Kyra said, "Julian, Kim is being overly dramatic. People can't cough up dust." Kyra then looked at her watch. "Kim; Julian, we've better get back to the shuttle bay."
Kim looked around and when she didn't see Evner she asked, "Where did Evner go?"
Kyra looked at Kim in a curious manner and asked, "Why are you worried about him?"
"I'm not, but he disappeared after we entered the mess hall," said Kim.
"Well, we've better get going," said Kyra.
Kim saw Grant walking towards them and said, "It's too late for a quick get-a-way."
"What are you talking about?" asked Kyra.
Kim gestured towards Grant. After Kyra and Starbuck turned to look, Kim saw Starbuck unfastening her strap to her gun and turning off the safety. Kim looked up at Grant.
As Grant walked up, he said, "Kyra, hi. It has been a while." Kyra politely grinned. "So how are you?"
"I'm fine, and we were just leaving," said Kyra.
"You are just across the room from a good friend of yours and you are not even going to say hi to her?" asked Grant.
Kyra looked at Bethany and then back at Grant. She then said, "Bethany, already know how I would react in this situation, so goodbye, Grant."
"I know Lt. Thrace, but you are not even going to introduce me to the kids that are with you?" asked Grant.
"You are someone who these kids don't need to know," said Kyra. "Now I would appreciate if you will go back to your wife."
Starbuck said, "And I insist that you do."
Kim noticed Starbuck resting her hand on her gun.
"How long do I have to keep proving myself to the people in the fleet that I am no longer the man from eight years ago?" asked Grant.
"I will never believe you are a different man from who you were eight years ago and you are wasting your time trying to convince me," said Kyra.
"Fine," said Grant. "A word of advice kids, it is a waste of time trying to repent in the eyes of justice."
Kyra looked at Kim as Kim politely grinned. Kyra then said, "Bye, Grant."
"Bye," said Grant. Grant then turned and walked away.
As Grant was walking away, Kyra kissed Kim on her forehead.
"What was that for?" asked Kim.
"For not saying anything brash to Grant," said Kyra.
"I know I have a smart-mouth, but I'm not stupid," said Kim. "I saw Starbuck readying her pistol, and I wasn't about to do anything to aggravate the situation."
"Thank you for realizing the situation," said Kyra. Kim grinned. "Well, we've better get going."
Kyra, Starbuck, Kim and Julian turned to walk out of the mess hall.
As Kim was walking out, Kim said, "Mom, you know I can understand the situation better if you tell me more about Grant."
Kyra grinned at Kim and said, "Kim, you are undiscourageable."
Kim grinned and said, "I have been told that before by Margo my babysitter when I was five. So what is the deal with Grant?"
"Kim, you don't need to know, and I don't want to hear anymore from you about it," said Kyra. "Am I clear?"
"Yes, you're clear," said Kim.
Kim remained quiet as they continued to walk through the corridor. Kyra turned to see why Kim was so quiet and noticed that she was in a deep thought. Kyra then asked, "Kim, what is going though your thoughts right now?"
"Oh, I'm just trying to remember what I was doing when Margo told me I was undiscourageable," said Kim. "I can't remember if that was the time that I accidentally flooded the house or when I accidentally caught the kitchen on fire."
Starbuck looked at Kyra in a curious manner.
"Kim, I'm actually interested in hearing both of those stories; starting with the fire," said Kyra.
"Well, that happen when I was wanting something to eat," said Kim. "Margo was busy, so I decided I was big enough to cook my own food. I went to turn on the oven, but I turned on one of the burners on top instead. There was an old pizza box on top of the stove and that caught fire. Oh, pizza is a food that is ordered and delivered to the house. By the time I saw what was going on other things were catching fire. As I started to panic my older brother Brandon came through the door and saw the fire. He was able to put the fire out before it done any major damage."
"It sounds as though you got very lucky," said Kyra.
"I didn't feel very lucky when my parents got home," said Kim.
Starbuck and Kyra slightly laughed. Kyra then said, "I can imagine that you wouldn't. Okay, now tell me about the flood."
"That was the time when my friend Amanda and I were going to give Skippy a bath," said Kim. "Skippy was my dog. It rain earlier that day and Skippy was all muddy from being outside. Amanda and I were going to give him a bath so he can come in doors. Margo told me to wait until my parents got home, but Skippy was whining to get in so we were going to give Skippy a bath anyway. We went upstairs and turned on the water to give Skippy a bath. We then left the water running and went down stairs to get Skippy. When I unhook Skippy from his chain, Toby, my neighbor's cat came running through the yard. Skippy jerked loose from me and went chasing after Toby. Margo saw that Amanda and I were chasing after Skippy and went chasing after us. It was about two hours by the time we return to the house. When we walked in, the stairs looked like a waterfall. My parents weren't too happy with me that time either. Oh, the flood was a month after the fire, so I think when I flooded the house was when Margo told me that I was undiscourageable."
Kyra looked at Kim and grinned.
Forty minutes later, Kim was standing next to Casimir as he was playing the musical keyboard. After listening for a few minutes Casimir got up and allowed Kim to play. As Kim was playing she made more mistakes than usual.
After a few minutes of listening to the mistakes Casmir said, "Kim, stop playing."
Kim stopped playing and asked, "Is there anything wrong?"
"You're not concentrating," said Casimir. "Is there anything distracting you?"
"I'm sorry, I just can't get my mine off of what happen on the Celestra," said Kim.
"What happen on the Celestra?" asked Casimir.
"Oh, Seth and Kyra took me there to try to get a specific vision, but the only vision I was able to get was of Dr. Woodland when the colonies was destroyed," said Kim. "I also met a guy named Grant. His wife is a good friend of mom's, but she has a problem with him. Starbuck has a problem with him too, but no one wants to tell me why. Hey, what about you? Do you know Grant?"
"I know of him and if Kyra's not telling you anything then neither am I," said Casimir.
"Fine," said Kim. "Can you tell me what Bethany last name is?"
"It's Sanders," said Casimir.
"Is that her married last name?" asked Kim.
"That is the name she kept," said Casimir. "She didn't take Grant's last name, and I'm not telling you what that is."
"Why is knowing about this guy a secret?" asked Kim.
"You will have to ask Kyra about that," said Casimir.
"If I ask her another question about Grant, she will be extremely upset with me," said Kim.
"Well, I won't get Kyra upset with me by telling you things she doesn't want you to know," said Casimir.
"Fine," said Kim.
"Kim, you said that you met Dr. Anna Woodland?" asked Casimir.
Kim nodded and said, "Uh-huh."
"I have never seen Dr. Woodland, but I have been told that she was young looking for her age," said Casimir. "Is she?"
"I don't know how old she is supposed to be, but I would say she was thirty; the same age of mom," said Kim.
"So you thinks she looks thirty?" asked Casimir.
"I just said I did," said Kim. "How old is supposed to be?"
"She is supposed to be in her early forties," said Casimir. Casimir noticed Kim in deep thought. "Kim, are you having a vision?"
"Oh no, I'm actually thinking of that vision I had of Dr. Woodland," said Kim.
"Kim, maybe we should call it a day," said Casimir.
"But we just started and you are wanting me to learn the songs in less than two days," said Kim.
"Kim, your thoughts are on Dr. Woodland and Grant, and not on playing," said Casimir.
"I'm sorry, I promise I'll do better," said Kim. "So should I continue playing?"
"Okay, you can proceed, but I want your full attention on playing," said Casimir.
"It will be," said Kim. Kim then played the musical keyboard again.
Kim practiced for an hour when Casimir ended the session.
After leaving the chapel, Kim went to her quarters. When Kim walked in Kyra was reading a book to Julian. Kyra looked at her watch and asked, "So are you ready to play the musical keyboard in two days?"
"I think I'll be ready," said Kim. "Mom, can I go to the recreation center? Julian can come with me too."
"Julian, do you want to go to the recreation center with Kim?" asked Kyra.
"I want to go," said Julian.
"Okay," said Kyra. Julian stood up and walked over to Kim. "Kim, you and Julian need to be back here in four hours."
"We will be," said Kim. "Okay, Julian, let's go." Kim and Julian then left their quarters.
Inside the recreation center, most of Kim's classmates were in the room playing games. Several other people were in the room also; however, Adonis and his normal group weren't there.
When Kim walked in she was stunned to see how many people there were and said, "Whoa. I have never seen this place so full."
"This place gets this full," said Julian.
Kim gazed over the room for a minute. After seeing Taundra and Rachida playing a game, Kim pointed towards Taundra and said, "Julian, let's go over there."
Rachida saw Kim and Julian as they walked up.
"Hey, Kim, do you want to play pi-chello with us?" asked Rachida.
"As long as it is okay for Julian to play, I'll play," said Kim.
Taundra looked at Julian and said, "Kim, you will have to help him if he plays."
"I have no problem doing that," said Kim.
As Kim and Julian were sitting down at the table, Taundra and Rachida reset the board for a four player game.
As Taundra was taking her move, Kim asked, "Does anyone know where Adonis is?"
"He and Faxon were in here about ten minutes ago," said Rachida. "I don't know where he went after he left."
"Maybe he will be back," said Kim. "Hey, does anyone in here know Bethany?"
"Everyone here knows Bethany," said Taundra. "She was Ms. Lockwood's roommate."
"Does anyone know her husband?" asked Kim.
"We knew Bethany moved to another ship to get married, but we were never told his name or which ship Bethany moved to," said Rachida.
"Bethany is on the Celestra with her husband Grant," said Kim.
"If you know that then you know more than we do," said Taundra.
"That is actually all I do know… that and the fact that mom and Starbuck has a problem with Grant," said Kim. "I'm curious to know why they have a problem with him."
"How curious are you at knowing?" asked Rachida.
"I'm real curious," said Kim. "Do you know a way to find out?"
"Taundra might be able to help you to find out," said Rachida.
"How am I capable in helping Kim?" asked Taundra.
"Your dad is in charge of the computer center right now," said Rachida. "He could be able to look up the information for us."
"We are not even allowed in the record center without our assignment papers and then we are only capable in accessing the material of the assignment," said Taundra.
"You go in there all the time without your assignments," said Rachida.
"Yeah to visit my dad and not to use the computers," said Taundra.
"I think if you ask, your dad would peek into the personnel file for us," said Rachida.
"I don't think my dad will let us in the personnel files," said Taundra.
Before Rachida was able to respond Kim said, "You won't know unless you ask. Besides, the worse can happen is that your dad says no."
"Kim, asking about looking into personnel records is a big request and it is off limits to kids," said Taundra.
"Taundra, I was on the Celestra with mom and Starbuck and I watched Starbuck flipping off her safety on her pistol when Grant walked up," said Kim. "I'm curious to know why Starbuck done that. Taundra, please help me to find out."
"Okay, we'll go to the computer center," said Taundra.
"Should we go now or should we finish our game first?" asked Kim.
"Let's finish this game first," said Rachida.
As Rachida was taking her move, Taundra saw Kim rubbing her temple. Taundra then asked, "Kim, are you okay?"
"Oh, I just got a slight headache," said Kim. "I took my medicine for it, but for some reason the medicine isn't numbing the pain like it usually does. If my headaches get any worse I'm going to sickbay."
Twenty minutes later Kim, Julian, Taundra and Rachida were walking into the computer center. Six people were in the room working on a computer as they walked in. Wilfred, Taundra's dad, was at the main desk working on the computer.
Wilfred looked up from his computer and saw them as they walked in. He watched as they walked up to his desk. He then said, "Taundra, you and your friends don't need to be hanging out here."
"We won't," said Taundra. "Dad, there is a class project that us three are working on, —" Wilfred saw Kim looking at Taundra in a surprised manner. "—and we were wondering if you can help us with it."
"What is your class project?" asked Wilfred.
"We want to write a paper on the people in the fleet," said Taundra. "We came in here to ask for your help to get the information about the people off the computer."
"I see," said Wilfred. "Taundra, I know Ms. Lockwood wouldn't give any of her students a paper to do like that, so would you like to tell me the truth about why you and your friends are here."
As Taundra searched her thoughts for a response, Kim said, "Sir, we are not here for a class project."
"That I know, but can you tell me why you are here?" asked Wilfred.
"I was on the Celestra earlier with mom… Oh, I'm Kimberly by the way and Kyra Lockwood is my guardian. I call Kyra mom," said Kim. Wilfred looked at Kim with interest. "Well, when I was on the Celestra earlier I met Bethany Sanders' husband and I want to learn more about him. That is why we are here. I want to look at Bethany's husband personnel file."
"First of all, Kimberly, thanks for being honest with me," said Wilfred. "Second, personnel records are off limits to the general population. The three of you would certainly fall under the category of the general population."
"Sir, are those records off limits to you as well?" asked Kim.
"It's not, but I won't help you to access them either," said Wilfred.
"Sir, I would just like to know where he if from and what he done for a living six years ago," said Kim. "I won't bug for anything else on this guy."
"All right, Kimberly. I will tell you that much and no more," said Wilfred.
"That is all I need to know," said Kim.
"What is the man's name?" asked Wilfred.
"His first name is Grant, and I don't know his last name," said Kim. "He is married to Bethany Sanders though and they have a daughter name Lydia."
"Do you know what ship they are from?" asked Wilfred.
"They are living on the Celestra," said Kim.
Wilfred typed on his computer and said, "Okay, let's see if you gave me enough information to find out who Grant is." Several seconds later, he was looking at the information. "Well his name is Grant Gallagher and he works in the janitorial department on the Celestra. And he is from Sagitaron."
"What did he do on Sagitaron?" asked Kim.
"That information is sealed and the only people that can get to that information are high officials," said Wilfred.
"Why would they be sealed?" asked Kim.
"There are several reasons for someone's records to be sealed," said Wilfred.
"What if he is an ex-con?" asked Kim. "Would that seal his records?"
"It depends on what ex-con means," said Wilfred.
"Oh, I mean an ex-convict… someone that went to prison, and has been released," said Kim.
"Kimberly, I know what ex-convict is. I just never heard an ex-convict being call an ex-con before," said Wilfred. "Kimberly…
"Most people call me Kim; not Kimberly," she said.
"Okay," said Wilfred. "Kim, if Grant is an ex-con as you put it, it is very possible for that to be the reason his records are sealed. Sagitaron government seals people's personnel records when they are released from prison."
"Sir, I have one more question about Grant Gallagher," said Kim. "How far back do his records go before they are sealed?"
"I can see a little more than four years of his records," said Wilfred.
"He is an ex-con," said Kim.
"How are you coming up with that conclusion?" asked Wilfred.
"Almost one year of his life among the fleet is sealed which makes me believe he is from that prison ship," said Kim.
"Kim, there could be six other reasons for his first year in the fleet to be sealed," said Wilfred.
"Mom doesn't like him and Starbuck readied her pistol for a quick draw when Grant approached us," said Kim. "Everything I have witnessed indicates that Grant is a dangerous man. So I do believe that Grant is an ex-con. I met Bethany yesterday too and she seems to be a real nice person, so I don't know why Bethany is with Grant."
"Kim, I know Bethany, and Bethany has an understanding and a forgiving quality about her," said Wilfred. "So if Grant is an ex-con like you suspect then Bethany sees something in him that no one else sees. Well kids, that's all the information I can give you."
Kim slightly rubbed her temple. She then asked, "Sir, would I be pushing my luck, if I ask to get information on one more person?"
"Yes, you would be," said Wilfred.
"I promise it will be the last person I want to know about," said Kim. "Well, for today anyway."
"Who is the person you want to know about now?" asked Wilfred.
"Her name is Dr. Anna Woodland," said Kim. "She is also on the Celestra."
"This time you picked an interesting person to learn about," said Wilfred. "She is one of our top physicists." Wilfred then pressed a combination of buttons. Before Wilfred was able to bring up the information the door to the computer center opened. Kim turned to see who was coming in. The man stared at Kim in a focused manner for a few seconds. He then turned to gaze over the room. Kim's attention was then drawn back towards Wilfred. "Here is the information." The man walked up to the desk. "Dr. Woodland is a citizen of Arlon…"
A huge explosion engulfed the computer center.