Part 6 Battlestar Galactica: Back To The Colonies,: War On The Mountain

Chapter 4

IV

The Next Day

Kara read the official communique from Lee, and her heart was torn into a million pieces.

"Admiral Lee Adama regrets to inform the people of The Fleet, that due to recent medical information that has come to light, he has temporarily, and reluctantly, removed Governor Justin Bond from his duties. Pending a formal medical evaluation, Quorum President Ingrid Kwok will become Acting Governor.

The Admiral asks all our citizens to pray for the health and well being of Governor Bond, The First Lady, and their entire family during this difficult time. May our strength be their strength."

She read it aloud in CIC, then broadcast it to everyone else on the Laura Roslin.

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The Fleet was stunned by the news. For many, he had been the voice of humanity for over thirty years. He had extended the first olive branch to Galactica; he had rallied Earth as the Cylon fleet approached and during the war; he was the one who had the vision to build this magnificent fleet, reclaim The Colonies and send mankind into deep space. And he had been the one chosen to lead this first fleet back to the Twelve home worlds.

Admiral Caprica Baltar received the news on her bridge, as Lee also broadcast the news to the entire fleet. She couldn't believe it. There wasn't a man, outside of her husband, that she loved and admired more. She was more than just his Admiral on the King: he was her dear friend and she loved him with all her heart. Judith Bond was the best friend she had ever had.

Lee informed Caprica that Judith was returning to the King briefly, to pick up clothing and personal items for her husband in preparation for days of testing and talking to doctors and Dr. Baezos aboard the Flagship. Caprica turned the CIC over to her XO as Judith's Raptor approached the hanger. She needed to be there when her friend arrived.

As soon as the Raptor's bay door opened and Judith Bond stepped out, Caprica commanded her crew. "Ten-hut!", and everyone turned toward the ship. "First Lady of The Fleet, arriving!" Fully two dozen people in the hangar held their best salutes for Judith Bond, even though by protocol they did not need to salute The First Lady, and in fact, she was not at this moment First Lady. But everyone on the ship not only respected, but quite literally loved Judith Bond, and they wanted to show her how much they loved her.

Judith was crying as an Ensign helped her down, and she looked at Caprica. Normally Caprica wouldn't think of showing such overt emotion in front of any of her crew, but everyone knew how close the two of them were, and she went up to her friend, crying without shame.

"Judith!", she whispered to her friend. "Oh Judith", she kissed her on the cheek, "I'm so sorry."

Judith Bond smiled. "There's nothing to be sorry for, Caprica", she said, holding the Admiral's hand. "I knew this was coming. It's a shock nevertheless, but Lee really had no choice."

"How is Justin?" She was very worried about her friend.

"He's fine, my dear." They held hands as they left the hangar and headed towards Caprica's quarters. "He has known his memory has been failing, but he had denied it for so long, and when he repeated something he had told Lee a few moments before, Lee dismissed me and told the Governor what had happened. He was stunned, but he realized at that moment, that with combat approaching, The Fleet needed a Governor with all their faculties."

They were silent the rest of the way to Caprica and Gaius' quarters.

Gaius was there when they arrived. He wasn't close to Judith Bond, but he respected both her and Justin Bond immensely. Judith had trouble sometimes keeping a straight face around the Doctor. Years earlier, Kara had told her about how she had slept with Gaius but called out Lee's name when they were having sex. Mother and daughter had laughed hysterically over that after the shock of the moment. But Gaius always treated her with respect, and right now, she accepted that.