Operation Exodus

by zagor03

A few years before the fall of the Colonies a plan was put in motion in case the Cylons returned and destroyed everything; in order to ensure the survival of humanity. Operation Exodus starts a year and a half before the fall of the twelve colonies...

31. 4x06 Fracturing

Fracturing

Previously on Battlestar Galactica…

Caprica, Before the Cylon Attack Reached the Colony

"You knew I wanted access to the defense mainframe," Caprica Six said, smiling slightly, looking at Baltar as if to say: come on, you know what I mean.

"Def- Wait a minute, the defense mainframe? What exactly are you saying?" Gaius Baltar asked stunned.

"Come on, Gaius. The communications frequencies, deployment schedules, unlimited access to every database," Caprica Six said.

"Oh my god," Baltar said, running his hands through his hair, pacing and thinks for a moment. "I had nothing to do with this. You know I had nothing to do with this," Baltar said pleadingly, desperate to see a way out of the noose he knew he would be stuck in if this information got out.

"You have an amazing capacity for self-deception. How do you do that?" Caprica Six asked curiously.

"How many people know? About me? Specifically, that I'm involved?" Baltar asked.

"Even now, as the fate of your entire world hangs in the balance, all you can think about is how this affects you," Caprica Six said.

"Do you have any idea what they'll do to me if they find out?" Baltar asked.

"They'd probably charge you with treason," Caprica Six said matter-of-factly, bemused.

"Treason is punishable by the death penalty," Baltar said worriedly.

Day 24 Since the Fall Galactica C.I.C.

"Um, yes, maybe I, uh... you'll have to forgive me, Miss Godfrey, I'm very pleased, if slightly puzzled, to make your acquaintance-," Baltar said, holding out his hand.

"Don't touch me, you traitor," Shelley Godfrey said.

"Is she talking to me? Are you talking to me?" Baltar said.

"You're the one who let the Cylons into the defense mainframe. You betrayed your entire race. You're the man responsible for the holocaust and I'm here to see that you're exposed and sentenced to death as the traitor you really are," Shelley Godfrey said.

"Doctor... Miss Godfrey has made some startling accusations," Commander Adama said.

"I've never seen this woman before in my life," Baltar said.

"I'm not surprised you don't remember me, I was just a lowly systems analyst at the defense ministry. Dr. Amarak was my associate," Shelley Godfrey said.

"She says you sold out the human race. That you let the Cylons into our defense plans," Colonel Tigh said.

"Doctor Amarak told me he had evidence that Dr. Baltar was involved in the sneak attack. He was trying to reach the president and give her that information when he was killed," Shelley Godfrey said.

"He told you that, did he?" Baltar asked.

"Yes, as a matter of fact," Shelley Godfrey said.

"Well, it's a pity he's no longer with us. How convenient that we only have your word for that," Baltar said.

"There's also this," Shelley Godfrey said, holding out a disk to Adama.

"Yeah? What the frak's that?" Baltar asked.

"He gave me this, for safekeeping," Shelley Godfrey said.

"It's I.D. Coded. Colonial Defense Ministry," Commander Adama said, examining the disk.

Galactica - Computer Lab

The whole party has moved to a computer lab, where they're watching the disk footag computer.

"Dr. Amarak gave the disk to me before he died," Shelley Godfrey said.

"What, as opposed to after he died?" Baltar said.

"Amarak gave the disk to me for safekeeping. On the disk is a photo. It was captured from the security camera in the defense mainframe on Caprica. It shows the doctor entering the mainframe without permission the day before the attack," Shelley Godfrey said.

"Nothing criminal about that," Baltar said.

"As you can see, the man in the photo is carrying an explosive device," Shelley Godfrey said.

"Sorry, he's what? He's... I definitely never did that," Baltar said.

"Just before the Cylon attack, the entire defense mainframe was destroyed by this device," Shelley Godfrey said.

"Honestly, that is not me. I wasn't there, it's somebody else. Look, it's not me, I'm not the man in the photograph!" Baltar said.

But the man's face can't be seen, the video only shows his back.

"I see a man, same height, same build but that's a long way from proof, Miss Godfrey," Commander Adama said.

"Thank you, Commander. Now, if we're quite done with this charade, I'm a very busy-" Baltar said.

"I agree, Commander, but look here," Shelley Godfrey said, putting on a pair of ugly clashing glasses, "In the faceplate of the computer terminal there's a reflection of the man's face."

"I can't tell anything from that," Colonel Tigh said.

"Thank you, Colonel Tigh," Baltar said.

"With the right equipment the image could be enlarged and sharpened. We could see his face," Shelley Godfrey said.

"Um, enlarging the image is no problem but, uh, sharpening it..." Lieutenant Gaeta said.

"Would take forever," Baltar said.

"It would take at least a day, sir," Lieutenant Gaeta said.

"Mr. Gaeta, let me know as soon as you have an image," commander Adama said.

"Yes, sir," Lieutenant Gaeta said.

"I'm gonna suspend all work on the Cylon detector," Commander Adama said.

"What?" Baltar said in disbelief.

"As well as your security privileges," Commander Adama said.

Galactica - Adama's Quarters

"And I am convinced, in fact, that she is a Cylon agent. In my opinion, she should be locked up before she can do any more damage," Baltar said.

"Do you have any evidence to support this charge?" Commander Adama asked.

"Work on the Cylon detector is nearly complete. With a few tweaks here and there, I'll have a test regime up and running. All I need is a tissue sample from this woman for analysis," Baltar said.

"I can't allow you access to your equipment," Commander Adama said.

"All right. But, under instruction, I could show Lt. Gaeta how to prepare the samples. It's not difficult," Baltar said.

"Let me be frank with you, doctor: if your picture's on that photograph, every piece of equipment in your laboratory will be dismantled and quarantined and every person that you've met will be questioned and investigated," Commander Adama said.

...

"The President believes I'm innocent," Baltar said.

"The President hopes you're innocent. And so do I. Because if you're not, then you've made fools of both of us. And I don't like to be made a fool of," Commander Adama said.

"And I don't like to be accused of participating in the genocide of the human race, based solely on the word of a woman whom, I have already indicated to you, may well be a Cylon agent," Baltar said.

…

"I did not conspire with the Cylons. I am an innocent man, who is being convicted in the court of public opinion without trial," Baltar said.

...

Galactica - Brig

"Just tell me, so I understand. Because I want to understand why. Why you did it," President Roslin said.

"I didn't do it. It wasn't me. I'm being framed!" Baltar exclaimed.

"Why would she do that?" President Roslin asked skeptically.

"Because she's a Cylon," Baltar said.

"She's a Cylon," President Roslin said.

"You are going to have to believe me," Baltar said

"I wanna believe you. I wanna believe that I haven't made such a profound error in judgment in trusting you, in asking your advice. But here's where we are, doctor. If anyone can be a Cylon and it's hard to tell us apart, then we o nly have o ne thing left to trust: our instincts, our feelings. And the moment they told me it was your face in the photo, I knew I believed it. I believe you were involved in the attack... somehow. I feel it," President Roslin said.

"You'll forgive me, madam President, if I don't wish to be executed based solely o n your gut feeling," Baltar said sternly.

...

Day 24 Since the Fall Galactica - Conference Room

Roslin is holding a press conference with Baltar right at her side.

"...that he had been a victim of treachery and deceit. Clearly, the Cylons wanted to discredit Dr. Baltar because of his work o n the Cylon detector. Dr. Baltar, it gives me great pleasure to exonerate you publicly and to recognize you o nce again among us, as a scientist, a leader and a friend," President Roslin said.

The reporters in the room erupt in applause. Baltar glows.

…

Sometime later, Baltar imagining he's back in his house in Caprica.

"You're a hero. You're even more popular and powerful than ever before. You've had your trial by fire, so now they truly believe in you. Hard for anyone to accuse you of treason again," Number Six said.

"Was that the plan all along? Build me up in the public mind by first tearing me down?" Baltar asked.

Flashback: Before the Attack, Caprica City Garden

"If you want to settle this, your people have to disengage. No more civil disobedience, no more acts of violence. I want our students back in school," Secretary of Education Laura Roslin said.

"Done. I'm glad you called, Madame Secretary," Leader of the Union of Schools protesting against Adar; School Teacher Stans said.

"Me too," Laura Roslin said, looking over to the side as Stans left and seeing Gauius Baltar with a blonde woman, a number six as it turned out.

Day 189 Since the Fall, Galactica Sickbay

President Roslin's next sight was of Gaius Baltar standing over her after injecting her with a vial of the Cylon-human hybrid Hera Agathon's blood had been administered to her. Her condition began improving after she had been convulsing with her vitals initially falling until stabilizing, her sickness slowly starting to dissipate even as she looked like death, chalk white in her hospital bed.

"I'll be damned," Doctor Cottle said.

"Madame President?" Balter asked.

"Dr. Baltar?" President Roslin asked, confused about her surroundings momentarily.

"You-" President Roslin tried to say, her memory from before the attacks of seeing Baltar with what she had later learned was a Cylon woman clear in her mind.

"It's so very good to see you," Doctor Baltar said, smiling and interrupting the PResident, shushing her, "No, no, don't-don't move. Don't move. Madame President, very good."

Hours into the Cylon Attack, Colonial One

"Madame President, there are still thousands of people on the sublight ships, we can't just leave them," Aaron Doral protested.

"I agree. We should use every second to get as many people off the sublights as we can. We can wait to jump until we pick up a Cylon strike force –" Colonial one's pilot said.

"We're easy targets. They're gonna jump right in the middle of our ships with a handful of nukes and wipe us out before we have a chance to react," Captain Lee Adama, Apollo interjected.

"You can't just leave them all behind, you'll be sacrificing thousands of people," Doral said.

"But we'll be saving tens of thousands. I'm sorry to make it a numbers game, but we're talking about the survival of our race, here, and we don't have the luxury of taking risks and hoping for the best. Because if we lose, we lose everything, and Madame President, this is a decision that needs to be made right now," Apollo said.

"Order the fleet to jump to Ragnar immediately," President Roslin ordered finally after a long moment.

...

"Don't leave us here. Show some humanity, we don't have any weapons," one of the ship captains said over the wireless, with a panic stricken voice.

"All ships, prepare to jump on our mark. Five..." Apollo said over the wireless.

"Colonial One, please respond," one of the civilian ship captains begged.

"Four..." Apollo said.

"May the Lords of Kobol protect those souls we leave behind," one of the ship captains said solemnly over the wireless.

"Three..." Apollo said.

Cylon raiders begin appearing in the center of the civilian fleet, flying forward and getting into position.

"I've got DRADIS contact. Inbound targets, heading this way," one of the ship captains said.

"Two..." Apollo said.

"I see them too. Are they Colonials?" a ship captain asked over the wireless.

"One," Apollo said.

"Oh my gods, they're Cylons," one of the civilian ship captains said.

"Mark," Apollo said.

"I hope you people rot in hell for this," a voice over the wireless said venomously.

Most of the Colonial ships jump away as the Cylons fire missiles en mass continuously, destroying all the ships left behind within minutes.

Several Days into the Attacks Following Cylons Finding the Fleet Every 33 Minutes

Galactica Combat Information Center (CIC)

"Look, at this point there's no choice. It's either them or us," Commander Adama said, looking at Dradis as the Cylon fleet closed position rapidly on the civilians and Galactica.

Colonial one

"Do it," President Roslin ordered finally.

Vipers - Space

"We have new orders. We are directed to... destroy the Olympic Carrier and return to Galactica," Sharon Valerii, Boomer Eight said.

"It's a civilian ship," Starbuck said in disbelief.

"A civilian ship with nukes. I don't see anybody in there, do you?" Crashdown, Boomer's ECO, said.

"The Cylons'll be here any second. If we're gonna do this, let's just do it. Starbuck, form up with me, we'll make one pass from astern," Apollo said.

"What if you're wrong? Lee, come on... Lee!" Starbuck protested in vain.

"Okay, fire on my mark," Apollo said stoically.

"No frakkin' way, Lee. Lee... Come on!" Starbuck said loudly in protest.

"Mark," Apollo ordered coldly.

Apollo fired his viper's cannons and moments later, she does too. The Olympic Carrier blows up in a large fiery explosion.

Several Days after the Cylon Attack; Civilian ship Scylla

"You want to take our FTL drive, but we'll be helpless," Mr. Laird said, shocked.

"As I said we're gonna take some of your people into our crew," Colonel Fisk said, sweating profusely.

"So, you're gonna decide just like that who lives and who dies?" Mr. Laird said in disbelief.

"We'll make whatever accommodations we can, but you have to understand. We're at war. Military needs must take priority," Lieutenant Shaw said.

"No," said as the crowd behind him grew restless, "I don't understand. They're gonna take what they want and leave us to fend for ourselves," Mr. Laird said, looking back at the civilians behind him before turning back to the marines.

"You can't do that. Can't do it," Mr. Laird said as the crowd began shaking their heads and started protesting verbally, growing louder in volume.

"Listen, all of you. We have orders. To transfer the crewmen, and the equipment, on that list to Pegasus. We have no wish to harm anyone. But we will use force if necessary," Lieutenant Shaw said.

"No. Can't do that," Mr. Laird said, repeating himself and shaking his head several times as the crowd behind him raised their voices in protest.

"Keep them back!" Colonel Fisk ordered his marines as the crowd started stepping forward angrily.

"Can't do that," Mr. Laird kept repeating.

...

"Sir, they're denying us access to the rest of this ship. We're not dealing with individuals here sir, we have whole families here," Colonel Fisk said.

Admiral Cain was silent a long moment, the ship to ship comm line making white noise while she stared at the beaten number Six in front of her, considering her options solemnly, "Then tell them, to shoot the families of any selectee who doesn't cooperate."

"Sir? did I hear you correctly? You don't seriously mean we should-" Colonel Fisk asked in confusion before being cut off midsentence.

"Just get it done Colonel," Admiral Cain said coldly as she continued staring at the beaten up Cylon, remembering the horrors of the Cylon war the Cylon caused Pegasus so far and the her betrayal of Cain, hanging up the phone without another word.

"Corporal, get these people on the deck and lined up," Colonel Fisk ordered.

"Yes sir," the corporal said, gesturing to the other marines nearby. The Corporal moved to line up the civilian family nearby, making them kneel on the deck. The family's mother started protesting vehemently, "not my son!"

"We have orders! To shoot the families of any selectee who refuses to return with us! We will carry out this order unless those individuals come forward, now!" Colonel Fisk said loudly over the protests of the civilians, their voices rising in volume as they started pelting the marines with small objects, coffee cans and such.

"What are we doing sir?! Sir?" the marine corporal asked unsteadily, frightened, looking on at the crowd while Fisk raised his gun into the air, looking around uncertainly, unsure himself of what to do.

Major Shaw stepped forward, a look of cold determination on her face, and she fired at the nearest civilians, shooting the civilian straight in the head until the civilian fell over dead. Shots rang out afterwards, the marines following her lead, several other civilians fell dead with blood spreading from their collapsed bodies.

There was no more resistance after, and the marines gathered the supplies and personnel they were ordered to retrieve, gathering everything they could from the civilian fleet. Pegasus loaded up and hours later left the fleet of civilian ships behind, lacking supplies and equipment to survive long.

Day 51 Since the Fall, Colonial One

The marines and secret service agents are in a standoff, all guns drawn, pistols against assault rifles.

"Madam President, no one needs to get hurt here," Colonel Tigh said.

"Then why don't you get off my ship, Colonel?" President Roslin asked.

"I'm placing you under arrest," Colonel Tigh said.

"No... no, we're not doing this," Apollo said.

"I'm in command here, Captain," Colonel Tigh said gruffly.

"Colonel, this is wrong!" Apollo said loudly.

"You're relieved, fall back! Madam President-" Colonel Tigh said.

Apollo points his gun at Tigh. Tigh gasped.

"Men, lay down your weapons," Apollo said.

"Have you lost your frakin' mind?" Colonel Tigh said.

"Colonel, tell these marines to fall back," Apollo said.

"This is mutiny, you know that," Colonel Tigh said.

"Yes, I do. But you can tell my father that I'm listening to my instincts, and my instincts tell me that we cannot sacrifice our democracy just because the President makes a bad decision," Apollo said.

"Put your guns down," President Roslin ordered.

"Madam... Madam President, stand back," Captain Apollo said.

"Put your gun down, Captain. I will not have bloodshed, neither your men nor my people o n the Colonial o ne. Put your gun down, all of you. Please, put your gun down. Let's go," President Roslin said.

Apollo and the guards comply.

Day 53 Since the Fall, Galactica - CIC

"Sir, refinery captain's still not cooperating. And now seven other container ships are refusing to release their supplies. Food, medicine, even coffee," Lieutenant Gaeta said.

"Coffee? This is getting ridiculous. Frak this. It's time to get their attention. I'm sending in the marines. I want a raptor and an armed marine boarding party for every ship refusing the resupply order," Colonel Tigh said.

"Sir, we're stretched pretty thin o n manpower. I'm not sure we have enough marine non-coms to command that many boarding parties, sir," Lieutenant Gaeta said.

"Well, pull pilots and deck officers to command the boarding parties if you have to. Tell them to get over there and bring back the supplies. Whatever it takes. Make it happen, lieutenant," Colonel Tigh ordered.

"Yes, sir," Lieutenant Gaeta said.

…

Gideon - Cargo Hold

Civilians are protesting the soldiers taking the goods.

"People, step back, all right?! We're just here for the supplies! Just stay out of the way and no o ne gets hurt! For the last time, step back!" Joe Palladino, Hammerhead said.

The crowd continues shouting. They begin attacking the marines and pelting them with coffee beans.

"Step back!" Hammerhead said.

Coffee thrown at one of the marines spooked him and he pressed down on the trigger letting off a shot towards the crew, and several others followed his lead against the irate crew members: out of fear and with a poor chain of command and discipline, some were firing believed they were supposed to do this.

Gunshots rang out over the noise of the shouting and protesting, turning their indignant cries into cries of agony and screaming in fear.

Four civilians are killed within moments before the marines get ahold of themselves, seeing the ship's crew flee from them.

"Cease fire! Cease fire!" Hammerhead yelled.

…

Galactica - Medbay

"Four civilian dead. How the frak could this have happened?" Colonel Tigh asked.

"What'd you expect, genius? You put a pilot in charge of crowd control," Doctor Cottle said.

"Palladino! Did you give the order to shoot o n that crowd?" Colonel Tigh asked.

"No, sir, of course not. The crowd surrounded us," Hammerhead said.

"Were they armed?" Colonel Tigh asked.

"No, sir, but... you had to be there. They were yelling and screaming at us, and then it got violent. They started throwing things, canisters. Coffee, I think," Hammerhead explained.

"Coffee? You shot people for throwing coffee?" Colonel Tigh exclaimed.

"The crowd was out of control. They were pressing in o n us. My men were getting hurt. Somebody took a shot. I don't know who it was. Then all hell broke loose," Hammerhead said.

Day 53 Since the Fall, Galactica Hallway

Sharon Valerii, the Cylon Number Eight known as Boomer was being led in chains to her new holding area. Scores of crew members shouted insults at her.

"Bitch! Traitor! Toaster! Traitor! Back Stabber! Traitor! Traitor!" the members of the mob said, shouting over each other and jeering at Boomer.

Cally comes out of the crowd, furious, and abruptly shoots Boomer in the stomach, shocking the jeering crowd.

"No, no, no. No, no, no no. No, no, no, no. No, no, no, no. Hey, hey, hey. Sshhh, sshh," Chief Tyrol said, rushing to Boomer's side and cradling her in his arms as blood poured from her wound.

"I love you, chief," Boomer said breathlessly, crying.

She dies in Tyrol's arms.

Day 175 Since the Fall Galactica - Athena Eight's Cell

Lieutenant Thorne is pulling down his pants. Very nearly about to rape Athena.

"No!" Athena Eight screamed and cried.

Tyrol and Helo enter the cell to stop Thorne.

"Get off her!" Chief Tyrol yells.

Tyrol throws Throne off of Boomer. Thorne smashes his head into a bolt in the wall hard and dies instantly. Tyrol and Helo start to beat down the marine guards. The guards eventually recover long enough to pull their weapons o n the two rescuers.

"Freeze! Freeze! Freeze! Don't either of you frakking move! Don't move! Don't either of you frakking move! Don't move. Get down. Get down! o n your knees, hands behind your head. Now! Hands behind your head. Do it now. Do it!" a marine guard yells.

Tyrol and Helo comply. The guard checked the pulse of Thorne.

"He's dead," the marine guard said.

Day 12 Since the Fall, Astral Queen

"I thought you said you respected me, read my book," Tom Zarek said.

"That was before you resorted to violence and hostage-taking," Apollo said.

"It's always better when the oppressed don't fight back, isn't it?" Zarek said.

...

"But I have two conditions before I release my captives. First, the government which controls our fate is illegal and illegitimate, and it must submit to the will of the people. I demand the immediate resignation of Laura Roslin and her ministers. Second, I demand free and open elections to choose a new leadership and a new government that represents all of the people. These demands are made not for me or for the former slaves held on this ship, but for you, the people, the survivors of the holocaust and the children of humanity's future. I am Tom Zarek, and this is the first day of the new era," Zarek said, talking on the communications wireless to the fleet.

...

"We need to be free men and women. If we're not free, then we're no different than Cylons!" Zarek shouted.

...

"That's it, isn't it? You don't want elections, you don't want your freedom. You want a bloodbath," Apollo said.

"You don't understand," Zarek said.

"Tom Zarek's been out of the headlines, out of the news, forgotten for 20 years as he rots in a cell. And now he's got a chance to go out in a blaze of glory. And he's gonna take it," Apollo said in realization.

...

"You've been saying how everything you're doing is for freedom, but the truth is, it's all about Tom Zarek and his personal death wish," Apollo said.

Day 47 Since the Fall; Cloud 9 Interrogation Room/Supply Closet

"Why do you have a summit itinerary? Why circle every public appearance by President Roslin?" Starbuck asked.

"It's not mine!" Valence protested loudly.

"So, what, some stranger wandered down the hall, picked the lock to your room and just left it there?" Starbuck asked.

"A False bottom, with anechoic coating to absorb x-rays? Ceramic stealth gun!" Apollo exclaimed.

"You sure went through a lot of trouble to get that weapon o nboard," Starbuck tsked tsked at Valence, shaking her head.

"I carry a lot of money, I need protection," Valence offered in explanation.

"Right... the money's worthless. Your friend Zarek pointed that out!" Apollo yelled.

"I don't even know Zarek," Valence said, lying.

"Your pal, Grimes says different. He gave you up," Starbuck said.

"You're- you're bluffing. You haven't got anything," Valence said, looking back and forth from Apollo to Starbuck.

"But we don't need anything, Valance. 'Cause this isn't a trial. This is just you and us in this room," Apollo said.

"Like Zarek pointed out, we're living in a whole new world. There's no due process. This is your courtroom," Starbuck said.

"And that would make us... your executioners," Apollo said.

"So you might wanna cooperate. Or else you're going out an airlock. 'Cause that's what we do to traitors," Starbuck said.

"Look, I, uh... I just came over here for the booze and the food, that's it," Valence said.

"You know what? Frak you!" Apollo shouted, rushing at Valence.

Colonial one

"We put all the heat on Valance that we could and we still can't tie him to Zarek," Apollo said.

"I know Zarek's behind this, keep working on Valance," President Roslin said.

"We will, but to be safe, I think you should send the entire Sagittaron delegation back to their ships," Apollo said.

"Can't do that, it violates their civil rights, plays right into Zarek's hands," President Roslin said.

"But he could still have another shooter o n Cloud 9 and if Zarek wins the vote, he's more than capable of ordering your assassination and ascending to the presidency," Apollo said.

"Zarek's not going to win, because I'm not going to let him. Meanwhile, you're gonna keep Zarek under surveillance. You're gonna tap his phones, you're gonna bug his room. If you find anything that remotely connects Zarek to Valance, shut him down," President Roslin said.

Days 210-224 Since the Fall, Lee Adama leads investigation for the black market cropping up in Galactica's fleet

"What are you doing here?" Lee Adama, Apollo asked.

"Attending a Quorum meeting. Nothing as exciting as all this. I assure you. I know these places are legal. But still, the son of the almighty Adama—" Sagittaron Quorum Representative, Tom Zarek said.

"Talk to me about the black market," Apollo said.

"Not much to say. It's widespread, inevitable, and according to President Roslin...illegal," Zarek said.

"So, it's no surprise that you and your people were in it up to your necks," Apollo said.

"Some of my people maybe, but not me. I represent Astral Queen. I have to be careful about the company I keep," Zarek said.

"I have logs from a pilot I know was involved. He says, he made three runs to astral queen in the last ten days, and I doubt it was to discuss prison reform," Apollo said.

"What do you want from me, Captain?" Zarek asked.

"Names of ships. Contacts," Apollo said.

"I can't help you," Zarek said.

"You expect me to believe you know nothing about such an operation? Your ship is full of criminals, who were pardoned to become regular citizens, but that doesn't change them. Doesn't stop them from falling into old habits, and if anyone knew such an operation was going on, it would be them, if they weren't helping run and participating in it themselves, and who would know about it as a result? You," Commander Lee Adama deduced.

"You and your father are so blinded by the past. Alright, I know some things. Members in the military have been involved in the black market. I was approached because some of the higher ups involved recognized that Adama would notice the activity bringing supplies throughout the fleet with unauthorized shuttles, so they wanted me to pick up the deliveries and create a firewall between their involvement, the other members of the black market, and our military and civilian leadership," Zarek said.

"So, you're trying to tell me that you turned him down," Apollo said skeptically.

"At great cost. Check the fleet logs. See how many supply ships made stops at the astral queen after the last shuttle that wasn't owned by my people made a stop there: which was the black market members coming to make their request of me. The answer is none; ever since I said no, my ship's been cut off," Zarek said.

"So, if members of the black market were trying to starve you out, why didn't you bring it to the quorum?" Apollo asked.

"Roslin's acting like the black market's some sort of aberration, but I thought you were smarter than that. Did you really expect some utopian fantasy to rise from the ashes? Our society is gone, along with most of our population. Supplies are scarce, there isn't a police force and even if there were one they'd be ill equipped to work across the various ships in the fleet against what's happening, and the military's got its hands full worrying about the Cylons and getting everyone to play along to their tune as best they can. Of course people would take advantage of the situation! Gather supplies, take control and force people to hand over control to them slowly but surely until they gained power over the fleet, power the government and military would then hold in only name when they're finished," Zarek said.

"You know something, don't you?" Apollo asked.

"Just rumors. There's a freighter, Prometheus. Some people say it's gone off the grid. But if you want something bad enough, that's where you go. The deals are brokered by an ex-military mercenary named Phelan. Lee. I hope she's worth it," Zarek said.

Galactica Fleet Day 224 Since the Fall, Civillian Ship Prometheus

"I made you a fair offer," Phelan said.

"So did I. Yeah, you're probably right about everything. You, me, the fleet. Nobody can stop it, and maybe nobody should. But it needs limits. There's lines you can't cross. And you crossed them," Apollo said.

"You're not gonna shoot. You're not like me. You're not gonna—"Phelan said, certain he was safe. Apollo shoot him in the chest. "Uh—uhhh," Phelan said, keeling over and dying.

"All right, it's done. The Fleet relies on the black market. Much as we'd like, we can't wish that away. So, you're still in business. For now. Once we get to Avalon, that won't be the case: we will have a proper system, a proper government, and enough supplies in abundance for everyone. Don't expect the black market to exist after that. But if they are any more killings in the meantime, if you hold back essential medicines, if you ever touch a child..." Apollo said coldly.

55 Years before the Cylon Holocaust

Atlas Arena, Caprica; Pyramid Game, Cap City Buccaneers versus Delphi Legion

Cylon Centurions rush out of helicopters landing in the center of the huge sports field at Atlas Arena. The Cylon centurions mostly lacked armor, bringing military equipment and firearms to bear as they moved into formation, using their chemical sensors and quickly detecting bombs throughout the stadium. They located the targets for the terrorists of the Soldiers of One faction, the ones who held the triggers for bombs around the area, visually.

The centurions fired after locking on, killing the members of the Soldiers of One. The panicked crowds of thousands in the stadium began running away to safety, all the while screaming in fear.

Centurions climbed up and rushed into the stands for the stadium, moving quickly toward the last terrorist. The terrorist picked up his detonator as the centurions rushed forward and pushed the detonator: the centurions threw themselves at him as the bomb detonated causing an explosion in the arena; the centurions cushioned the area against the blast wave.

…

Following the Cylons' actions, a memorial is made for the centurions in their honor, the public welcoming the centurions into colonial society with open arms.

Sometime later…

"Did you ever anticipate Cylons just being integrated into society this quickly?" Baxter Sarno asked.

"No," Daniel Graystone said, "I think it took the event at the arena to galvanize the people. I think once they saw how much the monotheists hated us and how powerful they had become and then saw the Cylons out there protecting us, I think it all changed in an instant."

Then let's look at the future then," Baxter Sarno said, "'Cause I'm hearing talk about Cylon butlers, Cylon nurses. How long before my niece Candace comes home with her Cylon fiance to introduce to the family?"

"Well, I think people are smart enough to realize that as useful as they are, Cylons are simply tools, nothing more. And to forget that, to blur the distinction between man and machine and attribute human qualities is folly. There's no way to know what lies ahead really. This technology, it has taken us those last few steps to the mountain pass, but beyond that, it's undiscovered country," Daniel Graystone said.

…

"All of this has happened before. All of this will happen again. Again. Again. Again," Pythia said.

Day 1074 Since the Fall

Fleet Admiral's Log

Many things have happened in recent times. It's hard to believe how long a reprieve we've had since a battle with the Cylons, but the rebels have made it clear that while we're building our fleet in that reprieve, so is Cavil.

Numerous fleet ships have been introduced to the fleet. The first 6 Supercarriers have been commissioned into the fleet; unfortunately problems have been run into since we're still not used to running and maintaining such a large fighter force – and predictably there's been an uproar among the fleet and citizens on Avalon that we have drone fighters being flown for CAP, training our personnel aboard under close supervision. Unfortunately our recent loss of one of our Titan III Gunstars from the overload and accident with the Antimatter reactor has soured our opinion of the line of ships, but the ship lost had been an extra ship going through beta testing for the model's systems, so we have our originally intended Six of the line running maneuvers for now.

The new cradle mobile dock has been helping with construction and repair efforts. Also completed, with the dismantling of the Olympia Hera and Aureoles stations, was the Red Horse Heavy Construction Shipyard; which will significantly increase our production capabilities – it is designed specifically for constructing the newest warship models we've designed in the shortest amount of time possible, without losing efficiency or having problems with shoddy craftsmanship. It's also heavily automated, so despite the large shipyard's size, we can sufficiently crew it while we continue recruiting more engineers and technicians off of Avalon, and even having workshop classes beginning to train more from our youth with an aptitude for such activities.

Training exercises and war games began a few months ago to keep the fleet from getting rusty after a long length of time without combat. Of course, the fleets involved jumped a safe distance from Avalon, a number of jumps away, before engaging in fleet maneuvers and mock battles to train fighter forces and the ship crew members for combat scenarios. New tactics have begun being employed among the fleet, the Admiralty involved using the war games to test some of their combat tactics that they're itching to try out on the Cylon fleet. The training fleet has also been making rounds throughout the system and occasionally participating in war games to an extent, getting the new recruits cycling through to join the fleet, before moving onto their first post, a taste of what they face and beginning to train them for the harsh realities of war they'll one day face.

I'm pleased to say that the newest additions to the Admiralty include my sister, Nina Stryker. Lee Adama was also promoted to Rear Admiral after much deliberation among the Admiralty, and has been put in command of the Apollo.

Then there are the greatly controversial changes in the fleet… Raiders coupled from the Rebel forces, the many we'd claimed and captured throughout the war with the Cylons and those stored aboard the Pallas Athens Baseship during Adama's rescue mission to Picon have been introduced into the fleet CAPS, with special paints and metallic ores now covering them so they are clearly friendly units. There is the loss of using them to sneak among the Cylons, but this way in combat with the Cylons there won't be friendly fire, and we really don't need to use such tactics like the Cylons. The fleet and civilians exploded in outrage when we implemented this change, sending hundreds of Cylon fighters to fly throughout the Avalon system with our vipers, promoting goodwill and getting our fighter forces to work together. Such 'bastards' we must be for using common sense in doing so according to our own people, but many people in our society are antsy about Cylons having such freedom and power. Oh how simple things would be if that was it. There's so much more.

There's of course the objections over the centurions and human Cylons working with human officers on Pallas Athens, with a number of crew members aboard transferring out periodically – some of their own accord by refusing to work with Cylons, and others by our desire to expose fleet personnel to working with the Cylons and getting our two races to bridge the gaps between our peoples.

Next, recently there was the human Cylons and centurions joining the crew on Battlestar Bellerophon which was originally designed as a joint crew of humans and Cylons. They'll be joining with training crew members and acclimating in working with human fleet personnel and in turn getting those personnel used to them. And of course they were uniquely suited to getting the Ares class Bellerophon back online and updated: helping create additional upgrades to what had been very advanced computer systems aboard, back when computer systems were more advanced than even now somewhat and of course networked. With the Cylons help and developments like the V.I. system, even using such technology could potentially no longer be feared and taken advantage of, though no way in hell will that be done aboard our other fleet ships.

As Admiral Thorn had suggested, Human Cylons are now working in R&D with the fleet's best and brightest, though more sensitive projects we aren't willing to share yet have been kept out of their reach. The Cylons involved are very bright and appear to have entranced some of our R&D scientists, despite their initial skittishness towards the Cylons. An amusing turn is that several scientists have… Co-populated with the Cylons aboard. Not shocking in hindsight, given that some of them were the arguably attractive women from the Threes, Sixes and Eights models of Cylons. Something we'd very much like to overlook, though regulations to control our own people have been put in place, much to many officers' amusement; strangely some of the Cylons seemed to have little control over their inhibitions, though the 'Final Five' cleared that up when explaining to us of the Cylons' relative naivety, youth, and lack of societal controls that our citizens grew up having. Of course the more encompassing problem is that most everything that's happened with the Cylon delegation aboard R&D was somehow leaked to the media, and most everyone in society knows now, much to our chagrin given the increased anti-Cylon semitism and protests from the people.

There's also a Human Cylon delegation beginning to work with the government and taking steps to have membership such as receiving full citizenship and a place on the quorum as the thirteenth tribe, with human Cylons and centurions garnering their own space set aside on Avalon and living there like they belonged. The centurions and human Cylons have been working together building their own unique homes and customs for overall rebuilding their society, and thankfully the two seem to be getting along and working well together. Last thing we need is an uprising from the centurions if they were 'mistreated'.

What should've been good PR apparently hasn't been; some centurions volunteered and began working alongside the colonials on the ground across Avalon to construct more homes and the cities for the human populations. We've made great strides forward with a large number of the population getting off their asses and working to help themselves, and the centurions recent aid has started really helping to create the modern society we lost in the colonies – perhaps within a few years with our growing population we'll even have some sites that we could've only dreamed of back in the colonies with improvements to larger better constructed cities. The benefit of building cities from scratch as it were. Still, the centurions actions were not looked well on as we'd hoped when the media got ahold of the story. Many seem to have responded well and begun looking more fondly to the Cylons with their strides to work with us, but equally as many, if not more, have been stirring up a storm with protests and public opinion's raised on the issue.

What may be the most polarizing development is that recently human Cylons, having been given rights like other colonial citizens, were allowed to begin adopting orphans and young children from ages two to seventeen. A number of our population had lost family in the attacks and the war that followed, including kids from military families. In other cases there have just been some abandoned children like had occurred back in the colonies before the attacks. So the government approved allowing them to do so, their willingness to help and start families being taken as a good thing and useful to both sides to further tie in the alliance. Of course this also means the protests against Cylons has new more dangerous ammunition, particularly among the Gemenese who are making the most noise over this issue.

Preparations have been made for the blow out we expect, and our belief that Zarek will take advantage. We just have no way of knowing, despite our best efforts, exactly who and in what place will be uprising in protest against us; not for every single individual anyway.

End Log.

Day 1081 Since the Fall

Avalon, Capital: Caprica City Square

"We gather here today to award those citizens and thank those citizens that have contributed so much to building our great nation state, re-building our modern society here on Avalon. So many have worked hard for so long, but we come to honor a few of those today while overall celebrating the accomplishments of everyone. Let today be a day of merriment and a day to lay down our burdens before continuing to reach even farther heights in our society," Admiral Stryker said over the microphone, speaking to a crowd of thousands.

Applause broke out among the people at Stryker's words. Several other members of the Admiralty present nearby and the President nodded and otherwise looked on with approval. Many thousands of the citizens stood, smiling and applauding for a few moments before returning to silence.

One by one, a procession began as a few hundred individuals came up to Admiral Stryker, receiving a medal of honor and the Admiral's as well as the President's personal thanks, and handshake. Applause continued as the ceremony went on, general excitement and merriment among the people at first.

Then two dozen centurions, and several human Cylons came forward, receiving the same treatment as the human citizens and officers; getting a medal and a personal thanks from Avalon's leaders. Utter silence reigned in the large Capital city square, a pin being dropped might've been heard, with thick tension in the air. A few people in the crowd looked on with a small smile and acceptance, some with stoic indifference, but a great many began wearing looks of disapproval, disgust, and utter hatred as they saw this procession. After a few moments of tense silence as the procession moved along, whispers began – growing louder and the peoples' voices growing more venomous.

"The nerve!" "Awarding monsters for good behavior…" "Shouldn't even be allowed to exist, let alone be here!" "What were they thinking?" "We'll never be able to trust them…" "They deserve to die! All of them!" "I wish they were all fracking dead!" "I heard about the human models fracking like bunnies up in space… Hope someone has some brains and fixes them so they can't make more of them!" "Go back to your own homes, or the ones you made us leave you monsters!" "Frackin' leadership are selling us to be slaves to the Cylons!" "Go to hades freaks!" "Somebody needs to shoot them!" "Take care of them before they become a threat!" "We'll never be safe, living with the likes of them" "Seeing more of these frackers everday…" "They're unclean, unnatural abominations!" "These are the animals that destroyed our homes, and we have to sit here and honor them?! I don't frakkin' think so!" "Go back to the other Cylons, we don't want you here!" "Should be fighting them, not bowing to these shits…"

The crowd that had begun whispering their protests turned louder until some were shouting openly. The military and civilian leadership continued the procession, moving it along quicker until they were finished. As the protests had grown to a peak in their severity and loudness, the crowd was dispersed to partake in the planned refreshments; deserts, and drinks, and they were left to mingle and briefly forget their agitation.

Peace and quiet had been restored as the people celebrated and enjoyed the specially planned preparations for the event. For hours this continued.

Then several citizens who had engaged in the protests earlier began gathering some sharp objects and weapons, a few them having gotten drunk amidst the celebrations. While people around them were smiling and laughing, without a care in the world, these individuals moved forward until they reached their targets and then attacked. Blood spurted in the air and screams from nearby bystanders began alarming the crowds. Four people dropped to the ground, dead. The citizens involved continued their attacks; slicing the head off a fleet officer in his dress uniform, shooting another in the head, stabbing a marine in the back, disemboweling a government official, repeatedly stabbing a few of the human Cylons that had remained for the celebrations when the remainder left the area, garroting two other citizens that had been talking with fleet officers. A few of the attackers laughed manically as they attacked.

Utter panic and mayhem ensued, many of the general people screaming and rushing to leave the square en mass, people trampling on anyone too slow to get out of their way.

Security finally got into position, forcibly pushing aside any fleeing citizen in their way, and fired on the attacking citizens that were continuing to attack people in range of them. Gunshots rang out, munitions firing on each side and knives were thrown. Minutes later with blood dripping from wounds for their efforts, the police and marine forces stood victorious over the remains of over two dozen people that had been on a killing spree.

The tallies for the incident were taken after cleanup efforts to fix the damage caused to the area were completed. Seventeen fleet officers were dead, thirteen marines, four government officials, six human Cylons, and over a dozen other citizens.

Over the next few days protests continued, mostly less violent, general strikes and some people refusing to work under the government and military leadership instituting such changes as the draft and especially the strengthening alliance with the Cylons.

Day 1080 Since the Fall

Avalon, Site 416 - As Yet Unnamed City Under Construction

"My name is Captain Karl Agathon. I've been assigned to look after your personal welfare. We'll get to it soon. I need you to keep moving for now," Karl Agathon, Helo, said sternly, waving on several more sick and coughing citizens in a procession.

Dozens of citizens crossed through under Helo's and other helping volunteer's supervision. They joined the hundreds of people crowding in the temporary large apartment complexes that had their construction 90% finished. Over the past few weeks various diseases and sickness had been spreading among the largely Sagittarons and Gemenese that had flocked to Sites 416 and nearby areas, wanting to group together 'with their own'. Some citizens from the other tribes lived there as well in fewer numbers, but as well with some Cylons that had moved there in family units with adopted families. The populations affected were being processed through and sent to the settled apartment complexes, they were largely completed but lacking proper conditions like air conditioning and controlled medical conditions –although those were being put in place as quickly as possible.

Doctors welcomed the new arrivals quickly as possible, engaging in triage.

"Excuse me, ma'am, could I have a brief look at your son?" Doctor Michael Robert said with concern, looking at a passing Sagittaron woman and her son.

"No no, no, no, we're fine, we're fine. We don't need a doctor," the Sagittaron woman Mrs. King said.

"I know, I know," Doctor Robert said.

"Look, we don't need a doctor. We're Sagittaron. We don't believe in medicine," Mrs. King said firmly.

"It's all right, ma'am, this is Dr. Robert. He's our civilian doctor; he has nothing to do with the military. We'll respect your traditions. You can trust me, I'm Sagittarian. It's okay," Commander AnastasiaDualla, Dee, said.

"All right?" Doctor Robert asked.

"It's okay," Dualla repeated kindly.

"You feel that? Would you open your mouth for me, please? Open wide. All right. Look at this. Okay, you feel anything? How about here?" Doctor Robert said, checking out the boy.

"All right, that's enough," Mrs. King said.

"Get your hands off me!" the boy, Willie, said.

"That's enough, that's enough. Thank you very much," Mrs. King said.

"Okay, settle down," Dualla said.

"Sir –" Doctor Robert said as a Sagitarron man evaded him while he was trying to give him medicine.

"You just keep your hands to yourself," Buckminster said.

"Okay, yeah," Doctor Robert said, backing off.

Some distance away the boy, Willie, falls.

"Medic! Dr. Robert!" Dualla said.

"No, you keep your hands off my son," Mrs. King said, disgruntled.

"I've got him," a marine said, getting the kid up.

"No! No! Where are they taking him?" Mrs. King asked, worried and panicky.

"It's all right, ma'am. Just walk this way," Dualla said calmly, directing Mrs. King away from the procession of incoming sick citizens.

Later that evening…

Colonial Volunteer Response Group HQ, Secure Office in Site 416

Admiral Adama and several of his officers had been assigned to work with and lead the volunteers responding to the outbreak of sickness, providing security and direction. Galactica and its fleet, including the Pallas of Athens, had been docked on a shipyard for upgrades, freeing them up as the most available to assist and many other officers volunteered with them from around the fleet, with Avalon's leadership gladly granting their request to assist. Doctor Michael Robert had been sent to lead the response team for Site 416's outbreak and had been among the first to arrive when the outbreak of sickness had been confined to a mere handful of people, and it had been growing worse as time went on.

"So? What have we got here, Mike?" Commander Saul Tigh asked.

"Mellorak sickness. It originates in the kidneys and then rapidly attacks the respiratory and the immune system," Doctor Robert said.

"It's a nasty bit of business. If you don't treat the first symptoms within 48 hours, it'll kill you within three to five days," Doctor Cottle said.

"How contagious is it?" Admiral Adama asked.

"Well, it's not airborne, so we lucked out there. It's spread through human contact. Saliva, sexual intercourse, through the skin. Right now it seems confined to the Sagittarons," Doctor Robert said.

"That's good; they're welcome to it," Commander Tigh said derisively.

"It's obviously spreading down there. Where we were working," Doctor Robert said.

"It's curable?" Admiral Adama asked, relieved.

"Absolutely, yes. A shot of bitamucin and you're right as rain in a day or two. And sedatives alleviate the symptoms. But I don't know how long our stock of bitamucin will hold out, so we should probably conserve it and only inoculate after the first symptoms show," Doctor Cottle said.

"This is a civilian infection and my personnel and I are only here offering assistance and security, Dr. Robert, so it's in your hands. But I want my personnel and the volunteers helping respond to this out break immunized before they get sick. I don't need to see any of them get sick while trying to help out the people here," Admiral Adama said.

"If we disinfect everything and stress hygiene, some people won't get sick. And, uh, they won't need the medicine," Doctor Cottle said.

"Then shouldn't we get everyone to the showers? Especially the Sagittarons. We should make an announcement," Helo said, ready to take action to help.

"- No, no, we don't want to single them out any more than we already have to and make it appear we're forcing them to go against their customs even without giving them medicine. We'll have a riot on our hands. Now, if it were up to me, I would say just get the Sagittarons settled and then deal with the civvies that have already arrived," Doctor Robert said.

"Huh. Well, at least you won't have to worry about having enough medicine for the Sagittarons," Doctor Cottle said.

"Yeah. Most of them are gonna refuse it. People are gonna die," Admiral Adama said sadly.

"The last 3,000 years medicine's been just the great curse," Doctor Cottle said, amused, shaking his head.

"That's because they're a bunch of stubborn, root-sucking jackasses holding onto traditions that are a thousand years old," Commander Tigh said.

Site 416, Triage at the Entrance to the Apartment Complexes

Sagittarons nearby are praying, burning herbs, giving burdock tea to the children and the sick throughout the interconnected apartment complexes.

"Drink this," a man said, offering the burdock tea to another Sagittaron.

"Stink enough for you in here?" Doctor Robert said, looking back at Helo as they walked through the complex, checking on everything.

"Yeah, it's a really potent smell," Helo said.

"That's burdock root. Sagittarons use it as a calmative," Doctor Robert said derisively.

"Does it work?" Helo asked curiously.

"Hell, I don't know. They're all gonna die anyway," Doctor Robert said dismissively, walking onward as he continued his rounds and looking for anyone that required his attention.

Day 1084 Since the Fall Avalon

Gaius's Cell After Imprisonment and throughout his Trial for Treason

"What are you doing here?" Gauis Baltar asked dully, surprised at seeing his visitor.

"I made a special trip here, guess my curiosity got the better of me. I admit it's slightly idiotic given the anti-Cylon Semitism spread about to go pretty much anywhere away from relatively secure areas like the fleet. Still, this I had to see for myself. I haven't forgotten our history if you have; like back on Kobol when you shot Crashdown and saved Cally. I did want to thank you for that while I still had the chance as well," Chief Tyrol said.

"I liked Cally, despite her willingness to threaten me when I was trying to help you, back when they had an issue with just suspecting you to be a Cylon," Baltar said, chuckling slightly.

Chief Tyrol just nodded, a smile grin on his face briefly before he returned to carefully guarding his emotions.

"So, what did you come here to see? Your curiosity that made you willing to risk the crowds trying to assassinate me for the still unproved suspicion of involvement in the Cylon attack, and even to harm and kill one such as yourself for being a Cylon?" Baltar asked.

"Your book. Fact or fiction?" Chief Tyrol asked curiously.

"So you read it? Well, that proves that the President's an accomplished liar. She told me it hadn't gone out. So, what do you make of it?" Baltar asked.

"I think that it's a pile of crap," Chief Tyrol said, raising an eyebrow and hmming in disbelief, and chuckling at Baltar.

"Obviously, my analysis of a bifurcated society scares you. But everything in my book happens to be true," Baltar said, slightly offended at his hard work being derided.

"Oh, it's true? It's true that you're a farm boy from Aerelon?" Chief Tyrol asked, not believing Baltar.

"Yes I am, as a matter of fact. I was born and raise dairy outside the town of Cuffle's Breath Wash, on Aerelon," Baltar said.

"Why do I have such a hard time picturing you milking cows and shoveling manure?" Chief Tyrol asked.

"Lack of imagination?" Baltar asked.

"Or maybe that your little tale is manure," Chief Tyrol suggested.

"Hmm," Baltar said.

"I've known people from Aerelon. You don't sound anything like them," Chief Tyrol said.

"I don't sound like I'm from Aerelon?" Baltar asked.

"No," Chief Tyrol said firmly.

"Well, you know, I take that as a particular compliment. I don't know about you, but I've always founds the Aerelon dialect to be particularly hard o n the ears. Something about the consonants that scrape the back of the throat. Of course, I should know an awful lot about my native tongue - I spent hours o n end trying to overcome it. Do you have any idea how hard it is for a ten-year-old boy to change the way he speaks? To unlearn everything he ever learned so that o ne day, o ne day there might be the small hope that he might be considered as not comin' from Aerelon? Maybe - I don't know - Caprica. Caprican. Oh, to be Caprican. The seat of politics, culture, art, science, learning. And what was Aerelon, just a drab, ugly rock condemned to be the food basket for the Twelve Worlds. And that's how we were treated: like servants, like laborers, like working class. You know, you'd have fitted right in there, Chief. Lots of men who liked to work with their hands and, uh, grab a pint down the pub, and finish off the evening with a good old-fashioned fight. Oh yes, I left Aerelon after my eighteenth birthday. I turned my back o n my family, on my heritage. All of them. 'Course it doesn't matter, that. They're all dead now. So..." Baltar said.

"You do realize that none of that exists here? Your book isn't the big hit you were expecting because the government has been instituting changes on Avalon to remove the issues in society you're talking about. Maybe once you would've had a point, but now..." Chief Tyrol said.

"Ha! Coming from the mouth of a mechanic," Baltar said.

"We've kept democracy. We have government, we have rights, we have elections..." Chief Tyrol said.

"Well, then you should feel perfectly happy, shouldn't you? Perfectly at ease. Go home, leave me in peace. After all, that's what the aristocracy wants. It wants the working class to feel looked after, while they scrabble around for scraps from the master's table," Baltar said.

"The system of workforce by colonies isn't happening any longer Baltar. It's one of the reasons to protests against the government have been increasing. Sorry to disappoint you, since I'm sure being locked in this cell has kept that basic fact from reaching your ears," Chief Tyrol said, turning to walk away, his curiosity satisfied.

"I have paid attention chief. There's a question I ask at the end of my book, I'll save you the trouble of reading it: Do you honestly believe that the Fleet, the major power ever since the attacks and which will likely always be given the government's failure to prevent the Cylon holocaust and even in directly causing it, will ever be commanded by somebody whose last name is not Adama or Stryker? There it is, Chief. One set of rules for the aristocracy, and one set of rules for the rest of us," Baltar said.

Flashback, Day 941 Since the Fall

"Tell me there won't be a trial," Zarek said.

"Gaius Baltar will be tried for high crimes and treason for his responsibility in the Cylon attack. We have evidence proving his guilt, that he let a Cylon in to have access to the defense mainframe where she put the virus into the CNP that eliminated practically the entire fleet and allowed the attacks to succeed. He didn't know what was happening at the time is something that'll be argued, sure, but he still committed treason whether he knew the woman he gave access to the defense mainframe was a Cylon or not. A tribunal of judges will hear the evidence against him, a verdict will be read, he will be found guilty. And he will be finally held responsible for his actions. If you can summon up a little patience, as I have done, we will get through this ordeal," President Roslin said patiently, remembering all she had learned about Baltar and her clear memory of seeing Baltar with a number Six back on Caprica shortly before the attack – remembered when she had been on death's door, dying from her cancer.

"Listen to me, Baltar will get his trial. And this is what you'll get. A hurricane. The media will descend on you and watch and scrutinize and question your every move. The anti-Cylon protests are already skyrocketing, growing worse as time goes on. Do this and not only will you make things worse, but you will see things that would frighten the living daylights out of you. You will have sectarian violence. You will have assassination attempts. You will have civil unrest on a scale we've never seen. Work, labor, everyday routine across Avalon will come to a complete halt. This trial is going to break our entire society apart," Zarek said, pleading with Roslin.

"Mr. Vice President, we have a security plan in order which includes rapid Marine deployment, increased police patrol operations, security details..." Tory said.

"- A hurricane, Laura. If I were you, I'd declare martial law during the trial. You're gonna need a lot more than a little patience to survive. I'm here if you need me," Zarek said, shaking his head and leaving as he gave up a losing battle.

Sagittarian Quorum Representative Tom Zarek left the room.

"Your best friend, your worst enemy," Tory said, raising an eyebrow as she looked at the President.

"I've never seen him like that. He was truly frightened," President Roslin said, concerned.

Now, Day 1085: Trial Has Been Ongoing and is Reaching its End

Avalon, Caprica City; Primary Justice Courthouse, the Themis

Tom Zarek was among the crowd, looking on as the trial went on, deciding the guilt of Gaius Baltar in the Cylon attacks. Tom shook his head and sighed heavily, wary for when things would reach their peak and the sh*t would hit the fan. Already, protestors outside the courthouse had been working up a storm, shouting expletives and throwing objects at the courthouse. Assassination attempts had been made when the defense team had been away from the safety of the courthouse and on one occasion protestors had gotten past security and into the courthouse, overwhelmingly the garrisoned police and marines by sheer numbers, and tried attacking those inside that they blamed before they were forcibly stopped and removed, kicking and screaming.

Caprica Six and several others had been involved in the prosecution as witness, while a few others for character witnesses worked for the defense.

Romo Lampkin, Baltar's defense lawyer (appointed after the previous head defense lawyer had been assassinated during the long trial process) had called Lee Adama to the stand, after having requested him personally to join the defense team while Adama was on leave. He had known his grandfather and studied under him as he became a lawyer to be reckoned with, respected him, and for 'the trial of the century' as he called it, he wanted that man's grandson: Lee Adama. He had been taking an unusual move of calling a member of the defense council to the stand, but argued there was precedent and stood his ground until it was done.

"Mr. Adama, answer the question. Over the course of the trial, did Admiral Adama express an opinion as to whether the defendant deserved a trial? All I'm looking for is the truth here, Mr. Adama. Let's have it. I'm waiting. Answer the question. You swore an oath as an officer of the Court. If you don't answer the question, you halt the entire system of justice," Romo Lampkin said insistently.

"What frakking system?!" Lee Adama exclaimed loudly after a long moment of silence, having refused to answer Romo before until provoked.

"Mr. Adama!" Chief Justice Franklin said loudly, warning him to act appropriately while on the stand.

"I'm sorry, Your Honors. Please excuse my associate. All right, all right. I'll try something else. Do you believe that the defendant deserves a fair trial?" Romo Lampkin asked.

"As a matter of fact, I do," Lee Adama said.

"Why?" Romo Lampkin asked.

"Aside from the fact that everyone deserves a fair trial, I also believe that he is not guilty of the charges before the Court..." Lee Adama said.

"Your Honors, I must insist on an exception here. He cannot testify in this manner. It is completely improper," the head of the prosecution Didi Cassidy said.

"I agree," Lee Adama said.

"He can make his arguments in closing statements, not on the stand," Didi Cassidy said firmly.

"I'm inclined to agree with the prosecution," Chief Justice Franklin said.

"Thank you," Didi Cassidy said, smugly.

"If you feel that this influences the verdict we can recess and properly decide how to legally deal with this unexpected situation, but I for one would like to hear this witness testify," Admiral Stryker said firmly, seated near the judges as he had been from the beginning; overseeing this controversial trial personally.

"I would second that," one of the five Judges said, shortly followed by two other judges.

"Continue," Chief Justice Franklin said.

"Thank you, your Honors. Mr. Adama? Mr. Adama!" Romo Lampkin said.

"Yes," Lee Adama said.

"Why do you believe that the defendant, Gaius Baltar, deserves to be acquitted?" Romo Lampkin asked.

"Well, because the evidence does not support the charges," Lee Adama said.

"Come on..." Romo Lampkin said with clear disbelief, looking at Lee with a knowing look, asking him to be serious.

"Did the defendant make mistakes? Sure, he did. Serious mistakes. But did he actually commit any crimes? Is there any proof of Baltar's complicit involvement? Just the word of a few of the Cylons for his involvement, that he unknowingly gave a Cylon access to the defense mainframe, working to make the attack possible just like thousands of others throughout the colonies who unknowingly gave aid to the Cylons. Supposedly he let in a Cylon to the defense mainframe while he was working on the CNP. She had been masquerading as a colonial citizen as an employee of a corporation in the defense industry and worked to complete the CNP, and in return he gave her access to the defense mainframe under the ploy that she would simply get minor information to get ahead of other defense contractors. The prosecution itself has made it clear in their attempts to implicate Balter that the Six involved seduced Baltar, manipulated him, and did everything in her power to make him love her and force him into a position to give her what she needed to aid the Cylon attack. He wouldn't have given a person access to the defense mainframe if he wasn't so manipulated and controlled, just like many others throughout the colonies. Maybe he should be punished for his act in giving the access to the defense mainframe, although one should question punishment surrounding such a situation of long term manipulation on various levels.

I mean, it was an impossible situation. When the Cylons arrived in the colonies and used various people throughout the fleet to make the attack happen they looked to him because of his position, though they could've chosen others, what could he possibly do though? What could anyone have done? I mean, ask yourself, what would you have done? What would you have done? If he had refused to cooperate under manipulation, seduction, and all but control to make him putty in the Cylons hands, they would've turned to torture, and failing that: killed him. Then looked for someone else, and gone through that same process until they got someone to do what they wanted. So did he appear to cooperate with the Cylons? Sure. So did thousands upon thousands of others.

People who brought them into the colonies, gave them identities and access to positions throughout the fleet, which in the attack they used to sabotage and destroy key areas of colonial defenses. People who didn't know they were dealing with Cylons and gave them aid while they were plotting to kill everyone in the colonies. Shouldn't we be trying them for treason, for aiding and abetting enemies of the state? They didn't know they were dealing with Cylons; neither did Baltar! Why is it they can be absolved for that while he can't? What's the difference between him and them?

Ever since the attacks we've made exceptions because we've had to. They were all forgiven. No questions asked. The Cylons involved in the attacks and having taken part in the war that followed the holocaust until they came to have an alliance with us, still guilty of crimes against humanity; forgiven. Commander Saul Tigh and those involved in the Gideon incident which led to the death of several citizens; forgiven, no repercussions for anyone. Cally Henderson-Tyrol killed Sharon Valerii, a Cylon that had been treated as part of Galactica's crew for years until the truth about her was discovered; at the very least she was a prisoner of war and to be used for intel on the Cylons; there was 'no crime', no trial, Cally was forgiven. Commander Agathon and Chief Tyrol. They murdered an officer on the Pegasus. Forgiven. Admiral Cain and several of her officers killed civilians on the Scylla, took everything they could from that civilian fleet and left thousands to die, acting for self-preservation in a time of war; they were never tried or punished, all but forgiven. The officers loyal to Cain were abandoned and marooned with her by the Admiralty's order, arguably effectively left to die alone; they had no trial, and if they had such actions would not have been taken, but those responsible for doing such to them: forgiven. Admiral Adama? Admiral Adama instituted a military coup d'etat against the President. Forgiven. And me? Well, where do I begin? I shot down a civilian passenger ship, the Olympic Carrier. Over a thousand people on board. Forgiven. I raised my weapon to a superior officer, committed an act of mutiny. Forgiven. I like others have committed acts of treason and broken the law, I'm a traitor. I'm forgiven.

I'd say we're very forgiving of mistakes. We make our own laws now, our own justice. We've been pretty creative at finding ways to let people off the hook for everything from theft to murder. And we've had to be. Because... Because we're haven't had a true civilization, not since it was utterly destroyed and taken from us, and we've had to do what it takes to crawl our way back to what we had; all the while fighting for our very survival. We are a gang, we had to run from the Cylons, go thousands of light years away from our homes until we couldn't run anymore, and we've had to fight to survive every step of the way. We have to break rules. We have to bend laws. We've had to improvise, do whatever it takes to ensure our survival, such as working with the Cylons. We've had to become more tolerant and forgiving to keep our society functioning, a society we're still developing based off the memory of what we had – which doesn't really work for us anymore. We're not what we once were.

So we've had to be stringent here and there to keep people in line, be forgiving here and there to get everyone, even former criminals and the Cylons, to work cohesively for our mutual continued long term survival.

But not this time, no. Not this time. Not for Gaius Baltar. No. You, you have to die. You have to die, because... Well, because we don't like you very much. Because you're arrogant. Because you're weak. Because you're a coward. And we the mob, we want to throw you out the airlock because you didn't stand up to the Cylons, and get yourself killed in the process – which would've happened if he had refused to play ball for them! You didn't realize you were working with the Cylons and were manipulated, and used like thousands across the colonies. We can't hold everyone responsible because we don't know about every single small crime of aiding and abetting the Cylons involved in the attacks details, and we can't exactly imprison most of our population even if we did know everything, and were able to punish for every little crime. So we're going to be forgiving for everyone else, we have to, but you: you can be our scapegoat and take all that blame. Surely you deserve it, the attacks couldn't have happened otherwise; unless of course another person with access, which there were many, could've been used to do the same as you did. But we only know about you, you who surely committed the worst crime involved in making the attacks possible, conveniently overlooking the Cylons here involved in the conspiracy and actions to make the attacks possible happen. We're going to hold you personally responsible, shove all that blame onto you, because we can; we can decide where the line is drawn and when we forgive and when we don't. There's no clear cut line, no general amnesty because we need to blame someone; we decide on necessity and our own desires for who is worthy of forgiveness and who isn't. That's justice now.

You should've been killed back on the colonies for all you had done, but since you had the temerity to live, we're gonna execute you now. That's justice!" Lee Adama said emotionally.

Chaos broke out among the gallery for people witnessing the trial, cries of no, no, and expletives rang out.

"Order. Order!" Chief Justice Franklin said.

"This case... This case is built on emotion. On anger, bitterness, vengeance. But most of all, it is built on shame. It's about the shame of what we've done since the attacks, everything we've had to do to survive and work toward our future, building a cohesive working society. The shame in the fact that our people let this happen; we weakened the military and our defenses, and allowed for the circumstances providing opportunity for the infiltration and sabotage that destroyed us, letting all that happen. And it's about the guilt of those of us who ran away. Who ran away, leaving those poor bastards in the colonies to die at the hands of the Cylons; we left them and ran. We, the lucky few who could get to ships that were able to get us to safety while everyone else died in the attacks and in the continuing death and destruction the Cylons unleashed throughout the colonies since day zero of the attack. Others on ships that couldn't escape, lacking FTL, we left behind to save ourselves. And then we went back, only getting more survivors to suit our own needs – not caring for the rest and only risking our skins when it suited us. Using our ships to get to safety and then for the most part, staying in a place of safety – out of combat, while people back there were dying day and night. And we are trying to dump all that guilt and all that shame onto one man, and then flush him out the airlock and hope that that just gets rid of it all. So that we can live with ourselves. But that won't work. That won't work. That's not justice. Not to me. Not to me," Lee Adama said.

"...No further questions," Romo Lampkin said.

"Your Honors, I wish to reiterate my strong exception to defense counsel's testimony," Prosecutor Cassidy said.

"Exception noted," Chief justice Franklin said.

"Thank you," Prosecutor Cassidy said.

"Did you want to cross-examine the witness?" Chief Justice Franklin asked.

"I have no question for defense counsel," Prosecutor Cassidy said.

"Witness is excused. Do you want to call any other witnesses?" Chief Justice Franklin said.

"Your Honors, I don't wish to belabor this any longer. The defense rests," Romo Lampkin said.

"Very well. This court will adjourn to consider a verdict," Chief Justice Franklin said.

"What a glorious moment in jurisprudence," Baltar said.

"You did a great job," President Roslin said to Cassidy, sitting near the prosecution.

Sometime later…

"All rise," the Bailiff said.

"Before I read the verdict, I'd like to make one thing clear. Like everything human, justice is imperfect. It's flawed. But it's those very imperfections that separates us from the machines. And maybe even makes us a species worth saving. The defendant will rise. Gaius Baltar, after carefully weighing the evidence, this tribunal, in a vote of three to two, finds you not guilty," Chief Justice Franklin said.

Loud clamoring occurs in the court; clapping from some and loud protesting from others. Roslin and Tory leave angrily.

"Assassin!" a rioter from the crowd says, screaming at Baltar.

"Admiral, you gotta get him out of here!" Lee Adama said.

Marines hold off the rioters.

"Get him back. Get him out of here! Get him away!" Lee Adama shouted over the noise of the crowd shouting and jeering at Baltar, some directing their rage at the judges and other members of the court as well.

Tom Zarek watched safely from his seat, relatively far away from the chaos, looking as the crowd went crazy in pandemonium. Some people were yelling back in support of Baltar at the others attacking the members of the justice department, trying to get at Baltar. Another fight began among these people on both sides for public opinion of recent events, the people smacking each other around and otherwise trying to kill each other in some cases.

Exactly what had terrified Zarek when Roslin brought this up, knowing the power of the people and understanding how to use them did not make him want to see this madness. But she hadn't listened. Tom Zarek moved quietly out the back, where the area was almost emptied as everyone else had gone towards the exit where Baltar had left the building from. Two of his loyal men guarded him and they safely made their exit, disappearing away from the pandemonium that was moving outside.

Within minutes after Zarek left, reinforcements from the marines arrived in over a dozen marine dropships, outnumbering the protestors. Using tear gas and other dispersal methods they quickly put down the uprising of protesting citizens that had left several dead and almost a hundred wounded.

The emotions riled by the trial and its conclusion would not be easily put to rest however. Zarek's warning proved accurate in the following days as in various cities across Avalon other protests occurred, violence spreading and escalating despite the efforts of marines and the police to keep the peace.

Day 1087 Since the Fall

Apartment Complex System Sector 416, Helo's Office

Mrs. King approached next in line from the citizens from throughout the apartment complexes.

"Yes. Can I help you?" Helo asked.

"My son is dead," Mrs. King said.

"...I'm sorry. That's a soma braid, right? You Sagittarons believe it's supposed to bring good health? Look, I'm sorry. It's not enough. If you don't treat the disease, it's fatal, okay? This - this didn't have to happen!" Helo said, nodding.

"Yes, it did. He was killed," Mrs. King said.

"No, ma'am, he died. Okay? He died because he needed real medicine," Helo said.

"He died because I made a mistake," Mrs. King said.

"Okay. Okay, good, yeah. And please, tell the others," Helo said.

"I will. I will tell them not to trust him. They warned me about him, but I wouldn't listen. I didn't want my son to die. I took a chance. I went to Dr. Robert. I let the doctor give the medicine to Willie," Mrs. King said.

"Ma'am. You waited too long," Helo said, shaking his head sadly.

"Willie had been sick for less than 12 hours. He was 19. He is dead. That doctor killed my son," Mrs. King said.

Apartment Complex System Sector 416, Triage Area: Front of the Complex

"So you immunized the old man, but he later died? Buckminster and his father are fundamentalists. What made them change their minds about getting immunized?" Helo asked.

"Change their mind? Who said they changed their mind? I administered the bitamucin on my own," Doctor Robert said.

"Without their consent?" Helo asked.

"Look, it was the middle of the night. I was doing my rounds, and the old man was screaming in pain. I mean, what was I supposed to do?" Doctor Robert asked.

"Okay, I don't understand. Aren't we rationing right now while more supplies are being brought in from around Avalon? It was well after the 48 hour mark from the onset of infection so he didn't have a chance," Helo said.

"Yeah, that's right, but it's not exact. Everybody's different. ...Okay, he was marginal. Look, I'm not gonna sit here and apologize to you for doing my job. I got two Picons down there that are starting to show symptoms. Now I'm gonna go treat them, if it's alright with you," Doctor Robert said.

Avalon: Colonial Volunteer Response Group HQ, Secure Office in Site 416

"The doctor's version of when he administered the drug greatly differed from that of Mrs. King," Helo said.

"Who?" Admiral Adama asked.

"The woman, King - the one I told you about, Mrs. King. Her son started showing symptoms. She immediately took him to Robert for treatment. The boy still died. In the other case, Robert treated a Sagittaron without the man's consent," Helo said.

"Well, that's something we probably should have done to all of them in the first place, this disease would've been gone by now. The only reason we didn't is we're trying respect the customs of the Sagittarons," Doctor Cottle said.

"But that's the point, he didn't respect them. Sir, people could be dying under Robert's care," Helo said.

"People die under my care every day, it goes with the damn job," Doctor Cottle said.

"Killing doesn't," Helo said.

"Killing? You are way out of line. Micah Robert deserves better than this," Commander Tigh said gruffly.

"Even if I'm wrong, even if he isn't treating some of these people unethically, I'm concerned he's created a situation down there. It's bad," Helo said.

"Commander, I don't know if you've heard what else is happening around the planet. The person responsible for the fall of the colonies, Gaius Baltar, was pronounced not guilty and all out anarchy ensued. The other protests, and attacks from other various groups across Avalon have taken this time to step up and attack more people, and do more damage; growing worse every day. I have a disease that's been rampant for days going on weeks now; thousands are dying, and there's no end in sight for it. Now the question is: are you capable of doing your job? And are you going to stop making these unfounded accusations? Are you?" Admiral Adama asked.

"...Yes, sir," Helo said stiffly.

"Dismissed," Admiral Adama said coldly.

Apartment Complex Corridor Leading out from Colonial Volunteer Response Group HQ

Helo grumbled angrily as he walked away.

Commander Tigh followed him out, angrily talking to his back until her turned, "Agathon! Why don't you knock it off, Helo. Get your teeth out of the Doc's ass. It's not doing you any good."

"With all due respect, sir, I think Micah Robert might be hurting people," Helo said.

"He is the only one who's had anything good to say about you in as long as I can remember. You may as well take whatever credibility you have left and chuck it out an airlock. You seriously want to stand up for these crazy frakkin' people? What is it with you? You just like being on the outside looking in, do you?" Commander Tigh said.

"I don't quite know what you mean by that sir, unless you're referring to my wife. Again," Helo said.

"Mike Robert is a stand-up guy. One of our own. A man I can trust. He's worked with us, saved many lives. I remember my past life so I'm not as hateful about the Cylons as I used to be; I wasn't involved and lived this second life of mine among the colonies and can truly call myself a colonial. But your wife was part of the attack that killed our people and like with supporting her you want to put yourself at the outside of everyone else. Go back to your wife and keep all those Cylons there in line if you want to be hated so much– "Commander Tigh said.

Helo punched Saul Tigh in the gut.

"Colonel! You okay?" a marine said, alarmed as rushed to the two of them.

"So you do give a frak what your friends think. Good for you! That's how it should be. But you know what? I give a frak too. About friends, about loyalty. You keep soiling Mike Robert's good name, and we are gonna finish this. How's that sound to you?" Commander Tigh asked.

Helo didn't have an answer.

"You better have the Doc take look at that hand, now," Commander Tigh said as Helo walked away.

Day 1089 Since the Fall

Patrolling Around Apartment Complex System

"Mrs. King, please. I need to ask you something. If you thought Dr. Robert was dangerous, why let him treat your son? I mean, you said you were warned..." Helo said.

"I couldn't believe anyone could have that much hate inside of them," Mrs. King said.

"But you understand how some of this doesn't..." Helo said.

"- I am through talking. Talking isn't going to bring Willie back. I think you should leave now," Mrs. King said.

"Mrs. King, I ...I'm sorry," Helo said.

Colonial Volunteer Response Group Sector 416, Agathon's Quarters

"You seem angry," Athena said.

"I'm not, I'm just... Work," Helo said.

"It's okay that you hate your job. It's okay to admit it, too," Athena said.

"It's not the job! I know the job sucks, I don't need to be reminded of it!" Helo said.

"Okay. Then what is it?" Athena said.

"Look... It's what I see every day, okay? It's hard to not see it," Helo said.

"See what? Talk to me, Karl," Athena said.

"I don't know, I ... I keep doing it. You know, I keep doing it, I keep ending up on the wrong side of everything. You know, maybe Tigh's right. Maybe I want it that way. What if I'm flying a desk not because I'm good at it, not because I'm right guy for the job, but because it's the right punishment for the guy who crosses the line, and everybody knows it?" Helo said.

"You're saying ... Leave it," Athena said, folding up their laundry.

"What does that mean, 'Just leave it'?" Helo said.

"It means it's your job to manage these people, Helo, and you've just got to do it," Athena said.

"Yeah, you know what? You're right. It's me. It's all in my frakkin' head," Helo said.

"I didn't say that ... Where are you going?" Athena asked.

"I don't know," Helo said.

Avalon Site 416 Apartment Complex System Sickbay: Cottle's Office

"Doc?" Helo said.

Helo began going through the charts and patient histories and treatments on Cottle's desk: dead, dead, dead.

Cottle looked at Helo going through his stuff and said as he entered the room, "You ought to try a bed, Helo. You'll get more sleep that way."

"He's killing them. It's right here," Helo said, standing.

"You get your righteous ass out of here right now, before I have the old man lock you up and throw away the key," Cottle said.

"No, listen to me! He killed them! And He's been doing this in other cities too! Look. Guy goes in for a cough, he dies of heart failure. Here, see for yourself. This one, woman had simple appendicitis, she died on the operating table. Of the Picons he treated, 12% of them died, Capricans - oh, he likes Capricans - the mortality rate was 6%. Sagittarons? 90%. 90% of the Sagittarons died while in his care," Helo said.

"- I am not going to listen to this, do you hear me? That man has his hands full down there!" Cottle said.

"He's singling out Sagittarons! That doesn't bother you?" Helo said.

"What exactly..." Cottle asked.

"- Doctor, that doesn't bother you?" Helo asked.

"What exactly is he doing?" Cottle asked.

"I don't know. I'm not a doctor..." Helo said.

"- Well now, that's the first sensible thing you've said," Cottlesaid.

"Listen to me, I don't think he's giving them the medicine .. something, he's doing something," Helo said.

"My Gods, you're not going to let it go, are you?" Cottle said.

"Please, can you do an autopsy on Mrs. King's son, to see how he died? I'll let it go, I will, I promise, I will let it go. Just check," Helo said.

"I did. I checked King's son. Mellorak sickness. He had bitamucin in his system. All right, now, that's it. Now, you just leave it! And get out of here!" Cottle said.

Site 416 Triage Center, Front of Apartment Complex

Marines approach Helo.

"Agathon. He's lost, I don't ... He's hurting one of my patients," Doctor Robert said.

"You poisoned her! I'm taking her to Cottle," Helo said.

"Get Tigh or someone else higher up down here!" Doctor Robert said.

"Commander, what's going on? Sir?" one of the marines asked, confused.

"No no no, Dee, we gotta go," Helo said, gathering up Dualla as she mumbled a protest, intent on getting her away from there.

"Captain, she doesn't want to go! Sir, she says she doesn't want to go," one of the marines said.

"Get your hand off of me, Sergeant!" Helo said.

"Stand down or we'll have to make a move, Agathon!" one of the marines said.

"You stand down! Get your gun out of my face, Sergeant!" Helo said.

"Cool it!" the same marine said.

"I don't know what kind of a crusade you're on, or who you're trying to impress, but it seriously is not working," Doctor Robert said.

"You're killing them, Robert. I know you're doing it!" Helo said.

Tigh arrived with Cottle and more Marines.

"Stand down," Commander Tigh said.

"Saul. You told me he was a flake, you didn't tell me he was dangerous!" Doctor Robert exclaimed

" - Shut the frak up. How is she?" Commander Tigh asked, then turned to Cottle as he approached Dee.

"She's been sedated, but she's okay," Cottle said.

"Wait a minute - You don't believe him, do you? He's seriously delusional. Needs help," Dcotor Robert said.

"Yeah, and we should've given it to him," Commander Tigh said, ashamed.

"Doc?" Helo said.

"I didn't check Willie's blood until a couple of hours ago. I was exhausted, and I'll admit the Sagittarons annoy the hell out of me, and I didn't want to go against my colleague ... But you were right about the records, Helo. There was no bitamucin in the King boy's body," Cottle said.

"He died because it was too late..." Doctor Robert said.

"No, he didn't. He died of acute cell destruction. He was injected with a toxic bisphosphonate," Cottle said.

"Now, obviously you got a wrong reading here. Now, I don't know what else these people—" Doctor Robert said.

"- No! The old man, Mr. Buckminster, died of the same thing. There was no bitamucin in his system," Cottle said.

"You killed him, you sick frak," Helo said.

"You ought to be thanking me. For having the meds to cure Dualla of her illness. Now, you know how painful this disease is at the end. And the Sagittarons don't even want our help. Now, why waste time and meds and space on them, when all of those resources could go to those who really deserve it? Who gets the medication when there's not enough to go around - the Sagittaron who won't even raise a finger to save his own race, or a Viper pilot?" Doctor Robert asked.

"What the hell happened to "do no harm," Doctor?" Cottle asked.

"Look, I intervened because someone has to make the tough choices here. But it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, because look at them! They're gonna destroy themselves anyway. Look at them, look at them. They're like worms crawling on a hot rock. Remember what you used to say, Saul? Aside from a Cylon, is there anything that you hate more than a Sagittaron?" Doctor Robert said.

"I'll tell you what I hate, Mike: Being wrong. Commander Agathon," Commander Tigh said.

"Sir?" Helo asked.

"Arrest this son of a bitch. Gag him if you have to," Commander Tigh said.

"My pleasure, sir," Helo said.

"I didn't harm her!" Robert said pointing at Dee.

"Right, she's one of the good ones," Helo said.

Helo and the marines escort him out, Robert handcuffed and being directed by Helo.

Colonial Volunteer Response Group HQ, Secure Office in Site 416

"Sir, you wanted to see me?" Commander Helo Agathon said uncertainly.

"Yes, Commander. Please, sit down. There's hate, and there's allowing hate. Two sides of the same coin, really. We're guilty of both. Somewhere, we got lost. You being the lone voice in the wilderness, we were bound to stay that way for a while. This was my command, my responsibility. And I owe you an apology," Admiral Adama said.

"That's not necessary, sir," Helo said.

"All the same, you still have it. That'll be all, Commander," Admiral Adama said.

Day 1094 Since the Fall

Columbia Arena, Avalon; Pyramid Game, Cap City Buccaneers versus Raging Taurus

The crowd was going nuts, screaming for each of the two teams playing pyramid on the field in the center of the arena.

Samuel Anders led his team to score another goal against the Raging Taurons, his fans chanting his name from the stadium stands.

People ate food such as hot dogs and popcorn, laughed and enjoyed spending time with their family, while the most dedicated to the game cheered for each side they belonged to, closely watching the game as it proceeded. There were children, happy and innocent with their families, enjoying the show below. The players were wholly focused on their craft, all their energy directed at teamwork and trying to win the vicious battle they faced. The people were oblivious to all else, the outside world and other concerns pushed from their mind as they lived in the moment.

Not everyone shared that happiness and abandon of their troubles. Individuals entered the arena, getting past security, and gathered at points in the stadium over time as the pyramid game went on, with everyone completely distracted. Bombs, guns, and other munitions they carried were readied, the individuals making all preparations they needed including mentally getting ready for what they were going to do.

As they were getting into position and readying to act, others in the crowd began acting, turning on them. Centurions and marines rushed into the arena within moments of gunshots ringing out, disturbing the blissful distraction of the crowds and causing them to run away from gunmen and individuals carrying weapons that were attacking them and others in the stands.

People were screaming, running into each other in panic as they tried to escape the pyramid stadium. The terrorists continued firing on the crowd, their automatic weapons weaving through a handful of people within seconds before each of them reloaded and then reacquired targets and continued to fire.

Cylon centurions, and hundreds of marines that had gathered and moved in formation, rushed toward the terrorists and fired on them. It was a bloodbath, men from both sides being downed as their enemy took aim and pulled the trigger. Little cover was present for anything else to happen

A shooting war began, and ended quickly with the superior numbers of the marines and centurions. Dozens of the terrorists dropped dead by the end, blood pouring from their body, just as dozens of the marines were downed or wounded such as with shots to the leg or chest, and several of the centurions were disabled or destroyed. The centurions and marines had worked in formation, dropping the terrorists quickly, the centurions acting like a shield of their own accord if one of their human team members became exposed to oncoming fire, and the overall team put themselves in the way of the line of fire before civilians on several occasions.

By the end, hundreds were dead or wounded, with medical teams being brought in to aid them. The bombs that most of the terrorists failed to use were recovered and disposed of safely.

Outside in safety, the crowds of survivors would praise the marine forces and even the centurions for their actions, unable to deny that they'd kept countless others from death.

Day 1095 Since the Fall

Avalon, Caprica City; Sagittaron Quorum Representative Tom Zarek's Quarters

Tom Zarek watched the newscast covering the report on the centurions and marines working together to thwart the terrorist attack on the Columbia pyramid arena. Zarek glared at the newscaster with contempt as the Cylons were glorified for their aid, and civilian opinion was shown to have risen tremendously since the incident.

This won't do,Tom Zarek quietly said to himself, thinking of a course of action.

"The time is now or never my friends," Zarek said, turning to the gathered people who he had depended upon in working to take advantage of dissent across Avalon.

Zarek's loyalists looked to their boss, waiting for him to give them direction, stowing their own reactions to the news reports.

"We begin our operation now. Before the people begin to engage in acceptance for the government's chosen direction for society to take, just like they did in the colonies," Zarek said.

The gathered men and women made noise of assent and loud agreement, several nodding at Zarek's words.

"Let's get to it then," Zarek said.

In the Days Following…

Over the next few days Zarek disseminated his plans and galvanized the various groups of people dissenting against the government and the military. Every group, anyone that Zarek could manipulate for his plan, was contacted and left with a choice: tailor made to those people. Then he made a general broadcast, hijacking the colonial Television stations to get his message to the general public across Avalon.

…

"The government in the colonies locked up its citizens, harshly treating them and even forcing them to work and feel like lower beings; they enslaved them and called them horrible things, forcing society to share this view they made of them to allow this all to pass. Back then at least there was a trial, some attempt at proving a person's guilt or innocence, to find the truth and mete out justice, but now the government's mandate, spearheaded by Mark Stryker, has any suggestion of activities they deem a crime to be executed summarily. In the most populous and highly technological cities across Avalon, they've inputted high 'security' measures such as cameras watching and hearing everything anyone does almost anywhere and everywhere, 24/7; spying on them and looking for any form of dissent and disobedience. Rise now, see this puppet government and the military in power fall, and we can see a new era for the colonial people of Kobol. Make the society we want. Will you stand and fight for that?" Zarek asked.

…

"You don't need a history lesson from me. The Gemenese and the Sagittarons have lived for thousands of years under the rule and whim of the other colonies, and the colonial government when the colonies united. I am from Sagittaron, I lived through it; the suffering, the shame, the constant attacks on us by the other colonies, pushing down Sagittarons just like the Gemenese, and forcing us to stay in our place so they can keep yours. Haven't your people suffered enough? Ours? The time is now or never. The only way to beat them is if everyone they're oppressing is together. Stand and fight with us, and we can create the society and the government we all want, that represents all of the people," Tom Zarek said.

…

"I am speaking to the general public. The government has made changes to the society we all knew and loved. Distorted and perverted our system of justice so anyone committing what the government deems a crime amounts to a summary execution. Mercy is served solely when it suits those in power. We're working with the Cylons; the people who destroyed our lives and killed billions, and our families, our friends. Slowly but surely the colonial tribes identities and histories are being forced to become ignored in favor of forcing our youth into remembering the government's edited image of our history and pushing forth a mixed society with the Cylons. Our children are being forced war, taking away their freedom and choice; manipulating them into becoming weapons. Will you stand for this? Will you sit back and let it happen? When changes detrimental to the people were introduced by the government in the colonies, most of the people sat back and did nothing, then when the few tried to show them the truth and to help get them what they deserved the people turned on them and let the government remove them from society, and as time went on other people started seeing the truth but instead of doing anything about it, instead of forcing change for the benefit of all, they complained about what the government did after the fact and they accepted what they couldn't change. Will you do that? Will you do nothing, or will you stand with the few and make it so all our people rise up? Rise with one voice to call for the society, the government, and the life we all want, to demand it; TO TAKE IT! I am Tom Zarek. I will fight with anyone willing to take a stand while we still can. This will be the first day of a new era that our children can be proud of; we will see the dawn of the tomorrow that we are all fighting for!" Tom Zarek said.

Day 1098 Since the Fall

Avalon, Prison Cell Deep Underground Below Caprica City

"Hello Delegate Campus," Tom Zarek said, smiling.

Delegate Campus looked up from his cell's cot, confused and sure what was going on as he stared at Zarek.

"Time to go," Zarek said.

Late into Day 1101 Since the Fall

Avalon

The various groups of dissenters galvanized by Zarek began acting across Avalon.

Groups of the former rich and powerful from Caprica, Leonis, Virgon, and the other richer colonies agreeing with Zarek's statements to them started attacking government and military centers.

Groups from the other poor colonies like Sagittaron and Gemenon likewise began attacking, having been told opposing statements by Zarek to make them act. Extremists from religions joined them; a number of the most stringent Gemenese against the Cylons because they thought them abominations against the lords of Kobol's wishes and saw themselves doing what it took to be rid of them.

Other polytheists believing in the lords of Kobol and generally multiple gods, even though they prayed to mostly one favorite god in various groups based around worshipping that god like Ares, such as the sons of Ares, or Artemis, were against the Cylon god and wanted to cleanse colonial society of the influence of their heresy.

Ex-criminals and prisoners, members of the black market seeking continuation of their business such as selling drugs and prostitution, that had come from Galactica's fleet and from the rest of colonial society on Avalon joined under Zarek's banner, attacking police and anyone in the way, and looting stores, generally creating chaos.

Fanatics from groups demanding a destruction of weapons and technology for a fresh start began uprising.

Pacifists took up arms in the chaos, crying for peace with weapons in hand and demanding an end to war and the military leadership over Avalon.

General citizens joined the fray for various reasons, finally venting their anger and hatred that had been long pent up at the controversies in society from the actions of Avalon's leadership.

Gunfire rang out, bombs were detonated in various cities; killing many people at a time. Knives and other weapons were used to kill individuals one at a time. Blood seeped through the streets of the cities, the many dead lying where they were left as their attackers moved on to other targets.

The protesting citizens and various groups attacking the marines, the police, the government, and anyone in their way, some attacking citizens, all had their own war cries they cried out as they carved a path of destruction.

"The hour of correction is at hand!"

"Kill them all!"

"Justice!"

"The corrupt government goes down today!"

"For the colonies!"

"No more weapons!"

"Technology destroyed us, burn it all!"

"They must die! It's the only way the world will ever change!"

"Rise for Freedom!"

"For Ares!"

"The Abominations must be destroyed!"

"Have you forgotten the innocent lives they took? You're living in a damned dream world, laughing with the murderers who slaughtered our people!"

"They deserve to die, ALL of them!"

To be continued…