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Post by Brie on Jul 9, 2006 14:39:12 GMT -6
Not too much later there was another knock on Brie’s door. Captain Wode had returned, this time alone. He rushed in. “Major, we have the official results of the investigation,” he said immediately. “I’ve sent a copy to your Protector, you can have him here if you’d like, but it’s really not necessary.”
“I fired my Protector,” Brie informed him.
“Oh.” Wode sat down and opened a file. Brie sat as well. “Well, Boleman is still be getting a copy. Anyway, it is my pleasure to tell you that the shooting of Lieutenant Artus has been ruled accidental.”
“What?” Brie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “But I shot him at close range, for all I know he’s dead by now.”
"Major,” Wode said, “accidents happen. Don’t punish yourself over something that wasn’t your fault. And Lieutenant Artus is still critical, but he’s holding his own. Now, I’d like to go over our findings with you. First off, there were no problems with your examinations. In fact the doctor has stated that your leg, which had been keeping you on light duty, has totally healed, and is recommending that you be allowed to return to full active duty.”
“I’d like a second opinion,” Brie mumbled.
“One word about returning,” Wode continued, “you were right, it’s been too long since you’ve been to the firing range. That and your flight status both need recertification before full duty is allowed. And you’ll need a new sidearm.”
“Why?” Brie asked.
“The old one was damaged,” Wode informed her. “The trajectory was off, which was why, when aiming at a crawlon, Lieutenant Artus was hit. It probably broke when you used the stun setting. That’s been a rare problem with some of the older lasers, stun causes an inner meltdown for some reason, reshaping the weapon. But we were able to determine the angle of the shot, where you were aiming, and where the Lieutenant was when he was hit. It’s the same amount as the trajectory problem.”
“But still, about my shooting my weapon to begin with...”
Wode smiled. “I personally think you should get a medal for this one, Major, although my recommendation for a medal means nothing, so don’t expect it to happen. You were right about the crawlons. The inside of the walls of that room were infested with them. Millions of the buggers. They were the poisonous kind, could have caused a real problem on the ship again. But we found the queen and I’m happy to announce that she’s been destroyed. Any stragglers won’t know what to do without her, so they should all be dead in a couple of cycles. You’re quite the hero.”
Brie shook her head. “No I’m not.”
Wode stood up. “Anyway, even though I wish it had been under more pleasant circumstances, it’s been nice finally meeting you, Major.” He held out his hand and Brie shook it. “Oh, and your security clearance has been reinstated.”
“Thank you,” Brie said. She walked Wode to the door. After he and the guards outside were gone she stared at the closed door for several microns in disbelief.
“Are you impressed this time?” the voice in her head asked. "I happen to adore crawlons.”
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Post by Brie on Jul 11, 2006 20:40:01 GMT -6
"You own me one now," the voice reminded.
Brie shook her head. "No, I don't. I never asked you to do anything. And it's your fault that I was in trouble to begin with." She walked over to her computer and turned it on, happy to have her security status back. "I am maybe just a little bit impressed, though," she admitted. "Interesting way to get out of it, and I'm glad that Artus wasn't brought down."
"Why do you care so much about that one?" the voice asked. "You hardly know him."
"Life is precious," Brie answered. "That's why I will never agree to what you ask."
"What about Ange's life?" the voice wanted to know. "Or Pierce’s?"
Brie thought for a micron. "Anyone can be redeemed. Even them." She turned her attention to her computer.
"What are we checking? Trying to find out information about the current mission?"
Brie knew better than that. She didn't want "It" to be able to see any classified information. "No." She checked on Amy and Artus, no change for either one. She then called up a program, and a deck appeared on her screen.
"Cards?"
"Pyramid, to be exact," Brie answered. "There's a game that you can play against the computer. I'm pretty good at it, but I don't usually have the time."
"Seems like a waste of time to me," the voice commented.
Brie played the first hand. She couldn't believe her luck, a perfect pyramid. She grinned as she started her next hand. Another perfect pyramid. She sighed, and tried for a third time. A third perfect pyramid. "You know it's no fun when you cheat," she said at last.
"I thought the point was to win," the voice remarked.
"No, the point is to use your brain and practice your skill," Brie said. "Or should I say my brain and my skill.”
“Surely with an entire computer network at your fingers you can do something more important than play some silly game.”
“You’re right.” Brie typed. “There’s something that I want to look up.”
“What?” the voice asked.
“The Book of the Word,” Brie replied. “There’s got to be some information somewhere in it on how to get rid of you.”
The voice laughed. “Good luck. You’re going to need it.”
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Post by Brie on Jul 12, 2006 14:02:03 GMT -6
Brie read with great interest. It was something that she had always planned to do, but somehow never found the time. She wished that she had read it yahrens before, it was fascinating.
"Forget that garbage," the voice said to her. "You'll never find what I can give you in there. I know you, Brie. You want to get ahead. You've been stuck at Major for how long now?"
"I've lost track," Brie replied, not looking up.
"What a waste," the voice said. "You should have been promoted a long time ago."
Brie took her eyes off of the screen in front of her. "That's just the way things are set up. Squadron leaders can't be promoted past major. If I was overly concerned about my rank I could move to the bridge and be promoted eventually, but I really feel like I'm needed here."
"So you're out there risking your life," the voice observed, "and aren't rewarded for it, while those who sit comfortably on the bridge have a more important title, more respect, and more cubits."
"I'd be lying if I said that it didn't bother me a little," Brie said. "Especially since over on the Galactica Starbuck is a squadron leader but he's a colonel. But I don't make the rules."
"You could..."
Brie sighed. "Nice try." She returned to her reading.
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Post by Brie on Jul 13, 2006 12:09:36 GMT -6
“What about Amy?” the voice asked. “I can heal her.”
Brie glanced up. “Now, I’m having a hard time believing that. Artus sacrificed himself to save Amy, and look where she is now. So as far as I’m concerned, you’ve done nothing for her whatsoever, and I’d really appreciate it if you stopped trying to use her against me.” She returned to her reading.
"You say you're needed where you are," the voice continued without a break. "You could stay with the squadron if that's what you'd like. Imagine how powerful we'd be, with your skill and my knowledge..."
"You're right," Brie muttered.
"I am?" The voice sounded surprised. "You're willing to allow me inside you?"
"No," Brie said, looking up. "You were right before, going to the Prison Barge wasn't a good idea. It wouldn't have rid me of you, and you probably would have been very happy there. I had started working on a different grand solution for this problem, when in reality it's so easy..."
"Don't pay any attention to anything you read in there." The voice sounded slightly worried. "Tell me about this grand solution of yours. I'd love to hear it."
"It had to do with stealing a viper and crashing it," Brie replied. "I hadn't worked out all the details. But I don't need to do that. The answer is right here. I refuse to follow you, I will not have anything to do with you, I will no longer allow you in my life. I defy you."
The voice chuckled. "You already tried that, remember? But then you allowed me a foothold when you shot Whatshisname out of your hatred and anger for Ange."
"I know," Brie said calmly. "And that's why I'm letting go of the hatred and anger that I've held onto for so long. Right here and now.......I forgive him."
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Post by Brie on Jul 17, 2006 10:03:08 GMT -6
A cool breeze filled the room, and a dazzling white light seemed to float in. It stopped not far from where Brie was sitting, and a being appeared out of the light. It didn't seem to have any discernable features, although the form looked basically human. Somehow Brie knew that she had to continue. "I forgive Ange for raping me when I was seventeen. I let go of the resentment and the bitterness towards him that have been controlling my life. There is nothing that I can do about what happened, and I will not dwell on it any longer."
"Go on," the being said. It's voice was calm, reassuring.
"I also forgive Pierce and those who followed him," Brie continued. "I forgive them not only for what happened on the Agro Ship, but also for the murder of my husband." Brie noticed for the first time that the voice inside her head was quiet. She sat there, waiting for something to happen.
"There's one more for whom you've been harboring resentment," the being told her.
Brie thought for several microns. "Charybdis?" she asked at last. The being nodded. "Somehow it's almost harder with him."
"Because you've trusted him," the being informed her. “He was your friend, unlike the others.”
Brie took a deep breath. If she were to say it she wanted to mean it. "I admit here and now that I have been way to hard on Charybdis. I forgive him for not being there when I thought I needed him, and I understand why he couldn't be there. I forgive him for what he's done to Amy. I also admit that some of the things that I've been blaming him for aren't solely his fault."
A dark shadow enveloped Brie for a micron before it floated away. It moved near the being of light. "You have heard her," the being said. "She is not yours, and her heart has been set free. You are to leave now, or suffer the consequences."
A voice came from the shadow, a voice that Brie knew all too well. "It's not over." The shadow circled the room one time, then disappeared.
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Jul 18, 2006 10:35:36 GMT -6
While we were awaiting the communiques from the various squadron leaders, I suddenly felt a bit lightheaded, but peaceful. A stirring somewhere, I couldn't tell, but it was relatively close by...
It was...calm and serene and forgiving...
I shook my head and cleared my thinking...probably some bad mushie I ate. I continued to wait for the unit leaders to respond...
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Post by Brie on Jul 18, 2006 13:44:54 GMT -6
Brie realized for the first time that she was shaking. She was free. She felt if she stood up she would float up to the ceiling, her heart was that light. She touched her face and discovered that it was covered with her own tears. "Thank you," she muttered at last.
"I was not the one to rid you of him," the being said. "It was your letting go. Human life is too short to be filled with bitterness and anger."
"That's what I discovered in The Book of the Word,” Brie said. “Life should be about love, compassion, and forgiveness.”
“You’ve learned a very important lesson,” the being added. “Now I must leave.”
“Wait!” Brie implored. “I have a couple of questions, things that I need to know.”
“Ask.”
“Lieutenant Artus’ shooting,” Brie started. “I was cleared of it, but for the wrong reasons. I wasn’t aiming at a crawlon. Should I tell the truth?”
“That is a difficult question,” the being answered. “Sometimes it is best to just leave things the way they are. If people were to find out what really happened and they believed you, there could be widespread panic across the fleet. The shooting was not your fault, you were manipulated. Lieutenant Artus will survive. If you keep what really happened to yourself, it will not be held against you.”
“I understand,” Brie replied. “Um, what about Pierce? Is he still alive?”
“Pierce would not, upon his death, be where I dwell.”
It took Brie a moment to realize that she wasn’t going to get a real answer to that question. She wondered if the being even knew. “One more thing. Amy. Is there anything that you can do for her?”
“Whether or not Amy survives is up to Amy,” the being replied. “She has the ability inside of her, but needs to decide to fight. She is strong, a strength that she gets from her mother.”
“Thank you,” Brie said.
“I was talking about Abighiá,” the being said. “You carried Amy, but Abighiá nurtured her. There is more to being a parent than giving birth, surely you know that. And now, I must leave.” There was a bright flash of light, and Brie was alone. ALL alone at last.
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Post by Brie on Jul 19, 2006 19:54:16 GMT -6
Brie savored the moment. Her life had changed. She didn't know how to keep the feeling or to live what she learned. Her chosen profession was one that so many people based on hatred and anger. They killed Cylons because someone they loved had been killed by them. Brie had experienced that herself at an early age with the deaths of her parents. But she realized that the Cylons were different. They weren't even alive, they were machines, machines programmed to wipe out the human race. Destroying Cylons obviously was okay, the being hadn't even mentioned Cylons.
After several centons Brie realized that she couldn't just sit around doing nothing. She turned her computer back on. The first thing that she did was send a message to Charybdis.
Colonel,
I’m sorry.
Brie
She wondered if he would understand. She noticed that she had a message and called it up.
Major,
I thought you might be interested to know that your weapons certification expired almost exactly one centar after the accident. Some coincidence, huh?
Captain Wode
Brie knew that it wasn't a coincidence. She next used her security status to see what she could find out about the current mission. She knew it was something big, since it had been kept from her when they thought that she might have another heart attack. She couldn’t believe what she was reading. “They’re crazy,” she said out loud. She noticed that a call had been put out to the squadron leaders. Since she was once again leading Gold Squadron, she put in a call to the bridge.
Commander Sheba's face filled the screen. "Major, it's good to have you back. What's your current status?"
Brie took a deep breath. "Well, Ma'am, the shooting of Lieutenant Artus has been ruled accidental, and I've been cleared medically. The only thing keeping me from returning to full active duty is that I need to be recertified, both for flight status and on the firing range."
"Take care of that immediately," Sheba ordered. "Especially your flight status. You are given priority over anyone else who might be in the sims. With Cylons in the area, I need you flight ready.”
“Yes, Ma’am, I’ll get on that right away. Then what?”
Sheba thought for a micron. “There’s nothing really that you can do about the current mission. With Captain Skyler leading it, I’ll let your acting third officer handle things on this end. We've a shortage of pilots, so concentrate on that. If there's anything else I'll be in touch. Commander Sheba out."
Taking one last micron to enjoy her newfound freedom, Brie grabbed her flight jacket and left her quarters.
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Post by Brie on Jul 21, 2006 13:43:36 GMT -6
"Hey Major!" A voice called behind Brie as she was headed down the hall. "Is it true that you're finally all the way back?"
Brie stopped long enough to acknowledge Enoch and his partner Jared. Although she was no longer under house arrest, it was obvious that they hadn’t gone far from their former positions, guarding her door. “Yeah, finally, as soon as I have my certifications up to date. That’s where I’m headed now. I guess you know what happened.”
“We knew all along that you would never shoot someone on purpose,” Jared said. “We were both sure that it was an accident.”
Brie glanced down at the ground for a micron, knowing that the shooting hadn’t been accidental. She looked back up. “Thanks, guys for believing in me and being there for me. I won’t tell anyone and blow your cover, but you’re both a credit to security.” She grinned as she noticed that Jared started to blush. “Now if you’ll excuse me...”
“No, wait,” Enoch said. “Did you know that Major JustinB was looking for you?” Brie shook her head. “He knocked on your door a while ago. When you didn’t answer, we assumed that you were asleep.”
“We just happened to be walking down the hall at the time,” Jared added.
Brie placed a hand on Jared’s shoulder. “Listen, my friends, I don’t need guards anymore. There weren’t any charges filed and the whole thing with Pierce, well, it’s over and done with.” She grinned again. “But thanks for looking out for me. Now, I really do need to go, Commander’s orders.”
As Brie started down the hall again she could hear the two blackshirts arguing with each other. It dawned on her what they had said. “I didn’t even know that Justin was back,” she mumbled to herself. She barely noticed the grin that crossed her face.
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Post by Brie on Jul 23, 2006 7:23:35 GMT -6
Brie made her way to her destination, only to discover that a group of new recruits from the Callisto Training Academy were there, starting their first session. She spoke quickly with the instructor and the man operating the sims, explaining that she was under the Commander's orders. The session was immediately stopped. The four students all looked disappointed when they climbed out, until and realized who was there. "Major Brie!" the only woman in the group exclaimed. She shook Brie's hand enthusiastically. "It's so nice to meet you! I'm glad...I mean, we're all glad that you're doing well. Are you back on active duty yet?"
"That's why I'm here," Brie explained. "My flight status needs to be recertified."
"I'm sure that will be easy for you," one of the men said. The four students all looked so young.
"We knew that you had nothing to do with that Pierce," another student added.
"That was when I decided to enlist," the woman said. "After what you and Ange did to stop that man..."
"Thanks," Brie said quickly, even though she didn't know what she was thanking them for. She noticed that she didn't feel nauseous or upset at the mention of Ange's name. "Hey, maybe you guys can help me now." She glanced at the instructor and the operator. "There's nothing that says that there can't be other pilots involved, and it could give them a feel for battle."
"Fine with me," the instructor answered.
"I'll get your settings ready," the operator added.
Brie climbed into one of the fake vipers, the four students did the same. "Okay," she said into her flight helmet, "I'm flight leader, form up on me. Ready?" The confirmations were heard in her helmet. The session started. Immediately Pierce's face filled the screen where the Cylon raiders should have appeared. Brie hit the abort button and opened the fake cockpit. "Please reset the system..." she called to the operator, "...and make sure that Captain Skyler isn't allowed to make any further modifications."
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