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Post by Brie on Sept 17, 2005 11:18:00 GMT -6
Having learned to speed-read at an early age (a handy skill for a protector), Boleman skimmed over the new security system’s manual. He followed the instructions and set up his own eye scan. He then went outside and tried it. Walt had set the control panel a lot lower than he would have liked it, Boleman realized that he would look like a total idiot every time he needed to enter his new home. It would be better for Kyla, although until her baby was born she probably wouldn’t be leaving the apartment very often.
Satisfied that he could enter his new quarters without having to contact Sheba, Boleman went to visit Kyla. He needed to let her know about the arrangement that he had agreed to. She would stay with him until the baby was born. But what would she do after that? His first thought was that she could change her name, they could give her a new identity, and she could start a fresh life with her child as someone else on any ship in the fleet. Unfortunately her eye problem made that a little more difficult. Although after speaking with her for a few microns the deformity was hardly noticeable, it was something that at first was quite obvious. Kyla wouldn’t be able to easily hide in the fleet, especially since someone had leaked her picture and story to the IFB. Maybe she would be safer on the Callisto, where there was much more security. Boleman decided right then, Kyla and her son could stay with him as long as she wanted to.
As he approached Kyla’s room Boleman peeked in the window. “She’s awake,” one of the guards informed him. “Has been most of the time since she woke up screaming.” Boleman opened the door and walked in.
“Hi,” Kyla said quietly.
Boleman pulled a chair up next to her bed. “You look better. Did you get some rest?”
“A little bit,” Kyla replied. She broke eye contact. “I had a nightmare. Pierce found out about the baby, and...”
Instinctively Boleman placed his hand on Kyla’s. “Pierce is dead. You don’t have to worry about him anymore. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you or your child.”
“How?” Kyla asked.
Boleman smiled. “I talked with Commander Sheba. She suggested, and I agreed, that if it’s all right with you, you can stay with me for a while. At least until the baby comes, but really for as long as you want.”
“On the Galactica?” Kyla asked.
“No,” Boleman replied. “I’ve been assigned quarters here. It’s not a huge space, but it’s two bedrooms, and the living area has a couple of really comfortable chairs. The Commander has already had a new security system installed, top of the line. It should be, the manual is almost 500 pages long.”
“Why would you do this for me?” Kyla asked.
“Why wouldn’t I?” was Boleman’s reply. “You seem like a nice kid, you could use the help...and you saved Brie’s life. From what I’ve been told she befriended you on the Agro Ship. I owe Brie. Trust me, I really want to do this.”
“Thank you,” Kyla said. Her stomach growled loudly. Kyla was obviously embarrassed. “Excuse me.”
“Have you eaten?” Boleman asked.
“They’ve got me on fluids, but actual food, no,” Kyla replied.
“I’ll hunt down Doc, make sure she knows you’re awake.”
“Thank you, Sir, for everything,” Kyla replied.
Boleman grinned. “None of this ‘Sir’ felgercarb. It’s Boleman, plain and simple.”
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Post by Brie on Sept 18, 2005 13:30:31 GMT -6
Boleman knocked on Doc Bkj’s door and she invited him in. “I was just talking with Kyla. Is there any chance she can get something to eat? Either her stomach was growling, or that’s one very noisy baby.”
“They were supposed to inform me when she woke up,” Doc said apologetically. “Honestly, I sometimes think I have to do everything myself around here. What did Commander Sheba say?”
“Kyla’s going to stay with me, in my new quarters,” Boleman replied. “At least until the baby is born. I think it will work out fine.”
“Good.” Doc stood up, and Boleman followed suit. “I’ll go check on her quickly, if you want you can get her something to eat. Healthy choices, low salt, low sugar, low fat.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Boleman replied. He felt happier than he had in a long time, he knew that helping Kyla was the right decision. “Anything new with Brie?” Bkj shook her head no without saying a word. She went in one direction, Boleman in another. It wasn’t long before he saw someone pushing a food cart. “Just who I’m looking for!” Boleman said.
“I am?”
“You sure are,” Boleman replied. “I know a woman who is in need of a good, hot meal. Follow me.”
“Anything you say, Sir,” the old man replied with a smile.
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Post by Brie on Sept 19, 2005 10:17:00 GMT -6
Boleman had to wait for a few microns outside of Kyla’s room. When Doc Bkj was leaving, he entered, the old man behind him. “I saw the food cart,” he explained to Bkj, “and thought I’d let her make her own choices. How’s she doing?”
“Very well,” Doc replied. “She’ll be released by the end of next cycle.”
“I’ll make sure everything is ready,” Boleman replied. He and the old man entered the room. “I brought food,” he said to Kyla.
Kyla smiled shyly at the old man. “Do you have any mushies?”
“Yes, I think I still have a few,” the man replied, avoiding eye contact. He had never met her before, but didn’t want to take any chances.
“Oh no you don’t!” Boleman replied. “Doc said healthy food.”
“Healthy, got it,” the old man said. He started to put some food on a tray.
Kyla suddenly started to laugh. “Boleman, come here, quick!”
Boleman hurried to her side. She grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. “Kyla, is that...”
“He’s kicking!” Kyla exclaimed. For the first time she seemed genuinely excited about the baby.
“That’s amazing,” Boleman said in awe. “I always wanted to have children, but Trula...”
“He’s your tray, Ma’am,” the old man interrupted. He had placed it on another cart and wheeled it over to her bed. He leaned close. “I snuck a couple of mushies under the bread.”
“Thank you,” Kyla replied.
The old man left, knowing not to outstay his welcome. He had found out what he had wanted to know...and more.
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Post by Brie on Sept 23, 2005 12:36:08 GMT -6
Comeek lied back on his small cot, eyes closed. Master Pierce was going to have a baby. What a child he would be! He hoped it would be a boy, it HAD to be a boy. He and Logan would have the privilege of raising this child together. They would name him Pierce, of course, after his father. The child would have unimagined intelligence and wisdom. Logan would be such a good mother. No more of this Colonial Military felgercarb. She would be dutiful, looking after the needs of her husband and child. Her husband and children. They would raise little Pierce as if he were their own flesh and blood but they would also have several children themselves, maybe six or seven, maybe even more. The thought of Logan barefoot and pregnant made Comeek smile.
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Post by Brie on Sept 24, 2005 11:41:38 GMT -6
Chip knew that he needed to be better prepared. His lack of physical strength had made him vulnerable, allowing JustinB to so easily knock him out, causing him to miss the call home. He blamed himself as much as he blamed the Black Squadron commanding officer, but he knew that Master Pierce had found a way to atone for his sin. Master Pierce was forgiving. He had known that some would need to stay behind to care for his child. It bothered Chip slightly that the child was being carried by a traitor, but he reasoned that if the mother had truly been Chosen, she would have continued on when the call home came, leaving those left behind with no hope.
The time in the brig was a gift. Chip knew he needed to do two things. He needed to become stronger and he needed to learn patience. As he waited for the old man’s return he started a physical regimen in the small cell. Every exercise that he had ever heard of he decided to try. To Hades with what the doctors might say about starting off slowly! He needed to make himself stronger, and next time he would be the one attacking JustinB, although the outcome would be a lot more final. The centons he didn’t spend exercising he would meditate. Although he hadn’t yet been able to achieve it, he knew that with practice he would eventually be able to commune with his Master. Patience.
Sitting straight up on the floor, eyes closed, Chip breathed slowly and deeply. He concentrated on the sound of his own breathing. All was quiet. He felt he was growing closer. He reminded himself once again that he needed to be patient. He cleared his mind, listening for the voice of his Master...
“I need your tray.”
Without thinking Chip opened his eyes. What a strange message from his Master! He glanced at the cell door and realized, with quite a bit of disappointment, that it was the old man with the food cart who had spoken, not Master Pierce. Chip hid his emotions, another thing that he needed to practice. “Of course.” He stood and picked up his dirty dishes. He brought them to the cell door and stood where he knew that those watching the monitor would have a slightly more difficult time seeing. “There you go.”
“The baby is a boy!” the old man whispered excitedly. “Kyla, that’s the carrier’s name, is far enough into the pregnancy that our Master’s son is kicking. Kyla is in the sick bay right now, she’s being released by the end of the next cycle. I’m going to try to find out where she’s staying, and to befriend her. I already know that she likes mushies, I can use that.”
“Make sure she eats healthily,” Chip said. “We need our Master’s heir to be born strong.”
“I know,” the old man replied. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Continue to spread the word,” Chip said. “But only to those who you’re sure are loyal.”
“There aren’t many of us left. I’ve figured out how to inform the Prison Barge, where most of the surviving Chosen are.”
“Good work,” Chip said. “Our Master is proud.”
Not wanting to call attention to himself for staying too long, the old man turned away. He was smiling inwardly as he left. He hoped that his joy didn’t show too much on his face.
Chip sat on the floor to meditate again. It HAD been Master Pierce who had spoken to him, through an old man with a food cart.
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Post by Brie on Oct 1, 2005 13:23:41 GMT -6
Having finished his rounds, the old man made his way back to his quarters. He turbowashed, put on clean clothes then headed to the Callisto’s civilian mess area. After getting his own food he glanced around. There were plenty of empty chairs, but he wasn’t looking for someone to sit with. He was looking to see who he should ignore.
Although he would rather eat alone he knew better than to ignore the woman seated across the room, waving at him. “Den, over here, I saved you a seat!”
Not wanting to call attention to himself, Den walked over to the woman. She was a couple of yahrens younger than he was, and quite a bit heavier. She hadn’t left him alone since her third husband had died several sectars earlier. He was determined to not be husband number four. “Thank you, Nessy, that was awfully nice of you.” He sat down.
“I didn’t think I was going to catch you today,” Nessy started. Den drowned out the sound of her voice as she continued to talk. She had one of the “better” civilian jobs on the Callisto, she was in charge of alterations for the military uniforms. Den wasn’t sure if knowing someone who casually knew most of the warriors was a good thing or bad. He wanted more than anything to blend into the background, but Nessy was a gossip, and had occasionally provided useful information without meaning to. “So what do you think?”
“Excuse me?” Den said, slightly embarrassed at having been caught tuning Nessy’s annoying, shrill voice out again. “I didn’t catch that last part.”
“You really need to get that hearing aide checked, Den,” Nessy ordered. “I was talking about Major Brie. IFB says she’s still in a coma. Do you think she’ll ever wake up?”
“I hope not,” Den mumbled, filling his mouth with food.
“What? Den, you really need to stop speaking with your mouth full. It’s a rude thing to do. My second husband, Lords rest his soul, used to do that all the time. It got to the point where I told him that if he didn’t stop, I was going to leave him. That put him in line! Since neither of us wanted that, every time I noticed I would kick him under the table and it wasn’t too long before.....”
No doubt about it, unless it could somehow benefit Master Pierce and his child, there was no way that Den was going to become husband number four.
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Post by Brie on Oct 6, 2005 9:17:00 GMT -6
Den finished his meal, all the while not listening to a word that Nessy was saying. He would much have preferred to tell the obnoxious woman where to go, but Master Pierce had found our sectars earlier that she had set her sights on him, and had suggested that he allow her to think that he was interested. “It never hurts to make friends with a gossip, especially a gossip with ties to your enemy,” Den could still hear his Master saying. Den smiled, remembering his Master’s voice.
“Is that possible?” Nessy asked loudly.
“I’m sorry, Nessy, I didn’t hear you again,” Den replied. “You’re right, I need to get my hearing aide checked.”
“You should do it right away,” Nessy ordered. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think that you purposely weren’t listening. So will you be able to escort me to the concert tomorrow night or not? Because if you can’t, I’ll just have to find another escort. A lady can’t show up at such an event by herself, it just wouldn’t be proper.”
“I’ll have to check my work schedule,” Den replied, thinking that if he were off he would just have to change with someone else. “I’ll take care of that right now. If you’ll excuse me...” He picked up his tray and walked towards the return.
“Don’t forget to have your hearing aide checked,” Nessy called after him a lot louder than necessary.
As Den approached the return area someone bumped into him, causing him to drop his tray. “Pardon me,” he said automatically.
“Sorry, my fault,” the other man insisted. They both squatted down to pick up the fallen dishes. “One centar, normal place,” the man whispered.
“I bring incredible news,” Den whispered back. Everything back on the tray, they both stood up again. “Thank you,” Den said. He headed again towards the tray return.
“Try to be more careful,” he heard Nessy calling after him. He left without responding, knowing full well that there was nothing wrong with his hearing aide.
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Post by Brie on Oct 19, 2005 10:06:46 GMT -6
The room was small and dark. Each of the three men took a seat. “Three of us left,” on of them mumbled. “It wasn’t long ago that our members included people from every ship in the fleet.”
“There’s more than three,” Den corrected. “Some who were on the Agro Ship survived.”
“What help will a bunch of prisoners be?” the third man asked. He was the same man who had passed Den the message in the mess hall.
“Quite a bit,” Den replied. “Master Pierce had his reasons for us to not go home with him. In fact, one of the survivors passed on a very interesting bit of information to me. Something that shows why our Master allowed some of us to stay behind.”
“What?” the first man asked skeptically.
“Kyla...,” Den started.
“Kyla?” the third man repeated. “The new traitor? She’s the one who foiled our Master’s grand scheme and kept him from executing the Widow.”
“Master Pierce knew that she was going to do that,” the first man corrected. “He’s all-knowing. It was part of his plan.”
“But we’re also allowed to do as we want,” the third man added. “Kyla made a conscious choice...”
“Kyla...” Den continued loudly, “is pregnant with our Master’s child.”
The other two men both gasped. “Are you sure?” the first one asked.
Den nodded. “One of the prisoners found out about it when he was in the med lab. I personally was able to confirm it. The best part of all is that the baby is a boy.”
“We need to spread the word,” the third man said.
“There’s going to be a transfer,” the first man told them. “Several people being sent to the Prison Barge. They can help.”
“How?” the third man wanted to know.
“Security forces are thin at the micron,” the first man explained. “No one is monitoring the conversations of the prisoners. They can tell their visitors, who can then pass word throughout the fleet.”
“What about the baby?” was the third man’s question.
“Our Master will let us know,” Den replied. “He has everything planned out.”
The first man smiled. “We may be small, but the New Secret Survival Society still exists, and we have a grand purpose.”
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Post by Brie on Oct 25, 2005 15:46:49 GMT -6
As Kyla dressed, she was grateful for the new clothes that had been sent to her by Boleman. It had been a long time since she had worn anything besides a med tech uniform. The extra room in the maternity clothes gave her a comfort that she had forgotten. How could she have not realized that she was pregnant? She walked to the mirror and rubbed a hand over her stomach. It may not be obvious, but soon it would be. She wondered if she was strong enough to be a mother to Pierce’s son. Could she ever tell him of all of his father’s atrocities?
The door opened and Doc Bkj walked in, followed closely by Boleman. “The paperwork is all taken care of,” Doc informed her. “Everything looks fine. The baby is strong. Just eat right and get your rest. Take care of yourself, and you’ll be taking care of your baby as well. And I’ll be stopping by for your checkups. Any questions?” Kyla shook her head no. “Good. I’ll see later this secton.”
After Doc Bkj had left Boleman approached Kyla. It dawned on him how awkward it would be living with a woman who was virtually a stranger. Still, Kyla had saved Brie’s life, and Boleman felt like he owed Brie for the sham tribunal. Kyla seemed nice enough, everything would be fine. “Do you have all your things together?” he asked.
Kyla stared at the floor. “I don’t really have much of anything,” she replied. “I have a coat...”
“Here, let me,” he said, taking it from her. They walked to their new quarters in silence, partially because of the uncomfortable circumstances and partially because they didn’t want anyone to hear of Kyla’s condition. Two security guards walked behind them but not closely enough to make it obvious that they were following. “This is it,” Boleman said at last. He bent over and his eye was scanned. “As soon as you’re settled we’ll get you into the security system. That’s one thing we can’t wait on.”
The door opened and they entered. Immediately Kyla smiled. Although the quarters weren’t large there was an obvious addition, a rocking chair. Literature on pregnancy and infancy sat on the floor next to it. Boleman seemed slightly embarrassed. “I thought you might like to do some reading,” he said. He stepped towards the back of the room and keyed in another code. “This is your room. You’ll have your own security for it, if you lock it the only other person who would be able to open it would be Commander Sheba.” Kyla stepped inside the room. The people of the fleet were used to tight quarters, so it seemed luxurious to her. In the corner was a small crib. The open closet was filled with maternity and baby clothes. “I know that originally we said you’d stay until the baby was born, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. Both of you.”
Kyla wiped a tear from her eye. “Oh Boleman, it’s perfect.” She threw her arms around his neck. “Let me thank you properly,” she whispered in his ear.
Gently Boleman removed her arms from around him and stepped back. “Not all men are like Pierce,” he said quietly. “Taking care of yourself is all the thanks that I need.”
It was Kyla’s turn to be embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I just assumed that you were helping me for...a reason.”
Boleman smiled. “I am, but not the one that you think. You deserve a second chance, Kyla, and I’m going to make sure that you get it. I’m sorry that you’ll have to spend the next few sectars cramped up in here. Since it’s really not safe for you to be wandering around the Callisto at the moment, I’ve arranged to have food delivered three times a day, because there’s no cooking unit. And if there’s anything else that you want or need, just ask me, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you,” Kyla said humbly.
“Now let’s see what we can do with that security system...”
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Post by Brie on Nov 5, 2005 21:21:30 GMT -6
There was a knock on the door. Boleman looked through the peephole that had been added as part of the security system. He recognized the old man as the one who had brought the food cart while Kyla was in the sick bay. It took him a couple of microns to remember how to unlock the system. He swore under his breath, hoped that Kyla hadn’t heard him, and finally got the door open. “Can I help you?” Boleman asked impatiently.
“May I come in?” Den asked.
“Why?” Boleman asked.
Kyla appeared at the door. “What’s going on?”
“Ah, just the person that I need to speak with. My name is Den.” He looked again at Boleman. “I’ve been assigned from the kitchen to bring meals to your wife. I just want to know what her preferences are.”
“I’m not his...” Kyla started but Boleman waved her off.
If people thought that they were just an ordinary sealed couple it was probably good. It crossed his mind that he was closer in age to being Kyla’s father instead of her husband, but it didn‘t matter. “Come on in,” Boleman replied. “So,” Den asked with a smile, “when is your blessed addition due?”
Kyla glanced down at her stomach. She didn’t think that she was obviously showing yet. “How did you know?”
Den continued to smile. “Your baby was kicking the last time I brought your food. You shared that fact with your husband. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“No, no intrusion,” Kyla replied, slightly embarrassed. “I had forgotten about that.”
Den glanced around. “Oh good, you have access to a computer. If you come over here, I’ll show you how to order ahead of time.” Kyla joined him, and it took only a few microns to show her what to do. "I'll be the one bringing your meals."
"Don't you get any time off?" Kyla asked.
"Occasionally," Den replied. "If it's someone else, I'll send you a message. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."
"It's Kammy," Boleman said quickly.
“Kammy,” Den repeated. “Well, it’s nice to meet you officially. I’m sure that you need your rest, having just been released from the sick bay, so I’ll leave you alone. I’ll be back with your food in a couple of centars.” He glanced to Boleman, then stood closer to Kyla. “And I won’t forget the mushies,” he whispered.
Kyla grinned. “Thanks.”
She started to walk towards the door, but Boleman stepped in front of her. “Please also send us the schedule of when you’ll be stopping by. My wife has been ordered to rest and avoid stress.”
“Of course,” Den replied at the door. “I would never due anything to jeopardize the baby.”
Boleman closed the door and made sure it was locked. “I hate to say this,” he said to Kyla, “but you should probably stay away from the door. The last thing we need is for someone to recognize you.”
“Whatever you say,” was Kyla’s replied.
Walking down the hall, Den’s smile grew even bigger. “I would NEVER do anything to jeopardize the baby,” he repeated to himself.
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