FIC: Every Man Must Choose His Way, part 1
Title: Every Man Must Choose His Way
Author: lls_mutant
Characters: Billy Keikeya, Felix Gaeta
Pairings: Gen. There is reference to past Billy/Dee and current Dee/Lee, and it's relevant that Felix likes men, but really, this is about as gen as you can get.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: When Billy survived the terrorist attack on Cloud 9, his friendship with Felix evolved into something independent of Dee. And when the Colonials settled New Caprica, it became a friendship that could help save the world.
Author's Notes: Written for the gaeta_squee Secret Santa, for rap541. Thanks to kappamaki33 for the beta!
Morpha was a good thing, Billy discovered. He hadn't fully realized it before, but now that it was wearing off and he was starting to feel the pain in his gut, the fact was becoming crystal clear. Figured. Nothing that great could possibly be legal.
He blinked, trying to orient himself and seeing very little but white on white, accompanied by bright lights. He groaned and turned his head, and there was a blue blur.
"How are you feeling?"
It was a male voice. For a wild, distorted moment Billy thought it might be Lee Adama. Then he remembered exactly why it wouldn' be Lee Adama, and he closed his eyes. "Lousy," he admitted. "Incredibly lousy. I might even go so far as to say frakking lousy."
"So I hear. A hole in your abdomen does tend to mess up your day."
Despite himself, Billy's lips quirked up just a little, and he opened his eyes again. "Day was already messed up."
His visitor didn't answer, except with a noncommittal hmm. Billy forced his eyes to focus and saw Felix sitting beside his bed. He sighed and closed his eyes again, resignation washing over him.
"What are you doing here?"
"Visiting," Felix said shortly. "What does it look like?"
"Dee…" Billy began, and then cut off.
Felix sighed. "Dee's irrelevant. She's not the one I can actually discuss the Lost Legends novels with. Speaking of which…" he produced a book from somewhere. "When you're feeling better."
Billy knew that later he'd feel gratitude. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." Felix twitched a little. "How are you doing?"
Blearily, Billy remembered that there was a time he would have considered Felix the rival, not Lee. This was way back, so long ago, when Dee insisted she'd never break regulations and date a superior officer. He forced a smile. "I'm all right. Doc says I almost wasn't, though." He remembered that, and President Roslin sitting with him, and talk of terrorists and justice. It made his head hurt.
"Yeah, well, I'm glad you made it," Felix said simply. He glanced at his watch. "Listen, I've got to get back up to the CIC, and Cottle said not to tire you out too much, anyway. But I'll come back after my shift."
"All right," Billy said, feeling a bit uncertain. Felix smiled and stood, all crisp and official, and nodded as he left.
Billy reached for the book. The mere motion of it pulled on the wound and it hurt, but if he didn't do it he'd think about Dee and Lee, and that would drive him insane. The book felt heavier than it should, but he managed to get it into bed with him. It was worn and dog-eared, obviously well-read and well-loved.
He sighed. He didn't know how he was going to get through the heartbreak of the next few weeks, or the healing process, but he suspected that superheroes and a good friend were going to be what made him survive.
***
He was walking down a corridor when someone called his name. "Felix."
Felix stopped in his tracks, sighing to himself. He turned around slowly. "Dee."
Dee looked upset… and angry. "You've been avoiding me."
"Yes," he admitted.
Dee thrust her chin out. "It's not between you and me," she said.
"I know," Felix said. "That's why I've been avoiding you. It's not my business, and you have the right to conduct your affairs as you see fit. I shouldn't be passing judgment."
"But you are."
"No. I'm avoiding you."
Dee gave a little smile. "How is he?" she asked.
"He's recovering," Felix said truthfully. "He's up and walking around."
"That's good. Felix… I didn't mean-"
"I'm not the one you need to have this conversation with, Dee," Felix said, cutting her off swiftly. "I am not involved. Got it?"
Dee nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good." He inclined his head for her to move. "I need to get to the CIC."
"Sorry, sir," Dee said, stepping aside. She was stung; he could see it in her face. But he walked by anyway.
He was lying. He walked down the corridor with an purposeful stride, turned the corner, and headed for the infirmary, not the CIC. When he got there, Billy was sitting up in bed, reading the Lost Legends book.
"Hey."
"Hey." Billy put the book down on his lap.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better." Billy sighed. "Useless."
"Useless?" Felix asked.
"President Roslin stopped by," Billy admitted. "I asked her for some work, but…"
"You're a few days out of surgery after being shot by terrorists," Felix pointed out. "She's not going to dump your body weight in reports on you."
"She didn't hand me anything," Billy said. "She told me that I should rest and recover, and not worry because she found someone to cover for me."
Anyone else might have laughed, but Felix cringed. "Ouch."
"Yeah." Billy looked down at the book morosely. "Not exactly what I needed right now." Felix wasn't sure what to say, and then Billy made it harder. "I assume you've seen Dee."
"Yes," Felix said hesitantly.
"Did she…" Billy didn't look at Felix. "Did she ask about me?"
Felix sighed heavily. "I'll tell you what I told her," he said. "It's between you two." He looked at Billy and softened. "But yeah. She did. She's concerned."
"Concerned," Billy scoffed.
Felix shrugged. "It's something, anyway. Hey, Cottle said he found us a chess board, if you want to play."
"You're changing the subject," Billy accused.
"Absolutely," Felix agreed cheerfully. "Shall I go get it?"
"Fine," Billy sighed. "It's not like I've got anything better to do."
"Gee, thanks," Felix said sarcastically, but he knew better than to take offense. He went to find Cottle and the chess board.
***
"Billy, this is Tory Foster."
"We've met," Billy reminded Laura. He extended his hand. "Hello."
Tory's eyes flicked to Laura for just a second before she took his hand. "It's nice to see you again, Billy. I'm glad you've made a full recovery."
"Thanks," Billy mumbled. Tory looked from him to the President, and then cleared her throat.
"If you don't mind, Madame President," she said, "I'll go get started on the agenda for the meeting with the ships' captains."
"That's fine, Tory," Laura said, nodding. Tory gave Billy one more nod and then hustled out of the room, her heels clicking competently on the floor.
"Well," Laura said, turning back to Billy with a genuine smile. "I'm glad you're back."
"Me, too, Madam President," Billy said. He glanced awkwardly at where Tory had disappeared.
Laura followed his gaze and smiled. "You needed help anyway, Billy."
"I know."
Laura's smile dipped a degree. "I heard that the proposal…" she began.
"What's first on our agenda for today?" Billy interrupted. "I'm sure I have a lot to catch up."
Laura took the hint, and her smile gentled. "All right, Billy. Let me get you back up to speed. But if you ever…" she touched his arm in a motherly fashion.
"Thank you," he said. "But I think it's best if I just get to work."
"All right."
He wished he could feel like everything had gone back to normal, or would go back to normal soon enough. But it didn't. He wished he could believe that Dee had something to do with it, but he knew she didn't. But he couldn’t put the words to the change, because if he did, they'd seem unbelievably petty. So he told himself to get used to it and go on. After all, what about the past year could possibly qualify as normal, anyway?
***
"So Baltar's running for President," Billy said to Felix as they sat in one of the bars on Cloud 9. Not the one that he'd been shot in; Billy couldn't go in there without shaking and feeling sick, but a darker one that reminded Billy of a bar he used to go to all the time during college.
"So I hear," Felix said, swirling his drink. He stared at it morosely.
Billy looked at him sharply. "I thought you would be happy about it."
"I am. But discussing it with the current President's chief aide doesn't seem like the best idea." Felix flashed a smile.
"Can I ask you something?" Billy said, leaning in. It was a question he'd been dying to know the answer to, but he had never had the courage to ask. But now that things felt so natural and easy between them, like they were friends rather than he was drinking with his girlfriend's best friend, the question came easily. "Why don't you like President Roslin?"
Felix took a sip of his drink. "I don't dislike her," he explained. "And truthfully, I think she's doing a good job with the government. But I also think this quest for Earth…." He shook his head. "I don't say anything, because I know why we don't just find a habitable planet and settle. The Cylons will find us and blow us all up if we do that. But at the same time, all this mysticism… I just can't believe in it. I feel better trusting in science."
"I can't argue with that," Billy muttered. Although the memory of the Tomb of Athena stood sharply in his mind. That had been real, whatever it was, and Earth did exist. The question of finding it, however… He could understand Felix's trepidation all too well.
"Then why do you support her?" Felix asked.
Billy shrugged. "Because she does do a good job as President. And despite the mystic mumbo jumbo, it's not like anyone else has any better ideas."
"No kidding." Felix lit another cigarette, and then offered the package to Billy, who waved it away. "Either way, it still feels like we're all still screwed."
***
"So then, they reeled out the target, and I don't think it even registered when it was Ryan!"
Billy burst into laughter, and Felix grinned at him, laughing himself. Those Academy days seemed so long ago now, and they hurt to think about, but at least he felt like in talking about them, they stayed alive, just a little.
"So what happened when-" Billy began, and then cut off. Felix followed his gaze and saw Dee talking to Lee further up the hall. He glanced sympathetically at Billy, but Billy just pressed his lips together.
"I need to get to the hangar deck," he said quietly. "The President is going to be ready to leave any minute."
"All right," Felix said as Dee and Lee exchanged a quick goodbye, and Billy hurried off the other way.
"Felix!" Dee said, her smile bright.
"Hey, Dee."
"What have you been up to?"
"Oh, Billy and I were just on the practice range. I was teaching him how to shoot a gun."
Dee laughed affectionately, although there was guilt all over her face. "Thank you," she said. "I hope he never needs it, but…"
"But these days everyone should know," Felix finished. He stood awkwardly for a moment, searching for a subject. "How are things going with Lee?" he asked.
Dee looked embarrassed, and he realized what a bad segue that was and mentally smacked his forehead. 'They're going well," she admitted. "I think…" she glanced back over her shoulder and shrugged, but Felix could see the light in her eyes. He had to admit he'd never seen her look this happy with Billy. "I think it might be serious."
"Good," Felix said, and he meant it. He shifted awkwardly again. "Well, I should go," he said. "My shift in CIC starts in ten minutes."
"I'm coming on in a bit myself," Dee said. "I'll see you there."
"Sounds good." He smiled, and started down the hall. He felt Dee's eyes on his back as he rounded the corner.
He knew, someday, things would get easier with Dee. But he had the nasty feeling they might never get back to where they had been before.
***
Felix wasn't sure that he really believed in Earth, per se, but he did believe in a home. When they found New Caprica, with its protective interference that would hide them from the Cylons, he was positive that this was it.
"It really doesn't look that appealing," Billy told Felix when he and Roslin were over on Galactica. "I think 'desolate' would be a better description."
"True," Felix agreed, his fingers lingering on the recon photo, "but the Cylons won't find us here. I don't know about you, but I can put up with an awful lot for that promise."
Billy sighed heavily. "I know." The words were pulled out of him reluctantly.
Felix smiled. "You're ready to settle, too, aren't you?"
"I didn't say that," Billy said. He glanced at where the President and the Admiral were talking. "She's against it, you know. She still wants to find Earth."
"Do you think we're going to find it?"
"No," Billy admitted.
"Well then," Felix said. "This is the best option we've been presented with in a long time."
"I suppose so," Billy sighed.
Felix looked at the pictures again. Billy was right; it wasn't what they were used to. But at the same time, it wasn't a ship and they could build lives, and that was enough for him.
***
"Mr. Gaeta."
Felix jerked to attention as Adama entered his study. "Sir," he said, standing stiffly.
"Have a seat," Adama ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Adama looked at his notes. "Did you confide what you had discovered about the election in anyone else?"
"Only in Colonel Tigh, sir."
"You didn't speak to Petty Officer Dualla or Mr. Keiykeya about it?"
"No, sir."
Adama's eyes fixed on him. "You will keep it that way."
"Yes, sir. I understand, sir." Felix cleared his throat. "Is that all, sir?"
The Admiral nodded tightly. "You're dismissed, Lieutenant." Felix stood, saluted smartly, and managed to keep from running from the room.
In some ways, he understood why Adama would cover this up. President Roslin had done a lot for humanity in a very trying time, and she'd done it far better than anyone expected a Secretary of Education to do. This was a repayment of sorts, he supposed. But the truth was, the entire thing made him sick. This wasn't democracy, and this wasn't how the system was supposed to work. He walked through the halls of Galactica and they looked different to him. This wasn't what he'd signed on to defend.
He was rounding a corner when the thought hit him out of the blue- had Billy known about this? Felix rejected the very idea out of hand. Billy didn't idolize President Roslin. He loved her, yes, but Billy would not do something like this.
He wouldn't. No way.
Felix swallowed hard and continued on his way to the CIC.
***
When Billy showed up at the entrance to the officer's racks, Felix knew that Billy hadn't known about the election fraud before, and he most definitely knew now. Felix swung off his bed, grabbed a bottle of whiskey and two glasses, and grabbed Billy's arm without a word. They found a storage locker, and Felix poured them both a glass of whiskey before anything was said.
"Did you know?" Billy bluntly asked him as Felix poured them their second whiskey.
"Did I know what?" Felix demurred.
Billy set his drink down on a crate marked Paper Towels. "About the election," he said.
"The tabulation error?" Felix tried.
"Error," Billy scoffed. "That's what they called it." He swallowed his drink neatly. "Did you know Dee was in on it?"
That made Felix's stomach ice over. He'd suspected, but to actually have confirmation… "How do you know?"
"Tom Zarek told me."
"And you believed him?" Felix swallowed hard. "It's not like he's got a lot of love for Roslin." He reached out and tried to steady Billy, but Billy shook him off. He didn’t know why he was saying this anyway, except for the look on Billy's face and the desire to not have Dee associated with any of this.
"It's not anything conclusive," Billy said. "But what he showed me… it looks bad." He looked sharply at Felix. "You did know." It wasn't a question.
"If Zarek told you that much, he told you the rest," Felix sighed resignedly. "I knew."
"You reported it."
"Yes."
Billy swayed for a minute, a hard expression on his face, "Did you do it for Baltar?"
"No," Felix said, immediately and truthfully. "I did it because it was what's right."
"What's right," Billy said bitterly. "I thought…" he shook his head, and Felix refilled his glass. "I thought President Roslin cared about what's right. But she doesn't. Baltar's the wrong choice, but this isn't the way to go about it."
"He might not be wrong," Felix suggested. "Not about the planet."
"The planet," Billy repeated. He sighed heavily, and then looked at Felix. "I don't suppose you have a cigarette?"
"You don't smoke," Felix said.
"Now's as good a time as any to start," Billy sighed.
Felix grinned and pulled out his pack. "You'll hate them," he warned.
"That's okay. It goes well with the rest of my life," Billy said.
Felix hoisted himself up onto the crate they'd been using as a table. "What are you going to do?" he asked Billy.
"I don't know," Billy sighed, leaning back against the crate. "I told Laura I needed time to think about it."
"Are you going to tell anyone else?"
Billy shook his head. "No. I owe her that much. But I'm not sure I can work for her anymore."
"Yeah," Felix agreed, thinking of how quickly Adama jumped to cover the whole thing up. "I know what you mean."
***
The Raptor doors closed, and the engines started. Felix felt almost naked in his civilian clothing; he could barely remember the last time he'd worn something not issued by the military. His bag sat beside him, heavy and anonymous in a drab blue. He strained forward, trying to see out the front window.
"Stop breathing down my neck, Gaeta," Racetrack ordered him good-naturedly. "We'll get you there as fast as we can."
"Sorry," Felix said, sitting back.
The Raptor touched down, bouncing just a little bit in the craggy field. Billy was standing on the edge, waving enthusiastically. Felix nearly jumped out of the Raptor in his eagerness, Racetrack laughing at him as he did so. "Don't laugh," he scolded her over his shoulder. "It's your planet."
"Only if it turns out to be a good idea," Racetrack agreed. "If it's not, Skulls found it." She ignored the whack that Skulls landed on the back of her flight helmet. "Good luck, Gaeta," she said with a smile. "Stay in touch, all right?"
"You, too," Felix said. He shouldered his bag and with a final wave, he headed over to where Billy was waiting.
"You made it," Billy said.
"Of course I made it," Felix said. "Why wouldn't I? Racetrack and Skulls found this planet once before, I'm sure they can find it again."
"Funny," Billy said. He turned and started walking. "I'm not sure any of us fully believed Adama would release you."
"He said he owed me one," Felix said dryly. "I'm still not sure exactly how he meant that."
"Don't worry about it. New life and all that," Billy said. They exchanged glances of perfect understanding.
"Where are we staying?" Felix asked. "Colonial One?"
"For a few days," Billy said. "They're already beginning to establish a tent city. It's going to take time to get housing built. As soon as we can get our tents requisitioned, it's best if we get set up like everyone else."
Felix nodded. "Makes sense."
"They're already starting to design the first apartment complex," Billy said. He glanced at Felix. "Is Dee coming down?"
"No," Felix sighed. "She's staying in the military." He didn't want to say anything about Lee, but Billy knew. He could see it. But Billy lifted his chin defiantly.
"Good," he said. "I really hope she'll be happy."
"She will be," Felix said. He surveyed the land and the horizon, far in the distance. There was sky above them, ground under their feet, fresh air all around them. "And we will be, too."
***
Billy entered the bar tent, looking around. There were a few smiles, a few frowns. He nodded to people he knew, and then spotted Felix sitting and waiting at a corner table, smoking a cigarette.
"Hey," he said, pulling out the chair across from Felix. "How did it go?"
Felix took a long drag. "Not so good," he admitted. "The union is still talking strike, and I'm not sure how much we can do to prevent it."
Billy sighed in exasperation. "What are they looking for?"
"The impossible," Felix said sourly. "They want the Colonies back."
"I'm sure they didn't say that." Billy took a cigarette from the pack sitting on the table and lit it.
"Of course not. But it's what they want. It's what everyone wants. Not that I can blame them." There was a bitterness in Felix's eyes that was new; Billy wasn't sure he liked it.
"Specifics, Felix," Billy said. "What are the specifics?"
"Better rations, higher priority on the housing lists, and first buying rights on certain choice areas of land."
Billy shook his head. "It's not going to happen."
"I know that." Felix's eyebrows rose, and he sat back. "Let me know if you want me to disappear."
"Huh?" Billy glanced over his shoulder, and for a moment he didn't realize what exactly Felix was talking about. Then he saw that Laura Roslin had entered the bar tent with Tory Foster and Maya Nome. "No," he said. "It's all right."
He noticed that the reception that the former president got was much warmer than the one he'd received when he walked into the tent, but he was used to that. Laura Roslin had a gift with people that Billy envied; a way of making them feel what she wanted them to feel, be it ease or intimidation. Right now she was all smiles and warm handshakes, but he knew exactly when she saw him. The corner of her smile dipped a little, and she glanced away for a second. But Laura Roslin would never be thrown for long; she glided over to him with that warm smile on her face.
"Hello, Billy," she said graciously. "Felix," she added as a polite afterthought.
"Hello, Laura." The name didn't come easily off of his tongue; despite the fact that he'd been in Baltar's administration for the past eight months, he still felt like he should call her Madam President. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," Laura said. She took the cigarette from Billy's fingers and stubbed it out. "After all, the cares of New Caprica aren't on my shoulders. How are you?"
"Can't complain," Billy said.
"Oh?" Laura said, arching an eyebrow playfully. "That's not what I hear. Do you mind?" she asked, pulling out a chair.
"Not at all," Billy said. "Have a seat."
"Are Tory and Maya joining us as well?" Felix asked.
Laura glanced over her shoulder. "They seem to have found other companions," she said. Billy spotted them talking to a man he recognized as one of the high school teachers. "So," Laura said, "the union is giving you trouble?"
"They're upset, yes," Billy admitted. He pulled out another cigarette and lit it.
"Mmm." Laura looked at him disapprovingly. "You know those things give you cancer."
"I don't smoke often," Billy admitted. "Just when I'm stressed."
"Which is all the time, if half of what I hear is true," Laura said. She sipped her own drink. "Have you talked to John Rearden? He's an expert in negotiations."
"He's working on it," Felix interrupted. "The problem is that what the union wants simply doesn't exist."
"Then make it exist," Laura said. "Change the order of priority of some of the projects, and move the greenhouses higher up the list." Billy glanced at Felix, who raised his eyebrows and looked down at his drink. Laura caught their silent communication. "Or perhaps I misspoke. After all, I did just drop by for a social visit."
"No, it's all right," Billy said. He wasn't sure if it felt good to have Laura still looking out for him, or if the way she was patronizing him annoyed him to no end. Maybe a little of both.
Laura sipped her drink, her eyebrows raising as she looked from one of them to the other. "How is Tom doing these days, anyway?" she asked neutrally.
"He's fine," Billy said. "Busy."
"Mmm. They're all busy," Laura said, and Felix kicked Billy under the table. Billy couldn't look at him, because he knew he'd burst into laughter if he did. Speculation about Laura Roslin made for entertaining work gossip, especially when coupled with the Vice President.
"Shall I tell him you were asking after him?" Billy asked as innocently as possible.
Laura made a wry face that told him he was fooling no one. "I don't think that's necessary, Billy."
Billy shrugged. "Just checking, ma'am."
Laura looked at his cigarette again. "You have changed, Billy," she said. "There was a time you wouldn't have dared to tease me." She smiled playfully, but the tone of her voice suggested that she didn't approve. Billy looked guiltily down at the cigarette.
"Not so much," he said, stubbing it out. "Maybe you're just a little more teasable these days."
Laura raised her eyebrows and lifted her glass. "Maybe I am," she said. She stood gracefully. "Well, I'll leave you two to figure out the problems of the world." She nodded to them. "Have a good night." Billy watched her drift away, and as she did, her shoulders relaxed.
"Well," Felix said as they sat alone, "it's not like we haven’t thought of that solution before. We just never pursued it because getting the President to change his mind is nearly impossible." He sighed. "I guess that's our sign that we need to follow our instincts."
"We'll start with the Vice President," Billy said, relieved that Felix had come to the same conclusion he had. "He'll be a lot easier to convince."
Felix nodded agreement. "You okay?" he asked Billy.
Billy nodded. "Yeah," he said. "I'm fine. Really." He sighed. "It's just kind of strange. I respected her so much, you know?"
"All too well," Felix muttered, and Billy snorted. He lit another cigarette and raised his glass.
"To the Presidents of the Colonies," he said. "Maybe one of these days, we'll find one that doesn't let us down."
Felix clinked his glass against Billy's. "I'll drink to that."
***
"Did you and Felix meet with the union?" Zarek asked Billy.
"Not yet," Billy said. "The meeting is at two o'clock."
"That's right." Zarek consulted his notes. "It was the zoning commission that you met with this morning. How did that go?"
"It could have gone better," Billy sighed. "The commission is saying that-" he cut off, cocking his head. "Do you hear that?"
Zarek's brow furrowed. "That almost sounds like Raptors. But that can't be." They exchanged glances, and then both of them ran outside.
Billy knew he would never forget the day when he stood by Tom Zarek's side, staring up at the Cylon raiders as they streaked across the New Caprican sky.
***
The office was silent. Felix stood at Baltar's right elbow, fidgeting with the hem of his jacket and straightening into a military posture. The surrender was official; Felix couldn't quite believe it. He stared at the Cylons in the room. One of the Fours was sitting in a chair, and a Three and a Five were quietly conversing. It still unnerved him to see exactly how human they looked. He was used to the Eights… or more accurately, he was used to Sharon. He wasn't used to seeing multiple copies of her, or of any of the others.
There was a commotion at the door; and then two Fives brought two more officials in. Felix's heart sank for a moment as he met Billy's eyes. He'd hoped Billy might make a run for it and get away. But Billy walked in, shaking off the restraining hands of a Two. And behind him, two more Twos were flanking Tom Zarek.
"Is this it?" the One demanded, turning to Baltar. "Is this your entire staff? This is more like a mayoral office than a Presidency."
"We're not exactly governing twelve worlds worth of people anymore," Baltar pointed out, his voice slightly sarcastic. "This is everyone."
Felix flexed his hands, keeping his face blank and looking at the Cylons, trying to gauge their expressions. He didn't think they were about to open fire on the administration; they would have done so already, if that was their intent.
"Well, now," the One said as Billy and Zarek took their places among the others, across the room from Felix. The One half-sat on Baltar's desk, leaning forward a little, bracing himself with his hands. "We're all here, so why don't we play a little getting-to-know you game? We can go around the rooms and say our names, and if you intend to work with us, or if we should just kill you now and save ourselves some trouble down the road?"
Silence. Felix clenched his fists, desperately wanting to punch the One and wipe the smug expression of his face, but all that would result in was a gory, goopy death for him. He held his tongue.
"Well?" the One said. "Who wants to start?"
"I'll start." Zarek stepped forward, his arms crossed. "I'm Tom Zarek, and I refuse to collaborate." He lifted his chin and glared at the One. "So go ahead and kill me."
"All right," the One said, but one of the Sixes spoke up.
"No!" she snapped.
He turned slowly. "Excuse me?"
"That's not why we're here," she insisted, with an expression that Felix could almost believe was earnestness. "We're here to build a new society, not to become a gang of mass-murderers."
"I've got news for you," a second One put in, "we're a little late on that count."
There was a snort of appreciation from across the room; Felix recognized it as Billy. The One turned his head, but Billy said nothing.
But the Six didn't react. Her gaze was focused on the Ones. "When we voted, we agreed that it was God's will that we live in peace with the humans. Dragging them out in the street and killing them is not what 'living in peace' means!"
"We concur," an Eight said, and she stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Six.
"Well, goodie for you," the One said. But he didn't push the subject. Instead, he turned to Baltar. "Well? What are you people using as a detention center around here?"
Baltar jerked up. "I don’t… I…" he glanced at Tom Zarek, and then at the Six who had said that the Cylons only wanted to live in peace. She made an expectant expression at him, and he deflated. "Yes. We've been incarcerating criminals on one of the decommissioned ships, although I suppose-"
"We'll build something more substantial," the One said.
The Eight made a face, but she stepped forward anyway. "There's a nearly finished apartment complex that can be converted."
"The apartment complex?" Baltar said. "You won't need that much…" he looked at the Six again, appealingly. "Not that much space. Will you?"
She faltered, and Felix saw it. Era of peace, his ass. His fists tightened again.
"Well?" the One prompted.
"What?" Baltar asked, and the One cocked his head in Zarek's direction. "Oh. Oh, right." Baltar pulled himself up straight. "Take him away."
The One nodded, and two Twos grabbed Zarek by the arms.
"Anyone else?" the One demanded.
On instinct, Felix looked to Baltar, mutely begging him to stand up to the Cylons and defend this home that they were building. But Baltar was staring at his desk, tears hanging in his eyes. Felix looked away.
Across the room, Billy was watching the door where they'd taken Zarek. His face was pale, and the pain was clear in his expression. And yet, he didn't move to follow. Felix tried to catch his eye, but Billy was still looking towards the door.
The Eight stepped into his line of sight. "And you, Lieutenant?" she said.
With a jolt, Felix realized exactly who this was. He drew in a deep breath and looked Boomer straight in the eye.
"I'm good," he lied.
Billy's head snapped around in surprise.
***
"Felix."
Felix stopped in the hall, but he didn't turn around right away. Billy saw his shoulders tense, his hands clench. "Felix?"
He turned. "Hey, Billy." He tried to force a smile. Billy sighed.
"Don't bother. We both know there's nothing to smile about."
"Yeah."
It hung between them. They'd surrendered. They'd had the opportunity to go with Zarek, but they'd both refused it. They'd both collaborated.
Suddenly, Billy found he couldn't look at Felix. He shoved his hands in his coat pockets, and shifted.
Felix coughed.
"Right," Billy said awkwardly. "Guess we both have a lot to do."
Felix nodded. "Yes, sir, Mr. Vice-President."
"I'm not-" Billy began, and then realized suddenly that, given what the Cylons wanted, he probably was. "I'm not…" he whispered. "Felix, I didn't want-"
Felix raised his eyebrow. "I never said you did. After all, I still serve the President," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'll see you later."
"Right." Billy watched him walk down the hall, his hands still in his pockets as he accelerated. Then he took a deep breath, steeled himself, and turned and walked back towards his office.
***
Two days later, Billy saw Laura Roslin by chance, in one of the packed dirt streets. She stopped in her tracks, then turned around and walked the other way.
He didn't call after her.
***
New Caprica had been nothing but a gray mudball, ever since they'd landed on it. Felix could see that now. He stood by Gaius's desk, waiting for the President to sign the latest ordinance.
"Like this will make the people accept anything," Gaius groused, his pen hovering. "They think that if they have my approval, then the people will forget that it comes from the Cylons."
"You could always refuse," Felix said, but there was no heat in it.
"What, and end up dead? No thank you." Gaius flopped back in his chair. "I've tried, you know," he told Felix. "I've tried to convince them that we've got nothing here. That there's no reason for the to bother us, and they should just…" he paused, and then waved his hand negligently, "go away," he finished. "But they'll have none of it."
So you waved your hand at the Cylons and ordered them to leave and expected that to work? Felix thought incredulously. That's really the best you could come up with? But all he said was, "Yes, sir."
Gaius looked up at him suspiciously. "Y-ou don't believe me." It was a statement, not a question.
"I never said that, sir," Felix said. "I'm just doing my duty."
For a long moment, Gaius's eyes didn't waiver. Then, finally, he looked back down at the ordinance. "Right," he said. "Don't you forget it. Otherwise…" he trailed off. The implication was clear, but Felix couldn't tell if was meant as a threat or as a warning. He found that he didn't care.
"Have you signed it, sir?" he asked.
"Oh. Right." Without reading the ordinance, Gaius signed his name across the line. Felix watched dispassionately, although if he was willing to admit that he was feeling something, it would be anger. Anger and hate and fire.
Gaius picked the document up between two fingers. "There," he said. "Hand this off to whomever it goes to, and then you can be done for the day."
"Yes, sir. Have a good night."
Gaius was already shutting down, retreating some world where Felix didn't exist. Felix thought about saying something, and then just retreated. As he did, he could see Gaius opening a pill bottle. He rolled his eyes in exasperation, and then glanced down at the ordinance.
It was a rations ordinance. Felix sighed. It wasn't something that anyone didn't expect, that was for sure. He wondered what he'd do with it if it was.
He'd known- very early on- that the reason to stay in his job was to help. Play nice with the Cylons. Find out what he could. And then… then help.
Problem was, it wasn't like the Cylons started doling out high-security information. They didn't even trust Baltar, not that Felix blamed them. He sighed heavily, and then glanced again at who was next on the signature list. It was the Vice President, William Keikeya.
There were no formal guards at the doors, and the Three that had an office right next to Billy's barely even flicked a glance at Felix as he knocked on the door. From inside, he heard Billy call, "Come in," in a harried sort of voice.
The office of the Vice President had never been all that large. Colonial One didn't afford for large offices in the first place, and the Vice President's office was little more than a converted janitorial closet. It had been very cramped when Billy had been serving as an aide to Zarek, and Billy and Felix had made a habit of doing more of their work at a conference room table, taking advantage of both the space and the camaraderie.
Now Billy sat at the Vice President's desk. After a month of occupation, he'd finally lost the look of a boy sitting in his father's chair. He looked up hurriedly as Felix entered, and he groaned.
"I don't even want to know what you have in your hand, do I?" he asked.
"Probably not," Felix said.
Billy extended his hand, and Felix surrendered the ordinance. Billy read it quickly, his brows furrowing. "Did you talk to Bagot about this?" he asked.
"I did, but he had no ideas of anything we could do," Felix said with a sigh. "He says that the Fives are fairly insistent on seeing this one through."
Billy rubbed his chin. "What about a nursing mothers' clause?" he asked.
"It would help," Felix said. "It won't solve everything, but-"
"I don't expect it to solve everything," Billy said with a sigh. "But like you said, it would help. Go after the Eights with that one. They're the most susceptible to the word 'baby'."
Felix nodded, and watched as Billy set the document on his desk and bent over it again. He looked terrible, Felix realized, with dark circles under his eyes and pale skin. And yet, there was something about the set of his shoulders and the air about him that seemed so much older and harder. With a start, Felix realized that Billy Keikeya hadn't surrendered to the Cylons, and that he never would.
Billy caught him watching and smiled grimly. Felix returned the smile. "How are you doing, Felix?" Billy asked.
Felix shrugged. "You know," he said casually. "I'm making do."
"Aren't we all?" Billy said, bitterness tinging his voice. "Hey, listen. I still have that copy of the Lost Legends issue that I never returned to you. Do you want to stop by tonight and pick it up?"
Felix had completely forgotten about the Lost Legends book he'd lent Billy so long ago. He stared at him blankly for a long moment, and then Billy raised his eyebrows and leaned in. There was something more here, Felix realized, and his heart accelerated.
"All right," he said slowly. "I'll come over tonight and get it."
"Great. See you then. And talk to the Eights about the nursing mothers clause, right?"
"Yes, sir, Mr. Vice President."
Billy smirked as Felix left the room.
***
Felix walked through the settlement, his hands jammed in his pockets, trying not to look around him. He could smell the cooking fires and the scent of coffee, and less pleasant odors as well, as he walked by the public facilities. He tried to ignore the ragged, cold faces and the clanking sounds of Centurions on patrol, but it was difficult. And probably for the best, he thought. These were things that shouldn't be ignored.
He'd only been in Billy's tent a few times; generally they saw each other in Colonial One or in the bar tent. And since the occupation had begun… Felix shook his head. It wasn't like he could pass judgment on Billy when he was doing the same damn thing.
He knocked, and Billy answered, flipping back the flap of his tent. To Felix's mild surprise, Billy was holding a large, heavy piece of wood as he answered. He glanced around, and then gestured for Felix to enter.
"What's with the club?" Felix asked, pointing to the makeshift weapon in Billy's hand. "The bogeyman isn't calling."
"The bogeyman is already here," Billy said sourly, glaring at Felix. Felix didn't bother to wince. If Billy really thought… he sighed. "It's not so much the Cylons," Billy said, when Felix didn't speak. "It's the humans."
"The humans?"
Billy shrugged. "You think people are overly happy to see us these days?"
"Yeah, but…" Felix's eyes widened. "Have you been attacked?"
Billy looked away. "It might have gotten there," he admitted. "But an Eight stepped in, and…" he made a face.
"What happened?" Felix asked, sick to his stomach.
"They ended up in detention," Billy bit out. He flipped open a book. "Not exactly the sort of salvation I had in mind."
"I see."
Billy looked up at him. "Do you?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Billy glanced towards the tent flap, as if someone was standing outside the thick canvas and listening in on their conversation. "I think the meaning is pretty clear."
"You always were a lousy communicator," Felix muttered, parroting Dee.
"Come on, Felix." Billy leaned in. "Do you really think I asked you here just to return a comic book that I've had for months?"
"No," Felix began, but he found himself hesitating. Their eyes met, and Felix swallowed hard. Trusting Billy could lead to one of two things; an alliance or a betrayal. "What did you ask me here for?"
Billy fingered the book he'd been playing with. "We've been friends," he said slowly. "Even after Dee went off with Apollo, we've still been friends."
"We've got a lot in common," Felix said carefully.
"We do. Including…" Billy looked at the tent flap again, and then lowered his voice. "I know you want the Cylons gone."
"Who doesn't?" Felix asked.
"Felix…" Billy nearly threw up his hands in exasperation. "You know there's a resistance, right?"
"I'd be an idiot not to," Felix said. "Explosions do have a way of alerting a person that there's violent unrest." Billy opened his mouth to argue, and Felix sighed. "Yes. And you know what the Cylons are doing to anyone found to be in the resistance."
The realization hit Billy hard. "You think I'd turn you in."
Felix shrugged. "Not intentionally."
Billy was offended; Felix could see it in his face and the stiff posture of his body. But then Billy relaxed a little, and Felix began trusting that this meant what he thought- Billy wanted to do something.
"I'm sorry," he said, and he knew at that moment he'd decided to trust Billy. And Billy smiled in return, an open smile that Felix hadn't seen since the Cylons landed on New Caprica.
"Come on," Billy said, pulling out a chair for Felix and sitting down on his cot. "We have a lot to talk about. I'll make us some coffee."
***
"There's no way we can get prisoners out?" Felix asked.
"Not unless we manage to get a Cylon on our side," Billy said, running his hand through his curls again. He picked up his third cup of coffee, then set it down without taking a sip. "And I'm not sure we can trust any of them."
"We could talk to Boomer," Felix suggested. "I know she's not happy with the way things are going here."
Billy thought about it, then shook his head. "Look, I know you liked her well enough on Galactica," he said. "Dee did, too. But we can't risk it. From what I can tell…" he paused, and his face twisted oddly. "Even if we could trust her, if a Cylon dies, their memories go into some sort of bank. She could betray us without meaning to."
"Frak," Felix said, sitting back. Then his eyes narrowed as he looked at Billy. "How did you know that?"
Billy looked at him evenly. "There's a Three," he said. "She sits right outside my office. It's not the same one that was in the Fleet- her hair is red."
"I've seen her."
"She…talks to me." Billy looked down. "I'm not trusting her, mind you. She's supposedly my assistant, but I know she's watching me. But she talks to me." Felix nodded, not sure what to say. Billy cleared his throat. "But my point is, if we do this, it has to just be you and me. We can't let anyone else in on this. Not a Cylon, and not even any other humans. The more people that know what we're doing, the more people that could give us away."
Felix nodded in agreement. "So the most we can do is get information to the resistance. How are we going to make contact?"
"I don't know," Billy confessed. "I'm not even sure who all is involved."
Felix sighed. "I can make some excellent guesses," he said. "But there are other problems."
"Like convincing them that we're legit?" Billy asked.
"Or making sure that if they’re caught, they can't give us up," Felix said. "And vice versa. If we're going to do this… we've got to be ready. For anything."
Billy swallowed hard, and Felix knew that he understood the implications. "And you and me?" he said.
"We’re going to have to trust each other," Felix said. "If one of us goes down, the other will, too."
"Right." Billy held out his hand. "So, we'll do this?"
Felix took it, shaking it firmly. "We will."
On to Part 2
Author: lls_mutant
Characters: Billy Keikeya, Felix Gaeta
Pairings: Gen. There is reference to past Billy/Dee and current Dee/Lee, and it's relevant that Felix likes men, but really, this is about as gen as you can get.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: When Billy survived the terrorist attack on Cloud 9, his friendship with Felix evolved into something independent of Dee. And when the Colonials settled New Caprica, it became a friendship that could help save the world.
Author's Notes: Written for the gaeta_squee Secret Santa, for rap541. Thanks to kappamaki33 for the beta!
Morpha was a good thing, Billy discovered. He hadn't fully realized it before, but now that it was wearing off and he was starting to feel the pain in his gut, the fact was becoming crystal clear. Figured. Nothing that great could possibly be legal.
He blinked, trying to orient himself and seeing very little but white on white, accompanied by bright lights. He groaned and turned his head, and there was a blue blur.
"How are you feeling?"
It was a male voice. For a wild, distorted moment Billy thought it might be Lee Adama. Then he remembered exactly why it wouldn' be Lee Adama, and he closed his eyes. "Lousy," he admitted. "Incredibly lousy. I might even go so far as to say frakking lousy."
"So I hear. A hole in your abdomen does tend to mess up your day."
Despite himself, Billy's lips quirked up just a little, and he opened his eyes again. "Day was already messed up."
His visitor didn't answer, except with a noncommittal hmm. Billy forced his eyes to focus and saw Felix sitting beside his bed. He sighed and closed his eyes again, resignation washing over him.
"What are you doing here?"
"Visiting," Felix said shortly. "What does it look like?"
"Dee…" Billy began, and then cut off.
Felix sighed. "Dee's irrelevant. She's not the one I can actually discuss the Lost Legends novels with. Speaking of which…" he produced a book from somewhere. "When you're feeling better."
Billy knew that later he'd feel gratitude. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." Felix twitched a little. "How are you doing?"
Blearily, Billy remembered that there was a time he would have considered Felix the rival, not Lee. This was way back, so long ago, when Dee insisted she'd never break regulations and date a superior officer. He forced a smile. "I'm all right. Doc says I almost wasn't, though." He remembered that, and President Roslin sitting with him, and talk of terrorists and justice. It made his head hurt.
"Yeah, well, I'm glad you made it," Felix said simply. He glanced at his watch. "Listen, I've got to get back up to the CIC, and Cottle said not to tire you out too much, anyway. But I'll come back after my shift."
"All right," Billy said, feeling a bit uncertain. Felix smiled and stood, all crisp and official, and nodded as he left.
Billy reached for the book. The mere motion of it pulled on the wound and it hurt, but if he didn't do it he'd think about Dee and Lee, and that would drive him insane. The book felt heavier than it should, but he managed to get it into bed with him. It was worn and dog-eared, obviously well-read and well-loved.
He sighed. He didn't know how he was going to get through the heartbreak of the next few weeks, or the healing process, but he suspected that superheroes and a good friend were going to be what made him survive.
***
He was walking down a corridor when someone called his name. "Felix."
Felix stopped in his tracks, sighing to himself. He turned around slowly. "Dee."
Dee looked upset… and angry. "You've been avoiding me."
"Yes," he admitted.
Dee thrust her chin out. "It's not between you and me," she said.
"I know," Felix said. "That's why I've been avoiding you. It's not my business, and you have the right to conduct your affairs as you see fit. I shouldn't be passing judgment."
"But you are."
"No. I'm avoiding you."
Dee gave a little smile. "How is he?" she asked.
"He's recovering," Felix said truthfully. "He's up and walking around."
"That's good. Felix… I didn't mean-"
"I'm not the one you need to have this conversation with, Dee," Felix said, cutting her off swiftly. "I am not involved. Got it?"
Dee nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good." He inclined his head for her to move. "I need to get to the CIC."
"Sorry, sir," Dee said, stepping aside. She was stung; he could see it in her face. But he walked by anyway.
He was lying. He walked down the corridor with an purposeful stride, turned the corner, and headed for the infirmary, not the CIC. When he got there, Billy was sitting up in bed, reading the Lost Legends book.
"Hey."
"Hey." Billy put the book down on his lap.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better." Billy sighed. "Useless."
"Useless?" Felix asked.
"President Roslin stopped by," Billy admitted. "I asked her for some work, but…"
"You're a few days out of surgery after being shot by terrorists," Felix pointed out. "She's not going to dump your body weight in reports on you."
"She didn't hand me anything," Billy said. "She told me that I should rest and recover, and not worry because she found someone to cover for me."
Anyone else might have laughed, but Felix cringed. "Ouch."
"Yeah." Billy looked down at the book morosely. "Not exactly what I needed right now." Felix wasn't sure what to say, and then Billy made it harder. "I assume you've seen Dee."
"Yes," Felix said hesitantly.
"Did she…" Billy didn't look at Felix. "Did she ask about me?"
Felix sighed heavily. "I'll tell you what I told her," he said. "It's between you two." He looked at Billy and softened. "But yeah. She did. She's concerned."
"Concerned," Billy scoffed.
Felix shrugged. "It's something, anyway. Hey, Cottle said he found us a chess board, if you want to play."
"You're changing the subject," Billy accused.
"Absolutely," Felix agreed cheerfully. "Shall I go get it?"
"Fine," Billy sighed. "It's not like I've got anything better to do."
"Gee, thanks," Felix said sarcastically, but he knew better than to take offense. He went to find Cottle and the chess board.
***
"Billy, this is Tory Foster."
"We've met," Billy reminded Laura. He extended his hand. "Hello."
Tory's eyes flicked to Laura for just a second before she took his hand. "It's nice to see you again, Billy. I'm glad you've made a full recovery."
"Thanks," Billy mumbled. Tory looked from him to the President, and then cleared her throat.
"If you don't mind, Madame President," she said, "I'll go get started on the agenda for the meeting with the ships' captains."
"That's fine, Tory," Laura said, nodding. Tory gave Billy one more nod and then hustled out of the room, her heels clicking competently on the floor.
"Well," Laura said, turning back to Billy with a genuine smile. "I'm glad you're back."
"Me, too, Madam President," Billy said. He glanced awkwardly at where Tory had disappeared.
Laura followed his gaze and smiled. "You needed help anyway, Billy."
"I know."
Laura's smile dipped a degree. "I heard that the proposal…" she began.
"What's first on our agenda for today?" Billy interrupted. "I'm sure I have a lot to catch up."
Laura took the hint, and her smile gentled. "All right, Billy. Let me get you back up to speed. But if you ever…" she touched his arm in a motherly fashion.
"Thank you," he said. "But I think it's best if I just get to work."
"All right."
He wished he could feel like everything had gone back to normal, or would go back to normal soon enough. But it didn't. He wished he could believe that Dee had something to do with it, but he knew she didn't. But he couldn’t put the words to the change, because if he did, they'd seem unbelievably petty. So he told himself to get used to it and go on. After all, what about the past year could possibly qualify as normal, anyway?
***
"So Baltar's running for President," Billy said to Felix as they sat in one of the bars on Cloud 9. Not the one that he'd been shot in; Billy couldn't go in there without shaking and feeling sick, but a darker one that reminded Billy of a bar he used to go to all the time during college.
"So I hear," Felix said, swirling his drink. He stared at it morosely.
Billy looked at him sharply. "I thought you would be happy about it."
"I am. But discussing it with the current President's chief aide doesn't seem like the best idea." Felix flashed a smile.
"Can I ask you something?" Billy said, leaning in. It was a question he'd been dying to know the answer to, but he had never had the courage to ask. But now that things felt so natural and easy between them, like they were friends rather than he was drinking with his girlfriend's best friend, the question came easily. "Why don't you like President Roslin?"
Felix took a sip of his drink. "I don't dislike her," he explained. "And truthfully, I think she's doing a good job with the government. But I also think this quest for Earth…." He shook his head. "I don't say anything, because I know why we don't just find a habitable planet and settle. The Cylons will find us and blow us all up if we do that. But at the same time, all this mysticism… I just can't believe in it. I feel better trusting in science."
"I can't argue with that," Billy muttered. Although the memory of the Tomb of Athena stood sharply in his mind. That had been real, whatever it was, and Earth did exist. The question of finding it, however… He could understand Felix's trepidation all too well.
"Then why do you support her?" Felix asked.
Billy shrugged. "Because she does do a good job as President. And despite the mystic mumbo jumbo, it's not like anyone else has any better ideas."
"No kidding." Felix lit another cigarette, and then offered the package to Billy, who waved it away. "Either way, it still feels like we're all still screwed."
***
"So then, they reeled out the target, and I don't think it even registered when it was Ryan!"
Billy burst into laughter, and Felix grinned at him, laughing himself. Those Academy days seemed so long ago now, and they hurt to think about, but at least he felt like in talking about them, they stayed alive, just a little.
"So what happened when-" Billy began, and then cut off. Felix followed his gaze and saw Dee talking to Lee further up the hall. He glanced sympathetically at Billy, but Billy just pressed his lips together.
"I need to get to the hangar deck," he said quietly. "The President is going to be ready to leave any minute."
"All right," Felix said as Dee and Lee exchanged a quick goodbye, and Billy hurried off the other way.
"Felix!" Dee said, her smile bright.
"Hey, Dee."
"What have you been up to?"
"Oh, Billy and I were just on the practice range. I was teaching him how to shoot a gun."
Dee laughed affectionately, although there was guilt all over her face. "Thank you," she said. "I hope he never needs it, but…"
"But these days everyone should know," Felix finished. He stood awkwardly for a moment, searching for a subject. "How are things going with Lee?" he asked.
Dee looked embarrassed, and he realized what a bad segue that was and mentally smacked his forehead. 'They're going well," she admitted. "I think…" she glanced back over her shoulder and shrugged, but Felix could see the light in her eyes. He had to admit he'd never seen her look this happy with Billy. "I think it might be serious."
"Good," Felix said, and he meant it. He shifted awkwardly again. "Well, I should go," he said. "My shift in CIC starts in ten minutes."
"I'm coming on in a bit myself," Dee said. "I'll see you there."
"Sounds good." He smiled, and started down the hall. He felt Dee's eyes on his back as he rounded the corner.
He knew, someday, things would get easier with Dee. But he had the nasty feeling they might never get back to where they had been before.
***
Felix wasn't sure that he really believed in Earth, per se, but he did believe in a home. When they found New Caprica, with its protective interference that would hide them from the Cylons, he was positive that this was it.
"It really doesn't look that appealing," Billy told Felix when he and Roslin were over on Galactica. "I think 'desolate' would be a better description."
"True," Felix agreed, his fingers lingering on the recon photo, "but the Cylons won't find us here. I don't know about you, but I can put up with an awful lot for that promise."
Billy sighed heavily. "I know." The words were pulled out of him reluctantly.
Felix smiled. "You're ready to settle, too, aren't you?"
"I didn't say that," Billy said. He glanced at where the President and the Admiral were talking. "She's against it, you know. She still wants to find Earth."
"Do you think we're going to find it?"
"No," Billy admitted.
"Well then," Felix said. "This is the best option we've been presented with in a long time."
"I suppose so," Billy sighed.
Felix looked at the pictures again. Billy was right; it wasn't what they were used to. But at the same time, it wasn't a ship and they could build lives, and that was enough for him.
***
"Mr. Gaeta."
Felix jerked to attention as Adama entered his study. "Sir," he said, standing stiffly.
"Have a seat," Adama ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Adama looked at his notes. "Did you confide what you had discovered about the election in anyone else?"
"Only in Colonel Tigh, sir."
"You didn't speak to Petty Officer Dualla or Mr. Keiykeya about it?"
"No, sir."
Adama's eyes fixed on him. "You will keep it that way."
"Yes, sir. I understand, sir." Felix cleared his throat. "Is that all, sir?"
The Admiral nodded tightly. "You're dismissed, Lieutenant." Felix stood, saluted smartly, and managed to keep from running from the room.
In some ways, he understood why Adama would cover this up. President Roslin had done a lot for humanity in a very trying time, and she'd done it far better than anyone expected a Secretary of Education to do. This was a repayment of sorts, he supposed. But the truth was, the entire thing made him sick. This wasn't democracy, and this wasn't how the system was supposed to work. He walked through the halls of Galactica and they looked different to him. This wasn't what he'd signed on to defend.
He was rounding a corner when the thought hit him out of the blue- had Billy known about this? Felix rejected the very idea out of hand. Billy didn't idolize President Roslin. He loved her, yes, but Billy would not do something like this.
He wouldn't. No way.
Felix swallowed hard and continued on his way to the CIC.
***
When Billy showed up at the entrance to the officer's racks, Felix knew that Billy hadn't known about the election fraud before, and he most definitely knew now. Felix swung off his bed, grabbed a bottle of whiskey and two glasses, and grabbed Billy's arm without a word. They found a storage locker, and Felix poured them both a glass of whiskey before anything was said.
"Did you know?" Billy bluntly asked him as Felix poured them their second whiskey.
"Did I know what?" Felix demurred.
Billy set his drink down on a crate marked Paper Towels. "About the election," he said.
"The tabulation error?" Felix tried.
"Error," Billy scoffed. "That's what they called it." He swallowed his drink neatly. "Did you know Dee was in on it?"
That made Felix's stomach ice over. He'd suspected, but to actually have confirmation… "How do you know?"
"Tom Zarek told me."
"And you believed him?" Felix swallowed hard. "It's not like he's got a lot of love for Roslin." He reached out and tried to steady Billy, but Billy shook him off. He didn’t know why he was saying this anyway, except for the look on Billy's face and the desire to not have Dee associated with any of this.
"It's not anything conclusive," Billy said. "But what he showed me… it looks bad." He looked sharply at Felix. "You did know." It wasn't a question.
"If Zarek told you that much, he told you the rest," Felix sighed resignedly. "I knew."
"You reported it."
"Yes."
Billy swayed for a minute, a hard expression on his face, "Did you do it for Baltar?"
"No," Felix said, immediately and truthfully. "I did it because it was what's right."
"What's right," Billy said bitterly. "I thought…" he shook his head, and Felix refilled his glass. "I thought President Roslin cared about what's right. But she doesn't. Baltar's the wrong choice, but this isn't the way to go about it."
"He might not be wrong," Felix suggested. "Not about the planet."
"The planet," Billy repeated. He sighed heavily, and then looked at Felix. "I don't suppose you have a cigarette?"
"You don't smoke," Felix said.
"Now's as good a time as any to start," Billy sighed.
Felix grinned and pulled out his pack. "You'll hate them," he warned.
"That's okay. It goes well with the rest of my life," Billy said.
Felix hoisted himself up onto the crate they'd been using as a table. "What are you going to do?" he asked Billy.
"I don't know," Billy sighed, leaning back against the crate. "I told Laura I needed time to think about it."
"Are you going to tell anyone else?"
Billy shook his head. "No. I owe her that much. But I'm not sure I can work for her anymore."
"Yeah," Felix agreed, thinking of how quickly Adama jumped to cover the whole thing up. "I know what you mean."
***
The Raptor doors closed, and the engines started. Felix felt almost naked in his civilian clothing; he could barely remember the last time he'd worn something not issued by the military. His bag sat beside him, heavy and anonymous in a drab blue. He strained forward, trying to see out the front window.
"Stop breathing down my neck, Gaeta," Racetrack ordered him good-naturedly. "We'll get you there as fast as we can."
"Sorry," Felix said, sitting back.
The Raptor touched down, bouncing just a little bit in the craggy field. Billy was standing on the edge, waving enthusiastically. Felix nearly jumped out of the Raptor in his eagerness, Racetrack laughing at him as he did so. "Don't laugh," he scolded her over his shoulder. "It's your planet."
"Only if it turns out to be a good idea," Racetrack agreed. "If it's not, Skulls found it." She ignored the whack that Skulls landed on the back of her flight helmet. "Good luck, Gaeta," she said with a smile. "Stay in touch, all right?"
"You, too," Felix said. He shouldered his bag and with a final wave, he headed over to where Billy was waiting.
"You made it," Billy said.
"Of course I made it," Felix said. "Why wouldn't I? Racetrack and Skulls found this planet once before, I'm sure they can find it again."
"Funny," Billy said. He turned and started walking. "I'm not sure any of us fully believed Adama would release you."
"He said he owed me one," Felix said dryly. "I'm still not sure exactly how he meant that."
"Don't worry about it. New life and all that," Billy said. They exchanged glances of perfect understanding.
"Where are we staying?" Felix asked. "Colonial One?"
"For a few days," Billy said. "They're already beginning to establish a tent city. It's going to take time to get housing built. As soon as we can get our tents requisitioned, it's best if we get set up like everyone else."
Felix nodded. "Makes sense."
"They're already starting to design the first apartment complex," Billy said. He glanced at Felix. "Is Dee coming down?"
"No," Felix sighed. "She's staying in the military." He didn't want to say anything about Lee, but Billy knew. He could see it. But Billy lifted his chin defiantly.
"Good," he said. "I really hope she'll be happy."
"She will be," Felix said. He surveyed the land and the horizon, far in the distance. There was sky above them, ground under their feet, fresh air all around them. "And we will be, too."
***
Billy entered the bar tent, looking around. There were a few smiles, a few frowns. He nodded to people he knew, and then spotted Felix sitting and waiting at a corner table, smoking a cigarette.
"Hey," he said, pulling out the chair across from Felix. "How did it go?"
Felix took a long drag. "Not so good," he admitted. "The union is still talking strike, and I'm not sure how much we can do to prevent it."
Billy sighed in exasperation. "What are they looking for?"
"The impossible," Felix said sourly. "They want the Colonies back."
"I'm sure they didn't say that." Billy took a cigarette from the pack sitting on the table and lit it.
"Of course not. But it's what they want. It's what everyone wants. Not that I can blame them." There was a bitterness in Felix's eyes that was new; Billy wasn't sure he liked it.
"Specifics, Felix," Billy said. "What are the specifics?"
"Better rations, higher priority on the housing lists, and first buying rights on certain choice areas of land."
Billy shook his head. "It's not going to happen."
"I know that." Felix's eyebrows rose, and he sat back. "Let me know if you want me to disappear."
"Huh?" Billy glanced over his shoulder, and for a moment he didn't realize what exactly Felix was talking about. Then he saw that Laura Roslin had entered the bar tent with Tory Foster and Maya Nome. "No," he said. "It's all right."
He noticed that the reception that the former president got was much warmer than the one he'd received when he walked into the tent, but he was used to that. Laura Roslin had a gift with people that Billy envied; a way of making them feel what she wanted them to feel, be it ease or intimidation. Right now she was all smiles and warm handshakes, but he knew exactly when she saw him. The corner of her smile dipped a little, and she glanced away for a second. But Laura Roslin would never be thrown for long; she glided over to him with that warm smile on her face.
"Hello, Billy," she said graciously. "Felix," she added as a polite afterthought.
"Hello, Laura." The name didn't come easily off of his tongue; despite the fact that he'd been in Baltar's administration for the past eight months, he still felt like he should call her Madam President. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," Laura said. She took the cigarette from Billy's fingers and stubbed it out. "After all, the cares of New Caprica aren't on my shoulders. How are you?"
"Can't complain," Billy said.
"Oh?" Laura said, arching an eyebrow playfully. "That's not what I hear. Do you mind?" she asked, pulling out a chair.
"Not at all," Billy said. "Have a seat."
"Are Tory and Maya joining us as well?" Felix asked.
Laura glanced over her shoulder. "They seem to have found other companions," she said. Billy spotted them talking to a man he recognized as one of the high school teachers. "So," Laura said, "the union is giving you trouble?"
"They're upset, yes," Billy admitted. He pulled out another cigarette and lit it.
"Mmm." Laura looked at him disapprovingly. "You know those things give you cancer."
"I don't smoke often," Billy admitted. "Just when I'm stressed."
"Which is all the time, if half of what I hear is true," Laura said. She sipped her own drink. "Have you talked to John Rearden? He's an expert in negotiations."
"He's working on it," Felix interrupted. "The problem is that what the union wants simply doesn't exist."
"Then make it exist," Laura said. "Change the order of priority of some of the projects, and move the greenhouses higher up the list." Billy glanced at Felix, who raised his eyebrows and looked down at his drink. Laura caught their silent communication. "Or perhaps I misspoke. After all, I did just drop by for a social visit."
"No, it's all right," Billy said. He wasn't sure if it felt good to have Laura still looking out for him, or if the way she was patronizing him annoyed him to no end. Maybe a little of both.
Laura sipped her drink, her eyebrows raising as she looked from one of them to the other. "How is Tom doing these days, anyway?" she asked neutrally.
"He's fine," Billy said. "Busy."
"Mmm. They're all busy," Laura said, and Felix kicked Billy under the table. Billy couldn't look at him, because he knew he'd burst into laughter if he did. Speculation about Laura Roslin made for entertaining work gossip, especially when coupled with the Vice President.
"Shall I tell him you were asking after him?" Billy asked as innocently as possible.
Laura made a wry face that told him he was fooling no one. "I don't think that's necessary, Billy."
Billy shrugged. "Just checking, ma'am."
Laura looked at his cigarette again. "You have changed, Billy," she said. "There was a time you wouldn't have dared to tease me." She smiled playfully, but the tone of her voice suggested that she didn't approve. Billy looked guiltily down at the cigarette.
"Not so much," he said, stubbing it out. "Maybe you're just a little more teasable these days."
Laura raised her eyebrows and lifted her glass. "Maybe I am," she said. She stood gracefully. "Well, I'll leave you two to figure out the problems of the world." She nodded to them. "Have a good night." Billy watched her drift away, and as she did, her shoulders relaxed.
"Well," Felix said as they sat alone, "it's not like we haven’t thought of that solution before. We just never pursued it because getting the President to change his mind is nearly impossible." He sighed. "I guess that's our sign that we need to follow our instincts."
"We'll start with the Vice President," Billy said, relieved that Felix had come to the same conclusion he had. "He'll be a lot easier to convince."
Felix nodded agreement. "You okay?" he asked Billy.
Billy nodded. "Yeah," he said. "I'm fine. Really." He sighed. "It's just kind of strange. I respected her so much, you know?"
"All too well," Felix muttered, and Billy snorted. He lit another cigarette and raised his glass.
"To the Presidents of the Colonies," he said. "Maybe one of these days, we'll find one that doesn't let us down."
Felix clinked his glass against Billy's. "I'll drink to that."
***
"Did you and Felix meet with the union?" Zarek asked Billy.
"Not yet," Billy said. "The meeting is at two o'clock."
"That's right." Zarek consulted his notes. "It was the zoning commission that you met with this morning. How did that go?"
"It could have gone better," Billy sighed. "The commission is saying that-" he cut off, cocking his head. "Do you hear that?"
Zarek's brow furrowed. "That almost sounds like Raptors. But that can't be." They exchanged glances, and then both of them ran outside.
Billy knew he would never forget the day when he stood by Tom Zarek's side, staring up at the Cylon raiders as they streaked across the New Caprican sky.
***
The office was silent. Felix stood at Baltar's right elbow, fidgeting with the hem of his jacket and straightening into a military posture. The surrender was official; Felix couldn't quite believe it. He stared at the Cylons in the room. One of the Fours was sitting in a chair, and a Three and a Five were quietly conversing. It still unnerved him to see exactly how human they looked. He was used to the Eights… or more accurately, he was used to Sharon. He wasn't used to seeing multiple copies of her, or of any of the others.
There was a commotion at the door; and then two Fives brought two more officials in. Felix's heart sank for a moment as he met Billy's eyes. He'd hoped Billy might make a run for it and get away. But Billy walked in, shaking off the restraining hands of a Two. And behind him, two more Twos were flanking Tom Zarek.
"Is this it?" the One demanded, turning to Baltar. "Is this your entire staff? This is more like a mayoral office than a Presidency."
"We're not exactly governing twelve worlds worth of people anymore," Baltar pointed out, his voice slightly sarcastic. "This is everyone."
Felix flexed his hands, keeping his face blank and looking at the Cylons, trying to gauge their expressions. He didn't think they were about to open fire on the administration; they would have done so already, if that was their intent.
"Well, now," the One said as Billy and Zarek took their places among the others, across the room from Felix. The One half-sat on Baltar's desk, leaning forward a little, bracing himself with his hands. "We're all here, so why don't we play a little getting-to-know you game? We can go around the rooms and say our names, and if you intend to work with us, or if we should just kill you now and save ourselves some trouble down the road?"
Silence. Felix clenched his fists, desperately wanting to punch the One and wipe the smug expression of his face, but all that would result in was a gory, goopy death for him. He held his tongue.
"Well?" the One said. "Who wants to start?"
"I'll start." Zarek stepped forward, his arms crossed. "I'm Tom Zarek, and I refuse to collaborate." He lifted his chin and glared at the One. "So go ahead and kill me."
"All right," the One said, but one of the Sixes spoke up.
"No!" she snapped.
He turned slowly. "Excuse me?"
"That's not why we're here," she insisted, with an expression that Felix could almost believe was earnestness. "We're here to build a new society, not to become a gang of mass-murderers."
"I've got news for you," a second One put in, "we're a little late on that count."
There was a snort of appreciation from across the room; Felix recognized it as Billy. The One turned his head, but Billy said nothing.
But the Six didn't react. Her gaze was focused on the Ones. "When we voted, we agreed that it was God's will that we live in peace with the humans. Dragging them out in the street and killing them is not what 'living in peace' means!"
"We concur," an Eight said, and she stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Six.
"Well, goodie for you," the One said. But he didn't push the subject. Instead, he turned to Baltar. "Well? What are you people using as a detention center around here?"
Baltar jerked up. "I don’t… I…" he glanced at Tom Zarek, and then at the Six who had said that the Cylons only wanted to live in peace. She made an expectant expression at him, and he deflated. "Yes. We've been incarcerating criminals on one of the decommissioned ships, although I suppose-"
"We'll build something more substantial," the One said.
The Eight made a face, but she stepped forward anyway. "There's a nearly finished apartment complex that can be converted."
"The apartment complex?" Baltar said. "You won't need that much…" he looked at the Six again, appealingly. "Not that much space. Will you?"
She faltered, and Felix saw it. Era of peace, his ass. His fists tightened again.
"Well?" the One prompted.
"What?" Baltar asked, and the One cocked his head in Zarek's direction. "Oh. Oh, right." Baltar pulled himself up straight. "Take him away."
The One nodded, and two Twos grabbed Zarek by the arms.
"Anyone else?" the One demanded.
On instinct, Felix looked to Baltar, mutely begging him to stand up to the Cylons and defend this home that they were building. But Baltar was staring at his desk, tears hanging in his eyes. Felix looked away.
Across the room, Billy was watching the door where they'd taken Zarek. His face was pale, and the pain was clear in his expression. And yet, he didn't move to follow. Felix tried to catch his eye, but Billy was still looking towards the door.
The Eight stepped into his line of sight. "And you, Lieutenant?" she said.
With a jolt, Felix realized exactly who this was. He drew in a deep breath and looked Boomer straight in the eye.
"I'm good," he lied.
Billy's head snapped around in surprise.
***
"Felix."
Felix stopped in the hall, but he didn't turn around right away. Billy saw his shoulders tense, his hands clench. "Felix?"
He turned. "Hey, Billy." He tried to force a smile. Billy sighed.
"Don't bother. We both know there's nothing to smile about."
"Yeah."
It hung between them. They'd surrendered. They'd had the opportunity to go with Zarek, but they'd both refused it. They'd both collaborated.
Suddenly, Billy found he couldn't look at Felix. He shoved his hands in his coat pockets, and shifted.
Felix coughed.
"Right," Billy said awkwardly. "Guess we both have a lot to do."
Felix nodded. "Yes, sir, Mr. Vice-President."
"I'm not-" Billy began, and then realized suddenly that, given what the Cylons wanted, he probably was. "I'm not…" he whispered. "Felix, I didn't want-"
Felix raised his eyebrow. "I never said you did. After all, I still serve the President," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'll see you later."
"Right." Billy watched him walk down the hall, his hands still in his pockets as he accelerated. Then he took a deep breath, steeled himself, and turned and walked back towards his office.
***
Two days later, Billy saw Laura Roslin by chance, in one of the packed dirt streets. She stopped in her tracks, then turned around and walked the other way.
He didn't call after her.
***
New Caprica had been nothing but a gray mudball, ever since they'd landed on it. Felix could see that now. He stood by Gaius's desk, waiting for the President to sign the latest ordinance.
"Like this will make the people accept anything," Gaius groused, his pen hovering. "They think that if they have my approval, then the people will forget that it comes from the Cylons."
"You could always refuse," Felix said, but there was no heat in it.
"What, and end up dead? No thank you." Gaius flopped back in his chair. "I've tried, you know," he told Felix. "I've tried to convince them that we've got nothing here. That there's no reason for the to bother us, and they should just…" he paused, and then waved his hand negligently, "go away," he finished. "But they'll have none of it."
So you waved your hand at the Cylons and ordered them to leave and expected that to work? Felix thought incredulously. That's really the best you could come up with? But all he said was, "Yes, sir."
Gaius looked up at him suspiciously. "Y-ou don't believe me." It was a statement, not a question.
"I never said that, sir," Felix said. "I'm just doing my duty."
For a long moment, Gaius's eyes didn't waiver. Then, finally, he looked back down at the ordinance. "Right," he said. "Don't you forget it. Otherwise…" he trailed off. The implication was clear, but Felix couldn't tell if was meant as a threat or as a warning. He found that he didn't care.
"Have you signed it, sir?" he asked.
"Oh. Right." Without reading the ordinance, Gaius signed his name across the line. Felix watched dispassionately, although if he was willing to admit that he was feeling something, it would be anger. Anger and hate and fire.
Gaius picked the document up between two fingers. "There," he said. "Hand this off to whomever it goes to, and then you can be done for the day."
"Yes, sir. Have a good night."
Gaius was already shutting down, retreating some world where Felix didn't exist. Felix thought about saying something, and then just retreated. As he did, he could see Gaius opening a pill bottle. He rolled his eyes in exasperation, and then glanced down at the ordinance.
It was a rations ordinance. Felix sighed. It wasn't something that anyone didn't expect, that was for sure. He wondered what he'd do with it if it was.
He'd known- very early on- that the reason to stay in his job was to help. Play nice with the Cylons. Find out what he could. And then… then help.
Problem was, it wasn't like the Cylons started doling out high-security information. They didn't even trust Baltar, not that Felix blamed them. He sighed heavily, and then glanced again at who was next on the signature list. It was the Vice President, William Keikeya.
There were no formal guards at the doors, and the Three that had an office right next to Billy's barely even flicked a glance at Felix as he knocked on the door. From inside, he heard Billy call, "Come in," in a harried sort of voice.
The office of the Vice President had never been all that large. Colonial One didn't afford for large offices in the first place, and the Vice President's office was little more than a converted janitorial closet. It had been very cramped when Billy had been serving as an aide to Zarek, and Billy and Felix had made a habit of doing more of their work at a conference room table, taking advantage of both the space and the camaraderie.
Now Billy sat at the Vice President's desk. After a month of occupation, he'd finally lost the look of a boy sitting in his father's chair. He looked up hurriedly as Felix entered, and he groaned.
"I don't even want to know what you have in your hand, do I?" he asked.
"Probably not," Felix said.
Billy extended his hand, and Felix surrendered the ordinance. Billy read it quickly, his brows furrowing. "Did you talk to Bagot about this?" he asked.
"I did, but he had no ideas of anything we could do," Felix said with a sigh. "He says that the Fives are fairly insistent on seeing this one through."
Billy rubbed his chin. "What about a nursing mothers' clause?" he asked.
"It would help," Felix said. "It won't solve everything, but-"
"I don't expect it to solve everything," Billy said with a sigh. "But like you said, it would help. Go after the Eights with that one. They're the most susceptible to the word 'baby'."
Felix nodded, and watched as Billy set the document on his desk and bent over it again. He looked terrible, Felix realized, with dark circles under his eyes and pale skin. And yet, there was something about the set of his shoulders and the air about him that seemed so much older and harder. With a start, Felix realized that Billy Keikeya hadn't surrendered to the Cylons, and that he never would.
Billy caught him watching and smiled grimly. Felix returned the smile. "How are you doing, Felix?" Billy asked.
Felix shrugged. "You know," he said casually. "I'm making do."
"Aren't we all?" Billy said, bitterness tinging his voice. "Hey, listen. I still have that copy of the Lost Legends issue that I never returned to you. Do you want to stop by tonight and pick it up?"
Felix had completely forgotten about the Lost Legends book he'd lent Billy so long ago. He stared at him blankly for a long moment, and then Billy raised his eyebrows and leaned in. There was something more here, Felix realized, and his heart accelerated.
"All right," he said slowly. "I'll come over tonight and get it."
"Great. See you then. And talk to the Eights about the nursing mothers clause, right?"
"Yes, sir, Mr. Vice President."
Billy smirked as Felix left the room.
***
Felix walked through the settlement, his hands jammed in his pockets, trying not to look around him. He could smell the cooking fires and the scent of coffee, and less pleasant odors as well, as he walked by the public facilities. He tried to ignore the ragged, cold faces and the clanking sounds of Centurions on patrol, but it was difficult. And probably for the best, he thought. These were things that shouldn't be ignored.
He'd only been in Billy's tent a few times; generally they saw each other in Colonial One or in the bar tent. And since the occupation had begun… Felix shook his head. It wasn't like he could pass judgment on Billy when he was doing the same damn thing.
He knocked, and Billy answered, flipping back the flap of his tent. To Felix's mild surprise, Billy was holding a large, heavy piece of wood as he answered. He glanced around, and then gestured for Felix to enter.
"What's with the club?" Felix asked, pointing to the makeshift weapon in Billy's hand. "The bogeyman isn't calling."
"The bogeyman is already here," Billy said sourly, glaring at Felix. Felix didn't bother to wince. If Billy really thought… he sighed. "It's not so much the Cylons," Billy said, when Felix didn't speak. "It's the humans."
"The humans?"
Billy shrugged. "You think people are overly happy to see us these days?"
"Yeah, but…" Felix's eyes widened. "Have you been attacked?"
Billy looked away. "It might have gotten there," he admitted. "But an Eight stepped in, and…" he made a face.
"What happened?" Felix asked, sick to his stomach.
"They ended up in detention," Billy bit out. He flipped open a book. "Not exactly the sort of salvation I had in mind."
"I see."
Billy looked up at him. "Do you?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Billy glanced towards the tent flap, as if someone was standing outside the thick canvas and listening in on their conversation. "I think the meaning is pretty clear."
"You always were a lousy communicator," Felix muttered, parroting Dee.
"Come on, Felix." Billy leaned in. "Do you really think I asked you here just to return a comic book that I've had for months?"
"No," Felix began, but he found himself hesitating. Their eyes met, and Felix swallowed hard. Trusting Billy could lead to one of two things; an alliance or a betrayal. "What did you ask me here for?"
Billy fingered the book he'd been playing with. "We've been friends," he said slowly. "Even after Dee went off with Apollo, we've still been friends."
"We've got a lot in common," Felix said carefully.
"We do. Including…" Billy looked at the tent flap again, and then lowered his voice. "I know you want the Cylons gone."
"Who doesn't?" Felix asked.
"Felix…" Billy nearly threw up his hands in exasperation. "You know there's a resistance, right?"
"I'd be an idiot not to," Felix said. "Explosions do have a way of alerting a person that there's violent unrest." Billy opened his mouth to argue, and Felix sighed. "Yes. And you know what the Cylons are doing to anyone found to be in the resistance."
The realization hit Billy hard. "You think I'd turn you in."
Felix shrugged. "Not intentionally."
Billy was offended; Felix could see it in his face and the stiff posture of his body. But then Billy relaxed a little, and Felix began trusting that this meant what he thought- Billy wanted to do something.
"I'm sorry," he said, and he knew at that moment he'd decided to trust Billy. And Billy smiled in return, an open smile that Felix hadn't seen since the Cylons landed on New Caprica.
"Come on," Billy said, pulling out a chair for Felix and sitting down on his cot. "We have a lot to talk about. I'll make us some coffee."
***
"There's no way we can get prisoners out?" Felix asked.
"Not unless we manage to get a Cylon on our side," Billy said, running his hand through his curls again. He picked up his third cup of coffee, then set it down without taking a sip. "And I'm not sure we can trust any of them."
"We could talk to Boomer," Felix suggested. "I know she's not happy with the way things are going here."
Billy thought about it, then shook his head. "Look, I know you liked her well enough on Galactica," he said. "Dee did, too. But we can't risk it. From what I can tell…" he paused, and his face twisted oddly. "Even if we could trust her, if a Cylon dies, their memories go into some sort of bank. She could betray us without meaning to."
"Frak," Felix said, sitting back. Then his eyes narrowed as he looked at Billy. "How did you know that?"
Billy looked at him evenly. "There's a Three," he said. "She sits right outside my office. It's not the same one that was in the Fleet- her hair is red."
"I've seen her."
"She…talks to me." Billy looked down. "I'm not trusting her, mind you. She's supposedly my assistant, but I know she's watching me. But she talks to me." Felix nodded, not sure what to say. Billy cleared his throat. "But my point is, if we do this, it has to just be you and me. We can't let anyone else in on this. Not a Cylon, and not even any other humans. The more people that know what we're doing, the more people that could give us away."
Felix nodded in agreement. "So the most we can do is get information to the resistance. How are we going to make contact?"
"I don't know," Billy confessed. "I'm not even sure who all is involved."
Felix sighed. "I can make some excellent guesses," he said. "But there are other problems."
"Like convincing them that we're legit?" Billy asked.
"Or making sure that if they’re caught, they can't give us up," Felix said. "And vice versa. If we're going to do this… we've got to be ready. For anything."
Billy swallowed hard, and Felix knew that he understood the implications. "And you and me?" he said.
"We’re going to have to trust each other," Felix said. "If one of us goes down, the other will, too."
"Right." Billy held out his hand. "So, we'll do this?"
Felix took it, shaking it firmly. "We will."
On to Part 2