Disclaimer: Battlestar Galactica belongs to Ronald D. Moore and the Sci-Fi channel.
Chapter 23: The metal of a man
Tiberius gaped at her for a solid five minutes before finding his voice. "You…" he paused to glance at the admiral, "and him, all this time. I suppose it would be pointless to ask who the father is. You really have stooped low. So you've been a machine this whole time too?"
Bill looked at the premiere like he was about to strangle him, but Laura put up a hand. "Not a machine, the recipient of a full-body transplant."
The premiere stood and scoffed. "Why should we listen to any of this? People like you are the reason why we've reduced the technology-"
Bill glared at him, also standing. "Will you just shut up one frakking minute?"
Tiberius rolled his eyes. "Your people not only have robots in delicate positions of power, but you seem to have ignored a crucial fact: your esteemed leaders are sleeping together. It's obvious that this has been going on for a while. What kind of sorry excuse for a government have you been running?"
Laura sighed heavily, resting her hands on the table. Then she looked back to Tiberius, glaring at him. Despite her irritation, she spoke calmly. "I believe you are redirecting the issue. We are here to make a case regarding the rights of my people."
The premiere shook his head, then faced the admiral. "You knocked up your president and have been using the complaints of your people, as well as this whole Cyborg circus to cover up the joke of leadership that you two have pulled off. How long have you been letting her sham of a presidency-"
Bill cut off Tiberius again, this time with his fist. Using a quick right hook, Bill's fist connected with the premiere's jaw, sending him to the floor. "That's my wife you're talking about."
The admiral had expected to be escorted from the room and arrested. What he had not expected were applause. Chairman Pliny stood and walked over to him. "Sir, I have been hoping that someone would do that for a long time."
A few of the other chairmen restrained Octavio. Cottle wandered over to inspect the premiere. "Damn. Looks like the frakker's gonna live. He'll just have one hell of a headache when he wakes up."
One of the few women of the New Plymouth government stood. "We should probably put him, and Octavio out of the room."
Bill used his two-way radio to call some of his marines. They arrived shortly, removing the unconscious premiere and Octavio. The woman turned back to Bill as the marines left. "I'm Chairman Janet Dido. Tiberius doesn't speak for all of us. We've been trying to find proof that he has been abusing his power so that if we need to, we can remove him from office. Anyone you can elect, you can also impeach. Hopefully you didn't do too much damage."
"I didn't intend to knock him out, just to shut him up," Bill remarked, folding his hands in front of him.
Chairman Dido smirked. "I'm only sorry that you beat us to it. There have been times when I've wanted to deck him myself."
"So say we all," Cottle added.
Chairman Pliny smiled. "I like it, 'so say we all.' Somebody write that down. Now I do believe that we still have business to resolve."
Cantrell cleared his throat as everyone sat down again. "We do, but first. I'm going to ask the obvious." He looked over at Laura as she and the others took their seats again. "How long have you known that you were one of the Final Five?"
"I didn't know until we were on Earth. I promise you that when I found out, I planned to leave office. I never intended to deceive anyone, or to hurt anyone. I was only trying to step down quietly," she told them.
Delegate Elizabeth Murray of Geminon spoke. "You mentioned a homing beacon. Does that apply to the Pythia Prophecy?"
"I don't think so, since the Pythia Prophecy only led us to Earth. Earth may have been where the other Four were led, but I was led to find the people who had been on Earth, and to convey the truth of their origins, and our link to it all," Laura answered.
"If your people are trying to ascertain whether or not you're the enemy, from my own observations, you have only been attempting to help," Chairman Pliny remarked.
Laura smiled appreciatively. "Thank you, Chairman Pliny."
"You've brought us to Kobol, Earth, and you've led us here in search of a new home. You've kept your promises and shown your continued dedication to the continued safety and survival of our people. Even now, you're negotiating a better quality of life for us, at the risk of your own life by exposing yourself like you have," Lee commented.
She folded her hands in front of her. "I am the last of the Final Five."
"You did step down upon finding out so that your people wouldn't feel that your judgment was compromised," the Delegate Andrew Riley of Picon stated.
"Since Lee Adama granted the Final Five amnesty, you are safe," Arnold Garrios of Aerylon added.
"There's that, and since we've learned that it was a full-body transplant, we know that you're not to be feared," Lee mentioned.
Laura smirked, feeling slightly facetious. "I wouldn't go that far. For anyone who threatens the Fleet and our people, my airlock policy still stands."
The Quorum chuckled. "We wouldn't have it any other way," Cantrell added.
"Airlocks?" Chairman Pliny inquired.
"Best left for another day, Mr. Chairman," Laura told him.
The chairman smiled. "There are several things I should discuss with you at a later date, Madame Counselor. At present, we must ask your government to leave the room for a moment while we call for a vote on how to proceed."
Laura nodded politely. She, the Quorum, Lee, the admiral, Cottle, and Sorenson left the room. "They seem to like us at least," Lee remarked.
"But they probably wonder who's really in charge," Cottle commented.
"It might be best to hold an election after things settle down. You're probably still more popular than I am," Lee added, looking to Laura.
She smiled at him. "I'm not running again. I'm going to have other responsibilities and frankly, the extra time has been nice."
"I wonder what they'll do with Premiere Black-eye," Cottle stated.
"It was his jaw," Morgana corrected.
He rolled his eyes. "I know that. Black-eye just sounded better than 'Black-jaw.'"
"Hopefully he won't be a problem anymore," Adama added.
Laura smiled at him. "Thank you for sticking up for me. I was getting tired of separating men arguing. You saved me the trouble."
"Glad to be of service," he said with a wink.
Chairman Dido emerged from the room. "If you would all come back please."
The Colonials reentered the room, taking their seats. Chairman Pliny stood, facing Laura. "I'm not completely certain who is truly in charge of your people, but we have come to a decision. The land you have been given for your people will be your own separate country to do with and govern as you like. You obviously have a system and a complex set of issue that you deal with, and you know how to deal with those things better than we can, because they are your people. No one will treat any of you as second-class citizens, Cyborg or not. We look forward to trading with you, and perhaps sharing technology once in a while, a little further down the line."
Laura looked to Lee, as if giving him the authority as president. Lee then spoke to Chairman Pliny. "That is more than we could have asked for, sir. We genuinely thank you. If I may ask, what will be done with Blackwell?"
Chairman Pliny folded his hands in front of him. "He is a situation that my people will deal with on our own terms. He has hidden certain things from us and suppressed our people for his own gains. We will deal with him. Do not worry about that."
"Are we done here then?" Lee inquired politely.
"One more thing," Chairman Pliny began, looking toward Morgana. "Dr. Sorenson, we have voted to reinstate you as Head Doctor if you would like your old job back. You were unfairly dismissed and we see no reason to keep you unemployed."
She smiled at the chairman, but then faced Cottle. "Jack?"
Cottle sighed, but smiled back. "You go. I'll be fine. I managed without you before. Go take your job back."
Taking a deep breath, she faced the chairman, slowly shaking her head. "Floyd, this is truly gracious of you, and in the beginning, that is what I would've wanted. But having spent time with the Colonials, I have come to the conclusion that my place is here. Thank you very much for your offer, but I must decline."
"I wish you the best of luck then," he responded. As the meeting ended, Chairman Pliny walked over to Cottle and Morgana. "Is this truly what you want?"
She nodded. "Yes, Floyd, I believe it is."
He faced Cottle. "Take good care of her."
"I wouldn't dream of doing less," Cottle answered.
Then the chairman placed a hand on Morgana's shoulder before leaving. "I had better be invited to the wedding."
Cottle watched him leave. "Does he always mind your business for you?"
Morgana laughed. "Yes. It's what he does best."
As Bill and Laura reached the lobby on the first floor, they were suddenly swarmed with reporters. "I forgot that they've been listening in to the radio equipment the whole time," Laura stated.
"I'm not planning on staying here much longer," Bill relayed.
She nodded. "That makes two of us."
D'Anna and her group left quickly, heading back to the baseship. Five reporters stuck microphones in front of her. "Madame Counselor, what will our policy be on the Cylons, since you're one of the Final Five?"
"Ma'am, is it true that you were having an affair with the admiral before you married him?"
"How long has your affair with the admiral been going on?"
"When is the baby due?"
"Madame Counselor, did you decide to marry the admiral because you found out that you were one of the Final Five, or because you found out you were pregnant?"
Laura calmly raised a hand, telling them "There will be no further questions at this time."
She and Bill pushed through them, heading to Saul's house. The XO greeted them at the door and ushered them in quickly before any reporters could follow them. "I heard it all on the radio. You're gonna be news for the next decade," he told Laura.
She smiled. "Probably. I'm just glad that their government was willing to listen."
The sound of a baby cooing took Laura's attention away from Saul as Caprica entered the room, holding her baby. "Look Mina, we've got company," she told the infant. "I've got some sandwiches for lunch, over in the kitchen."
"In a minute, thank you," Bill responded.
"I think I'll join Caprica in the kitchen. Wait if you want. I'm starving," Laura told him.
When they entered the kitchen, Caprica let Laura hold the baby as she put a turkey, lettuce, cheese, and tomato sandwich on a plate. Caprica took the baby back as Laura took a seat at the table with the sandwich. "She's growing so fast," Laura remarked.
Caprica sat in the chair across from Laura. "Yes, and she gets heavier every day."
"'Mina' sounds like a good nickname," Laura mentioned.
"Thank you. Maybe she'll want to use the full name when she gets older," Caprica replied.
Laura did not speak again until she had eaten her sandwich. "It's been a long morning. At least we are on our way to having a place that we can truly call home."
"Yes, and from the radio, I hear that you might not be having trouble with the premiere anymore," Caprica added.
The red-haired woman smirked. "I wouldn't count on miracles, but it does sound that way."
"Miracles happen a lot more than you think," Caprica stated.
Laura rested a hand on her abdomen. "I'm well aware of that."
Caprica took a drink of water. "Have you thought of a name yet?"
"No, I've been too busy," Laura answered.
The blonde woman placed her baby in an infant seat that had been in the chair next to her and stood. She walked over to the window sill to bring a vase over that Laura had not noticed. In the vase were three long green stems, each ending in a white cup-like shape. "These are a form of what the people here call 'lilies.' They have so many new flowers here, and different names for them."
"They're beautiful. How did you get them?" Laura inquired.
Caprica smiled. "Saul bought them for me. In the Terran town I guess there's a flower shop."
"Yes, I remember," Laura stated.
As she and Caprica talked more about the planet's flowers, Bill and Saul discussed the changes in the situations. "I'm glad that we're at least in good standing with their government," Bill told his old friend.
Saul smirked. "Yeah, and I heard you punched out that moron of a premiere."
Bill shrugged. "Accidents happen."
They both laughed heartily. "'Accident' my ass. That frakker got what he deserved."
"True. I was surprised though by how relieved his own government seemed," Bill commented.
"The next few months are probably going to be interesting for both sides," Saul added.
"I think for the next few months Laura and I are going to try to stay away from the news and take a vacation," Bill told him.
"Sounds like a good idea," Saul responded.
"What are you going to do about Caprica?" Bill probed.
Saul sighed as he sat on the couch, looking toward the kitchen. "I think I'm gonna marry her. I've been making excuses, but the truth is that I owe it to her, and to our daughter."
Bill smiled. "Good move. Now let's go in and get some lunch." The two men headed for the kitchen, finding already-made sandwiches.
Later as Bill and Laura walked back to their house, they linked arms. He looked over to her as they moved. "I'm thinking that you and I should go on a vacation for a while, now that things have been resolved."
Her brow furrowed. "Bill, things have been decided, but there is so much in the settlement that still needs taking care of. We're still picking names for it. I hate picking names."
"You're thinking too hard. It'll come to you. Just give it time," he told her, knowing instinctively that she was referring more to her unborn baby than to the settlement.
"Perhaps." They entered their home and sat on the couch. "Where did you want to go for this vacation you've alluded to?"
"Galactica, of course. I still need to decide what to do with the Old Girl," he replied.
"I suppose it's a good place to go to hide from the fallout of the fleet discovering that I'm one of the Final Five. I have a feeling that they won't dismiss it so easily. I wouldn't put it past people to be angry with me," she relayed as she placed her hands on her knees.
He rested a hand on top of hers. "No matter what happens, we'll face it together. It would be too much to expect things to go easy, but I believe that our people will eventually come to an understanding. You might have to face the fact, however, that you'll always be somewhat of a celebrity."
She chuckled softly, leaning against him. "I hate to tell you this, but you're a celebrity too, being the admiral who defended my honor over the radio for all to hear."
"And I'd do it again," he said before kissing her cheek. "I've been meaning to ask you, what would you have said to that question about why you married me?"
She grinned. "Bill Adama, you should already know that one. I said 'yes' because I love you, with every fiber of my being."
They packed quickly and sneaked up to Galactica just after sunset. After a quiet dinner and some reading, they squeezed into his rack. "I remember when this was easier," he grumbled.
Laura giggled as turned toward the outer half of the bed with him to her back. "You're just cranky because you're squished between me and the wall, and neither one of us can give you any more room," she teased.
Laura found herself in CIC. The room was empty though, with the exception of the red-haired girl. The little girl was playing with the ships on the table. However, as Laura moved closer, she saw that the ship the girl currently held did not look Colonial. The girl took the ship and sat down on the floor, in the middle of twelve balls. She flew the ship around the balls. Then she pushed a button somewhere on the ship and what looked like dozens of teeth shot out from it, hitting the balls. Laura picked one of them up and saw that it was a miniature escape pod. She could discern three tiny numbers painted on the pod: nine, zero, and eight.
"There were survivors. There were nine hundred, eight survivors," Laura said aloud.
(A/N: I don't know the names of everyone in the Quorum, so I invented some of them. My thanks to The Breeze, Whas'up, McGonagallFan, carolann, and Mythtern13 for reviewing :D)