Chapter 8: Think Tank.

Rebecca was very tired, she found it hard to breathe, maybe that was just the broken ribs, but something else as well. Before much needed rest she had a meeting to attend. The senior staff filled the sofas and armchairs in the wardroom; Rebecca was on her feet fingering a folder.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a lot of work to do starting tomorrow. But, I want to clarify some things before the day is over." She said, looking over her senior officers.

"Aye sir." Replied the Colonel.

"This file contains all the charted space we have mapped from our two month journey. And I have a strong feeling all the systems with natural resources may likely have Cylon patrols and or bases." She said, handing the folder to Major Vash.

"Yes sir, that's a probable scenario, I'd recommend starting with the most precious commodities. System MH-76, has two large planetoid bodies and a large asteroid belt. Many of the asteroids have high deposits of Tillium. But at the time when the Prominence scouted this system there were no reports of Cylon activity. But from the distance they were recording, they would have missed any contact."

"All of this is updated into the network yes?" Asked Cain.

"Aye sir, and regarding the network… sir I've studied in detail all the major malfunctions from the time of the attack. All evidence is pointing toward the CNP program… the Cylons used a virus to infect ship systems through the program. Essentially back doors sir." She replied.

"My gods…" Mumured Ken. "No wonder we lost so easily, the bastards just flipped a switch and had their way with us."

The Major nodded. "That is how it appears, yes sir."

"We don't have the CNP program do we? Or we'd be dead in that ambush…" Said Bonen.

"I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but the navigation program was implemented into the fleet about two months ago, about the time we left." Replied Vash.

The officers gaped slightly.

"Strange we were not recalled for that particular upgrade." Cain mused.

"I'd think after the first jump past the red line the Admiralty wouldn't risk a transmission that could be intercepted by the Cylons. After all, we have been using the network for some of the calculations." Replied the Colonel.

"Commander, I recommend we immediately disconnect it and practice manual control of all systems." Vash added.

"What? It'll take hours to get anything done that way… just raise the level of security on the firewalls." The Commander replied.

"It may be inconvenient sir, but I suspect the network is also prone to Cylon viruses, with or without firewalls. When the first war broke out the Cylons used many methods of digital warfare. That's exactly how they beat us this time around… I'm sure I can work a system which will be reliable, and not take hours to function…." She said, the others nodded seeing the logic in it.

"Major, you better double check the network then… if there was a virus transmitted we have to get rid of it immediately." Said Ken.

"The network would detect any malicious viruses automatically and try to flush it out, but there's always a chance it could affect individual systems, I'll organize a team to check sir."

"Good, back to the sector maps… MH-76, sounds like a place the Cylons would protect. But there are not mining the ore… it would only be a waste of resources to attack them until we need fuel. Let's keep looking for easy targets, com. relays, shipping lanes, targets that will disrupt them." She then looked at Captain Bonen.

"What's the status with the airway Captain?" She asked.

"Well sir, we have seven squadrons of Mark VII's, twenty-five raptors. One hundred forty two pilots, that includes ECO officers for the raptors. However, a dozen Vipers are down for repair since the battle. But effectively we have enough planes and personal to fight a war, were ready for action sir."

"Excellent, Major, I hope my fighters aren't susceptible to viruses as well?" Cain asked.

"It depends on the Cylons method of deployment, if they don't use direct transmission we should be safe, I can talk to the chief as well and task some specialists to help implement some protection." She replied.

"Excellent, we'll meet back here tomorrow at the same time, and discuss our next plan of action. Everyone is dismissed except Colonel Reid, good night."

The others rose, saluted, and left the wardroom. After it was clear and it was just the Colonel and herself, she plopped down next to him on the sofa. She rubbed her eyes.

"How you feeling?" He asked.

"Like my body is broken, thanks for asking." She smirked.

"The Doc pay you a visit?"

"Yes, thanks for that… I'm wired on painkillers, best not to let the crew know that." She chuckled lightly.

He smiled broadly for the first time in days, and nodded.

"I'll pour us a drink, sit tight." He rose from the sofa and over to the small bar, it had a couple coffee machines and thermoses, and a glass bottle with whiskey. He pulled out two cups from the drawer and poured a fair amount in both.

"After today, we both could use one of these." He said, coming back and handing her the glass, then sitting down next to her.

"Amen to that." She clinked her glass to his and sipped the fiery liquid. It warmed her chest and she sighed.

"You know, when we were rising up through the ranks, I never imagined this is where it would lead us. I mean, I know I've always wanted this responsibility. But now… it feels like I'm getting crushed beneath it." She said, taking another sip.

"We'll hold the burden together, besides, we may encounter more Colonials, it's possible." He said taking a swig from his glass.

"Anything is possible…" She replied half-heartedly.

"When we received the order to regroup at Ragnar… I immediately knew that if Adama survived we could stand a chance. I remember vividly meeting him on Caprica during Colonial day last year. If it weren't for politics he would be an Admiral." Rebecca said, staring ahead at one of her canvases hanging on the wall illuminated with a small lamp.

Ken nodded. "One of the old war-horses. He was supposed to retire." He chuckled.

"Gods rest his soul." She stated, taking a long sip. Then she furrowed her brows looking at the whiskey in the glass.

"What?" Ken asked, noticing her expression.

"I have one bottle of ambrosia, and I think combined with what's in this room it's all that's left."

He shook his head smirking. "Well, there are ways to make alcohol, but their unclean and against regulations."

"No, I won't allow stills on my ship, I don't want a drunken crew, this isn't a pirate ship." She replied.

"Agreed." He stood up, took her glass, walked over to the small bar, and poured the second round. He came back and handed it to her.

"Your supposed to be on duty you know…" She said with a raised brow.

"The Major has the watch, were done for the day."

Sighing in resignation she nodded. The Major was a capable leader in her own right, smart, and tactical. She took a sip from her refilled glass.

"That story you told… that was the Civil war of Galdruin on Tauron."

"That is was, I figured it had some striking relevance to our situation."

"Well it definitely reached the crew, damn fine work Rebecca, you still surprise me." He said, raising his glass to his lips.

"It's going to be a dreary living." She replied seemingly naval gazing ahead into nothing.

Rebecca felt in her heart, they were doomed to failure, when she made that speech it was draining away all that she had left, a promise of a bitter reality and inevitable death.

Maybe she didn't want to feel human anymore, to ignore the pain and set her thoughts and emotion into one focused avenue of revenge. But she couldn't escape her nature, she would have to endure through it all and accept what has happened. Revenge is one of the strongest emotions, which drive humans toward achieving it in any way, and often in the most reckless ways. Rebecca began boiling inside, she wanted to scream and destroy anything in front of her, but she couldn't do it, all she could do was sit as her blood burned with venom.

"I feel numb… I'm trying to feel the loss of my own family, but… I cannot find them in my memories, it's, replaced, with something else…" But despite her attempts of hatred, a tear fell, running slowly down her face burning her soft skin, it touched a corner of her mouth and she let it enter. The taste was salty, and she pursed her pink lips.

Ken realized the person sitting next to him was not only the ships Commander, but a vulnerable woman, the hard headed and disciplined Rebecca Cain he grew to know had been shattered, leaving behind what all have felt, despair and pain. He looked at her with furrowed brows expressing compassion. This wasn't just the ship Commander; this was a close friend. He reached over and placed a firm hand on her left shoulder in support. Ken nodded to her, he lost family as well, but only his sister, his parents were long dead along with his grandparents, killed in the original Cylon war.

"You can't give up on yourself… despite all the training we've been through, nothing could prepare us for this. It's alright to allow a few tears… hell… I know half the crew was tearing up during that speech. The best thing we can do now, is live, and try to gain whatever ground that was lost in the attacks.

"I just, think the crew, myself included, need a few days of rest… we can't charge in guns blazing after what we have learned. After all… we are human, not cold senseless machines only interested in destruction." She replied slowly, shedding not a single tear more.

Ken took his hand off her shoulder, then rested his elbows on his knees, sighing slightly. "I think we should get into the fight as soon as possible, and take our minds off our losses, we're stronger then that and you know it." He replied in a graceless tone, then further pressed his point, he knew this was about her, not the crew.

"The only advice I can give you Rebecca, is to dwell on the memories that were the best, the ones that you keep close to your heart, and move on. Otherwise… you'll drown in pain and unanswered questions, believe me, I know." Ken said, standing up.

She closed her eyes, then replied firmly looking dumbly at the wall. "I'm spent Ken, mentally and physically. I'm giving you command of the Ulysses until I am in better shape."

Ken turned his head and stared at her in clear surprise, her eyes were baggy and dark from lack of sleep and stress. This definitely wasn't the same woman he knew. He wiped his mouth in thought; she did look like hell, but that's hardly an excuse to hide away and avoid her responsibilities. He spoke his mind without caring of the consequences, if anything, he wanted to provoke her defense.

"When you made that speech, you binded yourself forever to the men and woman serving aboard this ship. I know your suffering from injuries, which may make the loss of your family even worse. But, I can't allow a close friend I've known for ten years rot into a passive broken ghost. You are going to get on your feet, bear the pain, and lead us to victory, just like you said. I'll make sure your thoughts stay on the mission until you accept what has happened." His face was turning red slightly at the direct level of personal ground in which he addressed her.

Rebecca slowly turned to face him; she tightened her face, and looked into his dark eyes. After what seemed eternity she looked down, then began a series of slow small nods, then stopped. She rose to her feet, walked over to one of the shelves housing sculptures and artifacts. She looked at one in particular, then turned around wrapping her arms around her stomach.

"Without you at my side… I may well have died already when the Cylons attacked. I apologize for my weakness, I suppose this is how I deal with such a thing. I've never felt this way Ken, so you must understand, such thoughts and feelings are alien to me. I suppose I am afraid of what must be done. Even if we die for it. But you're right, I have to stay on my feet."

Ken gave her a small smile. "There's the woman I know…"

"Come on, you must be starving. I know I am." He got up and walked over to her, putting both hands on her shoulders, and gripped her reassuringly. After that brief gesture she couldn't resist smiling, shaking her head.

"What a frakking day." She announced dryly.

Ken chuckled lightly. "You can say that again. Come on skipper, time to eat."

She nodded and followed him out of the wardroom into the busy corridors.