Fic-We Know Not What We Do: Part 4 - Killing God
Title: We Know Not What We Do
Author: korenap
Fandom: Battlestar Galatica
Pairings Gina Inviere/Erin Mathias with Gina/Cain, Athena/Starbuck, het subtext Adama/Roslin
Rating: M
Warnings: Gina is alive, but did experience rape and torture, there are confrontations with a rapist and non-graphic flashbacks. Mature themes, Sex, Violence, Major character death
word count: 6,280 of 43,000
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I get nothing but comments.
Previous Chapters: Part One, Part Two, Part Three
Part Four: KILLING GOD
Artist: mammothluv
Part Four: KILLING GOD
Chapter 11
Athena opened the hatch and heard Colonel Tigh's gravely voice barking out orders. She turned to Gina, "I better check find out what's going on."
Gina donned her hat and glasses. From her elevated position on board the raptor, she searched the crowd. Athena came back saying civilians were bucking against orders.
"Mathias was supposed to meet me. Did you see her?"
"Sit tight." Athena approached two marines standing nearby and pointed them toward Gina.
The taller one spoke. "Sorry, Y'don't look like we thought ya would. We're your detail."
So much for promises. "Where's Gunny Mathias?"
"Gunny’s in lifestations." Voices took the shape of a roar and he did a double take. The crowd pushed toward them. "Oh frak. Stay in the raptor." He called over his shoulder as both marines moved to hold back the crowd. "Shut the hatch."
Her disappointment turned to fear. A crushing weight bore down on her that she needed to move to get out from under. She shut the hatch from the outside, slipped past the marines and headed for lifestations.
""""""""""
Tarkas stood by his viper waiting for the bitch Seelix to finish with his bird. He was so sick of the little no one giving him attitude. He wished he had arrested her. He caught sight of the Old Man's pet Cylons. Athena walked away. He ignored her. He was transfixed by Gina. Seeing her standing confidently brought back everything...
Gods he was sick of military women. Only the rush from flying made him want to frak one. Whoa, Frakking A, civie tech to the rescue! Now there was a woman he could frak until she had to beg him to stop...
On the Pegasus objection meant death, not that he did. He fashioned himself as needed, a razor honed on the bleeding body beneath him. Thorne liked his gimmick, the hood, the blindfold. The power and respect made him hard like metal, but the edge was dulled. He failed and covered as best he could, stunning everyone with his brutality...
Relief and depravation, no risk of exposure or hope of triumph. Thorne and Cain were dead. Gina was gone....
Transferred to Galactica only to be being scorned by frakking nuggets! He was academy trained, not some desperation jock. Everyone knew why men from the Pegasus were transferred; as if anything you did to a machine could be a crime. And the frakless wonders were proud of running. He wanted to beat their smug faces in; they had no frakking idea...
Running was bad, but hiding was worse. Anxious, useless, sleepless, nightmares and fights. He sat in the brig, while the frakking happy idiots poured down to the surface...
Great, damn pills ran out. Wouldn't need them if Tigh would stop riding his ass and listen...
Extended shore leave, he needed action, not a frakking break...
Finally, something to look forward to; the son of a bitch himself coming down as a frakless civilian. Looking for revenge, he spotted Tigh and the Cylon raiders at the same time...
She was frakking everywhere. He turned the corner and froze. They looked at him curiously. The one closest to him turned and smiled. He doubled over retching. A hand brushed his face. "Let me take you to a doctor." The voice. He looked up into 'Gina's' eyes.
Damn machine bitch! She sucked him in. Always having to look over his shoulder, being on 'the Bucket' was worse than before. He watched her leave the hangar bay.
He barely registered a clipboard slamming into his chest. Then Seelix spoke, "Didn't look at Sixes like that when you were their N.C.P. lapdog."
He felt the hatred and contempt in Seelix’s voice like a blow. "You don't know what the frak you're talking about!"
Seelix sneered and walked away. Tossing the clipboard at her retreating back, Tarkas took off after Gina. The pace of his footsteps quickened along with his rage.
"""""""""""
Every glance felt like a stare. Voices whispered behind her. Turning a corner Gina flinched at the sight of endless photos of the dead. She put her head down. Stay calm, walk steady, don't draw attention. This was a stupid thing to do.
Almost there. Someone running behind her; she turned to face the wall, knowing people would look as the runner passed. A gun pressed against the back of her head.
"Well, look-e here. One of Adama's pets is running away. Should I put it down or back on it's leash." Tarkas leaned forward and lowered his voice. "I really liked you on a leash."
Gina recognized the fear tainted stench and connected it to his crimes. She became a blur of motion. Tarkas was disarmed; her hand tightened around his neck. Break it or shatter his scull against the wall? It's what any other Cylon would do, but she'd had other teachers; including him.
She pulled his shirt up to cover his head, pressed his face to the wall, and positioned the gun. "I remember everything you like." A quick jab, "And this won't go limp." The smell of urine and feces assaulted her nostrils. She was revolted... by him and herself. She fought for control. He was weak and pathetic, an animal. She wasn't. She unloaded the gun and pocketed the clip. Tossing the gun down the hall, she sent Tarkas flying after it. She needed to find Mathias before he got back up. She hoped she'd get a chance to talk to Athena.
""""""""""
Lifestations was crowded with civilians. A group with black eyes and swollen features was huddled under marine guard. Looking opposite she spotted Mathias with her squad looking much like the civilians. Sitting in rows three to a bed, they were sulking and staring at their dangling feet. Relief, amusement, longing, fear and regret welled within her. She schooled her expression and stepped closer to Mathias than she would have dared to before. "Hey, you stood me up."
Mathias startled. "Gina?"
"So you do remember me." She had nothing to lose if they shot her so she took Mathias' hand, "You alright, Gunny?"
Gina's hand was trembling. Her eyes didn't match her smile. Mathias fought the desire to take Gina in her arms. She clutched the cot with her free hand to stay seated and wrapped Gina's hand in her own. "I'm fine. Though I gotta say- for folk who call themselves pacifists- Sagittarons get pretty contrary when you try to tell them what to do."
Gina's smile became more genuine. She laced and locked their fingers. "I thought I'd trained you to handle contrary."
"Oh, you have." Mathias assured her. "We just got overconfident knowing no one could come close to your mastery of it."
Both women attempted to suppress their smiles. Gina burst out laughing, followed by Mathias. It was edgy, raw and completely uncontrollable.
Everyone paused to gape at the two women. Some smiled with them, some struggled with the discomfort of elusive recognition. Cottle was the only one who recognized Gina and felt at ease with the display. The marines under Mathias' command cursed under their breaths. Two secrets were being let out.
Marines took their cues from their Gunny so they didn't talk about it. Each had made assumptions about what Mathias and Gina got up to on other shifts. They weren't comfortable with the relationship. They were just more uncomfortable disrespecting their Gunny. Some of them would have ended up with broken necks without her. They had her back, though if Gina just disappeared most wouldn't mind.
Attention shifted as marines under Colonel Tigh's command swarmed into lifestations. They took aim at Gina.
"Whoa..." Mathias moved to insert herself between Gina and Tigh's unit.
Gina placed a hand on Mathias' back. "Don't. I know why they're here."
Mathias turned. Gina's eyes were full of sorrow.
"Stand aside Gunny." Tigh glared at Gina with his remaining eye. "You're under arrest for assault. Shackles!" Gina was roughly and quickly rendered helpless.
"You and your unit are relieved of brig duty until further notice, Gunny."
"Yes, Sir" The response was automatic, but Mathias' well schooled stoicism had crumbled. The emotion radiating from her was unmistakable. Rage. "Permission to speak freely, sir."
"Denied. She assaulted an officer. She's going back to the brig," Tigh sneered at Gina, "for now." He lowered his voice and turned to Mathias. "Get your head in the game before you loose your stripes, Gunny. Move out!"
Cottle didn't like the look of this. Saul Tigh was his friend, but that certainly didn't make him blind to the man's weaknesses or the fact that they'd been magnified since Ellen's death. Gina was doing damned well, the fact that she was being arrested for assault instead of murder proved it. He moved to the gunny's side. "Stay calm and think, Mathias." He waited for her usual restraint to return before adding, "You're all clear for duty."
Mathias ordered everyone but Fischer back to crowd control. "I'm going to speak to the admiral."
"Permission to speak freely?"
That was a first, Mathias nodded.
He lowered his voice. "You and Gina were fine when this was just in the brig. You’re our Gunny and we respect you. But now a lot more people know Gina's your girlfriend. How far are you going to take this?"
Mathias' opened her mouth to deny Fischer's declaration, then shut it. What was she going to deny, Gina's feelings for her? She didn't even know them. Tigh and Cottle were right, she needed to get her head clear. She couldn't afford an obstructed view. "Gina has been my responsibility, I should be informed of the details of what she is being accused of. I also have to report on her actions. We've been splitting coverage, I want you to report anything that may be relevant to the investigation. That's all I'm asking of you. I care about her. And yes, they'll have to toss me in the brig to get her out an airlock, but I don't expect you to get tossed in there with me."
Chapter 12
Gina lay with her face to the wall, thankful to be alone. If they airlocked her, it was unlikely she'd resurrect. Memories flooded her mind and for once, she didn't try to stop them. All the choices she'd made. Only one gave her the power to significantly alter the outcome, becoming an infiltrator.
Like all Sixes she had been driven by a fascination with all that is alive. She'd wanted to be engulfed in the fecundity of the twelve colonies. She anxiously awaited the day when Cylons claimed them for themselves. She had never conceived that her quest for life would lead to an overwhelming desire for death. Or that death would come only after that craving abated.
She couldn't have stopped the attack. She had just lived, secretly hoping for more time. She could admit it now. She had played it down the middle, given them a chance. They'd taken it and God let them live. She just had to keep Helena's hatred from negating it. An ambush, cripple the ship, get them to run again. That had to be what God wanted- or so she had told herself.
The truth was she had wanted Helena alive and unaware, at any cost. Killing Helena then would have destroyed her. Trying to spare her had destroyed them both. All that was between them seemed predestined to die in excruciating agony. Maybe that was all God had really wanted- for both of them to pay.
Rended beyond recognition, she had hated everyone, herself and God included. Her hatred of God was ironically what kept her alive. It was so blasphemous that she couldn't bring herself to face the stream. Her relationship with herself and others may have managed to improve; her relationship with God didn't.
Was this judgment for the past or deliverance from the future? Were her newfound desires and few days of freedom meant as a last revelation and reminder of what she'd squandered? Is this what God had been waiting for? She understood now. If not for Mathias, Cottle, Athena, Adama and even the guards who just refused to strike her, she'd still be as murderous and vengeful as Helena ever was. Maybe she always had been and would be again. She could feel it lurking; waiting like a cancer in remission.
A flurry of movement made Gina sit up. Admiral Adama was approaching her cell with four marines, including Mathias and Fischer. His eyes were cold and hard. An icy lump crawled up from Gina's stomach as sweat dripped down her forehead. She smiled wryly as she avoided looking at Mathias. She would be at the airlock... Gina stood defiantly as they entered her cell.
"Tell me what happened." Adama said brusquely.
Gina's throat constricted. "Does it matter?"
"I want to hear your side of the story." His gaze bore into her, like at their first meeting.
Gina acquiesced. There was no reason to hold anything back.
Adama listened without interruption. "That matches the testimony of witnesses. You, the marines who let you slip by, and Tarkas have created a dilemma. I appreciate that you have demonstrated restraint when provoked, and you do have the right to defend yourself. But that does not mean you can assault or threaten my people. Especially with the heinous crimes that were perpetrated against you. You cannot walk around this ship without an escort. You have to earn that right. For now it's not safe for you or anyone else. Do you understand?"
Gina stared in disbelief. She turned to Mathias for confirmation of what she thought she heard before nodding.
"Do I have your word that you will not threaten or attack any one?"
Gina's mouth remained agape. Either she stayed in control or she died. She could live with that. She silently indicated her acceptance.
It wasn't enough. "Do I have your word?" Adama asked again.
Gina croaked out a response. "Yes...you have my word."
"Good. Security is going to become more difficult until everyone is back on their ships and fed. From now on marines will stay close. If you are left alone for any reason, remain at your location. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Admiral." Gina did a poor, but earnest imitation of a military response.
Adama relaxed. "Good. It's agreed that you're up to speed with the raptor. Tomorrow will be a hard day. Get some rest. Any questions?"
Gina paused, debating. "I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, but what am I supposed to do about Tarkas?" She didn't have any idea how to handle something like this. Cylons didn't act out of rage. And nobody would have dared to with Hel...What the frak am I thinking?
Adama watched Gina's inner struggle play across her face. It was no small miracle that Tarkas was still alive. He spoke sympathetically. "I need every pilot for this mission; stay as far away from him as possible and stick to your guards like glue."
He left the brig. Mathias grinned widely while Fischer assisted in removing the shackles. Gina remained standing like a dear in headlights. Mathias ordered Fischer out. "Gina? Six, are you okay?"
Gina continued to stare blindly, "I like it when you call me Six. You're the only one who says it like it's not a curse."
Mathias cautiously guided Gina toward the cot. "You're the last person I want to curse."
Gina halted. "I thought you were going to airlock me. That God finally wanted me to die."
Mathias was shocked by both statements, but found the second more disturbing. "You think the Cylon God wants you dead? Because you're helping us?"
"No, no, not that." Gina sat and looked down. "I've been waiting to resurrect or die for so long. It was always the plan. I felt cursed, as if God wouldn't let me. Today I finally felt that I might have something to live for. It just made sense I would die."
Mathias didn't believe in the Gods and had devoted as little thought to them as possible since the attacks, but she did understand the danger of believing in a jinx before a mission. She took Gina's hand. "Six, remember the problems with my old XO, I told you about. The ones that got me transferred to Galactica?"
Gina nodded, her hand limp in Mathias'.
"I wasn't upset about being dumped here because I saw it as a transition. I was finally going to follow through with my plans from before my Mom died. I just needed to keep my paycheck until Eoghan graduated," Mathias choked. "My family was so proud of me, but we failed and they died."
Gina looked at her.
"Assuming you're already dead is the best way to fight. But it was how I was living, no past, no future, just drudgery. You changed that for me. You got me to pay attention to something other than my own pain."
Gina tried for levity, but her voice came out bitter, "Meeting a suicidal Cylon who wanted to kill you made you better, no wonder we get along."
"It wasn't your pain and anger, it was that you survived it. You recovered from something that could have left your mind in tiny pieces. I'm in awe of you, Gina."
Gina looked at her like she was insane.
Mathias continued in earnest. "I was on the ferry halfway to Hades. You broke through the haze that would have gotten me killed. You ending up on this ship may be the luckiest thing that's ever happened to me."
Oh God, anything but that. Helena's words. Bile coated her throat. She latched on to the bitterness and spat. "I am not good luck."
Frak. Hushed, but urgent Mathias pleaded, "Six, I care about you and I know it's selfish to be glad you're here, but I promise: I will stand by you, I will protect you."
Gina looked angrier. "You shouldn't, Mathias. I kill what I love. Humans. Resurrection ships full of Cylons, Centurions, worlds full of forests...Helena. I've betrayed and been betrayed by everyone. And I don't know how to stop."
Mathias tightened her grip. "That's the past. You've made different choices since you've been here. And according to regs, Admiral Cain should have shot herself."
A ghost of a smile flashed and disappeared. "Cylons remember everything, Mathias. I think it's the biggest difference between us. There's no haze or distortion....it doesn't matter whether I could think or move, I remember every second." Gina brought up her legs and wrapped her arms around them. "I...loved and hated the same person; both feelings still make perfect sense...now nothing does. You're everything I should hate and the person I trust the most. I love that you trust me, and it terrifies me. I'm scared of what I might do and what will happen if I try to do anything." Gina curled more tightly into a ball. "I don't have a plan and I can't make one."
Mathias reached out to sooth Gina, gently stroking her cheek. When Gina leaned into the touch, she tentatively moved closer. Gina slowly uncurled as Mathias carefully kneaded tense muscles. Gina leaned her head back and the rest of her body followed. It felt more than right to be this close to Gina. When Gina rested against her, Mathias spoke.
"My Dad used to say if you want to make the Gods laugh, tell them your plans," she pressed her lips to the side of Gina's head, "but if you want to impress them, follow your dreams."
Gina pulled away and quirked an eyebrow.
"Not those dreams." Mathias brushed a strand of hair away from Gina's eyes. "Six, what do you want for yourself?"
Herself. Cylons weren't supposed to think of themselves. She wasn't even sure they were supposed to be themselves. Yet she'd been gone so long with no one but herself. "I want to be safe, I want peace. I want something I can believe in. And I want you."
Mathias' heart seemed to open and break at the same time. "Do you trust me?"
"More than any one else." Gina looked apologetic. They both knew that wasn't saying much.
Mathias took hold of both of Gina's hands, and drew in a breath to speak, but looked down with out saying anything.Gina's thumbs moved in a circular caress until Mathias looked up and asked. "Do you think you could love me?"
"I'd have to be an idiot not to love you." Gina replied dryly.
Mathias resisted the urge to laugh. "Then Gina, please, fight to stay here, with me."
Gina's tone became even more arid. "We're in the brig, Mathias."
Mathias gave in; Gina had a nasty habit of going from scaring her shitless to making her laugh. "Well it does have advantages over a rack in a crowded room." Mathias leaned back on the cot and stretched. "Like maneuverability."
"You're presumptuous." Gina smirked.
Erin grinned widely. "Hey, I'm allowed to dream."
Gina's eyebrows went halfway up her forehead. "Just make sure I'm on top, Mathias."
The copper in Mathias' hair was washed out by the redness blooming up on her face. She did her best to appear deadly serious. "There is one thing I really need from you, Gina...Please...call me Erin."
"Erin?" The name barely made it past Gina's lips.
"Try not to choke. There are situations in which I absolutely do not want you to call me Mathias or Gunny." Erin blushed an even deeper red.
Gina felt a familiar rush. Successful seduction. Disturbed, she broke contact. She wasn't the only one who needed protection. She stood up to mask her distress. Turning her back, she spoke jovially. "Well all I can dream of right now is getting out of this flight suit."
Mathias got up and took a step back. "I should leave before you do that."
"What about your dreams...Erin?" Gina asked with syrupy sweetness.
Mathias leaned closer. "They don't include Fischer peering through the glass. You did ask for curtains, right?"
Gina couldn't keep her distance. She looked Erin in the eye and spoke to God. Please don't let me hurt her. Cupping Erin's cheek, she moved in slowly until their lips met. Hesitant, then gently probing, the kiss lasted just long enough for each to confirm what they needed to know.
Erin wished Gina sweet dreams, then stepped out to make sure the now overabundant guards turned their backs and kept their eyes off the monitor. Gina stripped off her flight suit and crawled under the sheets. Flight training and emotional upheaval took a welcome toll. For once, being behind bars didn't keep her awake for a second.
Chapter 13
Gina walked through the basestar intent on an elusive destination. She was comforted by her sisters' chatter, but it was not what she craved. Afraid she'd miss a path through the trees, she remained surrounded by endless grey with a blood red stripe. At last, the door she was looking for, and within, Erin Mathias. The walls became a primeval forest in stark contrast to the Cylon cell. "Erin, it's me, Gina." She opened the cell door finding it ironic she could not be Six here. As she entered, the walls of a rustic cabin replaced the bars. They matched Helena's description perfectly. "Erin, look at me," she pleaded with the silent figure. Erin's eyes, cold as Cavil's, bore into her as Erin voiced a sarcastic question, "Are you alive?" A red dot appeared on her forehead. "No!" Gina screamed as Erin's skull shattered. Gina turned to a naked sister holding the gun. "Why?" The Six turned her back, revealing her scars. A deafening clank reverberated through Gina's bones as the cabin and forest disappeared. Locked in, she was surrounded by a sea of sisters and brothers. All stared with harsh judgment before descending darkness swallowed them. Alone, Gina's scream echoed in the void.
"Six, wake up! Are you alright?"
Gina bolted upright.
"That was the worst scream I've heard come out of you in a while." Erin spoke softly, her eyes full of concern.
Gina focused on Erin to settle her breathing. Seeing her behind the bars of her cell did not produce the desired effect. "Gotta figure out how the Ones stopped sleeping."
"What?" Mathias let her gun hang from its harness. She kneeled and took Gina's hand. "Just breathe, you're safe."
God, she wanted to just grab Erin and run, but they had no place to go. "I'm...I love you." Gina said gently stroking her cheek. "What time is it?"
"Time to get up and show off your flying skills." Erin stood and pulled Gina up with her.
"At least I slept through the night." Gina gave Erin a thorough kiss and let her go.
""""""""""
Gina and her escort headed straight to her raptor. Unlike before, many on deck paused in their work as she passed. She ignored them. She just wanted to enjoy having Erin at her side. They arrived at the vessel to find two deckhands shuffling nervously. The big one Pullo, had introduced himself when she first started training and told her the small silent one's name was Livius.
"All clear?" Gina asked in her most pleasant voice.
"Yup, all checked and fueled," Pullo replied.
"Good." Gina walked slowly around the Raptor rechecking. Given how everyone was reacting to her she wasn't about to shirk her responsibility. It also bought time to prepare and focus. The marines stayed out of her way while the deckhands chatted. As Gina squatted down to check a small hatch, she heard a whisper: "...with her hand around his throat."
"Is that what happened to his eye." Asked an unfamiliar high pitched voice.
"That's what he's saying, but 'tween you and me, someone sucker punched him for shooting his mouth off." Pullo stated with confidence.
"She really had him off the floor?" Livius squeaked.
"And tossed him like a rag doll...one hand," Pullo insisted, then mused. "Maybe we could start an arm wrestling team and get her to join."
"Uh, I dunno." Livius' voice had returned to what she assumed was it's normal pitch.
"Wonder if she can drink as much as Athena?" Pullo actually sounded excited.
They finished the conversation with a series of grunts exchanged like language. They really were knuckle-draggers. She wondered if Cylon ship techs acted the same. There was a Six pilot that had begun to act like Starbuck, complete with strut and attitude. Relieved by the lack hostility, she finished her inspection and joined them. Pullo handed her a dosimeter and said good luck. Gina looked at her marines. "If some of you want to join me for the ride...?"
They stepped back in unison.
"All stations! This is the Admiral, I am glad to have all of you on board. The Galactica will make several trips through the star cluster and back. The first will be to drop off a viper wing and emergency medical vessel. There will be turbulence, but nothing the Galactica can't handle. We are now ready for the first jump to the algae planet."
The outburst of cheering was deafening. The humans were patting each other’s backs and slapping hands in the air. Something hit Gina, she spun ready to fight. Pullo jumped back, his hands raised in surrender. "I'm sorry, I didn’t mean... I just..." Gina realized he had clapped her on the shoulder.
"I... my mistake... I'm just not used to being touched by anything but a fist or swinging wrench." She thought she was being funny, but the deckhand looked even more upset. She turned to Mathias with a pleading look.
"Don't worry about Gina, she leaves all the fighting to her guards, whom she trusts implicitly to protect her."
Gina managed to smirk and blush at the same time. "I stopped before I swung."
"And we and Doc Cottle are thankful. Plastic surgery isn't his specialty and we all want to stay pretty." Erin spoke as if providing an explanation to a child.
"He put my face back together, are you saying I'm not pretty?" Gina asked petulantly.
"Your beauty is stunning, but some of us don't have much to start with and can't afford to lose any." Erin pointed to herself.
"You're stunning to me." Gina's eyes raked over Erin, "though you'd be better without the uniform."
Mathias could only blush. With her head down she leaned forward and whispered. "I think you might manage that, but not in the hangar bay."
Fischer cleared his throat loudly. Both women jumped.
Gina smirked. "I need to check inside the bird. Don't want to get airlocked for being late."
"Good luck. And don't forget your dreams." Gina's breath caught and Erin felt like kicking her own ass across the deck. She tried to mitigate the damage. "I'll be waiting and ready to lose the uniform on request."
Gina smiled, but couldn't stop the images coursing through her mind. She ran through every system aft and forward then strapped herself in. Sisters, brothers, prison cells and death swirled continuously.
"Raptor 626. Galactica. Report." The voice of flight control cut through.
"Cracker. Raptor 626. Engines hot and ready."
"Take off in 30. Mark."
"Roger counting down."
The marines and deckhands watched the raptor take off.
"All right. Break until she’s back." Mathias ordered and brusquely withdrew.
The gossip loving deckhands' mouths hung open. Pullo pointed in the direction of the departing ship while his eyes trailed Mathias. "Holy frak, did you see..."
"You saw nothing."
The two deckhands felt the menacing glares of the three marines down to their bones. Livius quaked, but Pullo grinned widely as the Marines turned their backs.
Chapter 14
Gina was alone in a raptor. Heading away from the battlestar there were no ships in front of her; besides the engines, there was no sound. Stars shone brightly and the nebular cluster was a thing of beauty.
"Raptor 626. Galactica; set course for the Demetrius."
Gina searched for any familiar constellation, but recognized nothing. Was the Cylon fleet close?
President Roslin stood opposite Admiral Adama in Galactica’s CIC, with an 'I told you so' expression on her face.
Colonel Tigh had taken the comm from Gaeta. He stood snarling at the DRADIS screen.
Gina turned to look at the fleet and felt a wave of disbelief. This was her chance not to repeat any mistakes.
Adama wasn't taking any chances. He called it. "Initiate Gizmo. Repeat the hails." They would fire the second she spooled.
"Gizmo is go. This is Galactica. Gizmo is go." Tigh relayed the order.
"Showboat to Galactica, copy that. Gizmo hot."
Gina ignored the steady whine of the target lock alarm, if they fired it would be their loss. She needed to think. The Admiral was putting human lives in her hands. Humans were trusting Gina the Cylon for the first time. Among Cylons trust was a given, programmed. This was different, somehow sweeter and more compelling.
"Raptor 626. Galactica; come in."
Was it possible for her to live free in the colonial fleet? Erin knew who she was, all she had done and didn't care. But if Gina panicked, even for a second, it would be far too easy to pay back that trust by killing her.
Showboat kept her thumb on the trigger. Everyone in CIC watched the unmoving raptor and viper.
What if she resurrected after not taking this chance? Her people could already hold so much against her. Would she be considered broken regardless of what she did now?
"Raptor 626. Galactica; come in."
They didn't kill everyone on New Caprica. She could avoid betraying anyone if she finished this and jumped to the middle of nowhere. Her sisters would be protected from her memories; she would never be boxed and no one else would end up dead because of her. Would Erin understand it was because she loved her?
"Raptor 626. Galactica, come in."
"Galactica. Cracker; sorry for the delay. Heading for the Demetrius." Gina’s voice startled everyone.
Adama took the horn. "Raptor 626. Galactica Actual; any problems?"
"Negative, Actual. Everything is fine now."
"Understood."
After a glance at Roslin, Adama turned to his XO and flipped his thumb over his shoulder. Tigh gave the order. "Abort Gizmo. Galactica to Showboat, abort Gizmo."
"Copy that."
Closing in on the old freighter Demetrius, Gina activated the unscrambled channel. "Cracker to Demetrius. I’m your guardian angel for the trip."
"Good to have you with us, Cracker. I’ve heard it won’t be a smooth ride," the operator from the Demetrius said.
"Sometimes I like a bumpy ride." Erin would be worth it. Stop. Let it go.
"That sounds promising," the ship's operator replied suggestively.
If he only knew... "Sorry, Demetrius. I already have someone for that ride."
"Damn."
"Transmitting FTL-coordinates." Gina hit the send-button.
"Got them, feeding manually. Verify."
Gina tried to calm her nerves. Her knowledge of what to expect was limited and not comforting. Depending on a ship's jump drive capabilities and radiation shielding, it would take three to five jumps to get it through. She had to find the ship in blinding light and heavy turbulence, feed them coordinates and synchronize each jump before the radiation became critical.
"Verified." Gina checked her safety harness and took a firm hold of the controls. "Jump on my mark, Demetrius. Three, two, one. Mark!"
""""""""""
Adama looked over the situation table at Laura. He could feel her doubt and fear. Even if Gina completed her mission without incident, this was only the beginning of worrying about her. Keeping his voice low, he tried to lighten the tension. "So now we get to see which of us ends up eating crow."
Roslin gave him a look that made most tremble. "It had better be me."
""""""""""
Gunny Mathias sat in her rack holding up a sweatshirt. In color and design it matched a standard issue Marine Corps sweat. It was imprinted with a picture of a drill-sergeant yelling 'I’m lovin’ it!' at a bunch of terrified recruits. Mathias had gotten the shirt years ago. She could tell Gina it was a thanks for all the training she'd given her.
"""""""""
The Raptor jumped and began to shake as if coming apart. Looking out all Gina could see was nauseatingly bright swirling green pus. She looked on DRADIS. Nothing. It was Mark One eyeball or nothing. Bending forward she craned in all directions. "Demetrius. Cracker. come in."
"Cr-- er! --ase res--d!"
"Demetrius," She said firmly. "Keep transmitting until I have you in sight!"
"--tor --! No --ntac--! Whe-- -re -u-?"
Even broken, the voice sounded panicked. She glanced at the clock. One minute left. Gina grew desperate. It would do her new no good to lose her first ship. Something grey blinked out of the cloud cover above her. She pulled the joystick back forcing the bucking Raptor to climb. "Demetrius. Raptor 626; respond!"
"Rap--! Thank -- gods! We --ought we lost you." Came the relieved voice of the operator.
She must be close, but still couldn't see anything. Precious seconds were ticking away. She cleared another fog bank and an endless grey wall suddenly appeared before her. Jerking the joystick back to avoid collision forced the Raptor into a loop. "Frak! Frak! Frak! Frak!"
Gina reduced speed as her heart hammered. "God! That was close." Steering into a parallel course she feigned more confidence than she felt. "Alright. I've got you, Demetrius. Jump-sequence...Ready?"
"You bet!"
"Three, two, one! Mark!!!"
In a flash of white light Raptor 626 and the Demetrius vanished.
"""""""""
"God! That was bad," Gina mumbled and sank back into the seat. She took off her helmet to wipe the sweat from her brow. By luck or God’s will, she had managed to stay close to the Demetrius during the rest of the jumps. It was still harrowing.
The Demetrius' operator heard the exclamation and replied warily, "Ah...Yeah, Cracker."
Frak, the comm was open. "I'm sure you can manage on your own, Demetrius, I've got to turn about."
"Copy, Cracker. uhm, good luck." The Demetrius headed to the small group of ships guarded by Vipers while its crew contemplated rumors of a Cylon pilot.
"""""""""
In Galactica’s CIC, Laura was watching and waiting. With every new contact, she envisioned the Cylon fleet appearing on DRADIS.
"Contact," Gaeta declared. "Raptor 626."
Laura glanced at Adama over the rim of her glasses.
The admiral activated the speaker.
"Galactica. Cracker; reporting in. Demetrius is safe and sound. What's next?"
Gaeta looked at the Admiral uncertainly. Adama's glare was as good as a command. "Cracker. Galactica; What'’s your fuel status?" Gaeta asked.
As Gaeta directed Gina, Adama spoke quietly to Laura. "She came back."
"This time."
Gaeta broke in. "Contact. Raptor 741."
"Ask them the status of the Demetrius, Lieutenant." Roslin ordered. She was beyond caring about boundaries.
Adama grabbed the phone. "Raptor 741, Galactica actual. How’s the situation on the other side?"
"Everything’s fine, sir. Though the planet looks like a dirt ball." Dragon replied.
Adama's smile flashed briefly at the improper comment. "Were there any problems with the ships getting through?"
"Hotdog lost his ship, sir." Dragon stated solemnly. "Everyone else got through fine."
"What's the ship count?" Adama asked.
Dragon took a moment. "Four, plus CAP."
"Understood, come in for some rack, Dragon." Adama signaled Gaeta to cut the line. He gazed briefly at Laura, then pointedly grabbed a report to read. The president admitted welcome defeat by temporarily leaving CIC.
Go on to Part 5: Killing Humans
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