Unexpected Redemption (A Battlestar Galactica 1978 FanFiction)

Chapter 1

There are those who believe...that life here began out there, far across the Universe...with tribes of humans...who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians...or the Toltecs...or the Mayans...that they may have been the architects of the Great Pyramids...or the lost civilizations of Lemuria...or Atlantis.

Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man...who even now fight to survive--somewhere beyond the heavens!

-Battlestar Galactica 1978 Opening

"Looks like there's nothing out here, Apollo. I guess we should turn back now," Starbuck said, taking a final look at his scanner.

"Alright, Starbuck. We'll head back and then..." Apollo started.

"Apollo, what's wrong? Can you hear me?" Starbuck asked worriedly.

"I'm here. I thought I saw something on my scanner, but it just disappeared."

"That's strange. I don't see a thing on my scanner."

"It was probably nothing, but yet...," Apollo commented. "Alright, let's go back.

Starbuck and Apollo moved their hands to their viper's joysticks and pressed the TURBO button. Their vipers immediately sped up and started heading back to the Galactica.

After a few minutes of travel, there was an explosion that rocked both of the Colonial Vipers.

"What was that?!" Starbuck shouted.

"A Cylon shooting range....below...hit....." Apollo tried to say, but the static cut out a majority of the transmission.

"Apollo, can you hear me?"

"Yes....how bad?"

"You're breaking up. But, I can see it's pretty bad," Starbuck replied grimly.

"I'm.....land......planet."

"Alright, I'll head back to the Galactica and return with a shuttle. Hang in there, buddy," Starbuck said before leaving him behind.

"Dr. Cyprus, a Colonial Viper has appeared on my scanner," the tall Cylon's robotic voice stated through Dr. Cyprus's intercom.

"Patch me into your scanner, Talnar," the doctor replied quickly. The image suddenly appeared. It showed a single person Colonial Viper approaching the surface at high speeds. "It looks like it is out of control. It must have taken a hit from one of the shooting ranges." He continued to watch as the viper pod launched out of the main viper. When the main part of the viper made contact with the ground, there was a bright flash and a loud explosion. The pod lost all steering and also collided into the ground, causing a great explosion.

"What would you like me to do, sir?" the Cylon asked.

"Warn me of any patrols. We must get that warrior out of there before the whole thing blows sky high." He looked cautiously around and hurried to where the viper pod had crashed.

"There are no patrols in the vicinity at present," Talnar stated.

"Good." The doctor made his way through the maze of viper pieces. When he reached Apollo, he removed his helmet. "Hurry, Talnar."

Talnar made his way to the pilot, picked him up, and carried him to the doctor's cave. As soon as they were safe inside, a loud explosion rocked the ground beneath their feet. Dr. Cyprus looked back to see the downed ship smothered in flames. Turning his attention back to the man in Talnar's arms, he hurried into one of the tunnels that led to a small room and fixed up the cot. "Let me see the replay, Talnar." Talnar set the warrior onto the cot and showed Dr. Cyprus the recorded video of the crash. "Now slow it down and zoom in on the pilot." Talnar did as he was asked, and Dr. Cyprus looked intently at the film, trying to see exactly what happened. "It seems to me that the viper was hit, and the instruments malfunctioned causing the pilot to lose control. When the impact of the main component of the viper came, the bright light from the preliminary explosion blinded him which made him lose control and crash to the ground," he paused for a moment. "Bring me some water and soap. I must clean out some of these cuts on his face." Talnar quickly retrieved the soap and water and set them beside Dr. Cyprus. Dr. Cyprus nodded his thanks and went to work cleaning out the huge gash on his head as well as the small cuts and lacerations on his face and arms. When that was done, he placed two soft cotton pads onto each of his closed eyes. Then he gently wrapped a bandage around them several times so they would not fall off. "We must make sure that he does not open his eyes yet. They could be seriously damaged. By doing this, they will have a chance to heal completely before he opens them. But there is always the chance that he will never see again," he rambled.

"The other Cylons are searching for him."

"They will think he is dead, because everything went up in flames. Hopefully they will continue to believe that and not come to me looking for him."

"What do we do now, sir?"

"I will get him out of these filthy clothes. Then I shall see what his specific injuries are. You must go and see what the Cylons are doing. They mustn't know he is here."

Talnar walked off, leaving Dr. Cyprus to get to work. The first thing he did was take the colonial warrior uniform off the pilot and settle him amongst the covers. Then he went to work consulting his medical books.

"Fornax, we have spotted what appears to be a colonial viper entering our scanners," the Cylon centurion said.

"Send a regiment of troops to find the ship and its unfortunate pilot. I will alert Count Baltar. I am sure he will be quite pleased if we capture a colonial warrior," Fornax (the IL series Cylon) said.