Chapter 12- The future

Kara Thrace sat opposite her new CAG. She needed to have a conversation with him about his brother. How was he going to react to what she told him. Kara felt extremely apprehensive. "So you are Lee Adama, how do you feel about that?", she started off by asking.

Lee thought about that seriously, then acknowledged, "I suppose it's a way forward. A new name for a new future. It's more difficult getting used to the idea of Commander Adama as my father. I've always wanted to be given credit my own achievements. That was difficult because in the military it seemed advancement is about who you know not how good you are." Now people will think my attainment of the rank of Captain is because the Commander is my father".

"He gave you the rank before he knew Jaiden, umm Lee", Kara told him. Narella Quinn had told him you were not guilty of the assassination attempt or what happened 5 years ago. The Commander was made to understand that you kept the secret to protect your daughter." So he was not promoting you because he'd found out you were his son. He's actually not going to go easy on you, Jaiden..,oh heck Lee". Kara was finding saying the right name difficult.

'Yeah, the name will take a bit of getting used to", Lee agreed. "Thanks for telling me that about Adama. I don't expect him to go easy on me. But I think it's going to be awkward. "You are also going to have to chose a new call sign , Kara reminded him. "We are not calling you Deathstroke any more." Yes, I never want to hear that name again. I have a feeling the Commander will chose a call sign for me. ", Lee told her.

He paused, studying Kara seriously," are you not upset that he did not promote you instead". Kara did not seem that bothered. "No, I don't think I am ready to take on the role of CAG full time. You have seniority, as you trained before me. If you know who had not screwed up your career, you would have probably made Captain instead of him. So the Commander is just acknowledging that."

"Thank you for what you did for me", Lee told her sincerely. "You have treated me fairly, unlike many on this ship".

"Well that will change now", Kara stated. "Everyone knows you were set up".I did wonder, because on your very first day you flew between those two vipers easily. Even though you'd not flown for five years. So how come you could not perform a similar manoeuvre years ago. But you'd never talk about it. Now I know why. You deserve a few apologies".She went silent for awhile, pondering how she was going to bring Zac into the conversation. "You seem really nervous Kara, is there a reason for that", Lee asked. He could see her trembling.

"I was engaged to your brother Zac Adama", Kara replied. She bit her lip, hard enough to draw blood. "I supported you in the beginning because your story resonated with me. A pilot who made a mistake. I made a very big one which I have only just acknowledged." She stopped again, as she could feel the tears coming.

Lee sat very still his eyes boring into her own. He was sensing that what she was going to say would be painful to hear. "I was the one who trained Zac. He had no feel for flying. But he wanted it so much. Because I think he thought his father expected that he'd be an amazing pilot , just like he was. I could not tell him he was actually awful. So I passed him. Not long after that he died when he caused a flare in his engines." It was a mistake that a competent pilot would not make." Essentially I am the reason he died. Commander Adama never knew this until recently", Kara wound down her story.

She waited for his reaction. So far he was very quiet. His face was pale, and he looked rather sick. But he was not yelling at her. "Thank you for telling me", Lee finally said softly. "Its a hard thing for me to process. When I think about it more I might be sad ,and upset, but I think you have tormented yourself for years over this. I would not cause you to suffer even more. The past cannot be changed, no matter how hard we wish it could". I have spent years not acknowledging May is my daughter." That was also a mistake. We make them, and have to live with the fall out. "

Lee put his hand over hers and squeezed. Kara actually wrapped her arms around him and cried. "I was so in love with Zac". Every day without him is so challenging"."When I looked at May for the first time, I actually saw Zac. She could easily be his daughter as well." Kara 's tears soaked into his shoulder.

He let his own tears mingle with hers. His arms held her tightly, and he could feel her warmth soaking into him. They could both start again now, he as a father and her ,as his friend. Lee yawned. It had been an emotionally exhausting couple of days. The conversations were not over yet. He had a meeting with Laura Roslin next.

After drying her tears and joining him for a drink Kara left his office. He stood as their President entered. "Congratulations Captain", Roslin paused, then added" Adama". Of course everyone on the ship knew that fact now. Life had changed for him in the blink of an eye. He could not walk down the corridor without people engaging him in conversation. It was so different to the shunned existance Jaiden Linton had lived.

"Thank you Madame President, he told her. Lee felt rather awkward, about this meeting. Roslin had requested it, and not given a reason why. "What can I do for you", Lee asked . He felt that sentence was a better start than, "what do you want".

"I wanted to tell you that you were right. We do need to focus on the education of our children. So I will authorise the opening of a school. It will be right here on Galactica. "You'll have somewhere to send your daughter while you are working", Roslin told him.

Lee had a feeling that Commander Adama had something to do with this decision. May was his granddaughter, and he wanted her to be close by. He supported that sentiment. This decision was one of the advantages of being the son of the fleet Commander. "I have a feeling Jaiden Linton would not have been given all this", he said sadly. 'It was Jaiden Linton who was passionate enough to fight for education of the people", Roslin stated. "But yes, the placement of the school was the Commander's idea." He's doing it for you Captain. To show you what type of leader he is".

Lee nodded, "and you Laura Roslin, what type of leader will you be. Do you lie to us ", he asked boldly.

Laura bit her lip. Robbie Lyell, Jaiden Linton and Lee Adama deserved her honesty. "Even though I grew up being told the legend of Earth, I cannot say with one hundred percent certainty that I believe it exists. If it does, then I don't know how to get there , she told him. "The officer who we killed, knew this. It influenced his choices. He was most likely suffering a form of deep depression." That hits me hard", Laura clasped her hand over her heart. "I wanted there to be hope because if we lost that, what was left to fight for".

Lee slumped downward in his chair. He'd passionately wanted a better life for all of them. It felt like a dark shadow had just entered the room and now hung there refusing to leave. "This is a blow", he said softly. "Yes, I know"Roslin agreed. She looked at him appraisingly, "I think you can deal with it". You were raised in a place that must have been devoid of dreams". "Oh we had dreams, Lee said firmly, " but yes most of them were not attainable. I was one of the lucky ones, I actually did become a viper pilot". So I know dreams keep us going. We still need to believe in Earth , in our own history. "I can keep a secret President Roslin."

"Yes, I think you have proved you can", Laura told him. She took a breath, "I am also honouring Tyrus Adar's wish and announcing a general election for 6 months from now" . This is I feel a fair decision for all our people". I will still be in the running". Tyrus has been granted permission to resign his commission. He will stand against me with Gaius Baltar as his running mate. I think they will be tough opponents".

"I will need as much support as possible. In fact I need someone who knows what its like to survive in tough circumstances, and can advise me on what I need to do to help the population ", Laura added.

"That sounds very wise Madame President", Lee told her. "I hope you find the person you Roslin had also learnt from her mistakes, and was proving that she was going to work hard for all of the survivors.

She grinned at him then. "Actually I was thinking of you". "Me", Lee was stunned. "Yes, you understand survival better than Baltar or Adar. You can talk to people who would not be willing to approach me", Roslin said firmly.

She needed him on her side she realised. A strong young man who had vision.

"Very well, I will do it", Lee agreed. It was a way for him to still keep in touch with the survivors from the Fringes, and to make sure their needs were met. He was not going to be able to steal things for them anymore.

Laura held put her hand and Lee clasped it, "I look forward to getting to know you better", the President told him.

She left him sitting at his desk still feeling rather overwhelmed.

The door burst open about 5 minutes later, making him jump. May ran across the room and jumped onto his knee. "Now I can call you daddy", she told him happily. It had been the best day of her life when she found out that Robbie Lyle was her father. She felt like she'd just unwrapped a birthday gift, and it was cake.

Now she had a grandfather as well. He looked rather stern, and slightly scary. "So daddy what are we going to do for the rest of the day", she asked.

"Lee sighed heavily, "I really would love to play with you May, however I am on duty. Your Grandfather has offered to watch you until my shift is over".

May pulled a face, "he does not look like he knows how to play", she said rather brutally. "You are going to have to teach him May", Lee told her. "I suppose I can show him the things in my special box", May decided.

She had hidden the box in the most disgusting place she could find, to save it from being stolen. As she lay locked in a cage she kept her mind occupied by imagining all the items, and recalling all the special times, places and people associated with them. Being kidnapped had been frightening, and her mind skittered away from thinking about that time.

"Thats a good idea May", Lee told her as he hugged her tightly.

He really hoped William Adama knew what he was taking on. May could be a little whirlwind.

Taking her by the hand ,they walked side by side down the corridors of Galactica. He even skipped a bit.

"Afternoon Lee", Will Adama greeted. It was an informal address which should prompt him into also giving one.

Bill could see that Lee was wrestling with calling him 'dad'. It's because he really does not know me as anything other than 'his boss, the Commander. "Will you sit down a moment. You don't start your shift for another 15 minutes", Bill invited.

It did not give him a long period of time. He had to report to Tigh, and was not looking forward to that. They now had to redefine their relationship as well. He doubted Tigh was going to suddenly go easy on him though. He could not taunt him about the past any more, and that would make a difference.

Sitting down next to Commander Adama", Lee studied him boldly, "how are your injuries", he asked. "I still ache every morning, and I am sure I actually have gain a few wrinkles. See", Bill pointed to his face. He no longer sounded like a Commander, more like a man who'd had a very hard week. "Yes, I think I might have a few as well, and grey hairs, Lee agreed.

Bill actually touched his hair, stroking it through his fingers. He was delighted that Lee did not spring up, or shrink from his touch. He's giving me a chance, and I am happy about that. "I was thinking about your new call sign." Many crossed my mind and then were dismissed. Finally I settled on one from legend. From someone who helped others heal. It's a name that suits you well, Apollo".

"That is a mighty name, Lee remarked soberly. "Yeah well that is what you are Lee", Bill said with a smile. Lee gave his hand a squeeze. "Thank you", he said firmly.

Bill moved his attention over to May who was prowling around his quarters. "Come and sit here", he told the young girl, patting the rug at his feet.

May came and settled on the rug. "I brought my favourite box to show you Granddad", she remarked, as she held it up in front of him.

Bill took the old box gently in his hands. He could tell that it was well loved. "It contains special things", May said.

She stood up and leaned over to open the box. Scooping up all the things inside in both of her hands, she lay them down on the mat.

That left Bill holding the box. He looked inside, trying to ascertain what type of wood it was made from.

As he studied the box he noticed something peculiar. He turned it around, looked, inside, looked at the outside, then ran his finger around the rough wood on the inside.

"What are you doing", Lee asked curiously. "Well the inside of this box looks smaller than it should be, in relation to the outside". I just wondered if it had a secret compartment ", Adama hinted. May looked up from the study of her special things, "no granddad I would have found one", she said.

"Hmm, maybe not", Bill remarked. He was sure this box had a false bottom but there did not see to be any way to get access to what was underneath. May would not want him to break her special treasure box.

Bill got up to collect his magnifying glass. He carefully studied the inside of the box. Yes there it was, a very tiny little spot.

Using a slim pin, he pushed it. The bottom of the box lifted up to reveal a small book underneath. "Wow, granddad, you are a great treasure hunter", May enthused.

"What is that doing in there", Lee wondered. Bill found his heart beat speeding up as he looked at the book he was holding in his hands. "It is a treasure", he said breathlessly. Lee was staring in awe, "isn't that an accounting of the histories of Kobol".

"Yes, it is. Someone saved it from destruction by hiding it in the bottom of this box", Bill was gently flicking through the old worn pages. His hand shook even more when he found the one he was looking for. "Here it describes the legend of Earth." We acknowledge that our brothers and sisters of the thirteenth tribe are setting forth on a long journey to find the planet where all stars represent the colonies." Oh my it gives a beginning point as a reference. This is it, the proof we need. We have just found proof that Earth does indeed exist and we can go there".

"All the time it was in that box right under our noses", Lee said. "I wonder who put it there and why".

"Maybe someone hoped that we would stop denying our past, and believe in that what was written are not just words, they are our hope, our salvation." Bill looked over at May. "You have given us something more valuable than anything in the entire galaxy".

May climbed up beside him. "Will you read it to me", she asked. Lee snuggled in on the other side, "I have time to hear a little bit ", he said softly. Bill opened the book, "life here began out there amongst the stars..."

He was reading their future. Soon they would plot the course to begin the journey. For now he was going to enjoy being with his family. That was the treasure this tattered old war bird had been given. His family had risen from the ashes. Now they were all phoenixes.

The END