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Shadows of the Mind

by

AJ Marks

Aaron was not sure he heard Crystal correctly or not. She sensed that he was not sure about it so she repeated herself to him. She had gotten a clear message when she had passed the group of strangers in the corridor that one of them was thinking about overthrowing the current leadership. There were a few people that she considered trusting and one that she felt she could trust was Aaron.

"Are you saying that someone is thinking about taking over the fleet," Aaron asked not sure about this. He also wondered if what Crystal was saying was true then it might also have to do with the recent attempt on Commander Adama's life.

"I don't know about that," Crystal said to Aaron before she had a chance to think about what she was saying.

Aaron gave her a strange look at her reply. He then glanced down and realized that he was still holding her hand. Without realizing what he was doing he withdrew his hands from hers.

Crystal was not surprised when he withdrew his hands. Most people were not comfortable with her abilities and it was something she had learned to deal with. But she had hoped that this group might be different. She had hoped that along with everything else she might be able to live a more normal live like she had with the emperor.

Aaron noticed the look on Crystal's face right away when he removed his hands from hers. She looked quite lost and vulnerable to him. "Sorry, this is just going to take some getting used to," he told her. He was confident that he could overcome this it was just new to him.

"It all right," she said in no more than a whisper.

"No its not," Aaron said trying to make up for his mistake. He reached out and too a hold of her hands again. "I'm just new to this that's all," he told her not afraid of her. "But we need to tell the others about this."

"No," she said quickly misreading what she was hearing. She could feel his emotions on the surface of his mind and it was full of confusion.

"We need to tell them that there might be an attempt to take over the fleet sometime soon," Aaron said not sure why she objected to that.

"Oh, sorry," she replied not expecting that. She was sure that he was going to tell them about her. "I just don't want anyone to know about me, at least not yet."

"I don't know about that but I'll respect that," Aaron replied. "Come on."

Adama was glad to see his son for him self. He had heard from Tigh that the mission had been a success but seeing was always better than believing in most cases. Now he could ask Apollo the questions that had been on his mind all of this time.

He waited a bit until Starbuck and Apollo got up to the bridge. Then he would be able to ask them face to face about what was going on. He was also wondering if any progress had been made on the attempt on his life. The only clues they had was the fact it might be a council member. He had gone over every member and he knew of none of them that might want him dead. Out of the way for sure but not to the point where they might consider murder.

"Father," he heard Apollo's voice say and he turned to see his son come walking onto the bridge.

"Apollo,” he said returning the greeting. Apollo looked over his father to make sure he was not over doing it at the moment and was relieved that he appeared to be fine. "Come, we'll talk in my office," he said leading the two warriors off the bridge. "So tell me what happened," Adama said when they reached his office and sat down.

"Well, it seemed like a good place to mine some charcoal for the air regenerators and maybe even some other supplies from the locals," Apollo said explaining what he was thinking at the time. "We landed and I ordered Jason to check out the deposit of charcoal and I went over to the nearby village. I approached cautiously just in case of trouble but I didn't see any. I decided to enter the village and the first person I came across screamed."

Adama and Starbuck looked at each other not sure what to say. A first contact usually went better than that. A reaction like that was not what anyone would have expected that was for sure.

"Suddenly there were several armed people rushing out and towards me. Though they were armed with swords and not blasters I didn't want to do anything that might seem threatening so I ran," Apollo told them. "I had been successful in avoiding them and I could hear some of their conversations. It seems that I looked just like their last ruler. The only name I heard was 'emperor'. It was then that Jason called me and I told that if I was captured to go get help. They captured me and put me in a cell."

"After Jason came back Boomer, Cassiopeia, Jason and I went back to see what we could do for Apollo," Starbuck said. "We were able to get into the village without many problems. There was a small woman who seemed to know that Apollo was not this emperor guy."

"Would that be the woman who came back with you," Adama asked them having heard that from Tigh when they last spoke.

"Yes. She stood up to the crowd but the leader just did not seem to want to back down from killing Apollo," Starbuck stated. "They rushed the three of us. I had already told Boomer and Jason to use stun only."

Adama could already guess the rest of the story. His warriors had opened fire to defend themselves against the threat and ran away. It meant that there would be no supplies coming from that planet. The rest of Starbuck's story confirmed his suspicions about the rescue mission.

"So we have no friends on that planet," Adama finally said. That was becoming a trend of theirs. They had met few worlds that they would consider their friends. There were a couple that had been civil and the others he had no intention of leading the Cylons there.

"They were quite hostile father," Apollo replied. "I don't think we should go back."

"All right," Adama said. "Welcome back aboard."

"Thanks, wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here," Apollo said. Sure the other battlestars were newer, perhaps even had more room but he had considered the Galactica his home.

Aaron walked down the hallway looking for Jason or Coronus. They would be able to help him out this time. It was a problem that he wanted to talk to with the others. There was a plan of some sort to take over the fleet by someone either on the command staff or on the council.

He led Crystal through the hallway rather quickly. She was trying her best not to be overwhelmed by everything that she was seeing. It was an experience she had nothing to compare it to. Everywhere around her were metal forged into shapes she could not imagine. The only metal she had seen was in use for swords and pieces of jewelry. Here the wall, ceilings, floors and even the doors were made of metal.

Then there were the things on the wall that opened doors with a touch. That amazed her still yet did not seem to faze anyone else. She was amazed at just about everything. The strange thing called an intercom also was fascinating to her. She did not have to shout to be heard by others. Aaron had also told her that the intercoms could communicate with specific rooms if needed.

Aaron walked into the meeting room where Jason and Cronus were sitting still looking through some information. They were still going to work to see if they could find anything about who might be behind the attempt on Adama's life. They noticed that Aaron had walked into the room with a small blonde beside him. They both figured that this much be the woman that they had heard about.

"Hey guys, anything new," he asked casually.

"Ah Aaron, should you be discussing this in front of her," Jason said his eyes darting between the two.

"She already knows," Aaron replied. "She with us, trust me on that."

Crystal could tell that there was doubt in the two men that were in the room. She really could not do much to help ease their doubts at the moment. She decided that if she said something about what they were doing they might trust her.

"I overheard some men talking about taking command of the fleet," she said to the men. They looked at her in confusion as what she had said sunk in.

"That's mutiny," Cronus said not sure he liked that comment.

"That's why we needed to figure this out quickly. If we can find out who is behind this we can stop it," Aaron replied.

"We're still not sure who is behind it and now we're supposed to stop a takeover of the fleet," Cronus said not sure about this at all. It seemed like things were getting more and more complex all the time.

"If we don't find out we still nee to be alert for it," Aaron said.

"All right, is there anything you can tell us that might help in our search," Jason asked looking at Crystal.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see their faces," Crystal replied knowing that it was the truth without bringing up the fact that she could read minds.

"I saw a group that passed by on my way to where she was and noticed a group that was part of a councilman's entourage and a couple of members of the bridge," Aaron said helping out. "They are probably the ones who were talking."

"Then we should tell Commander Tigh about this," Cronus said as the others agreed. The group got up and walked out heading to the commander's office.

Tigh finished his conversation with Commander Adama and there was not much more known about who was behind everything. Adama was hoping that something might turn up but the only thing they had to go on now was incomplete records of criminal activity. The thought of a criminal on the council was not pleasing to anyone. It made Adama wonder about all the council members.

His door chimed and Tigh wondered who would be disturbing him at this moment. There was nothing that should be going on and anyone from the bridge would have called on the intercom. His curiosity got the better of him and he told the person to come in. He was only slightly surprised when three young men and one woman walked into the room. He wondered what they had to say.

"Commander Tigh, hope we're not disturbing you," Aaron said addressing the commander.

"No, I just finished talking with Commander Adama, what's going on," Tigh asked knowing that these men were going to be his ship's representative of Apollo, Starbuck and Boomer.

"We have some more news about who might be after Commander Adama," Aaron said. "Crystal overheard someone talking about a takeover of the fleet and I saw a group on my way to her temporary quarters. The group was made up of bridge crew and a council member’s entourage."

"No offense but that doesn't sound like something that could happen too easily. The council would not take too kindly to such an act even if someone on the council was involved," Tigh replied and he silently wondered if this woman could be trusted.

"Commander this is true," Aaron said sticking to what he thought was a danger to them all.

Tigh thought about it for a bit then decided that there would be no harm in warning Adama. There was also no danger to keeping a little bit of an eye out for such an attempt. "Very well, but you can also tell Adama in person. He would like to meet you," Tigh said looking at Crystal."

"Me," Crystal said speaking up for the first time.

"He would like to meet the person who helped rescue his son," Tigh said. "Aaron can take you over to the Galactica."

"Yes sir," Aaron replied. "What about the threat of a takeover?"

"I'll do only what I can do. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious," Tigh said knowing that it was about all he could do.

That was actually more than Aaron thought the commander would do. There was not much they could do at the moment besides keep an eye out for something to happen. Aaron led Crystal out of the office and towards the hanger to a shuttle. He would fly Crystal over to the Galactica and introduce her to the commander of the fleet, Adama.

Tigh watched as the two walked out and noticed that Aaron seemed to be taken with the small woman. The mix up in the ships compliment had allowed for new romances to spring up and for that he was glad. It was actually getting quite boring to watch the romances going on aboard the Galactica. Everyone seemed to have their partner or those who they did not like. This split allowed new beginnings.

"I want you two to check out the records of the bridge crew just to make sure, but do it quietly if you can," Tigh said to the remain two men.

"I think we can do that," Jason said as they walked out to get something to eat. Cronus was going to be on patrol soon and Jason would be on sleep time so there was not much time to begin the search.

On the way to the cafeteria they figure out that Cronus would start the mission after he returned from his patrol and briefing. Jason would then continue the search when he got up.

Aaron climbed aboard the shuttle with Crystal just behind him. He could tell that there were many things that were not familiar to her and it showed in her eyes. He had explained many things on the way down to the flight deck. Once they were down there he was briefly afraid that he would have to keep her out of trouble but found his fear unfounded. She kept as much away from things as she could.

Once they were aboard the shuttle he quickly showed her how to buckle her seatbelt again as he was sure that she was on overload by now. Once she was sitting he went over to the pilot's seat and began the preparations for the launch.

"Crystal, hang on for a second we're going to be launching," Aaron told her knowing that the sudden acceleration of the shuttle would catch her off guard.

Once Aaron had received an acknowledgement from Crystal he told her that they were launching now. The thrusters of the shuttle shot it out into space and pushed him into his chair a bit but not as much as the viper did. A quick glance behind him made him realize that his passenger was alright but still a bit scared.

"All right," he asked her.

"Yeah, fine," Crystal replied. This launch was different from the last one. Of course she was just so glad that she was leaving that she had not paid any attention to the pervious launch sequence.

"If you look out the window you can see the ships of the fleet," Aaron said naming a few of the ships. They passed the Theses where his sister was stationed before they finally came to the Galactica.

The landing was smoother this time for Crystal than the last one as she was more prepared for it. The door opened and they were walking out of the shuttle to a group that was waiting for them. Crystal recognized two of men, one right away as he looked like the emperor. The other one was the man who had come to rescue him. There was one other man with white hair and a commanding presence. She had only seen the emperor with such a presence before.

"Welcome aboard the Galactica," the man said as they approached her.

Crystal was not sure what to do so she waited and watched to see what was going to happen. Her friend Aaron shook the man's hand and did not seem to be afraid of the man. She had the feeling that this man was of great importance.

"Glad to see you sir," Aaron said shaking the commander's hand. Adama could be many things all at once. He could be a father figure, commander and friend all at the same time.

"Good to see you as well," Adama said before focusing his attention on the young woman. "So you’re the one who helped my son," he said.

"Yes sire," Crystal said feeling uncomfortable under the man's gaze. She did a little curtsy as she had been taught when meeting other important figures. His reaction was not one that she was expecting.

"Thank you," he said pulling her into a hug. It was something she was not expecting and when he released she realized something else.

"Interesting," Adama said as he looked at her. Her eyes were wide open and anyone who had been watching would have thought the commander had caught the woman off guard. Only the two of them knew.

"Father," Apollo asked not sure what was going on. The woman was just standing there in shock. He knew that his father could have an affect on people but he had never seen anything like this.

"Later," Adama whispered to him. "Come, I want to hear all about it," he said leading them out of the landing bay.

Crystal looked around at the table. There were all types of gadgets lying around that she had never seen before. Inventions that reacted to one's voice amazed her even more. It was something that she was not sure she would ever get used to. They had gone to a conference from where they were alone and Crystal had just finished telling them her story of what happened.

"Tell me Crystal, are all of your people like you," Adama finally asked after the story.

Crystal looked at the man and she knew that he was talking about. "No,' she finally said and he nodded his head in understanding.

"Perhaps now you'll tell us what's going on," Apollo asked seeing that Crystal and his father were exchanging glances and seemed to know what the other was thinking. It was strange to see as he had only seen it between his father and mother.

"Our young friend here is telepathic," Adama said to the group. He noticed that the only one who did not seem to be shocked by this was Aaron.

"Are you able to read minds as well," Crystal asked.

"No, but I do have the ability to block others with limited success, and know if they are trying," Adama said.

"Oh," Crystal said now knowing why she was not able to read his thoughts when he had hugged her.

"Are you able to read anyone's thoughts," Starbuck asked. He had been quiet all this time and idea had now come to him.

"Only if I touch them," Crystal replied.

"That could work," Starbuck mused as the other looked at him waiting for him to explain. "Think about it, no one else knows about this, why not use it our advantage with the council."

"No," Aaron said quicker than anyone could draw a breath to Starbuck's idea as he was standing up. "I won't allow you to use her like a pawn," he said then realized that everyone was looking at him quickly sat down again.

"Relax ensign," Adama said. "I would only allow such an idea if, and only if, she agreed to it."

Crystal looked around the table and noticed that they were not forcing her into this, much like the emperor would do. He would ask her. These people were nice to her and considered her feelings and she thought about it for a few seconds before replying.

"I will," she finally replied. "What do I need to do?"

With that they all turned back to Starbuck who had the idea in the first place. He quickly outlined his plan and even Adama thought it was quite good. No one would ever know about it until it was over. She would have to be wary about others who might be like Adama but he told them that he did not know any others on the council who had that ability.

It was a flurry couple of hours for Crystal as she was prepared to go before the Council of the Twelve. They had told her that this was the governing body of the fleet. They would decide what happens to the people. They had also told her that one of the people on the council might be behind an attempted assignation of the commander.

Apollo wondered if Crystal would narrow down the list they had at all. He hoped so and could only wait as he and Aaron escorted the young woman into the council. She seemed to be quite venerable but he knew that looks could be deceiving and would wait to see what happened.

"This is the young woman who wishes to join us," Sirus said from where he was sitting.

"I am," Crystal said drawing upon her past as she stood in front of the men. She realized that this was nothing different from when she was with the emperor. The only thing that was different was the technology. They were far more advanced.

Aaron watched and at first was worried about the young woman. The strange thing was as he watched he saw her attitude change. She was not longer the timid woman that was flinching at everything that was new to her. She seemed to have a new commanding presence with her in a room full of powerful men he had the feeling that only Adama could challenge her.

"Tell me, why someone like you feels the need to leave your people and join ours. I don't feel comfortable with this," one man, Armhe said never taking his eyes off hers. The tone of his voice making it sound like this woman did not deserve to be in their presence.

"And what don't you feel comfortable with," Crystal said as she walked slowly towards the man. "What do I have that could threaten you. The armies of my world fight with swords and horses. What threat could they pose to you," Crystal said and Adama watched with a smile and a plan already in his mind.

The others looked around watching was going on. There seemed to be a battle of words going on here. Many in the council had thought that woman to be timid when they first met her. She had come from a world where the most advanced weapon was a sword. This was not what they had expected but a few were silently glad.

"I certainly pose no threat to you. I do not know how to fight, you are bigger than me and I am in an unfamiliar place, so how am I a threat to you," she replied now standing right next to the man.

"Remember your place girl," Armhe replied quickly as he reached out to grab her arm. He quickly released her as he saw Apollo and Aaron begin to walk toward him.

"My place," she said. "Is this how you would treat an emissary from another world? One that wishes to join you," Crystal's voice said ringing out through the room.

"Armhe, she is our guest and I for one welcome our newest member with open arms," another council member Rexx said getting up to stand next to Crystal. He placed his hand on her shoulder showing where his allegiance lies.

"Fine," Armhe replied turning away to face the table again.

The rest of the meeting went much smoother with Armhe not saying anything. He did not vote in favor of Crystal joining but did not vote against it. After it was over they all congratulated her except Armhe who walked out.

Starbuck, Apollo, Adama, Aaron and Crystal sat at the table much later after the meeting to talk about what had happened. Apollo had his feelings as to what Crystal was going to say. She had kept her emotions in check through out the meeting which by the amount she was touched he was sure that she now knew every secret that the council had.

"Did you find anything out of the ordinary," Starbuck asked her hoping that she had.

"Yes I did," Crystal said.

"Is it one of these men," Apollo said giving Crystal a group of pictures.

"This one," she said pointing to one of the pictures then proceeded to tell them why watching as Adama's face went thoughtful at what she was saying.

"Tell him I wish to speak with him," Adama said. "Alone please," he said.

Adama sat at his desk waiting for his attacker to come in through the door. He was shocked to find out who it had been that was for sure. The door opened and in walked the councilmember.

"Commander Adama, you wished to speak with me," he said.

"Yes Rexx," Adama said. "I've found out some things lately and it seems that you are behind them," he said pinning the man with a stare watching as the man shifted a bit uncomfortably in his seat.

"I don't know what you’re talking about Adama," Rexx said.

"Sure you do," Adama said. "You wanted me out of the way so you could command the fleet. Quite ingenious I might add. Ithian powder, no one would have suspected it."

The man paled a bit at the news. Rexx was sure that it was never going to get back to him.

"I must admit the first thing that I wanted to do was arrest you and put you away. But there is more to every story than meets the eye, don't you agree," Adama said evenly to the man.

"Yes there is," Rexx said calming down a bit. Adama wanted something and he would wait.

"You view me as a way to power. Remove me and you would control the council and be able to put influential people in places of power. Quite a good plan," Adama said as he picked up a piece of paper.

Rexx still did not say anything as he waited to see what Adama was going to say. This was getting more interesting all the time. Adama handed him the paper and he read it over. There on the paper was what he had done in the past. He had been a crime lord back at the colonies and had used his influence to gain a seat on the council. Everyone who knew who he was had been killed on the colonies.

"Now what," Rexx said.

"You might have been Recci Exxape on the colonies, but here I see you as Rexx, a councilmember of the Council of Twelve. One who has operated in the good of our people," Adama said. "Your trying to kill me was a bit extreme don't you think."

"It was worth a try," Rexx said not showing any remorse at the attempt.

"You wish to settle down on a planet. Don't you think I would like nothing better than that as well," Adama said watching the man. "I've spent my entire life fighting the Cylons and I know that they won't stop until they have found us again."

"Are you sure," Rexx said.

"Yes, it’s the only thing I'm sure about," Adama said. "We must put as much distance between us and them as we can. To allow us time to build up our military and population again."

"You really feel that strongly about that," Rexx said.

"As much as you want to settle down," Adama said.

"So now what," Rexx said.

"Read all of it," Adama said nodding to the paper and waited.

Rexx read all of the paper and contemplated it for a moment. It would not mean much on his part but it could elevate him among his peers.

"All right, you have my support for now Adama," Rexx said as both men got up. They shook hands as Rexx handed the paper back to Adama.

Adama placed the paper back on his desk and sat back down as Rexx walked out of the office.

"This doesn't mean we like each other though," Rexx said at the door then walked out before Adama could say anything back.

"Wasn't expecting it," Adama whispered back to the man. They know knew who to watch but he was confident the man would not try another attack like that. That and Adama needed his support. He had the feeling that the Cylons would find them soon and they would need a united front this time. He also wanted to make it a point to bring Crystal to the council meeting as often as she could. He was going to groom her to take a position on the council as he had a gut feeling that she would be a natural there and they would need that once he retired. Tigh did not have the patience for council meetings and he had a feeling that Crystal and his family would make sure they would continue to Earth even after he died.

He put the paper away with a smile on his face knowing that things were going well for the first time since they had left the colonies. They just might make it after all.

End Shadows

Gon on to Finding the Trail

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