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Post by Astraea on Dec 4, 2005 13:22:11 GMT -6
Astraea’s body jerked as she awoke with a start. Her back was aching from her slumped position on her desk and she slowly straightened to stretch. She had nodded off reading back through the information of her Cylon imprisonment, but the report was nearly complete. “Now that’s sad,” she remarked to herself as she stared at the screen. “My life is so boring it even puts me to sleep.”
She yawned as she scratched at her arm. She tugged back the sleeve of her uniform to see the tiny red whelps left from the medical tests. “Minor irritation my astrum,” she mumbled.
Her life thus far on the Callisto consisted of endless cycles of writing interrupted only by debriefings and medical exams. Since the cables that she had pilfered had been discovered and her link to the “outside” world severed, she had lost all track of time. The last she had heard was that Major Pierce had tried to take over the Agro Ship and she was aching for any updates, but her guards were less than accommodating.
More than once, she had been treated as if she was a Cylon spy. The debriefings she had undergone seemed more like interrogations, but she had expected that. It was difficult to believe that anyone could spend that much time in Cylon hands without being turned.
Astraea sighed and stared blankly at the words on her terminal. She had been turned, all right. She was no longer the timid historian who was content at recording events in the war against the Cylons. Now she craved battle. Facing Cylon ships in combat filled her dreams. She practically obsessed about getting some payback for all those yahrens lost, for all those heinous experiments. She could only pray that she would have the opportunity.
She clicked the save button on her computer before standing for a better stretch. She walked around her chair as she glanced at the door to her tiny room. She had been waiting for what seemed like a lifetime to see if she would be reinstated as a warrior. She never would have imagined that it would be so important to her even though initially making it into the service had seemed more like a dream. But now she had new purpose.
Astraea touched at the scar behind her ear. She knew that the implant was probably her biggest liability. The doctors were able to deactivate the microchip, but removing the implant was impossible. Over the yahrens, it had embedded itself into her brain. “How can they let me serve as a warrior?” she taunted herself once more. “I’m damaged goods.”
She growled in exasperation as she paced the six steps to once side of the room to the other. Part of her was certain that she would be back in a cockpit because the fleet needed every warrior that they could get while part of her knew that her career in the military was already at an end.
She kicked her chair into the wall then stilled when a paper dropped out of her jacket which was slung over the back of the chair. She knew what was written on it. She had read it so many times that she had it memorized, but she picked it up just the same to read the brief message.
"Astraea, I'm sorry for all that has gone on lately. I tried to come see you but you weren't in. Please contact me at this terminal. I'm on the Medical Frigate on leave from duty. I want to talk with you soon. Charybdis."
Even though she had gotten the message several cycles before, she hadn’t been able to respond to him. The guards had laughed at her when she asked if they would pass a message along and the men at the debriefings said that she would have to wait until they had made the decision to reinstate or not. If she was to go to the brig, contacting the colonel would be out of the question.
Astraea folded the paper and carefully tucked it back into her jacket. She sighed heavily as she put her hands on her hips. “What’s taking so fracking long?”
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Post by Astraea on Dec 5, 2005 9:35:39 GMT -6
“After reading through your extended report on your captivity,” Dolenz, the chairman of her military review board, gestured to the list of directories on the computer monitor protruding from the conference table, “we have many concerns, the first of which is the safety of Callisto personnel.”
“Permission to speak freely, sir,” Astraea asked as she stood at attention before the three man panel.
“That’s what we’re hoping for, Lieutenant,” Dolenz returned with a sweeping gesture for her to continue.
“During my captivity, my sole purpose was to memorize all that I could and return to the Callisto with that information. To do that, I had to survive. I did what I had to do to complete my mission.”
“Including killing several of your fellow prisoners?” he asked skeptically.
“Sir, everyone that I eliminated was a direct threat to me or to others. Taking a life was never even a consideration for me on the Callisto.”
“And yet you attacked one of the Callisto’s officers while you were being rescued,” the man to Dolenz direct left interrupted. He had been the one to repeatedly bring up her attack on Lazant during the course of the investigation.
“It was my belief that Captain Lazant was in communication with the Cylon Empire,” she replied as she always had. “I stated as much in my report as well as to Colonel Charybdis. Not only did Captain Lazant set off an alarm while we were attempting to escape the basestar, but he privately met with a Cylon centurion after aiding in the rescue of a squadron of Raiders. The incident that you are speaking of, where I held a blade to the captain’s throat, I had just discovered that Captain Lazant had repaired a homing beacon on the Cylon shuttle.”
“But that doesn’t excuse…” he started in on Astraea, but was waved off by his superior.
“We’ve all agreed that there were extenuating circumstances for the Lieutenant’s actions concerning Captain Lazant,” Dolenz reminded everyone to end the rehashed conversation. “Exhaustion as well as lack of food being major factors.”
“Plus, the Captain’s claims that Lieutenant Astraea had tried to poison him were unfounded,” the third man at the table chimed in. “All of the substances onboard the vessel were analyzed and proven safe for human consumption.”
“Safe?” the second man snorted. “The hallucinogenic properties of the Gourt Root could be argued. Perhaps the Lieutenant was hoping for a self-defense plea,” he suggested.
“Gentlemen,” Dolenz said to silence them as he rapped his hand against the table. “We’re steering away from the subject at hand.” He sighed heavily at his two companions before looking back at Astraea. “Okay Lieutenant, here’s the problem that we’re facing,” the lead interrogator stated frankly as he laced his fingers together on the table in front of him. “The incident with Captain Lazant aside, what we are concerned about is that implant which you claimed was used to induce hallucinations. What assurances can you give us that this thing won’t activate on its own?”
“None sir,” Astraea returned without hesitation. Dolenz seemed shocked while he glanced to the men to his left. One seemed resigned while the other appeared smug at the response.
“Lieutenant,” Dolenz began again as he shifted in his seat. He had been ready to reinstate her after this final meeting, but now he wasn’t so sure. “You do realize what is at risk here?”
“Sir, I am under no illusions as to what this panel has to decide. I have been in Cylon hands for five yahrens and that makes me a risk if not a liability. I’ve detailed as much as I could about my…enhancements, but that doesn’t mean that there could be some hidden mechanism somewhere in my brain. My only assurance is my word that I am more determined than ever to climb into the cockpit of a Viper. I will do my utmost as a Colonial Warrior to protect the safety of this fleet and, should I ever become a liability, I hope that I am eliminated without hesitation.”
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Dec 5, 2005 9:57:02 GMT -6
I had heard that Astraea's hearing before the committee was taking place. Since I had not been contacted by the Med Lab concerning Brie and Amy, I thought I would mosey over and wait to find out the results of the committee's interview with Astraea. I wished I could have helped more, but they excluded me from the list of interviewees because of my close association with her, I thought wrongly. Who better to know Astraea than me?
Regardless of what they decided, she was back, and I was determined to be there for her. I anxiously awaited for them to finish to find out what Astraea's..and my future would be like...
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Post by Astraea on Dec 5, 2005 22:53:35 GMT -6
“I must admit,” Dolenz said, “that the panel has been at odds concerning your reinstatement. To say that your case is unusual is an understatement. The safety of the Callisto and her personnel is paramount to the survival of the fleet.” He glanced to the man at his direct left who had most vehemently defended Captain Lazant’s report. “While others see the incident with Captain Lazant as proof of your volatility, considering the circumstances, I think that you showed a great deal of restraint.”
Astraea was surprised by the remark although she maintained her statuesque pose before the table. It was the first glimmer of hope that she had been given since being summoned before the review board repeatedly.
The lead investigator flipped through a small collection of papers next to him. “Since the substances found on the Cylon vessel appeared to be harmless and no other charges have been brought up against you, this panel will recommend to Commander Sheba that you be reinstated.”
Astraea let out a sudden burst of air then drew in her breath again. Dolenz gave her half a smile. She was obviously relieved by the pronouncement, but he offered a word of caution. “Now there are conditions to this recommendation. Since, by your own admittance, there is the possibility that the Cylon components inside of your head might affect your judgment, you will be restricted from any classified areas. Your movements can and will be monitored at such times that the commander deems necessary. Any outside communication or requests for materials must pass through your chain of command.” He glanced at the papers once more. “Gold Squadron Leader,” he specified. “And all ship-to-ship transportation is off limits for the time being. You are confined to the Callisto until further orders.”
“Understood sir,” Astraea returned shakily. It was more than she could have asked for.
Dolenz held is palms upward as he offered her the floor. “Do you have any questions Lieutenant?”
Astraea’s eyes danced for a moment as her mind raced. “Just two sir.” Her chin dropped slightly as she made direct eye contact with Dolenz for the first time. “I received a communiqué from Colonel Charybdis on the Medical Frigate several cycles ago, but I haven’t been able to respond. Would it be possible for me to get a message to him?”
“Any outside communications must pass through your chain of command,” Dolenz repeated.
“Actually,” the third man on the panel who remained quiet through most of the proceedings interrupted, “I heard that the colonel is back onboard the Callisto.” He looked up at Astraea. “You can probably contact him through the bridge.”
Astraea gave him a smile with a small nod for the information before looking back to Dolenz. “Secondly, I held the position of historian on the Callisto before my capture and I would very much like to continue in that capacity along with my duties as a Viper pilot.”
He turned his hands up then laced his fingers together once more. “I don’t know if that position has been filled or not, but this panel has no objections as long as the guidelines that we have given are followed. No classified materials or outside communications.”
The corner of Astraea’s mouth turned up. “I’ve got five yahrens of catching up to do sir. Backlogs of IFB reports are all I need to get me started.”
“Then I wish you well in your pursuits,” Dolenz returned and the three men on the review panel stood to exit the room. “Oh, and Lieutenant?” He waited until he caught Astraea’s gaze then smiled. “Welcome home.”
Astraea’s breathing became irregular as she blinked back tears. “Thank you sir.” Her entire body began to tremble as the room quickly emptied and she was left standing alone. She slowly turned as the realization set in that there were no guards there to escort her. The two blackshirts which had brought her to the proceedings were dismissed by the panel while exiting themselves.
“Welcome home Astraea,” she said to herself, a giddiness welling up inside of her. An hour before she had been certain that the life she had known was lost, but she had been given a second chance.
Her hands were trembling as she smoothed them over her face then hair. There were so many things that she wanted to do that she didn’t even know where to begin. “I’ve got to find Charybdis,” she stated with finality. There was no one that she wanted to share the news with more.
Astraea hurried to the exit, a zing of joy coursing through her when the door slid open without hesitation and she stepped out into the hallway a free woman for the first time in five yahrens. She had barely stepped outside when she noticed a familiar face pacing the corridor only a short distance away.
“Charybis!” Astraea called out before throwing herself into his arms oblivious to other curious personnel in the area. “I can’t believe you’re here! I’m a free woman Charybdis! I’m finally free!”
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Dec 6, 2005 8:45:54 GMT -6
Astraea was downright ecstatic! Happy...something I thought I would never see again, least of all on Astraea's face.
I clutched her tightly. "I heard. Dolenz told me that you have been reinstated. That's fantastic! I'm so glad for you. I'm so glad..." my voice trailed off. I was happy too. To see her like this. To see her.
"For what it's worth, welcome home, Astraea. To where you belong." I smiled and stroked her hair.
She looked down sniffling back tears. "It's all I ever wanted," she replied softly.
"I would offer you a place to stay but unfortunately my temporary quarters are quite small. What say we go over to the quartermaster and get you set up. I"m sure you want to know where you will be living from here on out, no?" I asked her, not sure what had happened to her historian's office. I stopped going by there shortly after her disappearance.
She nodded with a smile on her face as we turned to leave, she kept her arms around me...
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Post by Astraea on Dec 6, 2005 10:55:09 GMT -6
Astraea knew how inappropriate it was for her to be clinging to her superior officer as they walked through the corridors, but she didn’t care. She was back on the Callisto, she would once again be flying and the man that she loved above all others was in her arms. Her life couldn’t be more perfect.
“I still catch myself wondering if I’m dreaming,” she admitted with a sad laugh. “The Cylons really did a number on my head.”
“Is that literally speaking?” Charybdis teased as he reached up to brush his fingers over the top of her head before dropping his hand back to her shoulder.
She beamed up at him, then her smile faded slightly when she thought about everything that she had put in her report. There were things that she did, things that happened to her, that were so ghastly, she wondered if Charybdis would ever be able to get past it all. “I have so many things to tell you, so many things to explain,” she corrected, then shook her head. “But I don’t want to get into any of that right now.” She dropped her head onto his shoulder and cuddled as close as she could while they continued to walk. “This is too perfect to muck through that felgercarb. Oh!” Her head sprang back up as she looked to him expectantly. “Do you think that we can arrange for some sim time? The sooner I get back in the cockpit the better.”
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Dec 6, 2005 11:56:26 GMT -6
I was amazed that she wanted back in a cockpit so soon, but I guess after what she had been through over the past several yahrens, she longed for a sense of normalcy. For a chance to do what she was trained to do: be a Colonial Warrior.
"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt. Might as well!" she smiled at me. "Listen, Astraea. I know that you must have gone through Hades Hole out there, but...none of it was your fault. You had to do what you needed to to survive. We all have to face that sometime, even though we may not like it. In time, you'll tell me. But I want you to know, I'm here for you. I promise to try and get your life back to what it once was, before all of this started. At least we can try."
She looked into my eyes. "Thank you." She leaned over in the middle of the corridor and gently kissed me on the lips. She was almost afraid of what I might do, but I just kissed her back. She almost seemed worried after our kiss, but she smiled once again and I knew she was going to be alright....
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Post by Astraea on Dec 6, 2005 12:38:05 GMT -6
Astraea was beaming once more as she looked up at Charybdis. He said exactly what she had needed to hear. Even the yahrens hadn’t diminished the connection they once shared. “Now I know what they mean when they say your toes curl,” she teased. He gave a slight chuckle and her soul began to sing. For that one moment, that one precious micron where nothing could shatter her picture-perfect world, everything that she had endured had been worth it.
The sound of someone clearing their throat shook Astraea out of her revelry, then she realized that they had been blocking the corridor. “Oh, sorry,” she muttered, quickly slipping her arms from around Charybdis so that they could move to one side. She saw the man shaking his head as he went by and giggled. “I have got to stop acting like a schoolgirl around you.”
“I don’t mind,” he returned with a grin. “Really.”
Astraea laughed then slipped her arm through his as they continued on to the quarter master. “You know, I have spent the last several cycles cataloging my life. I am sick to death of thinking about my life. I want to hear about yours. What has been happening with you over the last several yahrens? You’ve made colonel, I see.”
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Dec 7, 2005 10:53:14 GMT -6
It was funny...almost. Astraea asking about me like she had been on some long furlon. I preferred not to think about that at the micron.
I thought long and hard about how to answer her question. What had happened to me over the past five yahrens. Whew! What a mouthful!
I decided to keep it nice and light for her sake instead of dragging out the past and what torture I went through when she went missing and was presumed KIA.
"Well, after I was transferred to the bridge things just kept happening rather quickly. I was promoted to Lt. Colonel for a couple of yahrens and as things worked out, they promoted me to Colonel two yahrens ago. Every once in awhile I get to fly but not as much as I would like."
Then it hit me...Amy. I had to tell her. I stopped in my tracks and Astraea turned to look back at me. "Charybdis, what's wrong?" she asked immediately as she saw the look on my face.
"Astraea, I want to be honest with you. Up front, totally. Right here and now just so you won't hear it anywhere else. A couple of yahrens after you went missing, I did get involved with someone else. In fact, for a short time we were engaged to be sealed."
I could see her face change. She looked around a bit trying to make something out of what I had said. She knew. She had realized that I must have moved on. "Who is it and what happened? You're not sealed now are you?" she asked.
"No. We never went through with it. Well, I would have but she has a commitment problem." I answered. "It's actually someone you know sort of."
"Who?" she was curious now. "It's Captain Amy. Who you brought back onboard the ship when you were rescued."
Here eyes widened. Little skimpy rat girl? I could imagine what Astraea was thinking about my choice in mates!
I wondered what she would say after that revelation...
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Post by Astraea on Dec 7, 2005 11:25:36 GMT -6
Engaged to be sealed. The words stuck in Astraea’s head and the soap bubble fantasy that she had created for one precious micron burst. “Actually,” she returned a bit sheepishly, “I already knew about you and Amy.” She glanced up at him through her lashes. “The IFB wasn’t exactly kind about discussing what happened at Major Brie’s tribunal.” She dropped her head. She had wondered during her confinement when Charybdis would mention Amy, but she hadn’t even considered that they were practically sealed. “I had no idea that it was so serious though.”
Astraea did her best to paste a smile on her face as she tossed her hair back over her shoulder in an unconscious gesture and looked up at him. “I guess I’ve always known that there would be someone even though I wouldn’t allow myself to think about it.” She reached out to run a reassuring hand over his arm. “You thought I was dead and I wouldn’t want you to…pine away or some such nonsense.” Her brow furrowed slightly as her throat tightened. “I just hope that there is a chance that I can still be a small part of your life,” because the thought of you has been my whole life for five yahrens, she finished silently.
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