Moving On
By Katrina

Chapter 3
Rated PG
Disclaimer: This story is for fan enjoyment. No profits are being made of any kind.

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Sheba glanced at her scanner. Nothing. No settlement traces, no useful animal or plant life and definitely no traces of tylium. So far during their patrol, she and Boomer had found nothing that could be of any use to the fleet. Sheba shook her head and grimaced. She could still see Colonel Tigh's face, his intense expression, as he made it abundantly clear that morning cycle how critical their situation was becoming. As a result, their patrol parameter was extended to the limit of their fuel and life support levels.

Sheba glanced at those levels and noticed that they would have to turn back for the fleet as soon as they scanned this system. Sheba sighed as she wished they would find something, anything. They were investigating the farthest solar system possible for this patrol and likely wouldn't get another chance at it.

"Boomer, are you picking anything up on your scanner?" Sheba signaled on the comm., looking over at Boomer.

"No, nothing." Boomer glanced over at Sheba. He could almost make out the frown on her face.

"I'm not giving up hope yet, so don't you give up. We still have four other planets in this system to check out. Tell you what, you take the first two planets, and I'll take the last two. Maybe one of them will have the necessary tylium we need. The one to finish last buys the first round in the Officer's Club after the memorial service. " Boomer smiled and waited for Sheba's reply.

"You're on, Boomer." Sheba laughed and Boomer's viper veered off to the left.

As Sheba watched Boomer's viper head for the outer two planets, she smiled after her friend. His optimism was usually contagious. However, she couldn't help wondering just how long it would take to replenish the fleet's fuel supply. During all deep space and routine patrols, scouting for tylium, useful animal or plant life and basically any useful resource had become part of the primary directives. In the past sectar, while they had come across several habitable planets, only trace amounts of tylium had been found.

'If the fleet is having this much trouble finding the necessary fuel, how much trouble is Father having and just where in Hades is he?' Sheba thought briefly. The last time she had seen her father, she was on a stretcher, being transferred to the Galactica. Apollo and Starbuck didn't know what happened to the Pegasus after the two baseships exploded, but Sheba felt in her heart that her father was alive, somewhere. She couldn't explain why, other than the fact that her father seemed to make miracles out of invincible odds. There was also that time, about a sectar after Cain had disappeared, when that evil Count Iblis had told Sheba that she would see her father again. Sheba didn't know if he was just telling her that as a way to gain her trust and loyalty, or if it was really true. Sheba decided to go with her heart. And her heart was telling her he was alive. The only problem was knowing for sure, and she realized she might never truly know for sure.

Sheba quickly pushed those thoughts aside, knowing full well that her father would chew her out good for not concentrating 100 percent on the job at hand. Sheba turned her viper in the direction of the farthest of the two planets. As she approached the small bluish-gray planet, Sheba started scanning the atmosphere. While the planet was definitely a beauty, it was also very deadly. Initial scans indicated the atmosphere was made up mostly of compressed carbon dioxide, and no traces of tylium.

"So much for this planet's charms. Maybe the next one will be a winner. Oh, Lord's, I'm starting to sound like Starbuck," Sheba winced and chastised herself as she turned her viper in the direction of the larger medium blue planet.

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"Captain Apollo, here are the reports on all navigational systems, planned fleet course changes and fuel computations if you're ready to go over them," Jenny smiled and waited patiently next to Apollo's viper, fully aware he would be expecting the reports as soon as he finished his pre-flight.

"All right, Jenny, let's get going," Apollo finished looking over his left stabilizer, then took the reports from her hands.

Starbuck had already gone over his stats with Jenny a few centons ago. Having finished his own pre-flight check, Starbuck was sitting in the cockpit of his viper, getting ready to launch. He had started out the morning in a wonderful mood, having woken up in Cassie's arms. He was starting to realize just how much he loved Cassie, more than any other woman in his life, thanks in part to the mission he had just come back from. In fact, he had once told Chameleon that Cassie was the only woman he had seriously considered being sealed with someday. Not that he was thinking of going in this direction anytime soon though!

Starbuck's good mood quickly vanished when he heard how critical the current fuel shortage had become and the double patrols he was about to pull. There went his big plans for the secton.

"Hey, Starbuck, you about ready?" Apollo asked from the cockpit of his viper.

"Yeah, I guess so. You know Apollo, you'd think we would get a break considering the mission we just came back from. But noooo! Fuel shortage has to rear its ugly head again, not to mention the double patrols we now have to pull," Starbuck complained as he lowered the canopy on his viper.

Apollo just smiled and shook his head at his friend. Starbuck will never change. He'll complain until he's blue in the face, but if he weren't in the middle of whatever crisis there was, he wouldn't be happy.

"Galactica launch control, this is Blue Leader and Blue 2. We are ready for launch instructions," Apollo signaled the bridge.

"Blue Leader and Blue 2, this is launch control. You are on stand by as Red 2 and 5 are up for launch," Rigel responded.

"Copy that launch control, standing by," Apollo reached to adjust his scanner setting.

"So, you have Athena flying with Giles. He should keep a pretty good eye on her," Starbuck signaled Apollo on the private comm. Even though things didn't work out with Athena, he still cared about her and probably always would, as a close friend.

"Yes, he should, but I'd like it a whole lot better if she were on the bridge where it was safe," Apollo replied grimily. He'd like it a whole lot better if Athena wasn't a pilot period, but knew she longed to fly and leave bridge duty all together.

"So, is Bowfinger taking over Athena's duties?" Starbuck glanced over at Apollo.

"I suppose so. This morning cycle I had to request that Colonel Tigh pull Athena off bridge duty since I had to use all the reserve pilots to help cover the extra patrols," Apollo replied absently, his mind clearly on the patrol ahead.

"Blue Leader and Blue 2, this is launch control, You are cleared for launch. All systems transferring control. Launch when ready," Rigel's voice replied in both Apollo's and Starbuck's headset.

"Copy that launch control. Blue Leader and Blue 2 launching now," Apollo signaled back as he and Starbuck launched from the Galactica.

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Boomer finished scanning the last of the two large planets on the outer edges of the solar system. While they were beautiful in their red color, neither planet offered any hope of assistance. Both planets where comprised of compressed hydrogen and helium. Boomer let out a deep sigh in frustration. Considering this was supposed to be the way to Earth, this didn't bode well for finding the lost thirteenth tribe. Without the necessary tylium, the fleet wasn't going anywhere fast and only the lords knew where the Cylons were now.

Since the destruction of the Colonies, the fleet had been on a constant run from the Cylons, slowing down only long enough to gather whatever resources they could find. Boomer knew that in the past several sectars, they had collected many useful plants and grains, but had been unable to find an adequate fuel source.

Boomer reached up and rubbed his forehead through his helm. He was starting to get a headache, and was looking forward to the end of this long patrol. For a centon Boomer let his thoughts drift to the family that he had lost. His parents, who would have been celebrating their fortieth sealing anniversary at the end of the secton, to his brother and sisters and niece and nephew.

His parents were your typical middle class couple. His father worked at the Caprican Institute of Science, teaching molecular biology. His mother stayed home and took care of the family. She was always involved in every aspect of her children's education, from being an instructor's aide in the classroom to president of the Parent Instructor Association.

Boomer's brother and sisters all followed their father into the academic world, becoming instructors at various institutions on Caprica. His sister, Kate, was the only one with children before the Destruction.

Brittany, his niece, so loved to dance. She had told Boomer right before the so-called Peace Accord, that she wanted to become a famous ballerina and dance at the Caprican Center. She had asked Boomer to attend her recital that was coming up in a few sectons and she was so excited. Boomer promised her that he wouldn't miss it for anything, but that was before.before their Worlds were destroyed.

And then there was Benji. Benji wanted to become a Warrior, like his Uncle Boomer. He would ask Boomer dozens of questions about flying a viper whenever Boomer came to visit. In fact, Boomer had taken Benji to the Academy and let him sit in one of the vipers the night before the Cylons had attacked.

Boomer quickly snapped out of his memories, not wanting to stir up "what might have beens." He pushed the memories to the back of his mind, determined to concentrate on the job at hand and he decided he had better hook up with Sheba. Her viper signal was fading in and out, and it was starting to trouble him. While Sheba was one hell of a warrior, she had become like a baby sister to him and he didn't want to lose her.

Besides, the lords only knew what Apollo would do to him if anything happened to her.

As he headed for the planet Sheba's signal was coming from, Boomer double-checked their position. They were on the outer fringes of their patrol parameter, in an obscure solar system, and a long way from the Galactica. According to his fuel and life support levels, it was almost time to head back to the fleet.

As Boomer approached the blue planet, he hoped Sheba had better luck than he had.

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Sheba's viper approached the larger of the two blue planets. Its medium blue color reminded Sheba of the dark cornflower marbles she had as a child. Bojay and she would play with those marbles on the back porch for centars, until it was dark and the light coming from the lampions wasn't enough to let them continue playing.

Sheba tried scanning the planet's surface, but a high magnetic field coming from the planet was interfering with her scanner, preventing her from getting any useful readings. Biting her lip, she decided she would have to fly low over the planet's surface for these scans. Sheba's viper swept low through the planet's atmosphere and she restarted her scan of the planet's surface. The magnetic field was still interfering with her scanner, but she was able to get some initial readings, which did indicate an oxygen atmosphere and adequate animal and vegetation requirements. No human lifeforms registered and so far, only a small amount of tylium registered on her scanner.

The Northern Hemisphere was a mixture of high mountainous terrain and beautiful green valleys. There were several large lakes in this area. A large animal population inhabited this section of the planet. The Southern Hemisphere was covered with thick vegetation indicating a jungle environment, before giving away to desert terrain. It was within this hemisphere that trace amounts of tylium where registering. There also appeared to be several ruins peaking out of the thick overgrown vegetation. But what kind and who had left them, Sheba didn't know.

"Hey Sheba, find anything interesting? And by the way, the first round is on you." Boomer pulled his viper along side of hers, as she was about to start her second pass through the atmosphere.

"Boomer, this planet seems to have a little of everything we could use, including the tylium. However, my scanner is indicating small amounts so far. There also seems to be some kind of ruins in the Southern Hemisphere, but I'm registering no lifeforms other than the animal population. I want to make another pass of the planet's surface. This magnetic field is wrecking havoc with my scanner. What are you picking up?" Sheba asked, ignoring the fact that the first round was on her.

"The same interference you're experiencing. Let's make that additional pass and see what shows up. Then we have to head back to the Galactica," Boomer replied.

As Boomer and Sheba scanned the planet's surface, a lone figure watched their progress through the planet's atmosphere.

"My scanner seems to be working better, at least for now. I'm getting some more detailed scans of the planet. You know Boomer, this planet is kind of strange and I'm starting to get a very weird feeling, but don't ask me to explain it," Sheba felt a shiver run through her body as she waited for Boomer's response.

"It must be the magnetic field this planet is generating. My scanner has been going in and out same as yours, but I know what you mean. Besides, it's probably just how close to the numbers we have to fly this patrol," Boomer replied, glancing over at Sheba.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Sheba said ruefully.

As the scanner continued to relay data back to Sheba's display terminal, it suddenly started flashing: tylium deposit 97% pure at coordinates 31degrees South by 105 degrees West. It wasn't an overly large deposit, but it was adequate.

"Boomer, my scanner is now picking up a nice deposit of tylium over the Southern Hemisphere, near where those ruins are located. Are you getting the same readings?" Sheba asked

Both vipers headed for the coordinates indicated by the scan, unaware they were still being monitored.

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"Athena, did you have a good flight?" Bojay greeted Athena as she exited the Decontamination Unit.

"Yes, it felt great to be in a viper again even for a short patrol," Athena's exuberance was apparent from the spring in her step to the wide, beautiful smile on her face.

Bojay smiled back. He had been waiting for Athena's patrol to get back for over a centar, alternating between pacing back and forth in the landing bay to sticking his nose into the repairs being made to his viper. At one point, he thought Jenny was going to shoot him for standing over her shoulder as she worked on the fuel pump in the number three turbo engine. He finally had the presence of mind to leave her alone and come wait near the Decontamination unit

"We have about 30 centons before the memorial service is scheduled to start. How about we go and get a bite to eat in the mess hall?" Bojay looked hopefully at Athena.

"I'd love to. I didn't eat much for breakfast during morning cycle, and I'm famished," Athena smiled at Bojay, her blue eyes twinkling.

"Great, lets get going!" Bojay, grinning ear to ear, extended his arm to Athena and they headed for the mess hall.

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"Colonel Tigh, Lt. Boomer and Lt. Sheba's patrol is overdue and there has been no communication with either of them." Bowfinger's voice was steady, but he wasn't able to hold back the worry he felt. He had known Sheba since they were assigned to the Pegasus together six yahrens ago, coming to the Galactica when Cain transferred the majority of the crew before he took on the two baseships at Gomoray. This just wasn't like her

Colonel Tigh stood straighter at the terminal in front of him and pinned Bowfinger with a sharp look. "How long overdue are Boomer and Sheba?"

"They are coming up on one centar overdue, Colonel," Bowfinger replied hastily, swinging back around in his chair.

"It's still early yet, monitor all channels and let me know the moment you pick anything up," Colonel Tigh's face was stoic, but inside he was concerned. It wasn't like Boomer or Sheba to be one centon late, let alone one centar.

As Tigh went to inform the Commander, he felt his stomach churn with the unease he was feeling. Not only did he and Adama have to worry about the fuel shortage, and the Council Meeting scheduled to start in two centars concerning the deal to release Baltar, now two of their best warriors were overdue. What else was going to go wrong this cycle?

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"Apollo, as far as patrols go, that was the most boring one I've had the misfortune to be on. We didn't even come across a planet worth 2 cubits of fuel," Starbuck complained as he jumped down from his viper.

"Starbuck, after yesterday, a boring patrol was just fine with me.

However, I wish we had found something useful," Apollo told Starbuck as they approached the Decontamination Unit.

"Come on, Starbuck, we're going to be late for the memorial service if we don't get moving," Apollo entered the Decontamination Unit and waited for the doors to close.

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Athena and Bojay stood in the front row on the left side of the Chapel of the Faithful with the members of Silver Spar Squadron. Behind them, Jolly, Greenbean, Giles, Brie and Dietra along with the other Warriors from Blue and Red Squadrons were assembled. On the other side of the chapel Omega, Bullock, Rigel, Dr. Salik and Cassie along with various personnel from the Galactica were standing quietly, waiting for the services to begin

Athena looked around the small chapel, admiring the stain glass panel in the center depicting the 12 Lords of Kobol. Then starting to the right, the walls of the chapel were covered with smooth, black granite panels measuring 2 meters by 4 meters. Names of all the Warriors assigned to the Galactica through the yahrens that had died in the line of duty to the Colonies were engraved on those panels

Panel after panel of names lined the entire walls of the chapel. With the destruction of the Colonies, the last panel had been started. The names on this panel began with the Warriors that died during the Destruction. Athena couldn't make out Zac's name from where she was standing, but knew it was there, as well as Abram's, Bullock's son, and many others. Serina's name had been added a sectar after the Destruction when she died at Kobol. Since then, many other names had been added. Now today, five new names were engraved on that panel.

Above each of the panels, the following passage was written:

Here in Lies the Names of the Fallen, Our Warriors who Sacrificed
Their Lives for Their Fellow Man. May Their Sacrifice Be Not in Vain.

This passage always brought tears to Athena's eyes. They all had lost so many friends and family members. After Zac's name had been engraved on the panel, Athena found herself coming here many times to talk to him. To try and deal with everything she had lost and the anger she was feeling. The anger she felt because Apollo had to leave Zac behind in order to warn the fleet about the Cylons. She didn't blame Apollo, she understood he had no choice and blamed himself more than he should, but she was angry that Zac died within reach of the Galactica. Then there was the anger at her mother for not coming to the Galactica when the Peace Accord was to be signed. No, her mother wanted to be home, preparing a special celebration for them all. But that celebration never happened.

When all was said and done the anger Athena felt towards the lords for letting the Cylons destroy their Worlds outweigh them all. Her faith took a big hit during the Destruction. Losing her brother right before her eyes and then her mother had almost been too much. This Chapel was helping to heal her in a way no one else could. And in the process, Athena was rediscovering her faith.

Athena continued looking around the chapel before turning with concern to Bojay.

"Where are Boomer, Sheba, Starbuck and Apollo? Shouldn't they be here by now?" Athena asked quietly

"I don't know Athena, but if they don't get here soon, the memorial service is going to start without them," Bojay looked over at her, noticing the concern in her expressive blue eyes

Just then, Apollo and Starbuck quickly entered through the door. After scanning the room, they joined the squadrons at the front of the chapel

"You made it just in time," Athena whispered to Apollo and Starbuck, as Commander Adama and Colonel Tigh entered the chapel and took their positions

"Where are Boomer and Sheba?" Apollo asked with alarm, noticing right away that the two were missing

"I don't know. I haven't seen either of them," Athena looked at Apollo with equal concern, as the Reverend Patriarch rang out the bells signaling the start of the service

End of Chapter 3
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