THE GENETIC DUPLICATE—Day 9 Part 2
Kim woke up from her sleep and abruptly sprang from her bed. She quickly entered Kyra's bedroom and as she was shaking her to wake up, she exclaimed, "Mom-mom, wake up."
Kyra woke up and when she saw Kim she abruptly sat up and asked in a concerned manner, "Kim, what is it?"
"Mom, a crew of a Raptor found the crash-site of the Raven class ship the Hasting," Kim began. Kyra looked at Kim in a focused and curious manner. "When the crew of the Raptor investigates the crash-site, they are going to find a dangerous… entity…"
"Kim, what do you mean by an entity?" asked Kyra.
"Well who they will find is definitely not human, and I don't really believe in demonic demons, so I'm not calling him that," said Kim. Kyra looked at Kim in a confused manner. "This entity calls himself Ottious Stone and he has the power to make people see things that are not really there…"
"Kim, stop," said Kyra. "How do you know this?"
"I was astral projecting in my sleep again, and then my grandpa's spirit appeared to me," said Kim. Kyra continued to look at Kim as if she didn't know what to make of what she was hearing. "He told me that the fleet was in danger. He then took me back into the past when Cmdr. Richter brought Ottious onto to his ship." Kyra looked at Kim in a manner as if Kim had raised someone from the dead. Kim didn't notice the look she got and continued at what she was saying. "Ottious charmed everyone on board the Hasting with his trickery, except for Cmdr. Richter. When Cmdr. Richter put Ottious into the brig, Gov. Ritz practically ordered Col. Tyse into starting a mutiny. Mom, if Ottious get aboard the fleet, I'm scared that what happened to the Hasting will happen to us."
"Kim, go get dressed so we can go to the Galactica," said Kyra.
"So you believe I wasn't just dreaming?" asked Kim.
"Kim, I knew you weren't dreaming when you mentioned Cmdr. Richter," said Kyra. "Now go get dressed."
"How did by me mentioning Cmdr. Richter make you know that I wasn't just dreaming?" asked Kim.
"I will definitely tell you later, but right now I don't what to influence any future visions you may have with the knowledge of how I know," said Kim.
"I doubt that it would," said Kim.
"It may not, but I don't want to chance it," said Kyra. "Now go get dressed."
"Yes, Ma'am," said Kim. She then turned and left Kyra's bedroom.
Forty minutes later, an officer named Lt. Nectar Gallings escorted Kyra and Kim from the landing bay. A short time later they were approaching the recreation room. Lt. Gallings, gestured towards the door and said, "Go and make yourself comfortable and Cmdr. Adama will join in a few minutes."
"Why don't we go to his quarters?" asked Kim.
"Kim, most likely Cmdr. Adama was sleeping and we had him awaken," said Kyra. "Now we have to give him time to get dress and meet us."
"We could wait outside his quarters until he dressed," said Kim.
"Kim, just go in the recreation room and find a seat," said Kyra.
"Fine," said Kim. Kim then walked into the recreation room. Only a few crewmembers were in the room and after Kim walked in she sat down at an empty table that had a deck of cards. Kyra sat down at the table across from Kim. Kim picked up the cards. "Want to play cards while we wait?"
"Kim, would you be upset with me if I don't play?" asked Kyra.
Kim shook her head and said, "I won't be upset. I'll just play solitaire." Kim started to shuffle the cards.
"What is solitaire?" asked Kyra.
"It's a card game that can only be played by one person," said Kim. "Actually, it's more of a puzzle game… well that how think of it anyway."
"How is the game played?" asked Kyra.
"Well, Earth's decks of cards are different, so I have to think of the four suits in a different manner," said Kim.
"How are Earth cards different?" asked Kyra.
"Earth cards are rectangle, and there are two different black suits and two different red suits," said Kim. "To play solitaire the person playing has to play the cards in reverse numeric order and alternating color cards. And as the player plays, the player also tries to put the suits in numeric order, and the person has to always start with the lowest card."
"Okay, I will have to see how you play solitaire to understand it better," said Kyra.
"I'll show you," said Kim. She then started to lay out the cards.
Kim was playing for five minutes when Cmdr. Adama walked into the recreation room. Kyra saw him walking in and as she stared at Cmdr. Adama she said, "Kim, it's time to put the cards up."
Kim looked at Cmdr. Adama for a second. She then looked at Kyra and asked, "So what do you think about the game solitaire?"
"It's interesting," said Kyra.
As Kim was gathering the cards, Cmdr. Adama stepped up and sat down at the table. Cmdr. Adama looked at Kyra and said, "You have important information for me."
"Yes, Commander," said Kyra. "Kim is actually reluctant to call what she experienced a vision, but Kim saw what happened to the Raven class ship the Hasting fifty-seven years ago. Now Kim is sure that what happened to the Hasting will happen to us if we don't stop that Raptor's crew from bringing back a man named Ottious Stone."
"Ottious Stone is not a man; he's not even human," said Kim.
Kyra looked at Kim and said, "Kim is calling Ottious an evil entity that can create illusions."
"He puts people under a spell with his charm also," Kim added.
"Kimberly, I'll handle things," exclaimed Kyra.
"I'm just trying to help," said Kim.
Cmdr. Adama looked at Kim and said, "Kim, I want you to tell me everything you experience from the beginning."
"Yes, sir," said Kim. Kyra slightly grinned as Kim began her story in detail.
Kim's story was several minutes long and when Kim ended, Kyra pointed to a table away from them and said, "Kim, go sit over there for a minute."
Kim looked at Kyra in a curious manner and asked, "Why do you want be to sit over there?"
Kyra looked at Kim in a stern manner and said, "Just do it."
As Kim was standing up, she said, "Fine." Kim looked at the cards for a second and then picked them up. "I'll play solitaire while you two are talking."
Cmdr. Adama looked at Kim in a curious manner as Kim turned to walk away. Kyra just slightly grinned and shook her head.
When Kim was far enough away, Kyra said, "Cmdr. Adama, I don't know if you are having any doubts about what Kim saw, but I have my reasons to believe her."
"May I ask what those reasons are?" asked Cmdr. Adama.
"Yes; in fact that was why I told Kim to sit over there," said Kyra. "I didn't want Kim to know this until after every event involve was done with, so the knowledge wouldn't influence any future visions she may have. Cmdr. Manfred Richter is my mom's dad and I know for a fact that he was the commander of the Hasting. He and his crew went missing in the line of service before my mom's fifth birthday. I know a lot of my grandfather because my grandmother told me a lot about him at one of our family gatherings. My grandma was also a military officer so she knew a little more about what happened to the Hasting than the average person."
"I appreciate you giving me the additional information, but with how accurate Kim has been up to this point, I would have took Kim's warning seriously even without the added information," said Cmdr. Adama.
"I still wanted you to know about my grandfather," said Kyra.
"Well, I better get to CIC and stop that Raptor's crew before they bring Ottious Stone on board," said Cmdr. Adama.
As he and Kyra were standing up, Lt. Gaeta walked in. Kyra watched Lt. Gaeta as he stepped up to Cmdr. Adama and said, "Commander, the Hasting, a Raven class ship that went MILOS more than fifty years ago has been found. A crew of a raptor is landing as we speak with the only two survivors."
Lt. Gaeta saw the worried expression on Kyra's face. Cmdr. Adama didn't say anything to Lt. Gaeta and walked over to the communication panel that was in the room. When he picked up the handset he said, "This is Cmdr. Adama. I need a full security crew in the landing bay at once. Do not let anyone, and I mean anyone pass without my direct say so."
Lt. Gaeta and Kyra were close enough to hear most of what was said. Lt. Gaeta then asked Kyra, "What's going on?"
"There might be an actual demon on board the Raptor that is landing," said Kyra.
Lt. Gaeta looked at Kyra in a curious manner and said, "You can't be serious."
Before Kyra was able to say anything, Cmdr. Adama stepped up and said, "Kyra, I will understand if you won't let Kim, but I would like Kim to come with me to the landing bay to point Ottious out to me from the two survivors. Of course you can come too."
"From what I understand from Kim, the only real threat Ottious pose, is his ability to create illusions," said Kyra. "So I will allow it and I do want to go along with you and Kim."
"Okay," said Cmdr. Adama.
"I'll go get Kim," said Kyra. She then turned and walked towards Kim.
Kim noticed Kyra walking up and asked, "Is it time to go?"
"Well, unfortunately Ottious and a second person are being brought on board this ship as we speak," said Kyra. "Cmdr. Adama would like you to go to the landing bay with him and point Ottious out." Kyra saw a worried expression on Kim's face. "I will be with you. There will also be a security detail there."
Kim stood up and said, "I'm scared, but I'll go."
Kyra took hold of Kim's hand and said, "If it helps to know this, I'm a little scared myself."
"What would help is if I had my rosary with me," said Kim.
"What is a rosary?" asked Kyra.
"It's a religious necklace," said Kim. "It would look like a string of beads with a cross hanging in the center."
Kyra grinned and said, "Seth seems to be good at making things, so once we are done here we can ask him about making you a rosary or something equivalent."
"Asking him later is not going to help me now," said Kim.
"Most religious icons have prayers or a prayer that goes along with it, and although you won't have your rosary, you could always think of the prayer when we meet Ottious," said Kyra.
Kim grinned and as she nodded she said, "Okay. I can do that."
Well, we better go," said Kyra.
"I'm ready," said Kim.
Kyra and Kim walked up to Cmdr. Adama. All three of them then left the recreational room and walked towards the landing bay.
A short time later, as Cmdr. Adama, Kyra and Kim were approaching the landing bay, Ottious, Larson, the crew of the Raptor and a few members of the maintenance crew were in the corridor and were quarreling with a small security detail. Larson was the sole survivor of the Hasting. He was four when the Hasting crashed and he is now sixty-one years of age.
As Cmdr. Adama, Kyra and Kim were approaching the commotion, Kim saw Ottious standing among them. Kim pointed to Ottious and said, "There he is."
Cmdr. Adama saw who Kim was pointing to and said, "Kyra, you and Kim stay back."
"Yes, Commander," said Kyra. Kyra grabbed Kim at the shoulder. "Kim, stop here."
Kim stopped walking and glanced at Kyra for a second. She then quickly turned and watched Cmdr. Adama as he was walking towards the group.
When Cmdr. Adama walked up to the group, Lt. Vista said, "Commander, we are being treated like criminals."
"Lieutenant, I had given the order to stop you and our guests from leaving the landing bay," said Cmdr. Adama.
"Commander, is there anything wrong?" asked Lt. Vista.
"I have my reason to believe that one and maybe even both survivors from the Hasting are a threat to this fleet," said Cmdr. Adama.
Ottious stuck out his hand for Cmdr. Adama to shake and said, "Commander, my name is Ottious Stone and I'm not a threat."
Cmdr. Adama looked into Ottious' eyes and said without attempting to shake hands, "I know who you are, Mr. Stone."
"You can call me Ottious," he said.
Cmdr. Adama disregarded what he said, and asked, "Mr. Stone, how old are you?"
Cmdr. Adama saw the worried look on Larson's face as Ottious said, "I'm thirty, Commander. Larson tells me that I look young for my age though."
"Oh I know you look young for your age, Mr. Stone," said Cmdr. Adama. "In fact, I have my reasons to suspect that you are much older than what you are telling me."
"And how old do you suspect I am?" asked Ottious.
"I can guess, but I don't think I would come anywhere close to what it is," said Cmdr. Adama. "You told Cmdr. Richter that you were one of Dr. Penton's subjects, but I suspect that you are even much older than Dr. Penton himself."
Ottious looked into Cmdr. Adama's eyes in a focused manner. While Ottious was staring in Cmdr. Adama's eyes, Apollo startled Kim, when he came from behind her and walked past her. Kyra saw the irritated look Kim gave Apollo for being startled and rubbed Kim's back. Apollo was only a few steps away from Kim when Ottious said, "You are correct Cmdr. Adama; however, I'm not the demon, that you, Kyra and Kim believe me to be."
Kim heard what was said, and blurted out enough for everyone to hear, "My god, you are a mind reader."
Kyra quickly said in a stern matter and said, "Kimberly."
When Kim looked at Kyra, Kyra was gesturing for her to be quiet. Apollo stopped walking midway between the group and Kim, and took up a stance.
Ottious looked at Kim and said, "I don't understand how, Kimberly O'Brian, but you are the unseen presence I felt on the Hasting." Everyone, excepted for Cmdr. Adama, Kyra and Kim looked at Ottious in a perplexed manner. Ottious then took a few steps closer to Kim. Ottious stopped when Apollo position himself between him and Kim. "Kim, Cmdr. Adama puts a lot of trust in your word when you warn against impending danger, but you are wrong about me. I'm not a threat to you or this fleet. In fact I know where Earth is." Ottious faced Cmdr. Adama again. "Commander, under my guidance I can lead this fleet to Earth, as well as defeat the Cylons."
Before Cmdr. Adama had a chance to respond, Kim blurted out, "And in return we would spend eternal damnation in hell for selling you our souls."
"Kimberly Elizabeth," Kyra exclaimed in a stern manner. Kim looked at Kyra long enough to see that Kyra was giving her a warning and then looked back at Ottious.
"Kimberly, you are judging me without knowing me," said Ottious.
Kim took a few steps towards Apollo and said, "I know exactly who you are. You are the anti-Christ."
Everyone looked at Kim in a confused manner and as Kyra saw as to how close Kim was getting to Apollo, she said, "Kimberly, come back here."
Apollo saw how close Kim was to him and said, "Kim, from how you feel about this man, I don't want you in arm's length of my pistol, so stand back."
Kim grinned at Apollo and as she was stepping back she said, "Starbuck told you what I did."
"She did," said Apollo. "Now stand back."
As Kim was backing up she said, "Well, I seriously doubt that your pistol would be any use against Ottious anyway."
Cmdr. Adama found the chance to speak and asked "Kim, what do you mean by the anti-Christ?"
"Jesus Christ, the son of god, lived on Earth over two thousand years ago," said Kim. Everyone, but Kyra looked at Kim in a perplexed manner. "Christ the lord is our savior and the only one who can deliver us from evil. He died on the cross for our sins and he is to return before Armageddon and to lead us from evil. Anyone who rises up and falsely claims to be a savior while leading all who follows into destruction and despair is known to be the anti-Christ."
Before anyone had a chance to respond, the entire ship went black from electrical failure. The lights stayed out for two minutes and when they came back on Ottious said, "Cmdr. Adama, I know what group of entities that caused the lights to go out, and those entities are the real demons."
Cmdr. Adama noticed as to how much fear Ottious had in his eyes and said, "You look frighten."
"Of course I'm frightened," said Ottious. "They will destroy all of us and the entire fleet if we remain here. If you go and check your systems, you will learn that they had attacked by erasing all of your data from your computers."
Cmdr. Adama, turned towards Apollo and said, "Lee, go tell the crew in the CIC, by no means are they to attempted to reinstall the data on any of the ships' computer until I give the go ahead."
"Yes, sir," said Apollo. He then turned and walked away.
Cmdr. Adama faced Ottious again and said, "I believe that the only person who is in danger from those entities is you, and you will not find refuge on this ship or anywhere in this fleet." Cmdr. Adama faced Lt. Vista. "Lieutenant, you are to return Ottious to the planet of where you had picked him up from."
"You would maroon me again, Commander," asked Ottious.
"My first choice is to let those entities in those balls of light have you, but as to how fast that they move, I have no clue as to how do it," said Cmdr. Adama. Cmdr. Adama looked at Larson. "Who are you?"
"My name is Larson," he said.
"Larson, I suspect that you were one of the original passengers from the Hasting," said Cmdr. Adama. "I don't see you as a threat to this fleet, so unless you have an attached loyalty to Ottious that you must leave with him, you are welcome to join our fleet."
Larson looked at Ottinous for a second and then he looked at Kim. He then said, "I witness the survivors of Hasting die from hunger, and the ones who didn't die from hunger were killed while fighting among each other. Until I heard the meaning of the word the anti-Christ, I didn't understand why events happened the way they did. Cmdr. Adama, I have no attached loyalty to Ottious and I would like to remain here."
Cmdr. Adama looked at Lt. Vista and said, "Get Ottinous off my ship." Before Vista had a chance to respond a blinding light filled every corridor of the ship. Everyone on the ship instinctively shielded his or her eyes from the light. When the blinding light faded into a normal illumination and everyone's vision returned to normal, Ottious was nowhere to be seen. Cmdr. Adama turned towards the lead security officer. "I have a strong hunch that you won't find Ottinous anywhere on this ship or in the fleet, but just in case, I want a security sweep done on this ship."
"Yes, Commander," said the lead security officer. He and the other security officers dashed quickly down the corridor.
Cmdr. Adama turned towards the crowd and said, "Okay, the crisis is over, so everyone can go about your business. Lt. Vista, escort Larson to sickbay so Dr. Salik can give him a physical."
"Yes, Sir," said Lt. Vista said. "Larson, follow me." Lt. Vista and Larson walked away.
Kyra stepped up to Kim and saw Kim concentrating heavily on a thought. She then asked, "Kim, are you okay?"
"Mom, I wonder if the blinding light was Ottinous escaping or was it him being captured by the other entities," said Kim.
"That's a mystery that you definitely don't need to be involving yourself with or trying to solve," said Kyra. "Am clear on that?"
Cmdr. Adama was walking up to Kyra and Kim as Kim was saying, "Oh I'm not going to try to solve that mystery. I'm actually concern that he is lurking out there somewhere and that he will rear up again and pounce given the chance."
Before Kyra had a chance to respond Cmdr. Adama said, "I wouldn't worry too much about that, Kim. Borrowing the term anti-Christ from you, I believe that was what he was and he needs followers to be in power. Without followers he is nothing, and he knows he won't get any followers here."
"I hope you right, Cmdr. Adama," said Kim.
"Kim, how well do you know your religion?" asked Cmdr. Adama.
"I think I know the Catholic and the Baptist religion pretty well," said Kim.
Kyra saw a confuse expression in Cmdr. Adama's eyes and said, "Commander, according to Seth, there are over a hundred different religions on Earth."
"I never expected for there to be so many different religions," said Cmdr. Adama. "Anyway, Kim, I would like to learn more about the Catholic and the Baptist religion, and if you are up to the challenge I would like for you to write a report… a paper on the two religions."
Before Kim was able to answer Kyra said, "Actually, Commander, I was trying to figure out what subject to give Kim for her next essay assignment, and I think an essay assignment on her religion is an excellent one."
Cmdr. Adama looked at Kyra in a curious manner, as Kim said, "There is no way I will be able to write an essay on religion in the two days that you give before I have to turned it in."
"Kim, you will not be expected to be completely finished it in two days," said Kyra. "You will do what you can within two days and turn it in. I will look over what you have and like usual I will indicate the errors. Once you get it back, you will start at the point where you left off."
"Oh, I can do that," said Kim.
Kyra slightly grinned as Cmdr. Adama asked, "I'm not questioning your teaching methods, Kyra, but isn't Kim too young to be doing essays?"
"If Kim was an average student, yes she would be, but Kim reads on an university level," said Kyra. "And not having her to learn how to write essays and reports right now would actually be holding her back from her potential."
"Do you like to read, Kim?" asked Cmdr. Adama.
"I love reading," said Kim. "Reading and drawing are tied as being my second favorite things to do."
"What is your favorite thing to do?" asked Cmdr. Adama.
"I like swimming the best," said Kim. "Oh and I also like going to amusement parks, but I can only do that during the summer time…"
"Kimberly, Cmdr. Adama doesn't have the time to hear a list of the things you like to do," said Kyra.
Kim just grinned to acknowledge the statement. Cmdr. Adama, then said, "Well, since the crises was diverted, you and Kim are free to go back to your ship."
"Bye, Cmdr. Adama," said Kim.
"Bye, Kim; bye Kyra," said Cmdr. Adama.
"Bye," said Kyra. "Okay Kim, let's go."
Kyra and Kim walked in one direction while Cmdr. Adama walked in the opposite direction.
As Kyra and Kim were walking Kyra said, "Kim, don't think that I've forgot about those vulgar words you used earlier."
"Well, I was scared that people would be taken in by Ottinous' words," said Kim.
"Regardless, I don't want you using those words," said Kyra. "I also remember telling you that I will ground you if I hear of you using any vulgar words."
Kim looked at Kyra in a timid manner and asked, "Am I grounded?"
"Give me a reason why I shouldn't ground you," said Kyra.
Kim grinned and asked, "Am I too old to be cute and adorable?"
Kyra grinned and said, "You're too old by ten years. Do you have another reason I shouldn't ground you?"
"Mom, as long as I correctly use the words why are they still considered vulgar?" asked Kim.
"Kim, there are certain words and phrases that a child or a young teenager should not be using regardless if the words were used correctly;" said Kyra. "It's simply indecent and there are plenty of ways for you to express yourself without the use of vulgar words. Besides, Cmdr. Adama was capable of handling the situation so you shouldn't have spoken in the first place." Kim gave Kyra a timid grinned to acknowledge the statement. "Kim, please control yourself and no more vulgar words."
"Fine, I'll try to control myself," said Kim. "So am I grounded?"
"I'm not grounding you this time," said Kyra. "And don't think for a second that I will believe that you won't use those words when I'm not around. However, I do hope that when you are not with me, you will be respectful to the people around you and not use those words."
"Does that mean I should stop telling dirty jokes?" When Kim saw the serious looked Kyra gave her she quickly said, "I'm kidding."
"Kimberly, you better not be telling dirty jokes," said Kyra.
"Mom, I'm kidding," said Kim. "I only know a couple of them and I wouldn't repeat them for anything. Now there are a few questionable jokes I might repeat."
Kyra put her arm around Kim and said, "Kim, please be nice."
Kim grinned and said, "Fine, I'll be nice."
There was a short silence before Kyra said, "Oh Kim, since the situation is over, I'll tell you about how I knew that what you were telling me wasn't just a dream."
"How?" asked Kim.
"Cmdr. Manfred Richter was my mom's dad," said Kim. "He and his ship went MILOS before my mom's fifth birthday."
"What is MILOS?" asked Kim.
"It means missing in the line of service," said Kyra.
"Oh, on Earth, we say M-I-A which means missing in action," said Kim. Kyra just grinned. "Mom, does it bother you about what happened to your grandpa?"
"I never knew my grandpa, and my mom really never knew him either, so finding out about what happened to him affects me in the same way as finding out about other people that went MILOS or M-I-A."
"If it was one of my relatives that went missing and then what happened to him or her was discovered, I would want to know everything I could about what happened," said Kim.
As a response, Kyra just gave Kim a hug.
In the corridor, a short distance from CIC, Dr. Clu-Isic caught up to Cmdr. Adama and as he walked beside him, he asked, "Commander, can we talk?"
Cmdr. Adama stopped walking and said, "Of course Doctor. What can I do for you?"
"Since the power failure, I checked on the DNA fragment of my people," Dr. Clu-Isic began. "The DNA fragments are fine, but the computer that was holding the cloning information was wiped clean…"
"What happened was one of many reasons, I talked you into making backup files," said Cmdr. Adama.
"So the backup files are still good?" asked Dr. Clu-Isic.
"Backup files are always kept in a safe that is proven to withstand any known situation," said Cmdr. Adama.
"So the power going out and the blinding light illuminating the corridors are known situations," said Dr. Clu-Isic.
"No Doctor, but if our back-up files are corrupted from the two incidents then your files won't matter because this fleet will be dead in space," said Cmdr. Adama. "We will then become target practice for the Cylons."
"I hope for everyone's sake that the backup files are safe," said Dr. Clu-Isic.
"So do I, Doctor," said Cmdr. Adama. "Now if you don't have anything else, I need to get to CIC."
"I do have one more thing, Commander," said Dr. Clu-Isic. "Just before the power went out, I was seeing unrested spirits. The spirits were actually warning me of impending danger."
Cmdr. Adama grinned and said, "Well, Kim was given an unusual vision and warned me before hand of the impending danger."
"That's good," said Dr. Clu-Isic. "That's great that Kim has that ability."
"So is there anything else?" Cmdr. Adama.
"No Commander, that's it," said Dr. Clu-Isic."
"Well, when Lt. Gaeta gets a free moment, I will have him re-install the files to your computers," said Cmdr. Adama.
"That sounds good, Commander," said Dr. Clu-Isic. "I'll let you get to CIC."
Cmdr. Adama nodded. As Cmdr. Adama turned to walk away, Dr. Clu-Isic walked into the opposite direction.