Moving On
By Katrina

Chapter 5

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The four vipers entered the solar system containing the red dwarf star and six planets. Apollo stared hard at his scanner, waiting for it to show some sign, any sign, that Boomer and Sheba were somewhere within this solar system. The scanner's readout started flashing across his screen, showing no human lifeforms. Apollo let out a deep breath, but refused to give up. He knew that until they scanned each and every planet, they couldn't be certain of these initial readings. Besides, every nerve ending in his body was telling him that something was here.

"Starbuck, let's start with the first two planets in this system. You and Bojay take the first planet, Athena and I will check out the second one. I want detailed scans of every planet, no matter how uninhabitable it appears. And another thing, be careful, I don't want to have to come looking for either of you," Apollo's voice was steady, and in control as he turned to look at Starbuck on his right.

"You got it, Apollo. We will find them. Besides, I still owe Boomer 50 cubits and I don't think he would leave without collecting them," Starbuck replied, trying to inject some humor into the already grave situation.

"Starbuck!" Athena interjected angrily. She knew Starbuck liked to crack jokes when he was nervous, but by the lords, why now of all times?

"What?!" Starbuck replied, his voice carrying a trace of annoyance as Bojay and he turned for the first planet.

"That's okay, Athena. I know what Starbuck is trying to do and I appreciate it. Come on, let's go check out the second planet," Apollo said evenly, apprehension still consuming his every thought. Something was wrong here. Something that he had to be on guard against, for all their sakes.

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Starbuck started his scan of the first planet. Its dull, drab color reminded Starbuck of modeling clay. Its surface was pocked with craters from meteorite bombardment and the surface seemed to be covered in dust from the countless impacts.

Glancing at his scanner as it finished with the readout, Starbuck felt his spirits start to sink as low as a Pieces swamp serpent.

"Bojay, there is nothing here but rock...barren rock. There isn't even an adequate atmosphere to land, let alone breathe!" Starbuck replied testily.

Bojay looked at the planet; it's dull gray surface offering no sanctuary for a weary pilot or two. He glanced over at Starbuck, "Starbuck, it's only one planet. There are still five other ones they may be on. Come on, let's meet up with Apollo and Athena, okay?"

Starbuck closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, "Okay Bojay, let's meet up with Apollo and Athena. Maybe they had better luck than we did."

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"Athena, stick close and follow me," Apollo ordered as he bought his viper into a high orbit around the second planet. It was veiled in clouds and according to his scanner, those clouds were made up of sulfuric acid. As data continued to flow from his scanner, Apollo noted sadly the carbon dioxide atmosphere and the volcanic eruptions on the surface. They wouldn't find Sheba and Boomer here. At least not alive.

Apollo felt his heart miss a beat at that last thought. He finally had the courage to confront his deep feelings for Sheba and as soon as he did, something happens to her. Was he cursed? Did he do something to offend one of the lords?

No sooner was he happy with Serina, when she was suddenly taken away from him by a Cylon laser blast shortly after they were sealed. He had known Serina only a short time before she died. Apollo immediately fell into a deep depression, wondering how he was going to survive, how he was going to take care of Boxey, Serina's son, and now his son as well.

Then out on patrol one day, Starbuck and he came across Sheba and Bojay out on patrol from the Pegasus. Before he knew it, the two Pegasus warriors had started to open fire on them. It had taken all his skill as a warrior to try and evade Sheba's pursuing viper, until she had realized who they were. It wasn't until later, in the Officer's Club, that Apollo actually met Sheba. To say that they didn't get along at first would have been an understatement, mostly due to the conflict involving their fathers. But they were able to move past all that and become close friends. Now a yahren later, their relationship was growing deeper and they were taking the next step. Was Sheba following in the same ill-fated path that took Serina? Was he destined to lose another woman that he loved?

"Apollo, there's nothing here. We need to meet up with Starbuck and Bojay," Athena's soft voice broke into Apollo's dark thoughts. She knew the tension was taking its toll on Apollo and she prayed that no matter what they found, he would be able to accept it.

"Yeah, let's go. The sooner we find them, the better," Apollo replied, shaking off the dark thoughts. 'Oh God, please let Sheba be all right!' Apollo thought as they left the planet behind.

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"Starbuck, did you and Bojay find anything?" Apollo asked as soon as they joined up with the other two pilots.

"Nothing, Apollo. Not a damn thing!" Starbuck was frustrated and just wanted to find out what happened to Boomer and Sheba.

"The second planet was negative also. We still have four more planets in this system to check. Boomer and Sheba have to be on one of them. There's no other possibility. Let's head for the next two planets," Apollo replied stiffly as he reached up and ran his hand along the back of his neck, trying to ease the tension there.

"Apollo, I'm picking up an intermitting distress signal transmitting Boomer's identification code!" Starbuck exclaimed as all four vipers approached the next two planets.

"I'm picking it up too! It's coming from the fourth planet in this system," Apollo said in a rush, feeling both excitement and fear at the same time.

"Come on, buddy, let's go get them and bring them home!" Starbuck smiled for the first time since Sheba and Boomer had disappeared.

As the four vipers headed for the medium blue planet, a solitary figure started to laugh. An ominous, almost haunting sound of laughter filled the air over the fourth planet. Everything was going as planned. Soon, soon he would have everything he wanted and more.

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"Boomer, this just doesn't make sense! There is no logical reason why our vipers just lost all power! We've gone over them and nothing is out of the ordinary," Sheba ran her hand through her long hair in frustration, pushing it off her forehead.

"I know that Sheba. But that still doesn't change the fact that our vipers won't function. Something on this planet is either preventing them from functioning or has somehow disabled them," Boomer replied cautiously. It was approaching dusk on the planet and they still needed to finish setting up camp.

"Boomer, do you really think that the magnetic fields being generated here might be the cause of our engine problems?" Sheba asked as she bent over to pick up another log for the campfire.

"It's the only logical reason I can come up with at this point. The only funny thing is, that the magnetic field intensified the moment we flew over the ruins a second time," Boomer observed as he gathered several more logs for the fire.

"We should head for those old ruins at first light. Maybe we can find out what's happening here. It's going to take us several centars to hike to them," Sheba noted, as they made their way back to their makeshift camp next to their vipers.

"I was thinking the same thing. If we take too long getting off this planet, we will never catch up to the fleet, especially with our fuel and life support numbers," Boomer remarked, as he glanced at Sheba. He saw her press her lips together as she contemplated what to say.

"Boomer, do you really think that the fleet has slowed down to give us a chance to catch up?" Sheba just had to ask, her voice reflecting the fear she couldn't hold back. Ever since they had made an emergency landing on this planet, she had been afraid she would never see Apollo again, and what that would do to the both of them. She had never been in love before, but she knew she loved Apollo with all her heart, to the very bottom of her soul. She couldn't imagine trying to live without him. She had loved him for so long now, waiting on the sidelines for Apollo to put his grief for Serina away. Then came the suicide mission to the Baseship and Sheba had taken the chance and told Apollo, in a round about way, how she felt. When he returned, Apollo had gone looking for her, finding her in the Celestial dome. And there, just last night cycle, they had declared their love for one another. Now today, she was facing the very real possibility of never seeing Apollo again.

Boomer paused as he looked at Sheba, seeing the fear in her brown eyes, and knowing it was in his as well, "I have to believe that, Sheba. If I don't have any hope of getting off this frack'n planet and back to the fleet, then I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Well, at least we got one of the distress signals to work. If we're lucky, the Galactica decided to send out a patrol to look for us and they will find our distress signal," Sheba replied with some hope. She wanted off this planet. For some strange reason, it made her skin crawl.

Sheba dropped her load of firewood and went over next to Boomer. She watched him stack the wood and brush into the circle they had dug out of the ground to contain their campfire. When he was done, she asked smiling, "Do you want to shoot it or shall I?"

"Hey, go for it if it will make you feel better," Boomer said with a smile as he stood back for Sheba to start the fire.

"This is not how I envisioned spending tonight. I was suppose to have dinner with Apollo and Boxey," Sheba aimed at the wood and fired her laser, setting it on fire.

"Yeah well, I'm suppose to be having dinner on the Rising Star with Dietra," Boomer replied as he adjusted the logs in the campfire until he was satisfied.

"So, you finally asked Dietra out?" Sheba inquired innocently as she glanced over at Boomer.

"Yes I did. And before you start asking questions, I'm just testing the waters here, seeing if I want to get my feet wet," Boomer replied as he sat down to work on some rather crude perimeter lampions.

Sheba raised an eyebrow but decided not to say anymore on the subject, at least not until after dinner. As she went about getting their emergency rations together and prepared, suddenly an ominous, almost haunting sound of laughter rippled though the early dusk air. Sheba quickly dropped everything and laser in hand went over to Boomer.

Boomer, who had been sitting next to the fire, was on his feet, his laser in his hand in a micron. He glanced down at Sheba as she came to stand beside him, "What in the blazes was that?!"

"I haven't a clue. I thought this planet registered no lifeforms other than animal, and that was no animal," Sheba replied quietly, concern raging through her body.

Boomer and Sheba continued to survey the area around them. Sheba didn't see anything near their camp, but every instinct inside her was crying out to be very careful.

"Boomer, do you think someone else is on this planet besides us?" Sheba's asked as they continued to watch all around them.

"That definitely sounded like a human laugh if I ever heard one. Someone is out there. That much I know for sure," Boomer replied as he kept his laser trained on the perimeter of their camp.

After a few centons, Boomer looked to Sheba, the worry evident in his eyes, "I don't see anything, but that doesn't mean nothing is out there."

"I don't see anything either. I guess I'll start to get our dinner together again while you keep guard. I don't like this. I don't like this at all," Sheba carefully returned to preparing dinner, looking all around their camp every centon, concentrating on every sound that echoed in the early evening air. Every fowl call, every rustle of the near by brush, caused Sheba to glance in that direction along with Boomer.

They ate their lackluster rations sitting back to back by the fire, their eyes constantly surveying the area around their campsite, their hands always on their lasers, ready for whatever was coming.

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Dietra walked slowly into the Officer's Club, trying to stem her worry over Boomer and Sheba. Ever since Rigel had told her that they were missing, she had tried to deal with her worry as calmly as possible, and now she needed a grog.

As Dietra approached the bar, Bullock wandered over to meet her. While she appeared calm and in full control, Bullock could see the slightly clenched jaw and the one dark hand curled into a fist at her side. He had heard about Boomer and Sheba. In fact, he was worried about them himself. They were his warriors that were missing and he was constantly praying for their safe return.

"So, what will it be?" Bullock's voice was a deep soothing baritone. He leaned his hip against the bar, waiting for Dietra to settle into one of the tall stools at the end.

"Just a grog, Bullock," Dietra replied softly, as she let out a small sigh.

"Coming right up," Bullock turned and picking up a clean mug, he pulled the tap, filling it with the dark liquid. When he was finished, he carefully sat the grog down in front of Dietra and waited.

"Thanks, Bullock," Dietra said as she took a quick drink. "Do you know I was supposed to be having dinner on the Rising Star tonight? Well, I was. Boomer finally asked me out, after all these sectars, and now..." Dietra quickly swallowed another drink before she looked up into Bullock's compassionate blue eyes. He understood.

Bullock gently laid a comforting, warm hand on Dietra's arm, as he gave her a reassuring smile, "Don't you be giving up on Boomer and Sheba just yet. Those two are very good at what they do and we just have to have faith in their abilities. I heard Apollo took a viper patrol out looking for them and we just have to believe that he will find them. Until then, all we can do is have faith in God and the lords above and pray for their safe return."

Dietra gave Bullock a half-smile as she laid her hand on top of his, giving it a squeeze in thanks. "Thank you, Bullock. I needed to hear that just now. I know the Commander has slowed the fleet down as much as possible and that has bought them some more time. I just wish I was out there looking for Boomer and Sheba too. I guess, I just have to believe that they'll find them."

"We all must keep believing that... and praying," Bullock spoke with gentle firmness.

"So, have you had anything to eat recently?" Bullock's voice held a hint of parental concern as he studied Dietra face.

"No. Actually, I haven't eaten since this morning cycle," Dietra replied ruefully.

"Well, let me see what I can rustle up for you. You just stay right there and I'll be back in a couple of centons," Bullock turned and headed for the small cookery in the back of the Officer's Club before Dietra had a chance to say no.

She smiled as she shook her head. Bullock was one special man. Despite all the adversity he had faced, he still approached life with all the inner faith of a truly blessed individual, embracing all those around him. She marveled at his resilience and thanked the lords she had him as a friend.

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Adama paced the bridge deck. Still no word from any of the people he cared most about. His whole family, both his biological children and his "adopted" children were all out there, somewhere. Ever since Colonel Tigh had informed him of Boomer and Sheba's disappearance, he had been feeling... uncomfortable. At first, he thought it was just because two of his children were missing and the effect he knew that was going to have on Apollo. But during the last several centars, that uncomfortable feeling had turned into foreboding.

Glancing at the navigational chart and fuel status reports, he knew he had bought them as much time as he dared. He had ordered the fleet to slow down, to give the patrols a chance to catch up, but that still didn't buy them much time. At most, they had twenty-four centars.

Looking at Omega, he lifted an aged, white eyebrow in question and watched as Omega sadly shook his head negative, no sign of either patrol. Closing his blue eyes briefly, he said another prayer to the lords to watch over all his children. He had a strange feeling that they were going to need all the prayers they could get.

Adama continued to pace. His blue uniform swishing as he turned. None of the earlier patrols that had been sent out had found an adequate source of tylium. And if the fleet was to continue on its journey to Earth, they needed to find that resource soon.

He still had another problem to deal with...Baltar. Glancing down at the notepad in his right hand, he studied the habitable planets report Omega handed him after the council meeting. Two of the planets met all of the requirements that he was looking for. The main requirement being isolated; and the second, uninhabited. While the council, in the end, didn't oppose Baltar's release, he knew full well that it wouldn't take much to aggravate the situation. The sooner Baltar was dropped off, the better he would feel.

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"Starbuck, Bojay, I'm picking up an intense magnetic field coming from the planet's surface. No wonder we didn't pick up Boomer's distress signal before now." Apollo reached to adjust his scanner's controls, hoping to compensate for the magnetic interference.

"Thank goodness protocol dictates we check each of the planets individually," Athena's voice reflected her relief. She was so grateful that they finally had a clue where Boomer and Sheba were. She was still worried about Apollo and what they might find, but at least he seemed more in control than he had in their father's quarters. However, he had been very quiet.

"Well, you know Apollo, Athena. He certainly likes protocol," Starbuck replied, a trace of humor in his voice.

"That he does, Starbuck. Kind of reminds me of Father now and then," Athena's voice carried a hint of a smile.

"All right you two, let's concentrate on finding where Boomer's signal is coming from or do you want me to just leave you up here?" Apollo interrupted. As he enter the atmosphere of the fourth planet, he felt an intense wave of trepidation come over him.

Athena immediately noticed the change in Apollo's tone. Something was wrong. "Apollo, what is it? What's wrong?" Athena asked nervously as she brought her viper into orbit next to Apollo's.

"I don't know what's wrong, Athena. Let's just locate Boomer's viper and find out where they are. Then get the hades out of here," Apollo replied, the concern fully evident in his voice.

"Apollo, I've got a lock on Boomer's distress signal. It's coming from the Southern Hemisphere, in a clearing near the jungle line," Bojay spoke up with excitement.

"Let's go get them. Stay close and keep your guard up. It's nightfall so keep a close eye out for anything. Athena, stay close to me. I don't know why, but I've got a bad feeling about this planet." Apollo's voice was full of the trepidation he was feeling.

As Apollo flew low over the planet's surface, a smile broke across his face. Straight ahead, on the edge of the jungle line, were two colonial vipers sitting on the planet's surface. Next to them, a campfire was burning, laminating two figures sitting along side it.

"There they are! Let's set down beside them and see what happened," Apollo felt the relief run thought his body at seeing Sheba and Boomer. And for a brief moment, he ignored the fears he felt concerning this planet.

End of Chapter 5
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