Unexpected Redemption (A Battlestar Galactica 1978 FanFiction)

Chapter 9

Commander Adama rushed to the landing bay with Dr. Salik, Dr. Wilker, and several medical technicians. Adama had been very anxious and tense ever since they had received the transition. All they had said was that Apollo was hurt and to have Dr. Salik and Dr. Wilker there when they arrived.

"Hang on, Apollo. We're almost there," Starbuck said.

"How is he?" Boomer asked.

"Not good. He's barely holding on. I'm really worried." He was quiet for a moment before he noticed blood on his hand. "His head wound is bleeding again! Does anyone have a rag or something?" Starbuck asked urgently.

"No," they all replied.

Starbuck took off his jacket and pulled off his uniform shirt. He pressed it into the wound to stop the bleeding.

When the shuttle landed, Adama saw what he did not expect to see. He saw his son, Apollo, being placed onto a stretcher covered in bandages and blood. Then behind him, Boomer, Jolly, and Starbuck stood looking more worried, tired, and anxious than he had ever seen them before. Another thing that Adama did not expect to see was Starbuck shirtless while still in his uniform pants.

"Get him to the Life Center!" Dr. Salik ordered the medical technicians. The medical technicians, including Cassiopeia, rushed Apollo to the medical bay at Dr. Salik's command.

Starbuck caught up to Dr. Salik and Adama and explained everything that had happened.

Dr. Salik spoke up first, "So this Dr. Cyprus said not to remove the bandages from his eyes until a secton (week) after he regained consciousness?"

"Yes, and he made it very clear that taking it off any sooner would possibly make him blind for life."

Dr. Wilker had heard part of their conversation and spoke up, "So this doctor had made a Cylon that helped save human life instead of destroying it? Such information would be priceless. Too bad the doctor died."

"Actually, he made us promise to bring back his manuscripts, books, and notes. That may be one of the things he took notes on," Starbuck replied.

"Where are these things?" Dr. Wilker asked excitedly.

"They are in the shuttle, and may I remind you that some of those manuscripts and books were from Kobol, Terra, and Earth."

Dr. Wilker went into the shuttle and brought out pile after pile of books, manuscripts, and notes. "This is incredible." When he came to the bag of instruments, he furrowed his brow and asked, "What are these, Starbuck?"

"Medical instruments. Some of them were his own invention while others are made from the books. He showed us how to use this one," he said picking up the stethoscope-like instrument.

"This is extraordinary!" Dr. Salik said, taking the piece from Starbuck. "I'm going to go check on Apollo now. You weren't hurt, were you, Starbuck?"

"No, Apollo was the only one."

A few centons (minutes) later, Dr. Salik had finished examining Apollo and had managed to stop the bleeding.

"How is he?" Adama asked looking at his son lying unconscious in the life pod.

"It is just as Starbuck said. Fractured skull, concussion, 2 broken ribs, a broken leg, and the possibility of blindness. He is breathing on his own again, though, and it looks like he'll make a full recovery if only he would wake up. He still has a fever, but it is significantly lower than when they brought him in."

The next day, Dr. Salik was pleased to announce that Apollo's fever had broken, and he was showing signs of waking up.