Shadows Gambit

Book six

of the

BLACK RAPTOR

Series

By

<a href="mailto:leatherknight@hotmail.com"> Mike Newby</a>

May 24, 2000

Based on the characters created By Glen A. Larson

All things considered, it could have been much worse. That was the first thing to come through the haze in Athena' mind.

Her entire body sagged against the restraints of her ejection seat, swaying gently in the breeze.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked about. She hung a good three meters from the floor of the jungle, her ejection chute a tangle of shredded material, mixed in with the thick branches of the tree.

"Backis!" She called out, hearing her voice reverberate through the thick trees.

Her only response was a slight reduction in the noise of the jungle around her, as animals fell silent in fright. Then the cacophony of noises resumed.

"Great," she muttered, pulling her helmet off, and trying to ignore the throbbing in the left side of her head.

The side of her helmets was scuffed and cracked from the impact of something, probably a branch that did not want to give.

She let the helmet fall, watching it bounce on the ground below with a clunk.

Next challenge: getting down.

She looked about, hoping to find a marginal handhold, and spied what she thought she could use. Reaching up, she grasped a thick branch, pulling herself closer to it. With her other hand, she released the harness of her seat.

No one spoke. There was really nothing to say.

Adama stood at the viewport of his office, his silvery hair shining in the starlight. His eyes searched the heavens, almost as if the tragedy would correct itself. Across from him, standing against the small serving table, Lt. Starbuck stood with his eyes cast down and his hands in his pockets, while Apollo, Adama's son, sat in one of the self conforming chairs, his head in his hands, staring blankly at nothing.

The fourth person in the room was Captain Milesar, the leader of the Black Raptor Squadron.

"You're certain?" Adama asked, refusing to turn around and show the tears in his eyes.

"Absolutely," said Milesar. "I read both beacons. One for each ejection module. They punched out before the impact."

"And what are the odds that they survived the landing?" Adama asked.

"Better than fair, Commander," said Milesar, a frown crossing his face.

"Excuse me, sir, but you are going to go after them, aren't you?"

"The planet will be within safe range in four days time," Adama said grimly. "At that point we will be in the best position to release a shuttle probe with adequate protection."

Starbuck fidgeted for a few microns.

"Uh, excuse me," he finally said. "I gotta get out of here."

Milesar watched the distraught lieutenant leave. Then he turned his gaze back to the Commander.

"Sir," Milesar said. "The Raptors have more than enough fuel capacity to

escort a shuttle there and back again, with room to spare. We could be ready

to fly in ten centons, if you give the word?"

"I appreciate the offer, Captain," said Adama. "But with a Base Ship

looming in the dark out there, I want the Galactica a bit closer before we

commit to anything so risky."

"But sir -" Milesar started. He thought better of pursuing the argument

and his mouth snapped shut. Taking a deep breath he let it out slow.

"By your leave, Commander?"

"Of course," Adama said. "Thank you for your report, Captain.

Dismissed."

"Sir," Milesar said sharply, and he strode out of the room.

Once the hatch hissed shut behind him, Adama turned and faced his son.

His eyes were wet with barely held tears.

Apollo rose and the two men clasped shoulders.

"She's all right," said Apollo. "I know she is."

"How did we ever come to this?" Adama asked, as if to himself.

The thing about waking up the second time, Athena noted, was that her entire body was filled with a dull aching throb instead of the sharp stinging pain at the side of her skull.

The odor of something burning reached her nostrils and she heard the cheerful crackling of a small fire. Opening her eyes, she saw that she had been moved from the base of the tree that she had obviously fallen out of, and placed comfortably close to the merry flames.

Moving her head up and back, she could see the tiny survival pod from her ship, sitting open, with various different tools hanging in place. Beyond that sat Backis, weaving several long pale green leaves into a specific shape. He paused for a micron, and then placed the contraption on his head. Athena smiled when she saw that he was making a hat for himself.

"You've got to be kidding?" she asked, a smile on her face.

Her voice startled Backis, but his gaze softened as soon as he saw her staring at him.

"Welcome back, boss," he said with a smile. "How'd you sleep?"

Athena didn't answer, feeling a sharp stab in her head as she moved.

"Just take it easy boss," Backis continued. "I already sent a short pulse transmission to the fleet. They know we're alive and waiting."

The systems were defunct, the lighting questionable, and the complement of centurions well below what Shadow was used to. The cobalt robed Cylon walked cautiously through the darkened corridors of his battered Base Ship, occasionally scooting aside to avoid an arcing cable or popping display station.

"Blasted humans," he muttered to himself.

Shadow reached the entrance to his central command chamber, only to find the transparent plasteen doors shattered. He felt the pieces of the material crunch beneath his feet as he moved into the darkened chamber.

Once he had brought his circle of command consoles back on line, Shadow stood, checking the myriad of repairs his ship required.

A short time later, the massive bulk of a golden centurion strode into the chamber.

"By your command," the deep mechanical voice droned.

"Yes, Kadal," Shadow said unenthusiastically.

"We have intercepted a short burst transmission from a nearby planet," Kadal reported. "The message was encrypted using a colonial encryption key."

"Have you deciphered the code?" Shadow asked.

"Affirmative," Kadal droned.

"Show me." Shadow commanded. He followed Kadal down into the depths of the Base Ship.

Once in the tiny room, Kadal ordered the silver centurion stationed there to guard the entrance, while he and Shadow stood over the monitor.

Shadow pressed the appropriate buttons and an image formed on the screen.

It showed a lush jungle background. In the center of the monitor was the face of a young, male Colonial Warrior with sandy brown hair and a hint of stubble on his chin.

Shadow keyed the monitor for replay. Through occasional hisses of static, the message ran through.

"Galactica," The Colonial Warrior said. "This is…..ackis of the Bl…k ….tor squadr… We went extra veh… eached surface in one…. Injuries to …eport. Will switch trans..dor on every three c…..rs until you signal oth…"

The man knelt before the monitor, and then turned his head to look behind him at something.

His eyes came back to the screen. "…ake too long to …. here."

The image winked out as the signal was disconnected.

Shadow stared at the blank screen for a micron. Then he turned to his second in command.

"Did the Galactica receive this signal?" he asked.

"Negative," Kadal droned.

"Hmm…" Shadow stepped away from the console and looked forward, staring at nothing as the lights of his neuro-processor flashed wildly.

"Tell me," He resumed. "What is our current status?"

"Repairs continue," Kadal droned. "We have recovered sixty five fighters after the engagement with the Colonial forces."

"We have flight crews available for all of those ships?" Shadow continued.

"Affirmative."

"Where is our nearest re-supply point?" The IL Cylon asked.

"Quadrant alpha four, in the Gamoray system." Kadal replied without hesitation.

"Too far," Shadow said, thinking out loud. "Do we know where the signal originated from?"

"We can track it." Kadal said.

"Do so, and set a course to the signal's point of origin," Shadow commanded. Then he paused. This was going to be a blow to his pride, but he knew it must be done. "And notify Cylon that we are in need of re-supply, as soon as possible."

The golden head turned towards Shadow. "By your command."

Shadow quickly shuffled out of the room. In the base of his neuro net, the seeds of a plan were beginning to germinate.

His hat was done. That was the first thing that Athena noticed when she rolled over. The pale green, woven acroutment lay comfortably over Backis's eyes, blocking out the rays of sunlight, which penetrated the leafy canopy overhead. The entire picture was so comical, that Athena actually laughed out loud.

"Backis, do you have any idea how ridiculous that looks," she said.

Backis calmly reached up and lifted the hat from over his eyes, looking

back over at Athena.

"You're just saying that because you can't make one of your own," he said.

Then he lowered the hat back into place and heaved a contented sigh.

"How can you be so calm?" asked Athena. She was actually more than a little nervous about being on an alien planet, cut off from everything she knew.

"Would you rather I panic?" asked Backis. He sat up, pushing his "hat" back on his head and staring up at Athena, who had stumbled to her feet and was walking a circle around the tiny clearing.

"Of course not," she answered.

Backis watched her for a micron, and then a knowing smile spread across his face.

"You've never done this before," he said. He already knew the answer.

"Done what?" asked Athena.

"You've never been camping before, have you?" Backis continued.

Athena grimaced. "No. Why? What's the point?"

"Getting out of the city." Said Backis. "Away from technology, noise, crowds, so on and so on."

"I never saw the need," Athena said defensively.

"You mean, no one ever invited you." Backis translated.

"Oh, no," Athena corrected him. "I got invited many times. I just preferred to stay where I could take a hot shower, and sleep in a warm bed every day."

"Oh," said Backis. "So, you're spoiled."

"I am not spoiled!" Athena said fiercely. "Why would you say that?"

"You don't seem to be worried about your surroundings any more, boss,"

Backis leaned back, smiling.

Athena stopped, her next fiery remark dying on her lips. He was right.

He had gotten her mind on other things, no matter how ridiculous, and taken her fear away.

"That wasn't fair, Backis," she said.

"Nope," Backis agreed. "But it worked."

He looked sidelong at the supply module with its built in transponder.

"I figure we have a weeks worth of food and water in that thing, plus enough juice in the power cell to last a couple of weeks."

"What happens when we run out of food?" asked Athena.

Backis shrugged. "If we end up staying that long, I'm sure I'll find

something for us to live off of. Even if it means hunting and fishing."

"What about the Galactica?" Athena asked.

"I'll send another pulse in about half a centar," Backis said. "In the meantime, we just make ourselves as comfortable as we can."

In the distance, they heard a low rumble of thunder.

"Starting with shelter," Backis said, getting to his feet.

"Where are you going?" asked Athena.

"The crash site isn't too far from here," said Backis. "I'm gonna see if there's anything else that we can use during our little vacation."

She drifted through space like a giant shield. The Galactica moving ahead of the two hundred odd ships under its protection, as if the whole were a mismatched school of various fish, swimming through an ocean of blackness. At the bridge command station, Commander Adama stood in statuesque silence, his eyes focused out the massive viewport, seeing everything and

nothing at the same time.

A voice brought him out of his reverie.

"Yes, Colonel?" Adama asked, turning to his second in command.

"Patrols are all in," Tigh repeated. "Nothing to report. Perhaps the Cylons withdrew?"

Adama shook his head. "You know better than that, old friend. They're out there. They may be damaged or short resources, but they're out there.

They're like a lupine on a hunt. Once they lock their jaws on the prey, they don't let go until they're dead."

Tigh nodded, his own face playing out the tension that everyone was feeling.

"Permission to speak freely?" Tigh suddenly asked.

Adama was surprised at the question, but nodded.

"Why the hell are we sitting here?" Tigh asked without preamble. "Every pilot on the ship is busting in the bulkheads to get out there and search for Athena and Backis. That includes me! We could send the entire Raptor Squadron as cover - "

"No," Adama said calmly, cutting off Tighs entreaty. "I don't trust it.

Athena and Backis are good warriors. If they ejected from the ship, with their supply pod, then they have a transponder that is capable of sending short pulse scrambled transmissions. Athena would have done that the micron they got to ground."

"So?" Tigh asked.

"So, why hasn't she?" Adama asked. "Even if the transponder was damaged, it still should be able to send something, even if it's a burst of static.

We have had no communication since the crash."

"What are you saying?" Tigh asked.

"Captain Milesar said he witnessed all three chutes deploy. That means Athena, Backis, and the supply pod. I believe they did reach ground. And I believe they sent a message." Adama said.

"But if they sent a mess - " Tigh stopped, his eyes locking on Adama.

Adama read his first officer's mind, and nodded. "Exactly, Tigh. Exactly."

The hatch hissed open, and before Apollo could do anything, he was slammed

against the chair by his son.

"Hi dad!" Boxy bellowed as he landed. Behind him, Muffit, the mechanical daggit came scooting in at what passed for a run.

"Boxy," Apollo gasped. "You're getting too big to keep doing that to me."

He smiled. He lifted his son to a more comfortable position in his lap.

"How was learning period?" he asked.

"The same," said Boxy. "Boring."

"Boring?" Apollo asked. "What was boring about it?"

"I just don't know why we have to listen to all of that history stuff," said Boxy. "I mean, it already happened, so why do we need to know about it?"

Apollo smiled. "Because we learn from our past, Boxy."

Apollo thought for a micron. "Remember when you were playing with the access panel for the door, and you shocked yourself?"

Boxy nodded. "That really hurt."

"Well," Apollo said. "That happened in the past. It's history, but you still learned from it. If you can learn about what other people did, then you might avoid some of the same mistakes they made, or you might follow what they did, and make something better."

"Ohh," Boxy said.

"But, you can't do it, if you don't learn about it, can you?" Apollo finished.

"I guess not," Boxy said. "But it's still boring."

Apollo rolled his eyes and gave a little laugh. "I guess it can be, sometimes," he agreed. "But you still have to listen."

"Okay," said Boxy.

"Okay," Apollo repeated. "Now, go and get cleaned up. We're having dinner with Grandpa tonight."

"Yippie!" Boxy cried, and he ran for the wash station.

Apollo watched his son run from the room, his smile fading. In spite of his joy at having a son, and finding love again with Sheba, he still felt the heavy dread of not knowing.

Athena sat in the make shift shelter that Backis had put up, watching the rain fall in thick sheets. She was cold, damp, and miserable. She turned and looked behind her at Backis, lying on his back, seemingly oblivious to the occasional drop of water that fell on him through the top of the lean to.

"You can't be comfortable," she said to him.

Backis raised his hat from over his face and looked at her.

"Why not?" he asked.

Athena looked up at the "roof" which was actually a large section of wing from her crashed Raptor. Then she watched as the condensation collected, running in a tiny stream, down the inside of the panel before dripping onto Backis's shoulder.

Backis watched what she watched and smiled.

"So?" He asked. "It's only water."

"You're actually enjoying this, aren't you?" Athena asked.

"Bet your astrums," Backis said with a sigh. "We've been cooped up on that damned Battlestar for nearly three yahrens. Just breathing real air again is like walking in the gardens of heaven. Feeling real rain on my face. Total bliss."

Athena smiled in spite of herself. "You are a strange man, Backis," she said.

"No I'm not," Backis replied. "You're just too spoiled to appreciate all

of this."

"I am NOT spoiled," Athena said defensively.

Backis opened his mouth to respond when a sudden boom, louder than any clap of thunder, blasted from the sky.

"That sounded like - " Athena started.

"Yeah," Backis replied.

The two of them ran out into the fading rain, scanning the sky.

Eventually they caught sight of several distant specs, falling through the clouds.

"Shuttles?" Athena asked.

Backis watched the tiny spots for a while longer, listening intently for the sounds of the engines. Eventually the noise came over the trees, an all too familiar howl that froze the blood in both of their veins.

"Get out of sight!" Backis shouted as the two of them dove for concealment.

The four, circular shaped Cylon fighters howled over their heads as they circled the area.

"They're looking for the camp," Athena said.

The two of them ran back to the campsite and began packing their gear into the support pod. They grabbed either side of it and headed off into the surrounding jungle.

"By the way," Athena asked as they tore through the foliage. "Do you have a plan, or are we just running?"

"Right now?" Backis asked.

"Yeah!" Athena answered.

"Just running." Backis answered.

They reached the top of a low hill a few centons later. The thick foliage afforded them a view of the jungle behind them while at the same time, affording them concealment from prying Cylon sensors.

Backis dug into their supplies and removed a small pair of binoculars, raising them to his eyes and scanning the distance.

"There," he finally said. He handed the glasses to Athena and pointed.

Athena raised the binoculars to her eyes and found the place.

The four Cylon fighters sat in a clearing, resting on their landing skids while six armed centurions went about securing the perimeter.

Athena counted them, then lowered the glasses.

"Where are the rest of them?" she asked. Then she raised the glasses again, and scanned the jungle. Her gaze fell on a tiny gap in the canopy, along their escape route. She watched as several silver helmets passed through the gap, heading toward them.

"Oh, frack," she muttered.

"You didn't think they'd just give up, did you?" Backis asked, taking the glasses back and searching for the approaching enemy.

"You come up with that plan yet?" asked Athena.

Backis lowered the glasses and stared out at the jungle. "Yup."

"Okay?" Athena asked.

"We ambush them, take them out, and take their weapons," Backis said simply.

"What?"

Backis raised the glasses again and watched as the Cylons marched past another gap in the foliage.

"I figure they'll be here in about eight to ten centons," Backis said.

"That will give us enough time to set up a little surprise for them." He pointed off to one side. An ancient tree lay on its side, half covered by other growths. "You hide over there, and I'll find a spot over on the other side. As they come in, we'll smash them between us."

"You're serious," Athena said.

"Right now, they've only got twelve Centurions planet side." Backis explained. "Half of them are coming right for us." He looked down the rough path. "I'll take three to one odds over ten to one any day."

Athena looked down at the fallen tree, then back at Backis. "Okay. What do you want me to do?"

The two Vipers streaked through the blackness.

In the cockpit of one, Boomer looked over at Starbucks ship for the umpteenth time.

"Okay, Starbuck," he said. "Let's hear it."

"Hear what?" Starbuck asked.

"You haven't said more than five words since launching, so what's on your mind?" Boomer pushed.

"Nothing," Starbuck said. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't," Boomer said. "Come on Starbuck."

Starbuck was silent for a while.

"You ever stop and think about all the things you've done in your life?" he asked suddenly.

"Not all at once," Boomer answered. "But I think I get what you're saying."

"I've been spending a lot of time thinking about my life," Starbuck said.

"And I realized that I've made a few mistakes."

"Just a few?" asked Boomer, smiling slightly.

"Yeah," said Starbuck. "I've decided that it's time for me to start fixing a few of the problems I've caused."

"With who?" Boomer asked.

"That's not important," Starbuck said quickly.

Boomer smiled, and then looked down at his indicators.

"Looks like it's time to head back," he said.

"Just a few centons more," Starbuck said.

"Starbuck, our fuel status says we head back now. The Raptors can handle the deeper probes." Boomer said.

"Then chop your power," said Starbuck. "We'll coast."

"Chop - ?" Boomer repeated. Then he realized. "Oh, so that's what this is all about."

"What?" Starbuck replied.

"I think you know who I'm talking about," Boomer said knowingly. "Ever since you tried to pull Athena aside and talk to her, you've been like a daggit in heat."

"Boomer!" Starbuck burst out. "Look. It's nothing like that. I just, you know…"

Boomer smiled, shaking his head slightly. "Having some regrets, buddy?"

"Something like that," Starbuck admitted. "I just want to make sure I do everything I can to get Athena back."

"Back to the Galactica, or back in your life?" Boomer pressed.

"Exactly," Starbuck said.

"Come on, Starbuck," said Boomer. "We've gone as far as we can go. Time to head back."

"Come on Boomer," Starbuck pleaded.

"Look," Boomer said. "Athena's a tough girl. You're flying till you run out of fuel isn't going to help her."

He was right. Starbuck knew it, and had to accept the laws of physics and consumption.

"Frack!" He burst out.

The two Vipers rolled smoothly over and turned back towards home.

The food looked as palatable as it had several centars before, still, no one had eaten. Boxy stared at the uneaten meals around him.

"Why isn't anyone eating?" he asked. "Aren't you hungry?"

Adama snapped back from his thoughts. He looked over at his grandson, a smile on his lips.

"No Boxy, I suppose I'm not," he said.

"Is it because of Athena?" Boxy asked.

"Yes it is," Adama answered carefully. "I'm a little worried about her."

"Why?" Boxy asked innocently.

"Don't you worry about it," Adama said.

Boxy nodded, taking a bite of his food, then he looked up at his grandfather thoughtfully.

"If you're worried about her," he said. "Why not send someone to get her?"

"It's not that easy," Adama explained. "It would be dangerous for anyone to go out and find her now. The shuttles don't have any way to protect themselves. And they're too slow to run from trouble."

Boxy shrugged. "What about the ships that Athena flies? They carry more than one person."

"Yes," Adama agreed. "You're right. But we need those ships, and the Vipers to protect the fleet in case that Cylon ship comes back."

Athena crouched behind the tree, her laser in her hand. She felt the falling rain soaking through her uniform sending a shiver up her spine. Her hair hung in wet strings, and rainwater caused her eyes to sting a little.

She shifted her weight back to her other knee and looked up at where Backis had concealed himself in the thick branches of the tree.

His eyes were focused down the hill, a dark, almost feral light in them.

Then he gave a subtle nod.

Athena moved forward, closer to the tree trunk, peeking cautiously over the rounded, moss covered top.

One by one, emerging from the trees like silver nightmares, the six centurions stepped into view, their rifles held at ready as their single sensor lights scanned the surrounding area for the presence of the rogue humans.

Slowly, Athena aimed her pistol at the lead centurion. It's armored head turned towards her, the bouncing red light froze, locked on her hiding place.

"Halt!" It droned, rifle dropping to ready.

The lead centurion exploded from behind as Backis shot it in the back of the helmet. It fell forward as if struck by a train. Athena's first shot took out the centurion behind the leader.

Between the two of them, Backis and Athena made a very fast, very clean sweep. The six centurions went down in a matter of microns.

The two humans ran down the hill towards the group of steaming, smoldering bodies, quickly grabbing rifles and energy clips. They slung the weapons over their shoulders and scrambled back up the hill.

Shadow strode back into the command center of his Base ship. As he approached, Kadal turned his golden head to face his commander.

"A report from the surface," Kadal droned.

"Yes?" Shadow asked.

"The first detachment was eradicated," Kadal reported. "Remaining centurions are requesting further instructions."

"No," Shadow muttered angrily. He turned to the navigator station. "How long till we achieve orbit?"

"Two, point five centars at present speed," The silver centurion reported.

Shadow paused for a micron, his neural net lights blinking wildly as he computed.

"Prepare our landing teams, and get us into orbit as soon as possible."

Then he turned to Kadal. "Order our centurions on the surface to stand vigil at the landing field, but do not pursue the humans. They will keep till later."

"By your command," Kadal droned, and he turned back to his console.

"Hi," Starbuck said.

At her station in the Life Center, Cassiopeia looked up in mild surprise.

"Hello, Starbuck," She said, smiling. "What are you doing here?"

Starbuck looked around the room nervously. "Is there someplace we could, uh, talk?" he asked.

Her smile faded slightly.

"Sure." She gestured out into the corridor that joined the general room with the surgical center. "What's wrong Starbuck?" She asked.

Starbuck took a deep breath. This was not going to be easy.

Apollo sat at the desk in the Officers Club, a drink forgotten at his fingers as he lost himself in thought. He didn't even notice when Captain Milesar strode in. He stepped over to where Apollo sat at the bar, and took a seat.

"Think I'll join you," he said quietly as he motioned the bar man for a mug.

He took the mug and spun casually around, to lean against the bar.

"I thought you might want to know," he said as his mug came up. "Jodas and Tigh are meeting with the Commander as we sit here."

His eyes met Apollo's as the Blue Squadron caption turned to face him.

"You're sure?" he asked.

"On my honor," Milesar replied. "He called the meeting two centars ago. Jodas went in there with a lot of fire. I think we might be taking some action sooner than expected."

"I wonder what got my father moving?" asked Apollo.

"Don't know," Milesar said. "But if I were you, I'd stay close to the Commander after this little meeting is over. We both know there's only one ship with the range and armament to do the job."

"What about the Cylons?" Apollo asked.

Milesar shook his head. "Haven't found them, yet. But they're still out there. My guess is that they put themselves in a position between us and the planet your sister crashed on."

"How do you know?" Apollo asked.

"What would you do?" Milesar said. "If you were a Cylon commander with your back against the wall, and a Battlestar coming after you?"

Apollo felt a knot tightening in his gut.

"I'd want insurance," he said.

"I'm willing to bet that our Cylon friends are over that planet as we speak." Milesar sighed. "I'd lay a sectons pay on it."

"So what do we do?" asked Apollo.

Just then, Starbuck walked in, his usual swagger a little subdued. One look was all Apollo needed to realize what had probably transpired.

"I don't believe it," He said. "He actually did it."

Milesar looked from Apollo over to Starbuck and then back again.

"Did what?" he asked.

The sandy haired warrior stepped over to the two of them and ordered a mug.

Apollo looked into his friend's eyes and got the confirmation he sought.

"Starbuck?" he said. "Are you in a little bit of pain, here?"

"What?" Starbuck replied quickly. A false smile appeared on his face.

"What are you talking about?"

"I think I'll let you two talk," Milesar said. He stood, looking over at Apollo. "Remember what I told you."

Apollo nodded and the Black Raptor Captain strolled casually away.

"What was that all about?" Starbuck asked in a feeble attempt to change the subject.

"I'll explain after you," Apollo said, gesturing towards the Lieutenant before wrapping both hands around his mug.

"Oh," Starbuck said. "Cass and I just needed to have a little, uh, talk - " his voice dropped to his usual mumble.

"And?" Apollo asked.

"I just told her that I didn't think our lives were heading in the same, uh, direction, and so.." His voice dropped again.

"You broke everything off with her?" Apollo filled in the blank.

"Well, yeah," Starbuck admitted.

"Just like that?" Apollo pressed.

"Well," Starbuck said. "I've just got other things I want to focus on,

right now."

"Like who?" Apollo was trying desperately not to smile. As before, he already knew most of what would happen, thanks to numerous communications with Chameleon, on the Senior Ship.

Starbuck fidgeted for a long time, ordered a drink, took a long swallow, and then looked Apollo in the eye with a nervous expression.

"Your sister," he said finally.

Apollo tried not to smile too broadly.

"My sister?" he asked. And he let a chuckle escape his lips.

"What?" Asked Starbuck. "What's so funny about that?"

"I don't know Starbuck," Apollo said, shaking his head slightly. "After everything that's happened between you two before and after you two were an item. I doubt if she'll ever trust you again."

"Yeah," said Starbuck, his own smile creeping across his lips. He gave a characteristic wink. "But that's the challenge, isn't it?"

Apollo's smile slowly vanished, and he looked hard at his friend.

"You better be sure about this," he cautioned. "If Athena gives you a second chance, and that is a huge if right now. Don't hurt her. You may be like a brother to me, but Athena is still my sister, and I won't have you playing with her heart a second time."

"Who, me?" Starbuck looked genuinely hurt.

"Face it Starbuck," Apollo said. "You aren't the most faithful of companions when it comes to relationships."

"Hey, now," Starbuck retorted. "That's not fair -"

"Nodai, Aurora, Miriam, Allicia, Tomai, that girl on Attila," Apollo said ticking off the names he knew.

"Alright, alright," Starbuck raised his hands. "I get your point."

"No more," Apollo said. "If Athena gives you another chance, you better be damned sure before you take it. I won't stand for her being torn again."

"It won't be like that," Starbuck professed.

"You're right," Apollo said emphatically. "It won't."

Starbuck sighed, realizing for the first time, exactly what he had started. If he got Athena back, it would have to be the real thing this time. No more academy games, no more seductions. No more quick conquests. A real, one on one committed relationship.

"Anyway," he said, changing the subject. "It doesn't look much like anything's gonna start happening until your sister gets back." He leaned back slightly. "And I don't see much action being taken towards that turn of events."

"It appears that my father, Colonel Jodas, and Colonel Tigh don't want to send a shuttle out there with the possibility of a Cylon Base ship between here and there."

"Great," said Starbuck. Then he got a familiar gleam in his eye. "Wait a micron. We don't need a shuttle to go and get them."

"We don't?" Apollo replied. Then he recognized the look in his friends' eye. "Oh no," he said, standing up and stepping. "No way!"

He turned and walked out of the officers club.

Starbuck nodded, a smile on his face. He took a long drink and then left, running to catch up to Apollo.

Apollo strode quickly down the corridor, his emotions in turmoil. He heard Starbuck jogging to catch up to him.

"Apollo!" he called.

Apollo stopped, heaving a deep breath before he turned around.

Starbuck looked at his friend for a long time.

"Look buddy," Starbuck began. "It seems clear to me that your father and the rest of the pilots in the fleet either can't or won't do anything to get things moving."

"There could be a Cylon Base Ship between us and them," Apollo said. "As much as this whole ordeal is driving me crazy, I understand where my father is coming from. We can't send an entire force out to perform a rescue if that Base ship is anywhere near there."

"And if it isn't?" Starbuck asked. "Then what?"

"Again, we wait until the fleet is close enough for the Galactica to protect them and cover a rescue mission at the same time." Apollo replied.

"I'm not talking about sending in an entire squadron," Starbuck said.

"I'm only suggesting two ships."

"Ships that neither one of us is qualified to fly," Apollo countered.

Starbuck shrugged. "We're both qualified to fly Vipers and shuttles, right?"

"Yeah," Apollo said. "So what?"

Well," Starbuck said. "I figure those new Raptors are somewhere in between."

"Starbuck."

"Come on, Apollo!" Starbuck said. "At the rate we're moving, the Cylons could be all over that planet by now! Never mind the fact that she could have been hurt in the crash! We can't just leave her there until the fleet is closer!"

Apollo started to protest, but saw in his friends eyes that he was going to go through with his plan with or without him. He sighed.

"What have you got in mind?" he asked.

End Part 1

To Part 2