Disclaimers: ‘Battlestar Galactica’ and all of its characters belong to Universal Studios City, USA.

Unveiling

by

AJ Marks

Commander Adama made his way up to the bridge of the Galactica. The old warship was leaving the asteroid for the last time. The repairs had been done quite quickly although there was still some repairs that needed to be done they now had the parts to complete the repairs. The building asteroid had done a lot of major repairs and even repaired one of the tankers engines.

They were only waiting on Doctor Wilker to return from the asteroid so they could head back to the fleet. Adama was worried as the last communication from Tigh had stated that Apollo had run into some trouble. There had been no word from them since then. He could only hope that his son was in good health and that Starbuck was successful in his rescue attempt.

"Commander, we're ready to leave. Doctor Wilker has just returned to the Galactica and says that the computer is ready to carry out its orders," A new person said. Adama had to think for a second to figure out who was talking to him but her name came to him. She was Lisa the Galactica's newest flight control operator under Athena.

"Helm take us out of the asteroid and meet up with the tankers," Adama said. He wanted to stay on the bridge until they had left the asteroid. He was still recovering his strength from the attack on his life.

He thought about that for a second and wondered who would have been behind such an attack. He knew that whoever had done it was someone who was trying to keep in the shadows. The person would not be easy to find and he would keep his eye out in the council as well. The rumbling of the engines indicated that the giant warship was moving out of the asteroid and through the opening.

A short while later the ship was through the opening and on its way to meeting up with the tankers. The tankers had remained inside the asteroid belt to stay hidden just in case the Cylons were nearby. There had been no trace of the Cylons in a long time but no one was going to take any chances on that. Their greatest ally was distance. The more they could put between the Cylons and themselves the harder it would be for them to sustain an attack.

The one thing that Adama wished he could do was get rid of the slower moving transports but there was limited space in the fleet even with the addition of two battlestars. Both the Agamemnon and Hyperion had larger compliments of crew than normally would have been on board and that did free up some space in the fleet.

Reaching the tankers the small group began to make their way toward the fleet. The tankers that the Galactica was escorting were the fastest in the fleet so that they could catch up with the fleet. They would be with the fleet in a few hours so there were little problems. Adama could now turn his attention back to the problem of his son and could only hope that good news would be coming his way.

"Commander, we've reached the point," Lisa said to Adama.

"Send the message," Adama said knowing what was going to happen.

A short time later the asteroid after receiving the message self destructed leaving nothing of what used to be the construction base. It was a bit sad to be leaving something that they might have been able to use more. If there had been time Adama would have liked to repair all the ships in the fleet for the voyage that they were undertaking.

Tigh waited on the bridge of the Agamemnon for any report from Starbuck or Boomer on how the mission was going. There had been a slight hope that they might be able to trade with some people for supplies of food. So far the food ships were producing food for the fleet but he wondered how long it would be able to continue.

He heard the communications officer say that the Galactica was heading to rejoin the fleet after its repairs had been done. That meant that the construction yard had been destroyed as well now. The fleet now had three battlestars to protect it from threats like the Cylons or the Eastern Alliance. Tigh was sure that they would encounter others like them in their travels. He was also sure that they would encounter others who might help them in the flight to Earth.

"Commander, inbound shuttle and vipers," the scanner officer said. Tigh had a hopeful smile on his face knowing that he would have the answer about Apollo soon.

"Open a channel and see how the mission went," Tigh said. He wanted to be able to report back to Adama as soon as possible.

"They're reporting that Captain Apollo is aboard and unharmed," the report came back.

"That's good news," Tigh said opening a channel to the Galactica to tell Adama the good news. He would wait until they returned to find out what had happened.

The shuttle made its way to the Agamemnon with one passenger looking out the window in such interest that Apollo doubted that he would be able to tear her attention away. The woman was small and wondered what had happened to her that she wanted to leave her home to come with them. Perhaps she would one day tell them.

"That's the Battlestar Hyperion," Apollo said pointing to the gold battlestar.

Crystal glanced over to the ship that Apollo had pointed out then at him. She caught herself looking into his eyes for a second before tearing herself away. This was not the person she knew she told herself. Looking back out she could hardly believe what she was seeing. The ships were in all sizes and beyond anything that she could imagine. She was not sure what to expect when Apollo had told her that they came beyond the clouds but blackness was not what she had expected. It was like living in constant nighttime.

There was another large ship similar in style to the gold ship and they appeared to be headed towards it. She wondered if this was the 'Agamemnon' that the others were speaking of. An unfamiliar noise suddenly startled her from her thought as she turned to see what it was.

"Agamemnon to shuttle rescue," the voice said and Crystal could not figure out where it was coming from.

"Shuttle rescue to Agamemnon requesting permission to land," the one called Boomer said but Crystal still could not figure out who he was talking to.

"It’s a communication device," Cassiopeia said seeing that the woman was staring at Boomer. She looked at her with questions in her eyes. "We have the ability to communicate over long distances without being in content with each other."

"Oh," Crystal replied as she realized there was going to be a lot that she was going to have to learn.

Crystal watched nervously as the shuttle began it approach to the large ship. She thought that they were going very fast to land aboard the ship. A glance around indicated that none of the others seemed to be worried at this fact. She gripped the hand rest of her seat so hard that her knuckles turned white. A quick bump and she realized they had landed on board the ship and everyone was getting up to get out of what they called a shuttle.

The door opened and Crystal walked out into her new home. She still was not sure what she had gotten herself into and with a deep breath she walked out and into a world she had never imagined. All around them were people walking around in strange uniforms using tools that she had never seen before. There were some moving things with wheels but no apparent power source that she could see. There was a constant rumble similar to distant thunder that she could not identify. Standing in front of her was two other men. One she stared at not because of his uniform, which was blue but his skin color. It was darker than anything she had seen before.

Tigh had watched as the group came off the shuttle and was relieved when Apollo walked off. Cassiopeia and Boomer also walked out followed by a small blonde haired woman. His eyes met Apollo and he just gave a shrug of his shoulders.

"Commander Tigh, meet Crystal," Apollo said introducing the small woman to the commander.

"Crystal," he said politely as he turned to the woman.

"Commander Tigh," Crystal replied feeling very out of place and overwhelmed.

"Perhaps you'd like to rest for a while," Apollo asked her watching as she nodded her head slightly.

"I'm sure we can accommodate you," Tigh said turning to Aaron who was standing next to him. He had wanted to update Apollo about their findings of their investigations. "Care to show our new guest a place to rest for a while,” Tigh asked Aaron.

"Yes commander," Aaron said a bit disappointed that he would be able to give the report in person but he also was glad that he would be able to find out more about the small woman in front of him.

They left the room and headed toward the lift that would take them off the landing bay. Tigh waited until the group was out of sight before turning back to Apollo and Starbuck who had recently joined them.

"Care to explain," he asked.

"Not really," Starbuck said with a shrug as Tigh looked back at Apollo.

"I don't know the details commander. I just know that she was with the rescue group and asked to come with us," Apollo said. "We didn't have much time to make a decision about it all."

"Then I look forward to reading your reports," Tigh said looking at Boomer and Starbuck. "What about the locals of the planet."

"I don't think there going to be too friendly towards us," Apollo replied. "That and there technology is vastly below ours."

"Well, it was worth a try," Tigh said. "The Galactica should be back with the fleet in a few hours."

"I'm going to get some rest for a bit then write up my report," Apollo said with a yawn. "Any news from the investigation," he whispered as they boarded the elevator.

"We seemed to have hit a dead end Apollo," Tigh replied.

"Maybe they'll act better now that we're on to them a bit," Starbuck said.

"I'd feel better if we knew who it was behind all of this," Apollo said.

"Me too," Tigh said as they reached the barracks level and Apollo, Starbuck and Boomer got out to head to their temporary barracks.

Aaron walked with the small blonde leading her to some temporary quarters until she gained more permanent living quarters. He tried to steal glances at the woman without trying to make it too obvious. She was small, only coming to his chest and had long blonde hair. He could not help but want to see her green eyes more.

He could only hope that she remained on the Agamemnon as he would definitely wanted to get to know her better. She would have to get some clothing as she would stand out for sure on the battlestar. She wore a dress that looked like it had seen better days and would fall apart if she washed it.

They walked past a group of men and woman that Aaron recognized as part of the council and command crew of the Agamemnon. They did not give much room fro the group to pass and a few gave Crystal a degrading look that made Aaron mad. His attention turned to the smaller woman as she gasped softly.

"You all right," he asked reaching out and placing his hand on her shoulder. He watched as she glanced at him for a second before replying.

"Yeah," she said then pulled away from his suddenly. He did not understand and thought that she must not like to be touched and led her on to the quarters.

"Here you go," he said opening the door for her after explain how it worked. She had listened to him intently nodding her head as she did so. "If you need anything just use this and push this button right here. This will put you in touch with me."

"Thank you Aaron, that's sweet of you," Crystal said watching as Aaron blushed a bit.

"No problem," he replied to her as he risked a glance into her eyes. Reluctantly he bid her ado and allowed her to rest and headed back to his quarters to go over anything that might help in the investigation.

Crystal went over and quickly stripped out of her clothing and got into the bed. Her mind was a swirl of confusing emotions, images, and actions. She knew that she was hiding a deep secret from everyone on board and wondered if she should even keep it with what she knew.

Only the emperor had known her secret and had guarded that with his life. She was sure that if Ryan had ever found out her life would have been forfeit right away. At least here she hoped that they would not kill her.

Crystal wondered who she should tell about what she knew. Aaron was sweet and had a crush on her that much was obvious to her. The group they had passed seemed to have an agenda that was a bit sinister to her. They wanted to take over everything. Sleep did not come too easy for her this time as images of a lost love, one who looked like him and perhaps a new love invaded her dreams.

Aaron worked throughout the day and was about to call it a day when the communicator rang. He jumped up quicker than Jason or Coronus could leaving them wondering what was going on. Hearing a woman's voice on the line they grinned to each other knowing what Aaron was doing.

"Where you going," Coronus asked casually with a smile on his face as Aaron finished his conversation.

"Out," Aaron replied.

"That wouldn't happen to be Crystal," Jason asked as he shared a glance with Coronus.

"Yeah, she just woke up and wondered where any food was. I told her she could call me," Aaron replied.

"Ohhh," Coronus said as Aaron quickly made his way out of the room. Coronus and Jason looked at each other for a few seconds.

"He's whipped and doesn't even know it yet," Jason said.

"Yep," Coronus replied as they shared a laugh over it.

Aaron had gone over to the woman's barracks to see if he could get some clothing for Crystal knowing that the woman might feel better if she blended in with everyone. He managed to catch Sheba just before she left to the Galactica which had arrived at the fleet just an hour ago. Now with some clothing Aaron made his way over to Crystal’s temporary quarters.

Getting to the door he rang the door and waited until she answered. Hearing no answer or opening of the door he rang again. He still heard nothing and was beginning to get worried about her after the third time he decided to open the door.

The door opened to reveal Crystal huddled in the corner of the room with one of the sheets wrapped around her glancing around wide-eyed. He quickly walked over as the door shut behind him to see if she was all right.

"Crystal, are you all right," he asked bending down beside her. He resisted the urge to pull her to him not knowing if she would even accept such a touch.

"Did you hear it," she said in a panicked voice.

"Hear what," he asked not sure what she was talking about.

"That noise that came from no where," she replied. "I've never heard anything like it before," she said as her eyes found his and he could see the slight panic still there.

Aaron was not sure what she was talking about when he suddenly had an idea. Getting up and placing the clothes on the bed he opened the door again.

"Do you mean this noise," he said and punched the bell for the door.

"That noise," Crystal said quickly as the chiming rang inside the room.

"It just means that someone is outside the door. It kind of like knocking," he told her as he demonstrated again with her watching.

"That was you," she said.

"Yeah, I also brought you some clothing," he said indicating the bed where the clothing was lying.

"That will take some getting used to," Crystal said as she got up. There were many things she would have to understand in this new world. "Ah," she said as he was going to change but Aaron was still standing in the door way with the door open.

"Oh, sorry," Aaron replied. "I'll be outside, just hit this right here when you’re ready to go."

Aaron did not have to wait long until she was done changing. The door opened to reveal Crystal in a brown outfit with witch she fidgeted with the pants.

"I'm not used to wearing anything like this," she said while debating with herself. "I have something to tell you."

Aaron watched as she walked back into the room and he followed her. She seemed nervous about whatever she was going to say. He would be patient with her as she tried to tell him.

"You can tell me anything," he said taking hold of her hands glad that she did not flinch.

"I've only told one person this," Crystal said taking comfort from his hands for a change. "Whenever someone touches me I can read whatever they are thinking at that time, and if I stare at someone long enough I can also read their mind. Its something I’ve been able to do all my life."

Aaron's first instinct was to let go but he realized that she would already know of his attraction to him. "You're a telepath," he said after taking a deep breath.

"I guess," she replied feeling that he was not repulsed by her and that his feeling had not changed.

"Then you also know how I feel about you then as well," Aaron said a bit embarrassed by it.

"Yes," Crystal replied shyly looking down. "I don't want anyone else to know."

"Okay," Aaron replied realizing that he did know something when she knew his name even though he had never told her it.

"There's more," she said watching as Aaron's eyes tracked back to her and she could feel him trying to figure it out. "There's a takeover that's about to happen," she told him.

End of Unveiling

Go on to Shadows of the Mind

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