The Lost Odyssey By Taranis Fanfic (WIP) Chapter One

[Taranis]

Here is my fanfic based on the world of BSG. I would like those of you that read it to tell me what you think as mentioned it a WIP.

[Taranis]

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BATTLESTAR GALACTICA:
The Lost Odyssey: An Amateur historian’s account.
Based on the series Battlestar Galactica
Created by: Glen A. Larson.
This Fanfic is by Taranis

The New Assignment:  

My name is Aulius, I am a Lieutenant 1st Class onboard the Battlestar Galactica, I am one of the many Bridge officers stationed at the master CIC weapons control panel and during a head on battle with a Cylon baseship I was seriously injured which almost caused the lose of my leg. The baseship in question was blocking our way from leaving the bulk of the Cylon forces behind, and our Commander Adama decided quickly that it would take far too long to retrace our steps and try and go around. He also surmised that the Cylons were stretching there fleet thinly through out the star systems looking for us.

He decided to attack, hopping to surprise them and getting first advantage in what would be a battle of survival. If we lost the people of the fleet would not last a few microns, this was a calculated risk. Destroy this basestar and we may well be free of pursuit for sometime.    

Captain Apollo and Lt Starbuck two of our greatest warriors where chosen to infiltrate the baseship and rendering their scanning equipment useless, while Lt Boomer and Sheba  lead the viper squadrons, they succeeded and the rest was left to us. The Galactica attacked and we had the first strike, but the cylon were quick to respond.

The battle was a killing ground, blue and red laser fire criss-crossing space between both vipers and raiders and the basestar and us. We lost a number of good people that day, the bridge was hit a number of times, at one point the shock wave of the explosion reached my area. A large support beam was dislodged and fell hard on to my right leg crushing it. If I was a younger man, I may have held on a bit longer.

However, the pain was so great, I passed out and what happened next was lost to me. I woke up much later and after the battle, enclosed in a medbed in the Galactica’s main Lifestation.

My leg was still attached to my body, which I was eternally grateful to Salik and his staff, the Lifestation was crowded with the injured. Mainly crewmen and women that dealt with damage control also a small number of viper pilots who received burns from equipment shorting-out or some other damage done to the viper while in battle.

There was a lost of cries of pain and discomfort, Dr Salik and his staff of surgeons and nurses moved quickly between casualties, it was Cassiopeia that noticed I was awake. She ran over and called to Salik informing him that I had return to conscious.

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Salik wordlessly approached did a quick once over on the medbed instruments, seeing that the scanners probing me where displaying regular sign and I was all right.

He double checked with good old-fashioned doctoring and certified I was out of danger. Cassi smiled that wonderful smile at me and with the help of some orderlies; they moved me to the recovery area, to free up space in the examining rooms.

While I was there commander Adama decide to pay the Lifestation a visit, He entered with his son Captain Apollo following behind, Adama is a tall grey haired man, deep blue eyes with a piercing calculating stare, he was a 20 yahren older than me, and I have served with him since I joined the Galactica that was almost 25 yahrens ago.

While my hair is not as grey as Adama’s it is well on its way, I was the oldest serving officer on the command bridge after Colonial Tigh (he is five yahrens older me) we had formed a strong friendship over the last 25 yahrens, because of our similar interest in colonial history.

Adama look around the bay, his blue eyes searching for ‘Where is Doctor Salik?’  

I’m here Commander’ answered the voice of Dr Salik from the other door leading to his office. Then Adama made his way across the room so they may talk privately.

As both Adama and Salik talk together, I looked at Apollo inspecting the recovery room. I was always interested in Apollo; he had the markings of a supreme commander. While his father was our present commander according to our culture when Adama passes over to the other side, Apollo will take command as Adama did all those yahrens ago.  
 
Captain Apollo while is not as tall as his father, or has the same imposing presence, but there was no doubt of the command and loyalty from the warriors he commands. His hair is as dark as space, and has a familiar ready smile to the crewmembers that serve him. He moves to one of his pilots that had a rough time, Lt Jolly I think, who was severely burned when his Viper was hit by a cylon laser.

I was setting in my bed writing in my journal which I have kept all my life, when Adama noticed me. He smiled and made his way over to me. We both have the same interest in history, mainly colonial history. This has lead to a good working relationship with each other. We would talk for many a centar concerning the history of our worlds.

However, that was before the fall.

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“Ah Aulius, You look better, How do you feel?” He inquired, his thick eyebrows knitting together with concern.

“I am fine now…  Sir, Thank you for asking”. I replied, placing my journal that I was working on, down on the nearby worktable.

 “It will be some time before you return to your duties!” he said almost gently, I knew that I would never walk properly again. If ever?

“Yes sir, I hope you will fine something for me in the future. Sir ?” I had little hope he would fined anything for a lame officer, regardless of experience. The bridge is not a place for and office that cannot move well. A good fitness level is always required.

He smiled, I could see him searching for something to say to me, anything to say too me.

Adama looked at me, his sharp mind searching, looking for something, those piercing blue eye began looking around. His eyes found my journal, I could see his mind working, a realisation struck him, it was fascinating to watch, and he moved around and sat in a chair beside my recovery bed, pausing for a moment before speaking again.

“I see you still keep your journal!” he inquired, “any more insight into the colonies history?”  
“Yes sir?” I replied, my curiosity augment by his tone. We often talk for some hours about how the twelve tribes travelled from Kobol. And a lot more since we had to flee the colonies, he was a deep student of our history.  

“Good, Good I still try to keep one myself, can’t say I have a lot of time”. his voice trailed off, his mind working, ticking over. Then he smiled. Adama raised himself slowly from the chair he placed his large hand on my shoulder and gave me a friendly pat, his eyes looking into my own. “When you are well enough, come see me!.. I have something I wish to discuss with you. quickly he turned away and after a brief conversation with Apollo departed the Life station.

After some time I did learned to walk again but with a slight limp, with the aid of Cassiopeia who worked for Dr Salik as one of his many capable nurses, It was she that gave me my walking orders. “Your well enough now Aulius! .. You cannot take up space anymore, and we need the med beds so of you go” .

“Ok, ok no need to get rough, Cassi!” I cried in a pained playful way. She laughed, a wonderful sound should you ever meet with her, needless to say she said she would call security if I did not move quickly. I laughed with her sharing the joke. Fleet security was a joke, no where near as good as colonial security by our own warriors.

I left the Lifestation that is deep in the centre of the Galactica’s massive bulk, entering one of the main corridors and set of to my small cabin as a Bridge officer

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requires.  I could have used on of the many travel tubs that a Battlestar like the Galactica has, but I decided to walk. And by the lords of Kobol was that a mistake, I quickly tired after so long in the Lifestation.

My cabin was exactly as I left it all those sectons ago, a mess, over the yahrens I have a massed a large number of hard copy books, with actual paper. Commander Adama would borrow a number of these and reread them many time, looking for any clue to Earths location, a large number of my book were still in storage as I never had the chance to retrieve them.

Catching up on my private messages and duties that have been neglected over the 2 secton period, there was a lot of catching up to do. When that was complete to my satisfaction, I contacted Commander Adama for an interview as ordered.

The command complex that holds the bridge and Adama’s main offices, were always a hive of activity, with crewmen and women moving quickly about their duties. As I made my way through a number of crewmen, I know well would call out a greeting, they would not stop, you don’t while on duty.

Col Tigh would disapprove.. silently!!…If your stopped for no good reason, which is far worse than his noisy disapproval. with his noisy disapproval he was finished when he stopped shouting at you, silent disapproval meant death, a life of double duty and it would be the dullest duty he can fined so gods help the officer then.  

To say I admired Adama was an understatement, he was a iconic leader, having the devotion and steadfast support of all in the fleet and the Galactica, we all truly loved the man. I have been in Adama private quarters before, when we would discusses colonial history. But now I was full of nerves.

I turned down the corridor to Adama quarters, as always when coming from the populated areas of the ship you must pass through the Galactica’s security area, while coming from the bridge there is no such problems as I would normally come from to see Adama . Lt Garcon was on duty today sitting at a small desk, He looked up from his readout panel. I have known Garcon since signing onboard , he signed with me after coming aboard on the same shuttle he was again a little older than me and should have retired to be an instructor at the academy  

“ID please!”…  He told me gruffly.

On the left hand side of his desk there is a metal plate were visitors must place their hand and state their rank and name for the computer to admit you. It is the highest form of Artificial Intelligence on the Galactica, the only kind tolerated in the Caprican society    

 “Lt  Aulius from the house of Lensman”  I replied. The computer quickly wired and clicked and I received a pass.

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Garcon humph ’ed jerked his thumb over his shoulder , “He is waiting for you , Aulius …  go a head”.
     
 “Thanks”. I passed the desk and as I limped on down the long corridor, I noted through a open hatch two other guards placing their lasers back into holsters. “for Sagan’s sake, there a bit jumpy”. I thought to myself.
     
I continued on my way, meeting another of my bridge mates, “hello Athena”. She jumped a little at the sound of my voice, she must have been deep in thought as I called out  to her.
     
 “you scared the pogees out of me”.. Aulius? . Gods she is a beautiful  women, heir like her brother Apollo, tall and regal like her father, a strong willed person. We were good friends from the day she signed aboard three yahrens earlier , straight from the academy. Our age differences never stopped a strong friendship growing, she bore a very strong resemblance to her late mother. Your may wonder why so many family members serve on the same warship, this is the custom of the society we live in. for families to serve together especially families like Adama’s, placed highly in our worlds.  

I suppose that I should explain at this point how our military works, you see the twelve planet of the colonies when first settled were not united, as they were in the years following our first encounter with the Cylons.
     
In fact they were not fully united until 50 yahrens ago,  well, anyway the military forces were built up with the monies from the wealthiest families, from each planet from the 12 colonies. Caprica built the Galactica and a number of other Battlestars, 12 in all. The other colonies built there own.
     
The Galactica was built 500 yahrens ago by Adama’s family, by his great, great grand father from the family line of Kobol,  he commanded the Galactica as did his son and so on, a bit of nepotism. But that how our society worked, the wealthy families or “Buritician’s” as we know them.  Adama family is highly placed in that society and member’s are duty bound to protected the worlds and people that support them,  over the yahrens built the warship’s that protect the colonies over time the battlestar was born.

Athena was of that venerated family line and in our society she out ranks me, but military I out rank her, so a good officer that she is, she modified her last sentence. “Sorry sir, how is your leg?”, she politely inquired a small smile briefly appeared on her lips.

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“Fine thank you.. Is Commander Adama free?

 “No.. he is with someone!”, I detected a small trace of distaste in her voice something I have never heard before, coming from Athena?.

“Is there something wrong?”, my interest was understandable when you know Athena as well as I do.

For a moment I thought she would say nothing. “Baltar is with my father.. And has been for a number of centars?”.

Just then the door the Adama’s quarters opened and Baltar stepped out , his oily face grinning. If only I had my laser was the one thought the passed through my mind, it was then that I realised the two guards  standing out side Adama’s door , they were waiting for Baltar?. My curiosity of the situation was raised, before we attacked we knew that Adama and Baltar had a meeting in this very room, and some agreement was reached?.

Baltar passed Athena and myself with that perishing grin plastered on his face, nodding at us both while passing, or perhaps to Athena whom he has meet before, I have never been face to face with the man until today.

Athena turned and stalked away her head bent forward and her arms pressed stiffly to her sides,  I know that she blamed Baltar personally for the death of her younger brother Zac, who fell in combat just short of the fleet. Baltar you should know betrayed the human race to the mechanised Cylons. Who are out to completely destroy all of mankind.

As Baltar disappeared around the security corridor, turned my attention back to Adama who was still standing by his door. He was not look at me but to the retreating Baltar, he was looking tired and old it was then I wondered how old he is? He always seemed larger than life, so immoveable. When Adama noticed me the tired old look vanished behind a worm smile,

“Come in Aulius ..

I entered his quarters for the first time in sectors, while my quarters looked as if I have had a wild bachelor party  his was organised and tidy, around the room were a large number of books, some of which are mine,  stacked in neat alphabetises rows.

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After a few microns looking around Adama invited me to sit down and offered a drink?, Caprican brandy, “wonderful!” I exclaimed, “it has been a long time since enjoying such sweet nectar!.. Where did you locate this?”. I cried in delight as Caprican brandy was highly regarded by all colonials planets.  

“Ha ha”, very smooth, is it not!? I had that and large number of bottles like it, stored for my retirement”!. his laughter was deep and warm, when in private Adama always in private talked with me as a equal, as a historian, and almost as a close friend. We set in silence for some time just savouring the drink, but it was me that broke the silence.

“Sir, you said back in the Lifestation, you wished to see me, I guess it had something do with the tribes ?” my interest was making me a little impatient.

“No and yes!” he responded a smile crossing his lips. What I want you to do is this, keep a journal of our journey, a historical record if you will, we have travelled so far and so fast, much of the time evading the Cylons and now I think we have given them the slip?”. he paused for a moment taking a small sip from the glass.

“But sir, there are better men than me, who have already completed and I assume continuing to work on this? … their stories are now fleet legand!? “.  I think they would be highly displease with me, and besides I only read history not make it?”

“No! I think you are wrong Aulius, you have all the necessary skills needed the men you refer to have themselves been reassigned and move into different projects” he paused for a moment before going continuing.  “No I think you are the man for the job, in this I am positive!”.

“With this assignment you will have unrestricted access to all area in the ship, the  fleet and archives, you may also interview key personal, they have been informed and have readily agreed. Also I will at times call on you and your knowledge of colonial history, you must also preserve that also. In the yahrens ahead until we reach earth and after we must remember where we came from, who we are and were. what the 12 colonies were like, This is not to be forgotten“,

I watch Adama while he spoke, His face was turned to me but his eyes were lost in another place, as if he was talking to someone other than me. I wondered not for the first time as to the force that drive men like Adama?, I knew then it was useless to refuse him, I could have and he would have consented without malice.

He again was right , the history of our world have to be conserved for the future generations. As we sat facing each other my mind wondered as if looking far into the future its-self, I began to see what great task has been appointed for me, I would be writing the history of our civilisation not only for our selves but for those brother and sister of the 13 tribe, who would need to know of us. And all,  that we were.

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My throat felt dry as a shiver of cold sweet trickled down my back, I have been in battle many times, and I never felt like this, of course I have been terrified. But this was different.

Adama was watching me like a bird of prey, looking into my very soul, almost weighing it with his eyes. I felt as if all the lords of Kobol were watching me through Adama, as he is of that same breeding,  all of his life he was trained for combating the cylons as was his sons and his daughter.

His family built this very ship the last of her kind. History was indeed looking at me, and it was holding its breath.

All of my life I admired the families like Adama’s willing to spending their lives protecting and fighting for our very survival.

My very heart was beating, almost trying to burst through my chest, I was excited and frightened all at once, It was like the first time in a viper, but I said yes.  “yes Commander,  I gladly except”.

“Good, Good I knew you would, once you have settled, let me know what you need and I we see you get it. You will have a office close to mine, a little used conference room, so that we may confer when you need me, and have your books transported up also?. I nodded.

“And If you don’t mind I would like to access them?”. Adama add while writing instruction’s into his computer interface.  
 
“No sir, please do when ever you wish”, He stood up clasping my hand in his. He dismissed me, I walked from his cabin as if in a dream. My mind running through the enormous task before me?.  Was I able to write, the history of my people?.
My mind was on fire, I walk the ships corridors noticing nothing, seeing no one.
To record a history, and a history in the making!!  

Extracted from Aulius journal:

This important day takes place just after the events in “Hand of the gods” recorded by sire Larson . This following episode in our saga has been compiled by myself using the fleet military records and the private interviews with all the people involved: but I must add the cylon responses are pure conjecture……

A rag tag fleet of 220 colonial ships, moved through the dark void of space. they are
of various sizes, ranging from different sizes, from ship that can hold a few hundred to the largest ship in the fleet, the Galactica that can carry thousands. The ships represent the last survivors of a race with culture, art and science that were the wonder of the star systems they had inhabit, the colonies. They did not evolve in these planets but another known as Kobol, or so it is recorded.

Peacefully they had existed for many generations slowly building the worlds

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that would become a part of humanities greatest achievements, while their traditions were greatly different they shared a common language known as (Kobolian) standard.

Then suddenly their ships encountered the cylons a machine like culture who were seeking perfection in the universe, finding none like themselves, decided that the machine itself was perfection and decreed that all other forms were inferior. And therefore subject to supervision, Cylon supervision. Any life form to reject this logic is to be summarily destroyed.

The peaceful colonials who had reached out across the star systems, and made contact with other civilisations and called them friends, and one of these world received the unwelcoming attentions from the cylons. They called for help, and the colonials came to the aid of the Hetari system beginning a thousand yahrens war.

They had lost the war and their worlds and fled to the stars searching, searching for another link in their society, a lost link. Hidden in folklore and mystery they are searching for the lost 13th tribe of mankind, who according to legand departed from Kobol at the same time as the other 12 tribes. It was said that they discovered Earth, a planet itself shrouded in mystery. The details about Earth are as fragmented and scattered as the fleet itself.

It was not until many yahrens into that we in the colonies discovered the truth and the history of the cylons themselves, and that truth sent shockwaves around the 12 colonies, the cylons were built long before humans entered the space that was to become the 12 colonies.

They were created millennia’s ago buy and advanced reptilian race, although they died out from some unknown cause. Their machines remained active and master less, most scholars and colonial scientists have argued the cause of the mechanised cylons devotion to conquest.

Many believe that the reptilian cylons were warlike and out to grab as much space as possible. And the mechanised cylon warrior were built for that purposes only, designed as intelligent, logical and having the capacity to learn, over time began to improve on themselves and in a sence they evolved into what we know today..
 
They have proven to be formidable enemies, operating in large groups, their greatest weakness is they are slow thinking, and slow moving having no  independent thinking, this is a trait which we exploit every time. this has given us human our only advantage in battle.

I have wondered of track here, so I am to inform you of one of the event on our seemly endless voyage, the expulsion of Count Baltar. A man we have come to hate, and now known to all as the Great traitor. A name told to fleet children, to frighten them into eating their primaries, or to get them to sleep.

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The event following the destruction of the Cylon base ship should be recorded and set down for all our peoples to remember, when I was given this task, on the very day I met to discuss it with Adama. I meet count Baltar as he departed Adama private quarters, I was intrigued by the occurrence, it was well known that both men disliked each other intensely. So I resolved to ask Adama about the meeting in my capacity as fleet chronicler.

Adama was not surprised at my inquisitiveness and he told me all that had occurred, and about the bargain that was reached,

Extracted from Adama’s journal:

     I offered Baltar his freedom in exchange for this was for information on the internal workings, layout and operations of the Cylon baseship blocking our path ahead, thus allowing captain Apollo and Lt Starbuck to infiltrate the baseship using Baltar’s own cylon raider, so using the information they were able to plant bombs in the baseship most sensitive areas, and destroying it’s ability to fight properly.

Now with that battle won and we are now far-head from another cylon base ships
(we’d hoped) Adama has resolved to fulfil his side,  of Baltar’s bargain, to free him.

My decision to free Baltar was not taken lightly, I would have preferred to keep him under lock and key, safely on the grid barge where he could cause no more trouble.
But being a man of my word and as I had griped Baltar’s hand in agreement, I ordered  the Viper patrols and scanner crews to locate a suitable planet, although we have past a small number of world that could have supported life, Even life such as Baltar!. I elected to leave the original planets, and move on into the galaxy, in the hope of giving the empire a permanent slip.

Also, in the event however slim!, there is possibility that Baltar would be picked up by his cylon masters, I wanted to make it as hard as possible for him to be found. To do this I ordered the fleet to change course a number of times.  
 
The recon crews have over a period of time, discovered a number of planets capable of supporting life and the means to re supply the fleet. My son Apollo discovered one that would suit our needs very well.


The Galactica and its large flock of ragtag ship entered orbit of a small blue and  green world. mainly made up of islands which are not very large and no major continents. A number of the ships with the ability to land, did so.  Each ship with a particular task, some were mineral ships others like the livestock ships settled down and allowed there beasts out to graze.

Many of the crews whom have not set foot on land for over two yahrens, cried aloud and unashamed, after seeing the sky, the land, the seas around them. The air was fresh and clear, far above on the ship without landing abilities, such as the Galactica had the crew clambering almost demanding a chance to make land fall.

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Adama had anticipated this and had planed to stay for at least a secton, to restock supplies and allow as many people as possible to stretch their legs. And that one secton quickly turned into 3 sectons, the people spent a lot of time on the planet, children and adults enjoying the experience almost felt reborn, even the hard pressed viper crews had time off. Apollo and Starbuck had at Adama’s request went out to locate a suitable place to construct a dwelling for Baltar,

They spent a lot of time on another island far to the south, away from the main population, if news got out about Baltar agreement there would have been an out cry of anger and frustration, so this is the reason for only Apollo and Starbucks were involved.

When they finally found a suitable place, Adama ordered the colonial engineers down to construct a dwelling out of the local materials. And after a short time Adama received notification that it was completed.

Adama’s next task was to deal with the council, while they were capable people they were not in the calibre of the old, spending far too much time quarrelling needlessly. So Adama entered and informed the council, that he intends to leave Baltar behind on the planet, to maroon him for ever!. The response from the council was expected, they argued, disagreed, and finally without to much interference from Adama , they all felt it was a great idea.

That completed Adama ordered all ships on the surface to return to orbit and crews to ensure all the people have returned to their ships, after receiving reports that some people were starting to build habitations for themselves. Rumours started to circulate that Adama was considering settling the planet, it was after all ideal for colonisation. Astoundingly a number of sires began to express support for such a move. Repeating the same mistake that was almost the end of them all, on Carillon. Adama was having none of it.. and quickly rebuked the rumour.

Not many people caused problems although some grumbled a bit, the people did looked healthy and fit, children a had glowing faces the ships were filled with laughter and joy. The mineral ships and livestock ships were full to capacity, the Agro ship was also yielding abundant crops much to the gardeners joy.  The mining ships extracted ores useful to the fleet.

Colonel Tigh was delighted as the shortage of Vipers could be dealt with, and the repairs to the Galactica could also be started once the first load of ore was processed in the foundry ships.

Apollo and Starbuck walked into Adama outer office, they both knew why,  they had been summoned. Adama and Apollo griped each others hands in warm embrace they have not seen each other for sometime, Starbuck quickly sat down in one of Adama comfortable sofas and lit a fumarello.

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“you both look well, have you enjoyed your time below?”. he asked with a smile.

“yes father; I am sorry we have to leave!”. Apollo replied wistfully

“yep!” was Starbucks only reply,

“The people are also well rested from all reports, which is good news. Now the reason I call you both here is for the completion of your last assignment, and that is to leave Baltar on the world below us“!. Adama’s voice filled with dislike at the mention of Baltar’s name.

Apollo shifted uncomfortably in his chair at the thought, and he knew his father disliked the idea of leaving a man marooned on a planet. Even if it is Baltar.

“yes sir”… is there no other way?….Is it not better to keep him here or at least on the grid barge?”. was Apollo answer.

He continued, feeling he must tell all his beliefs to his father.“I really think,.. We should keep him father”, looking quickly at Starbuck perhaps for support; “I feel he will come back to plague us again!!”.

Starbuck pulling on his fumarello sending wisps of smoke in to the air and filling the cramped quarters with foul air, Starbuck caught Apollo glance, but his feeling about Baltar are clear. His dislike or even hatred for him is born from the memory of Baltar using him as a pawn, to entrap the Galactica, the fleet and the fact it cause the death of a dear friend and Apollo’s new wife Serina.

This was something he could never forgive or forget.

“I agree Apollo, but if you are worried about him returning.. Why don’t we space him and be done with it?!”.

Apollo looked sharply at his friend, at how casually he told them just to space a fellow human, this act to Apollo was the worst thing, the worst act, to kill another human.

“And what Starbuck, end up killing our own kind!, no human has ever been spaced!, it may be written in our books of law. But it have never been practiced, I for one, could not do it!”. He continued hotly.

Apollo started to slowly pace the small compartment, both Adama and Starbuck knew that a major debate was about to take place. Adama who played his apart in his up bring, when he was on sabbatical with his beloved wife… Approved of Apollo and the stands he take, while he argued with Starbuck. He began to see his wife in Apollo when she had a campaign or a fight to win she would often start to pace too and fro, like a keep animal.

Adama could not help but smile, if only briefly. The memory’s conjured up images of Ila in his mind, their first meeting, debating against each other, then along side each other, after finding they had many similar interests.

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Adama memory speed through his life and time with Ila, from the birth of Apollo through to Athena and later Zac. Who died on the same day has is mother, the day Adama felt he failed his people, but more his of his guilt of failing went to his wife and son.

Swiftly he pushed these memories from his mind, and focused on the two men deep in debate. Apollo had stop pacing and was setting across from Starbuck, who was looking not to pleased, Adama now decided that the argument must stop.

“Enough Apollo and the same to you Starbuck!” the commander spoke softly but there was no mistaken the order just given.
 
“Whatever you both think, I gave my word to Baltar that he is to be freed, and that’s the end of it!” … in the morning Lt Sheba and Lt Boomer are transferring Baltar from the Grid barge!, to the Galactica.

“Were he will spend the next few days in confinement until we have finished building a suitable dwelling for him”. his sharp eyes fixed on the two men before going on.

“The council have decided, that while Baltar is transferring to the shuttlecraft. It is to be transmitted to the rest of the fleet over IFB. Sire Domra wants to publicly banish Baltar, and he has already announced it!”. Adama said hotly.
“Both of you will be guarding Baltar while the transfer is taking place, and down to the planet, Boomer and Sheba will act as your pilots. There is a lot of hatred toward Baltar so you will have to be on your guard!?”. Adama informed them both.

The air was thick with smoke from Starbucks fumarole, causing Adama cough loudly, “And Starbuck, will you leave your fumarole’s outside. If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand time not to light up in here!!” .

Starbuck looked sheepish and stubbed out the fumarole in the ashtray on Adama desk, Apollo look at Starbuck a smile on the lips. Then turned to his father with the one thing that has been bothering him since the whole affair started.

“What of the transmitter?” he asked directly.

“I have not forgotten.. The transmitter is already aboard the shuttle along with a few other items!” Adama replied ignoring the look on Starbucks face.

“What transmitter?” Starbuck asked but deep down knowing the answer.

Both Apollo and Adama looked at Starbuck, they know that Starbuck hates with every fibre of his body, Baltar. Not only because Baltar betrayed the colonies, but the fact Starbuck was used by Baltar to ensnare the fleet, with falsehood, and lies. on Kobol.

[Taranis]

Page 14.

Adama and Apollo never for one micron believed him, never the less, the deception did cause the death of Apollo’s new wife, Serina. And that is something that Starbuck finds difficult to live with.

It was Adama that spoke, there was no point lying or telling Starbuck that it nothing for him to be concerned with,

Adama has viewed Starbuck almost a another son, “in the agreement with Baltar, if the baseship information works out to be true, and we survive. I would supply a short wave transmitter”.    

Starbuck looked at them both open mouth, shock clearly visible on his tanned face.
“He is to be given a chance!”…..of escape?” …. what of us and the colonise, what chance did we have?”. he was almost shouting!

Adama looked at Starbuck with understanding and the pain of his bargain with Baltar etched on his face. Hoping that it was the right thing to do.

“Starbuck…I had no choice, it had to be done if we were to survive”.

Starbuck fighting his natural hot-headed nature, turned and walked quickly from Adama’s quarters, Apollo angered started after him. “Let him go Apollo, I am not angry, he is carrying a lot of guilt. Apollo nodded and knowing his father was right
asked his Adama about the other items laid aside for Baltar aboard the shuttlecraft.

Adama told him, and Apollo dark eyes widened in surprise.