Unexpected Redemption (A Battlestar Galactica 1978 FanFiction)

Chapter 4

Dr. Cyprus paced in the tunnel anxiously awaiting Talnar to return with the warriors. When he saw them he said, "Greetings, warriors! I am Dr. Markus Cyprus, and you have already met Talnar."

Boomer spoke up first, "We were told you know where Apollo is."

"Talnar, please see to the security cameras and notify me of any changes." Talnar nodded and walked further into the tunnel. "I assume you are uncomfortable with Talnar, am I correct?"

"He's a Cylon, why wouldn't we be uncomfortable?!" Starbuck shouted.

"Starbuck, calm down!" Boomer said quite alarmed.

"I can't calm down! Why does everyone keep telling me to stay calm?!" Starbuck shouted getting out of control.

Boomer and Jolly noticed the change in Starbuck's demeanor and hurried to him. They wanted to be sure to hold him back in case he got any more violent.

"Do not worry, I have seen his symptoms. He is in shock. I have a special remedy that I think will calm him down." The doctor moved over to the table and filled a cup with a brownish liquid. "Starbuck, please have a seat and drink this tea." Even though Starbuck resisted, Boomer and Jolly guided him to the chair. Upon noting Starbuck's hesitation to drink, he added, "I promise it's not poisoned. I'm on your side." Starbuck looked to Boomer, who nodded, and took a sip. "Go on, drink it all." Starbuck quickly downed the cup. "There, that's better. Isn't it?"

Starbuck nodded. "Yes, it is."

"Wow, I've never seen Starbuck calm down that fast before. Got any more of that stuff around?" Jolly asked jokingly.

"I'm afraid I have need of the rest," he paused. "I am sure you have lots of questions though, and I am determined to answer as much as I can."

"Isn't Talnar a Cylon?" Boomer asked.

"Well, you need to know a bit of history to know the answer to that. 8 yahrens (years) ago, this planet (Corona) was invaded by Baltar and his Cylons. Many were killed, and the few of us that survived were captured. When they realized that I was a knowledgeable doctor of both science and medicine as well as an inventor, they kept me alive and killed all the others. A yahren (year) after the attack, some warriors from one of the Battlestars landed on the planet and shot quite a few Cylons before they too were shot down. I took one of the Cylon bodies and programmed it in secret to make it for the preservation of human life and not for the destruction of humans. Talnar has become my companion, helper, spy, and best friend."

"But that still doesn't explain why Starbuck's laser didn't kill him."

"I knew that you warriors might find it a little hard to trust what looked to be a normal Cylon. So, I made sure he was wearing a vest that would protect him from laser blasters. He also is equipped with visuals from his scanner that can be shown on my wrist intercom."

"And you came up with all of this on your own?" Jolly asked clearly in awe of the brilliance of the doctor.

"Not all of it. Some of it came from Terra's ancient manuscripts, others came from Kobol's manuscripts, and others still came from Earth."

"Earth? That is where we are headed. Can you lead us there?" Jolly asked.

"Nae, these books were passed down to me from my great-grandfather who was an explorer. It took him many yahrens (years), but he eventually found them. They are my most prized possessions."

"That's very interesting, but where's Apollo? What happened to him?" Starbuck asked quietly.

Dr. Cyprus's eyes darkened as he began to tell the story. "Talnar had seen a colonial viper in the skies. He patched me into the scanner so that I could see it also. It appeared to have taken a hit from one of the Cylon shooting ranges. The pilot launched the viper pod out of the main viper. When the main part of the ship hit the ground, it caused a powerful explosion. I am quite positive that your pilot was blinded and lost control of the pod, which then crashed as well. We got him out and brought him back to these tunnels to care for him."

"May we see him?" Boomer asked.

"I don't see why not, but he hasn't regained consciousness. Follow me."