Chapter 28B - On the Galactica...Out of the Jump

[Brie]

"Besides, Brie, we both know that in the end you can never entirely run away from the past." The words that Agelastus spoke were so true. She admired what he was doing. He was willing to hurt his own future because of the injustice that was being done to her. She still didn’t want him to testify, she had petitioned to keep his file classified so that the information that he was now sharing wouldn’t be spread around the Callisto. There was no reason for all of Gold Squadron to know his past, or anyone else’s for that matter. Trust was important when fighting side by side with someone and knowing someone’s past mistakes sometimes made that trust harder. People quickly jump to conclusions for no reason whatsoever.

Everyone has a past. Brie thought about that while Agelastus was speaking with Boleman. Her own was about to come back to haunt her. She found it ironic that she was fighting to keep Agelastus’ file closed after discovering that opening her own file might be her only chance for keeping her freedom. Even if she was cleared of the charges her life would never again be the same.

Although she didn’t really pay attention to the conversation it was clear to Brie when it was winding down. Brie stood up and, leaving the corner, walked towards Agelastus. She held out her good hand to him. “Thank you, Captain, for the gesture. I appreciate it more than you can know. But you’ll be testifying at my tribunal over my dead body.”

[Agelastus]

“Thank you, Captain, for the gesture. I appreciate it more than you can know. But you’ll be testifying at my tribunal over my dead body.”

Brie's words were not unexpected. Still, who knew exactly what the future would hold? So instead of replying I nodded slightly, acknowledging her feelings.

However, Boleman was the person in the room I was paying attention to now, and his face was more thoughtful than I'd expected. He didn't seem to have quite made up his mind.

Time to leave. During our talk I'd placed the electronic and hardcopy versions of my statement on Boleman's desk, so I had nothing left to stay for.

I saluted the Major.

"Permission to withdraw, sir?" Formal. Leave no doubt in her protector's mind that the Major was still seen by Gold Squadron members as their commanding officer, regardless of the charges filed.

The Major gestured slightly, a movement which correctly or not I interpreted as permission.

The door slid shut behind me. And my stomach rumbled. I suddenly realised that I hadn't eaten for most of a duty cycle. First Killjoy's interruption, then the search, then that incident in the Mess Hall, writing the statement and now this meeting.

Food. Where would I find food? Not at the Mess Hall where I'd made my little speech. Rumours lingered in a place like that. No-one there would be the same as earlier, but I'd lay cubits on the fact that the story was still circulating.

If I remembered correctly there was a small mess hall quite close. I'd have to detour around the Opposers' offices, but that wouldn't take to much time.

My stomach rumbled again.

[Brie]

Major Pierce sat in his office, the smile still on his face. He didn't have to do what he was about to do, but it was something he would enjoy. And who knows? Maybe it would even be taken as a gesture of kindness or something silly like that.

The comm in Boleman's office buzzed. "Yes?" he replied.

"Boleman," Pierce said on the other end, "I just wanted to let you know that the Blue Squadron patrol has launched. As soon as they return we'll be shuttling to the fleet and getting the proceedings started. You might want to get the prisoner ready." He turned off his comm quickly, before Boleman could correct his last comment. The smile grew on Pierce's face, it was the longest he had smiled in yarhens.

[Brie]

The comm in Boleman’s office buzzed. “Yes?” he replied.

"Boleman," Pierce said on the other end, "I just wanted to let you know that the Blue Squadron patrol has launched. As soon as they return we'll be shuttling to the fleet and getting the proceedings started. You might want to get the prisoner ready." There was a click, indicating that Pierce had abruptly ended the conversation, on purpose Brie was sure.

“Oh, that’s cute,” she said. “I would have hoped that by his age he’d act a little bit more mature.”

“That type of thing is standard,” Boleman said, not really giving Pierce’s actions much thought. “Anything to psyche out the competition.”

Brie was taken aback by her protector’s comment. “That’s what my future is? What my life has become? A competition?”

“I didn’t mean it like that, Brie,” Boleman said. He purposely decided to change the subject. “I’m going to walk up to the bridge, see if I can find out what’s going on. You want to come, or would you rather stay here?”

It didn’t even take Brie a micron to decide. “I’ll come. I’m going to be cooped up long enough once we reach the Callisto.”

“Okay, but remember, don’t to talk anyone about what is going. Especially...”

Brie cut him off. “Anyone who might be called as a witness. I know.” She followed Boleman out the door and back to the Galactica’s bridge.