S&M - Part 1
Yes, this story is partially inspired by the song of the same name. *lol*
S & M
Fandom - Battlestar Galactica
Rating - R/NC17
Paring - Apollo/Starbuck, Adama/Starbuck, Other/Starbuck
Disclaimer - I do not own BSG or the characters. I do not make any money off this piece of fiction.
NOTES - First, this is BSG 1978 when Dirk Benedict played Starbuck. Second this story is AU. So…a lot of things have changed.
Summary - Starbuck is sent on a mission by Commander Tigh to gather information on the Cylon’s ultimate baseship. Only, the information is held by the Adama Pirate Family. Things go down hill when Starbuck is captured by Apollo and his Father, Adama - will he ever accomplish his mission?
Part 1 -
Starbuck glowered at the Jovian Summis 181 that the computer had assigned him too. It was a bulky ship that Trader’s used for its cargo bay and fuel mileage. Its grey hull was patched in places where laser’s had bounced off during attacks. Where the fleet had found it, Starbuck hadn’t a clue. Still, he wasn’t at all excited about flying the junky space craft.
His task was a simple barter/trade/steal sort of deal. Any method was approved as long as he got the information on a mysterious baseship that the Cylon’s were rumored to be building. And in this case he had to some how get the information from pirates. He wished the computer hadn’t assigned the mission to him, but, he had to admit that he was the only Warrior who didn’t act as if finding Earth was the be all and end all of his life. He liked to gamble, carouse with his friends, have meaningless sex, and all in all - fill up the loneliness in his heart. It didn’t work, but he wouldn’t let others in on that secret.
It really sucked - he didn’t think he’d be the one stuck with this mission but when Commander Tigh asked him to jump - Starbuck did. He was very fond of the older man. Tigh had saved him from the orphanage, got him into the Academy. He owed him a lot more than he could ever repay in a life time. Only, he wished he hadn’t been picked for this mission. Cassie was the trained spy. She was the one who went on these sorts of missions, seduced whoever she needed to get the information leave and be scott free.
His Lady luck was rather fickle and he had that feeling in his gut that told him this wasn’t going to be a piece of cake. It was the feeling that he always listened to and always avoided whatever situation he needed to in order to make the feeling go away. Not so this time. He was walking straight into it and he knew it.
Cassie lent against the landing gear of the JSU-181. She was giving him a very superior look that made Starbuck wish she would just disappear down the garbage disposal on C-Deck.
“They’ll mark you the first you step out of the shuttle,” she said. Starbuck straightened the civilian clothing he was wearing. He didn’t even have an inch of anything military on him or in the shuttle. He didn’t know how to do a proper spy job, but he did know that in order to keep his identity safe, he couldn’t be associated with the refugee battle force at all.
It was weird being out of uniform.
“And how can I avoid that?” Starbuck countered, “I’m just another nobody trying to make a living,” he gave her an innocent smile.
She just rolled her eyes. If there was one thing Starbuck knew best, that would be to survive. But she wouldn’t be taking any bets on this one. He didn’t know the rules, he wasn’t a trained spy, and he was a Warrior. He acted like one. It was a shame, if he had a bit more of a submitting nature - within the rouge persona - she’d have him on his knees before her licking her boots.
“I hope that’s all they see. I’ve heard that Apollo likes young, beautiful, blond hair men with eyes like yours,” she teased with a small smirk.
“You’re just jealous you’re not me seeing as how this Apollo fellow likes men more than women,” he grinned.
Cassie rolled her eyes; “you won’t have any back up, so get in and get out,” she jerked away from the craft as Starbuck started to do the pre-flight checks.
“I know,” he dazzled her with his best smile, “I don’t like it any more than you, Cass, but I’ll do anything for Tigh,”
“Even go down on him?” she asked nonchalantly as she gazed at her nails, trying to decide if she needed to re-do them. Her polish wasn’t cracked, only a few cuticles needed a trim.
She glanced up to see Starbuck go slightly pale looking; “It was a joke,” she frowned.
Starbuck opened his mouth a few times, closed it and then opened again. Cassie smiled, so they were having sex. How interesting. She smirked. She decided that information would come into handy later.
Starbuck glowered. She played him and he didn’t like it at all. She bid him fair well and he turned back to his flight checks. Only, he couldn’t get the thought of Tigh’s cock deep in his mouth, out of his because…well…it was true. Only, it was between them. They didn’t try to hide what they did. It was no one else’s business what they did. And no one would be stupid enough to try and blackmail Tigh - for that matter, Starbuck either. It’d be the end of that person, no matter who they were.
He decided not to spend any more time thinking about Cassie. They always clashed, even in bed. It just wasn’t his style.
0-0-0
Apollo lounged in his rooms on Aran IX - the lush blue/green planet that came as close to the fabled Earth that no one had ever found. He was surrounded by white stone that glowed in the mid afternoon sun. His books were in easy reach of his lounge chair and it was quiet. Too quiet. He sighed. It’d been ages since he had a pet. Only, he didn’t want just any pet. He and Adama had been talking about it for ages, they liked to share a pet - only because it brought them closer and it made them both feel powerful.
Their pirate lifestyle though was dangerous and they’d lost their last pet - who actually wanted them in that way - died in an explosion on a carrier. He’d been a great pet. And his memory still hurt but that was why they decided to get another. It’d been only five yahren ago that they’d lost him. It was high time to find another. And, with their luck, it always turned out like this. Five good yahren with a pet before said pet died. It was sad and in a way Apollo hoped that their next one would live longer.
Only this time Apollo wanted someone lighter and Adama didn’t mind the change. He sighed and put down his book. Beside him was a crop and he picked it up. He swung it in the air a couple of times - he even slapped his hand. A red welt rose seconds later, but the pain wasn’t unbearable. One slap was nothing.
He sighed and dropped his head back on the chair’s head rest and glared at the ceiling. He was so pent up with frustration, not even masturbating was helping. He wasn’t feeling relaxed either and reading usually did that for him. Boxey was still in school - after all he wasn’t going to have his son grow up like a Boray - and he wasn’t due home for ages.
He also hated being bored and so he decided to go down to the Cantina. Sometimes interesting things happened when one was in the cantina.
0-0-0
It took three cycles for Starbuck to reach Aran IX. It was an odd little system, only the crater riddled moon was habitable with its own atmosphere. The planet, for some reason was blue, green and brown - showing off its land and large oceans. It boasted large sea creatures that Starbuck had only seen on holovids. The gas giant was large and a bright with orange light radiating out of it. The next to that was a small planet with rings around it, like another fabled planet in Earth’s own system. No - Starbuck reminded himself, this was not that long lost part of the Milky Way that housed Earth and its nine planets. It was too bad. Tigh had the idea that if they found Earth they’d find peace from the Cylon’s.
Only, Starbuck didn’t believe him. He’d never told the Commander that though. There were just some things you didn’t say to a man like Tigh. Telling him that his pipe dream would never come true…yeah…that wasn’t a risk Starbuck was going to take. He’d seen some of the Sires and Siresses get the fables Glare of Death from Tigh - and if looks could kill - they’d have to Vote in a New Council of Twelve almost every other cycle.
He shook his head, he had things to do.
“Ground control this is the Star’s End requesting clearance to land,” he said into his mic. He was granted it within seconds. He found the slot and slowly, carefully, lowered the large shuttle into the spot. The JSU 181 was far bulkier than a Viper and Starbuck hoped that he didn’t screw this up. If there was one thing he was actually proud of, it was his skill as a pilot. The womanizing and gambling was just subterfuge.
Once the thrusters cut off, there was a slight jarring and the Star’s End settled onto its landing gear. Starbuck sighed and flopped back into the flight chair. He swiped his brow and unbuckled the four point safety harness. Now he had to file the paper work to be able to trade on Aran IX. He had a moderate bribe just in case. No doubt he’d have to pay someone off.
0-0-0
The lady behind the counter held a beauty Starbuck had never seen before. She was all brunette hair and big blue eyes that shone like the mythic ocean of Earth, or so he thought. He smiled at her as the door chimed above, alerting her to his presence. She gave him a smile back but Starbuck knew from the way she held herself stiffly, and both her hands under the counter - that she didn’t trust him.
“I just came to file these,” he said as he laid the data-pages on the counter for her. He was careful to keep his hand where she could see them. He spotted three or four cameras trained on the counter and assumed security near by.
“And I just want to know if there is a fee or anything for trading in the space port,” he added. The lady looked over the forms, satisfied she entered some data into her computer terminal.
“I just need two hundred cubits,” she looked up at Starbuck.
He cringed a little, but handed them over. He waited for her to count them out and give him a receipt.
“I wish you luck,” she gave him a departing smile.
“I wish you a good day,” he gave her his brightest smile before walking out of the space port office. He sighed, if he wasn’t into men, he’d have flirted with her a little bit. The sun was high and by his wrist-crono it was mid-day. He decided to take a turn around the space port - find a nice, quiet place to eat and to find his contact. He hadn’t much time to gain the information but he also knew that his cover had to be as thorough as possible. He’d have to rent a place to sell the supplies he’d listed on the files he’d just given the lady.
0-0-0
Apollo stepped out of the back room as Athena filed her nails. She spun her chair to face him; “He’s a cute one,” she teased with a smirk.
“Let me see the file,” Apollo replied, slightly miffed but not willing to let Athena get that much of a rise out of him. She handed him the files. He flipped through them for a few seconds before glancing back at her.
“This doesn’t seem right,” he muttered.
“It’s neat and tidy,” Athena agreed.
“No one does this unless…” he raised an eyebrow, “military,”
“That’s what I thought,” she nodded.
“Okay, I’m gonna keep an eye on this…Starbuck…” Apollo turned to go.
Athena giggled; “maybe he’s the pet you seek,”
Apollo just glared before he left Athena to her own musings.
0-0-0
The market was full of people. Women conversed with other of their kind over fruit stands with their small children laughing or crying at their feet. Manager’s of other stalls called out to passers by’s - holding out their wares as if it was a shinning jewel and a person would be stupid not to buy it. Steam rose through metal vents set into the dirt street and all the individual sounds rose to meet each other to make a melody. At first, it didn’t make any sense, but the longer he listened, the more clear the song became.
It was interrupted when someone laid two strong hands on his shoulders and hauled him into the alleyway and behind some boxes. He was pushed up against the wall and the air rushed out of his lungs.
“It took you long enough!” a man hissed. He was human, and tanned, darkly, from head to foot. He wore simple clothing and boots that looked to have taken a lot of wear and tear.
“Sorry, but am I supposed to know you?” Starbuck asked.
The man looked from one end of the street to the other. The coast was clear; “Sorry ‘bout the rough handling,” he hissed, “but this has to look believable. Commander Tigh told me he was sending some green behind the ears Warrior,”
“Hey!” Starbuck broke the hold of the stranger and kicked the man in the gut. Sending the man careening into the opposite wall of the alley way.
“Don’t say Frakking shit like that,” Starbuck dusted his sleeves, trying to regain what dignity he could, “you don’t know who could be listening in, and besides that, I don’t even know you,” he glared.
“Fine,” the man straightened and gritted his teeth while holding his middle. The man he’d accosted looked quite weak - but that must be one the advantages the younger Warrior played up, “Let’s find someplace far more private,”
“What’s your name?” Starbuck asked.
“Bojay,”
0-0-0
Boxey hated school.
His teacher never explained anything in Math class and Dad was far too busy to help him with it; some times Aunt Athena would help, but she was going on a date tonight with some guy called Bojay. The last Pet that Dad and Grandpa had helped him with his home work. He learned a lot from Nova. Then Nova died and Boxey was back at square one.
He wished for Dad to find another pet, one that was nice and would baby sit him, eat mushies with him and help him with his home work. It’d be great to actually have someone around, even if Dad and Grandpa did yucky stuff with the pet when Boxey was supposed to be sleeping.
Boxey turned the corner, he’d been looking at his shoes while despairing over his home work dilemma, and that was why he bumped into the shins of a stranger. They didn’t fall down as he’d seen in holovids, but he did look up.
The brightest blue eyes the universe had ever created stared right back down at him; “you okay kid?” the man asked. There was a second man standing a few feet behind Boxey on the main street. He just waited for the man Boxey was now standing in front of.
“I’m all right,” Boxey nodded.
“You going home from school?” the man asked.
“How’d you know?” Boxey frowned in puzzlement. He hadn’t ever seen this man before.
“You’re book bag has the name of your school on it,” the man smiled.
“Oh…”
He laughed, “Well, I bet your mom is waiting for you so you’d best get on home,”
“I don’t have a mom,” Boxey muttered angrily.
That had the blond man sobering up. “Neither do I,”
“I do have a Dad though,” Boxey looked out into the crowd, He didn’t see his Dad.
“Do you think you can find him?” the man asked.
“Yeah,” Boxey nodded.
“Okay, then go on to your Dad, he’ll worry if you’re late,” he smiled again but Boxey could see the old sadness that the blond was trying to hide. He nodded and without another word ran into the street and through the crowd.
0-0-0
“You don’t even know who that kid is,” Bojay glared at Starbuck who followed the man to a quiet street and into a flat that had seen better days. It had a single bed, an open bathroom and kitchen. It was small and had sparse furniture that looked to be about to go to pieces in cectons.
“What does it matter?” Starbuck asked.
“That’s Boxey Adama, he’s Apollo’s son,” Bojay sniffed.
“Well, it’s not like that was important to the mission,” Starbuck shrugged.
“You’re going to have to make sure you sell all the stuff in your cargo hold, otherwise, someone will think you’re a liar,” Bojay grunted, he sat down in a chair. Starbuck took the bed.
“I’m not a liar, unless I have orders to be one,” he replied, “Now, is this Adama fellow going to be trouble for me?”
“What did you tell his kid?” Bojay asked.
“Which one?” Starbuck blinked.
“The girl, Athena, at the office,” Bojay rolled his eyes.
“Oh her…” Starbuck wished he’d known that, “nothing. I just gave her the files I’d prepared and asked if there was a fee or anything to trade in the port. I made sure to cringe when she told me the cost but I didn’t barter it down like any other sane trader would do. I want to look to be a bumbling fool,” he crossed his arms, “she didn’t question me on anything, not even my name,”
“Wait!” Bojay clapped a hand to his forehead, looking pained he said; “you used your real name?”
“Yeah,” Starbuck shrugged, “what of it?”
“You’re a decorated Hero,”
“And?”
“And…” Bojay trailed off.
“Look, I just need to buy the information from someone I can….kinda trust, okay? Or steal it if I have too, but I only have a weak, after that the mission is a bust and I’m to report back to the Galactica,”
“Look it here, I have it on a very good authority that Adama has the information Tigh wants. And he isn’t going to go for no chump change, he’s going to want something heavy and more valuable,” Bojay sat back in his chair.
“Okay,” Starbuck sighed, “I’m going to have to put in a call to Tigh and see how he wants me to handle this, I mean, can’t I just go up and offer what I can?”
“A few cubits, right?” Bojay raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, and?”
“He’s not that sort of man,”
“Than what should I do?”
“You’ll have to steal it from them; well, get a copy of the files is all,” Bojay shrugged.
“Right, easy,” Starbuck looked at the dirt floor deep in thought.
“and if you get caught, you say nothing about me, you get it?” Bojay threatened.
“What about that kid, Boxey? He must have seen you with me,” Starbuck pointed out.
“Boxey is a brat,”
0-0-0
Commander Tigh took the call in his office. It was under an encrypted channel from the Star’s End. “Lieutenant?”
Starbuck gave him a slight wince; “I’ve run into a problem and the order’s I have don’t cover the options,” he shrugged.
“What’s happened?” Tigh asked.
“I’ve run into my contact who’s informed me that Adama has the information we need but I won’t be able to pay him for it. I think I’ll have to sneak into Adama’s office and copy the files. I mean, as long as he thinks he has the only files. And you and Adama are still bartering, right?” Starbuck asked.
“That’s right,” Tigh nodded.
“I don’t know, this all seem rather fishy,” Starbuck shook his head, “my gut is telling me that going in there and taking it is the wrong move to make,”
“Your gut has kept you out of trouble so far,” Tigh agreed.
“I don’t have enough money to even begin to bid on it though and Adama is having an auction in two days,”
“Damn,” Tigh did not like the sound of that.
“Is there any way you can close?” Tigh asked after a few sectons.
“Maybe, but…” Starbuck sighed, “it’d look rather contrived,”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, Adama and Apollo are looking for a….slave, of some sort. I can’t just show up and then offer myself for it, they’d suspect something,” Starbuck rolled his eyes.
“and that is supposed to help me how?” he glanced at the com board, a red light was blinking. Someone had traced the call.
“I don’t know. But does Adama know you’ve sent me to gather the information by force?” Starbuck asked.
“I should hope not,” Tigh muttered.
“You’ll be disappointed then,” Starbuck sighed, “my contact is dating Athena, Adama’s daughter - I saw them at a Cantina, I followed them and I got close enough to over hear some of their conversation. He mentioned me, by name, my status as a Warrior and my mission. She then commed her father, told him everything and now I’m being hunted down. I’ve no more time,” and the call ended abruptly.
Tigh sat back and cursed Adama. If the man had joined the military lifestyle instead of that of a pirate, no doubt he’d be in charge of the Colonial fleet instead of Tigh. And that wasn’t a very nice thought. Not at all.
S & M
Fandom - Battlestar Galactica
Rating - R/NC17
Paring - Apollo/Starbuck, Adama/Starbuck, Other/Starbuck
Disclaimer - I do not own BSG or the characters. I do not make any money off this piece of fiction.
NOTES - First, this is BSG 1978 when Dirk Benedict played Starbuck. Second this story is AU. So…a lot of things have changed.
Summary - Starbuck is sent on a mission by Commander Tigh to gather information on the Cylon’s ultimate baseship. Only, the information is held by the Adama Pirate Family. Things go down hill when Starbuck is captured by Apollo and his Father, Adama - will he ever accomplish his mission?
Part 1 -
Starbuck glowered at the Jovian Summis 181 that the computer had assigned him too. It was a bulky ship that Trader’s used for its cargo bay and fuel mileage. Its grey hull was patched in places where laser’s had bounced off during attacks. Where the fleet had found it, Starbuck hadn’t a clue. Still, he wasn’t at all excited about flying the junky space craft.
His task was a simple barter/trade/steal sort of deal. Any method was approved as long as he got the information on a mysterious baseship that the Cylon’s were rumored to be building. And in this case he had to some how get the information from pirates. He wished the computer hadn’t assigned the mission to him, but, he had to admit that he was the only Warrior who didn’t act as if finding Earth was the be all and end all of his life. He liked to gamble, carouse with his friends, have meaningless sex, and all in all - fill up the loneliness in his heart. It didn’t work, but he wouldn’t let others in on that secret.
It really sucked - he didn’t think he’d be the one stuck with this mission but when Commander Tigh asked him to jump - Starbuck did. He was very fond of the older man. Tigh had saved him from the orphanage, got him into the Academy. He owed him a lot more than he could ever repay in a life time. Only, he wished he hadn’t been picked for this mission. Cassie was the trained spy. She was the one who went on these sorts of missions, seduced whoever she needed to get the information leave and be scott free.
His Lady luck was rather fickle and he had that feeling in his gut that told him this wasn’t going to be a piece of cake. It was the feeling that he always listened to and always avoided whatever situation he needed to in order to make the feeling go away. Not so this time. He was walking straight into it and he knew it.
Cassie lent against the landing gear of the JSU-181. She was giving him a very superior look that made Starbuck wish she would just disappear down the garbage disposal on C-Deck.
“They’ll mark you the first you step out of the shuttle,” she said. Starbuck straightened the civilian clothing he was wearing. He didn’t even have an inch of anything military on him or in the shuttle. He didn’t know how to do a proper spy job, but he did know that in order to keep his identity safe, he couldn’t be associated with the refugee battle force at all.
It was weird being out of uniform.
“And how can I avoid that?” Starbuck countered, “I’m just another nobody trying to make a living,” he gave her an innocent smile.
She just rolled her eyes. If there was one thing Starbuck knew best, that would be to survive. But she wouldn’t be taking any bets on this one. He didn’t know the rules, he wasn’t a trained spy, and he was a Warrior. He acted like one. It was a shame, if he had a bit more of a submitting nature - within the rouge persona - she’d have him on his knees before her licking her boots.
“I hope that’s all they see. I’ve heard that Apollo likes young, beautiful, blond hair men with eyes like yours,” she teased with a small smirk.
“You’re just jealous you’re not me seeing as how this Apollo fellow likes men more than women,” he grinned.
Cassie rolled her eyes; “you won’t have any back up, so get in and get out,” she jerked away from the craft as Starbuck started to do the pre-flight checks.
“I know,” he dazzled her with his best smile, “I don’t like it any more than you, Cass, but I’ll do anything for Tigh,”
“Even go down on him?” she asked nonchalantly as she gazed at her nails, trying to decide if she needed to re-do them. Her polish wasn’t cracked, only a few cuticles needed a trim.
She glanced up to see Starbuck go slightly pale looking; “It was a joke,” she frowned.
Starbuck opened his mouth a few times, closed it and then opened again. Cassie smiled, so they were having sex. How interesting. She smirked. She decided that information would come into handy later.
Starbuck glowered. She played him and he didn’t like it at all. She bid him fair well and he turned back to his flight checks. Only, he couldn’t get the thought of Tigh’s cock deep in his mouth, out of his because…well…it was true. Only, it was between them. They didn’t try to hide what they did. It was no one else’s business what they did. And no one would be stupid enough to try and blackmail Tigh - for that matter, Starbuck either. It’d be the end of that person, no matter who they were.
He decided not to spend any more time thinking about Cassie. They always clashed, even in bed. It just wasn’t his style.
0-0-0
Apollo lounged in his rooms on Aran IX - the lush blue/green planet that came as close to the fabled Earth that no one had ever found. He was surrounded by white stone that glowed in the mid afternoon sun. His books were in easy reach of his lounge chair and it was quiet. Too quiet. He sighed. It’d been ages since he had a pet. Only, he didn’t want just any pet. He and Adama had been talking about it for ages, they liked to share a pet - only because it brought them closer and it made them both feel powerful.
Their pirate lifestyle though was dangerous and they’d lost their last pet - who actually wanted them in that way - died in an explosion on a carrier. He’d been a great pet. And his memory still hurt but that was why they decided to get another. It’d been only five yahren ago that they’d lost him. It was high time to find another. And, with their luck, it always turned out like this. Five good yahren with a pet before said pet died. It was sad and in a way Apollo hoped that their next one would live longer.
Only this time Apollo wanted someone lighter and Adama didn’t mind the change. He sighed and put down his book. Beside him was a crop and he picked it up. He swung it in the air a couple of times - he even slapped his hand. A red welt rose seconds later, but the pain wasn’t unbearable. One slap was nothing.
He sighed and dropped his head back on the chair’s head rest and glared at the ceiling. He was so pent up with frustration, not even masturbating was helping. He wasn’t feeling relaxed either and reading usually did that for him. Boxey was still in school - after all he wasn’t going to have his son grow up like a Boray - and he wasn’t due home for ages.
He also hated being bored and so he decided to go down to the Cantina. Sometimes interesting things happened when one was in the cantina.
0-0-0
It took three cycles for Starbuck to reach Aran IX. It was an odd little system, only the crater riddled moon was habitable with its own atmosphere. The planet, for some reason was blue, green and brown - showing off its land and large oceans. It boasted large sea creatures that Starbuck had only seen on holovids. The gas giant was large and a bright with orange light radiating out of it. The next to that was a small planet with rings around it, like another fabled planet in Earth’s own system. No - Starbuck reminded himself, this was not that long lost part of the Milky Way that housed Earth and its nine planets. It was too bad. Tigh had the idea that if they found Earth they’d find peace from the Cylon’s.
Only, Starbuck didn’t believe him. He’d never told the Commander that though. There were just some things you didn’t say to a man like Tigh. Telling him that his pipe dream would never come true…yeah…that wasn’t a risk Starbuck was going to take. He’d seen some of the Sires and Siresses get the fables Glare of Death from Tigh - and if looks could kill - they’d have to Vote in a New Council of Twelve almost every other cycle.
He shook his head, he had things to do.
“Ground control this is the Star’s End requesting clearance to land,” he said into his mic. He was granted it within seconds. He found the slot and slowly, carefully, lowered the large shuttle into the spot. The JSU 181 was far bulkier than a Viper and Starbuck hoped that he didn’t screw this up. If there was one thing he was actually proud of, it was his skill as a pilot. The womanizing and gambling was just subterfuge.
Once the thrusters cut off, there was a slight jarring and the Star’s End settled onto its landing gear. Starbuck sighed and flopped back into the flight chair. He swiped his brow and unbuckled the four point safety harness. Now he had to file the paper work to be able to trade on Aran IX. He had a moderate bribe just in case. No doubt he’d have to pay someone off.
0-0-0
The lady behind the counter held a beauty Starbuck had never seen before. She was all brunette hair and big blue eyes that shone like the mythic ocean of Earth, or so he thought. He smiled at her as the door chimed above, alerting her to his presence. She gave him a smile back but Starbuck knew from the way she held herself stiffly, and both her hands under the counter - that she didn’t trust him.
“I just came to file these,” he said as he laid the data-pages on the counter for her. He was careful to keep his hand where she could see them. He spotted three or four cameras trained on the counter and assumed security near by.
“And I just want to know if there is a fee or anything for trading in the space port,” he added. The lady looked over the forms, satisfied she entered some data into her computer terminal.
“I just need two hundred cubits,” she looked up at Starbuck.
He cringed a little, but handed them over. He waited for her to count them out and give him a receipt.
“I wish you luck,” she gave him a departing smile.
“I wish you a good day,” he gave her his brightest smile before walking out of the space port office. He sighed, if he wasn’t into men, he’d have flirted with her a little bit. The sun was high and by his wrist-crono it was mid-day. He decided to take a turn around the space port - find a nice, quiet place to eat and to find his contact. He hadn’t much time to gain the information but he also knew that his cover had to be as thorough as possible. He’d have to rent a place to sell the supplies he’d listed on the files he’d just given the lady.
0-0-0
Apollo stepped out of the back room as Athena filed her nails. She spun her chair to face him; “He’s a cute one,” she teased with a smirk.
“Let me see the file,” Apollo replied, slightly miffed but not willing to let Athena get that much of a rise out of him. She handed him the files. He flipped through them for a few seconds before glancing back at her.
“This doesn’t seem right,” he muttered.
“It’s neat and tidy,” Athena agreed.
“No one does this unless…” he raised an eyebrow, “military,”
“That’s what I thought,” she nodded.
“Okay, I’m gonna keep an eye on this…Starbuck…” Apollo turned to go.
Athena giggled; “maybe he’s the pet you seek,”
Apollo just glared before he left Athena to her own musings.
0-0-0
The market was full of people. Women conversed with other of their kind over fruit stands with their small children laughing or crying at their feet. Manager’s of other stalls called out to passers by’s - holding out their wares as if it was a shinning jewel and a person would be stupid not to buy it. Steam rose through metal vents set into the dirt street and all the individual sounds rose to meet each other to make a melody. At first, it didn’t make any sense, but the longer he listened, the more clear the song became.
It was interrupted when someone laid two strong hands on his shoulders and hauled him into the alleyway and behind some boxes. He was pushed up against the wall and the air rushed out of his lungs.
“It took you long enough!” a man hissed. He was human, and tanned, darkly, from head to foot. He wore simple clothing and boots that looked to have taken a lot of wear and tear.
“Sorry, but am I supposed to know you?” Starbuck asked.
The man looked from one end of the street to the other. The coast was clear; “Sorry ‘bout the rough handling,” he hissed, “but this has to look believable. Commander Tigh told me he was sending some green behind the ears Warrior,”
“Hey!” Starbuck broke the hold of the stranger and kicked the man in the gut. Sending the man careening into the opposite wall of the alley way.
“Don’t say Frakking shit like that,” Starbuck dusted his sleeves, trying to regain what dignity he could, “you don’t know who could be listening in, and besides that, I don’t even know you,” he glared.
“Fine,” the man straightened and gritted his teeth while holding his middle. The man he’d accosted looked quite weak - but that must be one the advantages the younger Warrior played up, “Let’s find someplace far more private,”
“What’s your name?” Starbuck asked.
“Bojay,”
0-0-0
Boxey hated school.
His teacher never explained anything in Math class and Dad was far too busy to help him with it; some times Aunt Athena would help, but she was going on a date tonight with some guy called Bojay. The last Pet that Dad and Grandpa had helped him with his home work. He learned a lot from Nova. Then Nova died and Boxey was back at square one.
He wished for Dad to find another pet, one that was nice and would baby sit him, eat mushies with him and help him with his home work. It’d be great to actually have someone around, even if Dad and Grandpa did yucky stuff with the pet when Boxey was supposed to be sleeping.
Boxey turned the corner, he’d been looking at his shoes while despairing over his home work dilemma, and that was why he bumped into the shins of a stranger. They didn’t fall down as he’d seen in holovids, but he did look up.
The brightest blue eyes the universe had ever created stared right back down at him; “you okay kid?” the man asked. There was a second man standing a few feet behind Boxey on the main street. He just waited for the man Boxey was now standing in front of.
“I’m all right,” Boxey nodded.
“You going home from school?” the man asked.
“How’d you know?” Boxey frowned in puzzlement. He hadn’t ever seen this man before.
“You’re book bag has the name of your school on it,” the man smiled.
“Oh…”
He laughed, “Well, I bet your mom is waiting for you so you’d best get on home,”
“I don’t have a mom,” Boxey muttered angrily.
That had the blond man sobering up. “Neither do I,”
“I do have a Dad though,” Boxey looked out into the crowd, He didn’t see his Dad.
“Do you think you can find him?” the man asked.
“Yeah,” Boxey nodded.
“Okay, then go on to your Dad, he’ll worry if you’re late,” he smiled again but Boxey could see the old sadness that the blond was trying to hide. He nodded and without another word ran into the street and through the crowd.
0-0-0
“You don’t even know who that kid is,” Bojay glared at Starbuck who followed the man to a quiet street and into a flat that had seen better days. It had a single bed, an open bathroom and kitchen. It was small and had sparse furniture that looked to be about to go to pieces in cectons.
“What does it matter?” Starbuck asked.
“That’s Boxey Adama, he’s Apollo’s son,” Bojay sniffed.
“Well, it’s not like that was important to the mission,” Starbuck shrugged.
“You’re going to have to make sure you sell all the stuff in your cargo hold, otherwise, someone will think you’re a liar,” Bojay grunted, he sat down in a chair. Starbuck took the bed.
“I’m not a liar, unless I have orders to be one,” he replied, “Now, is this Adama fellow going to be trouble for me?”
“What did you tell his kid?” Bojay asked.
“Which one?” Starbuck blinked.
“The girl, Athena, at the office,” Bojay rolled his eyes.
“Oh her…” Starbuck wished he’d known that, “nothing. I just gave her the files I’d prepared and asked if there was a fee or anything to trade in the port. I made sure to cringe when she told me the cost but I didn’t barter it down like any other sane trader would do. I want to look to be a bumbling fool,” he crossed his arms, “she didn’t question me on anything, not even my name,”
“Wait!” Bojay clapped a hand to his forehead, looking pained he said; “you used your real name?”
“Yeah,” Starbuck shrugged, “what of it?”
“You’re a decorated Hero,”
“And?”
“And…” Bojay trailed off.
“Look, I just need to buy the information from someone I can….kinda trust, okay? Or steal it if I have too, but I only have a weak, after that the mission is a bust and I’m to report back to the Galactica,”
“Look it here, I have it on a very good authority that Adama has the information Tigh wants. And he isn’t going to go for no chump change, he’s going to want something heavy and more valuable,” Bojay sat back in his chair.
“Okay,” Starbuck sighed, “I’m going to have to put in a call to Tigh and see how he wants me to handle this, I mean, can’t I just go up and offer what I can?”
“A few cubits, right?” Bojay raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, and?”
“He’s not that sort of man,”
“Than what should I do?”
“You’ll have to steal it from them; well, get a copy of the files is all,” Bojay shrugged.
“Right, easy,” Starbuck looked at the dirt floor deep in thought.
“and if you get caught, you say nothing about me, you get it?” Bojay threatened.
“What about that kid, Boxey? He must have seen you with me,” Starbuck pointed out.
“Boxey is a brat,”
0-0-0
Commander Tigh took the call in his office. It was under an encrypted channel from the Star’s End. “Lieutenant?”
Starbuck gave him a slight wince; “I’ve run into a problem and the order’s I have don’t cover the options,” he shrugged.
“What’s happened?” Tigh asked.
“I’ve run into my contact who’s informed me that Adama has the information we need but I won’t be able to pay him for it. I think I’ll have to sneak into Adama’s office and copy the files. I mean, as long as he thinks he has the only files. And you and Adama are still bartering, right?” Starbuck asked.
“That’s right,” Tigh nodded.
“I don’t know, this all seem rather fishy,” Starbuck shook his head, “my gut is telling me that going in there and taking it is the wrong move to make,”
“Your gut has kept you out of trouble so far,” Tigh agreed.
“I don’t have enough money to even begin to bid on it though and Adama is having an auction in two days,”
“Damn,” Tigh did not like the sound of that.
“Is there any way you can close?” Tigh asked after a few sectons.
“Maybe, but…” Starbuck sighed, “it’d look rather contrived,”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, Adama and Apollo are looking for a….slave, of some sort. I can’t just show up and then offer myself for it, they’d suspect something,” Starbuck rolled his eyes.
“and that is supposed to help me how?” he glanced at the com board, a red light was blinking. Someone had traced the call.
“I don’t know. But does Adama know you’ve sent me to gather the information by force?” Starbuck asked.
“I should hope not,” Tigh muttered.
“You’ll be disappointed then,” Starbuck sighed, “my contact is dating Athena, Adama’s daughter - I saw them at a Cantina, I followed them and I got close enough to over hear some of their conversation. He mentioned me, by name, my status as a Warrior and my mission. She then commed her father, told him everything and now I’m being hunted down. I’ve no more time,” and the call ended abruptly.
Tigh sat back and cursed Adama. If the man had joined the military lifestyle instead of that of a pirate, no doubt he’d be in charge of the Colonial fleet instead of Tigh. And that wasn’t a very nice thought. Not at all.