CHAPTER 13—PURSUING THE FLEET

[LucianG]

LucianG

Commander Sheba said, “Colonel, it is good to have you back on the bridge…finally. Yes, we need to talk, but first, secure the ship for the jump. We must exit this system before any more Base-Stars arrive. Battling two was bad enough. Damage control and repair parties are active all over the ship. Get a briefing from Major CureMode after we enter the jump. Then, you’ll have to tell me about your…adventure,” Lowering her voice so only Charybdis could hear, she continued, “The Frodarians are making a big sacrifice for us, but don’t let anyone fool you. We don’t have the capability to evacuate them all and they knew it. They’re saving their own people and us by sacrificing themselves, and after what I’ve heard from Captain Jorlan, I believe that they may be right in their belief that they can hold the Cylons off for a long time. Whatever they do, they’ll probably make the Cylons pay a very high price.”

She went to her ready room and continued to review the supply situation. If they didn't find the Galactica and the fleet soon, the situation would get worse before it got better.

* * *

On arriving in the Science Office, Solon plopped himself into his rolling chair, pointed to a clear counter, and said, “Put it there, and tell me what you know about this little monster.”

Fallel, wearing a borrowed but now soiled one piece coverall and shoes, carefully placed the box on the counter. He started to speak, rearranging the cables as he did, but Solon, who had been watching him closely, interrupted, saying, “DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING! Knowing these darned Cylons, they could have put a self-destruct mechanism inside it.”

“Not unless recently they did it,” Fallel said. “On this drive before have I worked. One of their main backup storage drives it was, with much much information. Access it I can, and perhaps, our fight it will help, agreed?”

“If we can access it, we’ll figure it out,” said Solon. “First, let’s get some of the other computer oriented Science Officers in here, you guys work out the way of hooking it up so a stand-alone computer can read it, and then, I’ll be able to read it.” He buzzed a couple of the other Science Officers, who came in almost immediately, and, rising from the chair while grasping his cane, he said, “Folks, it’s been a long cycle for me. I’m off to bed. Give me a call when it’s hooked up and working, and I’ll come running.” He stamped his gold-headed cane to show the running part was a joke, and he turned to leave. As he exited the door to the lab, he turned and said, “Oh, Fallel, these jokers are Agripas and Bowe. Guys, get him a clean set of clothes…and some shoes that fit.”

Fallel smiled at the elderly Science Officer, then began to talk with Agripas and Bowe about the problem at hand.

* * *

Major Lucian was running up with his laser pistol drawn as Randrius cut the wires. The timer stopped with but a micron showing, and everyone nearby breathed a sigh of relief. He shook hands with both Randrius and Skyler on the job well done, and after making a quick stop in the Landing Bay Control Office to verify that the Techs knew what to do with the captured Raider, he went by the Black Squadron Office. On hearing that the Callisto was about to enter the jump, he went to the board and posted a note that there would be a Squadron briefing at 01:30 First Shift, the following cycle. He sat down, reviewed Ensign JustinB’s file, and then began working out the upcoming assignments. As tired as he was, he knew it was going to be a long time before bed.

* * *

Charybdis

I still didn't know everything that had happened, but it seems like we did alright. One basestar had been destroyed but the other two were still after us.

We had managed to get as many people off the planet as possible, but over time, I think all those who stayed down there were doomed.

I began issuing orders for all sections of the battlestar to report in with status. All sections were to prepare for immediate jump.

Squadron leaders were to have all personnel on standby until we enter the jump. Once safely away, we could all get some much needed rest.

I still couldn't wait until we got back to the fleet. But we'd have to be sure that we lost those cylons. The last thing we needed was to have them show up right on the fleet's back door.

It wasn't over yet.

* * *

LucianG

"...very concerned about the new additions to our complement and the ever dwindling quantity of supplies. Since we were able to destroy the first Base-Star and at least temporarily drive away the other, we hope that a quick jump followed by a series of other jumps will allow us to loose the Cylons so we can safely rejoin the fleet; however, if necessary, I am prepared to locate alternate sources of supplies, even if this means a longer separation from the fleet...."

"...and because of this, I have ordered our production staff to begin production of some of the more complicated but vitally needed replacement parts for our Vipers. It will take some time to produce new Vipers, but we must have a way of replacing our recent losses...."

"...also have increasing concern about the tension between members of the Colonial Warrior Corps and Fleet Security. Due to Captain Urdea's recent efforts, and the realization by many of the Security Officers, as a result of the attack on the Med Lab, that Lieutenant Amy was indeed telling the truth about the recent explosion that killed Officer Adrian, a popular young Security Officer. This investigation is proceeding on several fronts, and hopefully will weed out any bad redfruits very quickly...."

"... and am still puzzled by the failure of the investigation to locate any of the poison that killed him. Doc said it appeared to be a very potent natural poison since it did not show any of the signs that we traditionally associate with a manufactured chemical poison, but it is completely different that anything she's ever seen before. If the monsterous person who is in control of this stuff uses it again, it could set off a real panic aboard the Callisto...."

A short time later, she completed her notes, and returned to the bridge, just as Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis reported, "Commander, we are approaching the jump point in...five centons. All systems are positive and go for jump."

"Go for jump," she replied, "then we'll talk, Colonel."

* * *

Charybdis

The order was given. "All hands prepare and secure for jump."

There were a few people who scrambled, but overall, it went smooth and orderly. The slight engine whine could be heard but the technology built into the Callisto made the effort hardly noticeable.

We were off and in hyperspace again!

I immediately went to the Commander's ready room to have my talk with Sheba. It was long overdue. She invited me in and shut the door behind us. As we sat down, we dealt with some of the small talk, but she was concerned about my time spent missing. She had been filled in to some degree, but was unsure of how I had been left in the viper for more than 4 centares.

"Charybdis, the main thing is that you are alright. You do feel OK?" she asked.

"Yes, Commander, I'm alright. A little confused when they got me out of there, but no problems. I think I've caught up with everything that has happened, except..." my voice trailed off.

Sheba noticed. Her brow furrowed. "Charybdis, what's wrong?"

I had been unsure of what to tell her, but I figured if anyone ought to know, it would be Sheba. "Well, Commander, I don't know how to say this, but it has been on my mind a lot lately. I don't really know what happened to me when I landed but I feel as if...as if I wasn't here anymore. Like I went through some portal and came out somewhere that was filled with light and ... goodness." I looked at her for a reaction. It was a hard concept to explain. But I tried my best. I couldn't shake it and I needed to tell someone. I thought that she would recommend me for psychiatric care!

But lo and behold, she got a very strange look in her eye and began to stare off into space for a centon or so. She turned back to me and said, "It's not everyday that someone experiences being in the presence of goodness and light." It hit her like ton of duridium. Those words. She had just spoken almost the same words that Commander Adama had spoken to her, Apollo and Starbuck 23 yahrens before! When Count Iblis appeared and the beings of light! The custodians of the universe. She looked at me with an incredulous eye.

"Charybdis, what did they tell you?" she asked. I began to get a little nervous. I mean, after all, I had only been struggling with a strange feeling, but here was Sheba herself asking me these things as if she knew, as if she knew.

"I think..that they said they are protecting us and watching us. That we are to survive and populate the universe with humanity. And that we are destined to evolve and become like them over time." There. I had said it, it came in with a rush, but it was a feeling of peace. I looked at Sheba and I knew too. She had been there once. They had spoken to her too.

"Commander, what has happened to me? to us?" I asked, unsure of what her answer would be.

"I think we are being given a clear message, Charybdis. They're telling us not to give up. And they are leading us to where we need to be...to survive."

We both sat there for another centon taking it all in. Not that we both really understood it. We had had contact from the most incredible beings we had ever encountered. Yet, there were only a handful of us who could really talk about it. I was glad that Sheba understood me. I realized now what had happened and that I was going to be just fine.

It appeared that all of us were in good hands.

[LucianG]

Hawke14

Rose and I were in the maintenence closet when she says to me "You've brought out feelings in me for you that I haven't felt for someone in quite a long time." Then she started kissing me along my jaw and finally found my lips. "Uh,Rose.." I said. "Shut up and kiss me." She said. "Rose I only have a half centar dinner break. I need to go down to Alpha bay to guard the Froderans.. We can't get into this nommmmmmmmmmmmm." As she plants a big kiss on my lips..Hoo boy... Nobody has brought out these kind of feelings in me for quite awhile either! I slide my arm around her and give her a great big hug. "We better get out of here before we get caught.." I told Rose. I open the closet door and get out. Rose follows me. I try to straighten my uniform. I notice that my hair is messed up. Just then Commander Sheba comes by. "Ten-Hut!" I say. We both snap to attention and salute. The commander salutes back and says "What's going on here?" Rose and I both look at each other and start giggling. "What's so funny Officer?" I blush a bit. "Nothing Ma'am." "You both are acting like a couple of school children! I will not allow that on my battlestar! What you do on your own time is your own business. But when it interferes with this ship's functions,that is another matter entirely. This will be your one and only warning. Is that understood?" "Yes Ma'am!" We both say in unison. "Hawke,report to Alpha bay for Froderan guard duty." "But Ma'am I'm on dinner break." I manage to spit out. "Your dinner break is resinded. Report to Alpha bay." I say to Rose,"I'll see you tonight." I leave. "And you Ensign Rose? Is it? Don't you have somewhere you have to be?" the commander said.

* * *

BSGRose

Rose looks down for a moment and then back up. "Yes ma'am," Rose replys. Then I suggest you get to where it is you need to be, Cmdr Sheba says. Rose salutes and heads out.

As she was walking along, Rose thought to herself that she couldn't believe that she and Hawke had been caught by of all people the Commander. Rose hoped that she hadn't ruined things with Hawke any. She so wanted things to work out for the two of them. Rose began to wonder if she could catch up to Hawke in hopes to maybe make it up to him a little. She didn't want him to get into any trouble because of her. Rose began running then in hopes of being able to catch up to Hawke.

* * *

LucianG

He’d felt the faint tremble sometime before. Ordinarily, he paid little attention to the start of a new jump, but it was another of those sleepless sleep cycles, so he’d been waiting for it to signal the transition from one major danger, the Cylons, to another, themselves.


For a couple of yahrens after he’d crashed, he’d had terrible nightmares and even one “daymare” that had seemed all too real, but after that, they had subsided and the typical cycle-to-cycle stress was the only thing that seemed to disturb his regular sleep pattern, and that was only occasionally. The stress was building steadily now, as he considered the internal danger in his own ranks that he had to eliminate. He’d already assured Commander Sheba that there would be no more incidents, and he’d seen that a new level of cooperation was beginning to develop between his officers and the Colonial Warrior Corps. Tonight, he’d already heard a rumor via Whitcher that there had been a new threat, but the details were quite sketchy, and no names of the threatening persons had been available.

On his monitor, he pulled up a secret copy of the Callisto’s Fleet Security command chart, and began to study it again.

Captain Urdea, M, chief of Fleet Security aboard the Battlestar Callisto
Sergeant Whitcher, M, chief aide to Captain Urdea, and head of Security Office
Lieutenant Proteus, M, Second in Command of Fleet Security, Battlestar Callisto
Sergeant Atropas, F, Lieutenant Proteus’ aide

Group Leaders & their Squad Sergeants:

Lieutenant Arsta, F
Sergeant Cepheas, M
7 Officers
Sergeant Virgil, M
6 Officers

Lieutenant Berwyn, M
Sergeant Electra, F
8 Officers
Sergeant Thyrm, M
6 Officers

Lieutenant Geneive, F
Sergeant Portunus, M
7 Officers
Sergeant Wollase, M
7 Officers

Lieutenant Lawton, M
Sergeant Almack, M
8 Officers
Sergeant Naggis, M
7 Officers

Lieutenant Selgin, M
Sergeant Hipollyta, F
6 Officers
Sergeant Medea, F
8 Officers

Lieutenant Skon, M
Sergeant Osirus, M
7 Officers
Sergeant Winculas, F
6 Officers

Lieutenant Wheran, M
Sergeant Leucia, F
8 Officers
Sergeant Rastefar, M
7 Officers

Of the officers and sergeants, he had complete confidence that he could trust only Whitcher, Proteus, and Leucia. There were a number of others that he was learning to trust, but there were also several that he didn’t trust as far as he could boot them with his bad leg. He made a couple of new notations in the file, hoping that his current investigation would soon reveal the persons responsible for the death of Officer Adrian and the attacks on Lieutenants Amy and Najinn. He already had a couple of suspects that he’d questioned informally. Thinking about it, he pulled Lieutenant Skon’s file and started reading.

A short time and three files later, his door chimed. He checked his viewer, closed the file, and said, “Enter.”

Lieutenant Skon entered and said, “Captain, I need to talk to you about that new guy, Officer Hawke, that you assigned to my group. He’s in Sergeant Winni’s squad….”

“Yes Lieutenant, I’m well aware of Mr. Hawke,” Urdea replied. “Go on.”

“Well, Sir, I was talking with him, and to judge his reaction, I suggested that if he wanted, someone could kill Captain Brie. He was serious as heart failure when he said he wanted it done! I kept playing along, but he never let up, and when I mentioned it again a little later, he still wanted to do it! He may be nuts, Captain, and I’m concerned about the safety of not only Captain Brie but also of my group members. Winni’s pretty strong, but he’s big enough and well trained enough he could probably kill her if he gets as mad at her as he is at Captain Brie.”

“Sergeant Winculas is well trained, Lieutenant, and she should at least be able to get away in such circumstances. He’s your man, Lieutenant. What do you plan to do about it?” asked Urdea.

“He’s a former Colonial Warrior, sir. Before I did anything, I just wanted to make sure he wouldn’t be getting any special treatment, Sir,” said Skon.

“Absolutely none. He’s one of us now, and we deal with our own.”

“Then I’ll see that he doesn’t cause trouble, Sir,” said Skon as he saluted and exited.

Urdea stood in place for almost a full centon, thinking about new complications.

* * *

BSGRose

Rose had not been able to catch up to Hawke earlier before he had to start his duty shift. For most of the time he was on duty, Rose didn't know what to do while waiting on Hawke's shift to end so that they could enjoy each others company. Part of the time, Rose spent in the lounge area just sitting and thinking about things, and then she also spent time down in the O'Club.

While she was at the O'Club, Rose smiled to herself as she had an idea on how she could spend some more time with Hawke and this time in private without being interrupted.

Rose headed out of the O'Club towards MedLab so that she could talk to Holodoc for a few moments. Rose reached MedLab and see's that Holodoc was over at her desk working on a couple things, so she heads over to talk to her.

After talking with Holodoc for a few centons, Rose was able to get an all clear from her so that she could borrow Holodoc's quarters for the evening since Holodoc wouldn't be there for the next couple of cycles at least.

Rose quickly walks to Holodoc's quarters and goes inside using the keycard that Holodoc had loaned her for the evening. Rose goes over to the desk there in Holodoc's quarters and quickly writes out a message to Hawke.

******************************
Message states:
Hawke,

I tried to catch up with you earlier before you had to start your duty shift of guarding the new arrivals onboard the Callisto, but didn't get to you in time. I have been wondering about during the time you have been on duty. I've talked with Holodoc and she has been kind enough to let me borrow her quarters for a little while. Please come so that we can spend some time together.

love,

Rose
**********************************

Rose then placed the note inside an envelope with the keycard and seals the envelope. Rose then called for a messanger to deliver the message to Hawke. When the messanger arrived, Rose asked the person to see to it that Hawke got the message and she let the messanger know that Hawke was down in the Landing Bay on guard duty.

Now it was just a matter of waiting for Hawke to arrive, so that they could spend some time together.

* * *

Hawke14

I'm on guard duty with Sergent Winculas in Alpha bay. 5 centons until my duty shift ends. It's been boring so far. I've made small talk with Winni throughout the entire shift. She seems uncomfortable with me but I blow it off.
A messenger comes and hands me a message. I open it and read that Rose wants to see me in Holodoc's quarters as soon as I get off duty. Enclosed is a keycard. Oh really,now... Hmmm...

Winni tries to peek over my shoulder as I'm reading it. "A message from your girlfriend,huh?" she says.. I quickly turn around and say "C'mon. Knock it off.. It's private..." I say. She makes some school kid comment I don't hear.
I look at my watch. 1 centon to go. The messenger is still standing there. "Oh, could you do me a HUGE favor and pick up a bottle of Ambrosia and have it delivered to the Security Officer's quarters?" I asked. "Yes sir."he says as I tip him 50 cubits. "Go ahead and take off,Hawke. The next shift is coming right now." Winni says.

I take off at a run. I get to the security officer's quarters and turbowash, put some of the anti-burn salve on my face,change into civilian clothes.I hastily make out my duty shift report. I also come up with the bottle of Ambrosia.

I take the keycard and the message from Rose and proceed to Holodoc's quarters. I have to stop and ask for directions seeing i still don't know my way around that well.
I arrive at Holodoc's quarters thinking that this is some kind of trap and regret not bringing my sidearm. I knock and say "Rose, it's me Hawke.." "Come in." She says.
I take the keycard and open the door. It's dark. Just a couple of candles are lit. "Rose?" I asked.

[LucianG]

BSGRose

"I'm over here Hawke," Rose says as she stands up. Rose had been sitting on the couch waiting for Hawke to arrive and was glad that he had finally arrived. She was going to make the most of this evening.

Rose slowly walks towards Hawke so that he could take in all of her and the outfit that she was currently wearing. Rose could see portions of Hawke's face in the candle light and see's that he likes what he see's.

"Hawke," Rose whispers, "It's about time you arrived. I have been waiting for what seems like forever for you get get off duty." Rose then reaches up and wraps her arms around Hawke's neck pulling him closer to her. "Kiss me Hawke," Rose says and claims his lips with her own.

Several centons pass by before Rose and Hawke break the kiss to catch their breath some. "I wasn't expecting that kind of a welcome," Hawke says. Rose smiles, giggles a little and responds, "I couldn't help myself. I hope that you don't mind my choice of welcome."

Rose reaches for Hawke's hand and leads him over to the couch. Once they were standing next to the couch, Rose pushes Hawke down so that he will be sitting on the couch now. Rose stands there for a moment or two longer and slowly undoes the tie to the wrapper of her outfit. Rose then joins Hawke on the couch. Each move Rose makes her wrapper flutters open some revealing much to Hawke's eyes. Rose notices that Hawke keeps wetting his lips with each move that Rose made. Once she was seated on the couch next to Hawke, Rose leans over and begins to plant small kisses along Hawke's jaw.
Hawke14

When Rose opened the wrapper of the outfit she was wearing and revealed so much more my eyes just about popped out of my head. I smiled. "You like?" She said. "Definitely..." I managed to get out.
___________________________________________________________

After a night neither one of us will ever forget, I wake up with Rose nuzzled next to me. She must have felt me jar awake, because as I was getting up Rose asks sleepily "Where are you going?" I look up at the cronometer and it was almost 08:00 hours. "I think we should get out of here. Holodoc will be coming off duty prety soon."I manage to yawn out. Rose turns to me and says "She won't be coming back for at least another cycle. C'mon back to bed." She pats the bed where I was sleeping. "Nahh.. I wanna go down to the Mess Hall and grab something to eat. Wanna come with?" "Ok." Rose says.
We both dress and turbowash.

We go down to the mess hall. Skon is nearby talking to his buddies. We both hear him telling his buddies: "Oh yeah. It was great! I got Hawke eating right out of my hand. I told him that I could have Brie killed for him and he fell for it!" Rose looks at me and slaps me across the face. "You bastard! I will be taking this to the commander!" And stalks away.

* * *

BSGRose

Rose hurriedly left the Mess Hall without staying to eat or give Hawke a chance to explain. She runs down the corridor aways and stops. Rose then leans up against the wall and slides down to where she was now sitting on the floor. She hugs her legs close to her and begins crying.

Rose hadn't realized that Hawke had followed her until she felt his hand on her shoulder and she looks over at him with tears still coming down her face. "Rose," Hawke says, "please let me explain." Rose shakes her head in replies, "No! Leave me alone!" She trys to get up and leave, but Hawke holds her in place. "Rose please!," Hawke pleads, "I beg you. Please let me explain."

"Hawke how could you?," Rose begins, "how could you say or do what Skon was saying about wanting Capt Brie dead? Hawke, I thought we had something special between the two of us. Especially after last night. Hawke, I opened up to you and told you things that I had never told anyone before about my past. I trusted you Hawke! How can I be expected to trust you again after what just happened there in the Mess Hall?"

Rose couldn't look over at Hawke any longer, so she curled up there against the wall and starts crying even more. Hawke reaches over and tries to pull Rose into his arms, but when he does, Rose starts trying to get away again.

* * *

Hawke14

"Rose,wait. Please?" I said to her as she got back up to leave. "Why? Why should I let you explain? You hurt me! Deeply! And what makes you think I won't tell Brie or the Commander?" "Because a part of you wants to hear what I've got to say." I said. "Ok,then let's hear it..." Rose said to me testily. "Not here. Let's go back to somewhere more private." "Oh,and where is that?" "Where we just came from. Holodoc's quarters." "And why there?" Rose asked me,clearly getting impatient. "Because there we won't have any interruptions." I said weakly. She looks at me for a couple of microns and finally says "Ok..Under one condition..." "What's that?" I say to her. "I'll tell you that when I hear what you have to say." She told me.

We walk down to Holodoc's quarters in silence. When we get there we go in and I ask Rose to sit on the bed. I sigh and tell her "I know you've been wondering why I was transferred from Gold Squadron to security. Right?" She nods. "Well basically I got into a fight with another security officer and Brie was involved. I thought I was hitting the security officer and instead..." "It was Brie.." Rose finished. I nodded. "So" I started, "I was transferred to security by Brie and Sheba for one yarhen." "But why do you want her dead?" she asked. "That one I can't answer,but you have to trust me on this one. And i ask you PLEASE don't tell anyone about Skon.. I'll handle him myself,ok?" She eyed me. "Ok." And she gives me a hug and a kiss. I hug and kiss her back.

* * *

BSGRose

Rose & Hawke continued to hug one another for a little while longer. When they pull apart, Hawke asks, "Rose, you mentioned a condition earlier. You want to tell me what the condition is that you have?" Rose looked down at her hands momentarily before answering Hawke's question. "Hawke," Rose says as she looks up at him, "my condition is that I want you learn to control your temper some. I know that everyone has a temper to some extent, but you seem to lose control of your temper from what you have told me. Maybe if you left and went to work out in the weight room when you feel as though you are about to loose your temper it might help. If that doesn't help then come find me and I will do what I can to try and help you get your temper back under control. Your temper has already gotten you into trouble once and I don't want your temper to be the cause of you either ending up in the Brig or worse yet, dead." Rose grows quiet to give what she has just said to Hawke sink in some. She didn't want to lose him now that she had just found him. Hawke has already become very special to her in just a short about of time.

* * *

Hawke14

The weight room? I didn't even know that this tub had one. Might not be too bad of an idea. "Yea,I guess so. As a matter of fact, I think I'm gonna try it out." I said. "Can I come with?" Rose asked. "Sure if you want. I gotta goto the SOQ to get a gym uniform." "Ok. In the mean time I'll hgo get my suit and meet you there." She said. "Ok. See you there." I gave her a kiss and left.

* * *

BSGRose

Rose headed out of Holodoc's quarters to go to the barracks for the female Black Squadron Warriors so that she could change into her workout clothes and be able to meet up with Hawke in the weight room.

After making a couple of wrong turns and having to do a little back tracking, Rose finally reaches the barracks. She goes inside and over to her bunk to get her workout clothes. Rose then goes over to the changing area so that she could change into her workout clothes. Once she had changed, Rose then goes back over to her bunk to leave her uniform there until she got back.

Rose then heads out of the barracks to go to the weight room to workout some with Hawke. After a little searching she finally finds the weight room and goes inside. Rose doesn't see Hawke when she starts looking around the room for him. She decides to go on over to one of the weight machines and get it set up so that she could begin some of her workout while she was waiting on Hawke to show up. Rose sets the desired weight on the machine, then sits down and lays back to begin lifting the weights.

* * *

Hawke14

I went to change in the SOQ. After I was done,I headed to the weight room after asking a few people where it was. I walk in and I immediately spotted Rose working out on a bench press machine. I walked over and said "Hi,gorgeous.." She stops and looks at me. "Hi there,hot stuff." she says. I spot a speed bag and start my workout. I start slow and gradually speed up. I get it so fast that I don't notice people starting to gather around. I hear murmuring behind me. I hit it very hard one more time and turn around and yell "WHAT?" One of the spectators says "I've never seen anyone go that fast on a speedbag and then hit it so hard they rip it out of the frame!" "Huh?" I said as I look where the speedbag was. I look down on the floor and the bag itself was lying there spinning. "Damn." I murmurred. "Ok. Show's over. Go back to your workouts." I pick up the speedbag and re-attatch it best as I can. I go over to the weight bench where Rose is and I watch her do a few presses. "8,9,10." she counts off. I tell her "I can do that." "Oh yea? Let's see." I get down and do 10 repititions. "Ok,try twice that amount." Rose said. "You first." I said with a smile. Her face drops. "Ok,I guess. You'll spot me?" "Of course." We proceed to double the amount. She lays down on the bench and murmurs "Ok,here goes nothing." She manmages 3 repititions. I lay down and bang out 10. One of the more muscular warriors comes forward and asks "May I use the machine?" I say "Sure." He puts on twice the weight that's on there. He bangs out 20 repititions. The weights are bending on the bar.He gets up and says "Let's see you bench THAT! That's almost 550." I go ahead and bang out the 20 plus 5 more. His face drops. "Nobody's benched that much in that many repititions before." I look at him out of breath. "Well, I just did." He walks away. "Wow. I had no idea that you were that strong." Rose says. "Well, Now you do." I said.

* * *

BSGRose

Rose smiles to herself a little at Hawke's response to what she had just said. She looks across the room some and spots a leg press machine and has an idea. "Alright hot shot," Rose says, "come with me. Lets see if you can handle the leg press machine." Rose reaches for Hawke's hand and leads him over to the leg press machine there in the weight room.

Once they reached the leg press machine, Rose lets go of Hawke's hand and begins to place some weight on each side of the bar of the leg press machine. After getting the weight amount she wanted on the bar, Rose then sits and lays back to begin her leg presses. Rose then knocks out 20 reps of the 650 lbs of weight on the leg press machine. After finishing up her reps, Rose gets up and says, "try toping that hot shot!"

[LucianG]

Hawke14

"Ummmm no." I said with conviction. "Why not,chicken?" Rose says. "No I'm not chicken. But everyone knows that Sagitarians are naturally stronger than Capricans because of the gravity being denser. And I won't do that." Her face sank. "Awwww." She says. "And here I thought you were going to be a man about it and lose gracefully." She gets a big smile on her face. "Ok, I got an idea. You can redeem yourself. How about we meet on the Triad court and see who's the best? A little one on one? 50 point limit?" I think it over. "You're on." I said. "And how about we make it interesting? Say 500 cubits to the winner?" "It's a little steep,but I accept." I say gingerly.

* * *

Holodoc2000

Holodoc was staying busy with all of the paperwork that needed doing & her rounds of checking up on all the patients that were there in MedLab. She hoped that things would go well for Rose & Hawke. Holodoc thought that they would make a good couple.

Holodoc noticed that Jarrynn was feeling rather down & thought that it might have something to do with Najinn. Holodoc got up from her desk & goes over to talk to Jarrynn to see if she could help any.

"Jarrynn?," Holodoc says as she places her hand on Jarrynn's shoulder, "are you all right?" Jarrynn looks up at Holodoc with a sad look on her face as though she was about to cry. When she saw the look on Jarrynn's face, Holodoc quickly pulled a chair up & sat down next to Jarrynn & pulled her into her arms. "Jarrynn," Holodoc quietly says, "things will be all right in time. Do you want to tell me what is bothering you?"

Jarrynn felt comforted by having Holodoc there with her and knew that she could trust Holodoc with anything that was bothering her. "Holodoc," Jarrynn says while looking down at her arm, "I feel as though I am invisible to some people. I know that his heart belongs to someone else, but after the recent events I had hoped that things might change some. Things haven't changed at all though. I am still invisible to him."

Holodoc just sat there listening to Jarrynn & being there for her friend. She knew that Jarrynn needed to let it out & she was going to be there for her friend & help her through this time. "Jarrynn," Holodoc says, "I wish I knew what to tell you to make you feel better & take the pain you are feeling away. Some men are just blind when it comes to seeing what is right in front of them, especially when it comes to someone as special as you."

Holodoc was still sitting with Jarrynn some comforting her & helping her while she needed it when one of the new Ensigns comes into MedLab. The new Ensign walks over to where Holodoc & Jarrynn where sitting.

"Can I help you Ensign," Holodoc asks? "Yes ma'am. I am JustinB & I am here for my physical for flight statis." Holodoc looks over at Jarrynn & says, "I'll take care of the physical. You just relax some." Jarrynn nods in response & says, "thanks Holodoc, for everything."

Holodoc stands & shows JustinB over to one of the exam area's to start his physical.

* * *

Najinn

Najinn lay in the bed, still very weak from his ordeal. He had the strength to converse but he was easily tired.

Jarrynn was sat by his bed as she had since his awakening.

He had noticed that she had gone over talk to Holodoc, but she had returned soon after to his bedside.

"Jarrynn, I need to say, I want to say thank you for everything you've done for me. You have saved me. I am eternally grateful for your help and kindness."

"Jarrynn," Najinn smiled,"I know how you feel."

Jarrynn suddenly got very uncomfortable.

"I want you to know I care for you, I like your friendship I care about it. When Amy touched my soul I know that she really loves Charybdis. I think that my feelings for her are unrequieted and that pain is deep and hurtful. To be honest I don't know what is happening in my life."

"I know my heart Jarrynn, I have loved Amy, and whether that is enough to mean something I don't know. I doubt it."

"It isn't fair for me to cheat you or kid you, that is not me. I wouldn't do that to you."

"Look, I care for you as a friend, and to be honest that's as much as I can give anyone at the moment. I have to get things sorted with Amy once and for all. So that I can move on with my life and she can move on with hers."

"I do not expect anyone to wait on that, its wrong and its cruel. I know my feelings will change over time as feelings always do, but to what I don't know, no-one knows."

"I don't want to hurt you the way she has hurt me, but I don't want to decieve you. I care to much for our friendship to do that."

"I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me, a fool perhaps."

Jarrynn at first didn't know what to say....

* * *

JustinB

Very nervously JustinB made his way to the exam area. All his life he had wanted to become a Viper Pilot and from now on, there was no turning back. Holodoc could see that the new Ensign was nervous, so she tried to reassure the young warrior. “Just relax Ensign, I have done this many times”

JustinB smiled at Holodoc and said ”Thanks ma’am, I am not one to be nervous, it is just that I cannot wait to gain Flight Status and prove to my Squadron my potential.”

Holodoc asks, “What squadron have you been assigned to?” With pride JustinB replies, “The best squadron in the galaxy, BLACK SQUADRON.”

“We better get your physical done then, shouldn’t we?” Holodoc asked seeing the Ensign‘s enthusiasm. “Yes ma’am” JustinB replied. “Then lets get started, as I have other warriors needing my attention.”

* * *

Amy81

After my brief talk with Jarryn in medlab, I walked in the general direction of Brie's quarters, but I was in no hurry to get there. I had a lot on my mind, and for some reason Jarryn was at the head of the list.

When I had talked to her, I could tell that she was hiding a secret pain. Everywhere I looked, people were in pain, either from something I caused or just due to this horrible flight from the Cylons. With so much pain to endure, why did we even bother?

I never felt any of this during my life on the Agro ship. It was there, I knew that now, but it was never as keen as it is here on the Callisto. Here we try to lead something of a normal life but that could never be possible. Not while we are continually hunted.

Maybe I wasn't cut out for this, but who is? I had to try and make it work. I sure wouldn't find the answers in a half-dozen Ambrosias. My friend Brie knew that and stopped me before I went too far.

I passed by the observation deck, walked in and spun around, leaving immediately when I saw two black shirts checking out the view. The view during a jump was amazing, and I never grew tired of it. But I wasn't going to invite trouble by wandering up to a couple of security guys.

I kept walking, and remembered that observation dome that Najinn had showed me so long ago. Could I even find it? I wonder what the view looked like from there! I had to try and find it. I wandered the halls, trying to remember where he had led me, and after a bit I stumbled onto the right deck, and the largely unused stairwell leading to the unused section. A moment of caution swept over me at venturing alone, but it passed and up I went.

I climbed the stairs, turned the wheel on the hatch and pushed it upward. Yes! This was it! I climbed inside and let the lid slam down. There were lots of controls, and it took a while to find the right one. With my heart pounding with excitement I pressed the button and quickly sat back to take in the view as it unfolded.

My eyes grew wide as the outer skin of the dome peeled back, and I felt like I was riding on a swirling rainbow of color. Everywhere the twisting and turning colors of hyberspace spun around me, reflecting off every surface. It was almost too much and I began to feel a little dizzy. I held onto the sides of the seat, grinning from ear to ear like a fool.

Just when things look the worst, something seems to come along and lift up one's broken spirit. That's why we fight on through the pain, I thought. Because at the other end, the payoff is worth fighting for.

Only one tiny thing kept this moment from being perfect. It tugged and pulled from a corner of my mind until I gave it some attention. And when I did, my face twisted slightly, but only for a second. Yeah, it was true, but don't remind me. Not now. Sure, it would be better if I was sharing this with someone, but I'd deal with that later. I shook my head to snap the thought away, and lost myself in the swirling colors.

* * *

Holodoc2000

Holodoc went about giving JustinB his examination for his flight statis. She could tell that he was exicted about finally becoming a Warrior, but also a bit nervous as to what would be expected of him over the next few cycles. During the examination, Holodoc tried to use some humor to get JustinB to relax a little, but wasn't so sure she was pulling it off any.

After a few more centons pass by during the examination, Holodoc finally finishes up. "Alright JustinB," Holodoc says, "I am done with your examination. You are clear for flight statis. I will write up the report & see to it that Major Lucian gets a copy of it showing that you are cleared for flight statis."

* * *

Jarrynn

"I don't want to hurt you the way she has hurt me, but I don't want to decieve you. I care to much for our friendship to do that."
"I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me, a fool perhaps."
Jarrynn at first didn't know what to say....
------------------------------------------------------------

(Hurt me? he cares?) was all that was running thru her mind. Jarrynn sat in her chair and looked stunned at him. Dare she hope that she held a chance in Najinn's life? Could he really mean it that he cares for her? Dare she get her hopes up only to have them come crashing down around her again? Jarrynn blushed as she hung on his every word and her mind went back to that time at the dance party, she had fun talking to Najinn, but most of all she can still feel his arms around her in that hug. Jarrynn closed her eyes as the scenes from the planet surfaced again. Seeing him in that shape! Jarrynn lowered her head as the tears threatened to fall again. She felt Najinn stir and she felt him lift her chin up and look at him. Tears had slipped down as she stared at him. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared into his eyes. She looked away again.


"Jarrynn what is it? Please talk to me..." Jarrynn took a deep breath and sighed.
"Najinn, down on the planet when I saw you laying there bleeding, fear gripped me. I didn't know what to do but I knew that I was the one to be the one to do it. It tore at me to see you like that. I ... <pause> ... I wanted to be the one in that situation just to save you the pain. I didn't want to lose you. Even if all I can do is watch from a distance. It hurts me to see you get hurt. To hear you say you care for me it makes my heart .... but then to hear the words friends reminds me that I will never hold your heart. I have come to realize I never will no matter how much I want to. As for forgiving you, how can I if I don't think you did anything wrong? But yes I do forgive you if you must hear those words. I care for you Najinn, maybe more than I should be allowed. I have since that first trip of yours in here. I have said too much again and well, I guess I should just hush and let you get your sleep." Jarrynn lowered her head again in embarrassment. Embarrassment for saying what she did to Najinn. Angry at herself for letting her hopes climb again. She sat a little longer to see if he would say anything. She hoped he would.

[LucianG]

Najinn

"Jarrynn, don't be upset. I hear your words."

"I don't want to be dishonest. I want to respect your feelings. But I must tell you the truth so that we don't misunderstand each other."

"I care for you as a friend. Real friends are hard to come by in this life. Life is perhaps the most difficult thing in the universe to endure, and quite honestly friendship is an island of hope in that sea of uncertainty."

"My heart belongs to Amy, I know that. I have always known that. But that sure as hell dosen't mean that she loves me. Indeed right now I don't know what to think. I know that she is torn between her feelings for me and her feelings for Charybdis. The future is unknown, she may choose to be with one of us, or neither of us."

"If I lose her I know my heart will be beyond repair. I will lose a part of me. We have touched each others soul on a level I have never experienced before."

"But fate always has a cruel twist and the fact that she may decide to be with Charybdis, or even runaway from both of us is probably what is in store. The only thing I hold is hope. That hope is as weak as I am right now."

"I want to be honest Jarrynn, not to hurt you, but to be honest with."

"You have been honest with me, I respect you, I care about our friendship, I do care about you. You have sacrificed a lot for me. I don't know how I can ever give of myself that equals your kindness and humanity. You are a very special woman. You will always be a real friend, a true friend."

Najinn smiled at Jarrynn leaned over and took her hand. He then winced as he felt his wound, and rolled back over...

* * *

Jarrynn

Jarrynn listened as he talked to her again. Her heart sank as she heard him basically say that he could never love anyone other than Amy. Jarrynn closed her eyes to the words as if trying to keep them from hurting but they found their mark within her heart. Friends, seemed a word she was destined to hear from him. But her attention was brought back as she saw him in pain again. Jarrynn got up and administered the pain relief in his IV fluids. She sat back down with Najinn and took his hand in hers again.

"Najinn, you can't go around moving like that! You are going to hurt yourself again, and I can't give you anymore of my blood for a long time!" She tried to giggle to make light of the situation. She watched him slowly change from pain stricken to gradually getting sleepy again. Before he went to sleep, Jarrynn leaned in so he could hear her.
"Najinn, if you want me as your friend, then don't worry, I will be your friend. Never doubt that ok? I will always be here for you, Najinn. Always." He nodded slowly as his eyes closed and he slipped into a peaceful painless sleep. Jarrynn smoothed his hair as she sat there still holding his hand and watching him. As she saw his breathing regulate showing he was asleep she whispered to herself and to him.
"If the only way I can be in your life is to be your friend, then no matter how much it hurts I will be your friend. I wish you would let me in your heart, but I can't force you to see me in a way you never will. I will always be here for you Najinn, even if it hurts to see you hurt. Just like you can't get Amy out of your heart, you are in mine." With that she let him sleep and went about doing jobs but stayed close by Najinn to keep an eye on him.

* * *

LucianG

In a rarely used engine compartment in the depths of the Callisto, the man in the shadow activated a squelcher. A short time later, the first person wearing the black uniform of a Security Officer arrived. Within a couple of centons after that, two others had arrived. As each arrived, he hit a timer on his chrono, so that the centons started counting down from five. The large man said, “We are all for this meeting. I trust that none of you were followed.” He’d forced himself to leave out the “stupid enough to allow yourself to be” part of the sentence, but it took some effort. With these humans, one had to perform a delicate balancing act, being reasonably polite enough to keep them from becoming angry and irrational, but firm enough to make sure they weren’t being as stupid as they were capable of being. “I have already received the other report. There is nothing in it that concerns you at this time. Now, provide your reports, quickly. Where is the Callisto going, and how soon will we be catching up with the fleet?”

The first one replied, “This jump was calculated to take just a few cycles. I’d estimate five or six, but I couldn’t get an exact number from anyone. I’m pretty sure it won’t take us to the fleet because that could lead half of the Cylon fleet to them. We may have to jump another time or two before we catch up with the fleet.”

“There was some pretty serious damage,” reported the second, “but it’s being repaired. From what I heard, if the second Base-Star hadn’t hidden for a time, it could have really blasted us bad. We were lucky that we destroyed the first Base-Star, and that no more showed up. Commander Sheba’s given orders to do some retooling in the shops to produce some new parts for replacement Vipers, since we’re very low on some parts.”

The leader nodded and said, “I want a list of the parts that are low, but still in supply. Since we’re already out of some parts, we know they’ll be producing those, and in short order, we’ll have new Vipers, giving Sheba even more power. One of our underlings may be able to remove or damage some parts that aren’t being produced and slow or even stop the process.”

“We’ve only got three ‘underlings,’ as you call them, left. If you remember, we had to take out Adrian ourselves, Urdea’s lap-daggit Lieutenant Proteus killed Modo, and Lolly, the idiot, poisoned himself somehow. Our reduced number makes us a less effective force on this ship, and that cripple has succeeded in quieting much of the trouble we’d started,” said the second Black Shirt, his voice almost dripping with disgust. “I still say we need to do some very quiet recruiting, or we’ll never succeed.”

The leader’s hand slipped to the bole at his belt, and it was all he could do not to pull it off and cast it at the Black Shirt. “You,” he gritted, “may be right, but we must exercise extreme caution. You must seek out the candidates carefully, and be very sure of their motives and their goals.”

“Hey, I may have just the thing!” said the last Black Shirt. “It’s what I was going to report, and now you’ve given me an idea. That new guy, the former Warrior, Hawke, actually told someone that he wanted to have Captain Breezy taken out.

“Speak quietly, you idiot!” he spat. “The squelcher has its limitations. And speak with respect of the Captain,” he continued. “She is a formidable adversary, and one that you would best not overlook or underestimate. You would gain honor in her defeat, if that was what was needed, but if one did not plan carefully, the defeat would be one’s own and ultimately, ours. She has done nothing to us for now, so do nothing about her now.”

“But Sir, Lieutenant Amy’s living with her right now, so we could take both of them—”

“Nothing, I say…for now. Instead, find out more about this Hawke, but do not approach him, or allow him to learn anything of our existence.” Observing his chrono, he said, “Our time runs short. Go….”

They returned to their rounds, one at a time, without having been observed by anyone.

* * *

LucianG

Lucian had reported to the squadron office, after a quick shower and a meal. He’d completed the reports on the battle, and updated the list of squadron assignments, adding the newer members. He’d reviewed the files of all the squadron’s newer Lieutenants and Ensigns and found that they had one thing in common: very little practical ground-based fighting training. Because the need had been greatest to add Viper pilots, the small arms training had been condensed after the intensive conditioning training and weaponless fighting training had been completed. To make matters worse, Lazant had had to skimp on the ground-based tactics, which were significantly different than those in a Viper. Not that Lucian could blame him, though, since if the younger Warriors didn’t survive in a space battle, they’d never get the chance to fight on a planet.

First, he’d contacted Captain Hector, the head of the Callisto’s Colonial Infantry Company. Lucian had spoken with Hector on a number of occasions, but he’d never gotten to know him well, so he wasn’t sure what type of reaction he’d get. Hector was suppressing a series of yawns with only partial success. Lucian apologized for waking him, and after being excused, he’d presented his idea.

“I’d like to test them first,” said Lucian, “particularly on the obstacle course to check conditioning, and then go to small arms refresher training, weapons course, and tactics. Of course, it’s more detailed than this, and there may be other things you can suggest. All of this is in addition to their regular Viper training.”

To his surprise, Captain Hector was all for the idea, and said, “I’ve got several Sergeants who will jump at the opportunity to help with your training program. It’s not every day that they get to kick a little Colonial Warrior butt into shape.” He laughed, in a good-natured way, and said, “Really, they’re all good, but tough as nails guys, and they’ll be glad to help.” The two talked for a while, with Hector making a number of suggestions. Just send me the plan, and I’ll get you your drill Sergeants.”

After a little more discussion, including thanking Hector and agreeing to meet him for breakfast, Lucian refined the plan. He was proud of the job that the teams on Frodar Epsilon Alpha and on the planet in the Garrano system had done, so he decided to use their experience to help the younger squadron members after they’d run through the C.I. course.

On the Black Squadron Assignment Board, he posted the orders:

• Black Squadron Meeting, 01:50. All First Shift personnel are to attend. Lieutenants with previous assignments approved by Core Command are excused. Any personal reports on the battles in the Frodarian system that have not already been submitted are due by that time.

• There will be a memorial service at 02:00 today for Ensign Arianna of Gold Squadron, and for the seven members of Silver Spar who were killed in the battles. There will be a separate service for the Frodarians who were lost later in the cycle when it is arranged according to the survivors’ wishes. Any Black Squadron members who wish to attend, unless on critical assignments, are encouraged to attend. There may be several remembrances, so if you knew one of those killed and wish to speak, please keep it short.

• A mandatory advanced training course for Black Squadron Ensigns begins today at 02:75. All Black Squadron Ensigns are to report to Sergeant Brinfort at the Obstacle Course at that time. If there are any Black Squadron Lieutenants not on previous assignments who would like to be considered for the course, please report to me before the squadron meeting. We will work in as many as possible, although this is strictly first come, first served.

A number of other items followed, as always. Lucian sighed. Keeping a growing squadron operating efficiently was a tough job. There was always something that was happening, always something that needed to be done. Some of that would have to wait for the next few cycles, though, or be taken care of by Lieutenant BatGal or one of the other senior squadron members. In his review of the files, Lucian had been surprised to find that, due to his Viper Sim experience, even a portion of his ground-based training had been condensed. On the sign-up list for the advanced training, he placed his own name at the top of the list.

Then, he sent a note to Captain Brie, giving her an invitation to send any Gold Squadron Ensigns who might be interested in the course. He had started to contact her directly, but then realized how late it was. He took a quick shower, dressed, and then treaded quietly to his bunk in the barracks. If all went well, he could still get three centars of sleep. Hopefully, all would go well, for tomorrow would be another long cycle.

[LucianG]

Walksallroads

After the dinner with Holodoc, in which they discussed parts of their pasts, Anubis went to the Black Squadron Barraks, and read the messages. He then signed up for the course, always ready to keep his skills sharp. He has respect for the Infantry Warriors, as their job is much more difficult, and much more dangerous. They have to deal with the Cylons on planet-side, more often than not in hostile environments, where one mistake would lead to their deaths, and it's not always a quick one. It is wise to take every opportunity one can to improve oneself. He made note of the times for the funerary services, and planned to go to them.

* * *

Amy81

Being in the observation dome during the jump gave me a rush unlike anything I had ever experienced, but I knew that if I stayed away too long, Captain Brie would become concerned. So although I was by no means tired of the view of swirling and shifting colors, I sealed up the dome and climbed down.

After some moments of disorientation, I found my way back to familiar parts of the ship. I rang outside Brie's quarters, feeling like I shouldn't just walk in. They were Brie's quarters after all. After a moment the door slid open and I went in.

Brie was still at her desk. "How is he?" she asked. I had a blank look as I sat down in a chair opposite her. "Najinn" she reminded me.

"Oh" I replied. "I couldn't see him. They were running tests. I saw Jarrynn though. She said he was doing really good."

Brie took a closer look at me. My hair was kind of messed up, I could feel that now. My clothes looked a little ruffled too. "Where else were you?" She asked. "You were gone longer than I figured." I smoothed back my hair self-consciously. Brie reached over and pulled a clump of dust web from my shoulder. I must have picked it up on that tight stairwell to the dome.

"Nowhere" I shrugged. "Just sorting out some things. You know, just walking and thinking". I didn't want to tell her about the dome. Didn't want to spoil Najinn's secret place. It might end up being the only unspoiled thing we ever shared, and I didn't want to lose it.

"How's the jump stuff coming?" I asked. "I've still got time off-duty, thought we could hit the weight room or something, if you are caught up".

* * *

Charybdis

We were in the jump and with that, things settled down a bit. I asked the Commander if I might have a moment to return to my quarters to get caught up on the work I had been working on before all this occurred and to keep check on how things were progressing overall.

She said I could go. I ventured over to my quarters and entered.

It felt good to be back in my private space. It seemed like it had been so long. In fact, the last time I was there was when I had changed into my battle gear right before I left on the rescue mission. Seemed like a long time ago.

I walked over to my desk and saw it immediately. It sparkled a bit as it caught the light and it was lying on top of a small note. It was the sealing necklace I had given Amy. My heart sank out the bottom of the battlestar in one fell swoop. I knew she was feeling strange after the incident and all that was going on, but this?...

I picked up the note already expecting what it would say and I must say, I was caught unaware. It simply said, "I love you." That was all. Nothing more.

Amy. What the frack? My mind was numb. What was this? What was she doing? Was she calling the sealing off by returning the necklace? That was my first guess, but why the note telling me she loves me?

She sure made my blood boil. I sometimes could not figure her out. I guess that's why she intrigues me so. I guess that's why I love her so much too. But I must say, right about now with all that has happened, I wouldn't mind a bit more stability in my life.

I picked up the necklace and took a good look at the beautiful crystal. Somehow, it seemed not to shine as brightly as it once did when it was around Amy's beautiful neck.

So much for resting in my quarters. I had to find Amy and talk to her fast... I needed to know what was going on.

* * *

Amy81

"Weight room?" Brie asked. I nodded to her.

"I have some extra energy" I replied. "Good place to burn it off."

"Sounds like fun, actually", Brie said with a small smile. "I still have more to do, though. Maybe in a while".

"Sure" I said from across the room. I had my workout stuff out, and was stuffing it into a duffel bag. "Maybe I'll see you down there?"

"Just be careful".

"Okay Mom" I said sternly, then broke out in a big grin. Brie smiled, but stayed more serious. As I opened the door, she asked, "Sure you wouldn't rather sit and talk some?"

"Nope" I said firmly. "My mouth has been getting too much of the exercise lately. My brain too. Time for the arms and legs to do something." I waved. "See ya."

I took the elevator and went down to barracks level and the adjacent weight room area. I peeled my civies and got into my sweats. Entering the weight room itself, I found several other warriors working out. I nodded to them and went over to the machine I wanted.

I adjusted the weight to the desired resistance, then laid down and began to lift. It felt good to expend the energy. In moments I had a nice sweat going. I put everything I had into it. My muscle, my anxieties, Najinn, Charybdis, the missing fleet, I let it all go with each rep.

* * *

Brie

As Brie was trying to catch up on her paper work the door buzzer sounded. "Come in," she called. It was Lt. Col Charybdis. Brie could tell that he was upset.

"Um," he started, "have you..."

"Check the weight room," Brie said. "That's where she said she was headed. Of course, you never know with Amy."

"Thanks," Charybdis said. He turned to leave.

Brie stopped him. "Charybdis? She's in.....a bit of a mood. Just wanted to warn you. Tread lightly."

"Okay." As the door closed behind him, it dawned on Brie that her two best friends were on the verge of some major life changes. What those changes would be were yet to be seen.

* * *

Charybdis

Just before the door slid closed, I caught it with my hand and stopped it. I leaned back in to look at Brie.

She looked at me. I replied to Brie's last statement about treading lightly around Amy, "I don't know, Brie, it seems like she isn't treading too lightly either." I held up my hand and let dangle the sealing necklace.

Brie made the strangest face, sort of confused, but like she knew what was going on without anyone telling her. Like I said, it was a strange face.

She sighed not knowing what to make of the situation. Perhaps she was secretly cursing my fate for getting involved with Amy at all. "All the same, Charybdis, she's young. You and me...well, we've been around awhile."

I smiled. "Hey, speak for yourself," I said jokingly. Although I outranked Brie, she actually was older than I was. But as we all know, she had good reason to pass up the promotions to stay with Gold squadron. I guess I wanted a little something more than being a seat jockey all my life. I did want stature. I did want my rank. Maybe it was all so selfish to want that, especially given our circumstances. Anyway, Brie would probably solve her promotion problem soon given that Gold squadron elections were rapidly coming upon us. She was bound to get that much deserved promotion.

I suddenly realized, maybe Amy didn't care for any of that either. Maybe she was just trying to make some sense out of all this life...and death. Brie and I, well, we had been at this a lot longer than Amy had, as well as a lot of the newer recruits. We had seen a lot. It changed us somehow.

And with my secret meeting with the beings of light, I knew, I just knew that this was not the end of us. The human race would find sanctuary and survive. Whether any of us personally would see it was anyone's guess. But we had to lay the groundwork just like those who came before us.

I remembered Amy saying something about leaving the service and possibly going to live with her parents on the agro ship after the tribune debacle. An easier life...unfortunately, that's not something any of us have anywhere in the fleet, not even on the Agro ship.

I looked at the necklace in my hand and suddenly a wave of peace and serenity filled my mind. I should have been very upset and angry with Amy, but I wasn't. All of this, was much bigger than any one person. All of this was for the very survival of humanity. I wasn't about to cause someone to suffer if I could help it. Least of all Amy.

I looked back at Brie who sat there patiently. "Thanks, Brie." I said as I walked out of her room.

"Of course" she said, not exactly sure of what she was being thanked for...

* * *

Charybdis

I got in the elevator and proceeded down to the barracks level. I'm still not sure how exactly we managed to get the equipment for the room, I think most of it was salvaged from other ships in the fleet. Still, we had one and most of the Warriors made good use of it.

As I approached the room, I put the necklace into my uniform pocket. I punched the button and the door slid open. As I stepped in, Amy was in one corner doing lifts on a machine.
She looked beautiful even though she was all covered in sweat. I had never really seen her like this. For the most part, she was in uniform or looking stunning in a civilian dress. But here, she was all natural. Pure beauty.

I walked over to where she was and she caught sight of me. She didn't stop lifting as I came near. "I wondered how long it would take you," she said first. "I guess Brie told you where I was?"

I nodded. I sat on the machine next to hers looking a bit despondent. I just said one word to her, "Why?" I got in the elevator and proceeded down to the barracks level. I'm still not sure how exactly we managed to get the equipment for the room, I think most of it was salvaged from other ships in the fleet. Still, we had one and most of the Warriors made good use of it.

As I approached the room, I put the necklace into my uniform pocket. I punched the button and the door slid open. As I stepped in, Amy was in one corner doing lifts on a machine.
She looked beautiful even though she was all covered in sweat. I had never really seen her like this. For the most part, she was in uniform or looking stunning in a civilian dress. But here, she was all natural. Pure beauty.

I walked over to where she was and she caught sight of me. She didn't stop lifting as I came near. "I wondered how long it would take you," she said first. "I guess Brie told you where I was?"

I nodded. I sat on the machine next to hers looking a bit despondent. I just said one word to her, "Why?"

[LucianG]

Amy81

I didn’t look over at Charybdis for the longest time, or maybe it just felt long to me. Maybe it was easier that way, not to look. I did a few more reps on the makeshift equipment, feeling secure inside its framework. Continuing to lift also gave me something to channel my stress through; I didn’t want it to pour out at Charybdis. Between the lifts, I gave him the short answer.

“I don’t deserve it” I hissed out between lifts. I knew that wouldn’t be enough for him, and would just raise more questions, so I finally stopped my workout. I lay there, staring at the ceiling.

“When I accepted your proposal, to be sealed” I began, “I was so…happy. That’s what I wanted, happy moments like that.” I looked over at him now, and he had such a sad look, confused mostly, but sad. Beads of sweat trickled off my forehead into my eye, and I sat up reaching for a towel.

“I’m not naïve, Charybdis. I know what’s going on outside, what kind of chances we have as a people to survive. I know that someday, somewhere, something might happen to one of us.” My voice was starting to rise, getting louder and agitated. I couldn’t control it. From across the room the other couple of warriors tried to pretend they couldn’t hear.

“Someday” I said. “But just centons?” My voice jumped a little higher. I stood up now, beginning to pace as I dried my face. I spun to face him, my arms pointed toward him for emphasis. “I’d lost you, friend. You were gone. For a long time, too from what the meds say. And in that moment when I found you on the deck, cold in that wreckage, I felt so…” The words didn’t come but my face twisted uncontrollably at the thought. My arms dropped to my sides. I began to pace again. Stopped again. “And don’t get me wrong. I’m happy as the next warrior that you are here now, but why I’m afraid of that and not blindly praising the lords raises questions about myself that I can’t answer.” My voice was reaching a peak now, my arms waving in gestures as I pointed at him, at myself, at the heavens. Those other warriors discreetly picked up their stuff and made for the exit.

In the silence, needing something to do I absentmindedly walked back to the weight machine and played with the settings. “If I can’t handle that someday now, what am I going to be like a half-yahren from now? A yahren from now?” My voice was softening a bit at a time. “I am so afraid, so afraid to put all my life, all my love in one place.” I rested my head against the machine. I had more to say, more to tell, but wondered if I’d said too much already.

* * *

Charybdis

Amy made some very convincing points. I could see the confusion in her.

I looked down and began to speak, "Amy, let me ask you one question." She looked over at me wondering what it was going to be.

"Do you think Brie would never have wanted to meet and get sealed to Turner?" I said.

A furrowed brow made its way across her forehead, contemplating my question perhaps wondering how Brie got into this conversation. She said, "No, she loved him. From what I hear they were perfect together. She still has not let anyone into her life...in that way."

"Right. She loved someone and she took advantage of the opportunity to be happy. She didn't sit by and let everything go by and sit on the sidelines."

Amy protested, "yeah, but she lost him and now we can all see that void in her life. She probably won't be truly happy again."

"I know. And it hurts. Life isn't always fair. Especially given our situation. But if you ask Brie now, I bet she would take one centon with Turner even if it meant losing him all over again. You find a love that comes only once in a lifetime. The big question is: are you going to take that opportunity or let it slip by?"

Amy stopped fidgeting with the machine. She bowed her head. "I need a little more time, Charybdis. I just need some time, that's all."

I guess that's how she wanted to leave it for now and I saw no use in fighting it. She wanted to love me, she wanted everything I wanted for us, but she just couldn't let that fear go. She just couldn't jump over the side of the precipice, even though I was there ready to catch her.

I couldn't force her to do it. She would have to come to that realization on her own.

I stood up and took a step toward the door. "Well, I have to go to the memorial. Warriors who thought they had a lot of time, but now..." my voice trailed off. A moment of silence punctuated the room. It's strange how total silence can be so loud.

Amy began another set of lifts and pushed with all her might. She was going to be sore for the next cycle, that's for sure.

I left.

* * *

Amy81

I was in the middle of a new set of reps when Charybdis left. "Frack" I thought as I strained against the increased weight level I had set. Focusing on the lifts, I poured my raging emotions into each rep, my face contorting with the effort as I went faster and faster.

"Frack!" I yelled aloud. "Frack!" with another set. "FRACK!" I screamed as I let the bars go and the weight came crashing down with an ear splitting noise. I laid there, breathing hard, for a long moment. Then I sat up and grabbed the towel. One of the warriors that had been working out before peeked in, and then disappeared again, satisfied that I was okay, I guess.

I stood up, dried my face, and threw the towel to the floor with disgust. I looked at the door Charybdis had left through. I hadn't even finished all that I had to say. I guess it had been enough. I sat back down again, trying to get my breathing back to normal.

Where to now, Amy?, I thought to myself. Damned if I know, I replied silently, or if I even care anymore.

[LucianG]

Brie

At 02:00 today there will be a memorial service for Ensign Arianna and the seven members of Silver Spar Squadron who were killed in our recent batles. Attendance is mandatory for all active Gold Squadron members unless you've spoken with me directly about it. For those of you who don't know, Arianna sacrificed her life to stop a Cylon Raider from attacking one of the shuttles. It was a true act of heroism. Anyone who knew Arianna or the Silver Spar warriors may speak if they wish. There will at a later time be a service to remember the Frodians who died as well. Attendance to that service is not mandatory, but I hope to see most of you there to help support our new brothers and sisters in this time of transformation.

Major Lucian has arranged an Obstacle Course for Black Squadron, and has graciously offered to let any Gold members who wish to join if there is space. Sign up is first come, first serve. I would suggest that anyone who lacks ground training to consider taking up his offer, otherwise we might just have to make similar arrangements for Gold and make it mandatory. If interested, please see Major Lucian ASAP. Training begins today at 02:75.

Captain Brie
Gold Squadron

After posting Gold orders and finishing up her paperwork, Brie realized that she needed to try to see Najinn. She had been putting it off, and she wasn't really sure why. It dawned on her that part of her was actually angry with him for taking that shot. He had saved her life, that was true, but he had come too close to dying when she should have been the one instead. She hated seeing anyone, especially someone from her squadron hurt, and under these circumstances...

Another thought crossed Brie's mind. If Najinn hadn't stepped in the way, Brie never would have killed Dexter, the guard. His death was tearing at Brie's soul. She knew that if was something that she had to do, otherwise she, Najinn and probably even Skyler would all have died. But she never thought that she was capable of taking another human life, especially the life of someone who was just following his orders. She had been exonerated, Sheba and even Tolar had told her that Dexter's death was "justifiable," whatever that meant. The only one who blamed her was Jorlan, and he didn't like her anyway. She knew that talking to Charybdis or Amy or even Rev. Mars wouldn't help, everyone would just tell her that she had done what she needed to do. She knew she would do it again if she had to. It ate at her, though, and Brie didn't know how to stop it.

Putting on her pyramid-player's face, Brie walked into the Sick Bay and over to one of the med-techs. "Is Najinn up for visitors?" she asked.

The med-tech peeked into Najinn's room. "He's awake, and doing really well, but Jarrynn is with him at the micron. Looks pretty intense."

Remembering how emotional Jarrynn was on the planet, that was enough for Brie to make her escape. "Tell him I stopped by, and send for me when he's up to it." She left quickly, deciding to try to get some much needed rest before the memorial service.

"Wow, nice digs. You certainly seem to be doing well enough without me."

Brie sat up on her bed, startled. She hadn't realized that she had fallen asleep, hadn't heard the door open. She knew the voice, though, It was one that she hadn't heard in a long time. "Turner," she whispered.

"It's been awhile, Brie," her husband said.

"Where have you been?" Brie asked. "I thought you were dead."

"You needed me, so here I am."

"I do need you," Brie admitted. "I've needed you all these yarhens since you disappeared."

Turner smiled and melted Brie's heart. "I've missed you too." He sat down next to her and touched her face, but for some reason she couldn't feel it. "So, help me catch up."

"Well," Brie said, not knowing where to start, "I'm a Captain now, commanding Gold Squadron."

"Captain, huh?" Turner replied. "I'm impressed. That must be driving Charybdis crazy. What's he, a Lieutenant?"

"Actually, Turner, Charybdis is a Lieutenant COLONEL," Brie explained. "He's Commander Sheba's right hand man."

"He's a Lieutenant Colonel and you're just a Captain?" Turner teased. "How'd that happen?"

"I put my career on hold to take the seal, remember?" Brie joked back.

"Oh, yeah, I think I was there," Turner said. "Did Charybdis ever settle down, find the right woman?"

"Don't ask," Brie answered. "He's found someone, but who knows where they stand at the moment. Her name is Amy, she's quite a handful! She and I have grown pretty close."

Turner grew serious. "If you've grown so close than why do you need me?"

"I always need you," Brie protested.

"No you don't," Turner corrected. "You've grown very strong....without me. But there's something going on, isn't there." It was a statement, not a question.

Brie looked away. She didn't want to, but she couldn't look into Turner's eyes and let him see the burden that she was carrying. "You know me too well. I just got back from a really rough mission."

"What happened? Skip the details."

"I killed a man," Brie said without looking up.

Turner was silent for a micron. "Okay, add some of the details."

"The people we were trying to help thought we were Cylon spies."

"A Cylon spy? You?" Turner was having a hard time containing his laughter. "Obviously someone who doesn't know you."

"And didn't trust us either," Brie added. "It was me and two people from my squadron. We were under guard, and in trying to escape Najinn got shot instead of me and then I killed one of the guards. Fortunately Najinn is going to be alright."

"Sounds like this Najinn saved your life," Turner observed. Brie nodded. "So, which are you feeling worse about, killing the guard or Najinn getting shot?"

"Both," Brie replied honestly. "I mean, more about the guard, but I can't understand why Najinn would do that for me."

"Would you have done the same for him?" Turner asked.

"Of course," was Brie's response, "in a heartbeat."

"There's your answer," Turner observed. "Isn't that what Colonial Warriors do sometimes, save each other? Now, on to the guard. I'm sure everyone is telling you that his death was 'justifiable.'"

"'Unfortunate but justifiable' were Commander Sheba's exact words," Brie told him.

"Think about this," Turner said. "You shot him, keeping yourself alive, to keep ME alive."

"How do you figure that?" Brie puzzled.

"Come on, Brie, almost no one remembers me, I've been gone so long. But you own a piece of my heart. As long as you're there, so I am. So you did it for me. That make sense?"

Brie looked up at her husband and smiled. "Almost," she said.

"My job here is done, then. I'd better let you get back to your rest," Turner said. "Now that you're a big shot officer, I bet you don't sleep nearly enough."

"I don't want you to go," Brie said, fighting back the tears.

"Me either," Turner agreed. "I wish I could stay. But remember, I'm always as close as your heart. And Brie, watch your back. Something just doesn't feel right."

Brie sat up in her bed and looked around. She knew that it had been a dream, but it seemed so real. She felt a little bit better. Somehow Turner's strange logic almost made sense to her. It wasn't really HIS logic, it had come from her dream and therefore her subconscious but it did seem like the type of thing that he would say. She closed her eyes once again, hoping that somehow the dream would return, even though it meant losing him all over again.

[LucianG]

LucianG

Lucian arrived at the obstacle course with a number of his fellow Black Squadron Warriors and a few of the Gold Squadron’s as well. Upon leaving the memorial service, he’d spoken briefly with Lieutenant Amy, telling her that she was welcome to participate in the training exercise. As far as Lucian was concerned, every Warrior that participated meant that the Callisto would have another better-trained Warrior capable of defending the Callisto and the fleet when it counted. He was so energized about this training that he’d even started whistling as he walked. Soon the corridor was filled with about 20 very similar tones coming from the smiling faces of the Warriors. A few more who could not whistle, or who did not think they could whistle well enough, were humming in reasonable harmony. At least a couple were just clapping their hands to the rhythm.

“WHoooy whooOO, WHoooy whoooo who whoOO,
WHoooy whooOO, WHoooy whoooo who whooo….”

Several crewmen in the corridors smiled and roared in approval, or joined in with the song.

Lucian’s face tightened when he led the way into the room that served as a physical training facility as well as the start of the obstacle course. He was surprised, and immediately frustrated to see Captain Lazant in conference with an infantryman that he assumed was Sergeant Brinfort. Lucian nodded to Lieutenant BatGal to stop the group, and he marched forward to find out just what espionage Lazant was practicing on the exercise.

“Captain. Sergeant Brinfort?” Lucian asked.

“Yes, Sir,” said Brinfort with a smile. “Major Lucian, it’s good to meet you, Sir.”

Lucian noticed that both Brinfort and Lazant were covered with sweat, and both were breathing somewhat heavily. “And you as well, Sergeant. I look forward to working with you on this project, and I trust that it will be beneficial to all of us in the long run,” said Lucian. “Before we get started, though, I must ask, is there a problem here requiring your presence Captain Lazant?”

“Not at all, May-jor,” said Lazant. “As the head of the Callisto’s branch of the Training Academy, it is my responsibility to verify that all training courses taught aboard ship meet the RIGID standards set forth in the guidelines. I have conferred with Sergeant Brinfort, and found that he appears fully capable of leading the course, and that he is familiar with applicable training protocols. I’m sure YOU’RE in for a most interesting course, May-jor,” he said with the same derisive tone. He nodded to both, and looking straight into Lucian’s eyes, he said, “Have a blast.”

Brinfort smiled and said to the growing group, “There’s a sign-in sheet on the board. Check off your name if you signed up in advance, and add it at the bottom if you didn’t. We’ll be getting started in two centons.

“Major, what is he trying to pull now?” asked BatGal.

“I wish I knew, Lieutenant,” Lucian replied, “I really wish I knew. Anytime he gets involved, you can bet there’s something in it for him. The guy wants our Warriors to be the best, I’m sure of that, but I’m also fairly certain he doesn’t like me one microgram. Brinfort’s a real professional, so I don’t think Lazant would have gotten him to do anything dangerous, but I suspect that there’ll be some surprises, and they’ll be designed to make me look really bad—”

“It’s time, PEOPLE!” said Brinfort, in the standard drill sergeant tone. “Line up! Line up! Line UP!”

A mad scramble ensued, with Warriors assembling, as Lucian thought to himself that those were the two shortest centons he’d seen in quite some time.

“We’re on a training exercise. It is sanctioned by the Callisto’s branch of the Training Academy,” said Brinfort, ignoring the groans of many of the Warriors who were just now realizing the reason for Lazant’s presence only moments before. “First, in this room, we leave our ranks and our preconceived perceptions behind. You’re not an Ensign, a Lieutenant, a Captain, or a Major! Those ranks are for outside. Here, you’re just a Trainee, and here, I’m the Drill Sergeant, which basically makes me the CHIEF Lord of Kobol. You are to speak only when spoken to, and then, only when spoken to by me, since no one else here is supposed to be speaking. Then, when you do, you’d better only say the right thing. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR, TRAINEES?”

“Yes, Sergeant!” said the assembled group.

“PATHETIC!” Brinfort said. “Hit the deck and whip out 50 push-ups, as you try to learn how to answer a Drill Sergeant!”

Two centons later, after the push-ups were complete, and after he’d received the “YES, SERGEANT!” he’d evidently been seeking, Brinfort began a brief lecture on the obstacle course itself, what was to be gained from taking the course, and what could be judged by the results. Two times during the lecture, which wasn’t very long, he had them drop and pop another 25 push-ups. When complete, he led a stretching exercise, and then said, “It’s time to start. Our first testee is Trainee Lucian. On the line, Trainee…GO!”

Lucian was well into the course, and feeling it, when he hit the water. He dived in and did a crawl across the water. He’d never been a particularly strong swimmer, and now his time was suffering as a result. He’d learned to swim as a child on the Odyssey Nine, but that pool was small, and those odd years spent on the survey planets never included significant tours of the native waters due to the potential dangers hiding inside.

His lungs were heaving as he reached the buoy, and he paused for only a couple of microns to take a large breath of air before descending to open to “hatch” and swim through. Realizing that the microns were passing, he dove below the surface and kicked his way toward the depths. It didn’t take too long to reach the bottom, but in the dark, he had a difficult time seeing the hatch. Upon finding it, he grasped the release wheel and pulled to turn it, but it would not budge. He took the wheel in both hands, pulled again, and yet again, he saw no result for the effort. His lungs were starting to scream as he succeeded in planting both feet, and then turning the wheel. He shot through the hole, and crawled out of the pool. He ran another stretch to a large weighted sled, which he hit with some considerable force. It moved, but not as quickly as he’d expected, and it took a second and third try to really set it on its course. The rest of the course presented no serious challenges to Lucian, but as he crossed the finish line, he saw that his time was 4 centons, 65 microns, a full 35 microns under the “limit.” He stopped and bent over, resting his hands on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. BatGal and Kris, standing together as they waited their turn, gave him the thumbs up, to which he tried to smile and return the gesture.

“Wheew! That was something!” said Lucian, between breats. “Sergeant, I think the escape hatch wheel is stuck. It’s a lot harder to open than what you described.”

“Trainee, in war, things are often different than what the intel guys tell us. You’ve got to accept it, beat the problem, and go on…or die!” Brinfort replied. “And Trainee, did I give you permission to speak?”

“NO, SERGEANT!” Lucian said, almost dreading the push-ups that would inevitably come. He was right, but as he assumed the position and started the first of his fifty repetitions, he was surprised to hear Brinfort say, “and a fifty micron time penalty on your score!”

Lucian was stunned. With the penalty, he had “failed” the course!

* * *

JustinB

While watching, Major Lucian complete the Obstacle Course, JustinB wondered how he would fair. During the acedemy there was little ground combat training. Just the same, he kept himself in reasonable condition. Major Lucian had completed his course well under time. But with a slip of the tongue he had failed the course. Everyone was stunned.

“Who’s next to fail?” Asked Sergeant Brinfort. With slight hesitation JustinB stepped forward. “Sergeant, I will go next, Sergeant.”

“Well Trainee, JustinB is it, show us here what you are made of.”

JustinB started off a little slow, but as he hit the wall climbing section he was in full stride. Concentrating hard on his breathing and what was ahead he reached the swimming part of the course. With a few large breaths, he dove into the dark depths. As with Major Lucian, JustinB found the release wheel to the hatch to be tight. Luckily with the previous opening it opened easier for him. With his lungs ready to burst the surface was reached. Now JustinB was starting to feel fatigued as he ran to the weighted sled. He couldn’t get his footing right so it took a few goes to move the sled. JustinB regained his composure by the time the rope climb was reached. The rest of the course was pretty easy for him. But the time lost at the sled cost him. By the time he crossed the line it was 4 centons and 70 microns.

JustinB, out of breath walked around too cool down. “Trainee JustinB,” JustinB turned around, “4 centons and 70 microns, not a bad effort. Next time I want it under 4 centons and 60 microns,” said Brimfort. “Yes Sergeant” JustinB replied.

With that the next trainee started the obstacle course. JustinB went over to Major Lucian and whispered, “Thanks, for loosening the hatch for me Sir.” With that JustinB watched the rest of the squadron.

* * *

LucianG

The obstacle course snaked through several corridors and rooms, so it wasn't possible to see everything that was to occur, but in the same way, it wasn't possible for Sergeant Brinfort to see everything. For that reason, he had several Colonial Infantry helpers stationed along the route. Lucian noticed that the start/end point was sparsely manned, and still surprised by his "failure" on the course, he decided that Brinfort had set the rules, probably at Lazant's direction. If it was a "war" instead of a training exercise, then by the Lords, war it was. He'd always heard that all was fair in both love and war, so he decided to give his side an advantage. As far as he was concerned, he had new intelligence, and he wasn't going to let it go to waste.

When Brinfort was preoccupied with Ensign JustinB, Lucian turned his back to him and grabbed the attention of Lieutenants BatGal, Kris, and Rose, who were standing nearby. With his right hand, he made a broadcast motion in front of his chest, catching it with the other hand, as if to keep it tight, then he moved two fingers to his lips (WORD). When BatGal nodded ever so slightly, he wiggled his fingers as if swimming, then clenched both hands and spun, as if turning a wheel. With two spread fingers, he popped them on the open palm of the other hand, then pointed downward to two feet, then indicated the wheel turning motion again. He nodded slightly, as if to indicate, "Understood?" The corner of BatGal's mouth curled upward slightly and she turned to move away with the others, as they began to spread the word.

Lucian moved on, and repeated the signal to another group. Again, he got a similar response.

He hoped they understood the signal to plant their feet on the bottom of the pool before trying to turn the wheel to open the hatch. Of course he thought, his charade was so bad that they may have thought that he'd meet them for lunch after they wheeled out of this part of the exercise.

[LucianG]

MedievalSong

I looked at Lt BatGal and shrugged.
"Guess he wants us to meet him for lunch after this little game? Well, here goes everything." I took off in the course and found this "distraction" a great release to what I just endured learning from Lt Resonat. I did look around to see if he was there, but at this moment I let it all go. I used the pain and anger that I was feeling run throug every step as I took off. I had regained almost all of my sight back and I felt it ok to run the course. My team was challenged and I was not going to let them down. Sprinting along I came to a wall and climbed over it, then along the "path" to the hoops and loops. I came to a crawl under on fire. I paused shortly and shied away from the fire, but then I heard his voice in my head,
"Her name was shanese and I loved her from the beginning..." I took off and crawled under the fire. I kept going till I got to the swimming part. Feeling the burning and the fatigue starting to set in, I was going to pause again when again I heard his voice in my head,
"We fell in love fast and hard for the short time we were together..." I took a few steps back and then took off at a mad run and jumped into the water. I got to the hatch and struggled with it but got thru it. Once at the end of the course I leaned over to catch my breath. The "drill sergant" came over and gave me my time.
"4:70...That is not good! This is why women do not belong in the military." I gave him a dirty look and started to go after him as he turned his back but Lt BatGal and Major Lucian grabbed my arms and pulled me back.
"Let me go Major let me space his carcass to the cylons! So help me by the Lords of Kobol..."
"Lt Kris that is enough!" I looked at Lucian ad then away.
"Yes sir." I mummbled and still shot that Captain Hector a look that he could burn 6 feet under. "I'll show him the next round!" I walked over and took a towel to dry off. I went back to the course to cheer on my fellow squad mates in hopes to show this "drill sergant" a thing or two.

* * *

Amy81

So the ol' gender thing was going to rear it's ugly head, it seemed. I had fought so hard to beat it down during my days as a cadet. Nothing I did was measured as just another cadet. It was as a female cadet. Like they kept separate categories for us, different standards. I hated that. And it all came flooding back, and my blood boiled at the thought of what I had just seen happen with Kris.

I'm glad I had hooked up with this training exercise. Not only was it bringing back the old fire and desire that I had lost touch with since I had graduated, it was also sweeping out all the clutter from my mind. I felt good, focused only on the course and the task at hand. The missing fleet, Charybdis, Najinn, black shirts, all had been pushed to the back of my mind. And I didn't even realize it had happened.

"Who's next?" barked Sergeant Brinfort. I stepped forward without hesitation. "Me sir!" I answered loudly, pushing the sound from my gut. I stood looking forward, but could feel Brinfort's eyes upon me, and out of the corner of my eye I could make out the look I'd seen countless times before. Like I was second class. An intruder in an all boys club or something.

"Very well" he groused after a moment or two, "Trainee, step to the line!" I marched to the line as ordered. "GO!" he screamed, and I was off.

I ran down the first leg as fast as my feet could carry me. To hades with Brinfort! I could do this! I hit the floor in front of the fire pit head first, and shimmied underneath on my stomach. I could feel the heat on my back, and I began to worry about my ponytail. I could hear it now, Brinfort sneering 'that's why women shouldn't be warriors' again as I tried to put out my flaming hair. But I made it through without lighting myself up, and I scampered to my feet, hitting the loops on the fly.

My heart was pounding, and I relished in the exertion, pushing myself to the limits of my endurance. I leaped over the pits and dove headlong into the water,swimming deeper in search of the hatch. I began to lose my way at this point, swimming vainly around in the dimness, trying to reach the handle. My lungs were starting to protest but I didn't want to have to surface for air. I was at the bottom, flailing my arms, hoping to brush against...there, I felt it! I grabbed it with both hands, twisting for leverage, slowly turning the wheel. A precious bubble of air popped from between my pursed lips as I lifted the hatch with all my might. I swam into the passageway, counting back from ten. Just ten seconds, I thought, giving myself a goal, hoping that was all I'd need.

I came up the other side, surfacing as quickly as I could, gasping for air. I left the pool, and had absolutly no traction as I hit the sled at a bad angle and went down. I shook my head a second to clear it, and got to my feet noticing that my pants had been shredded at the knees from my fall. I screamed out, and hit the sled again, screaming some more as I ran it down the line.

I tore down the last section of the course, running a little faster than my feet were willing, spilling again to the floor as I crossed the line. I stayed there on my knees, my chest heaving as I sucked in lungfuls of air. I noticed a pair of feet approach and stand next to me. Just as long as he doesn't give me any of that girl feldgercarb, I thought.

"On your feet, trainee" the voice screamed out. Although every muscle screamed in protest, I hauled myself to my feet, still wheezing for air.

"Think you're in pretty good shape, eh trainee?" Brinfort asked in a slightly milder tone. I had no idea how to respond. I didn't want any more pushups, not at this particular moment. "I wouldn't know sir!" I blurted out, immediately sucking in more air. I braced for the verbal onslaught, but none came.

"Well" he replied, "you are. 4:32. Not bad." And he walked away. I did a doubletake, staring at him as he walked on. I looked back toward my group, a smile forming as I began to breathe more normally. Inside, I was freaking out. Yes! I actually managed to shut him up! If only for a moment. How I would top that score I had no idea. But for the moment, I felt great!

I was still feeling pretty good about my time when Captain Hector wandered over. He stopped right in front of me.

"Trainee...Amy is it?" he said, looking down at some papers on a clipboard.

"Yes sir" I replied.

"Not a bad score, trainee. But I see looking through your records that you are within the ranges of your cadet scores." He paused a moment. "While it's nice to see you haven't lost a step, you really are going to have a hard time improving on your score, aren't you?" He looked right at me, and I could swear he could see the good feelings hissing right out of me, judging by the look on his face.

He walked away, and I could feel my face grow red as the rage built up in me. Past Hector, I could see the smug look on Brinfort's face. I hated them both, and myself too for allowing myself to be set up so easily.

* * *

LucianG

Lieutenant Amy was still staring at Captain Hector and Sergeant Brinfort when she overheard Hector say, "Sergeant, it looks like you have things well in hand, and I have other duties to which I must attend. I'll check in after lunch. Sergeant."

"Sir!" was Brinfort's response with a snap salute. Hector exited and went to the bridge in response to a summons from Commander Sheba.

"Captain," she said, "I have been monitoring part of the training exercise. I was disappointed to overhear a very sexist remark from our trainer, Sergeant Brinfort, yet I was glad to see that he has nothing like this in his file. Would you care to explain?”

“Commander, Sergeant Brinfort is not sexist or racist or anything-ist. He is, however, very good at picking up on what motivates people, both good and bad. He’s working to get the most out of the trainees. With some, it takes anger, and others the threat of shame. Just watch, Ma’am, you’ll see.”

“Captain, I’ll let it pass for now, but I hope you are right. If not, I’ll see to it that it doesn’t continue.”

* * *

BSGRose

Rose had been watching as Major Lucian, Lt Amy, Lt Kris, and the new member JustinB go through their runs of the Obstacle Course. She was even more shocked in what happened to the Major right after his run through the course.

When Lt Amy had completed her run through the course the Sergeant called out who wanted to be the next one to make their run through the course. Rose stepped up to indicate that she would be next to go through the Obstacle Course.

Brinfort gave Rose a once over as though he thought she couldn't handle the obstacle course and wouldn't be able to make it to the finish in the required amount of time. Little did he know that several things on the obstacle course she was strong at and swimming was the strongest of them all, for she had spent a lot of time swimming growing up as a child.

When Brinfort indicated to go, Rose took off at a mad dash. She wasn't about to let this Brinfort intimidate her one bit no matter what.

She got through the first running section, crawling under the simulated fire without any problems at all. When she came up on the climbing wall, Rose stumbled a little in getting a grip on things, but finally got things under control & got over the climbing wall. She knew she had lost some time due to her stumble, but could make it up hopefully on the swimming portion of the course. Rose finally makes it to the swimming portion after going jumping over the pits and running the loops. She dives into the water head first and starts towards the bottom towards that hatch that had to be opened and go through to the other side. On her way down towards the hatch Rose thought about what the Major was trying to tell her, Lt BatGal, and Lt Kris earlier without Brintfort knowing about it. Then it dawned on her that maybe he was trying to tell them that their feet needed to planted firmly on the bottom of the floor when turning the hatch. Rose finally reached the hatch and plants her feet on the floor of there next the hatch and starts turning it as hard as she could. Once she had it opened, Rose swam through the hatch and then started kicking her legs with as much force as she could to reach the top to where she could get more air into her lungs. After reaching to top on the other side, Rose climbs out of the water and makes a run towards the sled that she still had to move before she could continue on to the end of the course. It took some doing, but she was able to move the sled and she continued on to the end of the course finishing up in what was her personal best of 4 centons and 63 microns. She would of done better if it hadn't of been for the slip up on the climbing wall.

Rose was working on catching her breath when Brinfort walks over to where she was standing and starts trying to make her feel smaller than her already short height of 5 foot 1 inch stature. While he was trying to make her feel even smaller, Rose starts walking away and over towards the towel rack to get one of them so she could dry off some. The next thing Rose knew Brinfort grab her right arm to stop her from walking away from him while he was still talking to her. When she felt his grip on her arm, Rose spins around and her left hand already balled up into a fist makes contact with Brinfort's jaw.

"Sergeant," Rose says, "there is one thing you had better learn real fast when it comes to dealing with me. NO ONE berates me the way you were just trying to do! I've already had to deal with verbal abuse from my family when I was burned by a fire a few yahrens ago before being able to have the reconstructive surgery to fix the scars that I recieved from said fire. So I suggest that you take your distain for female Warriors and put them where the sun don't shine!"

Rose then storms off over to get a towel so that she could start towel drying her hair off some.