Chapter 4
"What kind of Supreme Being would condone such irony?" – Burt Gummer
The Present – The Galactica
A few days after Cassiopeia had discovered Athena speaking to Baltar, the Life Station was visited by another important person. She had been going about her work when Siress Tinia entered and requested to speak to Doctor Salik. Unwilling to deal with the formidable Siress alone, Salik had asked Cassie to accompany them to his office. It did not take long for Tinia to dispense with the preliminaries and get to business.
"The Council is curious why you should continue to use some of the Galactica's scarce resources on certain patients."
"Ah…I see what you're getting at," Salik said, irritated by her presence in the Life Station. This was his bailiwick, not hers. "It's not my place to determine who or who does not receive treatment. Anyone who is admitted here will have medical assistance to the best of my ability."
"Anyone?" Tinia asked, arching a brow.
"Yes, anyone. Even you if need be." Salik paused as a new thought came to him. "I believe it was the Council who spared his life, preferring to give a life sentence rather than ordering an execution. Why did the Council not consider the fleet's resources then?"
"I can not say. I was not a member of the Council at that time."
"You were when he made the infamous attempt to escape…." Salik let the suggestion hang.
"That was a different situation," Tinia said.
"I'm sure it was," Salik growled. "I appreciate your concern, Councilor Tinia, however I will not interfere with your duties, if you do not interfere in mine." That the conversation was over with as far as Salik was concerned was evident.
"Thank you for your time," Tinia said coldly and swept out of the Life Station.
"She'll no doubt speak to Adama," Cassie said, watching Tinia leave.
"I expect her to," Salik muttered.
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Without looking, Omega knew that someone had intruded upon the Galactica's bridge. He could sense the change in the crew as they noticed the newcomer. Even Athena at her station seemed suddenly intent upon the information displayed on her console screen. Omega glanced at the bridge's main entrance to see a tall, elegant, and, above all, authoritative woman standing there as if she owned the ship.
Behind Omega, Colonel Tigh let out a tired sigh. "Just what we need: the Council."
"Now, Tigh, don't go looking for trouble," Adama said.
"Adama, if it's the Council, it's bound to be trouble. It comes looking for us."
"Siress Tinia," Adama said cordially, walking to her. "Have you arrived for a surprise inspection on behalf of the Council?"
"No. I am here – at the Council's request – to discuss a matter that has come to the attention of the Council," she said.
"Urgent enough that it could not wait for the Council's next meeting?"
"Commander, I would prefer to discuss this matter with you in private, away from the rest of the Council."
"That's very considerate of you," Adama said. "Shall we go to my quarters?"
As they left, Omega could feel the bridge crew relax.
"At least we are being given warning this time," Tigh muttered.
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In the portion of his quarters that functioned as an office, Adama gallantly assisted Tinia to a seat at his desk before settled into his own chair.
"I know you don't welcome my visit," Tinia said.
"That's not exactly true." Adama said pleasantly. "You calling on me is quite welcome; the possibility that it involves Council business is not so welcome."
"Despite their attitudes, the rest of the Council does respect you, particularly your ability to keep the fleet going."
"That's very gratifying, however, I doubt you're here simply to tell me this."
"Unfortunately, no. Recent events have brought up the issue of how the fleet is expending its resources."
"Yes, and what exactly is the issue?" Although Adama asked, he knew he wasn't going to like where this conversation was apt to lead to.
"Commander, I realize that a certain amount of compassion is admirable but at some point with limited resources, it must be realized that certain people in the fleet are not as deserving of these resources as, frankly, personnel who contribute more to the fleet."
"Is this about the perception that preferential treatment is being given to the Warriors?"
"No. It's not that contentious." Tinia gave Adama a brief smile. "It's about the Galactica's medical personnel expending time, medicine, and treatment on a traitor."
"If I recall, the Council did not see fit to pass down a sentence of execution." Adama said carefully.
"Yes, I know. Doctor Salik has pointed that out." Tinia said, now giving Adama a searching look. "I suspect you have reasons for tolerating the man. It has not escaped the present Council that you and he are the only survivors of the Council that negotiated the disastrous Armistice agreement."
"I'm aware of that." Adama gave her a curt nod.
"I won't ask you what happened in the past as I suspect it would not help matters, however, I need to be able to give the Council some rational reason before they decide to do something foolish."
"I appreciate your consideration, Siress," Adama said.
"Commander, I don't think this fleet can survive without your leadership."
"I don't know about that." He gave a short laugh. "I think you might be able to manage the fleet quite well if need be."
"Thank you for the vote of confidence," Tinia said warmly. "In the meantime, Baltar is, at the very least, a security risk while aboard this ship, no matter what his state of health."
"Agreed. I will confer with Doctor Salik and get back to you as soon as possible."
The Past – Caprica City
"Ahh…the first of the never ending reports, missives, and whatnot," Baltar said, sitting behind his desk, as Athena handed him a stack of sealed documents which she had brought from her father's office.
"Weren't you expecting them?" Athena asked.
"I was expecting them. I wasn't looking forward to reading them." He laughed and set them on his desk. When she remained silent, he looked up at her with an inquiring look. Athena hesitated, unsure of what she was supposed to do next.
"Is there anything else I can do?"
"You can sit down for a moment," Baltar indicated a chair next to his desk. "You look so uncomfortable standing there at attention."
"I didn't know I was," Athena said, sitting.
"You rather remind me of Adama," Baltar mused. The morning light shone through the office's window, giving warmth to the otherwise austere room.
"Why is that?" Athena asked, nervous.
"You're so serious. Is it a Caprican trait? Do they ever have fun here?"
"But you were complaining about attending the receptions and such.'
"Those are but an extension of work; I am expected to maintain a certain decorum during them." He leaned a bit closer to her.
"I thought you enjoyed last night's reception." He had seemed to enjoy it. Had she been wrong?
"I did, but I had a most charming dance partner, something that is absent all too often at those functions." He smiled at her. "Did you find any pleasure in it?"
"Yes," she murmured, feeling her cheeks warm.
"Then…perhaps…it's something you would do again," he said, his voice dropping to velvet purr. "With me? Or is there someone else that you would prefer?"
"I thought there was someone, but he doesn't seem interested…."
"Ah…a fool…or an unwise man…perhaps I should pity him."
"Why?"
"He evidently does not recognize what most men would risk their lives for."
"Aren't you exaggerating?" Athena asked, almost stunned by his words.
"Maybe just a bit." He smiled again, but this time with a dreamy quality.
"Do you like the Caprican Councilor?" Athena asked, directing Baltar's attention away from herself.
"Adama?" He said, a rather sour note in his voice. "I really couldn't say on a personal level; however, as a Councilor, he is hard to deal with. Why do you ask?"
"You seem to dislike him."
"You shouldn't trouble yourself with such a matter," Baltar said with some amusement. "No doubt it is in the nature of the Council itself as we each come from different backgrounds and have different goals in mind. Adama's very existence is grounded in military protocol; mine is not. Of course we're going to have conflicts."
"But isn't that the purpose of the Council? To reconcile such differences between Colonies and decide on a common purpose?"
"That is the ideal," he said and laughed. "Unfortunately, reality abhors ideals. I wouldn't be surprised if Adama thinks I am some villain as seen in those melodramatic theatrical works and my sole purpose in life is to thwart him." He ended with an extravagant laugh and a wild gleam in his eyes.
"You know you're really scary when you do that." Athena said in a hushed voice.
"Do what?" He asked innocently.
"That deranged laugh. It's like you're a different person; one that scares me."
"Athena, I was joking." He reassured her. "If it upsets you, I won't do it…but do you suppose it would scare the Council?"
"Why? It would be childish." She also suspected it would just annoy her father.
"Ah…you've never been to a meeting of the august Council of 12."
"What's that suppose to mean? What does the Council do?"
"I told you: we mostly argue." He gave her a conspiratorial smile.
"Don't you mean 'debate'?" Athena said, still hanging on to her expectations of the Council's operations as she had been taught in school and at the Academy.
"No…debating implies that someone is listening to your position and just might actually give it serious consideration."
"How does anything get decided?"
"We either blackmail each other or sell each other out." He laughed and shrugged as if it was obvious.
"What?"
"Athena, it's what politicians do," he said calmly, "except we call it 'supporting our esteemed colleague's position' or 'compromising'. And, of course, we all keep a running tally of who owes whom."
"Do you take your position seriously?" she asked, unsettled by his casual attitude.
"Of course, I do, but, my dear, it would be foolish not to take what enjoyment you can out of life," Baltar said as if he were telling her a secret.
"Shouldn't you, as a Councilor, be beyond that?"
"That's all the more reason for me to recognize the absurdities that inevitably accompany life...if only to keep matters in perspective." He smiled. "You're far too young to be so serious about things. Particularly things that you will realize are not as important as you now think they are."
"How can you say that?"
"How can you not consider it?" He gave her one of his quizzical smiles, almost teasing her.
"It has never occurred to me," she admitted.
"Of course, it hasn't. No doubt the Caprican military would disapprove of such frivolous behaviour."
"You wouldn't want the Warriors to be – be – distracted, or, worse, indisposed should there be a Cylon attack."
"No, I wouldn't. But I would prefer Warriors who think of life as more than a series of duties that must be met at the exclusion of all else. They are only human, are they not?"
"They take pride in their service." Athena felt compelled to defend her comrades.
"I'm sure they do," he said, and then added, with an amused glitter in his eyes, "I'm sure you do." He straightened up and took on a serious demeanour. "I trust you'll believe me when I say that we civilians appreciate and honour their commitment to their service. Remember, most of us have served in some capacity as some point."
"Even you?"
"Of course. With a war that has been ongoing for a thousand yahrens, I could hardly not have served. No one has been unaffected by the constant war and that is why we should remember why it is that we continue to fight to maintain our cultures and our homes.
"In fact," Baltar continued, "after the losses sustained at the Cosmora Archipelago and Molecay, the Council has made it a top priority this session to re-evaluate how the Colonies are handling the war. We can not continue to lose battle after battle and prevail over the Cylons in the end. At some point the Colonies will not have sufficient resources to be able to make an effective counterattack or, even, defense…then where will we be?"
"I think I see your point," Athena said slowly.
"There, I'm quite capable of being the solemn, serious statesman that you expect, but I'm not nearly as amusing to be with, am I?" He leaned forward, the sparkle again in his eyes.
"I suppose not." She looked at him. "But should you be?"
"Why not? It can be quite effective in getting my opinion heard at Council meetings. Some Councilors feel the need to drone on and on, and I'm in danger of falling asleep before they ever sum up whatever they're trying to say."
"How ever do you manage to stay awake?" Athena asked, smiling.
"I haven't had that problem since my thoughts have been preoccupied by a certain charming liaison…." He returned her smile with one of his own.
"If I'm being a distraction, perhaps, I should resign."
"Haven't you been listening to me?" he asked gently, taking her hand. "You provide a reason for me to take an interest in the endless ramblings heard at Council meetings. Men need some ideals to sustain their efforts."
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The following sectons established a rhythm for Athena of hand delivering confidential documents, keeping the Sagitaran staff informed of Council schedules, and directing the Sagitaran Councilor to various locations in the Presidium and Caprica City. Eventually, she suspected he was denying his ability to learn the various buildings and layout of the area but she did not feel any need to ask him about this.
She found herself enjoying his attention, although time became scarce due to the increasing demands that Council business were making on him. Councilor Baltar talked to her differently than any man she had ever known. Although he teased her, it was not mean-spirited, and he actually seemed to listen to what she had to say. He did not appear to mind her questions, or dismiss them as irrelevant, something which Caprican men quite often did.
Unfortunately, her father became more short-tempered as the Council session proceeded and she knew from his comments that he did not approve of Baltar. Her mother assured her it was simply Council business that was causing Adama's irascible behaviour.
Athena would have liked to believe otherwise but she doubted Council business was the only thing that was upsetting her father. That became quite apparent the next time a reception was held in the Presidium's grand hall.
That night Athena and Ila watched on the sidelines as her father again took Councilor Baltar aside with the stated purpose of discussing Council matters.
"I'm afraid your father is in one of his moods tonight," Ila said.
"I don't think this is helping it," Athena said, noting that Baltar looked annoyed with Adama.
"Have you heard from Starbuck lately?"
"No, I've tried to talk to him but he always seems busy…."
"That's unfortunate," Ila said. "Perhaps he just needs a bit more time."
"I don't think there is any amount of time that will change his mind."
"It looks like your father is done chatting. Why don't you go dance with your Councilor?"
"My Councilor?" Athena asked, turning to her mother.
"Of course," Ila said, smiling, "you are his liaison and I think he's searching for you now." Ila nodded and Athena could see that Baltar, free from her father, was scanning the crowd. "I'll take care of your father."
As Adama paused to acknowledge another member of the Council, Athena took the opportunity to slip off.
"Dear, watching them is one thing, haunting them is another." Ila said as Adama joined her. "Councilor Baltar is getting suspicious of your odd behavior."
"It's not odd," Adama stated firmly. "It's perfectly normal for a concerned father."
"I'll grant you that, but it's becoming painfully obvious what you're doing."
"At some point, he has to know," he said, his voice rising.
"Hush, dear, people are looking." Ila took his arm.
"How can you remain so calm about this?" Adama looked at her.
"Because I remember what it was like with my father when I met you," Ila said giving him a flirtatious look. "I don't worry any less than you about Athena, but I'm willing to trust her judgment."
"I trust her judgment; it's his I don't trust."
"Are you saying he doesn't have the judgment to recognize an intelligent and desirable woman?" She laughed.
"That goes without saying," Adama said, fuming. "What are his intentions towards her?"
"Oh, I suspect the same as most men's intentions," Ila said lightly, teasing him.
"Him?" The thought appalled Adama, and Ila tightened her grip on his arm.
"My father had the same attitude about you."
"Fortunately you didn't listen to him," Adama said softly and gave her a smile, relenting again to her charms.
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"What is it with Adama tonight?" Baltar muttered more to himself than actually asking Athena as she joined him. "He won't leave me alone. It's like he's stalking me."
"Perhaps it's some Council matter…" Athena suggested. She knew her father wasn't likely to be pursuing a Council matter; he was just using it as a pretense to keep Baltar occupied and away from her.
"He's got ten other Councilors to harass. Why me?" Baltar frowned, his dark brows coming together and his eyes narrowing. Athena shifted in embarrassment and guilt. It had been so nice to be with someone without her father's overwhelming personality and status affecting how someone treated her, but even now her father was making his presence felt. No doubt when Baltar found out, he'd act differently, or, rather, he'd act like every man did when he discovered that Adama was her father.
"Do you know you look enchanting when you blush?" he said, his frown gone, replaced by an almost reverent expression as he looked at her.
"No," she answered in a small voice.
"Well, you do." He looked around furtively. "Oh, good, Adar's got him occupied. Let's get out of here." He took her hand and led her quickly through the clusters of people and out through a side door. "I haven't felt like this since I was a cadet and sneaking out of the Academy for a late night drink."
"Really?" Athena couldn't help but giggle.
"Didn't you ever do it?" They paused as they entered a side corridor and he got his bearings.
"Once or twice." She didn't add that as Adama's daughter it had made it that much harder for her to escape for a few centars.
"Here I am supposedly one of the most influential people in the Colonies and I have to resort to this to get an evening alone with you. This way." They started down the corridor at a quick pace.
"Where are we going?"
"To my embassy. I doubt if Adama will follow us there, and if he does, I'll have him barred at the door." As they reached the entrance hall, he slowed to make sure it was clear before leading her through. At the doorway he informed the attendant to call his groundcar. "We'll wait outside for it," he finished, leading Athena out of the Presidium's grand hall and to an alcove shadowed by ornamental trees.
"Don't you think Council security might think it's odd for you to be sneaking around in the greenery?" Athena asked, strangely exhilarated in the night shadows next to him.
"If they do, I'll just show them this." He tapped his medallion of office. He was still keeping a watch on other people exiting the building and on the lookout for the groundcar. When the black, sleek car with its small silver and black flags fluttering at the front corners pulled up, he tugged Athena's hand. "Hurry, let's go before the Caprican fleet catches up with us."
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"You've become quiet. Is anything wrong?" Athena asked later that evening as she and Baltar strolled along the garden pathways behind the Sagitaran embassy. Behind her, she could the muted music and the muffled society chatter escaping into the night air from the open veranda doors of the building. It was a more modest gathering then that being held at the Presidium.
"No, nothing is wrong. You've just given me something to think about." He said, taking her hand. "I was just contemplating the ephemeral pleasantries of the evening." He paused on an ornamental bridge which spanned a small stream. Overhead swayed the branches of trees with the filigreed leaves and the aromatic scarlet blooms of spring.
"It is lovely."
"And you look so much a part of it." He slipped his arm around her shoulders, the wide sleeve of his robe enfolding her.
"Couldn't that be said of anyone?" She asked, finding it almost hard to breath.
"Yes," he answered, raising his glass with his free hand and taking a sip. "But there is something unique about this time of yahren; something joyful in the promise of hope, yet, at the same time, bittersweet."
"Bittersweet?'
"That the promise is fleeting, transient, that some aspirations will be fulfilled and others will be disappointed, and eventually the intoxicating freedom of choices will pass." He gazed silently into the distance. Though his face was shadowed by the night, the light from the embassy allowed Athena to see the faint smile on his lips. She could also see something sad in his dark eyes. The breeze ruffled his hair and caressed her bare shoulders. With a slight shiver she leaned into the warmth of his enfolding arm and rested her head on his shoulder, her movement seeming to startle him. Setting his glass on the bridge railing, he stroked her hair letting the shining black strands slide through his fingers.
A petal dropped from overhead onto her cheek and as he reached to brush it off, she lifted her head finding herself face to face with him. So close that she felt his breath upon her cheek. Whether it was inertia or the irresistible force of gravity of two bodies close together, she later couldn't say, but it was only natural that their lips met.