Chapter 6

Starbuck, Apollo and Steve followed the Clyon scout ship to Earth's solar system. The sensors traced the flight path of the Clyon scout ship to Mars.

Colonel Austin squinted as a pit formed in his stomach. "That scout ship just landed on Mars."

Apollo noted. "Sensors indicate that red planet is not habitable for humans."

Steve agreed. "It's not but for a machine…it's perfect."

Starbuck wondered. "Should we land check it out?"

Apollo shook his head. "Negative. We would need more than just a respirator. We would need a full suit."

They kept a distance from the red planet to not set off any Cylon sensors.

"Great." Apollo let out a deep sigh. "Cylons already found Earth."

Steve stated. "They have not attacked us yet. I wonder why?"

Starbuck assumed. "It will only be a matter of time."

Soon the Vipers passed Mars and was heading towards Earth. From space Earth looked so peaceful. A big blue marble floating in space. Starbuck feasted his eyes on the planet. "Looks like Caprica from space." he mentioned.

"It does." Apollo agreed.

Steve stated. "We are going to land the Vipers on Earth. If we do get attacked, we will at least have the Vipers to defend us. We can contact the Galactica through the wormhole and let Commander Adama know the situation."

Starbuck asked. "Should we notify your government, Steve?"

He confessed. "I'm wondering if they already know. Mars is close. We are planning on sending probes to Mars. If the Cylons have an operating base on Mars, my government already knows."

Apollo suggested. "Maybe your government made a deal with the Clyons."

Steve winced. "That's possible. Back in the forties there was a famous crash sight in Roswell, New Mexico. At first the Air Force reporting finding an alien space ship. Then they retracted that story and said it was a weather balloon. Rumors been flying of aliens and cover-ups ever since. Cloak the Vipers to avoid radar. I know a place where we can land."

Apollo initialed the jamming device that would allow them to avoid radar. "Lead the way, Colonel."

Steve manually entered the coordinates. "We're heading for a little private airfield in California, just outside of L.A."

"Got it." Starbuck confirmed. He then jested. "Think we can swing by Vegas on the way."

Steve told him. "It's actually not that far away. But right now, I think Dom is our best bet." The three Vipers then set the course for the airfield and soon entered the atmosphere.

Meanwhile

Dr. Brackett drove his car to Station 51 after his shift. Riding in the front seat with him was a young man of eighteen years old. His had crisp blue eyes and brown hair. He parked the car in the side parking lot of the station.

"Her name is Samantha DeSoto. She's a genius like you, Sam." he spoke to the young man. "She has an experiment running in the station and I think you can help her."

Sam Beckett stated intrigued. "I look forward to meeting her and seeing her experiment."

The two men emerged from the sedan. Dr. Brackett was dressed in brown trousers with a pale yellow dress shirt with a brown tie and matching jacket. Dr. Beckett wore blue jeans and a red t-shirt with sneakers as he had the day off from the hospital. Dr. Brackett led the young genius inside.

Kelly Brackett called. "Sam!"

She called from behind the fire engine. "Back here."

Dr. Brackett led his guest to the rear of the station. He smiled. "Sam…I want you to meet, Sam." he introduced. "This is Dr. Sam Beckett. He's a genius like you and in college and also doing his residency at the hospital."

Dr. Beckett greeted. "Nice to meet you, Sam. I go by Sam too." He held out a hand.

She recognized the name. "Dr. Beckett." she shook his hand. "I read a number of white papers you wrote on quantum physics. You have no idea what an honor is it to meet you."

Dr. Brackett asked surprised. "You heard of Dr. Beckett?"

She nodded. "Way ahead of most of us in the field of quantum physics."

"I am?" he asked surprised. "I have this theory on time travel. That's why I was so eager to meet you and see your engine."

"I read your theory." she informed. "Your theory would allow for imprinting a mind and sending it back though subspace to your younger self which is what happened to my grandfather and adopted uncle. You also have a theory of sending your mind into other people or leaping from one life to another."

He gasped. "I was just thinking how to do that."

She warned. "You did do that. In 1999 you have an experiment of your own. I spoke to your wife about it a few years ago…my time. I'm not too sure if I should tell you this but you were lost in that experiment. You never came back."

He gulped. "I never came back?" He went pale at the news.

She shook her head, "You were pressured to prove your theory so you went into the accelerator before it was ready. Donna said you leaped from life to life for a three years and then you leaped and they lost track of you and never returned. You were declared dead but she thought you were still alive, still time traveling."

"Donna!" he recognized the name. "My girlfriend?"

"She said she met you in college." she nodded. "Sweet woman. She misses you." she told him. "I probably should not have said any of that." she winced.

He assured, "I'm glad you did. What's the point of time travel if you cannot change anything?"

She gave a warm smile. "I wish I had your optimism Dr. Beckett."

Captain Stanley came to the rear of the engine bay. He stated. "Sam." Both Sam Beckett and Sam DeSoto looked upon him. "My Sam." he stated. "I just got a call from Colonel Austin. He's back on Earth. He, Apollo and Starbuck landed just outside of the city in a private airfield. He knows the airfield owner. They are driving back to the station. He said it's urgent."

"They landed Vipers here?" she gasped.

"That's what he said." he nodded.

She blinked. "Why did they take that risk?"

"He wouldn't say over the phone." the Chief told her. "You can ask when they get here."

Meanwhile

The three vipers had landed at a private airfield outside the city. The owner of the business emerged from the hangar. Perched proudly on the top of the hangar was a sign that red Santini Air.

The older man had graying hair, a rounded face and a larger belly and wearing a green shiny jacket and a red cap with blue jeans, he made his way towards the odd sight.

Steven emerged from the craft first. He spied his friend. "Dom!"

"Colonel?" the old man asked. He made his way closer unsure what to make of the uniforms or the strange craft.

Steve greeted. "It's good to see you again, Dom. I need to ask a big favor of you."

"What is it, Steve?"

"If anyone ask, tell them these craft are props for a movie you are working on." he requested.

Dom asked. "Is that something out of skunk works?"

"Not quite." he replied. "They are real, Dom. These are my friends, Starbuck and Apollo. I need to borrow a jeep." he requested.

"Of course you can borrow a jeep." he replied a bit confused. "What's going on? Some national security stuff?"

"Kind of." he admitted. "How is String doing?"

"He spends all his time at the cabin." he explained. "Since he got back from Nam, he just doesn't want to see anyone."

"I'm sure he will get better. Give him some time." he encouraged. "Any word on Sinjin?"

He shook his head. "Still M.I.A.."

"If I hear anything, I will let you know." he promised.

Dom asked. "Where did you get that getup?" he motioned towards the uniform.

"From a spaceship." he confessed.

He cocked a wary eye. "Is it ours?"

He didn't answer. "Key's in the office?"

"Keys in the office." he nodded still taking in the sight.

Steve patted Dom's shoulder. "I owe you one, Dom." He walked on by as Dom stood staring at the three vipers. He yelled back over his shoulder. "Maybe cover them up with some camouflage, Dom?"

Dom mumbled. "Camouflage. What is the Colonel involved in?"

Steve led the two other viper pilots to the hangar. They looked about at the aircraft as Steve got the key to the vehicle and made a quick phone call to Station 51.

Apollo asked. "What does your friend do?"

Steve replied as he walked, "He's an war buddy of mine. Dom was an ace pilot back in his day. He's a stunt pilot now. Flies stunts for movies. This will make a good cover for the vipers. Dom can say they are just props that he is storing." he explained. He soon led the men to the most loudly painted vehicle. The Jeep was painted with old glory and the business name. It was open so everyone could see their uniforms. "Hop in." he instructed.

Apollo and Starbuck climbed into the jeep.

Steve climbed behind the wheel. He instructed. "If anyone ask, we are stuntmen on a movie. And the uniforms are costumes."

Starbuck looked down at himself. "Costumes."

He added. "And don't draw your sidearm."

Apollo figured. "We will stick out like a sore thumb."

"That's why the movie cover is our best option. No one will guess you two are aliens and the side arms are real." He started the jeep and was soon on his way to the fire station.