Armageddon

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Armageddon A book of the Richard Hatch line
Book No.	1
Author(s)	Richard Hatch Christopher Golden
Adaptation of
No. of Pages	{{{pages}}}
Published	August 1, 1997
ISBN	0671011693
Chronology
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None	Armageddon	Warhawk
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Armageddon is the first novel in Richard Hatch's continuation series, published 1997.

Twenty years after the fall of the colonies, the Fleet has long since left the Cylons behind. Or have they? As Commander Adama's health fails, Starbuck and Apollo encounter Cylons on a recon patrol. Starbuck is shot down and seemingly killed.

Soon after, Adama dies and Apollo is left in temporary command of the Fleet. But a Cylon fleet is closing in and the evil of Count Iblis is rising once more. He also faces internal strife and a nagging certainty that Starbuck isn't dead.

Summary

Chapter 1

The Scarlet Viper's scanners pick up Binary 13, a dual-star system where each sun has several orbiting planets. Captain Starbuck and Lieutenant Commander Apollo are investigating the system. Apollo is piloting a Scarlet Viper. As they approach Binary 13, Apollo wakens Starbuck from his sleep period.

Starbuck reveals that he spent two cycles aboard Rising Star winning at games of pyramid. He brought himself ambrosa, which earns a friendly chiding from Apollo, who jokes that he'd "hate to report [Starbuck] for launching while altered".

Apollo explains that Ochoa is their target, describing the extraordinary nature of the planet. Starbuck voices concern about the potential instability of the planet, despite the fact that the sensors do not detect seismic disturbances. He makes a crack about recon missions not usually "risking my neck".

Apollo replies that Starbuck risks his neck every time he flirts, plays triad with the cadets, cheats at pyramid, or launches "that antique Viper" of his. Starbuck retorts that his ship has kept him alive this long, and he doesn't "need a shiny new toy".

At Apollo's order, Starbuck sends a narrow-beam message to Galactica, informing them that they have arrived and are going to perform a recon orbit of Ochoa before landing on the planet. After a minor course correction, Starbuck comments that he wants the recon taken care of, so that he can continue his "long-delayed furlon," and mentions that he's saved up enough cubits from his last game to buy a bottle of ambrosa for himself and Cassiopeia.

Starbuck also relays that Athena tells them not to waste time, as Adama has taken ill. Despite Athena's plea, Starbuck assures his friend that Adama's fine. Apollo pushes forward, despite his concerns about his father.

The two Vipers are experiencing problems getting detailed readings on the planet. Apollo voices his belief that they are being jammed. Starbuck brushes this off as paranoia, but Apollo believes that they are being jammed, and also assumes that the occupants on Ochoa may be jamming them in a defensive manner.

As they close in on the planet, Apollo gets detailed readings about Ochoa—a planet rich in mineral and tylium resources. It is also inhabited, and he's found the source of the jamming: a techno center on Ochoa's furthest axis. Whatever jammed them has stopped doing so. Apollo orders his onboard computer to broaden the scan of the entire sector.

Starbuck urges Apollo to continue on. Apollo replies that he senses danger, hostility and familiarity. Starbuck replies that he thought Apollo was "done with that mystical feldergarb"; Apollo briefly retorts that his intuition is neither "feldergarb" nor mystical, but purely scientific in exercising the mind and its power.

Apollo is resolved to warn the Fleet, but realizes he cannot simply send a message that could be traced back to the Fleet's location. As they continue their approach, they are attacked by a phalanx—twelve—Cylon Raiders, having not seen the Cylons in the past six years until then.

Apollo is sideswiped by a laser hit, but the shields on his Scarlet Viper shrug it off. Between them, they destroy three Raiders. They make a full-thrust flyby of the planet in order to make a detailed scan of what's down there, discovering that it is, indeed, a Cylon base. The remaining Raiders gain on them as Apollo scans the base.

After executing a "divide and conquer" tactic, Apollo destroys five of the Raiders that pursued Starbuck; Starbuck has taken out three of the four that pursued him. Before Apollo can destroy the fifth Raider, it releases a volley of laser fire that destroys the apex pulsar of Starbuck's Viper. The disabled Viper impacts with the remaining lone Raider, destroying the Raider in the process and allowing Ochoa's gravitational pull to grab hold of Starbuck's Viper, dragging it into the atmosphere.

Apollo detects another phalanx launching from the planet, and is forced to leave as he is severely outnumbered. He believes Starbuck to be dead. Within the silence of his starfighter, Lieutenant Commander Apollo weeps and mourns.

Chapter 2

Three weeks have passed since Adama had his first cardiac seizure and the Battle of Ochoa. Since then, he has been in and out of consciousness. Adama is now dying.

Athena is at his bedside, keeping vigil. Others of his family have come to visit, but he is incapable of recognizing or acknowledging them. A second seizure occurs, which results in Adama awakening, lucid and smiling. Apollo and Troy (Boxey's real name) are present during this period. Adama asks that he be moved to his quarters and that they not concern themselves with him, but with their responsibilities to the Fleet.

Adama asks for "Boxey," who kneels by his side, and asks what he can do to ease Adama's pain. Adama tells Troy that "one day, you may yet command this fleet," and gets Troy to swear to him an oath that he will dedicate his life in service to the Lords of Kobol.

After tousling Troy's hair like Adama did when Troy was a child, Adama begins to lapse into a coma, his last response being that of a throaty laughter, and his pronouncement that "the light has come, Athena. The Lords have come. Kobol is so close now. I hear their voices."

Since falling into a coma, he is moved back to his quarters, with Athena still attending to him, during which she thinks about her father and Starbuck. Meanwhile, Apollo and Troy meet with Tigh, who was Adama's president-by-proxy to the Quorum of Twelve, as the members of the Fleet are now fearful because they have no clear line of leadership. After Athena hums a lullaby to Adama, she falls asleep after laying her head on Adama's chest.

Athena is awakened by her brother, after which she discovers that Adama has passed away. Both siblings have a discussion, where Athena claims that "we always knew you were his pride and joy," which Apollo dismisses, claiming that she was both a soldier and born diplomat, traits that their father greatly admired in her.

After consoling one another, they leave to tend to the needs of the Fleet, but before doing so Apollo tells his father that he can now rest, and that his great burden has been lifted.

At Adama's private wake, his immediate family, in addition to Tigh, Cassiopeia, Boomer, and Cassiopeia and Starbuck's daughter, Dalton, pay their respects before the funeral. Caprican burial tradition stipulates that the immediate family of the deceased would attend in a private wake-like ceremony prior to the funeral.

After they pay their respects, Cassiopeia tells Athena that Adama gave her more support, understanding and encouragement than her own father did, and offers to do anything for Athena. Athena, however, changes the subject, first discussing Dalton and how she graduated from the academy early, making her the youngest graduate and Colonial Warrior in the Fleet. The conversation turns sour when Athena mentions that Starbuck planned to spend two weeks of his furlon with Cassiopeia. After a heated exchange, Cassiopeia reveals that the reason she left Starbuck many yahren prior is because the "man he was at his core, the courageous and giving person beneath the facade, that man always belonged" to Athena.

After the conversation, they mend fences, knowing that now that Starbuck is dead, there's no need for their rivalry to continue unabated, and that while they may not be friends, they both lost something and that it was time to move on.

During the funeral, Apollo receives many condolences from mourners, and some odd attention due to his choice of Warrior's clothing. As he is descended from "the pure blood lineage of the Lords of Kobol," he "has greater access to certain areas of the brain than other humans," and is thus able to become more sensitive to the emotions of others. It is also the reason why his father, apparently, had been able to be the commander he was, since he was empathic to others' plights. Adama had revealed Apollo and Athena's Kobollian heritage to Apollo ten yahren prior.

As he continues to participate in the funeral, his mind is weighted by command, seeing how it affected his own father. He also thinks of Starbuck, reflecting on their friendship and how, if it were not for Starbuck's insistence, he would likely never have been friends with Boomer. He recalls advice from his father: "Love and compassion are not liabilities, but strengths upon which to draw. A Warrior has nothing to fight for if he does not allow himself to love, and be loved in return."

Tigh, who was voted as President of the Quorum in an emergency session less than a centon after Adama's death, presents an eulogy. After Adama is buried in space, his casket launched through the launch tube, Tigh announces that the Quorum has revoked the state of war and thus assumed command of the Fleet, while they deliberate on who shall become commander. Despite Apollo's lack of diplomacy, having offended members of the Quorum at one time or another, he is appointed as Galactica's Interim Commander, until the Quorum casts a final vote one way or another.

This announcement comes as a surprise to both Apollo and Athena, as neither were consulted beforehand. Additionally, Tigh himself did not consider Athena for the job at all. Tigh hails from Leonis; his people are called Leonids. In addition, Tigh is the only Leonid to have served as the Quorum's President.

Chapter 3

Baltar's basestar has moved to the destination where Apollo's Viper was last seen to be headed. Upon arrival, they have found nothing. After Lucifer questions him on what their next course of action is, Baltar orders that they shall go to Ochoa to interrogate the prisoner. Lucifer replies that this is impossible, as the planet will soon break up by the stars' gravitational pull, and is in the process of being evacuated. Baltar then orders that the prisoner be brought to them immediately.

Lucifer leaves to execute the order when three Centurions, one of whom is a Command Centurion, enter the room. The Command Centurion then tells Lucifer that Baltar is to be removed from command, by order of the Imperious Leader. Baltar is beside himself when, despite the fact that the Leader has spared his life, he is relegated to an adviser position to Lucifer, whom he loathes. While he makes a fuss, Lucifer threatens to have him detained until he can "learn to behave [himself]"; Baltar begrudgingly accepts his position, believing it best for his survival.

Onboard Agro-3, an unnamed person hears a voice claim, in a whisper, that "your life need not trouble you any longer". The person is subsequently killed by an "unnatural flame" and the death goes unnoticed.

On Galactica, a military reception is being held in honor of Commander Adama in the Officer's Club. Troy mulls over his reasons for becoming a Colonial Warrior and reflects that, while he desired to bring Starbuck back to life, he is glad that the Cylons have returned to become a threat, so that he may exact revenge.

While sitting alone in the Club, Dalton waves him over to another table, surrounded by fellow, younger Warriors. He obliges, and upon approaching the table Ensign Roman, then Zimmer, offer their condolences on his grandfather's loss. Troy and Dalton then leave the table, heading toward a table occupied by Majors Boomer and Sheba, with whom they share a toast to their late commander.

Dalton and Troy head off to the side, where they discuss Apollo's appointment as Interim Commander of Galactica. She tells him that there are people who are vying for their own candidates, and even some of the Warriors are against the appointment, mainly because they believe that this would mean Apollo can no longer fly Vipers.

Dalton also comments on the bloodline of the House of Kobol, and that while Apollo is not Adama, he shares both his blood and much of his wisdom. Apollo then enters the Club, where Jolly offers to buy him a drink. He doesn't take up the offer and moves to greet Troy and Dalton, who give Apollo their congratulations. After Troy and Apollo embrace, Apollo briefly shares his slight concern about his ability to lead the Fleet with his son.

On the bridge, Athena is on duty, mulling over Tigh's apparent snub of her for even being considered the next Fleet commander. Her thoughts are interrupted by Omega, who informs her that Ambassador Puck, a Quorum member, wishes to speak to her.

After Puck makes snide comments about Apollo, he demands the location of President Tigh, as he believes that Tigh may be seeking the "company of his former lackeys". Athena replies that she neither knows Tigh's location nor does she concern herself with the activities of the Quorum's members; she then attempts to offer advice to Puck, who brusquely scoffs at her and cuts the transmission.

The conversation makes her angry enough to nearly cause an outburst on the bridge, which is quickly stopped by Omega. After returning the stares of the bridge's crew individually, she discovers that Cassiopeia has just entered the bridge. Cassiopeia offers Athena an interesting proposal: the female special interest group called the Gemon Matriarchs is willing to back Athena as Fleet Commander, and Cassiopeia will be the one to nominate her for the position, much to Athena's surprise.

The conversation makes her angry enough to nearly cause an outburst on the bridge, which is quickly stopped by Omega. After returning the stares of the bridge's crew individually, she discovers that Cassiopeia has just entered the bridge. Cassiopeia offers Athena an interesting proposal: the female special interest group called the Gemon Matriarchs is willing to back Athena as Fleet Commander, and Cassiopeia will be the one to nominate her for the position, much to Athena's surprise.

Chapter 4

The temperature on the surface of Ochoa continues to climb. The planet only passes precisely between the two suns of the Binary 13 system every fifty or sixty yahren. This orbit might be its last. The massive solar tides are about to finally tear the planet apart. In the meantime, there is no night on Ochoa—full daylight at all times, with one sun on either side of the planet. It is getting hot.

Starbuck has wanted to use his flight jacket as a pillow while he took some rest. But with his tunic destroyed, he is forced to cover his body with the jacket for fear of radiation damage to his skin. Beads of sweat pour from his brow and down his back, but he doesn't dare uncover himself.

It has been at least three centons since the last major temblor, the one that had jostled him out of sleep period. He's bathed in the small lake into which he had fallen, but he is growing hungry and doesn't dare eat anything found on the planet. There is no way to know what is safe to consume. The good news is that, despite his fall, he seems not to have received any new injuries. He has wrenched some muscles in his leg, but the pain has been temporary.

Starbuck crests a small rise and looks down upon the small lake, up at the waterfall and at the shattered remains of the Cylon outpost where he'd been a prisoner less than two cycles earlier. The temblor has caused the bedrock to rupture and the mountainside to crumble down on top of the base, burying it from sight. The Cylons, he reasons, have probably planned to destroy it after launching themselves to safety. But with the planet on the verge of self-destruction, they have wasted no time with their exodus.

The next temblor might well send the debris covered outpost sliding down the mountain in a massive avalanche. Or the one after that. There is no way to know. "Paradise," he says quietly. "If I had a bottle of ambrosa and Athena by my side…or Cassiopeia, this would be bliss."

The mountain looms high above him, the drop precipitous near the waterfall but not nearly so steep even one hundred metrons to the right. Starbuck sighs and begins trudging in that direction. If he has any chance of getting off this godforsaken rock, it lies within the shattered Cylon outpost. This means finding a way into the buried base to look around, no matter the risk. Starbuck reaches the bottom of the mountain, cranes his neck to analyze the path, and begins to climb.

Chapter 5

Galactica's crew and infantry are quartered on a single deck, separate and distant from the lower level where the pilots live, close to the launch bays. Apollo moves along the corridor toward the officers' wing of the crew deck. As commander, he will have to abandon the pilots' quarters, an idea distasteful to him. He will also be expected to don the blue-and-white uniform of the battlestar's crew, but Apollo thinks he might be able to circumvent that protocol since he isn't going to give up leading his squadron.

The officers' wing is deserted; everyone is either on duty or aboard Rising Star for the triad match. A small pang of guilt touches Apollo's heart as he passes Athena's quarters. She is on the bridge, and he does not take his post as commander for two more cycles, which means she will have been on duty for three cycles—a full day—without rest.

Apollo's destination is Adama's quarters. Adama's things have been removed. If Apollo is confirmed by the Quorum as commander, he will be expected to take up residence in his father's quarters. On the far wall of Adama's quarters stands a door that leads into the sanctuary.

Sanctuary—not merely a private room, but a storehouse of Kobollian knowledge and wisdom, a place for meditation and metamorphosis. The secrets of the Kobollian race are passed down to the eldest child only. That is the tradition, no matter how ill-advised Apollo has considered it. Adama has followed the Kobollian traditions religiously, and it has left Athena feeling like an outsider on more than one occasion. Apollo deeply regrets that.

Apollo approaches the door and announces himself: "Apollo, son of Adama and the House of Kobol." After a moment's hesitation, in which the sanctuary's secured computer system performs a unique voice comparison, the door slides open and the room's interior lights flicker into life.

Apollo has been coming to the sanctuary since his thirtieth novayahren. He slides into Adama's antique wooden chair—one of the few such antique pieces left in all the fleet. With a ripple of electronic current that seems to buffet Apollo like a sea breeze, the holo-projector erupts with light and life. A head, shoulders, upper body, blue and white uniform, white hair. The concern-furrowed brow and sparkling blue eyes of his father, Adama.

"Hello, Apollo," Adama says, voice tinged with sympathy, and Apollo's heart nearly bursts with repressed grief. "Father!" he gasps. "By the Lords…" But he knows. He knows. "I'm sorry, son," Adama says. "But if you're seeing this projection, I must be…I suppose I must be dead."

Adama's recording explains that Apollo is to become commander now. He tells Apollo why he must be commander of Galactica—because of his battle experience and because of his Kobollian heritage. The exercises they have conducted in sanctuary would be useless to most other humans. Apollo must be commander because Adama does not believe the battlestar could survive if led by any but another Kobollian, of pure blood.

Adama reveals the history of their people. The twelve colonies were founded by the people of the planet Kobol, but Kobol was not their native planet. The original planet, which the myths refer to only as Parnassus, was the font of all humanity. The House of Kobol were a family of priests who lived in seclusion. The Lords of Kobol spent every moment improving themselves through concentration, meditation, and inner vision. Over long millennia they developed mental abilities far superior to those of other men—chiefly telepathy and clairvoyance.

Eventually, the people of Parnassus spread out to colonize other worlds due to overpopulation. The Lords of Kobol themselves left Parnassus entirely, taking their followers to settle on the planet Kobol. They sought isolation from the strife and conflict that plagued humanity. On Kobol, they dedicated themselves to meditation, learning, and the perfection of their mental abilities. In time, Kobol itself became overpopulated, and the people spread out once more to found the twelve colonies.

But the Lords themselves did not go to the colonies. They left Kobol, searching for ways to evolve even further. They became the Thirteenth Tribe. Legends imply they might have gone to Earth. While many acolytes remained on Kobol, others traveled to Caprica, where Apollo's family—the pure-blooded descendants of the House of Kobol—ruled for millennia, until the Cylons came.

This sanctuary was built into Galactica's design more than five hundred yahren ago, without the knowledge of the other colonies. The descendants of the House of Kobol can, through meditation, access talents other humans could never hope to use. By accessing more of the mind's potential, they can master these mental powers. Adama trained Apollo well, and now Apollo ought to be able to make great use of these abilities as he continues to lead their people toward Earth.

The image of Adama flickers and disappears. Apollo rages at first, angry that Adama had known so much more than he had ever revealed, that the Kobollians had kept such truths hidden for so long. But he knows that his more than ten yahren of meditative sessions in this sanctuary are beginning to bear fruit.

Chapter 6

Starbuck awakens from unconsciousness following his escape from the Cylon outpost. He is running through corridors, pursued by Centurions. He turns and fires back, destroying two Centurions with his stolen laser. When the Cylons had come to his cell after weeks of captivity, Starbuck had feigned worse injury than he actually suffered. He attacked the nearest Cylon and escaped.

During his captivity, the Cylons had fed him infrequently, allowing him water only to deal with his wounds. He had torn his tunic into long strips to serve as bandages. His crimson flight jacket covers his battered torso; his pants are in tatters. The light layer of body fat he had accumulated has been quickly shed.

A Cylon diplomat opens a door, and Starbuck dives into the room. The diplomat begins shrieking to alert other Cylons, so Starbuck blasts the diplomat's transparent skull to shards. More Cylons begin hammering on the door. Starbuck blasts the control panel, then looks for another exit. The only option is the window.

The Cylon base has been built into the side of a mountain face. Out the window is a sheer drop. Below is a waterfall that rushes out of the mountainside, more than one hundred and fifty metrons down to a small pool beneath the falls. With no other choice, Starbuck backs up, blasts the window, and hurls himself out. Even as he falls, he sees laser fire following him outside.

As he falls, the ground beneath begins shaking—a temblor. Starbuck hits the water hard, the air forced from his lungs by the impact. He is under water, swimming down by mistake. His lungs are bursting, he is choking on water. Starbuck breaks the surface, coughing, and pulls himself to the shore. In the moment before he loses consciousness completely, he senses someone nearby, a friend, and mutters "...Apollo..."

In the silence of his father's sanctuary, Apollo's eyes snap open and he gasps for air, gagging on water that is not in his lungs. He realizes what he'd experienced—he had been with Starbuck, in real time, as he made his escape from the Cylon outpost on Ochoa. Starbuck is alive! Apollo smiles and says loudly, "Starbuck!"

Chapter 7

Apollo sits in the sanctuary, attempting to use the meditative techniques his father taught him. He is due on the command deck to take his new position in twelve centons—a cycle and a half. Sitting up straight in the wooden chair, Apollo concentrates on that sensation. With the techniques of breathing and muscle control that Adama taught him, he slows his racing heart to normal pulse, then further still. Eyes locked on the red light on the computer's face, he clears his mind as completely as he can.

Fully two centons pass before his mind is disturbed by a nagging thought. In all the yahren he has trained with his father, he has never experienced the abilities Adama referred to. Perhaps it requires a conscious effort—a target, a question asked, a vacuum to be filled.

Apollo enters a trance state. His eyes roll slightly upward and he reaches out with his spiritual essence. He uses his inner vision, for the first time, to look beyond himself. Instantly, he is overwhelmed by a rush of sensation. Voices, mumbled, images, urges all visit upon him at once. His stomach roils and he feels sick.

Thoughts—these are thoughts, all around him. Yet they are like a tangled skein, which he cannot unwind. Nothing is distinct. But in time he will be able to differentiate among them. Already, he recognizes some of the minds in that cacophonous thought storm. His friends are there, concerned for him. All but Starbuck.

No sooner has the thought of Starbuck crossed his mind than the telepathic maelstrom clears and Apollo has the rushing sensation of frenetic motion. Traveling somewhere, momentum tearing at his fragmented reality. He opens his eyes, but he isn't in the sanctuary anymore. He doesn't recognize his surroundings, but he is running. His boots slap the corridor floor, and he dives to avoid a laser blast. He glances behind him and sees them approaching: Cylons!

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Apollo dimly realizes that he has joined with another mind. Like a parasite, a voyeur of some kind, he is experiencing whatever this man is experiencing. And it is a mind he recognizes. In the secret sanctuary chamber, Apollo could only see and feel and hear what his host experiences. He cries out a name: "Starbuck!"

Chapter 8

Apollo is on a mission to rescue Starbuck, having experienced through telepathy that his friend is alive on Ochoa. Pain tears through his skull as he approaches an unknown vessel. He feels pressure in his head like it is being squeezed in a vise. Even his teeth ache. Apollo's body spasms in the cockpit of his Viper. Then it is over.

Apollo discovers that he has been in telepathic contact with the pilot of the alien ship—an alien being in such great distress it could not even sense his own presence without hurting him. The alien has sensed him. It too has some kind of telepathic skill. It knows Apollo is there, and it needs his help. Apollo grasps the navi-hilt and the Viper veers from its course. A moment later, he is closing on the alien vessel.

The alien craft is oddly shaped, like a diamond with upswept wings. At the juncture of wing and disk, something leaks from the craft. Apollo opens a short range comm-cast and hails the craft. The computer hails on all frequencies in Kobollian, Cylon and fundamental code.

The Viper continues its circuit around the alien craft. As Apollo passes the opening created by the vee of the wings, he sees a green light begin to flicker in the dual tubes there. The green light explodes out from the alien ship, strafing Apollo's Viper with waves of destructive energy. He is under attack.

A vision is forced upon Apollo. He sees through the alien's perspective, piloting its ship telepathically. Three black patches of nothing blot out the starfield ahead—like black holes, they seem to suck away all the available light. They are flat, bent ovals, like Cylon ships, but for their color and a dorsal fin that juts from the rear of each ship. These couldn't be Cylons; they've never had any craft like these before.

A red light burns brightly at the bow of each of the dark craft, tendrils of crimson energy lancing out. Then they fire in unison, a triple blast of devastating intensity. The alien craft turns with the speed of thought, but cannot prevent one of its wing tips from being sheared off. It shrieks in torment and begins to bleed green ichor. The ship is actually little more than thin armor and transport for the creature—the alien pilot is the same size and shape as its vessel.

Apollo snaps his head up, once again aware of his real surroundings. The Viper drifts in space, not far from the damaged alien craft. The alien is going to die, bleeding to death, most of its vessel's systems shorted out. It drifts in space, crying out for help with its mind. The alien speaks to him in his head: "Telepathy? Hmm, yes, telepathy." The alien has plumbed his mind, his knowledge, his memories, and has essentially stolen the Kobollian language from his head.

Chapter 9

Alone in the pilots' quarters, Boomer dresses in silence after a short sleep period and refreshing sonic shower. He is going to fly his Viper over to Hephaestus to have a problem with the canopy mechanism checked out. With the entire Fleet in turmoil following Adama's death, and with Apollo's recon having discovered Cylons in this sector of space, Boomer is concerned about being unprepared.

Troy enters the quarters. Both men discuss the situation, with Troy expressing his desire for revenge against the Cylons for Starbuck's death. Boomer asks what's on Troy's mind, knowing Apollo's son is no better than Apollo at hiding his emotions.

Troy reveals there has been a murder on Agro-3. He and Dalton were there when the body was discovered. The victim is burned beyond recognition. Cassiopeia has already started running tests to identify the body, but has no guesses yet. Troy explains that he figured Apollo should handle it, but he can't find him or Athena. Someone needs to start cross-referencing against missing persons reports, but Troy can't give that order.

Boomer tells Troy that Athena is meeting with President Tigh right now. The reason Troy can't find Apollo is because Apollo has left the Fleet. Troy is confused, asking if Apollo is on a mission. Boomer answers truthfully that he's not sure—Athena isn't telling anyone anything, and Apollo didn't talk to anyone but her before he left. Still, the rumors are already going around.

Chapter 10

Athena is on the bridge of Galactica, where she has been on duty for more than one full day without rest. The holo-system brings up an image of Ambassador Puck from the Scorpius Ascendant. Puck's hunched, pale form sneers as he demands to know where President Tigh is, showing no courtesy or respect. Athena struggles to maintain her composure in the face of his insulting tone and dismissive attitude.

When Athena attempts to respond professionally, Puck calls her "girl" and cuts off the transmission. Omega and the entire bridge crew witness this disrespectful exchange. Athena is furious but knows she must maintain discipline. Cassiopeia arrives on the bridge with information about the mysterious corpse from Agro-3.

Chapter 11

In the med-lab, Cassiopeia shows Athena the burned corpse from Agro-3. Using a microlaser, Cassie takes a fresh cell sample and places it in the analyzer. The genetic analysis produces only gibberish on the flatscreen—meaningless combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols instead of a proper genetic map.

Cassiopeia explains that the equipment is functioning properly—she tested it on ten other subjects with perfect results. Only this particular corpse produces the anomaly. Despite the severe burns, the sample should be adequate for genetic mapping. The mystery deepens as they realize something is fundamentally wrong with this victim's genetic code.

Meanwhile, at the heart of a Cylon base star not far from the Binary 13 system, Baltar stares in astonishment at newly designed armored Centurions. He is buoyed by secret knowledge imparted to him by a dark visitor who calls himself Count Iblis—the legendary adversary of the House of Kobol and, if Iblis is to be believed, Baltar's own ancestor.

Lucifer mockingly asks Baltar if he has anything to say to "his children." When Baltar questions this reference, Lucifer reveals that these new Centurions are equipped with a Human Logic Function—brain implants modeled after Baltar's own mind. Horrified, Baltar realizes the Cylons have been using his genetic codes for nearly two decades to create these superior warriors.

Lucifer explains that Baltar was never kept alive because he was a great Warrior—the Imperious Leader only preserved him to model these new Cylons after his treacherous human mind. Now that the new Centurions are complete, Lucifer orders them to execute Baltar. The Cylons will suffer the presence of humans no longer.

Chapter 12

The Cylon outpost on Ochoa has suffered far more damage than Starbuck initially estimated. Though the corridor through which he gained reentry remains substantially intact, other areas are sealed off entirely by debris from collapsed ceilings. Lights flicker, floors are split by impassable chasms, and small tremors cause the entire facility to shudder and moan—a constant reminder that its dying breath might be only microns away.

Rather than becoming desperate, Starbuck grows ever more resolute. He has spent a lifetime creating his own fate and refuses to simply sit and await destiny. Another rumble shivered through the base—this one feels different, as if its source is not shifts in the planetary crust but some other geological event taking place nearby. Images of volcanic eruption enter his mind, but Starbuck pushes them away.

Starbuck continues down the corridor as quickly as he can manage, searching for anything that might help him escape the doomed planet before it tears itself apart.

Chapter 13

President Tigh walks along a corridor with Ambassador Puck. Tigh explains that he has nominated Apollo for commander because Apollo was raised and trained by Adama, inheriting the kind of wisdom Adama always displayed. Tigh makes clear he's not concerned about bloodlines—he's from Leonis himself—but values Apollo's training and judgment.

Puck stops Tigh with surprising strength, gripping his shoulder. With an intimidating, almost hypnotic stare, Puck questions whether Apollo truly has Adama's natural leadership and wisdom. He suggests Apollo has charisma but isn't about to be the commander Adama was. Puck mentions that the Gemon Matriarchs plan to nominate Lieutenant Colonel Athena, dismissing her candidacy as well.

Puck declares he will vehemently oppose both nominations, claiming neither of Adama's children has truly earned this distinction. They are popular by virtue of their heritage, because the blood of Kobol runs in their veins. When Tigh tells Puck to simply vote against them if that's his position, Puck smiles knowingly, hinting at darker plans.

Chapter 14

In the Quorum chamber, President Tigh confronts Lieutenant Colonel Athena about Apollo's absence. Apollo has left the fleet on a mission of significant importance, but Athena either doesn't know his destination or is unwilling to reveal it. She requests that the fleet leave behind a message buoy and a small fuel tanker so Apollo can catch up, and she accepts the nomination for commander on his behalf by proxy.

Ambassador Puck reacts with fury, suggesting Athena could be incarcerated on the Icarus for treason for her lack of cooperation. He dramatically declares this is exactly what the Quorum ought to do. Athena responds with obvious disdain, and the chamber grows tense.

Tigh steps in, invoking his presidential powers during this dire situation. He places Athena in temporary command of Galactica and all military operations in Apollo's absence. Puck warns that Tigh "dares much," but Tigh responds coldly that he's doing what he must to preserve the fleet's integrity and security.

Puck leaves in anger, and Tigh continues without pause. He nominates Athena for Adama's vacant post on the Quorum, arguing that she is clearly the most prominent Caprican in the fleet with Apollo's absence. He wants to vote immediately.

Before the vote can proceed, Sheba bursts into the chamber with urgent news: the Scorpius Ascendant has declared its independence from the fleet and won't answer any hail until Puck is given command. Protests are starting all over the fleet, with rumors spreading that Apollo is meeting with Cylon agents to betray them. There has also been a murder on Agro-3, with Troy, Dalton, and Boomer investigating.

The Quorum members realize they are dealing with a crisis that could tear the fleet apart. Athena whispers, "Let's pray it's the only one."

Chapter 15

The door irises open and Athena marches into Ambassador Puck's temporary quarters aboard Galactica, accompanied by President Tigh and Sire Belloch. Puck demands to know the meaning of this intrusion, but Athena tells him bluntly to "trank it" and keep quiet for once.

Tigh explains that Athena has been named Interim Commander and voted into Adama's seat representing Caprica. The Quorum is dismayed by Puck's tactics in seeking command. The vote will not take place until the fleet is back in order—they will not be bullied by him or his supporters.

Athena confronts Puck about the chaos his machinations have caused: protests on more than one hundred ships, strikes, literal mutinies, the Scorpius Ascendant leaving the fleet, a bomb planted on the Hephaestus, and Galactica's own Viper crews refusing to work. All these groups demand Puck be instated as commander.

Puck smiles thinly, knowingly, dropping any pretense. "Well then," he says, "I believe we have a mandate, do we not?" But Tigh snaps back that they do not. Athena orders Puck to address the fleet on unicomm immediately, telling his supporters there will be no vote until the fleet is functioning again. Everyone must return to their jobs. Puck is also to tell them that command is the Quorum's decision, not a democratic one.

Puck turns his back on them, stares out at the starfield, and simply says, "No. I will not." Belloch roars in disbelief that Puck's people are tearing the fleet apart, but Puck turns with a sickening smile and says, "I think you know what you must do."

Athena, with support from Tigh and Belloch, orders the Corporal standing outside to arrest Ambassador Puck, confining him to his chambers with all comm access diverted. The Corporal doesn't even blink at the order. As they exit, Puck's sputtered curses ring in their ears.

Sheba arrives with more urgent news: the explosion on the Hephaestus was just the beginning. The Forge's crew has mutinied and announced their intention to leave the fleet. The seditionists are Quorum security forces who are trying to execute the crisis team sent to control the fire. Major Boomer is there, and dozens from the original crew who didn't go along with the plan are already dead.

Athena's fury spills over. "Fools and beasts, the lot of them!" she cries. She thanks Sheba for her handling of the launch and landing crew crisis, then orders her to take two Vipers and a shuttle full of infantry to retake the Hephaestus. "No quarter," she commands.

Sheba reveals there's more: Troy and Ensign Dalton followed a lead from the Agro-3 murder investigation to the Ursus and went into the Pit with Captain Morgan. They have not returned. For a moment, Athena stops breathing—with Adama dead, Starbuck apparently dead, and Apollo gone, Troy is the only family she has left.

Chapter 16

Athena returns to the bridge of Galactica, where Omega provides a status report at her request. They have regained some semblance of peace, but it is tenuous at best—tensions could flare again at any moment. The fleet awaits the Quorum's vote.

Major Boomer saved the lives of nine crisis crewmen aboard the Hephaestus. Everyone else aboard—crew and passengers—were killed. Boomer has been transported back to Galactica and is in med-unit for treatment. Major Sheba remains aboard the Forge to oversee cleanup, restaffing, and to determine how long before the repair bay will be functional again. Besides human life, they lost four new Scarlet-class Vipers and two older fighters.

Protests aboard Galactica, Rising Star, Celestra, and several other ships have been dispersed without violence, though the flight crews still refuse to work. The oddest news is that the prison barge Icarus is no longer with the fleet. Sometime during the height of the confusion, the ship slipped away. It has hyperspeed capacity, and they can only suppose that the prisoners somehow managed to wrest control of the vessel and have now abandoned the fleet.

Athena orders Omega to review all scanner recordings from the past hour to determine the Icarus's heading on departure, then conduct a long-range scan along that heading. If necessary, they will send patrols. She wants to know where the prisoners think they're going.

The Scorpius Ascendant still maintains that it has seceded from the fleet. Her captain, Patroclus, insists he will take commands only from Ambassador Puck. At the mention of Puck's name, Athena's anger intensifies. She is furious with the man for not doing his best to defuse the tension within the fleet—it is infantile behavior, completely irresponsible. Catering to it would be tantamount to simply handing the fleet over to him.

President Tigh arrives with Sire Belloch and several other Quorum members to inform Athena of an emergency Council session. Athena feels the reins of control over the fleet whipping by her, just out of reach. She orders Omega to contact Captain Patroclus of the Scorpius Ascendant and inform him that he and his crew must pledge fealty to the Quorum immediately. If they do not, they will be left with two choices: leave the fleet forever, or be obliterated along with their vessel.

The entire bridge crew stares at her extreme ultimatum. Tigh is dismayed but impressed. As they walk to the Quorum chambers, Tigh observes that Adama could be stern, but would never have issued so extreme an ultimatum. Athena agrees, explaining, "I do not command the loyalty Adama did. Nor do I have his limitless patience."

Omega calls out that they have a Viper on scanners—Scarlet-class, and it's not one of their patrols. Tigh and Athena exchange a glance and say in unison: "Apollo!" Omega confirms they have him on comm-link. Athena tells Apollo she'll meet him in the landing bay, then hurries down the corridor. She is at once elated that her brother has returned alive, and concerned as well.

Chapter 17

Apollo follows the coordinates he received telepathically from Valor of the Sky, piloting his Scarlet Viper through space. Pain tears through his skull as he approaches the alien vessel. He feels pressure in his head like it is being squeezed in a vise. Even his teeth ache. Apollo's body spasms in the cockpit of his Viper. Then it is over.

Apollo discovers that he has been in telepathic contact with the pilot of the alien ship—an alien being in such great distress it could not even sense his own presence without hurting him. The alien has sensed him. It too has some kind of telepathic skill. It knows Apollo is there, and it needs his help. Apollo grasps the navi-hilt and the Viper veers from its course. A moment later, he is closing on the alien vessel.

The alien craft is oddly shaped, like a diamond with upswept wings. At the juncture of wing and disk, something leaks from the craft. Apollo opens a short range comm-cast and hails the craft. The computer hails on all frequencies in Kobollian, Cylon and fundamental code.

The Viper continues its circuit around the alien craft. As Apollo passes the opening created by the vee of the wings, he sees a green light begin to flicker in the dual tubes there. The green light explodes out from the alien ship, strafing Apollo's Viper with waves of destructive energy. He is under attack.

A vision is forced upon Apollo. He sees through the alien's perspective, piloting its ship telepathically. Three black patches of nothing blot out the starfield ahead—like black holes, they seem to suck away all the available light. They are flat, bent ovals, like Cylon ships, but for their color and a dorsal fin that juts from the rear of each ship. These couldn't be Cylons; they've never had any craft like these before.

A red light burns brightly at the bow of each of the dark craft, tendrils of crimson energy lancing out. Then they fire in unison, a triple blast of devastating intensity. The alien craft turns with the speed of thought, but cannot prevent one of its wing tips from being sheared off. It shrieks in torment and begins to bleed green ichor. The ship is actually little more than thin armor and transport for the creature—the alien pilot is the same size and shape as its vessel.

Apollo snaps his head up, once again aware of his real surroundings. The Viper drifts in space, not far from the damaged alien craft. The alien is going to die, bleeding to death, most of its vessel's systems shorted out. It drifts in space, crying out for help with its mind. The alien speaks to him in his head: "Telepathy? Hmm, yes, telepathy." The alien has plumbed his mind, his knowledge, his memories, and has essentially stolen the Kobollian language from his head.

The alien introduces itself as Valor of the Sky, explaining that its people travel the cosmos as individual ships. They are a peaceful race, but were attacked without provocation by those dark vessels—new Cylons with advanced technology. Valor warns Apollo that these new Cylons are far more dangerous than any he has faced before. They possess quantum shift technology similar to what the Kobollians use, but crude and dangerous.

Valor tells Apollo that it is dying, but before it does, it must warn him. The Cylons are coming for the Fleet with these new dark Raiders equipped with quantum shift generators. They will attack from a dimension the Fleet cannot see or defend against. Unless Apollo can stop them, the Fleet is doomed.

Chapter 18

Apollo and Starbuck march down a corridor on the Cylon base star with Baltar as their apparent prisoner. Baltar explains that the Cylons have spent nearly two decades using his genetic codes to create Centurions with a "human logic function" patterned after his brain. Now that they don't need him anymore, the Cylons have decided to execute him.

Apollo reveals they came for the holo-cube containing the star map to the original colonies that sprang from Parnassus. Baltar confirms he has the cube with him, along with other items the Quorum will appreciate. He's not looking for a pardon—just hoping the fact that he saved their lives will convince the Quorum to spare his own "misguided soul."

When Starbuck asks why Baltar is still alive if the Cylons decided to execute him, Baltar drops a bombshell: "I gave them the location of your precious fleet." Apollo and Starbuck slam him against the wall in fury, demanding to know how he even knew where the fleet was. Baltar refuses to explain but insists it's even more imperative that they hurry back to Galactica.

Apollo thinks about Troy, Athena, and Sheba. He knows that against the new Cylons he battled—the ones Baltar calls "his children"—the fleet will be ill-prepared, especially with the political turmoil following Adama's death. If the Cylons send more than one base star, the fleet might be completely destroyed. When Baltar says he's certain "your father will appreciate the warning," Apollo quietly replies, "My father is dead."

Baltar's face contorts with emotion—surprise, disappointment, perhaps even sadness. Apollo probes Baltar's mind and finds only fear and desperation. He decides he doesn't want to look anymore; Baltar's mind is a quagmire of devious thoughts and ugly emotions.

They encounter two Centurions waiting for the ascensior. Baltar haughtily tells the Centurions that Lucifer has ordered these prisoners brought to his chambers, but he has other matters to attend to. The Centurions inform Baltar he is no longer their commander and they have their assigned duties. The ascensior opens and they all board together, heading toward the launch bay.

Chapter 19

Aboard the prison barge Icarus, the escaped Borellian Nomen sit at stations of crew members they recently slew. Gar'Tokk, the Nomen leader, paces the bridge impatiently, awaiting word from their benefactor, Count Iblis. Honor dictates that they perform whatever tasks he requires until their debt is repaid, so they remain motionless in space.

Iblis materializes on the bridge, speaking to Gar'Tokk's mind. The man-shaped darkness seems to surge toward Gar'Tokk, as if trying to break through an invisible barrier. Iblis addresses him as "my ally" and speaks of freedom gained through his kindness. Gar'Tokk tells Iblis he is pleased he has come—the Nomen would like to discharge their debt as soon as possible so they may begin to live again as a tribe set aside from the human cattle.

But then Gar'Tokk makes a fateful decision. He turns to face Iblis and declares: "We reject you, Iblis. There will be no freedom for the Nomen now. Not yet. We will surrender ourselves to the humans, and thus, owe you nothing."

As he watches the red eyes blaze even brighter in the creature's liquid darkness, Gar'Tokk feels a tremor of something unfamiliar pass through him. After a moment, he realizes it is fear. Iblis whispers menacingly, "You have made a very dangerous enemy this day, Gar'Tokk. The time will come when you shall regret it." Then Iblis is gone.

Slowly, the prison barge swings into line with the rest of the fleet. The other prisoners scream and cry for Nomen blood, but the Nomen are savage and well armed. Gar'Tokk stares at the space where Iblis had been and silently vows that he will see Iblis dead—if such a being can be killed.

Chapter 20

Laser pistols crackle as energy arcs through the filth of the Pit. Bodies drop to the dingy floor—wounded, dying, dead. The Colonial Warriors are badly outnumbered by Tybalt's followers, the members of the Serpent Cult. Yet they are holding their own. The cultists are not trained for battle.

One of Captain Hecate's first shots takes out the glaring light that the cultists had turned on the Warriors. Both sides duck into whatever cover is available—behind crates, in narrow corridors off the main chamber, even the shadows offer some cover.

Dalton wishes they had lasers. Troy knows what she means—if they had weapons, they could trap the cultists in a crossfire.

Chapter 21

Apollo sits alone on the dead bridge of the Hephaestus, staring out at the Cylon base star looming ever closer. He knows Starbuck and Sheba are somewhere on the Forge, desperately trying to reach him before the collision occurs. He can sense Count Iblis approaching, and he meditates, preparing himself for the confrontation to come.

The man-shaped darkness that is Iblis materializes on the bridge. Apollo recalls his brother Zac's warning about this creature—that Iblis must triumph over his will and wisdom through deception and cunning, not direct violence. Apollo tells Iblis, "I know you're coming. Though I might not have if my brother hadn't warned me."

When Iblis asks "Brother?" Apollo replies, "Yes, Zac. Ah, but I forget. You never had the pleasure of knowing Zac, did you? He's one of the Lords now." A low growl issues from the man-shaped void, and the darkness convulses. Apollo feels a small, secret triumph—Iblis will not take him unaware.

Iblis acknowledges Apollo is more knowledgeable than expected—"a worthy opponent." He expresses gladness, saying that when Adama died, he thought the dynasty was at an end. Apollo looks out at the looming base star and tells Iblis to make his point—he's going to be dead in a centari anyway.

The blackness materializes directly in front of Apollo, cinder-eyes burning centimetrons from his face. Iblis warns Apollo not to dismiss him so simply, saying he doesn't play "tricks." He offers to save Apollo and the entire fleet—all he asks is Apollo's pledge of fealty in return. Apollo realizes Iblis has seemingly abandoned his goal of commanding the fleet. He remembers Zac's explanation: Iblis never wanted power over the fleet. He wanted only to corrupt the House of Kobol, to taint the line, to tempt the pure-blooded descendants of his ancient enemies.

Apollo asks how Iblis would defeat the Cylons if he agreed. A ragged raw hole, like a wound, forms beneath the burning eyes—Iblis has smiled. "I would not need to defeat them," is the Count's only response. It is enough. Apollo finally understands. Baltar had told them of a man who genetically and technologically manipulated the Cylon race millennia ago, his only goal the extermination of his own race, which he despised.

"I should have known," Apollo whispers. "It could only have been you." Iblis proudly confirms this, explaining that the Cylons are his creatures, his beautiful creations. Like any benevolent god, he has left them to their own devices. They have almost forgotten him, but they are still in his power—puppets, with Iblis holding their strings. In the end, Apollo and all humanity are merely puppets to him.

Apollo declares his belief and his defiance. He knows Iblis would kill him if he could but cannot—either because Apollo is of pure Kobollian blood and Iblis fears what he would become, or for some other reason. Apollo also believes the House of Iblis didn't split from the House of Kobol because of Iblis's hatred. "I think they threw your pogees out of there. I think you were excommunicated. Dismissed. I think they found you unworthy."

Iblis roars that Apollo tests his patience and tempts fate. But Apollo snaps back: "You test my patience! I defy you, Count Iblis. The Cylons have done their best to eradicate humanity from the universe, but here we are! We still survive! And we'll continue to do so. As long as the fleet lives, the Cylons have lost and so have you!"

Apollo continues: "It's happening to you again, Iblis. But this time, it is I who find you unworthy. I dismiss you! Go, now, and pray that those Lords who were once your brothers never falter in their wisdom, or they will certainly destroy you."

Apollo turns his head away from Iblis and stares down at the flatscreen showing the Hephaestus closing on the base star. He can see Vipers and Raiders blasting at one another outside the Forge. Then the base star begins to fire on the massive vessel, and he knows time has run out. A few centari, probably less, and he will be dead. "You've lost, Iblis," he says softly.

The air is suddenly sucked from Apollo's lungs as Iblis departs, creating a vacuum in his wake. Apollo can hear the roar of the spectre's fury, diminishing until it fades completely. All the electrical systems on the bridge short at once, and a small fire starts at the dead navigation station. With the base star blotting out the starfield, the darkness is almost complete. Systems are down, breathing is difficult, and the race is on to see if the base star will destroy the Forge before the two vessels collide.

Apollo sits in the darkness, meditating and waiting for death. Behind him, the door to the corridor hisses open. Shocked, Apollo turns, prepared for some new threat from Iblis. Instead, silhouetted by the emergency lights in the corridor, he sees Starbuck and Sheba.

"No!" Apollo shouts, rushing toward them. "What in the name of God are you two doing here?" Sheba tells him, "We're here for you, Apollo. Did you really think I'd let you get out of marrying me that easily?" Apollo warns they only have a centari, maybe less. Starbuck grabs Apollo's arm and says, "Then we'd better hurry." All three of them run together for the ascensior tube.

Chapter 22

Aboard the remaining Cylon base star, the cognitor Cylon commander called Lucifer stares coldly at a scanner displaying the impending collision between the other base star and the Hephaestus. In keeping with his programming, Lucifer sighs. He opens the dataport on the comm-station in front of him and kneels before it. A long, thin sensorline juts suddenly from his right eye and plunges into the dataport.

After a moment, the light in the clear dome that is Lucifer's brain goes out. The red gleam in his eyes fades. Many parsecs away, in the fourth quadrant of the Cyranus galaxy, aboard a base-star that is home to the Cylon Imperious Leader, new Centurions and cogitators are being created. In a clone-tank, connected by sensorline to the base star's computer systems, a dormant cogitator's eyes begin to burn red. Lucifer has transferred his consciousness, escaping the destruction to come.

"Go, go, go!" Starbuck shouts, leaping into the stolen Cylon Raider behind Apollo. Sheba's Viper hovers a moment, then burns out of the Forge's landing bay. Starbuck watches through the Raider's lowering canopy as Apollo fires up the Cylon ship's engines.

"We're not going to make it!" Starbuck cries, craning his neck to look out the massive bay doors. The base star is right on top of them. Collision is imminent. Apollo insists they will make it and tells Starbuck to get strapped in. The Cylon Raider lifts off the deck just as the front of the Hephaestus makes contact with the base star. The ship begins to shatter and collapse around them. Starbuck winces, waiting for the fuel tanks to rupture, waiting for the explosion that would destroy the base star and the Forge with it.

"Come on, come on!" Apollo urges the ship around to face open space. He glances at Starbuck, who opens his mouth to speak. "Don't say it!" Apollo shouts, then shoves the steering column forward. The stolen Cylon dark Raider surges forth, throwing them both back against their seats. The starfighter shoots out into space, barely maneuvering around falling debris.

Starbuck howls with triumph! "Told you we'd make it!" he cries. Behind them, the base star and the Hephaestus erupt together in a devastating explosion. The Raider is propelled uncontrollably forward at extraordinary speed. Apollo struggles to regain control of the ship. Slightly disoriented, Starbuck glances out at the starfield to find they are on a collision course with Galactica.

"Apollo!" Starbuck shouts repeatedly, trying to get his attention. Finally, he grabs Apollo's head and forces him to look up at the battlestar instantly growing huge before them, blotting out the stars. "By the…" Apollo whispers. "Computer! Engage QSE now!" The Raider phases out of reality and sails harmlessly through Galactica, the two ships occupying the same space—but in different dimensions—for several microns.

When they have cleared the battlestar, Starbuck stares at Apollo. Apollo grins and asks if Starbuck forgot about the QSE generator—after all, Starbuck discovered the thing. Starbuck replies gruffly that he was just testing Apollo under pressure, "to make sure you're fit for command."

Starbuck looks back out at the starfield and sees the lightships that ring the battle scene once more. Apollo has noticed them but doesn't appear surprised by their presence. Starbuck comments that they have real pogees just sitting there watching—a lot of help they were. Apollo replies, "They weren't here to help. They're waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Starbuck asks. "For Count Iblis to make a fatal error," Apollo says, as if it were a completely understandable explanation. "Count Iblis?" Starbuck asks, staring at Apollo. "By the Lords, Apollo, what does Iblis have to do with anything?"

Apollo's grave features split into a wide grin. The grin turns into a dry chuckle, which blossoms into hearty laughter. Starbuck continues to stare at him blankly. "Tell you what, old friend," Apollo says. "We get back to the officer's lounge, and I'll tell you about it over a tankard of grog." Starbuck sighs and shakes his head.

Chapter 23

The twin base stars still hang back ominously, refraining from direct engagement in the battle. Troy gauges the remaining Cylon forces at somewhere between one hundred thirty and one hundred sixty Raiders. There are fifty-one Vipers still in combat. Many of the dead pilots had been his friends, but the battle allows him no time to mourn.

By now, the odds should have changed. In earlier battles, the ratio of Raiders to Vipers had been altered in favor of the Colonial Warriors not long after the fighting began. This battle is different. The ratio has not changed much. The Warriors are holding their own, nothing more. Dalton is right—something has to be done to turn the tide.

Troy barks into the comm-link: "Major Sheba, this is Lieutenant Troy. I've got an idea. Do you trust me?" Troy doesn't want to explain too much of his plan on the comm, as he has to assume the Cylons are able to monitor Colonial communications. Sheba is the highest ranking officer still in the battle, but she is also his friend, and, as his father's lover, the only maternal figure in his life since his mother died when he was six.

Sheba replies, "Of course I do. Just don't get yourself killed. Someone has to stand with your father when we take the Seal." Troy gasps, then his face stretches into a broad smile. "It's about time." A Cylon laser blast sizzles across the nose of Sheba's starfighter and the Viper shudders. Troy cries, "Sheba!"

Sheba replies that she's okay, and her shields held up fine. Troy executes his plan: he orders Sheba, Jolly and Zimmer to draw attention and make a run for open space over Galactica. Troy, Boomer, and Dalton shut down their engines and drift beneath Galactica, carried along within the gravitational field of the battlestar's wake.

When Sheba leads the Raiders over the battlestar, Troy roars, "Go!" The ambush takes microns. The Cylons never stand a chance. But Sheba tells Troy, "We lost Zimmer." The excitement drains out of Troy in an instant, but not the fury. Not the knowledge that, grim as it is, they have improved the odds.

Starbuck keeps his vision focused on the phase-shifted Cylon Raiders. Even in the shifted reality they fly through, the ebony starfighters seem to absorb light and color. They appear as indigo stains on the blackness of space, and that is how Starbuck follows them. In the colorful swirls of the quantum shift, they are fluid darkness made solid.

Starbuck's focus is so intense, he doesn't see the approaching Viper until the last second. Panic overcomes him for a moment—he is in a Cylon Raider, and the Viper pilot will shoot him down! But the Viper flies straight through his stolen Raider. Starbuck is phased, of course. He had been in no danger. Still, the experience makes him wonder about the QSE technology, about what dimension he is in, exactly.

Starbuck watches as five dark Raiders, shifted out of reality, approach Apollo's Viper. But there is something else out in space around the Fleet—observers. In a single glance Starbuck counts ten Kobollian lightships. Immobile. Watching. Other than the Cylons flying the QSE-equipped Raiders, nobody else knows the lightships are there.

Starbuck navigates the Raider underneath the battlestar, where he can lie in wait for the quantum-phased Cylon Raiders. As Starbuck looks at the Raider's flatscreen, a new blip appears—a QSE-phased Viper. Apollo has just launched from Hephaestus. The appearance of the shifted Viper disrupts the dark Raiders' plans. They turn away from their attack course on Galactica and toward Apollo's Viper.

Starbuck fires, and his lasers burn right through two of the dark Raiders. The ships explode in a rainbow of color. Two of the remaining trio of Raiders continue firing upon Apollo's Viper. The other begins to bank around. Starbuck destroys the third dark Raider. The errant dark Raider comes around and angles to get the drop on him, but Starbuck continues trying to get the last QSE-phased Raider that is harrying Apollo.

The Raider firing on Apollo shoots its lasers, and the deadly beams pass right through the Viper—Apollo has simply phased back into reality. The Raider on Apollo's tail also unphases, and the chain reaction continues. Starbuck shuts the generator off and shifts, becoming substantial once more. He tries to contact Athena, who responds, "Starbuck! It's not what you think! That wasn't…" Then another voice breaks in—Apollo shouts, "Starbuck! I guess we're even now, huh?" Starbuck stares at the comm-link, anger rising within him. "Apollo, you son of a lupus!" he shouts.

Apollo apologizes, explaining that it had to be done. All the Viper's systems, including the QSE, were remote-slaved. He packed it with solonite and piloted it remotely. The Cylons didn't even try to stop the ship—they didn't see it as a threat because they never imagined a human would pull a suicide run. Baltar taught them too well.

The keening alarm in the Raider blares in the cockpit. Starbuck stares at the scanners—"Vipers! Three of them!" Laser fire blazes past Starbuck on all sides. The Raider is rocked by several tangential hits. Starbuck shouts, "Hey! Warriors, hold your fire, this is Captain Starbuck!" Another tangential shot burns through his shields and melts a section of his wing. Then the firing stops.

Athena says, "That's got them, Starbuck! You've been identified. Now how about giving your fellow Warriors a hand?" Starbuck replies, "I don't know. I've been known to hold a grudge." Athena asks, "Even against your own daughter?"

Chapter 24

At battle speed, Apollo's Viper collides with the vulnerable column of the base star. The resulting explosion is enormous, far larger than such a collision would warrant. Apollo must have had a payload of solonite on board. The impact sets off the solonite and combines with the explosion of the tylium fuel tanks to obliterate most of the base star. And Apollo with it.

Troy whispers, "Father?" Then he, too, screams Apollo's name.

Starbuck shouts, "My God, Apollo! What have you done?" even as the explosion of the base star sends a shudder through the stolen Cylon Raider he pilots. The Raider is quantum-phased, but even shifted outside conventional reality, Starbuck can feel the brunt of the detonation. He feels sick, and suddenly very cold.

Starbuck shuts the generator off and shifts, becoming substantial once more. He tries to contact Athena, who responds, "Starbuck! It's not what you think! That wasn't…" Then another voice breaks in—Apollo shouts, "Starbuck! I guess we're even now, huh?" Starbuck stares at the comm-link, anger rising within him. "Apollo, you son of a lupus!" he shouts.

Apollo apologizes, explaining that it had to be done. All the Viper's systems, including the QSE, were remote-slaved. He packed it with solonite and piloted it remotely. The Cylons didn't even try to stop the ship—they didn't see it as a threat because they never imagined a human would pull a suicide run. Baltar taught them too well.

The keening alarm in the Raider blares in the cockpit. Starbuck stares at the scanners—"Vipers! Three of them!" Laser fire blazes past Starbuck on all sides. The Raider is rocked by several tangential hits. Starbuck shouts, "Hey! Warriors, hold your fire, this is Captain Starbuck!" Another tangential shot burns through his shields and melts a section of his wing. Then the firing stops.

Athena says, "That's got them, Starbuck! You've been identified. Now how about giving your fellow Warriors a hand?" Starbuck replies, "I don't know. I've been known to hold a grudge." Athena asks, "Even against your own daughter?"

Chapter 25

The door to the Quorum's Inner Sanctum is tightly closed. Representatives from TransVid gather in the huge stellar chamber outside the sanctum, alongside high-ranking officers and representatives from each ship in the Fleet. Near the center of this gathering, Apollo stands, anxiously shifting his stance from time to time. Sheba is on his left, her right arm slung low across his back, protocol ignored as she shows her love and support of the man she is to marry. On Apollo's right, Troy taps a foot against the floor in time with some unconscious rhythm.

Apollo realizes that his son is more anxious than he is. Troy turns and exchanges a knowing smile with Dalton, who stands behind them. Apollo can't help but notice their affection. When he looks away, he realizes that Starbuck and Cassiopeia have noticed the flirtation between their daughter and his son as well.

Despite his anxiety, Apollo feels better than he has in some time. Starbuck still lives in an odd emotional flux between Cassiopeia and Athena, but the two women seem to have become accustomed to it over the yahren. More than ever before, they are, all of them, a family—Adama's family.

Boomer and Jolly are there as well, and the rest of his squadron. Zimmer and Giles are gone, however, killed in battle like so many others. Grief will go hand in hand with hope as they begin to rebuild.

Sheba grasps Apollo's hand, squeezes it gently, and leans over to whisper to him, "I don't think I've ever seen you this nervous." Apollo only smiles. She is right. The odd thing is, he supports Athena's bid for the position of commander. He remains a candidate because she demanded it, but after her performance during his absence, and during the Cylon attack, he knows she has more than enough support.

The door to the Quorum sanctum opens and the Council of Twelve begins to file out. Though with Puck's death, they are now eleven. Athena and President Tigh come last, side by side. When Tigh mounts the podium, Athena stands close by him. Athena searches the assemblage for a moment, and when she sees her brother, she smiles. Apollo finds himself smiling in return. He is happy for her.

Tigh notes that they have begun to rebuild. Already, the Adena has been chosen as their new Forge ship and will soon be building new Scarlet-class Vipers to replace those lost to Cylon tyranny. Retired pilots have offered their services anew, both in action and in helping to speed the training of Academy cadets.

The Icarus has been surrendered to the Quorum by Gar'Tokk of the Borellian Nomen. Despite their actions in the attempted escape, their subsequent surrender and their efforts to return the other prisoners to their cells have convinced them to begin discussions that may lead to the Nomen leaving the Fleet to found their own colony.

Before naming the new commander, the Quorum has asked Tigh to announce that they have elected a new member to fill the position left by the death of Ambassador Puck. In a unanimous decision, they now name to the empty seat Major Sheba. Apollo turns to look at her, his eyes wide. Sheba is quite taken aback by the announcement.

Tigh then announces the new commander. "Congratulations, Apollo," he says. A great roar of cheers fills the chamber. Apollo is stunned. Troy puts a hand on his shoulder and Starbuck claps him on the back. Tigh adds that Lieutenant Colonel Athena, who did such an extraordinary job as Interim Commander, has been promoted to full colonel. She will work very closely with Commander Apollo, so that he may continue to serve the Fleet as a Warrior and pilot. In Apollo's absence, or during a battle in which he is taking active part, Colonel Athena will act as commander.

Apollo strides forward and throws his arms around his sister. Athena holds him tight. "Father would be very proud," she says. Apollo replies, "Of you as well. And I think he would be particularly happy with this arrangement." Athena confesses, "I still have a lot to learn." Apollo responds, "In his sanctuary, we can learn together."

Apollo kisses Athena, and moves to address the waiting crowd. He thanks them, noting that their faith in him means more than they can possibly imagine, particularly after all that has happened in recent days. He acknowledges that they are already rebuilding, but there is much more to do. Apollo concludes by promising that they will find Earth, and that they will survive—together.

Changes

The story picks up about eighteen years after "The Hand of God" so there are some major changes.

• Commander Adama dies in the opening sequence of a heart attack.
• Tigh has now retired from active service and is the president of the Quorum of Twelve after Adama's death.
• Apollo holds the rank of lieutenant commander, having been promoted from captain. He becomes temporary commander in aftermath of Adama's death. During the events of the past eighteen years, he is driven by developing mental powers. He sets out to rescue Starbuck and defeat a Cylon armada. By the end of the book he is made full Commander, on the condition that he can keep flying Vipers.
• Starbuck is a captain. He still continues his maverick ways, although he fathered a daughter, Dalton, with Cassiopeia. Eventually lived with Athena for some years before she threw him out when he asked to marry her. Has bounced between the two ever since.
• Athena is a lieutenant colonel and second in command of Galactica, and she considers herself capable enough to become Commander.
• Cassiopeia had a daughter with Starbuck but married another man, who goes unnamed. She divorced him some years before, though she appears to have reconciled with Starbuck since this. She and Athena still don't get along.
• Sheba is now a major. She is an active pilot as well as pilot trainer, and still believes her father Cain is alive.
• Boomer is also a major, and also teaches pilots.
• Baltar is still in command of a basestar, presumably after being rescued after Adama dumped him on a nearby planet soon after "The Hand of God".
• Lucifer is still Baltar's advisor and second in command, although Lucifer ascends to command the basestar at the order of the Imperious Leader, thus relieving Baltar of command.
• Omega is still in the service.
• Boxey is now known by given name of Troy. He was the youngest to graduate flight school, but Dalton has since broken that record. He may have feelings for Dalton. The only one who still called him Boxey at this point was Adama.
• Dalton is Starbuck and Cassiopeia's daughter. She is said to have her mother's looks and her father's cardshark and piloting skills. It is rumored that she was rushed through flight training because she won everybody's money.
• Muffit II is not mentioned.
• Pegasus is the battlestar that is still presumed destroyed in action. Sheba believes it survives, although there is no evidence for or against this belief.
• The Fleet's numbers have dropped slightly as ships have broken down for good or had to be canabalized to fix another. Some groups have settled habitable worlds along the way. (It is unknown whether the Cylons have found any of them.) There is a movement within the Fleet to break off and colonize the nearest habitable planet rather than go on to Earth.
• The Cylons have not been seen in six yahren. However they are still around and they may be changing.
• Count Iblis has not been seen since the Fleet's last encounter in "War of the Gods, Part II," but for a being as old as him that may not mean much.

Notes

• This series led to a further six books (as of 2006), these stories continue the series and do not hold Galactica 1980 as canon. Nor are they, in and of themselves, canonical to the Original Series.

• However, one of the few things to be held over from Galactica 1980 is the fact that Boxey is the nickname of Troy, who is also a Warrior.

• The rank of lieutenant commander is established. The rank is higher than captain. Apollo holds this rank at the beginning of the novel.

• The rank of lieutenant colonel is also established, apparently lower than a full colonel. Athena holds this rank in the book, having been promoted from lieutenant.

• The word felgercarb is misspelled "feldergarb" throughout the book, with the exception of the glossary.

• A "phalanx" is defined as 12 Raiders.

• Caprican burial tradition stipulates that the immediate family of the deceased would attend in a private wake-like ceremony prior to the funeral.

• Adama revealed Apollo and Athena's Kobollian heritage to Apollo ten yahren prior.

• Tigh hails from Leonis; his people are called Leonids. In addition, Tigh is the only Leonid to have served as the Quorum's President.

• Richard Hatch played Apollo in the Original Series and plays Tom Zarek in the Re-imagined Series.

• The book includes a glossary of terms on page 310, the unique (or different) terms from which are located at List of terms (RH).

• Several new ships within the Fleet are introduced, and notably a few are built during the exodus after discovering a planetoid with resources to bolster not only their resources, but also Vipers and other equipment.

Analysis

• Apollo makes an incorrect comment regarding the fact that the ambrosa waiting for Starbuck has "been fermenting for six hundred yahren". As it stands, unless the Fleet has found another ambrosa refinery like Proteus, there should be no ambrosa over 500 yahren old, since this did not exist for the Colonials of the Colonies, as established in "The Long Patrol".
• The book implies that more than one Agro Ship is in the Fleet, however all but one of the Agro Ships are destroyed in a Cylon attack in "The Magnificent Warriors". That said, many ships were repurposed and rebuilt during the 18 yahrens, and thus it is likely that some additional agro ships were built during that intervening time.
• The life span of a human from the Colonies is stated to be 120 yahren. However, Adama tells Apollo that "our life span, now, Cylons notwithstanding, is about two hundred yahrens" in "War of the Gods."
• The gaffe notwithstanding, given that Hatch's books define a yahren as "250" days, the life expectancy of a human of the Colonies is 30,000 days. With that number by the days in an Earth year—365—this brings the Colonial's life span to a little over 82 Earth years. This is just a decade and a half more than the average life expectancy of humans on Earth, which is, as of 1998, is reported to be 67 years; Japan itself held the highest mortality record, with an average life expectancy of 81 years.
• Ironically, like the television series itself, the use of terms for time (for instance, "years" instead of "yahren") varies between the Earth equivalent to the Colonial equivalent in the text.
• The authors of the book attempt to state that the other colonies, excluding Gemini, had "stable gender relationships" amongst its peoples prior to the destruction of the Colonies. However, this assertion is questionable given the heavily disproportionate balance between men and women within the organizations depicted, including the Quorum of Twelve and the Warrior corps. This imbalance had been notably emphasized in "Lost Planet of the Gods" with shuttle pilots (women) being trained as Viper pilots (positions occupied by men) before they were felled by an unknown, virulent virus.

Questions

• It is mentioned that an antique clock is "the one thing [Adama] had salvaged from the ruins of their home on Caprica". Did Adama not take the pictures of Zac, Ila and his family that were in the box that survived the Cylon attack as well?
• How is Iblis able to kill Puck, someone who did not willingly give himself to Iblis, on Agro-3 without incurring interference from the Beings of Light?

Noteworthy Dialogue

• Starbuck replies to Apollo's mocking of his "antique" Viper:

Apollo: You risk your neck every time you flirt, or play traid with the cadets, or cheat at pyramids (sic), or launch that antique Viper for that matter.

Starbuck: That's different. I'm a Warrior, not an idiot. There's no way, as I see it from my limited knowledge of science, that Ochoa could not be unstable. Oh—and I've had enough of you mocking my ship. She's kept me alive this long, and I don't need a shiny new toy.

• Apollo remembers a piece of advice from his father:

Adama: Love and compassion are not liabilities, but strengths upon which to draw. A Warrior has nothing to fight for if he does not allow himself to love, and be loved in return.

Cover Art

• 
  Virgin cover art by Luis Royo.