Chapter 10: The face of God.

The old yet familiar sensation of alcohol enveloped the senses of Rebecca Cain; she gripped the cryptic message in her left hand while she drank greedily from a glass with her right. She felt a crushing weight of betrayal, someone in her crew managed to steal something that could be twisted and used. She should have told him to go frak himself...

Three months one week and three days ago - Picon fleet headquarters.

"So you understand Commander, this mission is imperative for the Colonies. Admiral Nagala has gone over the details, but I have in mind another objective for you."

Admiral Corman's office was what one would expect from a senior officer of the military, antiquated items from the past, war memorabilia, and of course the rewards earned over the years hanging arrogantly on display.

"We've had no contact with the Cylons for decades, nothing, not a trace. And this is, most disconcerting, and of course would arouse much suspicion of their activities. Why stay silent for so long without the notion of hostility?"

Rebecca didn't like this, it was a closed door meeting and had nothing to do with her official standing in the fleet, but this man could endanger that if she refused to indulge his obvious need for conflict veiled by his golden status. She was no fool; she could already guess what he intended.

"I saw your Aunt the other day; she makes me proud to wear the uniform. And no doubt her influence has garnered you with merit and prestige without the tedious need for ceremony and years of needed service one actually would need to command a Battlestar. There are many candidates who show promise." He smirked folding his fingers together over his chest. His threat caused Rebecca to cough and cross her legs on the chair opposite his desk.

"So we understand each other? Good. Now, when you're out there, wasting millions of cubits and time, you will give the scientists these specific co-ordinates to "investigate"." He handed her a sealed red dossier he pulled from a drawer earlier in the conversation before he began his threats.

"Everything you need to know is in there, good hunting Commander, I look forward to our next visit."

Rebecca rose from the chair, giving the Admiral a look of contempt, she saluted, and then walked stiffly towards the exit

Present day.

Rebecca was torn, that bastard threatened to end her career in the most despicable ways, embarrassing her immediate family as well. She could not live with that hanging over her head, and had no choice to accept the blackmail for a man so eager for blood. What other Commanders had he played his corruption on? The thought sickened her. Her line of thinking was interrupted when a bleeping was heard from her door, someone was wanting inside. She tucked the piece of paper into her pocket, as well as setting down the glass a quarter full of ambrosia, back onto her clear glass table. She moaned rising from the sofa, her ribs were as always agony, it will be weeks more before they heal to a comfortable point. She approached the door, and slid her security card through the receiver. The door opened and facing her were three marines, the one in front Corporal Derek Palmer.

"Gentlemen, please, come in." She motioned them inside, and she resumed her seat as the men stood at attention three feet from the sofa she was now occupying. Their black uniforms were impressive, body armour with pouches meant for extra ammo magazines and other field devices, the Colonial Marine Corps spared no expense on their soldiers.

A few minutes past until the Corporal decided his Commander forgot they were standing there. "You wanted to see us sir?"

"Something extremely valuable has been stolen by one of the crew, from my own quarters. How or, why, I don't know. You three have background in dealing with this kind of thing."

"Yes sir." The Corporal replied.

"This will stay between us, and anything said in this room stays in this room. You three can be trusted, this matter needs as few involved as possible. You're a capable soldier Derek, and I need that." She trailed off, eyeing her glass of ambrosia.

"We'll find the thief sir."

"That I have no doubt; this thief obviously has command access, which makes me equally nervous. I can't imagine how he could have gotten such security cards, but he has them. You need to bait this person, draw him out; otherwise you will never find him, or her."

"What do you have in mind sir?" Derek shifted his weight, and waited for a response. The two other marines at his sides were intrigued as well.

"Something subtle not to arouse suspicion, say, a secure data tape, or... risk something more tempting under the suspicion. Access codes to the nuclear silo's, because whatever this persons intent, it's not a good one. And that is too tempting to walk away from; it's the easiest way to destroy this ship from within. Take this to Colonel Reid, and tell him to place false codes in an encrypted file, three marines carrying such a thing will draw attention. But make it quiet, then make a round of the ship to the silos, the perpetrator will think it's an unusual but typical weapons check. While you're done running the fake numbers, that will be his opening to take them from you, and they'll try."

"And if nothing happens, sir? There could very well be more than one involved in this."

"That's the risk you have to take. Good hunting men, I look forward to your success." She waved her hand in demission, she was at the height of anxiety, too many terrible outcomes played in her mind, and this would prove fatal, or a decisive tactic of success. The marines saluted crisply, and exited the Commanders quarters in good fashion.

CIC

The CIC was antsy, Commander Cain's announcement of delaying any further attacks for recuperation were not sitting well, they were eager to get back into the fight, but not that eager. Colonel Reid was shaken when Rebecca recounted the events of the past night, a thief onboard, a suspect traitor. The thought was unimaginable, but grimly realistic. There were still no enemy contacts, the safe zone was living up to its reputation, but Ken realized that the Cylons knew a Battlestar survived the attacks, and may be hunting for it restlessly. He glanced at the DRADIS monitor, which was occasionally sporadic from the proximity of the star clusters.

"Make sure the weapons grids are at full power at all times during this small overhaul Major, I don't want the Cylons catching us here unprepared."

"Aye sir, weapons are hot, and standing by." She replied looking over the digital grids.

"Good, carry on." Ken then turned his attention back to the operations console and the updated star charts, the scouting Raptors had found a prominent target, a Cylon base stationed on a small ice planet near a gas giant now called Dogma. Ken suspected it to be a listening post or the like. Just when that began to take his full attention the CIC doors opened and three marines approached the Colonel, he gave them a mild glare of annoyance.

"What is it Corporal I'm a little busy right now." He said still looking over the report.

"Excuse us sir, the ships weapons check on silo banks Alpha to Beta are behind schedule, we are ordered to collect updated configuration codes for start up tests, sir."

His attention was now transfixed on the three marines with serious faces. "Alright, take the authorized check list with you, don't forget to frakking tell that lazy weapons analyst to keep up regular routine checks, the last thing I want is to be disintegrated on my own ship." He then hastily signed the papers and handed the sergeant the secure data files containing the pre-launch codes. This plan better work thought the XO grimly.

Causeway Delta, secure access to nuclear ordinance.

The marines proceeded to the silos without incidence, and Corporal Palmer expected an attack any second, sweat began to form on his forehead in anticipation. They stood ready at the heavy blast doors embossed with a large nuclear warning sign.

"Alright... hang tight here for a few minutes boys." He whispered harshly to his men, followed by hand signals to un-sling their rifles. Before the Sergeant had his rifle in hand something felt as if he was just hit by a truck. He was smashed against the bulkhead nearly falling unconscious, through bleary eyes he saw the attacker move with inhuman speed, and then he heard shots fired as his men tried to defend themselves. Several screams were heard and before he knew what happened next a swift kick to his temple ended all his pain.

CIC

"Sir! A deckhand is reporting shots fired on causeway Delta!" Reported Major Vash, her eyes transfixed on her monitor.

"Frak me... get men down there right now! And seal off the area so the marines can find that son-of-a-bitch!" He then ran over to weapons control, and a specialist looked up at him.

"Tell me the warheads are secure!" He shouted loudly into the specialists face, he winced then nodded.

"Yes sir, codes were just entered into the lock, but they were incorrect, the system snapped securely when it detected an unauthorized attempt into the silos."

"Thank the Gods... get the Commander on the line. Tell her we found the rat and are in pursuit."

Causeway Delta - now locked down.

He laughed sardonically, his voice filling the silent corridor; he should have known the humans would try to flush him out after he stole Admiral Corman's damning orders to Rebecca Cain. His own impatience cost his chance to destroy the ship. Even machines can be reckless with their superiority. No matter, killing those three grunts was an enjoyable experience; it is so easy to crush the life out of them. He had one last option, to activate the dormant Cylon virus hidden in the ships systems. He pulled out his portable transponder, issued before he left on his mission, it could "talk" in code with other Cylon devices or other strings of code. It is especially useful as an electronic lock pick, but now that the silo doors were bolted down, he would never reach them in time. He began to activate the device, and communicate with the logic bomb. The process would take another sixty seconds, but he could see the glimmer of flashlights connected to precision rifles, he cursed, and then looked at the floor grating. 'I may be able to crawl under the coolant lines towards an adjoining causeway and escape, and pay the Commander a visit'. He grinned, and then ripped off a grating with ease tossing it towards the running marines nearly upon him; he crawled under and lost himself under the lines.

The crawl was nearly impossible, but after all, Cylons are many times stronger than any human, and he made good time. He squeezed through sharp corners and impossible angles to reach the next causeway, and kicked the grate straight into the air. He jumped up onto the deck, and the frightened cries of shock escaped the mouths of watching crewman, they hesitated to reprimand the person who just kicked open a hole in the metal deck and made way as he ran faster than the best pyramid player. He checked his transponder which wasn't connecting to the viral program, he couldn't understand what the problem could be, and tucked it away into his pocket.

CIC

Major Samantha Vash turned to report, chatter filled her headset. "The marines say three men down and no sign of the attacker, they say the floor grating has been torn up near the silo entrance."

"What the hell? And where's the Commander?" Ken asked with some fright, a sudden terror of realization dawned upon him, the Commanders Quarters can be reached on the next level, but the quarters are located further towards the north east, safely away from any vital systems.

"Marines to the Commanders quarters RFN!" He snapped, and then fingered his own sidearm. "Major you have the deck, I'm going down there! And keep the CIC locked down with double sentries." He quickly motioned for two marines to join him who were soon after replaced, and made his way towards the Commander quarters quickly but carefully.

Commanders Quarters.

Rebecca kept ignoring the wireless; she was too occupied drinking, something that she hadn't done since she studied battle tactics and command at War College preparing for a long and glorious career in the shadow of her ruthless family. She regretted it, what would her Aunt say if she saw her now? That thought sobered her up, and she reached for the wireless phone.

She pressed her index finger onto the receiver.

"This is the Commander, sit-rep." She could hear a voice on the other end but she couldn't understand it, the fog of alcohol was too strong, she rubbed her eyes and hung up the phone. She failed to hear the doors to her quarters slide open and close.

"Now there's something you don't see every day."

The voice was calm, yet taxed, as if it belonged to someone who ran a marathon. And it caused Rebecca to bolt upright in her sofa to stare at the man known as John "Tally" Corbin.

"What the frak are you doing in my quarters Lieutenant?!" She demanded, her head hurting with every word. "I'll have you thrown in the brig! Get out of here!"

"I'm afraid that won't be possible, but before the deed is done, I'd love to talk to you. Unfortunately time is against me so I'll have to make this short. I'm Leobon." He offered her a loose smile as he crept ever closer to her. Rebecca drew her sidearm and pointed it at him. He seemingly ignored it, and tucked his hands into his pockets, taking in her quarters, looking over her art and vanity.

"You know art is the true translation of one's soul. It captures that essence and displays it; God also works the same way. To know the face of God is to know madness." His hands were at his sides now, an open gesture. Rebecca felt inclined to listen deep down, but the alcohol was receding and her vision was becoming clearer.

"Who the frak are you?" She asked.

"Like I said, I'm Leobon, it's an honour to finally meet you Rebecca. I've seen this in my dreams, the point of conclusion."

"What the hell are you talking about?! Don't make me kill you! Not another step!" She gestured the weapon frantically, ready to pull the trigger. Instead he sat down on a wooden chair tucked against the bulkhead, making himself comfortable.

"Death is another part of the pattern." He tilted his head, staring at her with his green eyes, watching her movements, Rebecca bumped into her end table causing her to lose balance, and Leobon still sat still, and she regained her footing. He reached into his flight suit jacket, and pulled out the missing dossier containing Admiral Corman's illegal orders.

"You've been looking for this? I don't think it matters too much now does it? There is not much left to return too." He smirked wryly. "Tauron is nothing but a smoking ruin, cleansed by the fire of Gods righteous fury, paving the way for his children." The anger on Rebecca's face delighted him, and he pressed on.

"All you have to do, is travel back, and accept your pre-ordained fate; don't you realize you face nothing but Gods vengeance? If you repent to me, I'll be merciful." He set the folder onto the side table next to the chair.

"You're out of your mind, and I won't listen to this crap!" She hissed.

"Your men will be here very soon, but there is something I need to tell you, something that will give you perspective. My mission here was to destroy this vessel if we failed the first time, I've known all along what I was, can you imagine what that could be Rebecca?" He waited for her response; the door to the quarters began to rattle as the men on the other side tried to force it open.

Rebecca stared blankly at him, her brows furrowing as she narrowed her azure eyes.

"The first time?" She said completely stunned.

He smiled in return, and nodded. "That's right Rebecca; God has blessed his servants with the face of man, to carry out his divine will by any means possible. We'll be getting to know each other much better, I've decided to stay for a time, and see where it leads us on Gods plan." He reached into his vest pocket, and sent a signal through the ships com system, and quickly folded his arms onto his lap. As the last words escaped his mouth the door burst open and heavily armed marines came storming in, it took them a second to see the Commander pointing her sidearm at a man.

"Sir, are you alright?" Asked Sergeant Major Williams keeping his rifle aimed at the man with a calm grin on his face.

"Take this frakking Cylon to the brig!" She screamed, Leobon stood suddenly, a fixed look set in his features as the Sergeant smashed his rifle butt against the side of his head causing him to crumple to the floor, Colonel Reid stood at the doorway with a look of shock etched onto his face as he watched the marines drag the would be assassin away. He then came to Rebecca's side looking her over making sure there wasn't any physical damage.

"The Cylons look like humans now." She stammered, unable to believe any of it, lowering her pistol.

Ken was at a loss of words, Cylons can take a human appearance? Who the hell is a Cylon then?

"No, it can't be. He's lying... he has to be." He muttered shaking his head.

"Make sure that thing is under constant guard in the brig, we'll deal with that later. Look into how he managed to get in and around the ships restricted areas. We're not going anywhere until ship security is refined." Shakily she walked over to the chair Leobon occupied, and glanced at the small side table which he set down the orders, she gathered them up, gritted her teeth.

"Rebecca, what the hell were you doing in here? We tried to warn you several times!" Ken raised his voice to chastise his friends' recent endeavours.

"Back off Ken, that's an order! Get your ass back to combat and oversee the security measures." She said through gritted teeth, he stared at her for another short moment before giving her a defiant eye before turning to leave, he ordered two of the marines waiting outside to guard the entrance to her quarters. Once she was alone, she threw the dossier across the room accompanied with a scream of rage.

Authors Note: hope you enjoyed, more chapters on the way, drop a review if you feel inclined.