Chapter 2: All Along

Deanna Troi walked into Captain Picard's Ready Room. He wanted to discuss her meetings with several of the crew on board Galactica. They were of course informal meetings and purely voluntary but he wanted to know if any of the their new friends were dangerous and if they could be trusted. The treaty between the Colonials, the Cylons and the Federation was too important.

The wars with the Borg and the Dominion had taken its toll. An entire generation of officers had died. The fleet had dwindled down to its lowest numbers since the war with the Klingons. Things were going badly for the Federation. They could use the new blood. Even Cylon blood.

The Cylons were interesting to Troi. They were like Data but with blood like humans. Part machine, part human. She wasn't quite sure how human and how much were machine. She wasn't sure if even they knew. Seeing the same face over and over again did take some getting used to.

"So what do you think of our new friends Counselor?"

"They are an interesting group Captain." The Betazoid Consoler smiled, "On a psychological level they are all suffering from depression and PTSD. Especially the humans. The Cylons are fairing better but not by much."

"Yes, about the Cylons." Picard paused, "What do you make of them?"

"If you are asking if I can sense emotion from them, then the answer is yes," She paused for a moment, "They have the emotional makeup of a child, but they do have emotions." Troi paused, "There are only a few members of the colonies that I can't get a firm read on and that is what worries me Captain."

"Which ones?" The Captain asked intrigued.

"One of them is the President."

"Well Madam President that should do it." Doctor Crusher smiled.

"That's it?" Laura said in awe, "After everything all you had to do is put a metal tool to my neck and poof, no more cancer?"

Once Captain Picard had become aware of Laura's health he immediately made his sick bay available to her. At first she thought that it would come with conditions but after talking with him and Doctor Crusher she realized that they were just being kind and that curing her cancer was their idea of "good faith" negotiation tactics. She knew she would do the same thing in their place. It was good politics. Hell it was good manners.

Doctor Crusher smiled, "It's called a hypo spray and it's not quite that simple, but yes."

"So she's cured?" Bill asked hopefully.

"Yes, I'd still like to see her a few more times, just to check on her blood count and her general health but she should be good. Her stats show that the cancer is gone."

Laura smiled and hugged Bill who hugged her back almost immediately, "See Bill, and we thought I wasn't going to get any relief."

"So how are things going with the Federation people?" Starbuck asked Lee.

"Not so bad, we have had a few fights. Mostly things have gone smoothly. The Cylons don't comply trust them or us but that's to be expected."

Lee and Starbuck actually relaxing for once. They had been given some time off and although they both at spouses to go back to they decided to grab a drink and talk. Despite everything they had remained close and the they understood each other better then anyone else.

"I don't get it. After all this, Earth is already taken."

"What's to get? The thirteenth Colony is colonized. We just didn't consider it. At least they're friendly and willing to help. What freaks me out is the other stuff."

Lee was uncertain about the Federation. He saw them as too good to be true. However like all things he would follow orders and follow his father and the President. He had learned from his mistakes and he would not make them again. He knew his father would follow the President and he would follow his father. He would follow him anywhere.

"What the aliens? I like Klingons." Starbuck said simply.

"You would."

The first time Lee had set eyes on the Klingon officer he had nearly drawn his weapon in fear. He had found out later that many of the fleet had similar stories. The Klingon had a face of a demon but the heart of a warrior. Lee had spent some time with the warrior and he respected him a great deal.

"They're not so bad once you get past their faces. The Vulcans are who freak me out. They don't drink or smoke, you can't trust someone who doesn't drink, smoke or play cards."

"You have too many vices Kara, has anyone ever told you that?"

"Not lately."

"So the plan is set?"

"Yes."

Two voices in the darkness plotted.

"The Federation won't involve themselves in other people's civil affairs."

"Are you sure, if we are wrong..."

"It's a rule. If we plan this right we can take over Galactica and get rid of the Cylons once and for all and the Federation won't be able to stop us."

Two voices in the darkness plotted against the Cylons.

"And they will deal with us?"

"If they want our technology, they won't have a choice."

"Good."

Two voices in the darkness plotted the fall of Laura Roslin.

Laura smiled protected in the arms of Bill Adama as she slept. They both dreamt peacefully. The only noise came from the low humming from Laura.