Moving On
By Katrina

Chapter 4

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"Father, we have to go and find Boomer and Sheba! We can't just leave them out there, they need our help!" Apollo's voice was desperate, laced with the fear he was feeling inside. His hands were clenched on the corners of Adama's desk. If anything happened to Sheba, God, he couldn't even think about that. Apollo felt as if his world was caving in on him and by the lords, he wasn't going to let that happen, not again.

"Apollo, don't you think I want to go out there and find them myself! My God, Sheba and Boomer are like my own children to me and it's killing me to think that they might be in trouble. We don't have the fuel to spare in organizing a search party. We don't have any clue where they disappeared and we can't go searching all over the star system for them. We just don't have a choice!" Adama's voice raised above that of his son's as he stood up from behind his desk.

Adama looked at Starbuck, Athena and Bojay. Their feelings were clearly written on their faces. They wanted to go out and find them, the same as Apollo. Adama looked at his oldest son, the pained expression on his face, the fear that he couldn't hide. Adama knew Apollo loved Sheba. He had seen the sparks fly whenever they were in the same room, the crackle in the air when they looked at the other. Yes, they started out as adversaries, but quickly became close friends. Adama had known from the start that they were made for each other, soul mates like Ila and him. He just had to wait for Apollo to realize that same fact.

Last night, Adama had noticed the new closeness between Sheba and his son. When he stopped in the Officer's Club to offer a silent toast to the warriors lost in the battle, he had seen the looks being exchanged between them, had seen Apollo's arm around Sheba's shoulders. He had smiled and realized Apollo was finally moving on with his life. Adama had come to love Sheba as if she were his own daughter and knew the two needed each other. Now, Boomer and Sheba were overdue from their patrol.

"Father, we know the patrol parameter they were investigating. We just follow the same patrol pattern they would have taken. Without their report, we don't know what's in that parameter and we'll need that information. And if we come across their trail, we find them also," Apollo looked at his father expectantly; hoping this new argument would change his mind. He was going to find Sheba and Boomer, with or without his father's blessing.

"That's right Commander, we need to know what's in that parameter. We don't want to be surprised by any more Cylons," Starbuck added, as worried as much about his friends as he was Apollo. Apollo had that wild look in his green eyes. Starbuck had a pretty good idea what his friend might do if Adama didn't let them go and find Boomer and Sheba.

"Besides Father, what if the tylium we need is in that parameter? We can't afford to leave any stones unturned," Athena noted as her father paused to consider the possibilities. Athena looked at Apollo, his fists clinched by his side, waiting for their father's decision. She glanced at Starbuck and knew he was as worried about Apollo as she was.

Bojay decided to remain quiet and wait for fear of pushing the Commander too far.

Adama rubbed his left temple. He was tired and knew he wasn't going to get any rest soon. In fact, he had the Council to deal with in a matter of centons. He looked at the four people standing in his quarters. By the looks on their faces, they were going after Boomer and Sheba with or without his consent. And to tell the truth, he wanted them to.

"All right. Apollo, take a viper patrol out into that parameter and see what you can find. No chances, if you can't find a trace of them, you get back to the Galactica. Do you understand, Captain?" Adama stressed, wanting his son's assurance before he left.

"Yes sir!" Apollo was already heading out the door, with Starbuck, Bojay and Athena on his heels.

Adama closed his eyes and said a silent prayer for them all, but most importantly for Boomer and Sheba's safety. He didn't want to think of the consequences for Apollo if that wasn't the case.

Adama sat back down at his desk and reached for the communication videochannel. As soon as Colonel Tigh's face appeared on the screen he said, "Colonel, Captain Apollo will be taking a viper patrol out into the same patrol parameter that Lts. Boomer and Sheba were assigned. With any luck, they will find just what we are looking for."

After a brief pause, Colonel Tigh said tightly, "Understood Commander."

Then he stressed softly into his headset, "Also, I just saw several members of the Council entering the chambers as we're speaking."

"Thank you, Colonel. I'm on my way," Adama noted as he stood up and braced himself for the meeting to come.

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"Apollo, I want to come with you," Athena told her brother, grabbing his arm as they headed towards Apollo's quarters to talk to Boxey.

"No way, Athena! You are not coming along. We have no idea what happened to Boomer and Sheba, and I'm not going to have you out there also!" Apollo's face was stiff with tension and fear. He wasn't going to risk Athena on this patrol. He already was worried enough about Sheba and Boomer, he didn't need to add Athena to the list.

"Apollo, their my friends too! I'm a good pilot. I can handle this patrol. Besides, Bojay is going and Dr. Salik hasn't cleared him for patrol yet!" Athena's voice raised as she saw the full force of Apollo's stubbornness in his bright green eyes. 'Well, I can be just as stubborn as Apollo,' Athena thought.

"Athena, I'm the Flight Commander! I have complete control over the pilots and I'm not letting you come on this patrol! Bojay is on his way to get Dr. Salik to clear him for this patrol and if he doesn't, he's staying here also. Now, I'm going to go talk to Boxey and then meet Starbuck and Bojay in the launch bay." Apollo turned and headed angrily down the corridor.

Athena stood with her hands on her hips, staring after her brother. 'Apollo, I'm going with you whether you like it or not. Someone has to keep an eye on you right now and if that means I have to launch without permission, than so be it,' Athena thought as she turned and headed for the launch bay.

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Commander Adama tapped the gavel down on the table three times indicating the special session of the Council of Twelve was to begin. He braced himself for what was to come in this session. How he hated the constant battles with the Council. If he weren't afraid what the Council would do in haste and ignorance, he'd leave them to their own devices.

"Members of the Council of Twelve, I call this session to order. I would like to begin by laying down the facts concerning the deal I made with Baltar." Adama glanced around the table meeting the eyes of each Council member as he spoke, noticing the grim expressions on each of their faces.

"Yes, I'd like to hear what you have to say about this matter Adama," Sire Udall's sarcastic comment resounding through the chamber. Sire Udall was the newest member on the Council and was already proving to be a thorn in Adama's side.

Deciding to ignore Sire Udall for the centon, Adama began, "First, in exchange for critical information concerning the Cylon Baseship, I made an agreement with Baltar for his conditional release. The information he provided us made it possible for Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck to infiltrate the Cylon Baseship and destroy her scanners. This allowed us to launch the first attack without being detected. It gave us the military advantage we needed to defeat the Baseshi," Adama looked at Sire Dorma and noticed his skeptical expression. Sire Udall's wasn't much better. Sire Anton and the other members of Council, however, appeared to be receptive to what Adama was explaining to them.

"The conditions of Baltar's release are to drop him off on an uninhabited planet, with adequate shelter and provisions. He will have short-range communications ability, but that is all. It is my plan to find the remotest planet within shuttle range of the fleet and deposit him there. In all likelihood and by the grace of the lords, we will never hear from him again!" As Adama finished he noticed the uncooperative expressions on several of his fellow council member's faces, but especially Sire Dorma. He was going to be a problem.

"Adama, do you really want us to release the greatest traitor ever known to mankind? We're just going to let him go? After everything he has single-handedly done to destroy us?" Sire Dorma's voice rose as helooked at Adama.

"Sire Dorma, we have made the deal with Baltar and whether we like it or not we must keep our word," Siress Tinia interrupted Sire Dorma's tirade.

Adama looked at Sire Dorma, and took a deep breath, "Yes, it was the deal I made. I do intend to release him, but not where he can harm us ever again!" Adama paused a moment before he continued, "I would rather leave him behind on some isolated planet than continue to bring him with us!" Adama's voice conveyed his determination in keeping the deal.

Siress Tinia straightened in her chair, clasping her hands in front of her on the table, said, "I don't like the idea of turning Baltar free, but at least we will be getting rid of him and marooning him on a deserted planet may be just what he deserves. Think about it. We don't have to worry about him escaping and taking us hostage again and we don't have to share our resources with him anymore either. Whether he lives or dies will solely be in his hands on that planet!" Siress Tinia managed to get the attention of quite a few council members.

"Good point, Tinia. I know I would like to see him at his own mercy. He probably wouldn't be able to make it a yahren on his own. That would definitely be fitting," Sire Anton spoke up from his seat at her right side.

The other members of Council grew silent as they considered the words spoken. Finally, Sire Dorma let out a heavy sigh and looking at Adama stated, "Against my better judgment, I will not oppose this release further. However Adama, I hope our decision to release Baltar instead of keeping him a prisoner will not come back to haunt us. And if it does, the responsibility will rest on your head, not mine."

"Thank you for you support Sire Dorma," Adama smiled, inclining his head in understanding.

"I call for a vote on the release of Baltar as agreed upon by Commander Adama," Siress Tinia decided to end this discussion as soon as she saw the opportunity to do so.

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"Starbuck, is Apollo back from talking to Boxey yet?" Bojay rounded Starbuck's viper on the way to his own. Thank the lords Jenny had finished the repairs to his viper earlier.

"No, but he should be here any micron. Did Dr. Salik clear you to go with us?" Starbuck looked up from examining the underside of his viper to glance at Bojay.

"Yes and even if he didn't, I would still be going! We have to find Boomer and Sheba!" Bojay hurried over to his own viper and started his pre-flight check. He wanted to leave as soon as possible to begin the search for his friends.

Starbuck could understand where Bojay was coming from. Starbuck had known Boomer since their Academy days. He was also one of his best friends. Apollo, Boomer and he had been through some tough times and they still had more adventures ahead of them. And ever since Sheba had come to the Galactica, she had become like a little sister to him. Starbuck was determined to find Boomer and Sheba. They were part of his family and by the lords, he wasn't going to lose them.

Starbuck looked up as he heard footsteps approaching his viper expecting to see Apollo, but instead he saw Athena carrying her helm under her arm.

"Athena, you're not going on this patrol are you?" Starbuck asked even though he knew the answer.

"I'm going on this patrol Starbuck! Apollo may not want me on this patrol, but someone besides you needs to keep an eye on him!" Athena's blue eyes sparked, daring Starbuck to say anything.

Starbuck saw the look in her blue eyes and knew from first hand experience that she wasn't going to be swayed from going. God help us. When Apollo gets here, it's going to be one hades of a battle. Each sibling could be just as stubborn and determined as the other could.

"Starbuck! Bojay! Let's get going. It will just take me a centon to get my pre-flight done," Apollo yelled as he approached his viper. He glanced towards Starbuck and saw Athena standing there with her helm and stopped dead in his tracks.

"Athena, you are not going on this patrol!" Apollo marched over to her and stood with his hands on his hips, his green eyes flashing in anger.

Starbuck quickly backed away and headed to his viper. He didn't want to be anywhere within reach when Athena and Apollo squared off.

Bojay heard the initial exchange, and considered going over to the two, but saw Starbuck shake his head negative and remained near his viper. He had to agree with Apollo. He didn't want Athena going on this patrol either. They didn't know what had happened to Sheba and Boomer and he didn't want to worry about Athena out there also.

"Apollo, I am going with you whether you want me to or not! I am not going to be left behind so you can go off and get yourself killed!" Athena stood straight in front of Apollo not backing down for a centon.

"What are you talking about, getting myself killed?" Apollo yelled back at her, grabbing her arm and leading her over to a more private area in Alpha Bay.

"I'm talking about your so called death wish. Ever since you lost Serina, I have watched you volunteer for every dangerous mission that's come along! I've already lost Zac; I don't want to lose you too. I couldn't deal with that!" Athena finally spoke the words she had believed since Apollo was almost lost on Equillus, right after Serina had died.

Apollo was stunned. Why did everyone think he had a death wish? He didn't have one! Did he? No! At least not any more. Hades, he had Boxey to take care of and now he had Sheba in his life. Sheba. He had to find her and fast!

"Look Athena, I may have taken some chances in the past, after Serina died, but I don't have a death wish. I have Boxey to think about and now I have Sheba. I need to get out there and find her, not stand here and argue with you!" Apollo stressed, clearly aggravated.

"Apollo, look at yourself! You have that haunted look in your eyes, just like you did after Serina died. I promised Sheba that if anything ever happened to her, I wouldn't let you go off half-cocked. I promised myself that I would look out for you, like I wasn't able to look out for Zac and that's what I intend to do!" Athena's clear blue eyes pleaded with Apollo to let her go and not be left behind again.

The guilt that Apollo felt concerning Zac bubbled to the surface. He knew he had no choice but to leave Zac behind, but that didn't make him feel any less guilty. He was supposed to look out for Zac, and he wasn't able to.

"Athena, I'm coming back and I'm coming back with Sheba and Boomer. You don't have to worry about me taking unnecessary risks anymore. I know I have too much to lose," Apollo reached up and squeezed Athena's shoulder.

"Apollo, please, let me come. I promise if anything happens, I will head directly back to the Galactica and let them know what's happening. I promise I will do exactly what you say, just let me come and keep my promise to Sheba and to myself," Athena reached for Apollo's hands and held them in her own.

Apollo closed his eyes and let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. Frack! How was he supposed to deny Athena now? Taking a deep breath, Apollo opened his eyes and studied Athena's face. He saw the torment swirling in the depth of her blue eyes and knew he had lost.

"Okay, you win. You can come, but you will do exactly what I say and if I tell you to get back to the Galactica, you had better high tail it back here as fast as that viper can fly. Understood?" Apollo pinned Athena with his green eyes, extracting one more promise from her.

"Understood, Apollo. I promise to obey orders. Thank you for letting me come. I know we'll find them both," Athena gave Apollo's hands one final squeeze and the two siblings headed for their vipers in preparation to go.

"Starbuck! Bojay! Give Athena and me a few centons and we'll be ready to leave," Apollo called out.

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"Captain Apollo's patrol just launched," Bowfinger informed Colonel Tigh.

"Very well, Lieutenant. Maintain scanner contact for as long as possible," Colonel Tigh responded. He prayed that they would find Boomer and Sheba. Not just because they could ill afford to lose any pilots, let alone two highly trusted, accomplished pilots like Boomer and Sheba, but because they were like his family.

"Omega, start gathering data on the habitable planets in the nearby quadrants. Commander Adama is going to want that as soon as the Council meeting is adjourned," Colonel Tigh ordered.

"Yes, Colonel. I'll see to it immediately," Omega glanced at Colonel Tigh, noticing the shadows under his dark eyes.

"Shall I put together a list of the needed supplies for the most optimal planets and include that in the report for the Commander?" Omega inquired.

"Yes, that would save us a step in the long run. See to it, Omega," Tigh said absently, his mind clearly on another matter.

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"Starbuck, have you picked up anything on your scanner yet?" Apollo asked tightly, afraid of the answer he knew he was about to hear.

"No, Apollo, I haven't picked up a frack'n thing!" Starbuck's frustration was reaching the breaking point. He was going to find his friends if it took him all secton!

"Apollo, we've been out here a long time. How much further until they would have had to turn back for the fleet?" Athena asked as she glanced out the cockpit window.

Apollo was silent. He knew they were nearing the turn around point, but he wasn't able to voice that knowledge aloud. He wouldn't permit himself to think about the possibility that Boomer and Sheba were lost to them. He couldn't give up hope yet. He wasn't going to lose someone he loved again.

"They would have had to turn around in another 30 centons, no more. We haven't been able to find a trace of them or anything that would explain their disappearance. We have to comb every square metron of space in this quadrant until we find them," Apollo finally answered.

"Apollo, I'm picking up a solar system on the outskirts of the patrol parameter. It's just coming into scanner range now. There seems to be six planets orbiting a red dwarf star. We're still too far off to pick up any definite life readings however," Bojay interrupted impatiently, knowing this was going to be the last system they would be able to investigate or they ran the risk of not having enough fuel to make it back to the fleet themselves.

"I'm picking it up now too. It stands to reason that Boomer and Sheba would have made this their last stop before heading back to the fleet," Starbuck injected, glancing over at Apollo.

"All right, let's go in and find them. Stay together everyone. I don't want to have to come looking for any of you," Apollo replied, his voice full of the tension he was feeling. Every nerve ending in his body was telling him to be on guard, but for what, he didn't know.

END OF CHAPTER 4
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