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Post by Brie on Dec 9, 2007 14:29:58 GMT -6
I've decided to start a new topic that is supposed to take place several centars later than the events that are currently happening on the Prison Barge. Please don't think that I'm trying to rush anyone, because I'm not, I‘m just crunched for time myself. Continue posting there for as long as you need to. This topic takes place starting the next morning.
I'm backtracking just a little bit, and reposting Brie's dream.
**
"How come we never had a baby?"
Brie sat up in her bed, unfazed by the visitor. "Oh I don't know, maybe because you decided to play the hero and die on me?"
Turner sat next to her on the bed. "I'm serious, Brie. We talked about it. How come we never did?"
"I don't know," Brie replied, regret in her voice. "I guess we figured we'd have time."
"It's too bad we didn't. I would have been a great dad."
"No," Brie corrected, "you'd still have died, and I would have ended up a single mom." She sighed. "Like I'm about to be."
"You're already a single mom," Turner reminded her. "You have Amy."
"Amy," Brie repeated. "I wonder what she's going to think about having a little sister after all these yahrens."
"You really do think it's a girl," Turner remarked.
"Yup. I knew all along with Amy, and I was right, wasn't I?" Brie grinned. "Hey, do you think you could use your connections? Ask them? Let me know for sure?"
Turner looked away for a micron and then smiled. "Trust your instincts about the gender. Have you given any thought to names?"
"Not really," Brie replied. "JustinB and I will have to talk about that."
"I vote for 'Turna' and 'Turnette'," he said, his smile even bigger than before.
"You don't get a vote and even if you did you always hated your..." Brie paused. "Why did you say two names?"
"Because, my love, you're having twins."
"Twins?" Brie repeated, not sure if Turner was joking.
"Identical twin girls," he informed her. "They'll have red hair, just like you, but JustinB's eyes."
"Twins," Brie said again, more to herself this time.
"But Brie," Turner said more seriously, "you need to be careful. Leaving the squadron was probably a good idea, but your life is still surrounded by danger. I know, it's my fault, I made you a target, and I wish that there was something that I could do to change that. I'm watching over you, but you need to watch out for yourself." He took her hand and kissed it. "And your daughters. So, do you know what you're going to do?"
"About what?" Brie asked, knowing exactly what he was referring to.
"Who you're going to pick."
Brie sighed. "I have no idea. They're both great guys, they both love me, and I love both of them. Do I get to blame this on you as well?"
Turner smiled again, the smile that always melted Brie's heart. "Why, because we were so good together that it takes two to live up to my standards?"
Brie grinned as well. "No, because if you hadn't died we'd still be sealed and none of this would be going on. It would have been your babies that I'm carrying."
"It really is too bad," Turner said. "I would have been a great dad."
"We already had that conversation." Brie kissed him, then leaned against her late husband and relaxed. She knew he wasn't really there, but somehow he always made her feel better.
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Post by Brie on Dec 10, 2007 9:31:29 GMT -6
Brie woke up from her dream, wondering if it was really true. Turner had appeared to her countless times previously and he had given her correct information, but twin girls? Could that be wishful thinking? Wanting her offspring to not grow up alone, like so many other children born on battlestars had done? She felt at peace, like Turner had actually visited her. Maybe it was true, maybe she was having twins. Whatever was happening she knew that she loved her child, or children, more with each passing micron. She would do anything for them. Them. For some reason, she was sure that it had been more than a dream. She was having twins.
Having glanced at her chrono, Brie decided that it wasn't worth the effort to try to go back to sleep for only a couple of centars. She took a long, relaxing turbowash and put on a fresh uniform. She packed her things, besides Trula's old clothes and a few personal items that she kept in her safe she didn't really own all that much, then made arrangements for them to be moved. She was no longer CO of Gold Squadron, she couldn't stay in her current quarters. She knew that Amy would turn down the SIC position, which meant she needed to find quarters for both on them. She ran a quick search and discovered that there was one family housing unit available just two hallways over from the area that housed most of Gold Squadron. She immediately put in a request. She had to do something...she couldn't stay where she was, even though she knew Skyler would never kick her out, and she didn't want to move in with JustinB. A place that she could share with Amy AND the twins, it just sounded too good to be true.
There was one other thing that Brie needed to do before leaving for the Galactica. Skyler had asked her to call him before she left. She couldn't do it, she didn't want to hear his voice. She had too much to think about already, without mixing up her feelings even more. Instead, she sent him a highly scrambled communication.
Skyler,
I know that you had wanted me to call before I left, but quite honestly I just couldn't do it. I'm no closer to a decision now than I was last night, and I really need to talk to JustinB before you and I talk again. I need to figure out what will be best for not only me but also my daughters, and the long viper flight to the Galactica should give me plenty more time to think. We'll talk soon after I get back, I promise.
I meant what I said. I do love you. And even though we shouldn't have kissed, I'm glad that we did.
Brie.
She sent the message. She wondered briefly what Skyler would think about her mentioning the words "daughters", but thought that he would just assume that she was referring to the baby that he knew about and Amy. Brie took a look around the room that had been her home for so long. Noticing it on the desk, she picked up the bracelet that JustinB had given her. Feeling slightly guilty and not being able to bring herself to slip it on her wrist, she placed it carefully into her pocket. After one final look around, Brie closed the door behind her and headed towards her viper for their final journey together. She wondered who Skyler would reassign her viper to.
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Post by Brie on Dec 11, 2007 10:41:44 GMT -6
Knowing that she still had some time, Brie decided that it wasn't a bad idea to try to get something to eat. Nothing really sounded all that appetizing to her but maybe she could grab it and take it with her for later. She also needed to stay hydrated, and for some reason a glass of milk was the only thing that sounded good right about then. Maybe I’m spending too much time with Skyler she thought to herself. Hoping that she wouldn't run into anyone that she knew, she headed to the Callisto Mess Hall.
"Major Brie," the young cafeteria worker said to her, "it's good to see you."
"Same with you," Brie replied. She had never learned the young woman's name, but had been speaking with her for so long that she was now too embarrassed to ask. "How have you been?"
"I'm still in shock," the young woman replied. Judging Brie's reaction she said, "You haven't heard about Den, have you?"
Brie shook her head. "No, what happened?"
The worker blinked back a tear. "Heart attack. He died in his sleep. At least he didn't suffer."
"I'm sorry," Brie remarked. "Are they planning a service?"
"They don't do real funerals for people like us," the woman told her, bitterness in her voice. "They're just for people who matter."
"All people matter," Brie said softly.
"I wish that were true." The worker took a deep breath. "Sorry, Major, as I said, I'm still in shock. Den was such a sweet man. We're planning our own memorial service, the small group of us who worked with him, three cycles from now."
"I'm headed to the Galactica in a few centons, but I should be back by then," Brie replied. "I would very much like to attend the service, if that would be alright with you."
"That would be great, Major," the woman told her. "Den would have wanted you there, he spoke about you all the time." She turned her attention back towards her job. "Coffee?"
"No, thanks," Brie said. "I'm cutting back. I'm just going to grab some milk, and maybe a protein bar to take with me to the Galactica." Brie placed them on her tray. "I'll see you in three cycles."
"That would be great, Major," she said again.
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Post by Brie on Dec 12, 2007 13:07:15 GMT -6
Although she had hoped to leave the Callisto Mess without talking with anyone else, Brie knew she needed to speak to the man sitting alone in the back corner. "Major," Brie started, "do you have a centon?"
Major Jorlan, the CO of Bronze Squadron, motioned for Brie to take a seat. "I just got back from a long range patrol less than a centar ago so I'm not great company," he warned her.
Brie sat and took a gulp of her milk. She noticed that Jorlan had a muffin on his tray and a slight wave of nausea hit her, remembering what had happened with the last muffin that she had eaten. You're not great company under the best of circumstances she thought to herself but didn't voice it. "That's okay. It's just that I have some news that I wanted you to hear it from me."
"Does it have something to do with Pierce's followers?" Jorlan asked.
At first it sounded like a strange question, but considering that two members of Bronze Squadron had been included on the prisoner transfer mission it made sense. "No," she said quickly. "It's personal. I've stepped down from Gold Squadron. Skyler is the new CO. I'm going to be taking over the Callisto Training Academy as soon as I get back from the trip that I'm about to take to the Galactica."
Jorlan laughed. "Why did you decide to step down, are you pregnant?" He paused. When he and Brie had first met he had come from a very chauvinistic society, a woman's main purpose was to procreate. But over the yahrens he had changed. "I'm sorry, that wasn't called for. The lack of sleep..."
"Some habits are hard to break," she commented. She and Jorlan had a very strange history. Brie had killed a friend of his in self-defense and for a long time they had hated each other. Then Brie saved his life and over time they had developed a professional respect for each other. If they had met under difference circumstances they might have eventually become friends. "I just wanted you to hear it from me." She finished her milk and stood up. "And yes, I am." She picked up her tray, stuck the protein bar in her pocket, and walked away. Out of the corner of her eye she could Jorlan sitting with his mouth wide open, in obvious shock.
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Post by Brie on Dec 14, 2007 14:00:13 GMT -6
Brie stood and stared at her viper in the distance for a long time. They had been through so much together. Non-pilots didn't understand the bond that a warrior would form with their vessel, each craft seemed to take on its own distinct personality. Many pilots named their vipers. Brie never had, just referred to her as "Baby." Somehow it seemed to fit.
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Post by Brie on Dec 15, 2007 13:58:53 GMT -6
Brie climbed into her viper for what she knew could be the last time on the Callisto. She was still officially an active duty warrior, Callisto Training Academy personnel would sometimes be included in missions, but not all that often, and they were usually dangerous. She ran her pre-flight checks, then contacted the bridge. "This is...I don't know what to call myself, I've been Gold Flight One or Gold Leader for so long now...ready for takeoff."
"Hold on one centon, Major," Major Joey's voice came back. "We need to make your flight official, log your handle with your flight plan. I'm running a list of possibilities right now. Big surprise about Amy, huh?"
"What surprise?" Brie had no idea what Joey was talking about.
"She resigned," Joey informed her. "Sent a message a few centons ago. Said she didn't want the SIC job that Skyler had offered her, and that she really needed to take some time off. She informed Commander Sheba that she plans on hiding in the fleet for a while, and she had already sent someone back here with her viper. I'm surprised that she didn't tell you, I know you two are close."
"Yeah," Brie replied, in slight shock. "We kept trying to find a good time to talk, but it never happened."
"Too bad," Joey said. "I know she was always hard on herself, but in my opinion she was one heck of a warrior. Wait, here it is. You've been assigned Gold Viper One. It's still a Gold Squadron viper, after all."
"Gold Viper One. Thanks, Major."
"Let's make this official, since I won't be saying this to you all that often anymore." Joey cleared her throat. "Gold Viper One, you may launch when ready."
Taking a deep breath, Brie launched out of the Callisto for what she knew could be her last time. She looked back at the battlestar from space, it was a beautiful sight.
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Post by Brie on Dec 16, 2007 8:11:22 GMT -6
Although she wanted to be surprised about the news that Amy had resigned, Brie wasn't. Being captured by the Cylons, Elmer's death, the loss of her child, her on-again-off-again engagement to Charybdis, finding out that she was adopted and who her birthmother was...Amy had been through a lot in a short period of time. Some time alone was exactly what she needed. Brie had to admit to herself that she was a bit disappointed, she had looked forward to spending some time with Amy as mother and daughter before the twins were born, but now it looked like it wouldn't happen.
"Oh well, there's not much I can do about it," Brie said out loud to herself with a sigh. She decided instead to concentrate on her own dilemma. She was no closer to a decision than she had been earlier. She didn't know how she could make one. She thought back to her first date with JustinB aboard the Starliner Alpha. It had been a magical night, he had made her feel like the most special person in the fleet. She had fallen for him, fallen hard, and she had no doubt that she loved him. "That was probably when you were conceived," she said, running a hand over her stomach. Everything had happened so fast, they went from trying not to acknowledge the chemistry between them to being lovers in what felt like microns. How did she know if what they had would stand the test of time? What would happen once the chemistry died down a bit, as it would eventually do? Would they stay together for the sake of their children, resenting ever micron? And most importantly, how would JustinB react when he found out that Brie had kissed another man? She knew she would have to tell him. There was one other thing that bothered her, it always had. She and JustinB had gotten drunk and almost slept together on the Galactica, even though he had a girlfriend at that time. How did she know that he wouldn't do something like that again, especially if he felt trapped in a relationship because of the children?
And then there was Skyler. He had been a part of Brie's life for so long that she couldn't imagine living without him. He was her rock, her protector, the one person that she could count on no matter what. There had always been feelings between them, strong feelings, the main reason that Brie had wanted to keep her relationship with JustinB quiet was to spare Skyler. But then who did she run to the micron she suspected that she was pregnant? The thing that scared her the most about a potential relationship with Skyler was the thought that she might lose her best friend. She knew that he would accept whatever decision that she made, and if they explored a future together he could live with that fact that she was carrying another man's offspring. The problem was, in the back of her mind she had always wondered if the reason they had developed feelings for each other was because there had never before been a chance for a future together. She had been his CO, he was the SIC. That came first. They had also both lost their first loves in a violent, bloody way. Had they fallen for each other knowing that they couldn't be together, hoping that they wouldn't ever have to feel the pain of losing a partner again?
Brie took the protein bar out of her pocket and ate it. It didn't sit well with her, but she fought off the nausea. Suddenly she realized that she was tired, very tired. Maybe she should have slept those two extra centars after all! She was just over halfway to the Galactica. She programmed her viper, set it to automatic, and decided to close her eyes for just a few centons.
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Post by Brie on Dec 17, 2007 7:15:44 GMT -6
Lieutenant Noddy sat on the Galactica's bridge, watching the scanner. She knew exactly what was expected of her, the precise words that she was supposed to say. As the Widow's viper drew nearer Noddy could feel her heart beating within her. It wouldn't be much longer. She kept watching...there! It was done.
"Commander Apollo," Noddy screamed, fake worry in her voice, "there's been an explosion! Gold Viper One..."
Apollo hurried to Noddy's side. "Major Brie's viper? Are there any life signs?"
"No," Noddy replied. "It doesn't look like she ejected. She was in sleep mode when it happened." Noddy found it ironic that the Widow had actually been in sleep mode. Her Master was making sure that she didn't have to lie. "There's a small shuttle in the area, shall I send them to check it out?"
"Yes," Apollo answered immediately. "And run any schematics that you might have from before the explosion."
"Right away, Sir." Noddy sent the order to the shuttle and suppressed a grin. The Widow was finally dead.
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Post by Skyler on Dec 17, 2007 16:17:07 GMT -6
Skyler’s comm. unit beeped, a message waited, scrambled. He excused himself from Sheba and opened it… It was from Brie.
Skyler,
I know that you had wanted me to call before I left, but quite honestly I just couldn't do it. I'm no closer to a decision now than I was last night, and I really need to talk to JustinB before you and I talk again. I need to figure out what will be best for not only me but also my daughters, and the long viper flight to the Galactica should give me plenty more time to think. We'll talk soon after I get back, I promise.
I meant what I said. I do love you. And even though we shouldn't have kissed, I'm glad that we did.
Brie. He wanted to call her, but knew it was best to wait. She needed to make her mind up, and he wouldn’t help by butting in. He sent a simple, scrambled reply….
Brie, I understand, and know that no matter what you decide, I will always be here for you, and I love you too… Always Skyler He returned to Sheba, who had a smile on her face. “Message from Brie?” it was a question, but it came out almost like a statement, like she knew. “Yes, just letting me know she was getting ready to head over to Galactica to meet with Apollo.” “Skyler, it’s none of my business, and you can tell me to shut up and I will, but you two are meant for each other. With her taking the Academy Position, you know that removes that chain of command restriction.”
“Yes I know, but it is a little complicated, and hard to explain.” “You mean JustinB? I swear the IFB pays those ‘investigative reporters’ big credits to track down a story, but they couldn’t even figure out who the Mysterious red head was. Give me a break. There is not that many on the Callisto. So I had a little inside info, I mean I approve the leave for Squadron Commanders, and make it my business to know where they are, so doing the math wasn’t too hard, but Logan… Come on…” Skyler smiled… “Yeah, she loves him, I have seen it. I just want her happy. If she decides on JustinB over me, then I will still be happy for her.” “I know Skyler, I know.” Sheba was interrupted by the status display board showing Gold One had launched. They sat and talked for a while longer, until Sheba received a reminder about another meeting. Skyler finished his milk and stood to leave when his Comm. unit sounded, almost at the same micron as Sheba’s , the message the scrolled across the screen drained the color from both of their faces… ‘GOLD ONE DOWN…. EXPLOSION NO SIGNS OF LIFE OR EJECTIONS….. S.A.R. OPERATIONS UNDERWAY…’ Skyler saluted and turned to leave. He was just getting ready to activate his comm. when he heard Sheba in the background. “Commander Sheba to Flight Control, Prep all Vipers for launch, have rescue shuttles on alert status, Major Skyler is on his way to the launch bay, I want his viper in the air ASAP!”
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Post by Brie on Dec 17, 2007 20:03:42 GMT -6
The shuttle approached the wreckage cautiously. It was a special signal that they were looking for, one that they had used once before, when picking up their Master from the Agro Ship. Having been developed by the New Secret Survival Society the military wouldn't even know to look for it. "There, the pilot said to his sister. "The escape pod worked like a charm. Head to the airlock. We should be able to pick her up."
A centon later the escape pod was being jettisoned back out into space and the unconscious pilot lay on the shuttle's floor. "She's not so high and mighty now," the sister remarked.
The pilot pushed the empty pod forward with the shuttle so that it lined up with the rest of the wreckage. He pulled the shuttle back just far enough, then pressed a button for a second time. There was a second explosion. "That should do it," he said. "Time to contact the Galactica."
Microns later the pilot was speaking with Commander Apollo. "This is the pilot of Delivery Shuttle Four. I've just been by the wreckage, Sir. There are no signs of life anywhere. There was a second explosion, I'm afraid the viper is dust. There is a small planet not too far from here, maybe if the pilot ejected he could have made it there." "Thank you, Shuttle Four," Commander Apollo replied.
"Sir," the pilot said, "if you're no longer in need of my services, I need to make my deliveries. Perishable goods..."
"Go ahead," Apollo replied. "And thank you again for your assistance."
As the small shuttle left the area they could hear the call go out. "There are no survivors near the wreckage. Concentrate your search on the planet below, but it doesn't look very promising."
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