CHAPTER 17—WATER

[LucianG]

Charybdis

I lost my balance when the new Ensign tugged at my uniform. Needless to say, as she caught me as I fell off the bridge, I was wondering what the frack had happened.

She was totally embarrassed by what she had caused, and I was feeling a bit that way too, it's not everyday that the second in command of the whole battlestar falls off the bridge. I was determined that it would not happen again!

"I'm sorry, Colonel. I was told to report to you. I hope you're OK," the new Ensign stammered. NOt only had she pulled me off the rotating section of the bridge, but she had done it right in front of Commander Sheba.

"It's OK, Ensign." I replied as I adjusted my uniform. "Just talk a little louder next time?"

"Yes, sir," came the meek reply. She was a redhead. Another one. We seemed to have been getting a few of those lately. "Check in with Major Joey. She will assign you to your bunk and from there, you can get settled. I guess you've met Major Brie. Check in with her again once you're all set. She can tell what to do."

"Yes, sir. Sorry again, sir." she replied.

I was a bit stern and professional with her, but she needed to know that she couldn't cause trouble. We had all we could deal with already onboard.

She turned and left to find Major Joey. She looked back over her shoulder and gave me a quick smile. She seemed determined. Oh boy, not another one...

* * *

JustinB

Lieuteneant JustinB shook his head in amazement, at the work of the Noman and his cronies had done.

"Colonel Charybdis, please come in," said Lieutenant JustinB. "We've got it, but you're not going to like it, Sir. There are a number of collars placed around these pipes, and more cables connecting them than you can imagine. We could use a demo expert, Sir."
*************

As JustinB and the others waited, they all kept searching for signs of anymore boobytraps. JustinB was tired and dehydrated. But once he looked at the contaminated water tanks again, his thirst was cured. 'The O'Club is looking like the place to be soon' he thought to himself. He listened as the other warriors, talked exitedly about Major Brie and Lieutenant Amys rising from the dead performance. He was as happy about their return, but there was work to be done.

Finnaly the demolition expert arrived and looked the area over. Hopefully the all-clear would not be too long off. While he waited, he decided to observe the demo expert do his thing.

* * *

Nefeteri

Teri was muttering to herself when she met Maj. Joey.
"What seems to be the problem," Maj. Joey questioned though she hid a smile at what had just happened on the bridge.
"What a way to make friends with that Lt. Col.," Teri answered then straightened up. "I'm Ensign..."
"Nefeteri," Maj. Joey finished. "Yes, you're infamous already and with what just happened probably famous also."
Teri turned three shades of red. "I didn't mean to tug that hard but I was told to speak with him and I still didn't get what Maj. Brie wanted."
"What was that?"
"She wanted to know about the water system."
"That does mean you're going to have to see him again."
"Lord of Kobol, I would rather be shot out of the Viper bay without the Viper."
"He doesn't bite...too often," Major Joey laughed. "Here is the number of your bunk space and now I would suggest you return to the Lt. Col. You have to sometime before you see Brie."
Nefeteri saluted Joey and then shook her long locks of hair around her. Hopefully they would hide her face. It was the color of her red hair. Staunchly she strode back to Charybdis.
"Sir," she spoke loud enough for him to hear. "I am here for Major Brie to get the status of the water systems."
Charybdis just shook his head in chagrine. Not Nefeteri again. He braced himself for what she would do to him this time.

* * *

Lucian

"Now, Lieutenant, we tap this optic line with this bypass...now...reading?"

"Holding steady," said JustinB, watching every move the Demolition Tech made. He was hesitant to ask questions, since the man obviously needed his concentration. The Demo Tech's partner was working on the top collar while he worked one of the lower ones. From what JustinB could tell, neither one of them was very talkative, stating only their current move as if trying to give themselves a chance to review the action in advance to make sure they weren't about to make a mistake. JustinB stood to the side, watching and hoping silently that there were no mistakes, since there would be little left of them if something happened.

"Activating bypass...now...disconnect collar pin...release. Lower release and clear," he said, with his body covered with sweat.

"Upper released and cleared," responded the woman. "Just think, only three more."

"Yeah. Don't you just love this job?" he asked.

JustinB wasn't listening. He was watching a small readout on the center collar. "Excuse me, but should that be flashing like that?"

The female looked down and said, "Oh frack! I think we've got a little problem!"

* * *

JustinB

As soon as he saw the readout on the centre collar start flashing, he had a bad feeling. The two demo techs frantically tried to disarm the centre collar. Urgent action on JustinB's part was required. "Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis, this is Lieutenant JustinB," "This is Charybdis, go ahead JustinB." "Sir, no time to explain. I need the compartments surrounding my immediate location evacuated A.S.A.P. While disarming the first collar, the centre collar has begun to arm itself. A surprise from our not so friendly Noman. I also require both fire and med teams to be placed on standby."

'Great, that's all I need,' Charybdis thought to himself. "JustinB consider it done. Get yourself to safety."
"Negative Sir, I am going to lend the Demo techs a hand," JustinB said. "Ok Lieutenant, just be careful, Charybdis out."

He heard the demo techs talking out their procedures, exactly as they had before. "Activating bypass...now...Negative disconnection of collar pin. Lieutenant lend us a hand will yam, because if you don't we will all be dead in thirty microns."

He put his everything into helping disarm the collar. But the Noman and his cronies had made sure if the collars were tampered with. Fifteen microns to go. The three of them just dripping with sweat. Disconnect collar pin...release... lower release and clear, upper released and cleared. Collar disarmed with one point five microns to spare"

The other two collars were disarmed without incident. Relieved, JustinB contacted Charybdis, "Sir, JustinB. All collars are disarmed. You can stand down the fire and med teams. Request permission to stand down from Duty Assignment, Sir" "Permission granted to stand down. Good work Lieutenant."

With that he grabbed the non-explosive parts of the collar and took it as a memento. With the excitement behind him he made his way to the Turbo wash. He never thought that he could enjoy a wash so much. The only thing that spoilt it was the knowledge that he had a report to write before he could relax.

* * *

Lucian

From the demo expert’s perspective:

Tish, the female demolition expert, said to herself, “We have signal bleed! Got to stop that before it explodes and takes out this part of the ship and the entire water system.”

The Warrior standing below her was being very helpful, and had even told the Lieutenant Colonel that he wasn't leaving. He was helping hold a spotlight, and was handing the equipment to Narwie, her partner, as it was needed.

She was looking closely at the optic cables and attaching connectors to each. The man was hooking the cables to a small box he’d pulled from his belt. “Tish, we don't have much time, less than two centons. Sure you don't want to skip out?” He started running through the removal procedure again. ""Activating bypass...now..."

“Lieutenant, pitch me the simulator box.” She caught it one handed, inserted two cables, and started keying in numbers on it’s small board. “If we don’t stop this now, this will do some incredible damage, knock out our water system, and could lead to people dying of thirst before we reach the next rockpile, IF it doesn’t destroy this Battlestar. We work on it until it’s dismantled or until we’re dead, whichever comes first, understood?”

“Yes, Ma'am. Just testing.”

“Test that frequency, not my patience,” she said, lowering the box back to JustinB. She started attaching some additional leads to the next to last explosives collar while Narwie worked the one below. "Negative disconnection of collar pin."

“Lieutenant," said Tish, "Lend us a hand will yam, because if you don't we will all be dead in thirty microns."

He started handing the leads to Narwie while the burly man grumbled under his breath, making the attachments as fast as he could. JustinB asked, “Can’t you just cut one of those cables or something?”

As she worked to adjust a cable connection, Tish said, talking even faster than she was working, “This particular device uses a fiber optic based system. If you cut a cable, the light is interrupted, effectively breaking the circuit, and you get a nice big boom. We have to route the system through our box to make it think it’s still complete, which is difficult since the light is pulsing, not ‘shining’ at a constant intensity. Problem is, getting the right light frequency to fool the bomb controller. You have to be very careful.”

The microns were ticking away. All three were sweating it out.

"Disconnect collar pin...release... lower release and clear, upper released and cleared." She smiled and said, "Collar disarmed with one point five microns to spare! Thank you, Lieutenant!"

They went back to work removing the next to last two explosives collars. A short time later, with the devices removed, they thanked JustinB again, packed their bags, and headed to the armory to dispose of the explosives.

Later, they spread the word to their friends that from what they'd just seen, their Battlestar must be in very good hands. The Warrior they'd worked with had been pretty darned cool under pressure.

[LucianG]

Nefeteri

Teri was estatic! Brie was alive and she was Teri's commanding officer. Life was great at the moment.
"Ensign Nefeteri reporting in!" she spoke with exuberance.
Brie smiled "Good seeing a happy cadet. Like I said, let me enjoy this moment of life and we'll get you settled in a bunk and the rest."
"Yes, ma'am! Teri saluted with zest. "What can I do at the moment for you ma'am."
"You can go and evaluate the extent of the breach at the water supply. I think Lt. Col. Charybdis may still be there. Report to him."
"Yes, ma'am!" Teri turned and almost flew literally out the door.

* * *

MedievalSong

Lt Kris stood in the door way of the o'club as she listened to everyeone welcome Amy and Brie back. She smiled. But inside she was helpless. Helpless because Lucian and Rose were injured in the medlab.
*****************
Deep inside that feeling was tearing me apart. I didn't know what to do. I looked on as the revelry continued. Deep inside I was happy that they were alive, but I just coulnd't get Rose's cries and screams of pain. But I knew the pain was deeper than her injuries, it was in the heart and soul. And Hawke caused them to her. But this whole thing was so unusual, I hope and prayed that there was a perfectly good explaination. I just hoped that the damage done could be repaired. Sighing I headed to the bridge. I peeked in and saw a friend, someone I wished I could talk to again. I saw another red haired warrior walk out and look back at Charybdis. She smiled at me and I said hi. She seemed to have something on her mind as she kept going. I just stood there a little longer, staring at my friend. It was funny to see Commander Sheba laughing at Lt Colonel Charybdis. (I guess I missed something) I thought. Then my friend looked up and saw me looking in. Feeling caught I picked myself off the wall and headed on my way. But inside I wondered if he really saw me or was it just a look in that general direction. I headed to the training room. I went in and saw the lights were down. The faint glow from the control room told me that Nat was busy with the class again. I headed back out. I paused out side the medlab. I headed in. Jarrynn glared at me then saw how distraught I was. She smiled and motioned to her desk. I went and sat on the desk, she sat on her chair.
"Ok why the long face?"
((sighs))"How are they?" I asked.
"Which ones?"
"First the Major? How is Lucian?"
"He is going to be fine. Right now he's resting with help from the medication." I nodded.
"Can I see him later?"
"Maybe when he wakes up. I am not sure if he will be up to guests."
"And Rose?" Jarrynn got up.
"Just pray really hard Kris, I am almost afraid she has given up. She cries alot in her sleep and mummbles Hawke's name a lot. And before you ask, no you can't see her for a bit. I need to get her stable."
"What if we get Hawke in here to see her?"
"I don't know. I am not sure what that will do at this point in time. I will think on it. Thanks. But Kris..."
"Yeah I know I need to leave. I don't need you yelling at me again."
"I will let you know if you can visit them. Till then get some sleep."
I headed out but sleep was the last thing on my mind. I leaned against the wall outside of the medlab. Then I just slid down the wall to the floor and held vigual outside, hoping to see my friends.

* * *

Hawke

Lords, I hurt all over my body! I'm just glad that I kept in shape all the time on the assignment. I'm just glad that I can tell people that I was deep undercover.
I limped down to the SOQ undressed and stood in the turbowash for what seemed like an eternity. My ribs were killing me. I was never in a fight like that in my life! Mental note: NEVER take on a pissed off Borellian Nomen. I finished turbowashing and dressed in my old Colonial Warrior uniform. It felt a bit snug around the middle but all in all it fit. I took particular pride putting on my Lieutenant's clusters. I put on my Colonial Warrior service sidearm. I looked in the full length mirror and evaluated myself and noticed that I had a bruised jaw and a swollen eye. Not swollen to the point of where I couldn't see out of it,but it did hurt.
I went to my locker and emptied it out. I packed up my Security Officer gear up in a box and went to find Captain Urdea. When I found him he was in his office. Urdea looked up from his paperwork and whistled. "Well,don't you look snazzy?" he said. "Yea,I guess so. I'm reporting for the last time and turning in my uniforms and equipment." I said. Urdea got up from his chair and came around his desk. "You know it's not exactly official yet. But I hear you're up for a commendation. I put a good word in for you. It has been an honor having you serve under me." He and I shook hands. "Sir, I just want to say two things. First: When I started this assignment, I didn't have an ounce of respect for the CSC (Colonial Security Corps) and I thought that they were just a bunch of bullies and cutthroats. But working under you has tought me that you guys have a much harder job than I ever gave you credit for. Just as hard of a job as the Warriors. And second: It has been MY honor and priveledge to serve under you. And I would be honored if I could call you a friend." I said. "Thank you Lieutenant, that means alot. And yes, maybe we can be friends. I hear that Rose was taken down to the Life Station. She needs you right now. You'd better get down there now." he said. "Aye,sir." I said and I saluted him. He returned the salute.

* * *

I made my way down to Life Station and on the way down I got alot of annoyed looks and a few "Congratulations,Hawke's."
I came into Life Station and Holodoc was there looking over Rose with her back toward me. "How is she Holodoc?" I asked,noting the looks I was getting from the other people in the room. She looked up from Rose and asked her assistant "Is that who I think it is?" "Yes." the assistant said. She turned around and gave me a right cross with out even looking at me. She hit me so hard I fell backward over a gurney. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ROSE??? SHE TRUSTED YOU!!! YOU JUST ABOUT KILLED HER YOU BASTARD!!!!" she yelled at me. She stopped and looked at me awkwardly and asked "Why the hell are you wearing that Warrior uniform?" I got up rubbing my jaw. "I guess I deserved that." I said. "As for why I'm wearing MY Warrior uniform, I've been re-instated into Gold Squadron. Or so I'm told." I said. I looked around and said more loudly "Here's the story: I was under deep undercover for the Commander. I couldn't tell ANYONE about it. The commander needed to get to the bottom of the rogue Security Officers conspiracy and I volunteered. And if I hear ANYONE disrespect the CSC in my presence I will personally kick their asses. Got it? Anyway, my hitting Brie,my taking out the Cylon observation sattilites at Froder,my disobeying orders AND the stuff you witnessed earlier was all part of a very carefully laid out plan concocted by myself, Captain Urdea, the commander and a couple of other officers. Nobody else knew. And couldn't know. Besides, it's not in my record but I had served 6 yarhens in the Fleet Investigations Division. I'm sorry if I hurt anyone in the process of this investigation." I concluded. "Hawke, I'm so sorry, I didn't know!" Holodoc said. "You couldn't have! Nobody could have. Now, How's Rose?" I asked.

* * *

Holodoc

Holodoc looked back down at Rose before answering Hawke's question. When she looked back up, Holodoc had a worried look on her face. "Hawke, Rose is in a lot of pain right now," Holodoc says, "I've been keeping her sedated some so that she would get some rest & not move around so much while she was recovering. It will be another cycle or two before I know for sure how much physical damage was done. It will be even longer before I know what emotional damage was done by the recent events. I don't even know for sure how Rose will react when she see's you in a Warriors Uniform rather than the Security Uniform she has become accustomed to seeing you in over the last several Cycles."

* * *

MedievalSong

Lt Kris was holding vigiual outside the medlab but had fallen asleep. One would guess that Jarrynn was telling her the truth to get some sleep.
*****************
I was in a light dreamless sleep. I heard voices - loud - in the medlab. I got up and rushed in. All I saw was him! The one that hurt my friend and commrad at arms. I lunged at him!
"Why you double crossing two timing filthy slimebag! I oughta rearrange your face or change your religion!" I ran at him and then felt myself restrained!
"Calm down Kris! He's explained it to us!" Jarrynn said as she and one of the security guards that was on duty pinned me against the wall!
Anger filled me. I didn't hear the words they were saying. I only saw the one that hurt Rose. Raged my breaths were as the anger washed over me. Then Jarrynn talked to me and reached me the only way a twin can be reached - from inside.
Taking my face in her hands and forcing me to look at her straight in the eyes, she got my attention.
"Kris, its alright. Hawke just explained why he was like that. He was undercover in an operation to expose the rogues. You gotta let it go. Its over. He is not the bad guy. You need to calm down!" I looked at her and she knew I thought it to be true.
"I would calm down but the blaster shot that hit Rose came from where he was. How do I know he isn't the one who really did this to her?"
"Listen to me. You said it yourself you have no idea who did it. Shots were flying everywhere. Rose could have been hit by anyone. You can't blame him. Now I want you to leave and cool down. Go work this anger out. Run a few laps if you need to, but don't come in here ready to kill someone unless you got facts. Go." Jarrynn said as she looked into my eyes. Her and the guard released me as they felt my fighting go limp. I looked at Hawke and didn't say a word. The daggers that were in my eyes were no longer but confusion, frustration, and pain that I couldn't help Rose replaced it.
"Hawke, I uh ... oh frack forget it." I head to the barracks. There I change and hit the track. I ran to escape the anger, to escape the feeling of helplessness, to escape the demons that chased me. I don't know who's shots hit who. I did know a man died from a shot from either RacerX and me. I hoped it wasn't me. Then I thought of my friend and wondered if he saw me. I wondered about Nat. I worried about Lucian, Stadia and Rose. And I was mad at myself for getting to the point only my twin could reach me. Feeling this anger again I took it out on the punching bag.

* * *

Lucian

Lucian heard a great deal of noise, so he disconnected his left arm from the suspended sling, and swung his feet over the edge of the bed. His ribs screamed at him as he did it, but he eased himself down on his left foot, trying to keep the pressure off his aching right foot.

"As advanced as Colonial medicine is, you'd think they'd have pain medicine that actually kept things from hurting," Lucian thought. He slowly made his way over to the side and peeked out, seeing several people in the room. He didn't have his lenses in place, so the room was mostly a blur. A turboflush facility was only a few steps away, so he slipped in without being seen.

As he washed his free hand a short time later, there was knocking at the door. "Major, are you in there? You're not supposed to be out of bed!"

Uh oh! "Be out in a second," he said calmly with a grin on his face, knowing that he was in trouble now. As he opened the door, he steeled himself to face the fury of a frustrated Med Lab nurse, hopefully he thought, without laughing...

[LucianG]

Hawke

Krissy's PO'd reaction didn't surprise me in the least. I figured I was going to get those kinds of reactions for awhile. I made a mental note to talk to her first chance I could.
I grabbed a chair and sat down beside Rose. I noticed the people in the Life Station looking at me like I was a two headed daggit. "Do you all mind? Can I get a little privacy,please?" I turned to Rose and I took her hand. "Rose, honey,it's Hawke." I said. "No.. Why?...Hawke...Hurt everyone...Hawke...Part of them..." Rose mumbled and thrashed. Damn. How was I going to tell her that it was all part of the deep cover? I put my hands on her to try to keep her from pulling her tubes out. "Easy,sweetie. It's ok. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." I said. "No...betrayed us...Nomen...water..." I sighed and decided to let her sleep. I realized I was getting pretty tired too. I hadn't slept in almost 3 cycles. I put my head on the bed and I held Rose's hand and fell asleep.

* * *

Rose

Rose continued to sleep some, but her sleep was more fitful than anything. She kept tossing and turning, and kicking the covers some trying to get them off her. Rose vagely remember hearing or thought she heard Hawke speaking to her. While she was fitfully sleeping, many things ran through Rose's mind ranging from the special times they have shared to the times she felt ignored by Hawke and now the most recent of events.

Rose was faintly aware of someone nearby as she started comming around a little from her fitful sleep. She starts moving around on the bed some trying to get out of bed & calling out Hawke. "Hawke? Where are you? Hawke, why aren't you answering me?"

* * *

Hawke

I felt Rose stirring and asking for me. I woke up in an instant. "Hawke? Where are you? Why aren't you answering me?" she asked. I pulled her back onto the bed. "Easy honey, I'm right here. Everything's ok." I said. "Why...Why did.. you ..betray ..us? Why are ..you wearing that... Warrior's ...uniform? Why have... we not been together... lately?" she asked very slurredly. "Easy Rose. I'll explain everything when you're more stable. Suffice it to say I was undercover for Commander Sheba." I said. "I don't...understand...Oh Hawke... So confused.. Brie & Amy were killed...Saw... you with... the Nomen..." she said. "Easy....I'll explain everything later...Right now go ahead and rest..." I said.

* * *

Rose

Rose continued to toss and turn some even after Hawke carefully got her back onto the bed so that she could get some needed rest. She was only able to halfway understand what he was telling her due to the medication she was on at the moment. Rose could still feel Hawke's hands on her arms some and faintly hearing his voice trying to get her to settle down and get some rest, but she wasn't able to settle down any.

"Rose, please you need to settle down. You need your rest in order to recover," Hawke says quietly. Rose only caught bits and pieces of what Hawke was still trying to tell her, but just being able to hear his voice some helped sooth her, but she was still restless. "Hawke," Rose mumbles, "why? Why did.... you leave... me in the.... dark? You could....of.... told me..." Rose drifted back into a fitful sleep again.

* * *

JustinB

Lieutenant Jarrynn was the first person JustinB saw as he walked into the Life-station. "Hi JustinB, I guess you are here to see Rose?"she asked. "Hi there! Yes I am. Can I just pop in and see her for a few microns?"

"Well, I would say yes, but Hawke is here at the moment. He is waiting for her to come too, so he can explain that he was undercover. I tell you what. You promise not to cause a seen you can see Rose. Other warriors have just about started a few fights with Hawke recently. So do we have a deal?" After a few microns JustinB replied, "Deal."

JustinB made his way over to Rose. He saw Hawke sitting next to her. Stopping directly behind Hawke he said, "So you're the infamous Hawke?" Standing up Hawke replied, "Yeh, who wants know?" Offering his hand, "I'm Lieutenant JustinB, Black Squadron. Nice to meet you finally Hawke. I have heard much about you." Hawke met his hand and shook it.

"So how do you know about me, may I ask?" asked Hawke curiously. "That young lady there," JustinB motioned, "since she has been lonely recently. Rose and I have become good friends. She talked about you alot." "Well a friend of Rose, is a friend of mine."

JustinB wondered whether he should tell Hawke, that it was his decision why Rose is in the Life Station. Being a person of the truth he told Hawke about what happened and his reson for letting Rose to continue. Expecting to be decked, JustinB braced for it.

"She would of continued anyway, even if you ordered her not too you know," Hawk said unexpectedly, "I know you wouldn't of put her in danger and ..." but Hawke was cutoff by Rose's mumbling as she was trying to come too.

* * *

Hawke

I was just about to reply to JustinB when Rose started to awaken. I looked at her and I took her hand in mine and knelt down by her and mumbled "I'm right here sweetheart. I'm not going anywhere." "Why..Why didn't you tell me?" she said sleepily. "Honey, I couldn't tell anyone. That was the whole reason for me going undercover. Try to get some rest please. Holodoc tells me you were pretty beat up when you came in.. For me,please? Get some rest? I'll fill you in on everything later,ok?" I said. "Promise?" she asked. "You bet. I love you." I said. All she could do is nod.
Turning back to JustinB I looked him over a bit wearily wondering what he had on his mind. "Can we talk for a bit?" I asked him. "Sure,want to go grab a mug of grog in the O Club?" he asked. "No, I don't want to go that far. I want to be around incase she wakes up again. Follow me." I gestured to him and went out into the hall. We get out there and I ask him "I need to know two things. Number one.. How did she get like that? And number two..How close are you two?" I asked.

* * *

JustinB

As Hawke asked for me to step outside, I had a feeling what he was going to say, I was right. "I need to know two things. Number one.. How did she get like that? And number two..How close are you two?" Hawke asked.

"Towards the end of the firefight, Rose saw someone sneaking up on us. As she warned me she fired upon the person. But as she did so, she exposed herself enough to present herself as a target. Before I could warn her to get back into some cover she was hit in the chest. I was going to send her with Lieutenant RaycerX to the life station, when she asked me let her keep going. She said that she needed to be there when and if you were apprehended. She was momentarily crushed when she saw you with the Noman and the conspirators. Reluctantly I agreed. I made the wrong call. I let her continue because she asked too. In hindsight, I wish I did send her straight away. But she needed to see that you were OK, no matter what her condition was."

Hawke seemed to be taking it in or so I thought anyway.

"And for how close we two are. Most of the warriors on board the Callisto, don't want to know her because of what they think of you. She helped me out once while guarding the bridge. I decided to get to know her better. We have talked, swapped stories and even a few laughs at times when she has needed to. Hawke, she loves you, probably more than you will ever know. As for Rose and me, I consider her to be a good close friend. I only wish I could have taken those laser hits instead of her. I would not do anything to ruin her happiness. So you got nothing to fear from me. If you don't believe, take me out here and now. Rose needs you man. Please say Hi and that I am sorry when she comes to. I'm going to the O'Club."

With that I turned around and walked away.

* * *

Hawke

"JustinB,wait!" I said. But he was gone. "Frack!" I mumbled to myself. I was grateful for what he did. I yawned to myself realizing that I was getting more tired by the centon. But I needed to tell Rose what was going on. I headed back into the Life Station. I sat down in the chair next to Rose's bed and looked at her for awhile. She seemed to have been calmed a bit from what I told her. She was sleeping more peacefully now. Once in awhile she was still mumbling something. But all in all she was calmer. I started to reflect on my last assignment.Hitting Brie...Yeah, THAT was fun..I would never admit that I enjoyed it to the Major. Generally I hate people hitting women for ANY reason, even if they do hit you first. But it was all part of the job. She took away my first command at the Froder mission for hitting a viper tech I didn't recognize that was repairing my ship..When Major Brie came down with a CSC officer and confronted me, I started a fight with the oficer and I wasn't looking where I was hitting and I hit Brie instead of the officer...Then blowing the Cylon observation sattilites out of the sky was DEFINITELY fun..Even though it was strictly going against orders. And that's what got me into the CSC…

* * *

Rose

Rose drifted back off to sleep at Hawke's suggestion. She would find out the answers to her questions when she was able to stay awake longer than a few centons at a time. In the short time that she was awake this time Rose thought she saw JustinB, but wasn't sure. While she was trying to get some much needed sleep, Rose started dreaming again.

30 centons later.......

Rose begins to stir from her sleep some. She begins to kick at her covers again and mumbles, "Hawke? Hawke where are you? I need you Hawke."

* * *

Najinn

Najin hung his Viper under the great mass of the Callisto. He was keeping pace and being dragged along by the great ships own inertia.

He had been out for hours, he was running low on fuel, but he was a wash with emotions that seemed to command his every thought.

Would his Viper be pulled under the massive engines and destroyed, did he actually want to live without Amy. There wasn't any point in going on. After all he had been through in his life so far, to lose his lifes love was unbearable. He had never felt about anyone else the way he felt about Amy. If the only way he could be with her was to kill himself then may be....

* * *

Jarrynn

Jarrynn realized that Najinn was gone. She heard from a tech that he took off. So Jarrynn went running for her sister. She hoped Kris would go get him!
She found her with the punching bag.
"Najinn." she gasped.
"what about him?"
"Najinn gone... viper. Najinn..."
Kris snapped to that one and took off running! She turned back around at Jarrynn.
"Go get Amy get her to the landing bay! And tell Lt Colonel what I am doing, though I may regret this later!" And she took off. Jarrynn prayed Kris would find Najinn.
She went to the bridge and found the Lt Colonel.
"Excuse me sir!" He looked down and so did Commander Sheba.
"Yes Lt Jarrynn?"
"Lt Najinn is gone sir, and I told my sister about that and she took off to go get him!" Not wasting any time Jarrynn took off again to find Amy. She found her and grabbed her arm and took off for the landing bay. Along the way Jarrynn filled her in on what Kris was doing cuz Jarrynn asked her to go get him.

[LucianG]

MedievalSong

Lt kris was in the middle of taking her emotions out on the duffle bag in the corner. Jarrynn came running up and out of breath. She looked scared.
*************
"Najinn!" she gasped.
"What about him?"
"Still out ..(gasp) viper. Najinn..." That's all that was needed to get my attention. I took off running for the locker room. I yelled back at her,
"Get Amy to the landing bay and tell Lt Colonel Charybdis I am head out to drag him in one way or another!" Jarrynn nodded and ran again. I threw on my uniform and ran to my viper. I told the tech it was an emergancy and that soon the Lt Colonel would know about it and I launched. I headed back to where we were not to long ago. I had to find him! Amy was alive! and someone had to tell him. I did make sure though that I had the tow cable just in case. The Lords only knew what kind of condition I would find him in if at all. I hoped that in the mean time that Jarrynn would tell the Lt Colonel in time or Najinn and I would both be toast. My radar chirped and I could tell it was a viper.
(please be najinn) I whispered. I came up along side and looked over. It was Najinn!!
"Hey there buddy! Have you seen a battlestar around here? I think we could both use it to go home! Whatdya say Najinn?"
"Leave me alone Lt. My life is over." I could tell this was not going to be fun.
"Najinn why would you say your life is over?"
"She's gone...."
"Najinn snap out of it buddy! Amy is alive! I will say it again AMY IS ALIVE! Now come on! We gotta go back or you will never see her again! And I don't know about you but I really don't wanna be stuck out here forever."
"She's dead! The funeral...she's dead!"
"Lt Najinn! I will take you back one way or another but she is alive. Why do you think I would lie to you?"
"Because you want me back on the ship." (good answer but the wrong one)
"Najinn, please! Yes I want you back on the ship but not to the point of telling you a lie! Amy is alive in fact Jarrynn will have her there in the landing bay for you to see! But please trust me? I would not be doing this if it wasn't true. Come on lets go home. And if it makes you feel any better, if I am lying you can put me in the brig. Hows that? Now you can go in on your own or I can tow your tail back. Don't think I won't cuz I did with Major Lucian. So what's it to be?"
"Ok I will go back but if she is dead still I will put you in the brig then leave again." I giggled.
"Sure thing Najinn."
We headed in. I prayed that Jarrynn had Amy there waiting for us. We got close enough I hailed the ship. I almost dreaded hearing I was in trouble.
"Lt Kris to Callisto, two coming in. I have Lt Najinn with me."
We landed and sure enough there was Amy. Najinn looked like he was seeing a ghost. He walked slowly to Amy and touched her arms like she was a vapor or something.
"You really are alive!" He hugged her. I had a feeling I was gonna be faceing the music so I smiled and headed out.
"Welcome back Najinn, you too Amy."
Now to face the wrath that waited for me.

* * *

Charybdis

Jarrynn rushed onto the bridge at almost a full sprint. "Colonel, Commander!" she yelled.

As we turned she began talking in short sentences trying to get a hold of her breath, "Kris, she's gone... gettting Najinn back...Amy needs to get to landing bay..."

I looked over at Sheba. I could tell she was not happy. "What the frack is going on with this ship? Our own people want to kill us and now they want to kill themselves?!"

I ordered Lt. Aegina to keep tabs on the two ships on the monitor. I knew what Kris was trying to do-- crazy idea-- but it just might work to get Najinn back aboard. We all knew that he was distraught about Amy, and Brie for that matter, but now that it was over and it was revealed that it was all an elaborate ruse, he must be told. Silently, I wished Kris the best of luck.

The two ships slowly began moving out from under the Callisto and made their way into landing formation. She had done it!! She was bringing him back in.

Deep down, I knew that they were going to have Amy appear at the landing bay. The last time I had seen her was in my quarters. She and Brie had hidden in there for the time that they were "dead." Unfortunately, with things so busy and Brie there, I never got a chance to spend some time with Amy alone. She seemed nervous and extremely bored during the time she was in there. But at least now she could come out and begin living again. Maybe...

* * *

Nefeteri

As Charybdis glowered down at Nefeteri she got the distinct impression perhaps she should just go back to Maj. Brie without getting the information she was sent for. She could see that the Bridge was quiet in expectation of her next blunder. That was not going to happen.
"Lt. Col. Charybdis, I was sent to you from Maj. Brie to find out about the water systems." She began backing off. "Perhaps I'll tell her you were too busy to answer and will answer in person yourself."
Charybdis glowered but there was a smile behind the look. He could not break now. He had her terrified.
"That would be a good idea, Ensign," he barely got out. He wanted to chuckle but that would mean breaking his sterness.
"Yes sir and again I apologize for pulling you off balance earlier. It won't happen again. I will report back to Brie now. Thank you sir."
Teri swung around and ran into a messenger who had a load of papers in his hands and arms. They went flying everywhere. The groan of Charybdis behind her meant for her to either keep on going or help the poor man out that she just ran in to. She decided to at least be helpful.
"oh...I'm sorry. Let me help you pick these up."
"Go!" The now familiar voice of Charybdis boomed. Commander Sheba had to laugh. "Don't be so hard on her," she suggested. "You have her terrified of you enough."
Charybdis turned and looked at Sheba. That was when Sheba noticed the special glow in his eyes.
"Hmmmm...perhaps you protest too much," Sheba said.
Charybdis spoke not a word as he watched Nefeteri hurry out the bridge door in search of Maj. Brie.

* * *

Brie

Coming back from the dead had been more enjoyable than Brie had imagined. For the first time in a long time she felt truly appreciated. But the news about Najin struck a strange chord with her. Amy went off to see him. Brie realized that there were some things that she had to do as well. She wanted to see Hawke, but that could wait until morning. Brie had overheard that Rose had been injured, she knew that he would probably be with her. Brie sent a message to the Med Lab, asking Hawke to report to her in the morning and also offering assistance. Rumor had it that Rose didn't realize that Hawke had been undercover, maybe seeing Brie alive would help.

Walking about freely for the first time in days, without thinking Brie found herself at the site of the explosion. It didn't matter to her that some of her things had been destroyed. Her safe was still intact, and all that she really cared about was in there. She was glad that she had already given Mara her sealing gown. Even though she had known about the bomb and it had been set to explode upwards, it amazed Brie that she and Amy had both walked away alive. She had received a few bruises, a couple of minor scratches and a fairly long cut on her right palm that had required stitches from Doc Bkj. She was glad, being left-handed, that she had opened the locker with her right hand.

Why? Why had this happened? What was wrong with the human race? This was the second time in the past few sectars that she could have died, not because of the Cylons but because of other humans. Truth be told, she was upset with Commander Sheba. This whole plan had been in the works for a long time, but Brie didn't find until right before the explosion. Did the Commander not trust her? Didn't she have the right to know that she was being set up as bait? Had she known she would have agreed, that part didn't bother her, but there were so many things that could have gone wrong.

But nothing had gone wrong. Everything would soon be back to normal, whatever "normal" was.

* * *

"Brie." She recognized the voice before she turned. It was Captain Lazant. His tone was filled with relief. "Somehow I knew you'd make your way here. I'm so happy to see you're..." His voice trailed off. He waited a moment, then took a step forward and hugged her.

"I'm sorry, Lazant," Brie said softly. "I wanted to tell you, but the commander wanted as few people as possible to know."

"Where have you been hiding?" he asked.

"Amy and I have both been in Lt. Colonel Charybdis' quarters," Brie answered.

Captain Lazant knew full well the history between Charybdis and Amy. "That must have been...uncomfortable."

"I sometimes got the feeling that I was in the way," Brie replied honestly, "but Charybdis and I have known each other for a long time. The worst part was not being able to do anything. You know me, I hate sitting around doing nothing."

"Did you see the memorial service?" Lazant asked. It had been transmitted throughout the ship.

"Yes," Brie said. "That's probably one of the strangest things I've ever experienced. Of course now I know who my friends really are." She smiled at him.

Lazant smiled as well. "I'm just glad that I didn't loose one of the few friends that I have around here."

* * *

Nefeteri

Teri ran as fast as she could to Maj. Bries quarters. She had one mission and that had failed horribly. Brie grabbed her as she almost fell into the Major.
"What in the name of the Lords is the matter?" she questioned.
"I totally blew it! The first assignment you give me and now Lt. Col. Charybdis hates me."
"What happened?" Brie in a more pleasant sound than the one Teri had left from began an all out cry.
"He didn't hear me and I pulled him off the bridge by accident."
"You did what?" Brie laughed at the spectacle that must have been. "I guess he wasn't too happy."
"That was not the least of it. I was coming back to you and I knocked papers out of a poor mans arms." Teri cried. "I'm useless. Please launch me out of the bay with no viper. It's the best way to go for me. Commander Sheba even saw. I useless! What to do?"

[LucianG]

Brie

Captain Lazant cleared his throat. It was obvious that Teri hadn't seen him, and Brie was trying so hard to listen to the poor ensign that she had forgotten that he was there as well. Not knowing if Lazant knew the names of every new recruit, she decided to introduce them. "Captain Lazant," Brie said, "this is Ensign Teri. She's new to Gold Squadron. Teri, Captain Lazant."

The two of them shook hands, Teri's face as red as her hair. "I'm sorry, Sir, I didn't see you there."

"I have to leave anyway," Lazant said, grinning. "Nice meeting you. Major, it's good to have you back." He winked, which was totally out of character for him.

As Lazant walked away Brie turned her attention back towards Teri. The poor girl was obviously upset, but the thought of Charybdis falling off the bridge was too funny. "Don't worry about Charybdis," she said with great difficulty because she was biting her lip at the same time. I'm sure he'll find the humor in it after a while."

"And then I show up here and interupt you and your boyfriend..."

"My what?" Brie was a bit stunned. "Oh, no, he's not my boyfriend. Lazant and I are just friends, that's all." Teri turned red again. "Just so you know, and this is nothing to be embarrassed about because nobody knows about it until I tell them, I'm married, and my husband is MIA."

"Oh," was all that Teri had to say.

"Have you been assigned a bunk yet?" Brie asked, trying to cheer her up. Teri shook her head. "Okay, let's take care of that first. Then you can tell me what you found out about the water problem."

Together, they found a bunk and a locker for Teri. She wasn't feeling much better, but Brie knew that things would eventually work themselves out. Charybdis falling of the bridge! Brie wondered if one of the video cameras caught it on tape

* * *

Nefeteri

Brie was so great to Teri. Teri was acting like a cry baby yet Brie made it seem like nothing had happened.
"Okay," Brie stated. "What did you find out about the water system?"
Teri looked like tears were going to brim over again. "That's just it. He didn't hear me so that is when I tugged at Charybdis' uniform and he fell off the bridge. I quickly told him what you wanted but he never answered. He just sent me to Maj. Joey and then back to you. I attempted to ask the question about the water systems twice but he failed to respond."
"Hmmm...this is going to take definite action. I'll go with you this time for the answer I needed. He can't not respond to you with me there."
"Do I have to," Teri looked miserable. "If you are there then he can just answer you."
"That is not the way I do business. Either he answers one of my squad or I'll take it up with Sheba. I think she'll understand. Let's go."

***********************

Eveyone Charybdis looked at smiled at him unusually polite. If he ever caught that little redhead in just one moment between them he was going to spank her. No, that wasn't officerly mannered. He just would have to grin and bear it. A familiar voice brought him back to the bridge.

* * *

MedievalSong

I headed back from the landing bay where I left Amy and Najinn. Atleast I knew I wasn't going to end up in the brig because of my promise to Najinn, but there was still Commander Sheba and Lt Colonel Charybdis. I had just passed the medlab when Jarrynn came running out and hugged me.
"You brought him back!" she was smiling. I almost felt sorry for her since I knew that Amy and Najinn were in the landing bay together.
"Yeah I brought him back. But I am sure to never hear the end of it though. Jarrynn about Najinn..."
"I know. I don't need to be reminded. I am just glad he's back. I just want him to be happy that's all."
"Did you tell Major what I did?"
"Nope figured he would hear about it." I scowled at Jarrynn.
"If I get sent in the brig I am dragging your carcass with me!" I snapped as I headed to the bridge to face the music. I paused outside the door again. I saw the same red head from earlier bumping into a guy and papers flying everywhere! Then she made a dash out the door. I saw Commander Sheba and Lt Colonel Charybdis laughing. Seeing my friend again made me think of poor Jarrynn. I knew what she was going thru. Still hearing Sheba's laughter snapped my mind again. I hoped that if they were in a good mood maybe my punishment wouldn't be so tough. Maybe they will just put me in the brig for 3 cycles instead of a full sentence. (Time to take my lumps) I thought. I walked in and stood at attention before them. I had vowed I wasn't going to regret going out to get a fellow warrior, even if he was from the gold squadron, but now I was wondering if that was a smart move on my part. (next time no more vows unless you know you aren't gonna be in trouble)
"Commander Sheba Lt Colonel Charybdis, Lt Kris reporting in ... (for whatever punishment I am to serve come on Kris don't falter be a warrior yeah right I am scared to death right now come what may someone is alive cuz you took a chance a stupid crazy one but hey oops yea back to them)... and willing to take responsibility for my reckless abandon."
(there I said it! uhm ok so silent. geez yell at me tell me I am horrible example of a warrior just don't be silent! Oh someone say something!)

* * *

Lucian

"Lieutenant, we keep a few Vipers prepped for jump activities...fortunately. If not, you'd be dead. Without the C.O.R.A. equipped Viper, you'd have been lost in hyperspace forever. I applaud what you did, bringing another Warrior back, but I'm ordering you to think next time. I want you and all of our Warriors to remain alive," said Sheba.

"I'm ready to take whatever punishment..."

"Lieutenant Kris, you are a Warrior, so of course you are; however, the idea is to never have to punish our Warriors. Sometimes... In this case, I do have something in mind that I've approved. Lieutenant BatGal will brief you on the details. This is additional duty, from 7 to 9 each cycle, until we arrive in the Axcian system, so your duty period will extend by two centars to 11:00. Get plenty of sleep in the remaining six centars each day, Lieutenant. I suspect you'll need it. Dismissed."

* * *

JustinB

After the Turbo wash and putting on a fresh uniform, JustinB found a quiet corner to fill out his report.
************

To: Major Lucian
Commanding Officer Black Squadron

cc: Lieutenant BatGal
Acting Commanding Officer Black Squadron

Once asked to find five Black Squadron officer, I secured the service of Lieutenants Rose, Anubis, Kris, Nylah and RaycerX. We then proceeded to the quarters of Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis in Heavy Assault gear. Onced briefed we followed the Lieutenant Colonel to a compartment next to II-Theta 8. Upon entering the compartment, a firefight ensued.

We entered the compartment in pairs and stayed so for the entire firefight. Early on, Lieutenant RaycerX took a glancing blow to the leg. As we proceeded, Lieutenant Kris fired upon and killed one of the conspirators and killed him instantly. Lieutenant Nylah verified this after he firefight ceased.

As we made our way down the corridor, Lieutenant Rose took a direct hit in the chest. I tried to get her to seek medical aid but she refused, saying she could go on. After more intense fighting, we finally cornered one of the conspirators. He then threw a laser pistol set to overload toward us, but was disabled by Lieutenant Anubis. The Lieutenant then grabbed the conspirator only to release him when he heard the sound of a laser bole. He tried to pull his prisoner down, but it was to late.

When ordered to find where the laser bole come from, we eventually found the Noman it came from. The Noman was struggling with a Security Officer at the time of our arrival. The Noman then died when killed by the Officer and a laser bole still in his grasp exploded.

The actions of all the Black Squadron Officers are to be commended. They all performed above and beyond the call of duty.

As for Lieutenant Rose and her injuries, she was immediately taken to the life station for treatment. My decision not to seek immediate medical attention was flawed. I accept full responsibility for my decision and will accept the consequences of my decision.

I recommend that during the next training period, Assault drills be conducted.
I would like to recommend all the Black Squadron Officers for a commendation for their Courage and Valour.

Lieutenant JustinB
Black Squadron
***************

Once written, he made his way to the Black Squadron Office. As he was about to enter, Lieutenant BatGal exited. "Lieutenant, I hear you had some more excitement after the firefight. What can I do for you?" she asked. "It was nothing, really. I have here, the Post Action Report." he replied. "Thanks, I will read it and make sure Major Lucian does as well. Make sure you relax now and that's an order!!" she said.

With that he came to attention and saluted, "Yes Ma'am." With that he started to make his way to the O'Club. After a few steps he stopped. He turned around and walked in the opposite direction, 'I must pay Rose a visit first' he thought to himself.

* * *

Nefeteri

Brie stood a tad below Charybdis with her arms crossed staring straight up at him on the bridge.
"I understand you did not answer one of my squad." Maj. Brie was brusque.
"I most certainly did," Charybdis responded in the same tone. "Who said I didn't?"
Teri stepped from behind Brie. "It was me, sir. You sent me to and fro but never answered the question about the water situation. I needed that answer so that I might report back to Major Brie."
"On no, it's you," he moaned.
Sheba was behind him trying not to laugh.

[LucianG]

Charybdis

I could see that I had two very obstinate Warriors in my midst. They seemed to want an answer, so I gave them one...

"The fact is, Major and Ensign, that it's not in our hands anymore. The science techs are working on the problem. And I thought that you had gotten word, Major Brie, that we wanted Gold squadron to cordon off the area around the incident earlier this cycle? What happened? Didn't you get the report?" I was getting a bit testy by now.

Imagine, a Major (and Brie at that!) questioning ME about not answering a Ensign!

"Well?" I asked wanting an answer to MY question.

* * *

Charybdis

Brie was already in conversation with Sheba so it was up to the fiesty Ensign to answer the question.
"Evidently not, sir" Teri answered, "or she would have not sent me on a errand that needed no answer."
Teri could see the Lt. Col. was getting heated under his collar but just because of his rank was not going to scare her anymore.
"Now sir, we have the correct commands from the correct source it seems, we'll get on it." Teri spoke loud and clear. No more tugging this officer from the bridge unless he deserved it.
"Major Brie, we have our commands. Perhap Lt. Col. Charybdis forgot to send them to us in the hustle. It is corrected," Teri spoke outloud where the entire bridge could hear. Teri swung around and was out the door before Charybdis could respond to the impertinent ensign.
"BRIE!" he screeched her name.
"Sir?" Brie smiled sweetly and headed for the door. "She'll learn proper respect but in this case...perhaps her speech was due." Brie was out the door before Charybdis could say anymore.

* * *

Lucian

Sergeant Winnie checked Selgin’s locker while Lieutenant Proteus was going over Gosshen’s. “Lieutenant, please come look at this,” she said. Proteus looked at the dimpled sole of a boot. There was a brown stain embedded over a small portion of the flat portion of the sole between the dimples. Proteus produced an evidence bag and held it open while Winnie scrapped a sample of the brown material into it.” Proteus labeled it, then handed it to Winnie for safekeeping until they could get to the Science Lab. Proteus went back to Selgin’s locker and continued his search.

A couple of centons later, Winnie produced a small plastic bag of a granular grayish white substance. Holding it up with a tweezer, she said, “Unless I miss my guess, this is some powerful brain rot. Those damned brain crystals. I just hope there’s no more of this junk on our ship.”

“Know what you mean,” said Proteus, making a small discovery of his own. In one of Gosshen’s pockets, he found a small evidence bag that was a twin to the one they’d used a few centons before. It was empty…or at least, he thought so at first. On closer inspection, he noticed a single hair. The entire bag was placed into another evidence bag, which Proteus labeled and placed in the evidence pouch in the crime scene kit.

In the base of Gosshen’s locker, below a stack of neatly folded clothes, there was a small electronic scanner device. Proteus set it on a nearby bench, and activated it. As they had suspected, a number briefly flashed on the screen as the machine cleared its internal memory and prepared itself for use. Winnie quickly wrote down the number she’d observed, and Proteus, in an attempt to confirm it, repeated the number aloud from memory, trying hard not to forget it. Their viewing had been so brief that they agreed that it wasn’t too surprising that they were different in the fifth number place. Just in case, Winnie wrote down Proteus’ number as well.

A search of Skarran’s locker turned up nothing unusual. They were interrupted several times by Security Officers coming into the barracks. Lieutenant Skon, Winnie’s superior officer and a close friend of the late Selgin came into the room in a huff.

“What are you doing? It’s bad enough that everyone finds out they were brainwashed by a criminal mastermind with those brain crystals, but now you defile their memory some more? Stop this felgercarb now, or I’m going to Captain Urdea to complain!” said Skon.

“Go ahead, Lieutenant,” replied Proteus, “but be prepared for lots of questions about your relationship with Selgin and the others. Captain Urdea appears convinced that you weren’t involved, so he’s instructed us to let it end with these three unless we find hard evidence that anyone else was involved. Personally, I think you’re in it up to the top of your pointy little head, but I follow orders, so I guess it will stop right here at these three lockers. Let me tell you this, Lieutenant, everyone says you guys were closer than flies on bovine dung, so if you raise a stink, be prepared for a roll in the felgercarb. Doc BKJ just finished the autopsy on Selgin. There was no evidence of drug use, so don’t give me that garbage about them being brainwashed. They knew good and well what they were trying to do, and I think you did, too. You make any more noise about it and I’ll be happy to arrange a three secton stay in the Brig as a ‘detox study’ for you. Another word, Lieutenant?”

Skon stared daggers at Proteus, but shook his head and said, “No. Sir.”

“Dismissed, Lieutenant.”

As Skon started to go, Proteus added, “Oh, and Lieutenant, don’t forget, I’ll be watching you like a hooter watching a fieldmouse. If you even think about screwing up…”

A short time later, after finding nothing else, they finally closed the lockers and headed to the Science Lab.

* * *

In the Science Lab, Solon was glad for a few centars doing something beside working with that Cylon database. Fallel, the Frodarian Outlander who had been rescued from the Cylon base on Frodar Epsilon Alpha, was continuing to make progress on it, even without Solon’s help, so he didn’t feel bad about taking a few centars to run some tests on the samples the Security Officers had brought to him. He knew from his discussion first with Captain Urdea, and then, surprisingly with the Colonel, that it must be hot. They didn’t give him any clue as to what or whom the stuff belonged, most likely in an attempt to keep his efforts completely unbiased. Bah! He was a scientist. They should know that at 80 yahrens of age that he would never be biased…without a darned good reason!

Sitting down at the station, he propped the gold-knobbed cane in its usual place. First, he thought, we’ll see what we have on that boot…

* * *

Nurse Holodoc was assisting the C&B (Chemical and Biohazard) Team with the sampling, using the equipment in the Med Lab. The engineers had succeeded in isolating the majority of the poisoned water, and Holodoc’s tests had shown that most of the supply was still potable. A portion of the supply would be dumped in planetary orbit as soon as a new supply could be found. In the meantime, a small amount of water was being saved by mixing it with a chemical neutralizing agent and diluting heavily with the uncontaminated supply. Unfortunately, the chemicals, like just about everything else, was in short supply.

* * *

“Captain, I owe you an apology,” said Captain Urdea to Captain Jorlan in the Brig. “Tests conducted on evidence that belonged to a couple of the Security Officers involved in the recently smashed plot show that there is a good chance that they killed Magistrate Yvarran. Magistrate Yvarran’s dried blood was found on a boot and one of your hairs was found in an evidence bag in one of the lockers. They even had a door code scanner that a couple of my officers watched come on before it auto-cleared. Based on a security check I ran, it appeared to have the current code to your quarters as the last code determined, although we weren’t sure since it couldn’t be recalled after the system cleared. Based on this new evidence, the drugs that were found, and your statements, the charges against you are hereby dropped and you are released. Your record will be cleared. You are free to go, Captain, with my sincere apology.”

Captain Jorlan said, “Our people are trying to acclimate themselves to this ship, these people, and this major lifestyle change, despite the problems we face from some quarters. That some evil men could do this is wrong. What were they trying to do? Split our peoples apart so they could use the Gastonovians to help take over the ship?”

“Driving a wedge between us appears correct, Captain. Fortunately, cooler heads on both sides helped keep the situation from getting out of hand before it got to the boiling point. Hopefully, one of these cycles soon, our peoples will stop thinking of themselves as two peoples. Everyone will remember that we are one, and that our enemies should be out there, in the reaches of space, not in here among ourselves. Go Captain, you are free.”

Jorlan shook Urdea’s hand as he left, the bitterness that had been building in his mind now melting away. He was met by two of his fellow Warriors, both formerly of Frodar Epsilon.

“Captain, we must go. Captain Buellah said he would wait for you. We are electing the Squadron Leader today, and you have been nominated,” said the Warrior. “If all of our people vote together, we can elect you over the Colonial!”

* * *

A couple of centars later, Major Buellah was meeting with Commander Sheba and Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis in her ready room just off the bridge. He had figured that the election would be close, but had been very surprised when Jorlan threw his support to Buellah and had encouraged all of his fellow Warriors to support the current commander of Silver Spar Squadron for another term. After that, his reelection had been easy. He had named Lieutenant Darnoe, his long-time second-in-command for consideration for promotion to Captain, and had named Captain Jorlan as Darnoe’s backup.

Now, the bridge officers were conducting a brief review of his record, after having approved his nomination of Darnoe as Captain. Sheba and Buellah had been friends for many yahrens, so it was all really a formality. Charybdis didn’t know Buellah all that well, although he did like and respect the man who had served as the Tribune in his tribunal some sectars ago. Charybdis and Solon, his Protector for the proceeding, had studied Buellah’s record closely at the time, but had found nothing that made them think he was anything other than a brave, conscientious, and wise Warrior. All Charybdis could say regarding the record was that he was due for his annual eye exam. It appeared from the record that he’d actually missed the last one, and that it had been rescheduled—for right after over half of Silver Spar Squadron had ‘temporarily’ transferred to the Callisto.

“I’m sorry Colonel. In all of the confusion when we came aboard, my appointment aboard the Galactica was about the last thing on my mind. I’ll check with Nurse Jarrynn tomorrow,” Buellah said.

“Keep up the good work, Major,” said Commander Sheba, who turned to other matters. Charybdis shook his hand on the way out and said, “Congratulations, Major.”

[LucianG]

Late in the cycle, as Lieutenant Nat was preparing to find Lieutenant Kris, Captain Lazant stopped by the SIM training room to check on the progress of the cadets. The Callisto was scheduled to end the jump in a little over two sectons, and Commander Sheba was asking for a report on the number of new ensigns that might graduate by that time.

“We’ve got several who are close, Sir, but we need to push them harder if they are going to be ready. Lieutenant Anubis is a great help, but he has other duties and can only be here about half a shift each cycle. If I could get more some help, Sir, we could add a couple more sessions each cycle. There’s no one assigned to the Callisto Branch of the Training Academy who has the time right now. Could we get some help from one of the Squadrons?” asked Resonat.

“I suspect that could be arranged,” said Lazant. “Let me see what I can do.”

* * *

A short time later, Lieutenant BatGal, who’d just come from seeing Lucian in the Med Lab, posted a note to the Black Squadron order board. Lieutenant Kris checked in a little later, saying, “Lieutenant, reporting as requested, Ma’am. Commander Sheba said you’d be dishing out my sentence, too.”

“Hi Kris, have a seat. Yeah, I get to be the bad guy now, but I don’t think it will be quite as bad as you’re imagining. You’re not going to believe this, but Captain Lazant has put in a special request for your assistance, and Commander Sheba has endorsed it with the warning that “this is punishment, so treat it like that.” It seems that a certain young Training Lieutenant needs some help…”

* * *

A lone man walked down a corridor aboard the ship, unassuming and unremarkable. He was cordial with those he passed, but did nothing to attract undue attention to himself. He was thinking happily about the recent activities aboard the Callisto, and how he hoped that things were back to normal. To think that someone could try to take control of the Callisto was, in his mind, a travesty and an affront. If anyone ever decided to take control of the Callisto, it wasn’t going to be some two-bit ‘terrorist’ organization! No, if anyone ever decided to take over, it would be him and The Organization. After all, how easy it had been to eliminate the Noman and his gang, and frame them for the murder of the Frodarian Magistrate. Yes, it was indeed, a quite happy cycle, thought Number One, the head of The Organization aboard the Battlestar Callisto.

* * *

MedievalSong

"It seems that a certain training Liuetenant needs assistance..."
My mind raced...NAT! Oh what cruel and bittersweet punishment this was to be! To be so close to the one that holds my heart yet to be denied the ability to be casusual with him. Yet I did bring this upon myself. I wondered if they knew about my almost altercation with Hawke in the medlab. Lt BatGal's voice brought me back to the here and now of the situation.
"Lt Kris did you hear a word I said?" I blinked at her as she asked then my eyes got wide and I realized I had retreated to my mind again.
"Yes ma'am! Permission to speak though." She nodded. "BatGal I really don't intend to be trouble lately. I am not sure what has come over me. I do not wish to bring the squad down. I am sorry. When do I report?"
"In six centars. So I suggest you go get some sleep soon. You will need it. And again this is a punishment." BatGal then smiled. I nodded.
"I understand. Thanks."

I headed out. I headed to the training room. I hoped to catch Nat and warn him that I was being punished. But even as a punishment, to be with him, to help him like I did before. Maybe just being able to talk to him would help me calm down.

* * *

Amy

I was relieved to see Najinn safely back on the flight deck of the Callisto. It felt good to be close to him, but there wasn’t much chance of being able to talk. The crowd around him squeezed me out, and I slipped away unnoticed. I wasn't even sure what to say had I been given the chance anyway.

I left the flight deck wondering if my black widow touch would ever leave me. Once again someone was driven to do something crazy because of me. I had that effect on people, especially with Najinn. It seemed that our relationship was one of extremes. This latest thing was a bit beyond my control, seeing that I needed to play dead for a short while, but I got a peek at how deep Najinn’s feelings ran from my view from beyond the grave. That he would become so despondent and risk throwing away his own life was scary to me. And what would his actions do to the status of the upcoming mission?

I walked along, thoughts turning to Charybdis. What to do about that, I had no idea. It seemed to me that both he and Najinn were better off without me, but for some reason neither of them could see it. I was bad news, I knew that. The things I cause Najinn to do, and the way I’ve acted since Charybdis’s return from death, it surprises me to learn such things about myself when I thought I knew myself pretty well. Maybe things would have been better off if the Noman had succeeded in his blood hunt of me.

Was it really over? I couldn’t really believe that any of it was really true, that someone wanted me dead. The evidence was all there, but it was all so incredible. And to have Brie and I fake our deaths to lure a bunch of lunatics out into the open, well, it made me wonder if we were a race worth saving. We were a dysfunctional lot at best, but I guess that’s a part of what makes us who we are. No wonder the cold, calculating Cylons can’t stand us. Half of us can’t stand us either, it seems! I just hoped we could move forward as one united people, now that the Noman was gone. The jump would end soon and we had a supply shortage to tend to among other things.

Not much to do at the moment though, but move back to Gold barracks, I guess. So much for living in what passed for plush living space around here. I’d miss rooming with Brie. I wondered how much of my gear survived the blast. Fortunately I didn’t unpack all that much when I moved in. Most of it was still in my duffle bag of the floor of the locker. Here’s hoping it made it in one piece! I walked down the corridor, feeling a tiny bit better knowing that I no longer needed an armed escort.

As I walked I pressed a hand to my ear. I could faintly hear a whine in it, probably from the explosion. Between the bomb in the locker, and that laser bole explosion that nearly killed me a while back, I guess my ears had taken a beating lately. I didn’t think much of it really. It wasn’t worth mentioning. I figured it would go away given time.

The O-club might be jumping by now. Maybe I’d head over there and see what’s up.

* * *

Nefeteri

Amy was back and Teri was glad; however, when she caught the Lt. Col. in her arms at her own doing on the bridge something in her heart strung. She wasn't instantly in love with the man but she certainly felt something. She knew Amy was back and needed to know where things stood between them before she made any moves. Of course, that great pulling him from the bridge wasn't in her favor. She would just have to see.
"Why do I get myself into these things," she begged herself with a swish of her long red hair. Others she noticed kept theirs in buns but she saw nothing in the reg's about not keeping it down. She headed behind Brie to cord off the area which Charybdis had ordered. She would meet more of the gold squadron there. Still there was something that lingered in her mind about Charybdis.