{"id":673,"date":"2015-08-27T12:26:43","date_gmt":"2015-08-27T12:26:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=673"},"modified":"2015-08-28T12:18:53","modified_gmt":"2015-08-28T12:18:53","slug":"voyage-to-earth-a-killer-revealed-a-killer-unknown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=673","title":{"rendered":"Voyage to Earth – A Killer Revealed, A Killer Unknown"},"content":{"rendered":"

Voyage to Earth<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

A Killer Revealed, A Killer Unknown<\/span><\/p>\n

Cassiopeia stood quickly heading over to the door, where Apollo was helping his father into the room. Adama clutched his chest in obvious pain. She could only assume some sort of heart attack. She glanced at the doctor who nodded.<\/p>\n

They helped Apollo bring Adama into the room, laying him down on the examination table. Cassiopeia quickly ran over taking a blood sample to check if ithian was in his blood, silently hoping it wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Sticking the sample into the computer she waited a few seconds for the analysis. She shifted on her feet knowing that time was of the essence. If they started treatment without the antidote they could do damage to his heart, and if they gave the antidote, it could be just as lethal.<\/p>\n

The beep indicated the analysis complete. Looking down she say the spike indicating the poison. Glancing over at the doctor she nodded as he quickly went over the to medical cabinet, unlocking it and getting out the antidote, all under the watchful eyes of both Adama and Apollo, who appeared confused by their actions.<\/p>\n

Cassiopeia made her way back to the commander\u2019s side, where the doctor prepared the antidote. They both knew the antidote could cause a person to react strange, some might lie in a comatose state for a few days while others might be weak as the agents countered each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommander, you\u2019ve been poisoned by ithan,\u201d Cassiopeia said, seeing shock in both of their eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know that?\u201d Apollo asked, as the doctor began administering the antidote to the commander.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was told by one of the new recruits, he overheard the conversation about an assassination by ithian, so we kept our eye out for anyone who showed the symptoms,\u201d Cassiopeia answered, hooking up the monitoring systems to Adama. \u201cStarbuck heard it also. We decided not to say anything for fear the information got out and the person chose another method.\u201d<\/p>\n

She watched as Apollo looked back and forth between them, struggling to make a decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather, I need to go talk to Starbuck,\u201d Apollo finally said, looking up at Cassiopeia and the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, there should be no serious complications, however he\u2019ll be down for a couple of days,\u201d the doctor said.<\/p>\n

She watched Apollo leave the room before turning back to the table and beginning the treatment. She really hoped the doctor was correct.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Apollo made his way to the bunks looking for Starbuck. Entering the room he glanced around seeing several people asleep before spotting Starbuck playing pyramid with Boomer and a few others.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarbuck, need to talk to you now, in private,\u201d Apollo said, no nonsense in his voice, all business. Starbuck looked at his hand then at Apollo before putting it down and walking out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d Starbuck asked once they were alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdama\u2019s been poisoned,\u201d Apollo said, watching as Starbuck registered shock and concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cIthan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Cassiopeia checked for it, said you knew about it?\u201d Apollo said, hoping that it wasn\u2019t true.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the commander was the target,\u201d Starbuck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you could have warned us!\u201d Apollo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow was I supposed to know the target? Think Apollo, we warned the medical labs, the more who knew about it the more dangerous it might become,\u201d Starbuck replied back to him. Apollo glared at his friend for a few seconds before pacing around.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes Boomer know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo we kept the information to the medical staff. I know, I should have told the commander, but I didn\u2019t want to worry him,\u201d Starbuck said. \u201cWith everything going on, he had enough to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now he\u2019s lying in medlab,\u201d Apollo said. \u201cWho does know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAaron and Jason, two recruits, Jason over heard it,\u201d Starbuck said finally.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet them, we\u2019ll meet in Commander Tigh\u2019s office,\u201d Apollo said. \u201cTime for everyone to know what\u2019s going on. Oh, and bring Boomer along as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starbuck didn\u2019t argue, and Apollo watched him go off as he walked to Tigh\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

\u201cApollo, just got off with the doctor,\u201d Tigh said. \u201cAdama is responding well, but side-effects are unknown at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Apollo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor said they knew there might be an ithian poisoning?\u201d Tigh asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we have the person who overheard it coming up now,\u201d Apollo said, watching as the door opened allowing Starbuck, Boomer and two recruits, Jason and Aaron into the office, looking slightly scared.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a seat,\u201d Tigh said from behind his desk. \u201cNow, you\u2019re probably wondering why you\u2019re here,\u201d he said after they sat down. \u201cRemember everything you\u2019re about to hear here is confidential, understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Apollo looked at the two rookies who both nodded their heads.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe commander was poisoned,\u201d Tigh said to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIthian,\u201d Jason said, speaking up. Everyone\u2019s eyes went to him. \u201cI-I overheard someone in the landing bay talking about using it against someone, but they never said who.\u201d He looked back and forth between everyone with a worried expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe told us while we ate, that\u2019s how come she and the medical staff was looking for it. I made the decision not to tell anyone else,\u201d Starbuck said and Apollo could see the look of relief on Jason\u2019s face as Starbuck took the blame.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid they ever say who the target was?\u201d Tigh asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see anyone?\u201d Boomer asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but I did bump into someone just before entering the cafeteria who sounded like one of the men, but never saw any of their faces,\u201d Jason answered honestly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a brief glance at the guy\u2019s face, nothing special about him, a bit gruff and tall, but,\u201d Aaron trailed off.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we have one person who heard their voices, another who might have seen the suspect, wonderful,\u201d Apollo said with sarcasm in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had worse,\u201d Starbuck said. \u201cAt least we had a warning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can use this to our advantage,\u201d Tigh said. \u201cFirst off, we don\u2019t announce that the commander\u2019s been poisoned, but suffered a heart attack. It will take a couple of days for the antidote to counter the poison, and they\u2019ll think the poison\u2019s working.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we can watch anyone who might seem suspicious,\u201d Apollo said, knowing they had an investigation on their hands. Announcing the truth would only hurt their efforts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know Cassie will go along, and the doctor probably will as well,\u201d Starbuck said. Apollo knew they would as well, Adama was a father figure for both of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to give them another chance,\u201d Apollo said finally. \u201cI also don\u2019t want Athena to be concerned, she\u2019s already under a lot of pressure with all the moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll keep an eye on her,\u201d Boomer said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, so I\u2019ll be taking command of the fleet for now, that would have been normal under this situation anyways,\u201d Tigh said. \u201cYou five are in charge of the investigation, be discreet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can do that,\u201d Jason said, looking over at Aaron who agreed. They were the ones who might be able to link the attempted killers to the crime.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you feeling commander?\u201d Cassiopeia asked, looking over his vitals.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike a battlestar ran over me, and I have a feeling I\u2019m going to be like this for a while,\u201d Adama replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re lucky that someone overheard a conversation which had us looking for the poison. If not, it would not have been pretty,\u201d Cassiopeia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got many enemies in the fleet, as well as allies, though to think they would go so far. I\u2019ll need to speak to Commander Tigh as soon as he has a spare moment before all of this gets out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll inform him, but in the meantime, you need to rest, it will help you heal quicker,\u201d Cassiopeia said, as the doctor walked over.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you should be up and moving in a couple of days,\u201d he told Adama. \u201cI would like for you to stay a bit longer to make sure you have a full recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would have been worse had we not gotten the poison so early,\u201d Cassiopeia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we can use the heart attack cover, and you had heart surgery not long ago,\u201d the doctor said, \u201cI want to make sure there is no damage to your heart, and that will require some tests.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I have any choice?\u201d Adama asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs your doctor, no,\u201d the doctor replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I guess I\u2019m here for a few days,\u201d Adama replied.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Commander Tigh walked on to the bridge of the Agamemnon, his command. That sounded strange to him. The battlestar had arrived at the fleet, and the Galactica was being looked over by the construction robot and then repairs would be made. He had a new duty as well, one he reluctantly took over, commander of the fleet while Adama was recovering. The doctor already said he wanted to keep Adama for a couple of days.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommander, incoming report from Omega,\u201d one of the new operators said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it though,\u201d Tigh said, watching Omega appear on the screen. \u201cWhat\u2019s the report?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Galactica\u2019s engines can be restored, and much of the armor fixed,\u201d Omega said. \u201cAnd the bridge can be upgraded to the others ships as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long?\u201d Tigh asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouple of days,\u201d Omega said. \u201cI wanted Adama\u2019s permission before the bridge was restored.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to him,\u201d Tighs aid. \u201cWhat about the tankers? How are is the refueling going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuickly, we have one tanker ready to come in when the Hyperion leaves,\u201d Omega said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, and that tanker will be escorted by the Galactica when it\u2019s finished the refit,\u201d Tigh said. So far things appeared be going as planned.<\/p>\n

He did some quick mental calculations in his head, and figured all ships could be refilled, including the Galactica, which had the largest tanks in the fleet. They Hyperion should arrive at the fleet next, and last would be the Galactica. It would be interesting to have three battelstars protecting the fleet.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Apollo and Aaron spent time walking around the Agamemnon looking at people hoping to run into the same person he had run into outside the cafeteria. So far they had found no one who looked like him, despite seeing quite a few faces, including some that Apollo recognized and didn\u2019t recognize. The inflow of new people had started.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how does it feel to be more of a veteran compared to the new comers?\u201d Apollo asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo strange, I mean I\u2019ve only been a warrior for a few days,\u201d Aaron replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019re going to be counting on that first group a bit more to handle themselves,\u201d Apollo said. \u201cThat\u2019s because experienced veterans are going to be spread pretty thin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI figured,\u201d Aaron said. \u201cWe\u2019ll be ready for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good, because you\u2019re going on patrol shortly already,\u201d Apollo stated, turning a corner and passing another group.<\/p>\n

Aaron glanced back recognizing a face. \u201cWait a second, I think the one leading the last group was the one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure?\u201d Apollo asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaintenance group,\u201d Apollo said, looking back as well to get a better look at the group. \u201cLet\u2019s go see Boomer and Jolly.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two quickly made their way down to the hangar, seeing the two walking towards them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s your father?\u201d Boomer asked as they got close.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe might have a lead,\u201d Apollo said, watching them both nod their heads. Most of the trusted warriors knew what happened and were in on the investigation covering for Starbuck and Apollo.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Boomer said, looking around the corridor. Jolly walked down to the end and shook his head no and remained there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Zaron is involved,\u201d Apollo said. \u201cKeep an eye on him to see what happens next. Commander Tigh will be giving an update on the condition of my father, stating he had a heart attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think he\u2019ll try something?\u201d Boomer asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr contact whoever is behind it,\u201d Apollo said, hoping to capture the brains behind the operation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, we can do that,\u201d Boomer said, giving Apollo a slap on the shoulder before heading onto Jolly who had remained watching for anyone coming. Apollo looked over at Aaron.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, come on kid, time to get your wings,\u201d Apollo said. They continued on down to the hangar for Aaron\u2019s first flight. He felt both excited and scared about the prospect for his first time.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Aaron made his way around the viper, looking it over. He would be flying a brand new viper, and he hoped it checked out. The hangar crew had gone over it, checking everything and pronounced it ready to go after some tests. He still felt a bit nervous at the thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cNervous?\u201d Apollo asked, causing Aaron to look over.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, yeah,\u201d Aaron said, looking over at the gleaming white of the viper.<\/p>\n

\u201cThought so, it\u2019s expected,\u201d Apollo said. \u201cJust wait, you\u2019ll get out there and be amazed at it all, and wont\u2019 want to come land.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aaron climbed into the viper as Apollo went off to his. The deck crew handed him his helmet and wished him luck. Going over everything in his mind as he watched the canopy close and seal. Starting up the engines he heard them come to life as the crews moved away.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll set?\u201d Apollo\u2019s voice asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs set as ever,\u201d Aaron said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCore command to viper patrol,\u201d Aaron heard his sister\u2019s voice say. Apollo replied back first causing Aaron to remember had to say something as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cPatrol five two ready,\u201d Aaron said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCore command transferring launch control to patrol five, launch when ready,\u2019 Rhea\u2019s voice said, all business.<\/p>\n

Aaron released a breath, watching Apollo\u2019s viper vanish down the launch tube. He pressed the turbos and accelerated out the tube. It was a blur and suddenly he found himself out in space.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa,\u201d he said to himself, surprised at how beautiful space really was.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay sharp,\u201d Apollo\u2019s voice said. Aaron maneuvered his viper in behind Apollo\u2019s. \u201cReady to patrol?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Aaron replied, staying behind Apollo still taking a moment to look around at the ships in a way he never had experienced before.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a short patrol, to get you used to it,\u201d Apollo said, as they moved away from the fleet. He looked one last time at the Agamemnon and realized he passed his old ship. He paused and wondered if anyone on board had seen them fly by. An odd thought to have the roles reversed. Pushing the thought aside he concentrated on his flying.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Boomer and Jolly walked past the janitorial room, glancing inside as they went looking for a certain person. They were trying to find him before any announcement from tight was made. He wanted to be able to watch what happened, if the man panicked or tried to contact anyone else, or someone else tried to contact him.<\/p>\n

Jolly found him first, giving Boomer a poke and a nod over towards the man. They moved back and tried to blend in, making it look like they were relaxing. Boomer watched as the report came on over the intercom and a report about Commander Adama\u2019s condition. He suffered a heart attack, and resting comfortably.<\/p>\n

Boomer watched the man stiffen at the last part of the news. It was obvious to anyone paying attention the last bit of news did not making him pleased. He watched Zaron glance around at the others before moving away.<\/p>\n

Boomer and Jolly quickly followed maintaining some distance but kept him in sight. They wanted to capture him, not scare him off, and if possible, see who else was involved. Boomer wished Apollo was here, but they couldn\u2019t skip out on patrol duty, it might tip off whoever they were after, and they might get nervous about it.<\/p>\n

They made it down a few more corridors before he saw a familiar face walking towards them the opposite way, Jason. Without saying anything Boomer pulled him along with him shushing him before he could protest anymore. Fortunately Jason stayed quiet, and realized what was going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think that\u2019s the guy?\u201d Jason whispered to them as Zaron stepped into a room.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the one Apollo mentioned to us,\u201d Boomer said.<\/p>\n

Boomer looked over to see the man calling someone. After a brief, quiet, heated discussion Zaron walked out with angry determined strides. He moved to a maintenance room and tossed something in the trash. Boomer realized he probably was destroying any evidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cJason, you stay here, guard that, don\u2019t\u2019 let anyone destroy it, Jolly, continue following our guy there, though I think he\u2019s heading back to the rec room,\u201d Boomer said, to Jolly and Jason, then headed over to the communicator.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommander Tigh, Boomer here,\u201d Boomer said, waiting a second until Tigh answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoomer, what do you need?\u201d Tigh asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need some people to some down here to the trash in corridor six, our target decided to get rid of some of the evidence, Jason\u2019s guarding it and Jolly\u2019s following the target,\u201d Boomer said.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight, I\u2019ll send Starbuck your way,\u201d Tigh replied.<\/p>\n

They only had to wait a few seconds before Starbuck appeared with Cassiopeia. Walking over to the trash bin they watched Cassiopeia retrieve a small item in the trash.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get this back to medlab quickly,\u201d she said, wrapping it up in a tamper proof package for testing. \u201cAnd we can lift some fingerprints as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think this will help the case?\u201d Jason asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should,\u201d Starbuck replied, as they all walked towards the medlab. \u201cWhat about whoever put this there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJolly\u2019s following him,\u201d Boomer replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Starbuck replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe also made a call, we might be able to trace it as well,\u201d Boomer said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps, but so many calls in the fleet, it might be hard,\u201d Starbuck replied.<\/p>\n

Reaching the lab Cassiopeia quickly tested the vial for anything. It only took a few minutes for the test to come back positively.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we now have a suspect,\u201d Starbuck said.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is better than nothing,\u201d Tigh said to the group, listening the report from Boomer and Starbuck. They had some information, but still so little, including who might have been behind the attack. It seemed unlikely that one maintenance man would be responsible for the attempt on Adama\u2019s life. \u201cAny luck on the communications?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only thing we have is went to the Hilos. We have a list of people on board,\u201d Boomer said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut with so many people moving around, that list could be useless,\u201d Starbuck said honestly.<\/p>\n

Tigh thought about that for a few seconds. \u201cI know, but its better than nothing, perhaps we can correlate with who is on board the Agamemnon at the same time Jason was,\u201d Tigh said, knowing it might be a long shot, but the best they had.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll look into it, might give some information when we question our suspect, he might let it lead who he\u2019s working for,\u201d Starbuck stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet on it, keep me informed,\u201d Tigh told them.<\/p>\n

They walked out in thought as Tigh went towards the bridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it wise to keep our friend loose?\u201d Starbuck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe might lead us to whoever is behind it,\u201d Boomer said. \u201cCome on, we\u2019ve got a list of people to go through.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starbuck groaned but followed anyways. They hoped to have something for Apollo when he returned from patrol.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Starbuck walked into the ready room after a few hours of looking over lists. He headed towards a familiar face, Sheba. She looked up as he approached, sitting down at her table.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s going on around here?\u201d she asked, looking right at him, her voice a whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Starbuck replied back, not wanting to give away too much information, and looked around at the group in the room. Most were veteran pilots, most from the Pegasus.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve heard strange rumors, Adama\u2019s health isn\u2019t as good as Tigh said it was,\u201d Sheba said, looking at him directly. \u201cWhat\u2019s the real story? How is he really, we all want to know. I even went to ask Cassiopeia, but she said nothing, which makes me even more worried.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starbuck drummed his fingers on the table for a second before breaking down a bit. \u201cAll right, but keep this quiet,\u201d he said, looking around the room. \u201cThe commander was poisoned,\u201d he said, he noticed a few nearby Silver Spar pilots looked on in shock at his words, obviously listening in. \u201cWe don\u2019t know who is behind it yet, but we need it to be quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Sheba asked quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got the poison in time, but he needs rest, we\u2019re looking for who did it,\u201d Starbuck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything I can do to help?\u201d Sheba asked as Starbuck stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, actually, yeah, you can,\u201d Starbuck replied. \u201cCome on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sheba stood and Starbuck looked at the few who had listened in who quickly went back to other things, making it seem like they did not hear.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard nothing,\u201d Sheba said to them before they walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, where\u2019s Bojay?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting ready for patrol with another recruit, believe his name is Cronus,\u201d Sheba said. Starbuck nodded, recognizing the name from the recruits.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are we going?\u201d Sheba asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo check on our suspect,\u201d Starbuck said. \u201cJolly was keeping an eye on him, but he\u2019s scheduled to teach, can\u2019t miss that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sheba nodded as they walked down the hallway. Starbuck stopped by a door, seeing a person lying on the floor in the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrak,\u201d he exclaimed, racing over to the body, checking for a pulse.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Starbuck said with disgust. \u201cLooks like someone beat us to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starbuck looked around seeing no sign of a struggle.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d a voice asked from behind them. They turned to see another maintenance worker enter the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see anyone walk past you on your way here?\u201d Starbuck asked, watching him shake his head no.<\/p>\n

Starbuck had a sinking feeling in his stomach, as he called for the doctor before turning to Sheba.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you recall anyone walking past us?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it was quiet, almost too quiet,\u201d Sheba said.<\/p>\n

It did not take long until the doctor arrived, pronounced him dead from what appeared to be a heart attack. They shared a look but said nothing with others so close by.<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor guy,\u201d the worker said, as Starbuck and Sheba finally made their way out of the room.<\/p>\n

Starbuck watched Sheba head off back to the rec room while he went back to inform the others. He had a strong suspicion Ithian was involved in Zaron\u2019s death. The poison had to be ingested though, not absorbed through the skin. Now their one lead seemed to have vanished.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Aaron gently lined up the viper with the landing bay. The entire patrol had been a wonderful experience, and he forgot the problems awaiting them back at the fleet. Of course running though a host of situations they might come across while on patrol had kept him occupied, including an attack run on an asteroid.<\/p>\n

He learned quite a bit, including some stuff he hoped would save his life in real combat. He was determined to learn everything he could from his instructors, as one never knew when they might come across a dangerous situation. He did want to stay out in space and look around, much like Apollo said he would. The ability to control where one was going gave him a greater sense about the universe.<\/p>\n

He looked over the glowing engines of the Agamemnon as he approached the landing bay. This was the ship he wanted to serve on. The first ship he really felt at home on. He had a feeling that Apollo and several other veterans would go back to the Galactica.<\/p>\n

Touching down on the deck he came to a stop without any problems. Maintenance crews rushed forward as he disembarked and they moved the viper over to the slot. There they would check it out, make sure nothing broke during the mission and maintain it for the next mission.<\/p>\n

He turned his helmet over to a nearby crewmember and told the head chief he noticed nothing wrong during the flight. The chief nodded as Aaron made his way over to where Apollo waited.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how was it?\u201d Apollo asked, as they both stepped on the lift.<\/p>\n

\u201cExciting. You get to see more in a viper than a shuttle,\u201d Aaron replied, as the lift took them away from the hangar of the Agamemnon and into the interior of the ship.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue, but then again you need that in a fight,\u201d Apollo said. \u201cYou\u2019ll be wishing you had more eyes in a battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I was able to get a better look a most of the ships, some are beautiful, like the Rising Star,\u201d Aaron said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue,\u201d Apollo said, as the lift stopped allowing them off. They walked down and entered a room seeing Boomer and Jason looking over papers and talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a seat,\u201d Boomer said, motioning for them to have a seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up with this?\u201d Apollo asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe tailed that guy like you wanted, and he made a call to another ship, the Hilos, and we\u2019re going through passenger lists of the Hilos for that time and the Agamemnon when Jason overheard the conversation for anyone who shows up on both,\u201d Boomer said to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d Apollo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly problem, quite a few of the council went to the Hilos when the Galactica was moving away from the fleet, and some shuttled back and forth between the Agamemnon and the Hhilos,\u201d Boomer said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow big of a list?\u201d Apollo asked, knowing that the council members had their own staff which went with them.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty-three people, including five council members, most are their staff as well,\u201d Jason said.<\/p>\n

Starbuck walked into the room looking sullen. They all turned to him wondering what had happened for such a long face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, seems like our friend was killed before we could arrest him,\u201d Starbuck told them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d Apollo asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever it was, it was designed to look natural, but the doc is going to look for anything that might point to foul play, we suspect ithian as well,\u201d Starbuck said. \u201cNo one saw anything either. We passed no one on our way to him, and none of the other workers saw anything either. Sheba and I found him on the floor, already dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeeps getting better and better,\u201d Apollo said. \u201cBut, we do know someone is behind all of this, and our friend probably knew who it was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were nervous enough to kill him, so they know we\u2019re on their trail,\u201d Starbuck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHas anyone said anything to someone?\u201d Apollo asked, looking at the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cSheba knew something was wrong, from the tone Commander Tigh used,\u201d Starbuck said. \u201cSo, whoever is behind it could have panicked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aaron did not like where this conversation seemed to be going.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen they probably won\u2019t make another attempt on father\u2019s life, at least for now. Probably wait again, who knows how long they were waiting before striking this time,\u201d Apollo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we do have five members of the council, and their staff,\u201d Aaron said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a group we can just go up to and accuse of attempted murder\u201d Starbuck murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have duties to attend to, and we\u2019ll keep a low profile for the next couple of days,\u201d Apollo said. \u201cI\u2019ll give the list to Tigh and see if he knows anything, and can keep an eye on the group better than we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

They continued to look a the lists, even as Apollo excused himself to visit his father, with Starbuck going along with him to visit Cassie.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about something to eat?\u201d Boomer said. \u201cI\u2019m starving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good, I\u2019ve been on patrol for a while,\u201d Aaron answered. They sealed up the lists and made their way to the cafeteria.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

\u201cThe job\u2019s done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent. We\u2019ll lay low for a while, after all Adama\u2019s son will be looking for another attack soon. Wait for my orders before doing anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

The communications line went dead leaving one person musing in the dark room. \u201cVery soon Adama. You are not safe, and with you out of the way the next couple of days, I can accomplish part of my mission. I will run this fleet, and soon!\u201d<\/p>\n

End A Killer Revealed, A Killer Unknown.<\/p>\n

Continued in The Question<\/a><\/p>\n

Comment below or send to AJMarks01@aol.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Voyage to Earth by AJ Marks A Killer Revealed, A Killer Unknown Cassiopeia stood quickly heading over to the door, where Apollo was helping his father into the room. Adama clutched his chest in obvious pain. She could only assume some sort of heart attack. She glanced at the doctor who nodded. They helped Apollo […]
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