Finally! The last two chapters. Thanks so much for your patient waiting! Special thanks to Drakkenfyre for beta reading for me! Please review if you feel so inclined
I love this chapter…can you say "Charlie's Angles?" Yeah…
Disclaimer: I don't own them Ron Moore and Sci-fi do.
Under the green glow of the lights in the CIC Adama felt in control. At present he was grateful for the familiar feeling of power as he stood across the command center from Gaius Baltar. Next to Baltar was Tigh. A Tigh who looked enough like a pirate Adama feared he might start strangling the once president.
If Tigh did lose control Adama was sure he would have to beat the current president to it. Laura stood at the opposite end of the command center, and was giving Baltar yet another death stare. Bill had lost count of how many times that woman had killed Baltar with her eyes.
"After the assassination attempt your faction tried, you really think we are going to let you see the cylon prisoner?" Adama asked.
Only Baltar had the nerve to be so…Adama was too exasperated to even think of a word.
Baltar had Helo and Gaeta on either side of him as sort of an armed guard. Ever since the assassination attempt Adama and his crew swarmed to protect Laura like bee's guarding the queen. Maybe, Bill thought to himself, they should be protecting Baltar from Laura and Tigh.
"I had nothing to do with that. Why would I try to kill the president after I've saved her life more times than I can count? You have no good reason not to let me see Caprica Six," Baltar told them.
There was a kind of desperation in Baltar's voice that got to Bill for half a second.
"Sir, we have multiple contacts on DRADIS," Dualla's calm voice echoed in the CIC.
The room went silence and Bill felt all eyes turn to him in a semi panic. Such was usually the case under surprise attacks. Bill lifted his eyes to the screen over head. Two cylon Basestars showed up as tiny red dots. Dozens of smaller dots swarmed the screen.
"Launch Vipers," Adama ordered. From his gut instinct Adama had a feeling the cylons were up to something.
Gaeta hurried back to his post and Helo ran out of the CIC, probably to get a ship. No sooner had Adama given the order than the two Basestars disappeared from DRADIS.
"Dualla, report," he said, thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him.
"Uh…the Basestars appear to have jumped away, sir," Dualla stumbled with the information.
The Raiders still appeared to be commencing with their attack. Everyone in the CIC, even Baltar, waited in silence for the first reports to come in.
"Galactica Actual, this is Apollo," Adama's son said over the static filled line, "The Raiders are evading our shots, but they aren't firing back."
"Take 'em out anyway," Tigh ordered, giving Adama a hard stare.
Adama was trying to unravel the new cylon tactic when Laura put a hand to her head and leaned on the command center for support.
"Something's happening," Apollo said.
Bill fought the urge to go to Laura.
"All Vipers, hit the groups of Raiders, they are trying to land on the hangar deck," Apollo yelled out orders.
"Hera," Roslin said.
Before Bill could open his mouth to question her she ran out of the CIC. He was at a complete loss. He hesitated before focusing on the attack again.
"Where's she going?" Tigh asked, but Adama didn't have time to answer.
If he was ever going to prove to himself he could have a relationship with Laura and command his ship, now was the time.
"Apollo, status," Adama demanded.
"The Raiders formed some kind of assault formation. There are two barges—watch your—they're starting to fire—cut off the right flank—Starbuck."
"On it, Apollo."
"Frak! That one got through. Hotdog!"
"I can't get a clear shot! Frak! They're going to land!"
"Teach you to mess with Starbuck," Kara yelled.
Over the static Adama heard an explosion. The pilots were obviously having trouble stopping the attack. The Admiral didn't like the sound of the confused conversations.
"Dualla, order a squadron of marines to the hangar deck," Adama ordered with a frown.
He received a worried nod from Dee in response but his eyes told her to focus and carry on.
"And somebody find out where the hell the president went," Tigh added.
Tigh took the words right out of Bill's mouth.
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Laura rushed down the corridors of Galactica as fast as she could. She knew she was drawing alarmed looks from those she passed but she paid no heed. Her instincts had completely taken over.
Get Hera, protect Hera, keep Hera safe. She counted the steps as she neared the Agathons' quarters. Each hallway she turned down was a streak of silver extending endlessly. Time was fleeting. Questions raced through her mind in the same silver streak. Answers didn't come. Only instinct. Hera was in danger and Laura knew she was the only one who could save her.
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From inside the brig Six watched as the marines guarding her door were brutally torn apart by centurions. Before now, she never realized how terrifying the metal beats could be. She had no power to help the humans and…she was shocked to discover she might have helped.
The centurions gunned the men down as if they were blades of grass being mowed over. Six was no coward, but she was also no match for a large group of centurions on a mission. Carefully she drew back in the shadows, curling herself into the dark corner of her cell. Had the machines seen her they probably wouldn't have killed her, however, with the Cavils power trip lately she couldn't be too sure.
The sound of metal feet screeching against the ground faded into the distance. Get Hera, protect Hera, keep Hera safe, pounded in Six's ears. With desperation Six flung the mattress of her bed away and picked up the metal bed frame. With super-human force she banged the bed frame into the glass windows of her cell. The windows cracked and Six continued the assault until the glass had shattered to the floor.
The tightly woven wire was the only thing blocking her way to the outside. Examining her white flawless hands she shrugged and laced her fingers through the tiny holes in the weaving. As the wire came lose, red liquid trickled down Six's wrists. She ignored the pain. Her injures weren't important now. Finding Hera was. Once outside the cell she followed her instincts and hoped they would lead her to the child.
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"Admiral," Dualla began, "The marines have the centurions pinned in the hangar deck but they don't think they'll be able to hold them. Reports are saying there are fifteen to twenty cylons."
"Galactica Actual, we've managed to stop the Raiders. Looks like they're retreating. You're going to have trouble. A barge crashed into the hangar deck. Minimal damage from out here, but centurions may be aboard," Apollo's voice said.
"Information's a little too frakking late, Apollo," Saul growled.
Adama didn't pay attention to the anger words of his XO. He was trying to figure out how best to organize the fighting on the hangar deck.
"This isn't right. Tigh, you have the CIC, I'm going down to the hangar deck," Adama said.
The Admiral wanted to be were he could be of the most use, and that was where the action was.
"And I'm coming with you," Baltar replied.
Adama didn't have time to argue. He had a ship to save and a missing president to find.
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Laura finally saw the hatch leading to the Agathons' quarters. Hera was inside, Laura could feel it. She thought she remembered Sharon telling her when both parents were on duty they hired a babysitter rather than taking Hera to daycare. The hatch was closed now, and jutting out at the end of a cross section of corridors. Laura approached from the left. She was so distracted she almost didn't see what was just ahead.
Six, free from the brig, hurried toward her from the opposite corridor.
They both stopped in front of the hatch. Six's blue eyes fixed on something over Roslin's shoulder. Laura followed the gaze. Sharon ran up from behind. The three of them stood staring in shock.
"Well, this is weird," Sharon stated the obvious.
Roslin didn't think her attempt to lighten the mood was very convincing. Sharon's voice quivered with the fear, surprise, and perhaps a little excitement. All of them were there to protect Hera. All of them were drawn there by Hera. Laura's brain worked over time to try and make so sense out of the circumstance.
"Listen," Six said. Silence descended like a blanket over the three of them.
Faint echoing from far away grew louder. Voices? No, more like a banging sound. The walls absorbing shots from outside maybe? No, the sound was inside the corridors. Laura recognized it with dread. The sound of metal hitting metal. The sound that followed Laura and Six out of the detention center. Before she even saw the metal monsters, Laura's heart jumped to her throat.
From the hallway stretching out in front of them two rows of five centurions formed a line. Arms unfolded and turned into guns. With in human grace they marched forward.
Sharon drew her sidearm and pointed it in front of her. Laura had to give the girl credit, for she knew her hand wouldn't be as steady as Sharon's at this moment.
Six bent down and ripped a piece of metal off the wall. She gripped it firmly with two bloodied hands. Laura wasn't sure what good the weapon would do but understood Six's need for the feeling of some empowerment against such hopeless odds. Standing together, in a line of three against ten technologically advanced killing machines, Six, Sharon and Laura united.
At once, they all staggered backwards.
Laura was in the opera house. Six and Sharon stood beside her, forming a circle. Inside the circle Hera was playing on the red carpet, blissfully unaware of the danger approaching.
Get…He…bring…Her…kill. New thoughts started racing through Laura's mind. The thoughts weren't clear and they weren't Hera's anymore. Feeling weak, Laura reached out and touched Six's arm for support. With a flash they were back in the corridor. The thoughts became clearer. The centurions aimed their weapons nearly at point blank range now.
Land on Galactica. Create diversion on hangar deck. Launch secret wave. Find the hybrid child. Bring child to Basestar. Kill humans who interfere.
The thoughts were coming from the centurions.
What's happening? Laura was sure that was Sharon's thought.
We are connected, but this isn't possible! Six was thinking that.
Guns loaded.
STOP! All three of them screamed with thought combined.
The centurions froze like ice sculptures. Their guns only remained lifted for a few seconds before they retracted.
Laura didn't know what was going on, but she decided to go with it. In her heart, Laura was worried about Bill. He would do anything to save the fleet, even jump Galactica into the middle of a futile battle without thinking…Laura didn't have time to think about how hypocritical she was being. If there was an attack on the hangar deck, why not try to do something about it?
Hangar deck, Laura ordered the centurions. Her thoughts alone were not strong enough to over power the commands coming from the Basestar. Six and Sharon must have picked up on Laura's plan because she heard both their minds echo, hangar deck.
Hangar deck, hangar deck, hangar deck, the three commanded in unison. The centurions stood at attention.
Acknowledged, echoed surreally in Laura's mind.
She was completely freaked out and she didn't mind letting it show on her face. What the hell was going on? She could control the centurions with the help of Six and Sharon? The other two women seemed as startled as she was. They all exchanged expressions which may have made for a good laugh had the situation not been so dire.
Hangar deck, hangar deck, hangar deck kept repeating in Laura's mind. She felt something inside of her. Strength was warming her body, making her feel like she did before she ever had cancer. Giving her rebirth. And freaking her out even more completely.
With determination settling in her eyes, Laura turned and strode toward the hangar deck. Six and Sharon followed, close on each side. The centurions marched behind in two intimidating waves of silver steel.
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Adama was taken to a vantage point up in the mechanic's box overlooking the hangar deck. Shots were being exchanged. People were yelling and sparks from stray bullets hitting metal Viper wings was filling the air. Baltar continued to follow Adama, though Adama wasn't sure what interest the doctor had in the situation.
Helo entered the room with a bloody face and torn uniform.
"The fighting is bad Admiral," Helo said, "We can't let our Vipers land or they'll be vulnerable to attack. The cylons have us pinned and when they break through the line they're going to have access to the ship."
"I've ordered all our marines down here. They'll relieve your men," Adama said, trying to calm Helo down.
"Admiral, I don't think they will do much good. From the way we're positioned, the cylons are just going to pick us off until they can break through," Helo explained.
Adama refused to believe his officer. There was a way to beat the cylons, there was always a way. He was going to find it even if he had to pick up a gun and join the fight himself.
"Admiral, look," Baltar said, pointing through the large window to the dark corridor directly across from them.
Sharon, Six and Laura appeared from the shadows inside the corridor. The women stepped into the middle of the gunfire exchange.
"What the frak are they doing?!" Helo yelled, which was exactly what Adama was about to say.
Laura stood her ground solidly; she looked healthier than she had in a while. Six was on her right and Sharon was on the left. The cylons attacking the marines paid no attention to the women, much to Adama's relief, though he knew they wouldn't last long just standing there. He moved toward the door. He was would run across the battlefield to save Laura if he had to. Baltar's hand tugging on his arm stopped him.
"Look," he said.
From behind the three women another ten or so centurions approached.
"Sharon! Get out of there!" Helo yelled in desperation while pounding a fist on the glass.
Adama was too horrified to turn his eyes away. The centurions ran toward the woman. Just as they were about to plow them over, the machines changed directions and ran around the trio on either side. Laura hair lifted in the airstream created by the rushing cylons.
Adama's jaw dropped.
Goddess Keep. Demeter in the middle, Aphrodite on the right hand and Athena on the left; turning dark forces against themselves. The three of them stood exactly as the goddesses in the painting.
The machines blasted into the crossfire and began firing at their own. The centurions attacking Adama's men were caught by surprise. Metal shards whizzed through the air. Sharp glints of light sparked. Gunshots ripped through steel but Laura and her partners remained as still as a lake on a windless day.
When the attack stopped, the victorious cylons marched toward the launch bay.
"Well, obviously something is going on here," Baltar said, though it sounded more like the answer to a question than a statement.
"Find out where those centurions are going," he ordered, though he wasn't exactly sure to whom he was giving the order. Baltar was ignoring him and Helo was too busy nearly pressing his nose to the glass.
Adama watched his men stand up timidly and turn to the three women who had just saved their lives. Only now did Adama wonder how the cylon got out of the brig. Helo was already out the door and Adama watched him run across the floor to embrace his wife. Six's face filled with emotion when she saw Baltar watching them from the box.
Adama made eye contact with Laura, hoping she understood that he couldn't run to her like Helo had to his wife. This was no good. Apollo was right. He was right. Secrets could only destroy. As Six, Sharon and Laura just proved, this was a time to unite and do away with secrets.
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The scene in the Life Station a few hours later was strange. Sharon and her family didn't leave right away once Dr. Cottle had given the okay. Instead Sharon made faces at her daughter, who bounced excitedly in Karl's arms.
Baltar stood close to the cylon from the brig, muttering something to her that Bill was too far away to hear. He watched Baltar and the cylon with apprehension, as did the two marines Bill had assigned to guard them. No one's eyes, however, were more focused or scrutinizing than Laura's. She stood only far enough away from Bill that their shoulders weren't touching. Her arms where folded reverently across her chest and she leaned her weight to one side.
"Should I put her back in the brig?" Adama asked.
A question of logistics seemed to be the only small scale issue in the recent fiasco and Bill used it to avoid other topics.
"Where else would you put her?" Laura snapped.
Bill instantly forgave her. After what happened, he could hardly blame her for being rattled. Though they all pretended to be serene, Bill knew everyone in the Life Station was buzzing with questions.
Cottle had already explained to all of them, in some medical jargon, that nothing was wrong with any of them. Sharon seemed satisfied by the answer. The cylon wrinkled her brow but remained quite. Laura retreated to the corner where she now stood. Cottle dismissed the other patients and he and Bill joined Laura in private.
"What happened, Laura?" Bill asked gently, and, frak the secret, he put his hand on her shoulder.
"I wish I knew," she said honestly. In her eyes he could see a dozen different emotions fighting for dominance.
"Whatever it was," Cottle began, "It sent your cancer into remission. Again."
Despite the seriousness of the moment Bill got the overpowering desire to click his heels together and sing merrily while he skipped around the Life Station.
In Laura's eyes he saw relief win the battle for a few seconds.
"It was Hera," Six said, as she left Baltar's side and approached.
The two marines stepped in her way and she was forced to stop. Laura narrowed her eyes and with presidential force glided up to face the cylon. Bill waited patiently as the two of them simply stared at each other.
"We'll talk later. Guards, take her back to the brig," Laura ordered, her voice compassionate.
Bill thought she even looked a little perturbed at giving the order. The guards and the cylon began to leave.
"And get him out of here," Roslin said, her voice full of rage as she nodded toward Baltar.
The scientist tried to protest but one of the marines grabbed him by the arm. He pulled free which caused Bill to take a step closer to Laura.
"I don't know about all of you, but I would like to know exactly what the frak is going on!" He howled frantically.
Everyone exchanged glances. To Bill's surprise not even Sharon, Six or Laura seemed able to explain it exactly. Baltar may have got some kind of response, though, had he not opened the garbage chute he called a mouth.
"The president is a cylon!" he accused.
Laura rolled her eyes and gestured toward the guards. They lifted Baltar by the elbows and towed him out of the Life Station.
"She's working with the cylons! You all saw it," he continued all the way out the door.
Six turned, gave Laura an apologetic glance, and followed the guards. Bill couldn't be sure, but he thought he perceived the hint of a sympathetic smile on Roslin's lips.
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"Good. The centurions are returning with the child," Leobon said, looking at the report streaming through the crystal water on the command deck.
"There now," Cavil pompously remarked, "I told you it would work. Oh ye of little faith."
Cavil smiled. Doral reached out his hand.
"I'm attempting to guide the shuttle in, but there seems to be some sort of interference."
Another Cavil approached Doral and peered over his shoulder.
"All systems are behaving normally," Cavil's mouth twisted into a smile, "You're just jittery at having the hybrid child on our ship."
In silence the cylons followed the landing procedures of the shuttle. In silence the cylons waited as the armada of centurions made its way to the command deck.
Two centurions marched into the room, but neither of them bore a small blanketed package in their metal arms.
"What's this?" Cavil mused.
He started to walk toward the centurions but before he managed one step a bullet pierced him through the head.
For her youngest sister, Marie.
Throughout the ship, the cylons could hear Cavil's pained screams from the resurrection chamber.
"Stop!" Leobon ordered the centurion verbally.
Doral quickly washed his hand across the command center.
The other centurion continued to move into the room and passed the model of Leobon and a model of Six. The second Cavil stumbled a few steps backward as the centurion took aim again.
"Why are they after me?" Cavil questioned.
The words were his last. The long arm of the machine cut through the air and hit Cavil square in the chest, lifting him off the ground and sending him into the wall with crushing force.
For her gentle, loving father.
"Open fire," Doral yelled.
The cylons managed to subdue the force on centurions on the command deck. What they didn't know was that on the lower deck, marching through the halls, another group of centurions was backing Cavil into a corner. Each extended a long speared set of fingers. Another scream came from the resurrection chamber. Screaming was the last sound Cavil heard before metal entered his body.
For the child she would have named Anna Eleanor...
Screams from the resurrection chamber echoed in the hollow vastness of space.