|
Post by LucianG on Jun 30, 2005 4:00:31 GMT -6
Brie
"Captain," Sheba said. Her voice softened. "Brie, it's okay. You can tell me. You'll feel better if you don't keep it all inside."
"It's kind of a blurr," Brie continued without looking up. "There were the two armed guards, Najinn and me. We rushed the guards. One was injured and dropped his weapon. As I picked it up, the second guard fired at me. I knew I was dead. But Najinn jumped in the way and took the hit for me. He saved my life. Before the guard, Dexter, could get another shot off, I fired and he died instantly." Brie stopped again. She felt like there was a cold lump where her heart used to be.
"You did the right thing," Sheba tried to assure her.
"I've never taken a human life before," Brie said sadly. "We're supposed to be working so that the human race survives, not the other way around. At that moment I felt like I actually WAS working for the Cylons." Brie was surprised that she was saying this to Sheba. This was her Commander, not someone that you opened your soul to. Yet, she knew it was the right thing to do.
"I wish that there was something I could say," Sheba said. "What happened next? Take your time."
Brie wiped away a tear that she had somehow allowed to escape. "Well, Jorlan came in, ready to kill Skyler. I surrendered yet again, all I could think about was getting help for Najinn. Jorlan wanted to have me executed. Then the Cylons decided to help us out by proving that they were on the way. Suddenly Tolar believed us. But at too big a cost." There was a silence of several microns before Brie spoke again. "You asked about Amy," she said to the Commander. "How she ended up with our group. Honestly, I have no idea. I just know that with Najinn and Skyler both gone, her help was welcome."
"You have no idea?" Sheba repeated.
"No," Brie replied. "When I left she was on leave. She had been talking about resigning, due to all that had happened recently, but I talked her into waiting. But she was still on leave."
"I'll tell you what I know," Sheba said. "During the battle she showed up in uniform asking for a viper. We were short on pilots, so she was cleared. But then she didn't stick around for the battle."
"I don't know what to tell you," Brie said. "I guess you'll have to ask Amy."
"I'll leave that up to you," Sheba informed her. "You find out what was going on in her mind, although I think we both already know. And I'll also let you administer whatever punishment you think is right. Let me know what you decide. Nothing too harsh, but if this goes without notice people might think that she's received special attention because of her, um, friendships. Not doing anything might make matters even worse for her."
"Yes, ma'am," Brie said. "I'll take care of it."
LucianG
“Commander, we’ve located the second Base-Star. It is on a reverse course as if it is leaving the system. Most likely going for reinforcements,” said Major Joey’s voice over the comm. “The remaining Raiders are breaking off and appear to be heading to intercept it. Repairs are proceeding all over the ship, but we are suffering from a lot of damage. Do we pursue, Commander?”
Looking at Brie, Commander Sheba shook her head in obvious frustration, and then said, “Major, maintain our course, and recall our Vipers. As soon as they are aboard, begin making the planned adjustments to take us out of this system.”
“What about the others on the planet, Commander? Are we going to try to rescue more of them?” asked Joey.
“You have your orders, Major,” said Sheba, struggling with the words, trying to keep Joey from hearing the sadness in her tone. Sheba looked out the small portal, toward the star Frodar. After that episode some yahrens back, shortly after Adama’s death, she had seen what it had done to Commander Tigh. Now, she was now being forced to do basically the same thing, the one thing she had said she would never do: leave humans behind to the Cylons. Now, she saw how Tigh must have felt. Her ship was badly damaged, though repairable over time, and very low on supplies. There were already about 370 refugees on board…
“Commander Sheba,” Joey called again, “we’re picking up a partial transmission from Epsilon, but we can’t read it yet. The Cylons appear to be jamming it.”
“Keep trying. Let me know as soon as it’s clear. Also, when Captain Jorlan arrives—”
“Too late, Commander. He’s here now.”
Brie
Captain Jorlan didn't even try to hide his feeling for Brie. "Colonel," he spat out, "or is it just Captain now?"
Brie ignored what he had said. "Commander Sheba," she said, mustering up as pleasant a tone as possible, "this is Captain Jorlan."
Sheba wasted no time. "Captain Jorlan, we have to know if the forces that have been left behind can defend themselves. If you think that they might need our help..."
"Your help was neither asked for nor welcome," Jorlan said with an obvious lack of respect. "I disagreed with Commander Tolar on how the situation should have been handled, but I followed my orders. In answer to your question, yes, they can take care of themselves. They're probably a lot safer than we are on this battlestar."
"Captain Brie mentioned an 'Omega Plan.'" Sheba said. "Could you give me some details?"
Jorlan looked right at Brie as if he were going to burn a hole through her. "I will not discuss the preparations that my people have made in the presence of a murderer."
Sheba stared at Jorlan. "Captain Brie told me what happened. The death of the guard was unfortunate but justifiable."
"Commander," Brie said before Jorlan could speak, "I think we've covered everything for the moment. If the captain would be more comforatable without me around, I'd be more than happy to leave."
"Since that seems to be the only way that Captain Jorlan will talk with me, then maybe that's a good idea," Sheba reluctantly agreed. "I'll send for you if I need you."
"Oh, Commander," Brie said as she started out of the room, "Lt. Anubis has suggested that before we leave this system, we see if we can salvage any scrap metal or material from the debris. He also has some suggestions about how to boost the shuttles power capabilities, making them more fit for a battle like the one we just went through."
"Thank you, Captain," Sheba said. "I'll take all that into consideration."
Brie left the room but could still hear what was being said. She wasn't evesdropping, it was obvious that Jorlan had just wanted her to leave before he would share his information. "We've worked for over 100 yarhens," Brie heard him say. His tone of voice had changed since she had left. "It's a series of tunnels and underground fortresses. All the entrances are boobytrapped, and it doesn't take much to set them off......" His words trailed off as Brie walked away. She knew that Jorlan believed in the Omega Plan, and Sheba probably would as well.
Najinn
Najinn lay on the medlab bed, deep deep deep in a coma.
The med lab staff, and especially Holodoc had done all they could to stablise him. They had brought him back from the edge, but only so far. Najinn needed the will to live and right now he was unconscious, he wasn't registering at all.
The best that could be said was that he was resting, but truth be told he was holding his own in what could be a losing battle.
It was strange he thought, it was like clawing out of the deepest darkest hole he had ever been in. He climbed a few feet only to lose his footing and fall back deeper. He could hear voices around him, outside the hole. For a moment he thought he heard Brie's voice, and Amy's, he remembered Holodoc's. He could hear them, make out what they were saying, but couldn't respond, he shouted, shouted as loudly as he could but noone could hear him. He was trapped and it was painful.
Every so often when he fell back he felt such a pain in his chest, such terrible pain.
But Najin wasn't a coward he would keep on trying, after all he had Amy to live for, he had his love for her that kept him climbing.
He climbed again, up the walls of the hole, scraping the sides as he sought a footing, clawed at a hand hold. But this time he felt the wall give way from under him and as he fell he felt the pain in his chest deeper and deeper, more painful than before. The pain in his chest, in his heart, was this a metaphor for something he should realise he thought. Then clenched his teeth and he hit the bottom deeper than ever.
The Alarms sounded in med bay, as Najin yet again was suffering a heart attack, the staff rushed around him. He had been settled for so long, he had been resting as Holodoc had put it, and now he was slipping back into the danger zone. His internal battle consuming his being, the external expression of which was scaring even the most experienced of medical staff. He couldn't survive to many more of these episodes.
As he lay there the med lab staff rushed around him trying to keep him alive. In the corner of the lab Charybdis gathered what was going on. As Amy was walking down the corridor away from med lab she heard the alarms and then the shouts of someone in trouble....
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Jun 30, 2005 4:00:59 GMT -6
Holodoc2000
Holodoc was still working on the new patients that had arrived there in MedLab when the alarms over at Najin's bed went off letting the staff know that they were losing him again. Holodoc had just finished up with one of the ladies & her children when the alarms started going off. Holodoc got one of the other staff members to finish the last couple of things & she rushed over to where Najin
Holodoc started working frantically to get Najin restabalized. "Najin! You can't leave us now. Too many people here care about you & need you. Please!, Najin, you must fight to survive!," Holodoc says as she is still working frantically on Najin.
Several centons had passed by now & Holodoc & several other staff members were still working frantically over Najin to get him restabalized. While working on Najin, Holodoc came up with an idea that might work. It was a long shot, she was willing to try just about anything right now. Holodoc calls over one of the other staff members & tells him, "I need you to get Capt Brie down here & have her bring a couple of members from the Squadron. Maybe hearing their voices, Najin will start fighting all the harder & will come back to us." The staff member nods & rushs over to one of the commlinks to call Capt Brie.
Holodoc continued to work with Najin to get him stabalized again. She hoped & prayed that her idea would work & that Capt Brie could get down to MedLab with a couple members of the Squadron in time to do some good also.
Najinn
Najin lay staring into the dark hole above him, the sides of the hole were steep, intimidating and very very tall. They seemed to reach up forever. He lay their, his chest pounding, his head racing, and feeling completely lost.
Everytime he thought of Amy, a strong chill went down his spine, he knew something was wrong and he couldn't put his finger on it, he couldn't work it out. What filled him was a sense of dread, a sense of abandonment.
He lay thinking was this the end, was this his lot in life. He knew he had died as he had hoped to live, protecting the ones he cared for. He thought, was this death, was this his end.
Below him the ground shook and a bright light filled the space around him. It was as if he had been given a choice of direction, to fall deeper into the light or to try and claw his way back up the hole up, up the steep walls back to the pain of his life. For the first time Najin thought, what was their to live for?...........
Jarrynn
Jarrynn walked in after checking on Wendy and Lusitan's eyes. She knew Kris would come in once her and Nat had a chance to talk. From what she saw from the other two,their sight should completely return here shortly. She headed to go see someone she hadn't seen since the planet. Jarrynn almost dreaded it, afraid of what she would find. She saw Holodoc sitting by the patient. "How is he?" It was obvious he was still alive. "Bad Jarrynn, it's like he isn't sure on having the will to live." Jarrynn just stared at Najinn. The words of her promise rang thru her ears. She looked at Holodoc, "Do you mind if I sit with him for a bit? I promised him down on the planet I wouldn't leave his side. Anyways you look like you could use a break." Holodoc smiled sadly and both nurses hoped that something would happen to bring Najinn the will to live. Holodoc hugged Jarrynn as she went to go on break. Jarrynn sat down and took Najinn's hand in hers and she smoothed his hair. She leaned in close to his ear so he could hear her. She spoke to him softly and in a calming tone. "Hey there Najinn. I kept my part of the bargan. They wouldn't let me in the viper with you, but you needed help that I couldn't give you down there. But I am here now. I intend to make good on my promise of being here when you wake up. But you need to get better Najinn. I need you to fight like you never fought before. Please Najinn, find the will to live. There is so much to live for! Please..." Jarrynn looked at her arm again at the spot she took her own blood for him. It was bruised in that area. She giggled. "Najinn, you over grown ogre. Look what you made me do?! You know I never would have done that with out fainting but I guess I can perform under pressure. But I have a bruise because of you!" She giggled again. But she realized she was the only one laughing. He was still out. Tilting her head back and looking at the ceiling trying to keep the tears away. She searched within for things to say, then she started laughing again. "You missed it! Lt Kris, Lt Wendy and Lt Lusitan lost their sight temporarily. It was funny at one point. They saw things in a fuzzy furry way. As we were lifting off in the shuttles they were giggling because with their hindered sight it was a weird sensation. I felt like I was sitting in a kid class with their giggles. But they had good humor about it all. Their sight is coming back and they will see again. It just was funny." Jarrynn giggled again and she stopped again. "Come on Najinn fight! I can't laugh on my own. Please, find the will to fight... the will to live." Jarrynn just kept a hold of his hand. Inside she knew that if Amy came by she would have to leave his side again. She would cross that bridge when it happened.
Walksallroads
Anubis quickly heads to the MedBay for his check-up. His side was throbbing from the strain of being bounced about the inside of a LandRam. Once he gets there, he seats himself, waiting patiently for his turn, for there were a lot of people ahead of him. Women and children, some of whom were on the shuttle he had manned on the trip to the rendezvous. One child looks at him curiously, with a finger in his mouth. Having never encountered children before, a similer expression unknowingly finds itself on Anubis' face, and they stare at each other for some time. Jerrynn's voice finally catches Anubis' attention, and he stands up to go over to where she sits with Najinn. ~At least, it seems, he went down with a fight. But he seems to have not given up completely. Curious.~ He stares intently into Najinn's face with his dark eyes, ignoring the pain in his side. Jerrynn just looks at the clone for a moment, wondering what's going on behind his eyes. "Proud Warrior, the lives of those whom you have helped to save are aboard, and I believe some, when informed of your mission, will greatly appriciate what you have done for them." Not knowing what to do next, he resumes his seat, waiting with the patience of a rock.
LucianG
The lines had been long in Decontamination, and since he had performed a small violation of protocol in hugging and kissing the returning Lieutenant Kris, Lieutenant Nat was happy to stand in line with her and go through the process himself in one of the adjacent stalls.
When they were through, he took her hand and gently led her toward the Med Lab for her check-up. The lines were still long, so he was happy that they'd been allowed to move up close to the front. He queezed slightly, and then slid his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. They walked in smiling silence, alternately looking at each other and then ahead down the corridor. Of course, it was only after they almost collided with an oncoming cart that they realized they really had to look down the corridor.
Nat, realizing that he had to return to duty shortly, said, "I missed you so very much, and I felt terrible that I've been forced to keep so much from you. While you were gone, I decided that I've got to tell you the whole story, no matter what happens. It could mean the rest of my career, but I trust you, and after what we're doing here, I just don't care anymore. Can you meet me for a meal after you get some rest?"
Holodoc2000
Holodoc had been getting a little sleep when Anubis came into MedLab & didn't know that he was there until she walked out into the main section of MedLab from the sleeping area. Holodoc could of used more sleep than what she had taken time for, but there was still so much to do before she could consider taking a lengthy break from any of her duties.
Holodoc was going to call the next person on the waiting list of refugees back for their medical check when one of the other staff members came over to her & told her that they could handle things on the check ups of the refugees if she wanted to go ahead & do Anubis' check up for him. Holodoc smiled a little & thanked the staff member.
Holodoc walks over to where Anubis was patiently waiting his turn to be seen for his check up & gently places her hand on his shoulder. "Anubis," Holodoc quietly says, "are you ready for your check up?"
Walksallroads
Anubis looks up at Holodoc, and places a hand on her own. She looks very tired, and yet relieved. He smiles as he gets up, and lets her lead him to the exam area. Once in the minimal privacy of the exam area, he simply holds her for a long moment, ignoring the discomfort of his side. Once they actually get on with the exam, his previously broken rib had cracked from the rough handling of the LandRam, but no other injuries to speak of.
Holodoc2000
Holodoc loved the feel of Anubis' arms around her. It had felt like forever since she had seen him & touch him & be held in his arms. After a few centons pass by of them holding each other, she begins the needed examination of Anubis to make sure everything was all right.
Holodoc completes the exam & finds that the only injury that Anubis received was one of his earlier broken ribs had been cracked again. "Anubis," Holodoc quietly says, "one of your ribs has been cracked again. It is going to be sore for a few days. I want you to take it easy while it heals. I also want you to let me know when you are in pain & I can get you some medication to help with the pain. I don't want you to suffer from any more pain than what you have already had to deal with while you were out on your mission." Holodoc grows quiet for a few centons.
"Anubis," Holodoc quietly says, "I have missed you & worried about you while you were out on your mission. I am happy that you made it back safely." Holodoc smiles up at Anubis as she gently reaches up & touchs his cheek with her hand lightly & then leans up & just as gently kisses Anubis on his other cheek. When she leans back a little, Holodoc looks down unsure as to what to do next.
Walksallroads
The ensuing silence was awkward for Holodoc. Silence has been Anubis' long-time companion, as old as he was, beyond that, even. Everyone reacts differently to it. Holodoc looks so worn, had she even had a decent break? Most humans required at least 8 centars of sleep to function normally. Anubis, along with others, only required 4-6. But they must be consecutivly. And when was the last time they'd eaten? "Do you think you could be spared for a centar or two?"
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Jun 30, 2005 4:01:30 GMT -6
Holodoc2000
Holodoc looks up at Anubis & smiles when he asks if she had a centar or two that she could spare. "I'm due for a meal break & could use something to eat. It has been awhile since I have eaten. To be honest I can't really recall the last time that I have actually taken the time to sit down & eat something. I have been on the go with one thing or another for so long now."
"Anubis," Holodoc says quietly, "did you have something in mind?"
Walksallroads
"I had been thinking of going to the Officer's Club. It would give us both a chance to relax, and enjoy each other's company." He smiles a bit. "Of course, we are going to have to clean up a little."
Holodoc2000
Holodoc liked the idea of spending some time with Anubis & being able to relax some. "Anubis," Holodoc says, "if you could give me about 20 centons, I could be ready to go & we could spend some time together & get something to eat. I have missed being able to spend some time with you."
Holodoc looks up at Anubis & smiles a little while she waits for him to answer.
Walksallroads
"I must clean up as well, as I have been in a space suit for several centars, and have not had a chance to since the mission began. Shall we meet here?"
Holodoc2000
Holodoc smiles & replies, "Anubis, yes. Please come back by here so that we can head out to get something to eat & relax. I have a change of close back in my sleeping area & I can take a shower while I am back there. When you are ready, just come back towards the sleeping area."
"Anubis, would you like to see Isis while you are here?," Holodoc asks.
Walksallroads
"It should not take me too long to clean up." Anubis smiles as he speaks. "I shall most likely arrive before you are finished, so there will be plenty of time." He bows, and quickly walks to the Black Squadron barraks for a turbowash, and a clean uniform, letting what he'd brought back of Frodar Epsilon go down the drain. Ten centons, he is clean, and returns quickly to Medbay, where he greets the very creature that'd ingratiated him to Holodoc - Isis. He scoops up her purring form, and plays with her, amused by her trying to catch his fingers with her tiny paws.
Holodoc2000
Holodoc went towards the back to where the sleeping area was so that she could get ready for her break with Anubis. She took a quick turboshower & put on a clean uniform.
Holodoc smiled as she walked back towards her sleeping area & see's Anubis there playing with Isis. She stood in the doorway for a few centons quietly watching Anubis & Isis interact with each other some.
"Anubis, I'm ready if you are," Holodoc says quietly.
Walksallroads
Anubis looks up from Isis' antics, beaming in the way only a playful feling can make a person. He gently sets Isis on the floor, where she attacks Jadzea's swishing tail. Anubis stands up, and offers Holodoc his arm. She takes it, and they head to the O-Club, one a tired, but refreshed warrior, the other an overworked nurse. Both, very much human.
Holodoc2000
Anubis & Holodoc walked towards the O'Club, enjoying each others company. When they reached the O'Club, they walk inside & over to one of the empty tables. Once they were seated, one of the servers comes over to take their order on drinks & any food that they may want. Once their order had been placed, the server walks away.
Holodoc reaches across the table & gently places her hand on Anubis' hand. "Anubis," Holodoc says, "it has been so long since we have been able to spend any time together it seems like. I'm not sure where we should start in talking about things. Is there anything that you would like to discuss?"
LucianG
On seeing the Raiders withdrawing, Lucian was torn with his desire to chase and destroy them, and the understanding that they would most likely be leading any pursuing Warriors into a trap. He'd already called for two C.O.R.A. rescue craft to come and pick up ejection cockpits. He was disappointed to see two more Vipers destroyed, but he was tremendously happy that the cockpits had fired as their Vipers were destroyed, throwing their Warriors free. Both would be battered and bruised, but battered and bruised was better than dead any day, in Lucian's opinion. The withdrawal order from the Callisto was received at the same time Lucian had ordered the Warriors to let them go, so he was glad to see that he had made the right choice.
"Uhmm, Major, I'm picking up something over here," said Randrius. "It's the hulk of a Raider, and it appears to be mostly intact, although there's only a trace of power on board. Do you think...?"
"Yes, Lieutenant, I think so," said Lucian. "Have you scanned it for explosives, etc.?"
"Nothing there, Sir," came the reply. "It's ours if we want it."
"Lieutenant, you are in the salvage business. Zerrana, have you used the hooks?"
"No, Sir," said Zerrana. "I can shoot them up, but I've never fished for one."
"I'll take it with him, Major," said Skyler.
"Great, Lieutenant. Let's cover them folks, and head home."
Lt_Skyler
Skyler hated breaking off from the Battle. The Raiders were running, and they could take them. Not knowing the bigger picture, he trusted Cmdr Sheba's decision. Just then he picked up communications between Major Lucian and Lt. Zerrana.
"Lieutenant, you are in the salvage business. Zerrana, have you used the hooks?"
"No, Sir," said Zerrana. "I can shoot them up, but I've never fished for one."
"I'll take it with him, Major," said Skyler.
"Great, Lieutenant. Let's cover them folks, and head home."
Skyler move into position, fired the tow line, and hooked the raider. As he eased the slack out of the tow line he keyed the comm. system.
"Major, think they will let us mount their heads on the O-Club wall, like a trophy or something?"
"I doubt it Lt..... See you on board.."
Skyler landed his Viper in Alpha bay towing the wreckage of a Cylon Raider behind him. As he climbed out of his Viper he thought to himself how strange the last cycle had been. It had really been several standard cycles, but he was counting everything that had happened since he had last slept. He was a captive, then he was flying a Viper well beyond its design specs to save Najinn, then he was back in another Viper to help defend the Callisto from Raiders, then he had a few centons to check on Mara, who for some reason was manning a bridge station, then he was back in his Viper speeding to save Brie and his friends from approaching raiders, and now here he was staring at the wreckage of a captured Cylon Raider he had just pulled in. If things could stay quite for a little while, maybe he could see Mara for a few centons before he passed out.
Randrius walked up beside Skyler and both approached a hatch on the Raider. Opening the access hatch, they see what remains of two Cylons. One of the Cylon's grab out at the Warriors, but they step back out of reach, both drawing their blasters. As the damaged Cylon continues to reach his arm around looking for something to grab, Skyler and Randrius exchange a smile. It is almost funny to see the Cylon failing his arm about. His lone red eye flashes for a micron, then he reaches over, opens a panel and starts to punch some keys. Skyler quickly fires his blaster, the energy bolt servers the Cylons arm and it falls helpless to the floor. A count down begins and they both realize at the same time it must be a self-destruct device. Randrius reaches under the panel, and rips out a handful of wires, while Skyler looks for a switch that might deactivate it. Tracing the wires down Randrius narrows his choice down to 2 wires.
"Which one Skyler, the Red wire, or the Purple and Orange wire?"
"Your kidding, purple and orange worked for Starbuck and Apollo yarhen ago, lets hope our luck with those colors hold."
Randrius snatches them from their connections and the countdown stops with a micron to spare. Both Warriors let out a deep breath and laugh nervously. What else could happen today?
Brie
While Sheba and Jorlan continued to discuss the Omega Plan, Brie left the bridge and headed for her quarters. She felt like it had been sectars since she had last been there. She was exhausted, but she didn't want to try to sleep yet. She was planning on returning to the MedLab to see if they would let her visit Najinn. She was as worried about him as ever. She couldn't shake the feeling that his condition was worse than anyone would let on.
Upon entering her quarters, something seemed.....different. Amy had moved in, but that wasn't what was off. She stared at the flag on her wall. It looked crooked. She squinted, still crooked. It didn't really matter, with the battle and all the Callisto had been through it had probably shifted somehow. Strange, though, that it had never happened before.
Since she didn't have time to sleep, Brie decided that a long turbowash was what she needed. Maybe she could somehow wash away everything that had happened. Putting on a clean uniform might help as well. The one she had been wearing was still covered with Najinn's blood. She wondered if she might be allowed to burn it. The water started to fall, but soon Brie realize it was going to take more than that. "In the presence of a murderer." "Unfortunate but justifiable." "Please tell Amy, I love her, tell I will always love her and..." "There will be no retribution." "But they killed Dexter!" She wondered if those statements and others would haunt her forever.
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Jun 30, 2005 4:02:01 GMT -6
Brie
Putting on a clean uniform at last wasn't as gratifying as Brie hoped it would be. She knew that a uniform wouldn't really make a difference, but she was disappointed nonetheless. She was more sore than she had realized, and if she thought she could sleep she would.
Instead, she left the room and walked down the hall. She considered sending word to the bridge in case Sheba needed to speak with her again, but decided against it. If the commander needed her she would page her. She traveled that all-too-familiar path. So many people had been sick or injured lately. This was Najinn's third time as a patient in such a short period of time.
Opening the door, Brie immediately saw Doc Bkj. She was even busier than usual, but Brie managed to catch her eye. "Wait," Doc mouthed. "I'll come talk with you when I have a chance."
Brie took a seat in a corner. The place was filled with refugees. They didn't seem to be seriously injured, which was encouraging. Brie wondered if it was a good thing for them that she had led them all to this place. What if she had been wrong in taking them away from their home? What home? The place was soon to be filled with Cylons. Brie and the others had done the right thing.
Going over the mental list that she had made on the shuttle, Brie remembered that she still needed to speak with Charybdis. Now that she thought about it, he hadn't been on the bridge when she was there earlier. She probably just hadn't seen him. Thinking about Charybdis brought her thoughts back to Najinn. She hoped that no one had mentioned Amy's engagement in from of him. The thought of Amy might be all that he was holding on to, all that was keeping him alive.
Over in one of the side rooms Brie could see a couple of people. She couldn't see well enough to make them out, but she thought one of them was a woman. She looked a mess! She got another glimpse, realized that the woman was wearing a warrior's uniform. From the little that Brie could see she looked a lot like Amy. It couldn't be Amy, though, because if Amy had come to see Najinn she would be waiting in the same area with Brie. It had to be someone else.
Brie
Doc Bkj didn't really need to say anything for Brie to know that the situation was bad. "Najinn is in a deep coma. He's had more than one heart attack since he was brought in. If he doesn't find some fight in him..." Her voice trailed off.
"Can I see him?" Brie asked.
"Jarrynn is with him at the moment," Doc replied, "but I don't think that another visitor will hurt." Doc led Brie to where Najinn was lying. If it weren't for the tubes and the monitors, Brie would have thought that he was already dead.
"Doc," Brie said, "I want to let you know that Jarrynn performed admirably down there. She put her fears aside and was wonderful. She acted above and beyond the call of duty."
"Thanks," Doc said. "That's always good to hear."
Brie stood there next to Najinn for a moment, replaying the shooting in her head. She had seen it a thousand times already. "You should have let me take that shot. It was meant for me." She stared at him for several more microns. "Thanks," she added.
There had to be some way to get him to fight again. "Please tell Amy, I love her, tell I will always love her and..." Najinn's voice rolled through Brie's head. Amy! That was it. She needed to find Amy and convince her to declare her undying love to Najinn, even if that love really belonged to Charybdis.
Najinn
Najin lay quietly as the light seemed to bath him in strange emotions and feelings. The bottom of the hole seemed so far away from the dim distant point of light that he thought must be the top of the hole, the point he had tried so hard to climb towards.
As he lay their he replayed in his mind the conversations he had had with over the mission, over the recent days and weeks. He gradually began to form in his mind the conclusion that Brie wasn't telling him something, indeed she wasn't the only one, he couldn't shake the feeling that Amy didn't love him, that she infact loved another. He couldn't place the feeling, its origin, its truth, but he felt it nontheless, he had a vague memory of Jarrynn saying something over him on the planet. The problem with these memories was that they were vague, he couldn't quite understand them fully. But he was certain without doubt that something was wrong.
As he lay their the pain in his chest pounded, it was very uncomfortable, he was tired. He was so tired, he just wanted to sleep, sleep. To close his eyes and sleep. He shook himself, he had to stay awake. He knew that to fall asleep would be the end of him, but perhaps that was best. He had lost the will to live, that fervour for life that surrounded his love for Amy wasn't their, and it scared him.
Charybdis
Amy had left my room and I sat back breathing in the air. I adjusted the thermal control for my room and chilled the air a little bit more. I had gotten a bit warm while I was holding Amy.
She was in bad shape. And I knew that I was not just talking about physical condition. Her mind had been strained. She was still young, just 20 yahrens old. That's a lot for someone her age to go through. Not to mention what she had already been through with the attacks on her life,etc.
I laid back on my bed and got a bit restless. The nagging thoughts about what had happened would not go away. I had the strangest feelings of lightness and serenity. Not that that was bad, but not in the normal relaxed kind of feeling that you like in normal conditions. This feeling was deep. I could not place it. I just knew that I had an experience that I could not understand. I don't know, maybe I needed to talk with Rev. Mars to clear my head up.
I got up to take a look around the med lab to see how the injured troops were. I noticed some commotion near one of the intensive care units and I walked that way to see who it was. As I approached, no one was in the room for the moment except the patient all tied up with tubes and monitors indicating his condition. As I walked to the edge of the bed I caught sight of who it was-- Lt. Najinn!
My mind immediately raced back to the planet, the rescue mission, the flight back to the Callisto with Skyler and attempting to land and that's when...I drew a deep breath to calm myself.
I had to admit as I stared down into that face, Najinn was the source of much of my pain. Ever since he showed up he had been a thorn in my side. He moved in on Amy and showed her more than friendly feelings. An honorable man would not have done that. I felt he was praying off Amy's fears to exorcise all his demons. And the kind, nurturing soul she is, had fallen for it. She had grown close to him even with her feelings for me. She had accepted my proposal for sealing, but for the first time, I began to wonder if she had accepted just to run away from everything else going on in her life. It hadn't been that long ago, after all. Just barely a cycle. Hardly anyone knew about it. She seemed very confused.
I took a look over at his monitors and tubes indicating his fragile existence. Incredible, how fragile life can be. I looked at one of the wires from the ventilator and stroked it gently. Life emanating and sustaining him through one...little...wire...
Humanity has struggled for thousands of yahrens to survive, against all sorts of events from the cosmos, the Cylons not withstanding, and had made it to a certain degree. And on the other side of the scale, here lies one single person barely being kept alive. I hoped we didn't have a power outage. I just wondered what the good Lt. will think when he finds out just who brought him back to the Callisto. How ironic. I almost died to bring him back to life!
I blinked my eyes and shook my head. I needed something much lighter than this. I really needed to get back on the bridge and get back to duty. I left Najinn's room to see if I could talk to Dr. BKJ.
MedievalSong
I looked in the mirror on last time and fussed with my hair. I wanted to look special for him after all we haven't been on a real date in so long with all that was going on. I hoped that I wouldn't be going on duty again soon for awhile. One I was tired two things still looked bright to me. It felt great to get that turbowash. I swore I would never feel clean again. Seeing that I couldn't do anything else I walked to the O'club. I looked around for him and I spotted him at the back corner. I walked up and he stood up as I approached. He hugged me so tight and then helped me to my seat. He sat really close and took my hands in his. "Kris there's a lot we need to talk about. I promised to tell you everything so I will. I trust you with this information." I just looked at him and he looked somber. "Nat..." He stopped me. "I kept too much from you already and if there is to be a future with us, you deserve to know. About Sharla..." We were interupted. "Hey Lt Nat great flying!!! Can I be your wing againg sometime soon?" Nylah asked batting her eyes at him. I wanted to have a "discussion" with her later. "Nylah, I normally don't fly unless I have to. Besides you are with Raycer now. You guys did fine! Now Ensign if you don't mind..." he motioned to me and him. Nylah looked shocked. I just smiled at her and she got the hint and left. Nat took my hands again. "Kris, Sharla is my adopted daughter. She loves it when she gets handwritten letters from me. That's the letter you found that day." I sighed as I remembered that day. "Oh Nat I am so sorry. I didn't give you a chance to explain. I just assumed. I feel so horrible now." Nat lightly touched my cheek. "Don't, that was the past, you are here now that's all that matters. No on to what was brought up in the tribunal." he looked around to make sure no one was listening. "Kris, there was this mission when I was twenty two yarhens and I was the only one left...." someone else came over. "Kris, I wanted to let you know that Holodoc took care of Galen while you were gone and Jarrynn picked him up when she picked up Furybdis." said the med tech. I just smiled and thanked her. I looked back at Nat who was looking really down at this point. "Nat?" "Sorry just remembering it all. My ship was damaged. I landed on Nagolis Eta Beta. I hid my ship since it was a long distance patrol. I didn't know what was on the planet. I spent time running and hiding, I wanted to put much distance between me and the ship as possible. I hardly slept as I ran. But as I ran they found me somehow and attacked. Sometimes I could feel the heat from the lasers as they shot past me. I kept thinking the next one was going to be the one with my name on it. Then it happened that fateful day...." Some people bumped into our table as they were celebrating a bit too much. All these interuptions were getting on our nerves. I looked back at Nat and could see the pain of the memories in his eyes. I wanted to make it all better somehow, but I didn't know how. The intruders left and Nat picked back up. "They found me and I was surrounded. I knew it was over then these people saved me. They were survivors of a Cylon invasion that had occurred several sectars before. They killed the cylons and saved me. They themselves were being slowly hunted and killed off as they did not have much to defend themselves with. We scrambled for cectaurs in silence as we dodged the cylons. Finally we got to this cave and went down deep into it. That's when I was able to meet the group's...." "Oh Kris are your eyes ok? I heard you were blind?" Nylah was back. I looked at Nat and excused myself as I grabbed her arm and stepped to the side. "Nylah, back off. What ever is in your mind just stop it now. Lt Resonat and I are spending time together and I would like to do so ALONE! So get the hint, please." "Funny thing Kris, I last heard you were telling him to leave you alone. I thought he was free." Nylah pouted. "You heard wrong. We are together now so back off." Nylah smiled and hugged me. "Ok, you win. Just remember you let him go and I will be there. I was just kidding." With that I sat back down with Nat. He looked at me with a quizical look. "Everything alright Kris?" I scooted in close to him, I took his hand in mine this time and smiled. "I think so. I guess someone thought I was foolish enough to let you out of my life and thought they would come waltzing in. So I let them know they stood corrected. I assume things are going to be ok since you found me and broke protocol to be near me. ::pause:: And if you didn't want me in your life anymore you wouldn't have asked me to dinner and wouldn't be here telling me this information. Please continue on." I kept his hand in mine to show him I wanted to know and I wanted to be with him thru this.
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Jun 30, 2005 4:02:36 GMT -6
LucianG
“Oh, where was I? I’m not that great at these deep personal moments in the first place, then we get this kind of activity!” he said, smiling. “Anyway, the people who had rescued me were descendants of a group of settlers from the colonies. They had been opposed to the war with the Cylons, so they bought a couple of ships and emigrated. This was around seven or eight hundred yahrens ago. When they arrived on Nagolis Eta Beta, they adopted an almost pastoral lifestyle, living in the tropical climes, becoming tillers of the soil, putting away technology almost entirely. Eventually, the population grew, and the technological base did as well, but they never developed weapons or war. When the Cylons arrived, they were cut to pieces, and only small numbers of humans in small bands had survived for the few sectars since the attacks and invasion. Despite their lack of experience, they had organized resistance cells, and had busy trying to steal weapons from the Cylons.” There was a seemingly constant stream of people coming by the table. Nat was forced to stop yet again as a couple of young Ensigns stopped by to say hello to Nat and thank him for all of his help in the simulators. Wishing them well, Nat attempted to hurry them along but it was most probably the look on Kris’ face that actually did the trick. She squeezed his hand again, and said, “Go ahead Nat, I’m listening.” “The group that had rescued me was hiding in a cave several kilometers from where they’d rescued me, and at least a cycle’s walk from my ship. They took me deep into a cave, blindfolded, since they said they’d seen several humans being forced to help the tinheads. They just didn’t want to take any chances,” he said, almost apologetically.
“The smell hadn’t been all that great when we came to their hideout, but when they took my blindfold off, the sight was sad beyond belief. The cavern, which was very poorly lit, was filled with probably about thirty people, with little food or supplies. Their clothing was generally tattered, and most of the just looked…unkempt. To top matters off, most of them looked at me as if they hated me. I found out later that by rescuing me, these people had given up their chance to hunt and gather any food for the cycle, so we all went hungry. They tied my hands and feet while we slept that night, so I wouldn’t sneak around and dispatch them one by one or something.”
He took a drink, staring across the room as if he was seeing none of the activity. “When I awoke, they removed my bonds, and gave me a small drink of water. Then, I was lead a little further into the cave. There, in the gloom, I was questioned by a female voice, but—”
“Ah, I thought as much. It is the young Ensign—no, make that young Lieutenant Kris—with our good Lieutenant Resonat. Good evening to you both,” said Captain Lazant in what Kris thought of as his “I’ll be smarmy with her now so I can get her later” voice. Sure enough, he kept going, going immediately to the syrup, saying, “I understand that congratulations are in order on your recent promotion, Lieutenant. From the reports I’ve been receiving, it was well deserved. Always glad when a former student turns out well—”
“Especially when that’s better than you ever imagined, you two-faced jerk,” thought Kris, though her eyes would have probably made her feelings known to most people other than Lazant. Almost biting her tongue to keep from saying something that she shouldn’t, she said merely, “Thank you, Captain,” and then returned her gaze to her drink.
Lazant either took the hint or else he had exhausted his “charm.” Kris looked up when Nat started with his story again.
“The young lady questioning me was named Shanise. She was one of the leaders of the group by default. Her husband, who had been one of the primary Resistance leaders, had been killed a short time before, so she had stepped in to fill the gap, and done it very well. I didn’t know why she wouldn’t let me see her at the time, but found out later. It turned out that she had a little baby daughter. Shanise turned out to be more of the planner type since she couldn’t get out because she was nursing the baby. The baby was named Sharla.
“I was with them for about five cycles, and during that time, I got to know Shanise, and then, crazy as it sounds, I fell love with her and she seemed to fall for me, although she fought it tooth and nail. In the worst of circumstances, it was amazingly wonderful, but every cycle, something would happen to remind us that our situation was precarious. She was young and beautiful, but a very sad and tragic figure, too. Pretty soon, I knew that our love could never work unless I got help, and quickly.”
Nat continued the story, telling how, with the help of the Resistance, he was able to return to his ship and make the needed repairs. They’d staged a raid on a Cylon storage depot to get materials that were fashioned into the needed cables and electronics. When the comm was repaired, he’d contacted the Galactica and informed them of the situation. To the young Lieutenant’s great surprise, he was ordered to return at once, since two Base-Stars had just arrived in the system. Resonat argued that the Galactica must save the people of Nagolis Eta, to no avail. Commander Tigh said that the necessary resources were just not available, and any attacks to defend the planet would just serve to endanger the fleet.
Nat paused in his story, the sadness obvious on his face. He looked at Kris, hoping that his story wasn't hurting her too much or frightening her away from him.
MedievalSong
“I was with them for about five cycles, and during that time, I got to know Shanise, and then, crazy as it sounds, I fell love with her and she seemed to fall for me, although she fought it tooth and nail. In the worst of circumstances, it was amazingly wonderful, but every cycle, something would happen to remind us that our situation was precarious. She was young and beautiful, but a very sad and tragic figure, too. Pretty soon, I knew that our love could never work unless I got help, and quickly.” ********************** I sat there and the words cut deep. He was in love with her and the child's name was Sharla. He had kept her daughter. I did my best to keep the hurt and jealousy that was rising in my throat from showing in my eyes. I just held his hand tighter still and smiled thru the pain. I let go and took my drink in both my hands as I stared off into the distance. (Is that why he keeps pushing me away? Is he still in love with her?) were some of the thoughts running thru my mind as I sat there. Nat reached out and took my hand and my attention was back on him. "Kris, are you ok?" he asked and I could tell he was worried about what was said. I took his hand again and smiled. "Yeah I am fine, just thinking on how horrible that had to be for you. I couldn't deal with that. And I thought the people we saved on the moon were in bad shape. Please continue, Nat." He shook his head slowly, then said, “Commander Tigh—he said—he couldn’t do anything. You remember, it was right after Adama had died, and the situation in the fleet was so very precarious. Well, they couldn’t do anything due to the politics of it, but I decided that I could. I’d been ordered to return to the Galactica as fast as I could, but I was in love and saw no sense in such action. Instead, I kissed Shanise goodbye, fully intent on attacking the Base-Stars alone to try to save the people.”
Shanise. Again that name ripped thru my soul like a knife. Again I could see the look on his face as he talked about her. I could tell that they must have had a whirlwind romance, one that he still had in his heart. I wanted to know what happened but how much was too much to hear? Part of me wanted to scream out that I was here in front of him, flesh and blood and alive, but somehow I knew it wouldn't change things. I would have to learn to deal with this. I could handle myself in a viper but I didn't know what to do in this sort of situation. Then it hit me, he was willing to take on a base star all by himself for them! What was he thinking? I had to know! "Nat, you against a basestar? I know you say you were in love but what in the twelve worlds were you thinking?"
LucianG
“First, it was TWO Base-Stars, so in retrospect, it was even more stupid!" he laughed. "Yes, and I know, it would have been suicide! That's just it, it wasn't just that I was in love with Shanise; I was so upset about what the Cylons were doing to those people, and knowing that we couldn't do anything about it. It brought back memories of when I was a child and the Cylons attacked. I was so traumatized by everything that happened that I didn't say a word for the longest time after we evacuated the Twelve Words. The counselors on the Rothmar, the orphan ship where I lived, didn't think I would ever speak again. One day, I guess I realized that the Cylons weren't there anymore, and I just started talking again. If I'd really known what they were like, and how they persisted in chasing us, I probably would still be mute!"
He looked at her closely, and became serious again, hoping to limit any pain she might suffer as much as possible, but knowing that if he didn't tell her all of it now, he probably never would. And, if she didn't know all of it, she'd never understand.
“Anyway, such an attack would have done no good at all. I guess that in sacrificing myself, I thought I would have felt better. I guess it was that strange combination of hatred for the Cylons and love for Shanise that blinded me. 'Fortunately'", he emphasized, "for me, Shanise was stronger and smarter than I was, even though she had no clue about the capabilities of a Base-star. She told me, ‘No!’ when she realized what I was doing, and instead, SHE gave me the reason to live, despite knowing that she would not survive."
MedievalSong
I sat there just letting it all sink in. She was his reason for wanting to live on. She was strong for him. My mind was reeling as my heart was racing. I heard him saying the words as my own voice was screaming in my head, (What about me? Am I not a reason for you to live? Am I not strong enough for you?) It stung, the words he spoke. My mind went back to how we met in the academy and then how he found me after my wreck and worked hard with me to get me up to par with the rest. Then I heard the words again from the tribunal, 'you weren't ready to go out there yet'. Doubts filled my mind as I realized that compared to her I was still a school kid. I swallowed the lump that was rising within my throat and I felt like my heart was swimming in my stomach. I kept telling myself I would not break down anymore in front of anyone, no matter who it was. I felt Nat's gaze on me again and I gave him the best smile I could through all the pain I was feeling. And the worst part about it was that I felt guilty for feeling this way. He continued on. "She had one of the other ladies step up with her daughter Sharla, and told me to rescue her instead. She said that if I attacked the Base-Stars, it would probably reveal the presence of the Galactica to the Cylons, and many more people would die. I understood her love then. She loved me, but she LOVED her daughter with her heart and soul. I agreed to do as she asked. We bundled baby Sharla and strapped her in the small hold behind the seat." WE!!! Now he sounded like they were a family! I guess in a way for the short time he was there I guess you could say they were one. I tried to keep my eyes from watering and from veering from his face. I didn't want him to know how much this was hurting. "Just as nightfall came, I blasted away, leaving Shanise behind forever, but taking her hope and joy with me. When I got back to the fleet, we jumped from the system, leaving the few survivors of Nagolis Eta to their fate. I adopted Sharla as my own daughter, but was then ordered by Core Command never to mention what had happened on Nagolis Eta. The reasoning they gave me was that if word of the disaster there was known, it would further damage the already very low morale of the fleet so shortly after Adama's death. To this day, only a few people know about the disaster there, including less than a handful of people on this ship."
My mind raced to the people that we rescued on the moon. What if she was among them? Could I really live with knowing she was still alive and that they could be reunited. This time a tear fell and I turned my head away and tried to pass it off as something in my eye or the lights were too bright again. (Oh Please don't let her be part of that group!) my heart prayed silently. (please don't let me lose him over this.)
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Jun 30, 2005 4:03:10 GMT -6
LucianG
Having finally finished dinner in the Officers’ Club, Nat said, “I know it’s getting late, and I’ve hit you with a load of bricks. I’ve told you the story about long ago, and maybe even crushed you. I'm so sorry I had to tell you all of this, and that it's hurt you. I hope you'll give me a chance someday to show you how I feel now. For now, as a start, I was wondering if you’d walk with me for a little while?"
He held her hand as they rose, and started to move toward the exit, but Kris stopped and asked, “You said only a few people know?”
“Yes, and the fewer the better according to Core Command. As far as I know, the only people on this ship who know about the disaster at Nagolis Eta are Commander Sheba, Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis, Captain Buellah, and Captain Lazant, and Charybdis and Buellah only know because of the Tribunal. Then there are you and me, of course, so that would be six total on the entire ship. If word of this ever gets out, I’ll be in the brig or worse,” Nat concluded, starting again toward the door. Moments later, they went out into the corridor.
What they didn’t know was that another person, despite Nat’s efforts, had overheard the entire conversation. He watched them leave, thinking to himself, “Interesting, very interesting.”
LucianG
Commander Sheba had sensed it from the beginning of the interview. Captain Jorlan obviously would have rather been being tortured by the Cylons than to be in her presence. His answers were short, clipped, defiant. His withering stare evoked hatred. Even as she continued to ask follow-up questions, Jorlan looked as if he thought someone was whispering questions to her. Finally, Commander Sheba had had enough.
“RE-corder OFF,” she said in the correct tone of voice to deactivate the device. “Captain, do you have a problem with me?”
“No, Com-man-der, NOT at all,” he said, with obvious enmity.
“I ask you again, Captain, do you have a problem with me? You have permission to speak freely,” said Sheba, hoping that this would let him get his beef off his chest and into the open where she could deal with it.
“Com-man-der,” he said with disdain. “On my planet, you would not even be an officer, yet here, a Battlestar you command. The…concept…is alien to me. Until my generation, females were basically carefully regulated reproductive units. This was required to increase our genetic base and insure the continuation of our species on Gastonovia. In my generation, women are finally able to do more, and are not so severely regulated, but many older men still see the old system. That, Commander, is the system from which I come, and from which I take my mind-set. It may be different to you, but it is our culture.”
“Many things here you may find different than that to which you are accustomed, but, Captain, you’re just going to have to learn to deal with them,” she began. “Here, women are people first, and are not second-class citizens. Here, officers are promoted based on their ability, and not on whether or not they have a certain genitalia. It may take you a little time to realize that, but until you do, you WILL NOT present yourself in such a manner as if questioning the abilities of your peers. You WILL act appropriately as an officer, regardless of gender. If you cannot or will not, then someone who can and will WILL take your place. Do I make myself perfectly clear, Captain?”
“Yes, Ma’am, perfectly,” said a somewhat toned-down Jorlan.
The comm interrupted the session.
“Commander, we’ve got the message just about cleaned-up. Shall I summon the staff?” asked Major Joey.
“Major, Senior Bridge staff only, but including Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis. Has he been released from the Med Lab?” asked Sheba. “Give the Squadron Leaders a rest break. They may need it before we get out of this system. Sheba out.”
“Now, back to the Omega Plan. RE-corder ON,” said Sheba, hoping that the interview would be more productive. “Captain, you said there were frequent kill zones with crossed and sealable corridors for covered retreats…”
Amy81
After leaving Charybdis’s room, I paused in another doorway, a few rooms away. I thought I had heard a familiar voice. I looked up and took a peek in. I had heard another voice! It was Captain Brie! Wearily I walked into the room. Brie and another person were there, their backs were to me, their attention focused on the patient lying in the bed.
“Hey” I said as I approached the bed. My forming smile died on my lips as I saw who the patient was. It was Najinn. He looked so frail, so much just a step away from death. I could tell. I’d seen death itself just a little while earlier. I was getting sick of seeing it on people I loved.
Brie turned around, and so did the other person. Jarryn! I walked up and put an arm around Jarryn. “How is he?”
“Stable again, but very weak” said Jarryn sadly.
“Amy, I need to speak to you for a moment” Brie started to say, taking a step away from the bedside.
I raised a hand. “Please Captain” I said, “Later? I can only stay a moment. I’m off duty anyway, if I was ever on.” I slid in front of her to stand at Najinn’s side, missing the hurt expression that passed over Brie’s face. My brain in scrambled mode, I just never figured that what she wanted to say was anything but official stuff. I was tired of being in trouble, tired of seeing my loved ones hurt. Tired of everything really.
I sat on a chair next to Najinn. I heard Brie’s voice behind me. “Okay”, she said, slowly drawing out the word. “Have you seen Charybdis.” I jerked slightly at his name. “Three doors down to the left” I replied without turning around, “Fit as the proverbial fiddle.” I heard Brie shuffling away. Jarryn began to rise as well. I held out a hand and placed it on hers.
“Don’t go”, I said. “He needs us.” Jarryn sat back down. I continued, “I’m not much use anyway. I am so tired. If I doze off, kick me.” Jarryn smiled and nodded. I turned to Najinn. “Hey Najinn. It’s me, Amy. You in there somewhere?” I laid my head down next to his shoulder, my hand near his arm. And just like that, I was asleep again.
I felt myself falling downward, into a pit of some kind. No, I wasn’t falling; I was floating, descending slowly. My arms were extended, and the bellowing sleeves of my gown were holding me up, allowing me to gently go lower, ever lower to, but to where?
It was dark here, but I saw that I had a radiance, a glow that lit my way and allowed me to see around me. It was a confining space, a cold space. Forbidding, heavy with the scent of death, of anguish, of fear itself. As I reached the bottom, I knew that this wasn’t my dream. My mind could never have conjured up such a pit of despair. And that’s when I saw him.
Najinn. He was standing there, poised, ready to do something, but what? He had a hand on the jagged wall of the pit, and I could see that he’d been trying to climb. But he wasn’t looking toward the wall. He was looking at a tunnel that led from the base of the pit. Light was coming from the tunnel, and he seemed entranced with it, ready to give in to it. I noticed that for all its brilliance, the tunnel shed no light on the pit itself.
“No!” I called out. At that moment he turned, and fixed his sad eyes upon me. His mouth formed the word though he did not say it. “Amy”. He turned fully to face me, but did not leave the tunnel and it’s promise of final escape.
I started to move toward him. I realized that I wasn’t walking. I was floating along, my body’s inner light guiding my way. I called out again, “It’s me, Najinn. It’s Amy.” My arms were extended, reaching out for him. I wanted to grab a hold of him, pull him back away from the light. That’s all I wanted to do.
I got closer and reached out my hand to touch his arm. As always, his touch was electric, but never like this. I felt myself melting, merging with him. My body shivered with an ecstasy that I’d never felt before. In a moment, we had become one.
I felt his intense physical pain right away. I felt it as if it were my own. I could feel myself begin to buckle, but the Najinn side was now the stronger one, bracing me until I had the sensations under control. Gradually I felt the pain subsiding. If it was actually going away, or if I was just getting used to it, I could not tell.
I had other feelings, too. I could feel, actually feel the different sides of Najinn. The brave warrior on the lost ship Aggie. The worried warrior lost on a shuttle somewhere on Frodar Epsilon. The tender one who had made up a cot for me such a long long time ago during the barracks expansion. And the incredibly heroic one that had taken a shot meant for his Captain. I could see it all, how he had stepped in front to save Brie. But there was something more behind that act. I could feel it.
I felt through my feelings, our merged feelings. Something was there, something weighing him, weighing US down. It was hidden, buried, but I finally found it. It was big, dark, and incredibly heavy, though it was empty inside. A pain, more mental than physical. Weighing him down, keeping him here. I reached up inside us to touch it, and suddenly I knew that I was the reason for this pain. Tears came to us as I touched it hesitantly, but then I grabbed it with both hands. This pain was something I had caused? Our tears came harder. This was overwhelming to me, so intense.
As I held this pain, it began to contract. It melted whereever my warm touch came in contact with it. Though I could not remove it entirely, it became small enough that we suddenly began to rise, to leave the floor of this horrible pit and the entrance to the tunnel of light. Higher and higher we rose, carried gently on a cushion of air. I looked up, could see the edges of the tunnel above me.
“It’s going to be alright,” I said, in a voice that came out as Najinn’s.
And then I woke up. Jarryn was gently rocking my shoulder. “Amy” she whispered. Then louder. “Amy.” I raised up my head, blinking away the sleep. “I knew I’d be out” I said. “Any change?”
“His signs are still stable,” Jarryn said. “But he’s got color in his face again”.
I looked, and sure enough he did. What an odd dream, I thought. My hand was just resting on his arm. I pulled it away, and noticed discoloration on my fingertips. Electric, I thought. His touch, as always, was electric. And the pain, I could still feel that devastating, empty pain. Okay, this was all too much strangeness for one day.
“I have to get cleaned up” I told Jarryn. “Somewhere there’s a shower with my name on it”. I patted her on the shoulder. She said something, but my mind was already far away.
I had caused that pain??
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Jun 30, 2005 4:03:57 GMT -6
Amy81
I headed for gold barracks, my mind still on that dream. That pain. And all that had happened since I had returned to the Callisto. I hated myself for how I had acted with Charybdis, but I couldn’t hide the mixed feelings that I had. It stuck with me, froze me. Could I get past it?
I gratefully peeled off my uniform, and ran a hot shower. I stepped in, just standing there, letting it pour down me, cleansing me, making me new again. It reset my brain, yet the core questions remained. Could I ever get past that moment, seeing Charybdis, dead in my hands, jerk awake after so long a time? No answer came to mind. Maybe in time…. After the way I behaved, was I even capable of giving unconditional love? Just having to ask myself that question gave me a clue to what the answer might be, and I didn’t like the implications. And, was I really capable of causing so much pain, like the pain I felt inside Najinn in that dream? It was only a dream, I told myself, and yet it had seemed so real, so alive. I was beginning to feel like a black widow crawlon again, something I really really didn’t like.
Then my mind started to mess with me. Playing ‘what if’. I had gone to Frodar Epsilon because my dearest friends were in trouble. But what if it had been just Brie and Charybdis? Would I have gone? Or Brie and Najinn? Najinn and Charybdis? I slammed the shower off suddenly. I’d go crazy if I kept this up.
I grabbed a towel and began to dry off. Back at my cot, I sat down, toweling through my hair as I sat there staring at nothing in particular. Was I capable of unconditional love? Funny, even though I was now cleaned up, I still felt like scum. For how I treated Charybdis. It dawned on me that my eyes were resting on the necklace Charybdis had given me, as a symbol of… my mind locked up.
Unconditional love.
I kept thinking about it as I went through the motions of brushing my hair. Of choosing clothes to put on. Of putting on makeup. Of slipping into shoes. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. All in black, huh? I didn’t remember picking out the clothes.
I kept thinking about it as I walked down the hall, stopped at a door, tapped in the code to Charybdis’s quarters. My mind kept turning as I walked to his desk, and laid the necklace out on it with care. I single tear landed next to it. I grabbed a pen and started a note.
“Dear Charybdis” I started, then wrinkled the paper up and chucked it aside. Start again. “I’m sorry..” Wrinkled it up. “My dear sweet Char..” I shook my head, crumpling up another one. Finally I wrote the only words that made sense, even though when he read them, it would make no sense to him at all: “I love you”.
I kept thinking about it as I left the room, heading for the Officer’s club. I don’t remember even walking there. I kept thinking about unconditional love, about how I had failed it just hours after promising it, and how I could cause people so much pain. I downed one ambrosia, then another. I was working on a third as I sat back in the booth. The place was pretty quiet, but I’d expect it to fill up sooner or later.
Brie
Brie went to where Amy had told her that Charybdis had been found, wondering which patient he was visiting. There was a med tech checking him, and Brie realied that Charybdis WAS the patient. "What the frack hapened?" Brie asked, and then quickly added, "Sir."
"Amy can fill you in," Charybdis said. "But I'm fine. I'd stay and talk now, but I've been called to the bridge."
Talking about Charybdis in front of Najinn probably wasn't a good thing to do, Brie decided. She went back to his room and peeked her head in. Amy was still there, but she was sleeping. Not knowing what else to do, Brie returned to her quarters.
Once inside she looked at the flag again. It WAS crooked, no doubt. Strange. She went to her safe and opened it. She took out two pictures, one of her parents and the other of her husband. She reached farther in and pulled out the bottle of Ambrosia that she was saving for the day her husband safely returned. She moved back her hand and considered throwing it across the room. She stopped herself, there was no reason to destroy it. She stared at the pictures again.
After quite a bit of time passed, Brie put her things away and went to the Officers' Club. In a booth in the back she saw Amy, sitting alone. "Need a friend?" Brie asked her. "Because I know I sure do." She took a seat without waiting for an answer.
Amy81
I looked up to see Captain Brie sliding into the booth across the table from me. I smiled at the sight of her. I was making a lousy drinking partner for myself. I reached for my mug selfconsciously, trying not to look like I was on my fourth ambrosia. Brie just sat there, eying me, trying to figure me out, I guess. Well, if she was having any luck, I wish she'd come out with it. I laughed to myself.
"Did I..." I started, not knowing how to put it, "Did I snap at you before, in Najinn's room? Thinking back, I think I might have." I took a good slug of brew, setting the mug down a little harder than I should have. "Sorry if I did. I was just at the end of it, you know? My rope."
Remembering that she was looking for Charybdis, I asked, "Did you find Charybdis? Quite a story there. Quite a story everywhere I go." I took another long swallow, then sat back in the booth.
Brie
Brie made herself comfortable and ordered a drink. Not being able to remember the last time she ate she knew it would go right to her head, but she didn't care. "You call that snapping? Not too long ago Captain Jorlan called me a murderer in front of Commander Sheba. THAT was snapping." Brie's drink was brought to her and she took a long sip. "I found Charybdis. He told me to ask you what had happened."
"He..." Amy was unable to say the words.
"Is he okay?" Brie asked. Amy nodded. "Well then you'll be able to tell me when things make more sense."
"When will that ever be?" Amy asked without expecting an answer.
The two friends sat together, silent, for several microns. "I don't want to get official, since we're both off-duty," Brie said at last, "but there's something I need to mention to you. The Commander won't let your taking the viper go unnoticed. She said it's up to me to decide what to do."
"So what's going to happen?" Amy asked. It was obvious that she didn't really care if she was punished or not.
"I'll let you get off with just a warning," Brie said, "but you'll need to do me a favor. Something you may very well not want to do."
"I'm listening," Amy replied.
"You need to talk to Najinn," Brie said. "Convince him that life is worth living. Convince him that you love him, even though you don't." Amy looked at her friend with a surprised look, but didn't say anything. "He saved my life," Brie continued.
"I know," Amy said. "I saw it." If was Brie's turn to look surprised. "Not really, it was a dream. But it seemed so real."
"Will you help?" Brie asked. "I'm asking as a friend, not an officer. And Charybdis would understand." Amy looked away at the mention of her fiancee. "He would," Brie insisted. "He risked his life to bring Najinn back here."
"He lost it," Amy said softly.
"Lost what?" Brie asked, slightly confused.
"His life," Amy continued. "He crashed when he returned to the Callisto. His viper was so badly damaged that if was pushed aside to be salvaged later. I got him out when I returned centars later, and he was cold. There was no life in him. But then somehow...........and now they say he's fine. Not a scratch on him. I don't understand."
Although Brie couldn't find anything to say, it didn't matter. She took another gulp from her drink. It should have been affecting her by this time, but she didn't feel anything. "I'm sorry I asked, Amy," she said at last. "I had no right. It's up to Najinn whether or not he lives, not you or me or anyone else." She finished her drink and ordered another. The two friends sat there, silent, for a long time.
Feeling extremely guilty for what she had asked, Brie changed the subject. "I saw Hawke on my way here," she said. "Wearing his security uniform. He acted nice enough, but I can't help thinking that when he decked me it was more personal than he let on." Amy remained silent. "Amy, stop thinking about what I asked. I wish I had never brought it up."
Amy81
The grog was having just the right effect. I could almost feel my brain cells spreading out and floating freely. A couple of them did bump together, and I remembered my little drinking party in Brie's quarters... I looked up at my friend sharply, wondering if she had gone there yet, if my clean-up job had worked...
"Don't worry about it", I said, referring to the request she had made about speaking to Najinn. "It's cool, really it is. I had a good visit with him. He knows how things are with us. I really believe he knows." I sat back and slugged down a good swallow.
"Well, I know I struck a nerve somewhere", Brie replied. "You're downing that stuff like there's no tomorrow." I stopped in mid-swallow and set the mug down.
"You know, Brie", I said, changing the subject, "You really aught to spank me harder for what I did out there. I don't want anyone ever to think I'm getting special treatment. I don't want special treatment. Hate special treatment." And after a pause I added, "Don't deserve special treatment."
Brie tried to keep the tone light, since I was obviously getting darker. "And I should... space you out an airlock? Tie you to the back of a viper and turbo you like a roasted marshmallow?" She laughed, and I smiled. She pointed at me. "Damn! I knew you had one or two of those left!" My face went blank. Huh? "A smile, dummy!"
"Oh", I said. Darn brain cells were floating free again. I sat back and looked at Brie. My good friend Brie. "You know", I said, "I'm thinking of giving up on males all together". I drained ambrosia number five. It took Brie a second to register that one.
Brie just started to laugh. It was a pretty unexpected thing to say. I started to laugh too. I waved at the bartender to bring on number six. Time to change the subject again. "How do you function, Brie?" I asked seriously. "If this is too personal, hit me. But how do you do it, you know, survive without a relationship for so long?" She looked up at me sharply. Looks like it's my turn to strike a nerve. But I really wanted, needed to know. It might be me a lot sooner than I ever thought.
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Jun 30, 2005 4:04:33 GMT -6
Brie
How could Brie put into words the answer to Amy's question? She took another sip of her drink, took another micron to think. "There's more to life than relationships," she said. "Having my heart pulled out and stomped on once is enough for me. Would I do it all over again with my husband? Yes, in a heartbeat. With someone else? No way." She realized that she was about to say something she had never admitted before, not even to herself. "I'm not stupid, Amy. I know that I'll never see him again. I know he's probably dead. A word to Sheba and I could have him declared legally dead instead of missing. But there's no reason to do that. The only reason would be to start another relationship, and I will NEVER open myself up for that kind of pain again."
"Was it worth it?" Amy asked.
Brie started to laugh. Maybe the drink was affecting her at last. "It sure was. Joining yourself to another person, heart and soul...there's nothing like it." She paused. "So how do I function? I just do."
Amy81
"I just do".
I let those words sprint around in my head. Try them on for size. "I like it" I said finally, nodding in approval. "Inner strength. Girl power". I reached out a hand. Brie took it and we shook on it. "I hope I can be as strong as you, Brie". I thought about what I would do if I lost someone close. Arianna came to mind. We weren't really close, but I knew her. You just keep on going, somehow, I guess.
I sat back as Ambrosia number six came. I just looked at it. I could feel the effects pretty good now. No problem, except when it came time to walk, maybe. And of course, there was the morning after. But that seemed far away. It all did. Everything. Exactly what I wanted. I held the mug like an old friend. I ran a finger around the condensation forming on the sides.
"You are strong, Amy" Brie said. "The things you've gone through at such a young age, well, they would have broken most people."
"Yeah" I replied. "I suppose so". I didn't tell her that inside I was broken. A real mess. But maybe that is what strength is about. Keeping on, functioning, even though there is no way you should be able to. Inner strength. Girl power.
"I get the feeling that there is more going on than you are saying", Brie said with a sigh. She looked at me until I looked up to make eye contact. "I'm right, aren't I?"
"You're pretty good at that, you know?" I replied. "That reading people like a book stuff." I took a sip of number six. "I hate that" I said in a mock tone of irritation, and smiled. I didn't really hate it, except maybe a little. Maybe when I just didn't want to be read. "Yeah" I said at last. "There's more. Always more with me and my pathetic little life."
"Care to spill? I'm all ears."
I looked off into the distance. "I'd rather keep it low, for now" I said, focusing back on my friend. "Not sure how it's going to turn out."
Another sip from the mug. I was close to my limit. Or past it, I wasn't sure. "But thanks for asking, Brie. And what about you? That mission really reeked. I've never seen you so worn. I was really worried about you." I smiled a wicked, troublemaker grin. "Guess that's why I had to come out and help."
I sat back, playing with the mug again. I tried to read Brie, but didn't have much luck.
Brie
"Guess that's why I had to come out and help."
"Oh, so THAT'S what I should tell the Commander," Brie said. "And don't even bother trying to read me. Growing up in an orphanage I learned to put on a Pyramid player's face at an early age." Amy took another swallow from her mug. "Um, Amy, speaking as a friend, don't you think you've had enough?"
"Is that possible?" Amy asked. "It's just starting to have the desired effect."
Brie smiled. "Don't make me pull rank. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. Let's head back."
Amy stood, a bit unsteady on her feet. Brie offered an arm for support. They were supposed to be room-mates, but they had never actually been in the quarters at the same time since Amy had moved in. Entering the room, Brie stared at the flag and squinted again. "Doesn't that thing look crooked to you?" she asked.
A very tipsy Amy squinted as well. "Looks straight to me."
"That's what I thought," Brie said. "Definitely crooked."
Amy81
I watched Brie walk over to the flag and begin obsessing with it. A rising panic swept through me. I was busted! She'd noticed the flag-- had she seen the desk yet? I was sure nothing was back in the right spots. She'd ask and I'd have to explain about Cadet Dolet and...
"Do you see the humor anywhere?" Brie asked without turning around. I crept up to the desk while her back was turned.
"The wha?" I asked. Gulp.
"Humor", Brie replied. She turned around and caught me with guilty look on my face. She turned away again, obviously looking for something. "You know", she said absently, "The little Taurian frills and decor that go on a colonial flag. Humor."
"Um", I stammered, "I'm not really up on my Tauran." Her back was still turned, so I began to pick up and move things on her desk. Maybe she'd think I'd just rearranged stuff as we talked. I was in a panic. If Brie only knew what had gone on here! I didn't know the stupid flag had frills! Yeah, there's humor alright.
Brie sighed. "No matter, I guess. Maybe I just thought there was some on it." She spun around suddenly and caught me in the act. I froze. "What are you doing?" she asked after a moment.
I felt my cheeks go crimson. "Uh, just looking for, ah, my resignation? Figured it be around here somewhere." I nodded. Acting cool. Too bad my face was a becon of red.
Brie studied me for a long moment. "Yes", she said slowly, "it's in the desk somewhere." She kept looking at me, trying to figure me out. I hoped she'd think it was the ambrosia.
I watched Brie open a drawer and begin looking for the resignation sheet I had handed in a while back. I could feel the heat in my cheeks gradually fade, and I tried to keep my composure. Maybe Brie wouldn't find things that much out of place after all, but who knew?
I glanced around the quarters. Not really a bad set-up, but when the only thing you've ever known is a one room family space on an agro ship, and military barracks on a battlestar, there really isn't much to compare it to. I thought back to Frodar Epsilon, and the planet there, the gentle breeze fluttering through my hair...
"So", I said, breaking the silence, "how long do you think I'd need to room with you, Captain? I mean, I didn't even think about black shirts much lately. I went a bunch of places on my own since I've been back with out any trouble."
Brie glanced up briefly, then went back to her search. Nice that she kept the resignation so handy! "Well", she replied, "I suppose Urdea would decide that, along with Lt. Col. Charybdis. I don't think you'd want to stay here after your sealing takes place." She continued to look. "I know I stuffed that thing in here someplace."
I sat back. The Ambrosia had helped bury thoughts of Charybdis for a while. I pictured in my mind the engagement necklace on his desk, and the brief note I had left by it. "Yeah", I said, "right. I'm just glad it seems like things are blowing over with those security guys. I like spending time with you, but I'd hate to cramp your style. You know, wear out my welcome."
Brie
"Amy," Brie started while still looking, "just to let you know, the reason I wanted you to move in here isn't because of the Black Shirts problems. That's just an excuse. I'm just a captain, and space is tight on this ship these days. If you're here, they won't stick a bunch of other people in here with me, since you're still a security risk. So my motives are purely selfish." Amy smiled, not knowing whether or not to believe her friend. "I'm kidding!" Brie said. "But I'd feel better if you stayed around. It doesn't matter if it FEELS like the threat is gone. Feelings can be deceptive."
"You're telling me," Amy mumbled.
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Jun 30, 2005 4:05:13 GMT -6
Amy81
I sat there laughing over Brie's comment. I was still a little slow due to the ambrosia I had downed, and she had gotten me good with her poker-faced delivery. I relaxed a little. It seemed that she wasn't going to notice how messed up things were.
Brie suddenly stopped looking in the drawers, and threw her hands up. "Funny", she said, "I just can't find that sheet anywhere. And I had put it in such a safe place, too." I could pick out the sarcasm this time. I smiled. She smiled back, and then grew more serious. "What exactly did you want that sheet for anyway?"
"Well", I said, "I think it would be better for me to serve than to skip out."
Brie smiled broadly. "Duh", she replied with a laugh, "I could have told you that when you handed it in." After a pause, she added: "Come to think of it, I believe I DID tell you that, didn't I?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I think you did. I guess I needed to come to it on my own." I sighed. "There's a lot in my life that's undecided and unsure, but I do know that when my friends are out there laying their lives on the line, I want to be there with them."
"Just so long as you do as ordered", Brie added.
"Well, that's a gray area" I said in reply. "I mean, I wasn't really under any specific orders when I went to Frodar Epsilon."
"Isn't that like splitting hairs?" Brie asked.
"I don't think so. I offered myself as a back-up pilot, got clearance, and launched. After that, it was just a judgement thing on my part."
"And that's what gets you by this time" Brie said. "Just leave the judgement to your commanding officers in the future."
I nodded. But to tell the truth, I wasn't sure that I wouldn't do it again. But that was one truth I wasn't going to tell any time soon.
Brie suddenly reached into her top drawer. "Found it!" She exclaimed to my surprise. "I had to find out what you're decision was first." She held the paper at one end, and held it out toward me. I reached out and took it, but she didn't let go of her end. "Care to play wishbone with this thing?" she asked.
BSGRose
Rose was doing a lot of sleeping from the medication that the Medical Staff had given her to help her rest so that she would be able to recover from her injuries. During one of the few times that she was awake a little, Rose overheard Nurse Holodoc telling Hawke that he need to make sure that he continued to use the ointment on his face so that the skin on his face would continue to heal and not show any scarring later on once completely healed.
"Hawke," Rose says quietly, "Holodoc is right. You need to continue to use the ointment on your face in order for it to completely heal properly. You have come to far to let things go as needed on your face healing completely." "I know," Hawke replies, "but it is so time consuming at times." Rose couldn't help but smile a little and replies, "Hawke, it may be time consuming at times, but it will be worth it in knowing that your face has completely healed the way that it needs to heal without any scarring."
Rose shift positions on the bed so that she was now laying on her side some facing Hawke. Rose then reaches forward and gently touches his cheek with her hand, and then leans over more and lightly kisses Hawke on his other cheek. When she leans back on her bed, Rose is blushing and she quietly says, "I can't believe I just did that. I don't know what came over me. Hawke, I hope you can forgive me for being so forward. Normally I am not so forward in doing such things as what I just did." Rose hides her face some in her pillow as she continues to blush over what she had just done.
Hawke14
I blushed a little. But then I took the pillow from Rose and put it on the other side of the bed. "You don't have anything to be sorry about." I bent down and kissed her fully on the lips. I slid my arm around her. It seemed like it was an eternity before we both came up for air. "Oh my." she said sheepishly. I grinned like I never grinned before. "There's more where that came from if you want." I said.
BSGRose
Rose blushed again at Hawke's comment about there being more where that kissed had come from if she wanted and boy did she want more. Now that she has had a taste she wasn't about let Hawke slip through her fingers if she could help it.
"Hawke," Rose quietly says, "I will take as much as you are willing to give me." Rose reaches up and pulls Hawke back down towards her and this time she claims his lips with her own and gives him a long passionate kiss. While they were kissing, Rose wrapped her arms around Hawke's neck.
Hawke14
I smiled at Rose. "This is the first time since my brother died that I've actually felt life worth living. Not just existing from day to day. You know what I mean?"
Just then I heard over the PA system "Sergent Hawke report to Captain Urdea. Sergent Hawke report to Captain Urdea please." Awww damn. What does he want now?
BSGRose
Rose smiled even more when they ended the most recent kiss. "Hawke," Rose says quietly, "I know it has been awhile since I have felt like someone has truely cared for me." Rose reaches out for Hawke's hand to hold it for awhile.
"Hawke," Rose says, "I'm not sure what he wants, but I guess you should find out what he does want. Hopefully he will not want to keep you busy for long. I would rather have you here with me." Rose began to blush again some when she realized that she had admitted that she would rather have Hawke with her right then rather than having him off somewhere else at that very moment.
Hawke14
I left Rose wondering what was going to happen with us. I walked down from Life Station to the Security office. Captain Urdea was waiting for me there. "Hawke, I need to know your duty status. Has Holodoc cleared you for duty yet?" Urdea said. "She's cleared me for light duty for another secton. Then I can go back to full duty." "Ok. The Commander is in a conference with someone now. She's just about done talking to him. Get changed into a security uniform and you will meet Sergent Skon there. You and Skon will escort the Captain to his quarters. Understood?" "Yes sir." I said and I saluted."Oh,Hawke, be there in 20 centons."I turned on my heel and walked out. I went to the security officer's quarters and turbowashed and changed into a clean uniform. I grabbed my laser pistol and made sure it was charged. I holstered it and made my way to the commander's ready room. I met Skon a quarter of the way there. After the plesentries were exchanged we headed to the commander's ready room. We were half way there when I saw Captain Brie coming from the direction of the ready room. "Ten-Hut" I said as we both went to attention and saluted her. "At ease." As she saluted back. We relaxed a moment. "Nice to see you again,Hawke. How's security been treating you?" "It isn't Gold Squadron Ma'am." "I imagine not." She leaned up next to me and whispered "For what it's worth you have a hell of a right cross.." "Thanks, Ma'am." I replied. "As you were,men." Brie said. "Good bye Captain." Skon and I resumed our way to the ready room. Skon said to me "I know the history between you and her. I can see to it she's not heard from again. If you want." I was astonished at what I just heard. Having Brie killed? I stopped in the hallway and asked"How can that happen?" "I have very powerful friends in the Security Corps that can do the job. You can even do the deed yourself if you'd like." he said. "If I wanted to kill her myself I would have tried to do it when I decked her. I've been looking for an excuse to bump her off for awhile. I was assigned here because of it. Go ahead and get in touch with your people." That's the last we said to each other. We approached the ready room and performed our duty in silence. All the while I began wondering how Brie was going to die.
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Jun 30, 2005 4:05:39 GMT -6
LucianG
Hawke and Skon were approaching the bridge when Skon said, "I'm on guard duty for our little Frod friend. Urdea said he wants you to get back down to Alpha Bay. You can take a dinner break first if you want. Just don't take too long and Urdea will never know. There's still a bunch of those blasted Frods in there, and he wants us to help keep order. I don't know which is worst, Hawke, guarding the big Frod cheese or the little Frod dips!" He laughed to himself before saying, "How come these people had to come here? Why couldn't we have just left 'em to the Cylons?"
As they entered the Bridge, Skon whispered to Hawke, "By the way, I'll check on our little situation. We'll get it solved, real soon, okay?"
Hawke nodded, seeing the strangely dressed man ahead, knowing that this must be the new Captain. As they approached, he saw Major Joey walk up to Commander Sheba and say, "Commander, the message is as clear as we’re going to be able to get it."
Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis approached just as Commander Sheba said, “Let’s hear what you have.”
“This is Gastonovia calling Battlestar, this is Gastonovia calling Battlestar. Commander Tolar speaking. I did not get a chance to address our people as I wished before they departed, so I send this message in hope that they will receive it. We have surprised the enemy and done damage, driving them away for now. We know they will return with ever increasing numbers, but we have prepared for over 100 yahrens for just this possibility, so we do not fear it. Our people will fight to the end to protect ourselves and to—”WHEE-EE-KREEEeeeeee!
There were a few laughs around the bridge at the unexpected burst of static, as Major Joey scrambled to correct squelch it as she'd already ordered. Commander Sheba was clearly not amused, but she didn't look angry either, so it was quickly quiet once again as the message cleared the rough spot and continued onward.
Kreeee-eE-WHEEEX—"and we will always fight onward, and never give in to them. If you can ever get to the point where you can, come back for us. We’ll still be here, giving them Hades, making them pay for each meter they take from us with an incredible toll.”
Captain Jorlan was nodding his head as he listened to his father’s words. His jaw was clenched in determination to someday do as his father had suggested.
“Next, I offer many thanks to the crew of the Battlestar for convincing us of the coming trouble. In particular, thank you Colonel Brie and your team, who came here to help us despite our disbelief and the obstacles we presented you. We fought our neighbor Cylons so well, so long, and so nobly, that we forgot how cruel their race can be. We know now, and will never again forget that lesson. Also, I thank you for saving our people. No matter what happens to our small band here, our people will survive. Thank you for your generosity and sacrifice to help us.
“Finally, to our people, I say: You are now Colonials again, although Gastonovians you will always be. Never forget us, but rather, always love and remember us. Until some day we meet again. Gastonovia, out.”
Jorlan looked as if he wanted to break something, but Major Joey approached Commander Sheba and him and said, “Captain Jorlan, I am Major Joey, the temporary Communications Chief. As you tell the quality of that message wasn’t all that good, but I wanted you to know it was edited slightly. We left out a few lines that made up a personal message from Commander Tolar to you. Here is a copy of the removed section. Since it was rather personal, you can play it once you reach your new quarters.”
“Thank you, Major,” he said. “Despite all that has recently happened, that he did not forget me, as he did far too often as I grew up, makes up for many things. I am proud to be his son again.”
Commander Sheba, who planned to watch the private section in her Ready Room after Jorlan was gone, said, “Captain, these Security Officers, Sergeant Skon and Officer Hawke, will escort you to your new quarters. Get some rest, and start working with your officers to develop a list of the resources you bring with you. Here, everyone is expected to contribute, and we’ll be expecting the same from all of you. Captain, Officers, good day.”
Charybdis
After the Doc checked me out, an aide delivered a nice new command uniform to me and I made my way immediately to the bridge. It had been quite a while since I had been back. Apparently, a lot had happened in my absence. I wouldn't get a chance to go to my quarters until later.
I was finding out much of what I had missed during the meeting. I had asked Sheba if she could spare some time for me once the meeting was over. I had to talk with her, and soon... LucianG
Most of the Vipers had landed, but the captured Raider was still being towed near the rear of the group with a few escorts. Lucian spoke to Skyler and Randrius, “Let’s bring this bird. They’ve said for us to set her down in Beta Bay. Keep it straight and steady, and I’m dropping back to act as the brake. The rest of you land in your landing bay after we're down."
"Yes, Major," said the last two Warriors.
“Careful, Lucian,” said Lieutenant Randrius, knowing that the addition of a third Viper to the assembly could be disasterous.
“Wilco, Lieutenant,” Lucian replied. “I don’t want to be splattered all over the landing bay any more than you do…Firing tow line…now.”
Moments later, the line was attached in the rear, dead center between the others in the front. “Let’s ease her down. I’m going to reverse turbos when we hit the edge of the landing bay,” said Lucian.
“Counting down, ten, nine, eight…” started Randrius. “There in five, four, three, two, one—”
“Firing reverse. Down, down,” said Lucian.
“Touchdown,” said Randrius and Skyler simultaneously.
“Bird is down,” said the Flight Controller.
“And down!” said Lucian, bringing his Viper to a standstill. The Techs rushed his ship, the canopy open, and he climbed out. It was good to be back on the board the Callisto again. He saw Randrius and Skyler shaking hands near the captured Raider. Lucian walked toward them to take a closer look.
Raycer
Raycer eased his Viper into his assigned landing bay. The techs rushed up to help him out and start any repairs need.
"Whew! Made it back in one piece." he said out loud as he pulled his helmet off.
"Glad to see you made it back, sir." one of the techs said. "Wow how'd you crack you canopy? With a crack that big your lucky it didnt blow out."
"Tried a manuver that I used in the sims a bunch of time. I guess in a real Viper they just cant handle the stress." He answered.
"Well dont do it again. You tore this girl up pretty good. She's bent in several places, but we'll get her good as new." the tech smiled.
"Don't worry. I don't think I going to do that manuver for awhile." Raycer said as he pointed to his nose. The tech look and saw Raycer's bloody nose. "Darn gravitation system played with my head."
Raycer walked to quarters to get cleaned up and then ran to the landing bay where the others brought the damaged Cylon ship to. He ran to Major Lucian to see what was up and maybe get scolded for his stunt flying.
BSGRose
Rose had talked to Nurse Holodoc before she had gone towards the back to get cleaned up. Holodoc had done a check up on Rose and released her from MedLab. Holodoc told her that she was to take it easy for a few more days and to come back for another check up before she would be cleared for full active duty. Rose thanked Holodoc and slowly got off of the bed to head of MedLab.
Rose was still new to the Callisto and didn't know where a lot of places were yet. So she decided to go on a little self tour to get familiar with were a few things were located onboard. While she was walking along, Rose found the Mess Hall, O'Club, and the Briefing Room for Black Squadron.
Rose was still walking along some not sure what she should do really, since she wouldn't be cleared for full active duty for a few more days.
Hawke14
I was walking back to Life Station when Rose bumped into me. "Oh. Excuse me." I said. "Is that any way to say hi to me?" she asked. "Oh hi!What are you doing out of Life Station?" "Holodoc released me. I'm ok." she said. "Thank the Lords.." I gave her a big hug. "Wanna get something to eat?" I suddenly thought about Brie. My God. What have I done?
BSGRose
Rose smiled when Hawke asked her if she wanted to get something to eat. "I would like that, Hawke." While they were walking along Rose noticed that Hawke seemed a little distracted and thought she would ask him about it. "Hawke," Rose says, "is something wrong? You seem a little distracted." Hawke looks over at Rose and replies, "nothing is wrong." Rose wondered about that, but decided not to push the subject.
Rose couldn't resist acting on an idea that had come to mind. She wanted to try and put a smile on Hawke's face and hoped what she was about to do would work. Rose reached over and starts tickling Hawke along his sides.
|
|