Unexpected Redemption (A Battlestar Galactica 1978 FanFiction)

Chapter 8

"The last of Dr. Cyprus's stuff is now loaded on the shuttle including that equipment that he started to show us. I dodged a Cylon patrol on the way, so we'll have to be very careful," Jolly replied.

"Alright, we need to move Apollo now." Boomer said.

"How are we going to do that?" Jolly asked.

"If he can stand, we can help him to the shuttle that way."

"IF he can stand? Didn't Dr. Cyprus say that he broke his leg?" Starbuck asked.

"Yes, but we can't carry him. Then there would be no one to watch our back. It's the only way."

Starbuck nodded and said, "Sure. Is that vest on tight enough?"

Boomer checked it and concluded, "It's tight enough, but it sure is going to be painful to move in that thing with broken ribs. Jolly, you watch our back. Apollo, wake up."

Apollo moaned, "It's too early to be awake, Father. The sun isn't even up yet."

Boomer played along, "I know it's dark out son, but we need to get going." Boomer and Starbuck helped him into a sitting position. "Can you stand up?"

Apollo whined, "I'm too tired, Father."

Starbuck and Boomer put Apollo's arms over their shoulders and helped him to his feet. "Try to walk with us."

As soon as Talnar gave the 'false' message to Fornax, he headed towards the shuttle.

But Fornax was not so easily convinced. "When I contacted Baltar, he made no mention of being so close by...This doesn't seem right. Centurion, send another garrison to where the shuttle landed."

When they were about 25 feet away from the shuttle, Jolly shouted, "Cylons! I'll cover you." The Cylon garrison fired upon Jolly.

Starbuck and Boomer laid Apollo on the ground under the cover of some trees and went to Jolly. They too, fired upon the Cylons. Soon, all of the garrison was down. They hurried back to Apollo and helped him up again. Talnar came towards them with a load of dynamite. They were 10 feet away from the shuttle when the other garrison arrived.

Talnar took hold of Apollo while Starbuck, Boomer, and Jolly tried to hold off the garrison. When they thought all of them were gone, they put their laser blasters back into their holsters. Starbuck caught a glimpse of something in the corner of his eye. It was a Cylon aiming at Talnar and Apollo. "Talnar, look out!" He fired his laser blaster at the Cylon, but it was too late. He had already fired.

Talnar looked up in time to realize what was happening. He stepped in front of Apollo, and the beam hit him hard, causing him to fall to the ground.

Boomer and Jolly ran to Apollo and loaded him into the shuttle while Starbuck ran to Talnar. "Talnar!" Starbuck shouted.

"Starbuck... don't worry...your friend...is safe."

"Talnar...I'm so sorry. I didn't see him soon enough."

"Not your fault..."

"Dr. Cyprus would be proud."

"Goodbye...Starbuck."

"No, Talnar!"

But it was too late. The Cylon's circuits had faded completely, leaving Talnar lifeless.

"Come on, Starbuck! The rest of them are coming!" Boomer shouted.

Starbuck got into the shuttle and whispered, "Goodbye, Talnar."

Boomer closed the door and launched the shuttle. When they were directly over the outpost, Jolly dropped the load of dynamite that Talnar had brought and pushed the detonator. The whole outpost and the whole planet was destroyed in seconds.