Chapter 28J - The Beginning of the End

[Brie]

Brie continued to strain her ears, trying to hear what was being said. There was more talking, then only one clear sentence, "Come along now woman." She knew that she had heard the man’s voice before, but she couldn’t place him.

The talking changed to footsteps, and Brie quickly moved away from the door and sat down at the desk. She considered turning on the IFB monitor, but that would be too obvious. The younger of the guards, whose name Brie had learned was Millie, called her. “Major Brie? You have visitors.”

Brie stood up and tried to casually make her way to the cell door. She got a look at the people for the first time. Even though she had only met them once or twice she recognized them immediately. Amy had looked a little bit like both her parents, but she especially favored her mother’s sad eyes. The same look had been on Amy’s face so many times...when trying to figure out what to do about Charybdis, when trying to figure out what to do about Najinn, when trying to figure out what to do about Artus...Millie took out her key card and the door slid open. Elmer, Abby and Charybdis walked in. Brie held out her hand but Abby threw her arms around her. She was sobbing uncontrollably.

“Major Brie,” Elmer said, “what happened? How did we lose our only daughter?” He took his wife by the shoulders and gently pulled her away from Brie. Abby turned to him and continued to cry. “There, there, woman,” he said softly.

“Amy had grown into a very competent warrior,” Brie said slowly, knowing how much Amy had always longed for their approval but had never received it. “On the base we broke up into two groups. My group was to achieve our primary objective, Amy was in command of the smaller group, looking for a human prisoner and securing transport off the base.”

“Wait,” Elmer said, something obviously bothering him. “Why did you need to find transport?”

“The original mission plan didn’t include a viable way off the base,” Brie explained. “That didn’t work for me. Since we had plenty of manpower I broke us up into two groups, as I said before. My group obtained our objective and we happened to stumble upon a decent ship. We learned from the ship’s computer that Amy’s group had run into Cylons. I had been injured, so Captain Lazant volunteered to take a couple of men and lead Amy back to the ship.”

“Captain Lazant,” Elmer repeated. He gave Charybdis a knowing look but didn’t say a word about the problems that Lazant had cause Charybdis and Amy yarhens earlier.

Brie continued. “Lazant knew we were on a deadline, he knew exactly how much time we had. He found Amy and her team, but they were ambushed. Amy, Lazant and Lieutenant Deke laid down cover so they rest of the group could get away. Lazant sent a message back to me, saying to stay on schedule. We gave them a few extra centons, but it became obvious that they weren’t alive. If it was just me I would have stayed, but I had 23 other people to think about.”

“So why are you being charged with their murders?” Elmer asked.

“I’m not,” Brie said. “I’m charged with negligence. There are some people who think that we could have waited a little while longer. Plus the Opposer can’t stand me and so he’s using this as a way to make my life miserable. For him it’s personal.”

Just as Brie said that another person appeared at the cell door. “What the frack is going on in here?” Boleman yelled. He looked directly at Charybdis. “Brie is NOT allowed to have contact with any of the potential witnesses, and you’re definitely on the list, Colonel. And who are these two people?”

“We’re Amy’s parents,” Abby said. She had stopped sobbing but there were still tears on her face.

“Not allowed, Major,” Boleman said. “I need everyone to leave immediately.” He motioned for Millie to open the cell door.

“Just one more thing, Major Brie,” Elmer said, turning back. “So Amy didn’t find the transport?”

“No, Sir,” Brie replied.

“Then I guess she wasn’t so competent after all.” He took his wife’s hand and they silently walked away.

[Amy81]

As Elmer and Abby walked away, Charybdis remained behind, having an animated discussion with the man who had thrown them out. Elmer distinctly heard Charybdis address the man as Boleman. Elmer shook his head. "Rude man, that Boleman" Elmer said. "No regard for a family's grief."

"I'm sure" Abby sniffed, "he was only doing his job. We really shouldn't have been there. Colonel Charybdis probably shouldn't have stuck his neck out for us like he did."

Elmer grunted. "Probably feels guilty. Running around with Amy like he'd done. I'd always wondered if he'd have cared so much about her if she'd..."

"Oh Elmer, don't even say it" Abby said, cutting him off. She'd heard it so many times before.

They'd reached the end of the security area, and just stepped through when they were met by a man who blocked their path. "What is going on here?" he asked. "Who are you?"

Elmer regarded the man, fed up with rude treatment already. "Suppose we start with who you are?" he said gruffly.

"Pierce" the man answered. "Major Pierce".

Elmer's face softed. "I'm sorry. Major, seems that you've saved us a trip. We were on our way to find you. Name's Elmer, this here's my wife Abby. We're Amy's parents. Captain Amy's parents."

Pierce's face softened slightly. "And you were here to...?"

"See Major Brie" Abby concluded for him.

"Were you able to see her?" Pierce asked.

"Some. But some big-britches man by name of Boleman threw us out" Elmer said indignantly.

Pierce's face slid smoothly into a friendly grin. "I see. Well, this is hardly a place to have a conversation. Might I suggest my office? It's much more comfortable." Elmer nodded, and Pierce began to lead the way. "Firstly let me offer my sincere condolances on the loss of your daughter..."

"Thank you" Elmer replied. At least someone around here had respect for a family in mourning.

"Tell me, what is your impression of the whole affair, if you don't mind my asking?" Noticing Abby's tear streaked face, Pierce offered her his hankerchief.

Elmer grunted as they entered an elevator. "Never should have come to this" he replied, thinking back to the day Amy packed to leave for cadet training. "Never should have happened at all."

[LucianG]

Captain Urdea was in his quarters when Sergeant Whitcher called him. "Cap'n, there are some visitors in the Brig with Major Brie. Whole bunch of people down there, including the Colonel. One of the guys looks awfully upset. I've got the monitor patched in if you want to take a look."

Moments later, Urdea was looking at the vid. He recognized Boleman from the Bridge, but the person who captured his attention was a woman. She was older...yet...he was sure. He moved over to the chest and picked up her picture, and then moved back to his place in front of the monitor. It was Abighiá, the woman whose attentions he had rejected so many yahrens before as his body slowly healed following his crash. His Abby, Captain Amy's mother, had come to his brig to see Major Brie. He killed the vid, not wanting to see her or encounter her, since to his knowledge, she had no knowledge that he still lived. He hit the comm, "Sergeant Whitcher, that's Captain Amy's mother. Unless there's a real problem, don't bother her or her party."

"No problem, Sir. Looks like someone's kicking them out anyway," Whitcher replied.

Urdea killed the light and closed his eyes, but with troubled thoughts of Joster and Abby for the first time in a long time, was unable to fall asleep....

[Brie]

As soon as Amy’s parents left Charybdis and Boleman started to argue loudly. Brie stood back, giving them a centon or two. Finally, she interrupted. “You do realize that the two of you are giving Security quite a show.”

“What do you mean?” Boleman asked.

“The surveillance cameras,” Brie told him.

Boleman shook his head. “There are no cameras in the brig.”

“Maybe not on the Galactica,” Brie said, “but here there are two. One on each side, I guess so I can’t hide.” She pointed, then waved. “So smile for the camera!” She sighed and changed the subject. “You two are going to need to get along, or else Pierce will have his way.”

Charybdis agreed. “She’s right.”

“Colonel, I don’t mean to be rude,” Boleman said, not sounding like he meant it, “but I have some things that I really need to discuss with my client. I would appreciate it if you have no further contact with her until after the tribunal is over. Anything you want to know can be found in the debriefing report.” His voice softened. “I’m sorry about your loss.”

“Thank you,” Charybdis replied.

Boleman motioned to the door. “Ten centars is not a long time, Colonel. Thank you for understanding.”

[Col. Charybdis]

The door opened and Boleman had his hand outstretched to show me out. I was seething, but in legal cases, I knew all too well that the protector is the only person you can really trust since they have your very life in their hands.

I had also known somewhat of Boleman. He was a good man from what I had heard through the yahrens, I only hope that he was an even better protector.

I took a quick look at Brie and said, "We'll talk soon." She nodded and gave a sort of half-smile.

My gaze switched to Boleman and I turned and headed back toward the bridge. I needed to see that report...

[Brie]

Boleman stood near the door, making sure that Charybdis had left, then made himself at home at the desk. “Okay, first for the bad news. Commander Sheba will NOT be serving on the tribunal.”

“What?” Brie said, surprised.

“Pierce objected,” Boleman explained. “She told him exactly what she thinks about the charges, which was enough for him to get her removed. Also, Commander Apollo won’t be serving, there haven’t been any more ships from the Galactica and the panel needed to be finalized.”

“So who did we get?” Brie asked.

“The head of the tribunal will be Major Buellah,” Boleman informed her. “He’s done it before. The other two will be Captain Swensson and,” he glanced over his notes for the name, “Solon.”

Brie stared at Boleman in disbelief. “Solon, the Senior Science Officer? He’s got to be in his mid-80’s!”

“The list of eligible candidates got very small, very quickly. They either know you too well or they’re on the witness list, or both. Solon is a former protector, he’s familiar with military law, which, in this case, puts him on the tribunal.” Boleman glanced around, obviously disturbed by the surveillance cameras. “Don’t those things bother you?”

“No,” Brie said. She half smiled. “They’re important. After all, I am a danger to society.”

Boleman shook his head. “You’d think that Security would have more important things to do, like be out looking for Hawke.”

“Hawke?” Brie repeated. “Why would Security be looking for Hawke?”

“You haven’t heard,” Boleman said. “I’m sorry, that’s more bad news. Hawke kind of went crazy, attacked Commander Sheba. He’s considered dangerous, and no one knows where he is.”

“I’m assuming that you’ve crossed him off the witness list,” Brie said sarcastically.

[Amy81]

Major Pierce led Elmer and Abby to his office, where he gave them the best chairs to sit in while he got them both something to drink.

"Mighty impressive" Elmer said. "I'm not a spaceman 'cept for what the Cylons forced on me. I'm a farmer. Seeing the likes of this here battlestar up close is just that: mighty impressive."

Pierce just smiled as he handed them both a cool drink. "Don't get off the agro ship much?"

Abby smiled wistfully. "Not at all really."

"Cept when there's repairs to machinery we can't do ourselves" Elmer added. "We were on just such a run when we... we found out..."

"I see" Pierce said sympatheticly. "You know, you could be of great help. There's one voice in all this that's been silent up to now, and that's your daughter's. Could you tell me what kind of girl she was?"

"Wasn't no girl" Elmer corrected. "Young woman she was."

"My apologies" Pierce said.

"Our daughter was very head strong" Abby offered. "Had her own ideas about things. Who she was, what she wanted to be."

"Belonged in the fields" Elmer grunted, the old feelings still strong even though Amy was gone. "She wasn't no warrior, no matter what she or anyone else said. Farming's in our blood, it's who we are. She heard some half-baked stories 'bout some ship named "The Aggie" or some such nonsense and got her head turned around."

"I take it then that you disapproved of her choice to be a warrior?" Pierce asked.

"It was a difficult adjustment to make when she told us.." Abby began.

"A-course we disappoved" Elmer cut in. "It was borne out too. All those stories and rumors, the carrying on she did with that Charybdis..."

"I don't think Major Pierce wants to hear about that" Abby cut back in, turning toward Elmer. Pierce, however, had slid forward to the edge of his seat, leaning with his elbows on the desk. Abby sat back, happy to have stopped Elmer from offering opinions on any of Amy's other boyfriends. Now just wasn't the time. Maybe there never would be a time, now that Amy was gone...

"You don't feel Captain Amy deserved her rank?" Pierce asked.

"Does anybody?" Elmer asked back. "Truth is, we lost our daughter the day she left to enter the academy. But that doesn't mean she should die like she did. We don't even have anything to mourn by." Tears came to Abby's eyes at Elmer's words.

Noticing Abby's glass was empty, Pierce rose, took it gently from her, and refilled it. "That's where I come in" Pierce said. "To make sure the facts are brought out, and accountability is perserved." He sat back down. "For Amy, of course."

Abby looked at Pierce, then at Elmer. Though her heart was broken over Amy's loss, she felt a bit better knowing a nice man like Pierce would be protecting Major Brie. Elmer looked back at Abby, the look in his eyes conveying the same feelings.

Pierce sat back in his chair. "What more can you tell me?" he asked, "If, of course, you feel up to it."

[Brie]

After Boleman had left, Brie lied on the cot in her cell, staring at the ceiling. She was more bored than she could ever remember being. She considered turning on the IFB monitor, but if they were talking about her case she didn’t want to hear about it. Millie and Tanya, the two guards, were having a quiet conversation down the corridor. Brie couldn’t hear everything, but she knew it had nothing to do with her.

Another voice joined the fray. This was a loud male voice that Brie recognized immediately. This time she could make out every word. “I’m here to see Major Brie.”

“I’m sorry, Sir,” Tanya, the older of the two women, replied, “but she’s not allowed visitors.”

“I have permission. A note from Captain Urdea.”

There were several microns of silence. “Very good, Sir,” Tanya said. “Right this way.”

Brie closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. She had no desire whatsoever to have this conversation. The footsteps stopped, and Brie did nothing for at least ten microns. “Do you always stare at people while they’re sleeping?” she asked at last. She sat up and stared directly at Major Jorlan.

“I need to speak with you,” he said.

Whatever.” Tanya opened the door and Jorlan walked in. Brie stayed sitting where she was, Jorlan took a seat at the desk. Brie couldn’t help thinking that his sitting down wasn’t a good sign, he wasn’t planning on leaving after only a centon or two. Jorlan was staring at Brie, almost to the point of making her uncomfortable. There was a look of pity in his eyes. “I’ve been in worse situations,” she said at last.

“You have?” Jorlan obviously had something on his mind, but wasn’t coming out and saying it.

“If I recall correctly,” Brie said, pointing at him, “you tried to have me executed. This must be gratifying for you, in a way.”

“That was a long time ago,” the leader of Bronze Squadron said.

“And far, far away,” Brie added.

Jorlan took a deep breath. “They thought you were dead.”

“I know that.”

“They read your will.” Jorlan paused as Brie was finally beginning to understand why he had wanted to visit. “You left everything to the refugees from my people.”

“Not everything,” Brie said. “There were a few things that I had put in the Archives.”

“We can try to get your possessions back from my people, if you want.”

“No,” Brie said quickly. “It’s only things, Major, nothing important. I just hope that whoever received my sealing gown will be as happy as I once was.”

“What about paying your protector?” Jorlan asked.

Brie laughed. “Don’t tell him that I’m broke.”

“There’s a collection going around, among the warriors,” Jorlan informed her. “To help pay him. Someone in Gold Squadron started it, but people from all three squadrons are contributing.”

“Thank you,” Brie said. “What’s the mood like out there? What are people saying?”

“Almost everyone is behind you,” Jorlan told her, “although Lieutenant Kiwi is telling anyone who will listen that you ran.” He paused. “I want to testify.”

“Okay,” Brie said. “I’m sure Major Pierce will be happy to have you on his side. Thanks for warning me.”

Major Jorlan looked at Brie like she was crazy. “No, I want to testify FOR you, not against you.”

“Oh.” Brie was silent for several microns. “But we don’t even like each other.”

“Brie,” he said in a softer tone than she had ever heard him use before, “I saw what you did for my people. You put your life on the line for us, even though we held you prisoner. I know that there is NO way that you would have left any survivors behind.”

Brie was touched. “Thank you for the vote of confidence. I guess you’ll need to talk to Boleman. And we’ll have to end this conversation quickly, he doesn’t want me talking to any potential witnesses.” Jorlan stood and approached the cell door, Brie stayed sitting. “Major,” she said is it slid open and he started to walk through, “now we’re even.”

“We’ll see.”

As Major Jorlan’s footsteps grew softer Brie remembered what Boleman had said to her after she had addressed most of Gold Squadron: “A situation like this can turn friends into enemies, and enemies into allies.” She hoped the first part didn’t come true.

[Col. Charybdis]

Upon my return to the bridge, Sheba motioned me over to the war room. Inside the quiet place, she asked me what happened at the brig.

"Nothing, commander. There were...other people there to see her. So I couldn't speak with her at the moment. Commander, I need to see the report. I want to know what happened before this tribunal starts."

"I understand. I'll give you some time by yourself," was all she said as she left the room.

I took a seat and called up the information. I began to read about the ill-fated mission and what got Brie in this mess. And all about the decisions that took the life of Amy...

[Brie]

NOTE-The following is dedicated to Major BatGal

**

After Jorlan left Tanya and Millie, the two guards, stayed by the cell door, talking with Brie for a while. “It won’t be too much longer,” Brie commented. “It’s got to have been, what, eight or nine centars.”

“Um, Major,” Tanya said slowly, “it’s been less than two.”

“Why don’t you turn on the IFB monitor?” Millie suggested. “That will help time pass.”

“I don’t want to hear what they’re saying about my case,” Brie replied.

“There wouldn’t be anything on about it right now,” Tanya remarked.

“Yeah,” Millie agreed. “Now it’s time for ‘General SickBay’!”

“‘General SickBay’?” Brie repeated. “What’s that?”

“It’s just the hottest show on the IFB,” Tanya informed her.

“Yeah, it’s great right now,” Millie said. “See there’s this guy, Luke, who was supposed to take the seal with Jennifer, even though he’s in love with Laura.”

“Who’s sealed to Scottie,” Tanya added.

“Well instead of taking the seal Luke grabbed Laura and ran,” Millie continued. “Luke wants to find the Left Handed Boy.”

“Frank,” Tanya said, “Jennifer’s father, wants Luke dead, so he hired a hit man.”

“Hutch,” Millie said. “He’s really cute. He sings well too.”

“A singing hit man?” Brie asked.

Millie sighed. “He has a sensitive side. In a different story Luke has a sister whose fiancé just died.”

“I don’t think he’s really dead,” Tanya commented.

“Really?” Millie sounded surprised.

“Nobody ever really dies on that show.”

“I hear they’re bringing in a new love interest for her. A doctor named Noah, and he’s REALLY hot. The actor looks SO familiar, but I can’t place him.”

Brie sat back down on the bed and let the two women continue their conversation without her. She felt TOTALLY lost.