{"id":678,"date":"2015-08-28T12:17:58","date_gmt":"2015-08-28T12:17:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=678"},"modified":"2015-08-29T12:17:53","modified_gmt":"2015-08-29T12:17:53","slug":"voyage-to-earth-the-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=678","title":{"rendered":"Voyage to Earth – The Question"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

The Question<\/span><\/p>\n

Starbuck made his way down the hallway, a bit of anger over the situation. They had failed to catch the man who poisoned the commander, and let down everyone. The one person who had answers for the motive behind the attack was dead. This mean, at least to Starbuck, that whoever was behind it, knew they were closing in or tying up loose ends.<\/p>\n

The resent events got Starbuck thinking about his own life as well, and everything he lived through up till now. The destruction of the Colonies, fleeing the destruction, and the adventures they had since then. He thought about one thing recently, especially after everything. Perhaps it was time after all.<\/p>\n

Walking into the medlab, he quickly noticed Cassiopeia, who was looking after Adama. Crossing the room he made sure that nothing was the matter, and a bit relieved to see the commander talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarbuck, Apollo told me our suspect was killed,\u201d Adama said. The comment threw him off what he had been thinking, quickly recovering.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sorry commander, we failed,\u201d Starbuck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was killed by ithian,\u201d Cassiopeia said quietly, shocking Starbuck.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe might have absorbed it though his skin, though rare, is known to happen,\u201d Adama said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen he might have been working alone?\u201d Starbuck wondered out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he was working with someone, that much is clear,\u201d Adama stated clearly. \u201cWe have a witness who heard more than one voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Starbuck said, remembering all the work they had done recently. \u201cWell, not sure where to take the investigation now. So far the only suspects left are a few council members and their staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve known many in the council, and murder doesn\u2019t fit anyone in there, but times do change,\u201d Adama said, thinking about the council. \u201cWe cann\u2019t ignore anyone for any reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat, and I thought this might be hard,\u201d Starbuck joked, then looked around a bit. \u201cThought Apollo would be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was, but he told Boxey that he would teach him a new game,\u201d Cassie said from where she sat next to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen a long day,\u201d he said to her, though he already knew that answer, and walked over standing behind her. Massaging her shoulders he watched her head fall forward allowing him greater access to her shoulders.<\/p>\n

After several microns he looked up to see the commander lying peacefully, and no one else in the med lab. Taking a breath he wondered, if perhaps, now was the time. He had everything planned, ready to go, all he had to do was ask. Did he have the courage?<\/p>\n

\u201cCass,\u201d he said, moving around to the front, breaking the silence they were enjoying. Kneeling down in front of her and looking up into her eyes he paused seeing her slightly shocked expression before continuing. \u201cI know this isn\u2019t the best time, or even the proper place, but, well, you know that\u2019s not me,\u201d he stated, fumbling slightly with his wording. \u201cBut, will you be my wife?\u201d<\/p>\n

He waited, she sat there stunned, mouth slightly open. Her silence made him doubt the fact she would say yes, until she merely nodded, too overwhelmed to speak, and wrapping him in a hug.<\/p>\n

They stayed like that for several minutes before finally stepping apart, and he noticed tears on her cheeks, as she smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s so typical of you, come out of nowhere with something like this,\u201d she finally said, leaning into him. Starbuck felt relief flood through him as he looked over at the commander, who looked on.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout time you two,\u201d he said, smiling at them. \u201cStarbuck, when you tell my son, tell him I win.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u2019 Starbuck said, not saying anything else. He gave Cassie a kiss. \u201cYou\u2019ve made me the happiest man in the fleet.\u201d<\/p>\n

He then mentioned he would go look for Apollo, wanting to tell him the good news, and left Cassiopeia alone with Adama.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew he\u2019d ask you,\u201d Adama said after Starbuck had left.<\/p>\n

She looked back at the commander before replying. \u201cI hoped he would, but there was always a lingering doubt that he wouldn\u2019t, be a bachelor for life,\u201d Cassiopeia finally replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s a proud man, and pressuring him would have only turned him away. He had to realize what he had,\u201d Adama said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but something I have to work on,\u201d Cassiopeia said, turning to go over some more reports with a bit more bounce in her step.<\/p>\n

BSGBSG<\/p>\n

Starbuck walked into the pilot\u2019s quarters looking around. He spotted a few relaxing. He spotted Jason, before he finally say Apollo, sitting with boomer and made his way over to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what did she say?\u201d Apollo asked when Starbuck sat down, obviously happy.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe said yes,\u201d Starbuck replied, seeing a confusing look on Aaron\u2019s face, but Boomer was smiling for his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course she did, she\u2019s been with you for this long, probably wondering what took so long,\u2019 Boomer stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, she knows Starbuck is shy when it comes to thinks like this,\u201d Apollo said, teasing his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarbuck finally asked Cassiopeia to seal with him,\u201d Boomer said to Aaron and Jason, who looked on with a confused expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, congratulations then,\u201d Aaron said, finally understanding.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, any thoughts about a ceremony?\u201d Apollo asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave that up to Cass,\u201d Starbuck said. \u201cShe\u2019s better at that then I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, now at least we will have some sort of organization,\u201d Boomer stated, smiling at Starbuck.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery funny, very funny,\u201d Starbuck replied back, laughing as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust think of all the broken hearts all over the fleet,\u201d Apollo said in a teasing voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, your wondering days are over my friend,\u201d Boomer chipped in.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah\u201d Starbuck said, but knew it for the truth as well. Ever since Cassie stepped into his life, he knew she was the one, despite it taking some time.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes my father know?\u201d Apollo asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, yeah, he witness the proposal, and he said to tell you he wins,\u2019 Starbuck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou asked her in the med lab?\u201d Boomer said, a bit surprised. Starbuck felt sure that they never expected him to propose that way.<\/p>\n

\u201cDad, I\u2019m ready,\u201d Boxey said, entering the room interrupting any reply anyone might have had.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay boxey,\u201d Apollo replied, excusing himself, as Boxey made his way over to them. \u201cI had a feeling my father would win,\u201d Apollo said leading Boxey out of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that about?\u201d Boomer asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot sure, only that the commander said he won. Guess they were betting about when I was going to propose,\u201d Starbuck guessed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is about time,\u201d Boomer said, giving Starbuck a slap on the shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, sometimes I\u2019m amazed at how long she stuck beside me. Surprised my wondering didn\u2019t push her away,\u2019 Starbuck said truthfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarbuck, have you ever watched the both of you? You were a pilot who looked at every pretty woman that came by, and Cassie was a socialite remember,\u201d Boomer said. \u201cYou two were made for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not a socialite anymore,\u201d Starbuck said defensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course she isn\u2019t, but you feel the same way about her past as you do hers,\u201d Boomer told Starbuck.<\/p>\n

He looked down at the table thinking about everything. He knew boomer was right, Cassiopeia did love him. It stung when she had gone to Commander Cain, but they talked about it afterwards. He finally came to understand at the end, she knew there would never be a future with Cain, and even he had pushed Cassie back to Starbuck.<\/p>\n

Now, they were about to get married, a large step for a warrior like Starbuck. A step he thought about for quite some time knowing the amount of commitment he was making. He wanted to make sure that when he made the commitment, he was ready for it. He knew he was ready when on missions he began to think about her. She gave him the strength to return.<\/p>\n

Starbuck also knew what Boomer said was right. He changed over the years. His relationship with Cassiopeia changed him over the years. He no longer looked around as much, and Cassie\u2019s past never bothered him as much as he let on. They both knew they had past relationships, and with the destruction of the Colonies, their pasts had been swept away as well. He paused in thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoomer, do we have any records of the councilors before the destruction of the Colonies?\u201d Starbuck asked, catching Boomer off guard with the question.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot sure, we can check into it, why?\u2019 Boomer replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing much, not even sure myself, one of those things I\u2019ll know when I see,\u2019 Starbuck said, unsure why the idea of looking into their pasts seemed to right to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can go and check,\u201d Jason said, grabbing Aaron and walking out of the room before his friend could protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cWant to tell me what got you thinking about that?\u201d Boomer asked once Jason and Aaron had left the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe might find a clue about who was behind all this with a background check. Everyone had their pasts wiped clean with the destruction of the Colonies,\u201d Starbuck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think one of them is hiding something?\u201d Boomer asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s worth looking into,\u201d Starbuck said. They both knew it might be a long shot, but anything could be helpful.<\/p>\n

BSGBSG<\/p>\n

Apollo walked down the hallway with Boxey, to see his father. It would still be a couple of days before he was up and moving around again. The poison would take that long to exit his system, and rest was the best medicine after the antidote.<\/p>\n

He spotted his father and Cassiopeia talking as he walked in. He saw that she seemed to be happy, and knew Starbuck\u2019s proposal did that. He made his way in seeing them both turn at his presence.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I hear congratulations are in order,\u201d Apollo said, looking over at Cassiopeia then to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, thanks Apollo,\u201d Cassiopeia said, smiling, standing up to allow Apollo and Boxey room to see his father. \u201cHey Boxey,\u201d she said looking down at him.<\/p>\n

Boxey started to reply when Muffet suddenly went running out of the room. Boxey went running after it before Apollo could do anything. He looked up at the two seeing them both look at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s trying to teach it to be more daggit like,\u201d Apollo said with a grin, then turned to his father. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, should be up and about in no time,\u201d Adama replied. \u201cAt least up enough to perform the sealing ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot if you don\u2019t rest,\u201d Cassiopeia replied, looking at the commander. They all knew who was in charge at the moment, causing Apollo to laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t keep you up, we were on our way past and wanted to check in on you,\u201d Apollo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in good hands,\u201d Adama said. \u201cBut we\u2019ll have to keep our guard up. It saddens me that one of our own is responsible for this. Hmm, always thought I\u2019d die at the hands of the Cylons, not by someone I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019re working on narrowing that down,\u201d Apollo said. \u201cI better get after Boxey before he starts without me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead, they grow up fast,\u201d Adama said, wisdom in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back later on,\u201d Apollo said, heading out to look for Boxey.<\/p>\n

BSGBSG<\/p>\n

\u201cThe plan didn\u2019t work,\u201d a man said, as a woman sat down next to him. She did not say anything for several microns then turned to look at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we\u2019ll think of something different,\u201d she told him. \u201cThere are lots of ways to get rid of people\u201d<\/p>\n

The man thought it over for a few seconds before realizing she was right. The failure only set them back a bit. Adama\u2019s people still did not know who they were, and their only suspect was dead. The man smiled at that thought, knowing warriors were simple-minded fools.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have someone on board the Agamemnon who will tell when the time is right to move again,\u201d he said to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNext time we won\u2019t fail,\u201d she told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we still don\u2019t know how we failed this time,\u201d he said. \u201cDid the poison not work?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it worked, the doctor looked for it,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did he know, unless we have a spy in our ranks,\u201d the man said with a growl in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite possible, but unlikely,\u201d the woman said. \u201cThe doctor was probably doing some training.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter, either way we\u2019ll be ready next time,\u2019 the man said, sitting up straighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the council?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are meetings all the time, and Adama is too weak to attend right now,\u201d the man said with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, time to contact him and let him do some real work,\u201d the woman said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll let him know,\u201d he told her. They looked around again before heading off in different directions.<\/p>\n

BSGBSG<\/p>\n

Omega leaned back in the shuttle, watching it approach the battlestar Hyperion. The construction robots were finishing up construction and would be done by the time most of the crew had come on board. He spent the last day talking with Commander Tigh about how to operate a battlestar. Normally he would have talked with Adama, but he was in med lab resting. With his own command, Omega would not be able to lean on either Tigh or Adama.<\/p>\n

Watching the landing bays come into view and glanced around to see a young woman with blonde hair sitting across from him. She wore a bridge uniform and realized he would be working with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi there, I\u2019m Omega, actually, I\u2019ll be the commander of the Hyperion,\u201d Omega said, not used to such talk.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Rhea sir,\u201d she replied back to him.<\/p>\n

Omega thought the name sounded familiar and thought about it for a few seconds. He then realized where he heard the name.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re my new flight officer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she replied back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeard good things about you from Rigel,\u201d Omega stated, as he realized she was taking his job on the Hyperion, as Rigel was going to the Agamemnon.<\/p>\n

He watched her blush at the compliment as the shuttle finally approached the hangar. Seconds later the slight bump indicated they had landed on the hangar deck. This ship would become his new home.<\/p>\n

He stretched slightly after sitting for so long. He told Rhea that he would see her on the bridge later at some time considering they would be working together before walking off the shuttle and went straight to the bridge. He wanted to see how things were going first then settle in.<\/p>\n

They both stepped into the elevator and headed into the interior of the ship. Rhea got off on the decks of the officers\u2019 quarters, and then continued on up to the bridge.<\/p>\n

Stepping onto the bridge, the activity showed the last-minute preparations the crew was doing to get the ship ready to move. The computers were being upgraded with the latest software to ensure secure communications between the battlestars.<\/p>\n

Omega glanced around the bridge, feeling a bit nervous and excited at the same time. Everyone on board would be looking at him for command decisions regarding the ship. Part of him felt he was not ready for such a command, yet always wanted this position.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommander Omega,\u201d a voice said, he turned to see a balding man walking towards him. He was part of the engine staff according to the uniform, and Omega recognized him from the Galactica.<\/p>\n

\u201cColonel Williams,\u201d Omega said, indicating the promotion of the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d he said, looking down at his new position. \u201cStill getting used to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIi can understand,\u201d Omega said with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWanted to let you know, we should be ready to move out shortly, engines are running with no problems, already tested them out,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, I\u2019m going to go and try to settle in at my office,\u201d Omega said, let me know when everything\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n

Omega made his way down to his office, and looked around. It felt strange to be sitting behind the desk this time. Taking a second to sit down, and look over the room. It felt uncomfortable, but he could get used to it. He had stuff from his old office that were transferred to his quarters. He would have to make the office his.<\/p>\n

He spotted a nice place for the model of a battlestar, and a few areas for pictures. He placed his hands on the desk willing himself to get comfortable.<\/p>\n

The door chimed allowing Williams to walk into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d Omega asked, figuring that he already knew.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything\u2019s ready to go,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get back onto the bridge and get this warship moving,\u2019 Omega said, heading towards the bridge.<\/p>\n

Walking onto the bridge, he noticed everyone seemed waiting for his arrival. The moment to move the ship. The personal waited ate the controls for the order.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell the Eclipse we\u2019re moving out, once we\u2019re clear they can move in,\u201d Omega said to his communications. \u201cNavigation, plot course to exit the asteroid belt.\u201d<\/p>\n

The reply came back the course was laid in.<\/p>\n

\u201cEngines, ahead slow, get us out of here and back to the fleet,\u201d Omega ordered.<\/p>\n

He watched as the crew moved into action. Looking out the viewport he watched as the Hyperion slowly began moving out of the shipyard and headed towards the fleet.<\/p>\n

End of the Question<\/p>\n

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

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

Voyage to Earth by AJ Marks The Question Starbuck made his way down the hallway, a bit of anger over the situation. They had failed to catch the man who poisoned the commander, and let down everyone. The one person who had answers for the motive behind the attack was dead. This mean, at least […]
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