Fic: Epoch of night 3-4
Author: Aeryn Ryker
Email: aeryn_ryker@yahoo.com
Rating: Suitable for all, minus a few bad words here and there
Fandom: Battlestar Galactica
Pairing: Laura Roslin/OFC
Summery: One woman’s journey though the end of the Colonies.
Special thanks to individual_68 for the beta. Any mistakes are mine because this is so frakking long.
Feedback: Please! This puppy took a lot of work, so Please tell me what you think. Also, I’d kinda like this to become a series(none of the other parts will be this long, I promise)so positive reinforcement would be great!
Chapter 3-Colonial Heavy 798
The time spent aboard the Galactica was all too short; another salute to the commander found Alexa back on the Colonial Heavy 798 seated next to Laura Roslin; alone again in their own compartment. Alexa was pleased to have met her; she had looked up to the politician anyway, but to meet this striking woman was an amazing pleasure she was enjoying immensely. The redhead seemed to know a lot about her, and almost seemed to hang on every word, intrigued. The banter could almost be misconstrued as flirting, but Alexa was not to be fooled.
She had heard rumors from insiders.
Rumors that said she was having an affair. With the President of the Twelve Colonies. And why would someone not want this woman? Alexa thought to herself.
She looked at herself in her own thoughts. She certainly wasn’t much to look at, at least in her own opinion. The constant staring from most of her students did nothing to boost her confidence.
She had messy, black hair that never seemed to sit straight. She kept it short so it would spike out, creating the guise that it was intentional. The look gave her a more youthful appearance, making the 37 year old look at least ten years younger. Today it was slicked back, giving her a more professional appearance. Her agent would be proud at the fact that she actually looked presentable.
“There’s something about you, Dr. Nyx that looks different from usual.” Nyx almost laughed at Roslin’s seemingly mind reading comment. The redhead had shed the light purple jacket and skirt. The dark maroon she wore now took Nyx’s breath away. Her hair color popped out at her and made the older woman nothing short of stunning. She had left the maroon jacket open, revealing the white shirt underneath and showing more of her porcelain skin.
“I can, upon occasion, clean myself up a bit. It seemed fitting to go back to my military roots of slicked back hair and tucked in shirt. And please, call me Alexa. We’re stuck on this Heavy for the next five hours; it seems odd to continue to be so formal.”
“Sounds good to me. Alexa then. You clean up well, might I add.” She winked.
She is flirting with me, Alexa concluded with out a doubt in her mind.
“Only when I really have to,” Nyx smiled.
“Well, I would say your normal look suits you better. Your disregard of mainstream fashion and professional apparel gets you a lot of attention from the press, as well as a lot of girls. You’ve created a popular fashion trend without even trying, and I think a lot of women like that about you.”
“I just roll out of bed, from what little sleep I allow myself, and throw on what is handy. My parents hate it; they think they raised me to be more presentable. Yet fashion designers are trying to create a line of clothing around what I wear and it irritates me. But as far as the girls go, they would be wasting their time; I’m not exactly the kind of girl you bring home to mom and dad.”
“Why is that? She asked, trying to sneak a glancing once-over at Nyx.
“I’m too much of a workaholic loner to settle down with a woman. Not for lack of trying, it just never seems to work out.” Nyx caught Roslin’s roving eyes and Roslin blushed.
“But you’re in the tabloids all the time with girls.” She argued.
“Yeah, different girls every time, none of them I was actually seeing. They tend to be fans who come up to me and try to strike up a conversation. A picture gets taken when we’re talking, and it looks like an intimate conversation.”
“You can’t tell me that at your age, you haven’t at least had a semi-serious relationship.”
“Oh, there had been a possibility or two here and there, but like I said, I’m not much for settling down. I’m rarely home and when I am, I’m working on my next project. This is the first break I’ve had in about a year, and the only thought I have is that I’m not at home working and writing.”
“Do you sleep at anytime between all this work that you do, great though it is?” Roslin asked.
“Not much. During my time in the military I got used to only sleeping three or four hours a day, and not always at one time either. My commanding officer was a real lunatic, hard ass. The pilots that couldn’t hack the extreme sleep deprivation got discharged. I just never switched back to sleeping eight when I became a civilian. I get five, tops. “
“And I can see it hasn’t driven you insane, your severe lack of sleep that is.” She quipped.
“They’ll be plenty of time to sleep when I’m dead.” Nyx said bluntly.
Roslin visibly winced at that comment, but quickly regained her professional composure.
“Did I say something wrong?” Nyx asked, concerned.
”Um…don’t worry about it. I’m fine.” She looked away, and brushed her fingers through her hair in an attempt to give an appearance of calm.
“No you’re not. I’ve followed your work since Adar became president; I’ve never seen you be anything but completely calm and composed in even the most heated of debates.” Her eyes showed compassion, and Roslin calmed visibly.
“Years of practice, I suppose. But it’s nothing. I’ve had to reflect on my own mortality lately and it’s sort of depressing really. Getting older, that’s all.” Nyx could tell she was lying, or at least not telling the whole truth, a fact made obvious by the way that Roslin couldn’t look in her eyes as she had been doing.
“I’ll let you go with that, I guess. I think, however, with all due respect, that you are full of shit.” She said quirking a smile.
“Yes well that takes years of practice, as well. It’s all a part of being in politics or even being an icon like yourself I would imagine.”
“Only when talking to the press about my private life, am I full of shit.” Nyx said honestly.
“You always say you’re single; you just said that was true. Besides telling them to frak off, you don’t really say much.”
“I said that there was a possibility for a semi-serious relationship. You could assume that during the time of the possibility, there had been some semblance of some sort of a relationship. I get asked every other day if I’m seeing someone. Everyday, every single time, I said ‘no,’ therefore, in that aspect, I am full of shit.” Glancing out of the corner of her eye out the view hole, she could see a Viper flying in formation with the Heavy. She missed flying.
“You think about these things, don’t you?” she said giving a small chuckle.
“I don’t sleep, remember.” She smiled back.
“Which brings me to my next question, you have students in every colony, and your classes fill up every single semester. How do you grade all the homework and exams?” Roslin laughed at her own question.
Nyx laughed out loud. “Lots and lots of T.A.’s Lets do the math shall we? There is only one of me…”
“The girls couldn’t take more than one.”
“Oh, ha ha,” she said sarcastically. “I suppose I opened myself up to that one. Anyway, one professor and eleven assistant professors, one in each colony. I have four, two hour classes every day; my classes meet everyday. Each class has about 4,000 students.”
“4,000! I though 300 was bad. I can’t imagine teaching that many students per class.” The red head said, amazed.
“They wanted 6,000, but I refused. Its nuts how big the classes are. So that’s 16,000 students per day on Caprica alone. But I also have 2,000 students per colony per class. So, if your math skills are up to par, that would be…”
“104,000 student; dear gods, wow.” Her eyes had gone wide as the large number was realized.
“I like to have one T.A. for every 50 people. S0 2,080 T.A.’s volunteer for the job. And they can tell you I am not easy to work with. Most of them are working on their master’s degrees, and/or going into education themselves, and I make them work hard for their grades. I have a 10 page paper due every week that they are required to read completely and grade thoroughly.”
“I had thought I would have liked to have taken your class, but that’s a lot of homework. How many exams do you give?”
“Besides a midterm and a final, I also give a quiz every week.”
“You are quite the slave driver. And your students and T.A.s actually like you?” She teased.
“Yes as amazing as it sounds, they do. I don’t know why, I wouldn’t even like me if I was my professor.”
“But you have quite the following anyway. They respect the work you make them do, or so it would seem. Kids hang on every word you say; your books sell off the shelves…”
“You make it sound like I’m starting a new religion.” Nyx interrupted. “ I’m just teaching them of their past. It’s history, not theology. Its not even mythology, it’s simply Cylon war history.” She said, almost rolling her eyes at the thought.
“For some kids you are giving them something to believe in. This new generation is looking for something…more. Something that they can wrap their head around and understand fully; they don’t want to rely on faith. They want something beyond this “kooky” religion their parents have. By learning their past so thoroughly, they believe, as do I, that they can change their entire future.”
“Yes, but they’re also ignoring their past. Look at how many followers Dr. Gaius Baltar has in his little quest to reestablish research into A.I. We had a war where millions died because of artificial intelligence, and yet people, kids especially don’t see the need to be cautious with it. All A.I. is not bad, as I’ve said many, many times, but what Dr. Baltar wants to do is create a new race of Cylons and that’s not exactly going to have a positive outcome if it happens; if he is allowed to build new A.I.”
“Our generations are more knowledgeable about the consequences of our actions with the Cylons because we had to live it. I was just 15 when the war ended, you weren’t even born, and young though we were, we had to live with our parent’s reaction to the whole ordeal. Your father fought in the war so I would imagine that it had more of an impact on you than it did on me. This generation is 40 years past the war, its all third and fourth hand beliefs to them. Our opinions are still based on how we were raised, and we were raised to believe that our faith in the Gods somehow freed us from the war; kids now simply believe in what they can see. You called the war a false stalemate and I agree. The Cylons just got up and left for no reason, why couldn’t it have been the Gods interfering and helping their children?”
“I don’t think I’ve prayed more than a hand full of times since I was in the service.” Nyx said honestly.
“Yes, but I think if I had studied what you have, and seen what you might have seen in the military, I would have a hard time believing in the Gods too.”
“Oh, it’s not that.” She laughed. “I just don’t have the time.”
Roslin laughed out loud, and Nyx thought that it might be one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen or heard.
“Not even a moment to give thanks?” She cocked her head in question.
“I’m sure they understand.” Nyx deadpanned.
“At least you hope they do.”
“I believe in the Gods and all, hell, they kept me alive all through my military career, so I do owe them my life. My brain just doesn’t relax enough to give them my full attention. It would be disrespectful to only give them half a thought.”
“Yes, you don’t want to be ‘lukewarm’ and all that.” She said, in sarcastic understanding.
“Exactly, but some of my closest T.A.’s call me Artemis, my call sign back in my viper pilot days. She gets a thanks and a prayer every now and then. The Great Huntress guided me in all my ‘hunts,’ if you will, so she does get an ounce of attention when I can spare it.”
“What exactly, if you don’t mind me asking, happened that the military allowed such an obviously accomplished pilot and officer to be discharged?” She asked inquisitively.
“It wasn’t in the book because the mission was never released to the public.” She said, almost cryptic sounding.
“It’s classified then?” Roslin asked, curiously.
“No, it was just a frak up on everyone’s end, but they didn’t want to create a scare, so they covered the whole thing up.” She brushed it off, as if it were no big deal.
“Now I’m really curious.” She said, getting a sparkle in her eye, like a student who was just about to get the answers to a pop quiz.
“Do you remember, about 15 years ago, a group of ten serial killers called the Toaster Gang?”
“Of course, they killed over 600 people from random space crafts all over the colonies. They killed so ruthlessly, so meticulously yet barbarically, that it was thought a human couldn’t possibly have committed the crimes. Only a robot, a cylon, could have done something like that, or so it was thought. Turned out a human couldn’t do it, but ten sure could. They were found and killed as soon as they were found, though. Weren’t they?” Roslin looked like she now questioned her story of the gang’s demise.
“To an extent, their deaths were a sort of plan B, though. They were captured, on a small prison ship no less. The prison guards had called for reinforcements, and the Pegasus was the closest thing to them. They were as far from the colonies as a ship could go, but Pegasus was doing routine patrol around the armistice line. After all wireless contact was lost; Pegasus launched an immediate convoy of marines in a transport Raptor. I went along, because I had been working on getting more special operations and special tactics training. I could hold my own in a fight, or at least I thought I could. We boarded the ship and successfully captured and incapacitated six of them right off the bat.”
“You killed them?” There was no judgment in her voice, and that seemed curious to Nyx.
“No, we were ordered to not shoot to kill unless absolutely necessary. Civil Defense wanted them alive for a public trail, and a public execution. We were good soldiers, so we followed orders. We simply knocked them out.
“Anyway, I was in the back of the squad, and one of the killers, the leader of the gang, snuck up behind me and put a knife in the side of my chest. Pierced a lung and splintered 3 ribs. I passed out immediately, and the next thing I know I was in Fleet headquarters sick bay on Picon and its seven days later. The killers had all been executed immediately, for fear of possible escape. Docs performed a miracle surgery that saved my life. Caged my ribs backed together, stitched up my lung. I fully recovered. Almost.”
“You look fine to me; almost?” She gave Nyx another once-over.
Nyx smirked at the attention. “Besides having one mother of a brutal scar on my side, I’m fine. At least, now I am. My lung did not recover as fast as they thought it should. They didn’t think I would ever be fit, or have the lung capacity to get back into good enough shape to fly a Viper again. They discharged me. My lung did eventually heal. I think it took a full two years before I could run a mile with out wanting to pass out, though. But I continued to work myself to the brink, trying to get back to my old self. I’m in better shape now than I was for most of my years in the military. That’s the one thing I allow myself, a good daily work out.”
“Well, wow I’m glad you recovered and all, but they just ‘let’ you go?”
“The doctors truly didn’t think that my lung would heal well enough to put that kind of pressure on it. I wasn’t about to fly a desk job, and I don’t have the patience to be an instructor, so my superior officer thought it was in everyone’s best interest, as much as she didn’t want to, to let me go. My injury compensation, plus my time working in the service, paid for all four years of college plus my masters and doctorates.”
“What can I say, that’s quite the story. The press just bypassed your mission and went straight to the execution; I always thought it odd they didn’t try to capture them first. It makes sense now though. But on the bright side, chicks dig scars.”
Nyx laughed. “Well that’s good, cause it’s a gnarly one.”
“What happened to your eye, just there?” Roslin used her index finger to touch a small scar above Nyx’s right eye. It was only about a centimeter long and noticeable only if you looked close enough. Below her eye brow and just above the corner of her eye; who knew something so small could leave such a lasting indention?
Roslin was obviously taking her all in, her dark green eyes taking in every nuance visible on Nyx’s body. Her touch was light, gentle, if not tentative, barely touched her skin; but it was all Nyx could do not to shiver. I think I’m starting to like this daring woman, Nyx thought, this could get bad.
“When I was a kid, my brother threw a rock at me; a very small rock. It caught me just right and cut me. I thought I was going to die, it was bleeding so bad. Of course I was five, so any amount of blood equaled death. Only one stitch later, and I’ve still got a scar to show for it.”
“You have a brother?” She asked, suddenly distracted with an invisible spot on her dark skirt. She blushed a bit, before looking back at Nyx.
“Are you starting to realize how bad a book that biography was, now?” she asked wit h a small chuckle.
“So much of your life was left out. All the really good parts, it seems.” She again looked away; Roslin’s shyness amusing Nyx.
“Yes, well, for someone like you, I’m an open book.” She blatantly flirted. “To answer your question, I do have a brother, my twin actually. His name is Croix. He’s a writer too, but he changed his last name, so as not to draw attention to himself. He just wanted to tell stories. Funny though, we look just alike, so he’s made a point to never have his picture published with his books. No one really knows who he is.”
“Croix? As in Croix Loxias, the historical romance writer?” She asked, more than a little amazed.
“That would be my brother.” She said with obvious pride in her voice.
“I love his books. Romance books aren’t usually my thing, but he tells a good story. I’ve read them all. Where did he get Loxias from?” she quirked in eye brow in question.
“My call sign was Artemis; Apollo was her twin brother, as I’m sure you well know. Loxias was another name for Apollo, given to him by a very small town on Picon that is utterly dedicated to the twin gods. But no one would have any reason to try and figure that out. Who would ever put all that together?”
“There’s so much about you, Alexa, to get to know. “ She said, almost shyly.
“All you have to do is ask, Laura.” Nyx moved in closer to her. She saw Roslin involuntarily lick her lips. Moving closer, their lips almost touching, Roslin suddenly pulled away.
“I’m sorry, that was out of line.” Nyx pulled back and shifted in her seat to put more space between them.
“No, its not you. I just…” Before she could finish, Billy came through the curtain and interrupted.
“Madam Secretary, is it true?” His face was pale, and his expression was that of fear.
“Excuse me?” she asked, startled at his sudden entrance.
“One of the reporters had a small shortwave wireless, we’ve heard that their has been an…an…an.” He started to stutter and shake as he collapsed into a seat across from the two women.
“What is it Billy? Take a deep breath and spit it out.” Roslin said calmly. Her demeanor seemed to have a calming effect on the poor boy.
He took two deep breaths. “An attack. “ He closed his eyes and took another deep breath. “On the Colonies. That’s all we really know. Have you heard anything?” He takes another few panicked breaths.
“What?” “You’re kidding?” They both said at once.
Roslin sighs. “I will get up to the cockpit and talk to the pilot. Alexa, would you go with Billy and see what the passengers are saying and try to calm them; they’ll listen to you. We all need to remain calm.” Roslin walked through the curtain and made her way to the front of the spacecraft.
Nyx was amazed at the calm the women was showing. If it were true, if the Colonies had been attacked, Nyx felt she would not be able to remain so unruffled in the privacy of the cabin. She wasn’t one to show emotion in front of people, but at a time like this she felt her heart beating faster at the possibility of an attack.
“Who attacked?” Nyx asked Billy, afraid she already knew the answer.
“Cylon’s, Dr. Nyx. That’s what they’re saying anyway. But that’s not possible. We had a truce with them, why would they…”
Nyx interrupted. “Let’s not assume or question anything at the moment, Billy. Let’s just go see what the passengers are saying. Laura gave us a job to do, wouldn’t want to let her down on your first day, now would you?” she winked at him to let him know she was only joking.
“No, ma’am,” he said as Nyx lead the way to the forward passenger compartment.
As soon as they made it through the curtain Nyx was bombarded by questions.
Doral walked up to her and interrupted everyone else.
“Is it true?” He gasped out. “Could this really be happening?”
“I haven’t heard anything Aaron. I know less than you do.” She said, more than a little bit annoyed.
“We just got a call from the wireless.” One reporter started. “The Colonies are being attacked. The Cylon’s, Dr. Nyx, they’ve come back.”
Looking around Nyx saw that every face was pale, a few were tear stained.
“Secretary Roslin is talking to the captain right now. We will get this sorted, but we all need to remain calm. What do we know from the wireless?” she said, taking charge.
“They seem to be using our defense system against us, they’ve penetrated it somehow. Our wireless keeps breaking up though, so we can’t find out how big the attack is, to what scale things have been hit.” One reporter said shakily.
Nyx took a random seat and took a breath.
“You called the Cylon War a stalemate. They’re back, Dr. Nyx, and this time they’re obviously going to win,” another reporter said.
“Yes, I did. I always thought it was a possibility they’d come back, but I never thought it would actually happen.” She admitted.
Roslin came out of the cockpit cabin, pale, but again calm.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention? I have received word from the captain that the Colonies have indeed been attacked by the Cylon’s. Massive casualties have been sustained by each of the Colonies, the heaviest hitting Caprica, Picon, Aerlon and Tauron.”
Everyone started asking questions at once.
“What about Geminon? Anything in Geminion? My kids are there!”
“What are we going to do?”
“I have to get home! I have to get home!”
“Please! Please remain calm.” Nyx shouted above the crowd. The room quieted immediately but the panic was still there.
“I'm trying to contact the government right now and get more information. In the meantime, we should be prepared for an extended stay aboard this ship. Okay. So you, you, and you.” She pointed to three people. “Make an inventory of the emergency supplies and rations.”
Doral interrupted. “Wait a minute, who put you in charge?”
“Shut up, Doral.” Nyx snapped at him.
“No, Dr. Nyx. It’s ok.” She said raising her hand to stop Nyx from saying anything further. “That’s a good question. The answer is, obviously, no one. But this is a government vessel and I am the senior government official, so I guess that defaults me to the charge. So, to continue with preparing for our stay here, you and you please go into the cargo spaces and see about setting it up for living spaces so we can get out of these cramped cabins. And please, everyone else, sit tight and try to relax.”
The five appointed got up and started on their appointed tasks, Doral all the while looking a bit embarrassed to have been put in his place.
Roslin pulled Billy and Nyx aside; they leaned in close so they could hear Roslin over the passengers chatter. ”This is the passenger manifest.” She handed Billy the papers and he grabbed them with quivering hands.
“Are you ok?” Nyx asked, grasping his shoulder in support.
“My…my parents moved to Picon…three months ago to be closer to my sister and to their grandkids. “
Nyx squeezed his shoulder as Billy walked way. Roslin pulled Nyx even further to the side for some privacy.
“Alexa, you’re the smartest person on this ship. I’m going to want you with me while I speak with the captain and as we start making decisions on what to do. You were a military officer; you can form plans and help lead the people.”
“Of course, I’ll do anything I can to help. But please, if you know anything else about the attacks, tell me more about Picon.” She had tears in here eyes, but held them back.
“You said your father was a pilot instructor. That’s based in Colonial Fleet Headquarters on Picon isn’t it?”
“Yes, my mother lives on the base with my father and my brother not far from it. Please, what do you know?” Nyx sensed Roslin’s question was based on information she had.
“Fleet headquarters was the first to be hit, and the hardest. It was completely destroyed, with the rest of Picon.” She bowed her head, hating to have to break such bleak news.
Nyx turned her head away, in an attempt to hide the tears she knew were coming. She failed. Tears streamed from her eyes as she tried to breathe and remain strong.
“What else do you know”? She asked, still not looking at Roslin, still trying to breath.
“Caprica City was hit almost simultaneously with Fleet Headquarters. I’m trying to get a hold of anyone who knows anything about the President and the rest of the cabinet in hopes of getting some kind of instruction.” Her eyes gave away the fear she was feeling.
Tears ran full force from Nyx’s eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. “My family, the school…maybe some of them got out, you know? Maybe some of them were on a flight to who knows where when this happened. While this is still happening. Is there anything wrong with having a little faith in that?”
“Not at all, we all need something to cling to.” She said seriously.
“What about you, Laura? What are you clinging to?” she asked, finally getting the tears under control.
“It’s just me. I cling to the job. I need to be strong for the people on this ship. I’ll figure out all the emotions of it later.”
Nyx wiped her face with her hand, and with it all traces of her tears. “Has our escort received any military orders?”
“Not as far as I know. He has only said he would do his best to ward off any attack to this ship.”
“One viper isn’t going to do shit if we’re attacked.” Nyx said, still overwhelmed by it all. She unbuttoned her jacket, feeling trapped within its tight confines. Once the buttons were loose, she took a deep, sobering breath.
“I know.” Roslin squeezed Nyx’s hand.
“Let’s figure out the civil plan from the government first, we can just go from there. One step at a time. I may be military, but we’ve got nothing but civilians on this flight, Laura. You’re the one they need.” She squeezed back.
“Madam Secretary, we got your comlink.” The captain hurriedly said before going right back into the cockpit.
“Perfect timing.” Nyx smiled weakly. “Lets get to work. You lead the way, I’m here with you.”
Getting up, they walked to the cockpit. Entering, Nyx securely shut the door behind them. Roslin took the seat next to the captain, and he handed her a com head set.
“This is secretary Laura Roslin, to whom am I speaking?” she said professionally, calmly.
Nyx stood beside her, close enough to hear what was being said through the earphone.
A panicked voice could be heard panting. “This is Jack Payne. Thank the Gods you’re not here, Laura! Thank the Gods!”
Nyx could see recognition dawn on Roslin’s face at the name. “Jack, Jack? Where is the president?” She said, evenly.
“Its complete chaos, I’ve never seen anything like it! There are people walking the streets! Bombs are still going off; I can’t believe this is happening!” Nyx could hear his horrified screams on the other end. Thank the Gods they weren’t there, indeed.
“Where is the president, Jack?” She enunciated the words more firmly. Her eyes darted to meet Nyx’s, fear in her eyes again. “Is he alive?”
“I don’t know, I think so. We hear all kinds of things.” They both exhaled the breath they had been holding at the question.
“Have the Cylon’s made any demands? Do we know what they want?” she continued her line of questioning.
“No. No contact, I’m pretty sure about that.” His loud words easily heard by the frightened group in the Heavy cockpit.
Again she caught Nyx’s eyes before she said her next question, seeking to gain just a little bit of strength from the woman beside her.
“Has anyone…” Her voice broke and caught in her throat. ”Has anyone discussed the possibility of surrender? Has it been considered?” Nyx closed her eyes, blinking back tears that were threatening to reappear.
“After Picon was nuked, the President offered a complete, unconditional surrender. The Cylon’s didn't even respond!”
Both their attentions were caught by the captain talking into his head set. “Colonial 798.”
There was a break as an alarm starting going off on the DRAIDIS system. “Where?” He asked looking from side to side
Nyx looked over quickly to look at the small screen and saw the contact rushing toward them. “What should we do?” he asked panicked, into the mic.
“The Cylon’s have found us. There is an inbound missile.” Nyx said over to Roslin.
Roslin had been constantly scanning out the window. “Where the hell did our escort go?”
Nyx looked out the window for the first time, catching sight of the missile right before the Viper flew right in front of it. Flying in close to the Heavy, the missile followed the viper, and as the escort maneuvered away, the missile followed, ignoring the passenger vessel entirely. Out of the cockpits line of sight, Nyx could not see what was going on, but a few moments later she heard an explosion and held her breath until finally she heard the Viper pilot speak on the captain’s head set.
“Krypter-krypter-krypter. This is Apollo to Colonial Heavy 798. I'm declaring an emergency. My flight systems are offline. I’m in need of assistance.”
“Apollo, we’ll come around and pick you up. Thanks for the save.”
“Anytime, Heavy.”
The captain looked at the two women. “That was close.”
“No shit, Captain.” Nyx said.
The two women looked at each other, got up and walked out of the cockpit. Walking into the forward compartment Nyx sighed loudly. “I’ll go down to the cargo bay and see to it that Apollo is ok. He’s gonna have a rough landing coming in.”
“Go, I’ll see to things here.” Roslin said, sitting down next to Billy, who smiled meekly to Nyx.
Chapter 4-Colonial Heavy 798
Walking down the stairs to the lower level of the ship, Nyx picked up speed as she heard the grinding sound of the Viper making its landing. She made it to the bottom and into the Cargo bay as the noise stopped. She saw the pilot getting out of his Viper, take off his helmet and saw a deck hand take off his collar.
“Captain Adama, are you alright?” She said looking him up and down, noticing he was exhausted, but in one piece.
“Dr. Nyx.” He said looking at her, surprised to see a famous face. “I’m ok, a little shaken up, but ok.” He walked towards her, taking his gloves off as he went.
He stopped at two huge metal Electric Pulse generators that seemed out of place in a passenger vessel.
She heard footsteps behind her and turned around, annoyed to see Doral behind her.
“Captain, I’m so glad you’re here.” He huffed. Nyx eyed him, but he ignored her.
“My name’s Aaron Doral, I met you before. I took some publicity photos of you and your father. What are these things?” He asked looking to see what the two others where looking at.
“Electric Pulse generators from the Galactica.”
“That’s…interesting. Look, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you.” He huffed, and again Nyx eyed him.
“Oh? Why’s that?” Nyx asked, nonchalantly.
“Well, personally I would feel a lot better if someone qualified were in charge around here.” Answering her question, yet ignoring her.
“Something wrong with your pilot?”
“No, it’s just that he’s not the one giving orders.”
Apollo looked over to Nyx who grabbed Doral by the lapels of his jacket roughly.
“Listen up, because I’m going to say this once, and only once. Secretary Roslin is in charge. This is a government ship, she is a government official. She is part of the presidential cabinet, and with that she has the right to speak for the president if the need arises. This is such a need, so you will treat her as if she were Adar himself. You will do what she says and you will not question her again or next time, me grabbing you will also involve me throwing you into a wall and knocking you the frak out. Am I understood?” She said through gritted teeth.
“Ye…Yes sir.” She let him go with a push and he walked quickly away.
“Lady’s in charge.” Apollo said with a smirk before walking away.
Walking back up the stairs, following behind Apollo closely, Nyx returned to the forward passenger compartment where Roslin was sitting over a short table talking to the pilot and a few of the other passengers.
“Captain, good to see you again,” Roslin said looking up; she had a small blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
“Captain,” Apollo said. “Thanks for the lift.”
The Captain of the Heavy got up to shake Apollo’s hand. The captain cocked his head toward Roslin. “You should be thanking her.” Apollo looked in her direction, but he didn’t say anything. The captain went back to the cockpit.
Ignoring the two of them, plus Doral who was now standing next to Nyx, Roslin pointed the pen in her hand at Billy. “Start the cargo transfer and then prep bay three for survivors.”
“Yes ma’am.” He said before walking off.
“Survivors?” Apollo asks, looking at Roslin with a funny expression on his face.
“As soon as the attack began, the government ordered a complete air/space ground stop on all civilian ships. So now we've got hundreds of stranded ships in the solar system. Everything from freighters to passenger liners to shopping vessels to school ships -- you name it. Some are damaged, some are lost, and some are losing power, just like your Viper. We have enough space to accommodate up to five hundred people and we're going to need every bit of it. We should also find ships that are operational so we can relay government messengers to as many civilians as possible. I think we need to stick together with as many other ships we can find; safety in numbers.”
“We don’t even know the tactical situation out there…” Doral immediately went quiet when he saw the glaring look on Nyx’s face.
“The tactical situation, Doral, is that we’re being fraked 12 different ways. That about cover it, Captain?” Nyx said, still glaring at Doral.
“That sounds about right.” Lee nodded, giving a half smile.
“That settles it then. We’re going to start picking up the people we can and try to find a safe haven to put down. Captain, I'd like you to look over the navigational charts for a likely place to hide from the Cylons with the captain of the ship. That’s all.” She heads off towards the cockpit with out saying another word.
“Last warning, Doral.” Nyx pointed in Doral’s direction as she followed Roslin.
>><<>><<
With Roslin sitting down, and Nyx and Apollo standing side by side, everyone listened intently as static filled the cockpit. The pilot worked on the tuning of the frequency as the noise behind the static became more clear.
“This is a Colonial Government broadcast. All ministers and officials should now go to Case Orange.” The automated voice said. Everyone stared at Roslin in confusion.
“It’s an automated message. It’s designed to be sent out in case the president, vice president, and most of the cabinet are either dead or incapacitated. “She said with no emotion in her voice, but her eyes were glassed over with tears. Apollo looked shocked, and Nyx mirrored his jaw dropped expression.
“Oh gods.” The co-pilot gasped quietly.
“I need you to send back my ID code on the exact same frequency: D as in dog, dash, four five six, dash, three four five, dash, A as in apple.” She nodded her head and got up.” Thank you.” She left the cock pit with Nyx and Apollo staring after her.
“Captain Adama, I suspect you’ll want to find that safe haven quickly.” Nyx said with a small, reassuring smile before following Roslin back out.
“Yes, Sir.” She heard him say.
Walking all the way to the far end of the compartment, Nyx sat down next to the seat Roslin had made her temporary refuge.
“Is this where those emotions you’ve been holding back finally kick in, Laura?” She asked, a tear in her eyes again.
“Not yet, but soon, very soon.” She said smiling as Nyx wiped at her eyes. “It’s comforting, though, to be around such a strong woman who isn’t afraid to show her emotions.”
“I usually don’t, but I think the current situation calls for it.” She said smiling back, sadly. “How far down?”
Roslin knew what she asked, without having to ask for specifics. “Forty-third in line of succession, and I know each and everyone of them from the president down. I was with him from the very beginning of his political career; from his first campaign. I hated politics, but I just couldn’t say no to him. He was like you, I could never say no.” Nyx was taken aback by the last comment, but let it go for the time being. She figured it had been a slip of the tongue and didn’t want to get into it. There were more important things to worry about.
The pilot walked in, his hand shaking as he handed Roslin a printout. He looked shocked. Roslin took the paper, and read it quickly. She looked up at the pilot and over to Nyx, shock apparent on her face.
“We’ll need a priest.” She said throwing off the blanket and putting her jacket back on.
Nyx’s eyes went wide.
>><<>><<
Standing in front of the priestess Elosha, Roslin watched her open her scrolls nervously. Elosha looked up, equally as nervous. With nothing else to do, the press was swarmed around all of them. Nyx was at her right side, ready to take on anyone of them that stepped too far.
“Raise your right hand and repeat after me.” Elosha said softly, her voice calm and smooth. Roslin followed her directions and repeated the first phrase.
“I, Laura Roslin do now avow and affirm.” her voice was shaky, the enormity of the situation finally coming to a head and overwhelming her.
Elosha read off the next part.
“That I accept…” She paused looking around at all the people in front of her. “That I accept the office of President of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol…” she replied, equally as shaky. “And that I will protect and defend the sovereignty of the Colonies with every fiber of my being.” The last few words were almost whispered. She used her right hand to wipe her eyes as she turned and looked at Nyx. Roslin looked surrounded and overwhelmed, Nyx began to brake up the crowd.
“Alright, if you wish to pay your respects to the president, please do so by returning to the duties you were assigned. We have a lot of work to do.” She clapped her hands together and pointed towards the door.
Like sheep they all obediently shuffled out leaving the two completely alone.
“Sit down, Madam President.” She said putting a hand on her lower back, and guiding her towards a seat.
“Oh gods, did I really just almost break down in front of everyone?” she said between sobs, tears streaming down her face.
“Yes, but no one thinks any less of you. They’re too busy worrying about their own families and friends and homes to worry about their president crying for the same. You were very brave and you have all their respect for it.” Nyx soothingly rubbed her back.
“How did you all of a sudden become the calm one?” Roslin asked.
“When Captain Adama called me ‘sir’, I remembered something. In times of war, those who have served time in the service may voluntarily resume their posts, officer ranking in tact as if they never left. Colonial law states that I am now a Fleet officer; a captain. That requires me to remain calm; it just took a little while for it to sink in.”
“But you just said voluntary. You don’t have to.” She was still hyperventilating, but had stopped crying.
“And you didn’t have to just become president. You could have stepped down. It is my duty to protect the colonies and its government. I am ready and willing to resume my post as a Viper pilot, if ever I can get my self on a Battlestar. Until then, I do have weapons, tactics, self defense, and other marine skills. With your blessing, Sir, I would like to take up duty as your guard. I wish to protect and defend my president in anyway possible.”
Roslin laughed at the absurdity at what Nyx had just said. “You really are taking this seriously? You’re willing to risk your life to defend me?”
“It is my duty.”
“That’s not what I asked, Alexa.” She said seriously.
“I am willing to protect you, Madam President, with my life if need be. However, if we do meet up with any Battlestars, I would choose to trade off with some one who is more capable of protecting you. I would fly again, Sir.”
“And if I asked you to stay?” she asked, looking away.
“Then I would follow the orders of my president.”
“Oh stop the military, formal, macho shit, Alexa.” Roslin snapped, looking straight at Nyx. “If I asked you to stay, would you.”
“I would be better suited to defending the survivors as a pilot, but I suppose I could be talked in to it.”
“Thank you. That’s all I wanted to know.” Roslin said, breathing back to normal.
Email: aeryn_ryker@yahoo.com
Rating: Suitable for all, minus a few bad words here and there
Fandom: Battlestar Galactica
Pairing: Laura Roslin/OFC
Summery: One woman’s journey though the end of the Colonies.
Special thanks to individual_68 for the beta. Any mistakes are mine because this is so frakking long.
Feedback: Please! This puppy took a lot of work, so Please tell me what you think. Also, I’d kinda like this to become a series(none of the other parts will be this long, I promise)so positive reinforcement would be great!
Chapter 3-Colonial Heavy 798
The time spent aboard the Galactica was all too short; another salute to the commander found Alexa back on the Colonial Heavy 798 seated next to Laura Roslin; alone again in their own compartment. Alexa was pleased to have met her; she had looked up to the politician anyway, but to meet this striking woman was an amazing pleasure she was enjoying immensely. The redhead seemed to know a lot about her, and almost seemed to hang on every word, intrigued. The banter could almost be misconstrued as flirting, but Alexa was not to be fooled.
She had heard rumors from insiders.
Rumors that said she was having an affair. With the President of the Twelve Colonies. And why would someone not want this woman? Alexa thought to herself.
She looked at herself in her own thoughts. She certainly wasn’t much to look at, at least in her own opinion. The constant staring from most of her students did nothing to boost her confidence.
She had messy, black hair that never seemed to sit straight. She kept it short so it would spike out, creating the guise that it was intentional. The look gave her a more youthful appearance, making the 37 year old look at least ten years younger. Today it was slicked back, giving her a more professional appearance. Her agent would be proud at the fact that she actually looked presentable.
“There’s something about you, Dr. Nyx that looks different from usual.” Nyx almost laughed at Roslin’s seemingly mind reading comment. The redhead had shed the light purple jacket and skirt. The dark maroon she wore now took Nyx’s breath away. Her hair color popped out at her and made the older woman nothing short of stunning. She had left the maroon jacket open, revealing the white shirt underneath and showing more of her porcelain skin.
“I can, upon occasion, clean myself up a bit. It seemed fitting to go back to my military roots of slicked back hair and tucked in shirt. And please, call me Alexa. We’re stuck on this Heavy for the next five hours; it seems odd to continue to be so formal.”
“Sounds good to me. Alexa then. You clean up well, might I add.” She winked.
She is flirting with me, Alexa concluded with out a doubt in her mind.
“Only when I really have to,” Nyx smiled.
“Well, I would say your normal look suits you better. Your disregard of mainstream fashion and professional apparel gets you a lot of attention from the press, as well as a lot of girls. You’ve created a popular fashion trend without even trying, and I think a lot of women like that about you.”
“I just roll out of bed, from what little sleep I allow myself, and throw on what is handy. My parents hate it; they think they raised me to be more presentable. Yet fashion designers are trying to create a line of clothing around what I wear and it irritates me. But as far as the girls go, they would be wasting their time; I’m not exactly the kind of girl you bring home to mom and dad.”
“Why is that? She asked, trying to sneak a glancing once-over at Nyx.
“I’m too much of a workaholic loner to settle down with a woman. Not for lack of trying, it just never seems to work out.” Nyx caught Roslin’s roving eyes and Roslin blushed.
“But you’re in the tabloids all the time with girls.” She argued.
“Yeah, different girls every time, none of them I was actually seeing. They tend to be fans who come up to me and try to strike up a conversation. A picture gets taken when we’re talking, and it looks like an intimate conversation.”
“You can’t tell me that at your age, you haven’t at least had a semi-serious relationship.”
“Oh, there had been a possibility or two here and there, but like I said, I’m not much for settling down. I’m rarely home and when I am, I’m working on my next project. This is the first break I’ve had in about a year, and the only thought I have is that I’m not at home working and writing.”
“Do you sleep at anytime between all this work that you do, great though it is?” Roslin asked.
“Not much. During my time in the military I got used to only sleeping three or four hours a day, and not always at one time either. My commanding officer was a real lunatic, hard ass. The pilots that couldn’t hack the extreme sleep deprivation got discharged. I just never switched back to sleeping eight when I became a civilian. I get five, tops. “
“And I can see it hasn’t driven you insane, your severe lack of sleep that is.” She quipped.
“They’ll be plenty of time to sleep when I’m dead.” Nyx said bluntly.
Roslin visibly winced at that comment, but quickly regained her professional composure.
“Did I say something wrong?” Nyx asked, concerned.
”Um…don’t worry about it. I’m fine.” She looked away, and brushed her fingers through her hair in an attempt to give an appearance of calm.
“No you’re not. I’ve followed your work since Adar became president; I’ve never seen you be anything but completely calm and composed in even the most heated of debates.” Her eyes showed compassion, and Roslin calmed visibly.
“Years of practice, I suppose. But it’s nothing. I’ve had to reflect on my own mortality lately and it’s sort of depressing really. Getting older, that’s all.” Nyx could tell she was lying, or at least not telling the whole truth, a fact made obvious by the way that Roslin couldn’t look in her eyes as she had been doing.
“I’ll let you go with that, I guess. I think, however, with all due respect, that you are full of shit.” She said quirking a smile.
“Yes well that takes years of practice, as well. It’s all a part of being in politics or even being an icon like yourself I would imagine.”
“Only when talking to the press about my private life, am I full of shit.” Nyx said honestly.
“You always say you’re single; you just said that was true. Besides telling them to frak off, you don’t really say much.”
“I said that there was a possibility for a semi-serious relationship. You could assume that during the time of the possibility, there had been some semblance of some sort of a relationship. I get asked every other day if I’m seeing someone. Everyday, every single time, I said ‘no,’ therefore, in that aspect, I am full of shit.” Glancing out of the corner of her eye out the view hole, she could see a Viper flying in formation with the Heavy. She missed flying.
“You think about these things, don’t you?” she said giving a small chuckle.
“I don’t sleep, remember.” She smiled back.
“Which brings me to my next question, you have students in every colony, and your classes fill up every single semester. How do you grade all the homework and exams?” Roslin laughed at her own question.
Nyx laughed out loud. “Lots and lots of T.A.’s Lets do the math shall we? There is only one of me…”
“The girls couldn’t take more than one.”
“Oh, ha ha,” she said sarcastically. “I suppose I opened myself up to that one. Anyway, one professor and eleven assistant professors, one in each colony. I have four, two hour classes every day; my classes meet everyday. Each class has about 4,000 students.”
“4,000! I though 300 was bad. I can’t imagine teaching that many students per class.” The red head said, amazed.
“They wanted 6,000, but I refused. Its nuts how big the classes are. So that’s 16,000 students per day on Caprica alone. But I also have 2,000 students per colony per class. So, if your math skills are up to par, that would be…”
“104,000 student; dear gods, wow.” Her eyes had gone wide as the large number was realized.
“I like to have one T.A. for every 50 people. S0 2,080 T.A.’s volunteer for the job. And they can tell you I am not easy to work with. Most of them are working on their master’s degrees, and/or going into education themselves, and I make them work hard for their grades. I have a 10 page paper due every week that they are required to read completely and grade thoroughly.”
“I had thought I would have liked to have taken your class, but that’s a lot of homework. How many exams do you give?”
“Besides a midterm and a final, I also give a quiz every week.”
“You are quite the slave driver. And your students and T.A.s actually like you?” She teased.
“Yes as amazing as it sounds, they do. I don’t know why, I wouldn’t even like me if I was my professor.”
“But you have quite the following anyway. They respect the work you make them do, or so it would seem. Kids hang on every word you say; your books sell off the shelves…”
“You make it sound like I’m starting a new religion.” Nyx interrupted. “ I’m just teaching them of their past. It’s history, not theology. Its not even mythology, it’s simply Cylon war history.” She said, almost rolling her eyes at the thought.
“For some kids you are giving them something to believe in. This new generation is looking for something…more. Something that they can wrap their head around and understand fully; they don’t want to rely on faith. They want something beyond this “kooky” religion their parents have. By learning their past so thoroughly, they believe, as do I, that they can change their entire future.”
“Yes, but they’re also ignoring their past. Look at how many followers Dr. Gaius Baltar has in his little quest to reestablish research into A.I. We had a war where millions died because of artificial intelligence, and yet people, kids especially don’t see the need to be cautious with it. All A.I. is not bad, as I’ve said many, many times, but what Dr. Baltar wants to do is create a new race of Cylons and that’s not exactly going to have a positive outcome if it happens; if he is allowed to build new A.I.”
“Our generations are more knowledgeable about the consequences of our actions with the Cylons because we had to live it. I was just 15 when the war ended, you weren’t even born, and young though we were, we had to live with our parent’s reaction to the whole ordeal. Your father fought in the war so I would imagine that it had more of an impact on you than it did on me. This generation is 40 years past the war, its all third and fourth hand beliefs to them. Our opinions are still based on how we were raised, and we were raised to believe that our faith in the Gods somehow freed us from the war; kids now simply believe in what they can see. You called the war a false stalemate and I agree. The Cylons just got up and left for no reason, why couldn’t it have been the Gods interfering and helping their children?”
“I don’t think I’ve prayed more than a hand full of times since I was in the service.” Nyx said honestly.
“Yes, but I think if I had studied what you have, and seen what you might have seen in the military, I would have a hard time believing in the Gods too.”
“Oh, it’s not that.” She laughed. “I just don’t have the time.”
Roslin laughed out loud, and Nyx thought that it might be one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen or heard.
“Not even a moment to give thanks?” She cocked her head in question.
“I’m sure they understand.” Nyx deadpanned.
“At least you hope they do.”
“I believe in the Gods and all, hell, they kept me alive all through my military career, so I do owe them my life. My brain just doesn’t relax enough to give them my full attention. It would be disrespectful to only give them half a thought.”
“Yes, you don’t want to be ‘lukewarm’ and all that.” She said, in sarcastic understanding.
“Exactly, but some of my closest T.A.’s call me Artemis, my call sign back in my viper pilot days. She gets a thanks and a prayer every now and then. The Great Huntress guided me in all my ‘hunts,’ if you will, so she does get an ounce of attention when I can spare it.”
“What exactly, if you don’t mind me asking, happened that the military allowed such an obviously accomplished pilot and officer to be discharged?” She asked inquisitively.
“It wasn’t in the book because the mission was never released to the public.” She said, almost cryptic sounding.
“It’s classified then?” Roslin asked, curiously.
“No, it was just a frak up on everyone’s end, but they didn’t want to create a scare, so they covered the whole thing up.” She brushed it off, as if it were no big deal.
“Now I’m really curious.” She said, getting a sparkle in her eye, like a student who was just about to get the answers to a pop quiz.
“Do you remember, about 15 years ago, a group of ten serial killers called the Toaster Gang?”
“Of course, they killed over 600 people from random space crafts all over the colonies. They killed so ruthlessly, so meticulously yet barbarically, that it was thought a human couldn’t possibly have committed the crimes. Only a robot, a cylon, could have done something like that, or so it was thought. Turned out a human couldn’t do it, but ten sure could. They were found and killed as soon as they were found, though. Weren’t they?” Roslin looked like she now questioned her story of the gang’s demise.
“To an extent, their deaths were a sort of plan B, though. They were captured, on a small prison ship no less. The prison guards had called for reinforcements, and the Pegasus was the closest thing to them. They were as far from the colonies as a ship could go, but Pegasus was doing routine patrol around the armistice line. After all wireless contact was lost; Pegasus launched an immediate convoy of marines in a transport Raptor. I went along, because I had been working on getting more special operations and special tactics training. I could hold my own in a fight, or at least I thought I could. We boarded the ship and successfully captured and incapacitated six of them right off the bat.”
“You killed them?” There was no judgment in her voice, and that seemed curious to Nyx.
“No, we were ordered to not shoot to kill unless absolutely necessary. Civil Defense wanted them alive for a public trail, and a public execution. We were good soldiers, so we followed orders. We simply knocked them out.
“Anyway, I was in the back of the squad, and one of the killers, the leader of the gang, snuck up behind me and put a knife in the side of my chest. Pierced a lung and splintered 3 ribs. I passed out immediately, and the next thing I know I was in Fleet headquarters sick bay on Picon and its seven days later. The killers had all been executed immediately, for fear of possible escape. Docs performed a miracle surgery that saved my life. Caged my ribs backed together, stitched up my lung. I fully recovered. Almost.”
“You look fine to me; almost?” She gave Nyx another once-over.
Nyx smirked at the attention. “Besides having one mother of a brutal scar on my side, I’m fine. At least, now I am. My lung did not recover as fast as they thought it should. They didn’t think I would ever be fit, or have the lung capacity to get back into good enough shape to fly a Viper again. They discharged me. My lung did eventually heal. I think it took a full two years before I could run a mile with out wanting to pass out, though. But I continued to work myself to the brink, trying to get back to my old self. I’m in better shape now than I was for most of my years in the military. That’s the one thing I allow myself, a good daily work out.”
“Well, wow I’m glad you recovered and all, but they just ‘let’ you go?”
“The doctors truly didn’t think that my lung would heal well enough to put that kind of pressure on it. I wasn’t about to fly a desk job, and I don’t have the patience to be an instructor, so my superior officer thought it was in everyone’s best interest, as much as she didn’t want to, to let me go. My injury compensation, plus my time working in the service, paid for all four years of college plus my masters and doctorates.”
“What can I say, that’s quite the story. The press just bypassed your mission and went straight to the execution; I always thought it odd they didn’t try to capture them first. It makes sense now though. But on the bright side, chicks dig scars.”
Nyx laughed. “Well that’s good, cause it’s a gnarly one.”
“What happened to your eye, just there?” Roslin used her index finger to touch a small scar above Nyx’s right eye. It was only about a centimeter long and noticeable only if you looked close enough. Below her eye brow and just above the corner of her eye; who knew something so small could leave such a lasting indention?
Roslin was obviously taking her all in, her dark green eyes taking in every nuance visible on Nyx’s body. Her touch was light, gentle, if not tentative, barely touched her skin; but it was all Nyx could do not to shiver. I think I’m starting to like this daring woman, Nyx thought, this could get bad.
“When I was a kid, my brother threw a rock at me; a very small rock. It caught me just right and cut me. I thought I was going to die, it was bleeding so bad. Of course I was five, so any amount of blood equaled death. Only one stitch later, and I’ve still got a scar to show for it.”
“You have a brother?” She asked, suddenly distracted with an invisible spot on her dark skirt. She blushed a bit, before looking back at Nyx.
“Are you starting to realize how bad a book that biography was, now?” she asked wit h a small chuckle.
“So much of your life was left out. All the really good parts, it seems.” She again looked away; Roslin’s shyness amusing Nyx.
“Yes, well, for someone like you, I’m an open book.” She blatantly flirted. “To answer your question, I do have a brother, my twin actually. His name is Croix. He’s a writer too, but he changed his last name, so as not to draw attention to himself. He just wanted to tell stories. Funny though, we look just alike, so he’s made a point to never have his picture published with his books. No one really knows who he is.”
“Croix? As in Croix Loxias, the historical romance writer?” She asked, more than a little amazed.
“That would be my brother.” She said with obvious pride in her voice.
“I love his books. Romance books aren’t usually my thing, but he tells a good story. I’ve read them all. Where did he get Loxias from?” she quirked in eye brow in question.
“My call sign was Artemis; Apollo was her twin brother, as I’m sure you well know. Loxias was another name for Apollo, given to him by a very small town on Picon that is utterly dedicated to the twin gods. But no one would have any reason to try and figure that out. Who would ever put all that together?”
“There’s so much about you, Alexa, to get to know. “ She said, almost shyly.
“All you have to do is ask, Laura.” Nyx moved in closer to her. She saw Roslin involuntarily lick her lips. Moving closer, their lips almost touching, Roslin suddenly pulled away.
“I’m sorry, that was out of line.” Nyx pulled back and shifted in her seat to put more space between them.
“No, its not you. I just…” Before she could finish, Billy came through the curtain and interrupted.
“Madam Secretary, is it true?” His face was pale, and his expression was that of fear.
“Excuse me?” she asked, startled at his sudden entrance.
“One of the reporters had a small shortwave wireless, we’ve heard that their has been an…an…an.” He started to stutter and shake as he collapsed into a seat across from the two women.
“What is it Billy? Take a deep breath and spit it out.” Roslin said calmly. Her demeanor seemed to have a calming effect on the poor boy.
He took two deep breaths. “An attack. “ He closed his eyes and took another deep breath. “On the Colonies. That’s all we really know. Have you heard anything?” He takes another few panicked breaths.
“What?” “You’re kidding?” They both said at once.
Roslin sighs. “I will get up to the cockpit and talk to the pilot. Alexa, would you go with Billy and see what the passengers are saying and try to calm them; they’ll listen to you. We all need to remain calm.” Roslin walked through the curtain and made her way to the front of the spacecraft.
Nyx was amazed at the calm the women was showing. If it were true, if the Colonies had been attacked, Nyx felt she would not be able to remain so unruffled in the privacy of the cabin. She wasn’t one to show emotion in front of people, but at a time like this she felt her heart beating faster at the possibility of an attack.
“Who attacked?” Nyx asked Billy, afraid she already knew the answer.
“Cylon’s, Dr. Nyx. That’s what they’re saying anyway. But that’s not possible. We had a truce with them, why would they…”
Nyx interrupted. “Let’s not assume or question anything at the moment, Billy. Let’s just go see what the passengers are saying. Laura gave us a job to do, wouldn’t want to let her down on your first day, now would you?” she winked at him to let him know she was only joking.
“No, ma’am,” he said as Nyx lead the way to the forward passenger compartment.
As soon as they made it through the curtain Nyx was bombarded by questions.
Doral walked up to her and interrupted everyone else.
“Is it true?” He gasped out. “Could this really be happening?”
“I haven’t heard anything Aaron. I know less than you do.” She said, more than a little bit annoyed.
“We just got a call from the wireless.” One reporter started. “The Colonies are being attacked. The Cylon’s, Dr. Nyx, they’ve come back.”
Looking around Nyx saw that every face was pale, a few were tear stained.
“Secretary Roslin is talking to the captain right now. We will get this sorted, but we all need to remain calm. What do we know from the wireless?” she said, taking charge.
“They seem to be using our defense system against us, they’ve penetrated it somehow. Our wireless keeps breaking up though, so we can’t find out how big the attack is, to what scale things have been hit.” One reporter said shakily.
Nyx took a random seat and took a breath.
“You called the Cylon War a stalemate. They’re back, Dr. Nyx, and this time they’re obviously going to win,” another reporter said.
“Yes, I did. I always thought it was a possibility they’d come back, but I never thought it would actually happen.” She admitted.
Roslin came out of the cockpit cabin, pale, but again calm.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention? I have received word from the captain that the Colonies have indeed been attacked by the Cylon’s. Massive casualties have been sustained by each of the Colonies, the heaviest hitting Caprica, Picon, Aerlon and Tauron.”
Everyone started asking questions at once.
“What about Geminon? Anything in Geminion? My kids are there!”
“What are we going to do?”
“I have to get home! I have to get home!”
“Please! Please remain calm.” Nyx shouted above the crowd. The room quieted immediately but the panic was still there.
“I'm trying to contact the government right now and get more information. In the meantime, we should be prepared for an extended stay aboard this ship. Okay. So you, you, and you.” She pointed to three people. “Make an inventory of the emergency supplies and rations.”
Doral interrupted. “Wait a minute, who put you in charge?”
“Shut up, Doral.” Nyx snapped at him.
“No, Dr. Nyx. It’s ok.” She said raising her hand to stop Nyx from saying anything further. “That’s a good question. The answer is, obviously, no one. But this is a government vessel and I am the senior government official, so I guess that defaults me to the charge. So, to continue with preparing for our stay here, you and you please go into the cargo spaces and see about setting it up for living spaces so we can get out of these cramped cabins. And please, everyone else, sit tight and try to relax.”
The five appointed got up and started on their appointed tasks, Doral all the while looking a bit embarrassed to have been put in his place.
Roslin pulled Billy and Nyx aside; they leaned in close so they could hear Roslin over the passengers chatter. ”This is the passenger manifest.” She handed Billy the papers and he grabbed them with quivering hands.
“Are you ok?” Nyx asked, grasping his shoulder in support.
“My…my parents moved to Picon…three months ago to be closer to my sister and to their grandkids. “
Nyx squeezed his shoulder as Billy walked way. Roslin pulled Nyx even further to the side for some privacy.
“Alexa, you’re the smartest person on this ship. I’m going to want you with me while I speak with the captain and as we start making decisions on what to do. You were a military officer; you can form plans and help lead the people.”
“Of course, I’ll do anything I can to help. But please, if you know anything else about the attacks, tell me more about Picon.” She had tears in here eyes, but held them back.
“You said your father was a pilot instructor. That’s based in Colonial Fleet Headquarters on Picon isn’t it?”
“Yes, my mother lives on the base with my father and my brother not far from it. Please, what do you know?” Nyx sensed Roslin’s question was based on information she had.
“Fleet headquarters was the first to be hit, and the hardest. It was completely destroyed, with the rest of Picon.” She bowed her head, hating to have to break such bleak news.
Nyx turned her head away, in an attempt to hide the tears she knew were coming. She failed. Tears streamed from her eyes as she tried to breathe and remain strong.
“What else do you know”? She asked, still not looking at Roslin, still trying to breath.
“Caprica City was hit almost simultaneously with Fleet Headquarters. I’m trying to get a hold of anyone who knows anything about the President and the rest of the cabinet in hopes of getting some kind of instruction.” Her eyes gave away the fear she was feeling.
Tears ran full force from Nyx’s eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. “My family, the school…maybe some of them got out, you know? Maybe some of them were on a flight to who knows where when this happened. While this is still happening. Is there anything wrong with having a little faith in that?”
“Not at all, we all need something to cling to.” She said seriously.
“What about you, Laura? What are you clinging to?” she asked, finally getting the tears under control.
“It’s just me. I cling to the job. I need to be strong for the people on this ship. I’ll figure out all the emotions of it later.”
Nyx wiped her face with her hand, and with it all traces of her tears. “Has our escort received any military orders?”
“Not as far as I know. He has only said he would do his best to ward off any attack to this ship.”
“One viper isn’t going to do shit if we’re attacked.” Nyx said, still overwhelmed by it all. She unbuttoned her jacket, feeling trapped within its tight confines. Once the buttons were loose, she took a deep, sobering breath.
“I know.” Roslin squeezed Nyx’s hand.
“Let’s figure out the civil plan from the government first, we can just go from there. One step at a time. I may be military, but we’ve got nothing but civilians on this flight, Laura. You’re the one they need.” She squeezed back.
“Madam Secretary, we got your comlink.” The captain hurriedly said before going right back into the cockpit.
“Perfect timing.” Nyx smiled weakly. “Lets get to work. You lead the way, I’m here with you.”
Getting up, they walked to the cockpit. Entering, Nyx securely shut the door behind them. Roslin took the seat next to the captain, and he handed her a com head set.
“This is secretary Laura Roslin, to whom am I speaking?” she said professionally, calmly.
Nyx stood beside her, close enough to hear what was being said through the earphone.
A panicked voice could be heard panting. “This is Jack Payne. Thank the Gods you’re not here, Laura! Thank the Gods!”
Nyx could see recognition dawn on Roslin’s face at the name. “Jack, Jack? Where is the president?” She said, evenly.
“Its complete chaos, I’ve never seen anything like it! There are people walking the streets! Bombs are still going off; I can’t believe this is happening!” Nyx could hear his horrified screams on the other end. Thank the Gods they weren’t there, indeed.
“Where is the president, Jack?” She enunciated the words more firmly. Her eyes darted to meet Nyx’s, fear in her eyes again. “Is he alive?”
“I don’t know, I think so. We hear all kinds of things.” They both exhaled the breath they had been holding at the question.
“Have the Cylon’s made any demands? Do we know what they want?” she continued her line of questioning.
“No. No contact, I’m pretty sure about that.” His loud words easily heard by the frightened group in the Heavy cockpit.
Again she caught Nyx’s eyes before she said her next question, seeking to gain just a little bit of strength from the woman beside her.
“Has anyone…” Her voice broke and caught in her throat. ”Has anyone discussed the possibility of surrender? Has it been considered?” Nyx closed her eyes, blinking back tears that were threatening to reappear.
“After Picon was nuked, the President offered a complete, unconditional surrender. The Cylon’s didn't even respond!”
Both their attentions were caught by the captain talking into his head set. “Colonial 798.”
There was a break as an alarm starting going off on the DRAIDIS system. “Where?” He asked looking from side to side
Nyx looked over quickly to look at the small screen and saw the contact rushing toward them. “What should we do?” he asked panicked, into the mic.
“The Cylon’s have found us. There is an inbound missile.” Nyx said over to Roslin.
Roslin had been constantly scanning out the window. “Where the hell did our escort go?”
Nyx looked out the window for the first time, catching sight of the missile right before the Viper flew right in front of it. Flying in close to the Heavy, the missile followed the viper, and as the escort maneuvered away, the missile followed, ignoring the passenger vessel entirely. Out of the cockpits line of sight, Nyx could not see what was going on, but a few moments later she heard an explosion and held her breath until finally she heard the Viper pilot speak on the captain’s head set.
“Krypter-krypter-krypter. This is Apollo to Colonial Heavy 798. I'm declaring an emergency. My flight systems are offline. I’m in need of assistance.”
“Apollo, we’ll come around and pick you up. Thanks for the save.”
“Anytime, Heavy.”
The captain looked at the two women. “That was close.”
“No shit, Captain.” Nyx said.
The two women looked at each other, got up and walked out of the cockpit. Walking into the forward compartment Nyx sighed loudly. “I’ll go down to the cargo bay and see to it that Apollo is ok. He’s gonna have a rough landing coming in.”
“Go, I’ll see to things here.” Roslin said, sitting down next to Billy, who smiled meekly to Nyx.
Chapter 4-Colonial Heavy 798
Walking down the stairs to the lower level of the ship, Nyx picked up speed as she heard the grinding sound of the Viper making its landing. She made it to the bottom and into the Cargo bay as the noise stopped. She saw the pilot getting out of his Viper, take off his helmet and saw a deck hand take off his collar.
“Captain Adama, are you alright?” She said looking him up and down, noticing he was exhausted, but in one piece.
“Dr. Nyx.” He said looking at her, surprised to see a famous face. “I’m ok, a little shaken up, but ok.” He walked towards her, taking his gloves off as he went.
He stopped at two huge metal Electric Pulse generators that seemed out of place in a passenger vessel.
She heard footsteps behind her and turned around, annoyed to see Doral behind her.
“Captain, I’m so glad you’re here.” He huffed. Nyx eyed him, but he ignored her.
“My name’s Aaron Doral, I met you before. I took some publicity photos of you and your father. What are these things?” He asked looking to see what the two others where looking at.
“Electric Pulse generators from the Galactica.”
“That’s…interesting. Look, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you.” He huffed, and again Nyx eyed him.
“Oh? Why’s that?” Nyx asked, nonchalantly.
“Well, personally I would feel a lot better if someone qualified were in charge around here.” Answering her question, yet ignoring her.
“Something wrong with your pilot?”
“No, it’s just that he’s not the one giving orders.”
Apollo looked over to Nyx who grabbed Doral by the lapels of his jacket roughly.
“Listen up, because I’m going to say this once, and only once. Secretary Roslin is in charge. This is a government ship, she is a government official. She is part of the presidential cabinet, and with that she has the right to speak for the president if the need arises. This is such a need, so you will treat her as if she were Adar himself. You will do what she says and you will not question her again or next time, me grabbing you will also involve me throwing you into a wall and knocking you the frak out. Am I understood?” She said through gritted teeth.
“Ye…Yes sir.” She let him go with a push and he walked quickly away.
“Lady’s in charge.” Apollo said with a smirk before walking away.
Walking back up the stairs, following behind Apollo closely, Nyx returned to the forward passenger compartment where Roslin was sitting over a short table talking to the pilot and a few of the other passengers.
“Captain, good to see you again,” Roslin said looking up; she had a small blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
“Captain,” Apollo said. “Thanks for the lift.”
The Captain of the Heavy got up to shake Apollo’s hand. The captain cocked his head toward Roslin. “You should be thanking her.” Apollo looked in her direction, but he didn’t say anything. The captain went back to the cockpit.
Ignoring the two of them, plus Doral who was now standing next to Nyx, Roslin pointed the pen in her hand at Billy. “Start the cargo transfer and then prep bay three for survivors.”
“Yes ma’am.” He said before walking off.
“Survivors?” Apollo asks, looking at Roslin with a funny expression on his face.
“As soon as the attack began, the government ordered a complete air/space ground stop on all civilian ships. So now we've got hundreds of stranded ships in the solar system. Everything from freighters to passenger liners to shopping vessels to school ships -- you name it. Some are damaged, some are lost, and some are losing power, just like your Viper. We have enough space to accommodate up to five hundred people and we're going to need every bit of it. We should also find ships that are operational so we can relay government messengers to as many civilians as possible. I think we need to stick together with as many other ships we can find; safety in numbers.”
“We don’t even know the tactical situation out there…” Doral immediately went quiet when he saw the glaring look on Nyx’s face.
“The tactical situation, Doral, is that we’re being fraked 12 different ways. That about cover it, Captain?” Nyx said, still glaring at Doral.
“That sounds about right.” Lee nodded, giving a half smile.
“That settles it then. We’re going to start picking up the people we can and try to find a safe haven to put down. Captain, I'd like you to look over the navigational charts for a likely place to hide from the Cylons with the captain of the ship. That’s all.” She heads off towards the cockpit with out saying another word.
“Last warning, Doral.” Nyx pointed in Doral’s direction as she followed Roslin.
>><<>><<
With Roslin sitting down, and Nyx and Apollo standing side by side, everyone listened intently as static filled the cockpit. The pilot worked on the tuning of the frequency as the noise behind the static became more clear.
“This is a Colonial Government broadcast. All ministers and officials should now go to Case Orange.” The automated voice said. Everyone stared at Roslin in confusion.
“It’s an automated message. It’s designed to be sent out in case the president, vice president, and most of the cabinet are either dead or incapacitated. “She said with no emotion in her voice, but her eyes were glassed over with tears. Apollo looked shocked, and Nyx mirrored his jaw dropped expression.
“Oh gods.” The co-pilot gasped quietly.
“I need you to send back my ID code on the exact same frequency: D as in dog, dash, four five six, dash, three four five, dash, A as in apple.” She nodded her head and got up.” Thank you.” She left the cock pit with Nyx and Apollo staring after her.
“Captain Adama, I suspect you’ll want to find that safe haven quickly.” Nyx said with a small, reassuring smile before following Roslin back out.
“Yes, Sir.” She heard him say.
Walking all the way to the far end of the compartment, Nyx sat down next to the seat Roslin had made her temporary refuge.
“Is this where those emotions you’ve been holding back finally kick in, Laura?” She asked, a tear in her eyes again.
“Not yet, but soon, very soon.” She said smiling as Nyx wiped at her eyes. “It’s comforting, though, to be around such a strong woman who isn’t afraid to show her emotions.”
“I usually don’t, but I think the current situation calls for it.” She said smiling back, sadly. “How far down?”
Roslin knew what she asked, without having to ask for specifics. “Forty-third in line of succession, and I know each and everyone of them from the president down. I was with him from the very beginning of his political career; from his first campaign. I hated politics, but I just couldn’t say no to him. He was like you, I could never say no.” Nyx was taken aback by the last comment, but let it go for the time being. She figured it had been a slip of the tongue and didn’t want to get into it. There were more important things to worry about.
The pilot walked in, his hand shaking as he handed Roslin a printout. He looked shocked. Roslin took the paper, and read it quickly. She looked up at the pilot and over to Nyx, shock apparent on her face.
“We’ll need a priest.” She said throwing off the blanket and putting her jacket back on.
Nyx’s eyes went wide.
>><<>><<
Standing in front of the priestess Elosha, Roslin watched her open her scrolls nervously. Elosha looked up, equally as nervous. With nothing else to do, the press was swarmed around all of them. Nyx was at her right side, ready to take on anyone of them that stepped too far.
“Raise your right hand and repeat after me.” Elosha said softly, her voice calm and smooth. Roslin followed her directions and repeated the first phrase.
“I, Laura Roslin do now avow and affirm.” her voice was shaky, the enormity of the situation finally coming to a head and overwhelming her.
Elosha read off the next part.
“That I accept…” She paused looking around at all the people in front of her. “That I accept the office of President of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol…” she replied, equally as shaky. “And that I will protect and defend the sovereignty of the Colonies with every fiber of my being.” The last few words were almost whispered. She used her right hand to wipe her eyes as she turned and looked at Nyx. Roslin looked surrounded and overwhelmed, Nyx began to brake up the crowd.
“Alright, if you wish to pay your respects to the president, please do so by returning to the duties you were assigned. We have a lot of work to do.” She clapped her hands together and pointed towards the door.
Like sheep they all obediently shuffled out leaving the two completely alone.
“Sit down, Madam President.” She said putting a hand on her lower back, and guiding her towards a seat.
“Oh gods, did I really just almost break down in front of everyone?” she said between sobs, tears streaming down her face.
“Yes, but no one thinks any less of you. They’re too busy worrying about their own families and friends and homes to worry about their president crying for the same. You were very brave and you have all their respect for it.” Nyx soothingly rubbed her back.
“How did you all of a sudden become the calm one?” Roslin asked.
“When Captain Adama called me ‘sir’, I remembered something. In times of war, those who have served time in the service may voluntarily resume their posts, officer ranking in tact as if they never left. Colonial law states that I am now a Fleet officer; a captain. That requires me to remain calm; it just took a little while for it to sink in.”
“But you just said voluntary. You don’t have to.” She was still hyperventilating, but had stopped crying.
“And you didn’t have to just become president. You could have stepped down. It is my duty to protect the colonies and its government. I am ready and willing to resume my post as a Viper pilot, if ever I can get my self on a Battlestar. Until then, I do have weapons, tactics, self defense, and other marine skills. With your blessing, Sir, I would like to take up duty as your guard. I wish to protect and defend my president in anyway possible.”
Roslin laughed at the absurdity at what Nyx had just said. “You really are taking this seriously? You’re willing to risk your life to defend me?”
“It is my duty.”
“That’s not what I asked, Alexa.” She said seriously.
“I am willing to protect you, Madam President, with my life if need be. However, if we do meet up with any Battlestars, I would choose to trade off with some one who is more capable of protecting you. I would fly again, Sir.”
“And if I asked you to stay?” she asked, looking away.
“Then I would follow the orders of my president.”
“Oh stop the military, formal, macho shit, Alexa.” Roslin snapped, looking straight at Nyx. “If I asked you to stay, would you.”
“I would be better suited to defending the survivors as a pilot, but I suppose I could be talked in to it.”
“Thank you. That’s all I wanted to know.” Roslin said, breathing back to normal.