TM 268. The End
OOC: Contains spoilers for 4.13, "The Oath."
We've come too far and been through too much for everything to fall apart now.
But that's exactly what's happening. Felix Gaeta... my gods. How did this happen? Unlike Gaius, I'm under no illusions that there's always been an inherent flaw in the character of Felix Gaeta that would have always led to this end for him. But I can't, I won't, blame Gaius. It won't do any good and I doubt Gaius will step out of character and accept whatever small responsibility he has in this latest tragedy. He can't do it any more than I can openly acknowledge my responsibility for this catastrophe. Because they'll bury me.
Never thought I'd empathize with Baltar.
But I can't pity Gaeta. I'm sorry for whatever's led him to this, but I know, I know, whatever circumstances surrounded Bill's removal from CIC was full of pain upon pain and betrayal upon betrayal and that is something I will not stand for.
Lee said that Zarek is involved. Probably the ringleader of this entire mess and I will deal with him once and for all once I get to wherever the frak it is they want to take us.
If there was only thing I wanted before I left, it was to see Bill. To see for myself that he was all right and to tell him, gods... There's been so much already said and none of it enough for that man. I knew from the moment he appeared in front of me that he wasn't coming with me and probably wouldn't have even had I been selfish enough to ask. He'd never survive knowing that he left his ship while there were still people fighting for him, in his name, and for the sake of humanity. He'd live, but he'd never survive betraying those who had remained true to him and his chain of command.
I never thought he would acknowledge our relationship so openly, especially in front of his son. As soon as I'd seen him, I had resigned myself to a more formal farewell. A handshake definitely, with both hands clasped together, perhaps even a hug. Surely we could indulge ourselves that much. I didn't care, I truly didn't, but I knew he did.
Then he was in front of me and I knew it the moment he looked at me, and he knew I knew. This could be goodbye, just as soon as we'd truly finished saying hello. I needed him as much as he needed me and I knew, I knew, that if I didn't give him all I had, all the strength I knew I could give him, neither of us would survive long. It's always been between us, this fragile balance of the fleet we've been holding in our hands for so long, and it was time. The time of respite was at its end, but I refuse to believe that this is humanity's end.
I do know what you have to do, Bill, and I know that you can't do it with me. Lords know I'd rather stay and fight with you and I know you'd want to be with me when Tom Zarek's reckoning comes with all the fury of Zeus and Hera's thunder, but neither of us could do the other any good that way. We need to separate, for now, but I know that I'll see you again. We'll both come out the other side of this maelstrom, stronger together.
Lords of Kobol, if you're there, hear my prayer. Keep him safe and spare him more pain. Give those who will stand with him, and me, the strength to do so.
This is not the end.
President Laura Roslin
Battlestar Galactica
614 words