New Battlestar Galactica fic to get me back into the swing of writing over the holidays. Hope you enjoy. Don't own Battlestar Galactica, would love to hear what you think though ^^ AU all the way

One year earlier…

William "Bill" Adama watched the simulation over and over again. The pilot was good, apart from a few rookie mistakes that could easily be punched out with the right instructor. Prone to flying by gut instinct rather than training, he could easily see the pilot assimilating into his crew easily. He liked having a well rounded team of pilots, each one offering that extra something special to fit with his girl.

Her file was open before him, the comments from her instructions there for his perusal. With a sigh, he pinched his nose, perching his glasses on top of his head, selecting new crew was an irritating business to be sure, but not one that he wanted to pass off to anyone else. Each and every one of his crew on board of Galactica was hand chosen by him, known by him, and it wasn't going to change, at least not until he was forced to give up his commission.

"This one must be interesting," came the slurred voice of his XO beside him. As usual, the aging Colonel Tigh had a cup in his hand and a stogie in the other. "You've been on her for a while. She looks like another Starbuck if you ask me."

"Good thing I'm not asking you," Bill replied, glancing down at the file. "She's an interesting one, that's for sure. Lt. Evelyn "Voodoo" Madden, fairly standard pilot, more well known for her out of the box thinking and her obsession with the mystical. Always has some kind of talisman or idol with her when she flies. Apparently a bit of a superstitious woman."

"Where does she hail from?"

"Sagittarion," Bill replied, silently rolling his eyes at his friend's scoff.

"Nothing but a bunch of mystics, there," Tigh moved closer to the screen, drunkenly staring at a maneuver. "Have to admit, she does have some pretty fly moves."

"I can't pair her up with Starbuck, their styles are too showy and similar, they need someone more steady, more by-the-book."

"Lt. Sutton," Tigh supplied, peeking at the file. "He'd be a good influence to get her to be a little more subtle with the mysticism, not to mention he's a damned good pilot."

Bill took a swallow of coffee, considering the pair. "Burner? I think you might be onto something there."

"Shame Lee wasn't commissioned to Galactica, he might have been good for her as well," his friend said, taking a mouthful out of his cup before standing, somewhat unsteadily. "I'm gonna get some rack time, don't stay up all night with this, though, get some sleep."

"No promises," Bill grinned, before turning back to the screen. Tigh sighed and walked out of the quarters, shaking his head. "Welcome to the Galactica, Lt. Madden," he murmured, before filling out a request form and grabbing the file for the next candidate.

Evelyn Madden and Willa Knox pushed through the crowds of Academy students, eager to see their postings. Somewhat smaller than Willa, Evelyn moseyed through the small gaps, dragging her friend by the hand behind her. It was the day everyone was waiting for, the true start of their careers. Long nights, coffee highs, study sessions, it all led to that one moment.

"God, I hope I get on the Pegasus," Willa said hopefully. "Where are you hoping to get stationed at?"

"Solaria or Triton, I've heard great things about their commanders," replied Evelyn. Sighing, she pushed her black hair off her face. "The only thing is you never get the one you want." Willa laughed at her.

"You seriously can't believe that drivel, Voodoo."

"Urban legends always have some aspect of truth," she said lightly.

"Yeah, and most of them are made up from bored students who want to play a prank on everyone." Evelyn rolled her eyes as she finally made it to the front, her gaze flickering through the names until she reached hers. It was like a bucket of cold water thrown down her back. Battlestar Galactica, Viper Pilot.

"Still don't believe in the myths," she pointed out stubbornly, only to be faced with her friend's ecstatic expression.

"I GOT IN ON PEGASUS!" Willa's happy cry could be heard all the way down the hall. Evelyn felt as though she got kicked in the teeth. How had her friend got the post that she wanted while she was stuck on an aging boat with no real chance at promotion? It wasn't fair! All of her hard works, all of her training, all down the drain. Everyone agreed, that all though Commander Adama was one of the best commanders during peace time after the first Cylon war, by now he was just a washed up has-been of an officer. Promotions were few and far between on his vessel.

Placing a false smile on her lips, Evelyn congratulated her friend. "That's great, Willa, you're going to get places with Admiral Cain."

"I know she's a hard ass," Willa said giddily, "But she's such an amazing woman, to get where she is at her age…!"

Evelyn nodded slowly. "Well, guess we had better start packing."

The space dock was busy, loud with rumbling engines, excited yells, furious orders and rushing people. Sitting in the lounge waiting for her Raptor, Evelyn watched everything with morbid fascination. It was like watching bees around a hive, but the hive being the Battlestars.

It was weird seeing the majestic ships being placed in dry dock, it's seemed to make the girls seem so much less threatening, less noble….just less…and it wasn't right, the ships were the worlds' protectors, seeing them so vulnerable, their insides in full view, seemed just so wrong. Sighing, she turned away, her foot rhythmically kicking her duffle bag. It wouldn't be too long before she would be called to be transported to her post, and despite her disappointment in being placed on an aging Battlestar, she couldn't wait to be a part of something so much bigger, to serve as a protector.