Battlestar Argo
by AJ Marks
Part 50: Births and Babies
Troy walked back to his quarters holding the file in his hands. He wondered why he would get something and who it could be from. There were few people who knew about the mission and no one would have know who Gunther would have encountered upon their return to the Colonies.
“What’s up Troy,” Bri said from where she was sitting. “Something go wrong in the meeting?”
“No, everything went about as we expected except for one thing,” Troy replied.
“What was that,” Bri asked. She wanted to know what had happened.
“I got a message from someone back at the Colonies,” he replied. “It’s a bit of a mystery, but I guess I will find out.” He glanced at the tape and then at the player wondering if he wanted to play the message. Bri took the tape and placed it into the player handing him the player.
“Push play,” she told him.
Troy finally pushed the play button and waited a few seconds before the image appeared. The face of his father surprised him a bit.
“Hello son, if you’re watching this then you have received this message,” his father said. “I hope that the mission has been good to you. I knew that one day you would leave the Colonies, it was something I had a vision of. I could not tell you because a vision has a free will about it. You can change a vision if you know enough about the events.”
Troy glanced at Bri wondering if his father had saw her in his vision as well.
“I also want to know that yes, we approve of your wife,” he said to them. “She is a lovely young woman Troy, I’ve told you mother much of what I have seen. She agrees that she is nice. We hope to one day meet her. I know that there is much you have to do on this mission. Concentrate on Earth, we will need it on day. We are proud of you,”
The player shut off leaving the two of them sitting there. Bri spoke up first after recovering from what Troy’s father had said.
“Well, I guess that answer one question,” she said. “They would approve of me.”
“Yeah, I guess there is still some things about my abilities that I don’t know about,” Troy said.
“Have you had any new visions,” she asked.
“Nothing important, just faces trainings, minor stuff,” he replied. “Nothing major yet or even very long.”
“I don’t know if that’s good or bad,” she replied.
“Me neither,” he said. “Well, today is a long day still, we better get a move on.”
*****
Nall sat on the chair in the cafeteria where Troy, Bri and Rebecca were sitting around a table.
“So, are you ready,” Bri asked. She had gotten over the feelings that she could not have children and now looked forward to spoiling Nall and Rebecca’s child.
“More than ever,” Rebecca replied.
“I thought you would be, but I was actually talking to the bigger baby over there,” Bri said pointing over to Nall. That earned a laugh from Troy.
“Sure laugh it up,” Nall replied. “Just wait until we ask you to babysit.”
“I think Bri will spoil the little tyke,” Troy said with a smile.
“But first she has to make an appearance,” Rebecca said. “I know that I’m ready, swollen feet, bloating, morning sickness, retaining water, and a pain in my back is what I’ve gotten out of this.”
“And I love you anyways,” Nall replied placing a kiss on his wife’s cheek.
“I know, you’ve put up with my mood swings, and everything else,” Rebecca said.
“I warned him that if he didn’t that I would make him be the one to care for the kid at night,” Rebecca said.
“We came to a quick understanding,” Nall said. He opened his mouth to say more when a sudden gasp from Rebecca made them all look. “Are you all right,” he asked quickly.
“My water just broke,” she said.
“Are you sure, then we need, I should, can you,” Nall said not making much sense to the rest of the group.
“Nall, relax, breath, stay calm,” Bri said from where she was. The last thing Rebecca needed would be a hyper husband.
“I’ll go get the doctor, you help her to the med lab,” Troy said pointing to Nall.
“Good idea, doctor and med lab,” Nall said.
“This is the person who is going to share the genes of my daughter,” Rebecca said.
“You married him,” Bri said as they helped her up.
“I must be crazy then,” Rebecca replied.
*****
Ares stood on the bridge of the Argo looking out at the ships of the First Fleet. He could see the Tiger along with the destroyers and frigates that made up the rest of the fleet. The fleet was rapidly expanding. He had recently talked with Pratt about what he wanted to do next. An offensive campaign against the Arbus. If he could destroy the Arbus’ abilities to fight then it might give them time to gather a fleet and head to the Colonies.
The return of the Colonial bound from its mission rejuvenated the original crew of the Argo. Now they had to finish this war before they could head to the Colonies. He also wondered if many of them would ever consider the Colonies home again. They had been away from the Colonies now almost six yehrens now. Time was flying by quicker than he realized. The war did not help.
“Sir, communications from Earth for you,” the communications officer said to Ares.
“Thank you,” Ares said sitting down in his chair. The screen came to life as the current President, Sam Harvey appeared.
“What can I do for you Mr. President,” Ares said.
“As you know today is my last day in office. I wanted to introduce you to the next president, Xia Chang,” Sam said. Another face appeared. It was one of the Far East type people. Ares had met Xai a few times before glad that the man did not seem to be like a few others he had met.
“Mr. Chang,” Ares said.
“Ares, good to meet you again,” Xai said. “I look forward to working with you in the near future.”
“As do I,” Ares said.
“Commander,” his attention was caught by the breathless voice of Bri.
“Excuse me a moment,” Ares said turning to see what Bri wanted. “Yes?”
“You wanted to know when Becca was in labor, well it started,” Bri said.
“Then I probably won’t see Nall for a while then,” Ares said.
“No, I think he’s going to be busy for a while. Unless we’re attacked Troy gave him some time off,” Bri told Ares.
“Good,” he replied. He knew that a lot of people were excited about the birth especially those who knew where the Argo had come from. “I hope to be by sometime after their baby is born.
“I think they would like that commander,” Bri said. She walked off the bridge to head back to med lab.
“What is the status of the fleet,” Ares asked.
“Everything shows that conditions are at yellow,” the reply came.
“Good, I’ll be in my office then down at med lab in case anyone needs me,” Ares finally said.
With that he left the bridge in the capable hands of the bridge crew.
*****
Troy waited with Bri as Doctor Gravin and Nall went to where Rebecca was. Too many people might become too much for such an event.
“Wonder how long it will take,” she asked.
“Well, some births can take a long time, others really quick. Its hard to say,” Troy replied. He thought that the conversation should have been reversed. He should have been the one asking how long. They had been waiting for almost an hour when Commander Ares walked into the room.
“I see that she’s still in labor,” Ares half asked, half said.
“Correct commander,” Troy said. “So far neither Nall or the doctor have been out.”
“Though I have heard a few curses directed at Nall,” Bri said with a chuckle.
“I’m glad I told Nall about that part,” Troy said.
“It’s a good thing too, otherwise he’d be out here,” Jax said from the doorway. “So the tyke hasn’t come out yet?”
“Not yet,” Bri confirmed. She opened her mouth to say something else when a man walking into the med lab caught her attention. Troy noticed the motion and looked over. It had been a while but he did recognize the man, now if only he could remember the man’s name.
“Sorry, the doctor is busy at the moment can I help you,” the woman asked.
“Nothing much, just wanted to have the doctor check on something. I’ve been getting headaches, well I should say migraines quite often lately,” the man said.
“All right, we can start the process and when the doctor is done with his delivery he can see you,” the nurse replied.
“Delivery,” the man asked a bit confused.
“Yes, he’s delivering a baby,” she replied.
“On board a warship, seems like a strange place to have a kid,” the man replied.
“Here you go, fill this out and have a seat,” the nurse said handing the man a paper. He turned and sat down.
“Excuse me, but you seem familiar to me,” Bri said speaking up for the first time.
The man looked up before replying. “Yeah, you do too,” he said. “How long have you been aboard the Argo?”
“Longer than you, but it’s not here,” Bri replied. “But a ship I think.”
“Before the Arbus attack,” the man finally said. “I’m John.”
“John, from our honeymoon, the cruise,” Bri said putting the pieces together.
“Of course, you and your wife were kind enough to offer us a place to sit to eat,” Troy said. “How is Helen?”
“She died in the attack,” John said quietly. “After that I joined the military, was stationed on the Tiger, then the Spirit, and now the Argo.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Troy said.
“It seemed that you were right after all,” John said recalling the conversation so long ago.
“I wish I hadn’t been,” Troy said. “You were passionate about your work.”
“I still am, the ocean is my first love, but if we are dead then I can’t explore it,” John said. “I did find out later that my boss was a clone. It’s amazing that such an advanced race would want to keep others down.”
“It wasn’t just the human race, the Skartians are also homeless,” Bri said.
“Yes, I had the opportunity to meet one of them. Nice people, a bit strange but nice,” John said filling out another line on the form.
Troy opened his mouth to say something when Nall walked out of the back. “Well, I guess I’ll let you all know that it’s a girl and she’s in perfect health.”
“Wonderful news,” Bri replied for everyone. “How is Rebecca?”
“Tired and resting,” Nall answered. “We thought that we would name her Mary after Rebecca’s mother’s name. Come on back and you can see her.”
Bri, Ares and Jax walked back to the waiting room to see the latest person of their family. Troy remained behind for a bit longer.
“Hope the doctor finds out what’s wrong,” Troy said.
“So do I,” John said. “I’ll see you around. Perhaps you can continue our conversation we had so long ago.”
“Sounds good, as long as you tell me what you know about the ocean,” Troy said.
“I think I could do that.”
*****
Keela walked up to the president. Xai Chang looked up to see who was in the office.
“Come in please,” Xai said. Sam looked up as well noticing the Skartian.
“Thank you Mr. President,” the alien said.
“What can we do for you,” Sam asked. He had been working with Xai in the transition between presidents.
“Actually I wanted to talk to you about something. My people wish to thank you for your hospitality,” Keela said.
“Why do I hear a but coming,” Sam said.
“Several of my people have expressed a desire to go home,” Keela said. “I’m asking for your help.”
Sam sat back and looked over at Xai. This would be a decision between the two presidents, the council and of course Commander Ares.
“It sounds like a reasonable longing. I suggest we take this up to the council, and the military. The military will be the ones who will know more if we can or cannot undertake such an operation,” Xai said.
“Then I will, I didn’t want to cause any problems, it’s just, well,” Keela went silent trying to find the words to say.
“You miss your home, the smells, tastes, and everything else that goes with it,” Sam said.
“Yes, we do,” Keela replied. “You do understand.”
“We try hard to understand everyone,” Xai said. Everyone knew that a discussion would be the next step.
*****
Ares glanced down at the baby girl in Rebecca’s arms. He wondered what his life would have been like had he married. He had one true love, Casandra, back in the academy. She had wanted to get married, but he wanted to wait a few more yehrens. As fate would have it she had been killed in her first mission. Pushing the though aside he turned when he heard his name.
“Commander, there is a message for you from the president,” Gavin said.
“Thank you, by the way, have you looked at the other crewmember, John I believe his name was,” Ares said.
“Yes, I have, poor fellow, I think the stress is getting to him,” Gavin said.
“Combat stress,” Ares asked.
“Yes sir,” Gavin replied.
“Thank you doctor,” Ares said walking out of the room heading to his office. Once there he activated the screen waiting to see the president appear. Xai Chang’s face appeared calm so that meant nothing bad had happened.
“Mr. President,” Ares said.
“Commander Ares, we have a new development down here that I would like your input on,” Xai said.
“All right,” Ares replied wondering what type of situation they would need his input.
“Keela came to us a few minutes ago with a proposition,” Xai said.
“Really, what type of proposition,” Ares asked.
“Well, it seems that he would like for us to consider free his homeworld,” Xai said.
“Free his homeworld, interesting,” Ares said. “In other words he wants us to go on an offensive?”
“Yes, I wanted to get the military’s opinion on such an operation and the protection of Earth,” Xai asked.
“Well, let me look into this and get back to you,” Ares said. “I’ll have to talk to Commander Pratt, and Peter to see how far along the Orion is.”
“Understood commander, how long do you think you need before you will know?”
“Give me a day to prepare,” Ares asked.
“Then I’ll schedule a meeting with the security council for a meeting in two days,” Xai replied.
“I’ll be there,” Ares said.
*****
Troy glanced out the window. Commander Ares had sought him out after going to the bridge. He learned that Keela had asked help in returning to their home world. Now Troy wondered if the time had come for them to go on the offensive. They might learn a lot about who they were fighting.
Bri walked into the room not stopping until she stood next to him. “Seems like you’re a long ways away,” she said.
“Huh, oh yeah, just thinking about what the commander said,” Troy said.
“What does he think,” Bri asked him.
“He thinks we can do it. He wants to use the Argo and the first fleet,” he said.
“You don’t agree with the commander,” Bri asked.
“No, I just wish we had more information about what their forces were,” Troy replied.
“What about the Colonial Bound, it should be back in a couple of days after a deep recon into Arbus territory?”
“Yes, but the council will want an answer right away,” Troy replied. “They think that the Colonial Bound is already on a deep recon mission. If it returns with only a small area of recon they might wonder about where the ship has been.”
“Didn’t think of that,” Bri said. But what Troy said had made sense.
“I do know that the next generation of battlestars is already being built. They will not have the s-metal, and neither will the next generation of cruisers,” Troy said. “That means that the first and second fleets will be the stealth fleet.”
“What about the fighters, right now only green squadron has the s-vipers,” Bri asked.
“The other squadrons will be given the fighters are well,” Troy replied. “Red squadron should be receiving the next squadron of s-vipers.”
“That will make Jax happy,” Bri said.
“You just have to remember that you can’t take as much damage in the s-viper,” Troy said.
“I know, I try not to get hit at all,” Bri replied. “Makes surviving easier.”
“I know. I’ve watched you fly,” Troy said.
“So are you headed down to the surface with the commander,” Bri asked.
“I think I should be there. He heads down in an hour,” Troy said. “How is Mary doing?”
“Fine, they just put her down to sleep,” Bri said. “I think that Nall is still wondering around in shock at everything.”
“He’ll do fine,” Troy said. “I want you to pick something up for me while you’re down on the surface.”
“All right,” Troy replied.
*****
Ares walked though the hallway on his way to the council. He had gone over what the military could do and what they might not be able to do. He had quickly contacted the captain of the Skartian freighter to see how far away their homeworld actually was. Once he had that information the rest became quite easy to figure out.
“Hello Commander Ares,” Xai said from behind him. Ares turned around to see the new President walking towards him.
“President Chang, how are you today,” Ares asked.
“Quite well, but after this meeting I have some questions for you,” Xai said.
“Really, about what?”
“Something I’ve heard rumors about. I think you know what,” Xai replied.
“I’ll answer what I can,” Ares said.
The two of them entered the council room where Keela waited. Ares nodded to the alien then sat down waiting until it he turn to speak came up. His mind drifted as he half listened to what the president said. He thought about what Xai had said. There were rumors going around about where the Argo had come from. He had not been paying much attention to the rumors, but now he would be able to hear them.
He snapped out of his musing when he heard his name. Stepping up to the podium he addressed the council. He found a couple of familiar faces, Sam and Troy watching him back.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I was asked by President Chang about the possibility of helping to free the homeworld of the Skartians,” Ares said. “After talking with their captain and gaining information I believe that such an endeavor is possible, and perhaps necessary.”
Ares could see the group of council members as their faces showed shock at Ares’ statement.
“It is my belief that we now have sufficient forces to begin an attack on the Arbus. Fighting a war that we are will just not work. All we are doing is waiting for them to come to us hoping that we might be able to defeat them. So far we have, but such a tactic requires us to remain on high alert for long periods of time,” Ares said. “We are only human and mistakes can be made though simple error because a person might be tired or not take the threat seriously. What I am proposing is that this action be part of the next phase of the war. We push into Arbus territory.”
One of the senators stood up waiting until Xai recognized him to speak.
“Commander Ares, how many ships would you require to undertake such a mission, then how many would it take to make sure that the Arbus do not return,” the senator asked.
“Very good questions senator,” Ares said. “I believe that the First Fleet should be sufficient for the undertaking. As for defense it will depend on how the Skartian homeworld fared to the Arbus invasion. At this time it is impossible to speculate on the forces required. But the Second Fleet currently is made up of more ships than we had when the Arbus first invaded.”
The answer seemed to satisfy the senator as he sat down. Many had already seemed to make up their minds. Ares walked away from the podium and towards his seat.
“I think they’ll vote yes commander,” Troy said from beside him.
“It will be different, being on the attack,” Ares said.
“I know, I haven’t been on an attack in yehrens,” Troy replied.
“Well, I haven’t since the Pegasus and Galactica made a deep raid into Cylon territory to destroy the Tartarus shipbuilding faculties,” Ares said. “Shortly after that I was transferred to the Pacifica. She made up the main part of the defense fleet.”
“I was on board the Atlantia for the raid on Gena. My first combat experience,” Troy said remembering the battle or skirmish as it really was.
“I think Xai wants to know the truth about where we came from,” Ares said. “I want you to be there.”
“Very well sir,” Troy replied.
“Then it is official,” Xai said. “We will help out the Skartians as they try to regain their homeworld.”
*****
Troy walked into the office where Commander Ares and President Chang were already sitting. Troy had talked briefly with Bri getting updated with the Nall and Rebecca. Mary was doing fine, but Nall had begun to think about a place on Earth to settle down on. Troy chuckled at that thought. If he had been told upon meeting Nall that the man would be settling down to raise a family he would have said no way. He turned his attention to the current people in the office.
“I want to think you for coming commander,” Xai said. “I have heard some things that I need clarified. First off are you human?”
“Yes, we’re human Mr. President,” Ares replied. “But not from Earth.”
“I get the feeling that this is going to be quite a story,” Xai said.
“Yes it is,” Troy said. “We’re actually from twelve colonies from Kobal. Right now we are locked in combat against a race of machines called Cylons.”
“Kobal, Cylons,” Xai said. “Those names I’ve heard whispered about. One rumor is that the Cylons are the Arbus, another is that Kobal is another name for Arbus.”
“No, Kobal is the birthplace for all humankind,” Ares said. “A catastrophe occurred on the planet forcing the people to leave. At the time there were thirteen tribes, twelve settled close together the thirteenth went separate. Legend said that they settled on a planet called Earth.”
“You think we’re the thirteenth tribe,” Xai asked a bit amazed.
“Yes, but we’ve learned that the thirteenth tribe encountered the Arbus shortly after arriving. After a war, they lost and the Arbus erased all existence of Kobal or any of their history,” Ares said.
“Yes, I have heard that the Arbus do wipe out any memory of the previous society,” Xai replied. “We don’t even know how many times they have attacked Earth, it could be dozens of times.”
“Or one,” Troy said. “But it seems that they attack because they view any race with technology that could compete with them as a threat to their existence.”
“Whatever the situation they have if the Colonies fall the Cylons will be a threat here as well,” Ares said.
“Are they that much of a threat,” Xai asked.
“Take the Arbus, and their actions so far and the Cylons are much worse. So far the one truth we know about the them is they want any organic life form to be destroyed,” Ares told Xai. “We got involved trying to help out a neighbor, that was a thousand years ago.”
“A thousand years,” Xai said with disbelief in his voice.
“A thousand years,” Ares said. “We’ve learned to work together during that time. Many things that seem to trouble Earth do not even warrant an argument in the Colonies.”
“That must be nice,” Xai said.
“But the downside is that constant war does wear on a society after a while,” Troy replied. “I really don’t know how much longer the Colonies can maintain the war without new allies.”
“And Earth is too far away for the people here to want to help I’m afraid,” Xai said. “Too many will see the threat as distant not wanting to do anything until its too late.”
“I’m afraid so,” Ares said. “That’s why we are working in secret.”
“Perhaps when the threat of the Arbus is over we can work something out,” Xai said. “Maybe a force of volunteers or something.”
“Perhaps, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Ares said.
“If you need anything though, do not hesitate to ask,” Xai said. “I watched the Arbus destroy my homeland and if it wasn’t for you they would have succeeded.”
“So, is there anything else that I need to know,” Xai asked.
“Just that regardless of what happens, many of my remaining warriors will return after the war against the Arbus,” Ares said.
“Understandable,” Xai said.
End of part 50