Apollo looked around the table at all of his friends and family who had gathered after the terrible battle that had taken place only a short time before. He had been worried that perhaps Boxy would not be in a mood to be around others after dealing with such great losses on his first command. He was pleased to see that Tala had managed to begin the healing of that wound. Apollo hoped that Boxy wouldn't have to deal with the same situation at any time in the near future.

Apollo broke his gaze away from his son and new daughter in law to survey the rest of his guests. Boomer sat to Boxy's left listening as Bojay recounted some of the more tense moments in the recent battle. Apollo got the feeling that Boomer was slightly jealous that he had not gotten to take part in the fight. He also got the feeling that they may not have to wait very long for the next encounter. He only prayed that it would not inflict such heavy losses on his warriors.

Next Apollo looked to his sister, Athena. He noticed that she sat a bit closer than was necessary to Commander Omega. He had to smile to himself. Anyone who took the time to review the science ship's shuttle logs would see that someone was making frequent visits to the agro ship. Since all shuttle traffic was coordinated through the Galactica bridge, Apollo had noticed the occurrence several times while he was on duty. Once his interest had taken a firm hold, it took only a micron to discover who had requested the use of the shuttle. He knew that Omega was seeing someone on the agro ship, and the unintended closeness of the two before him confirmed his suspicions about who it was.

Tigh sat beside Omega listening to Bojay's story. Apollo got the feeling that Tigh's mind was recounting similar experiences he had encountered in his younger days with the colonial service. If one had been available he was sure that Tigh would have piloted a viper of his own into the battle. Apollo was able to identify with that feeling now that he had been forced to watch the latest battle from the relative safety and distance of the Galactica Bridge. He made a vow to himself to follow the example of Commander Cain at times in the future by personally leading a few patrols.

Looking further around the table, Apollo saw Starbuck and Cassiopeia. He didn't think he had ever seen Cassiopeia look so happy, though she was trying to hide it as much as possible. On the other hand, Starbuck was the picture of an unsettled man. He was trying to act as though he was listening to Bojay, but it was plain to Apollo that his mind was far from the battlefield.

Looking to his right, Apollo gazed at Sheba. He couldn't help but reflect on all that she meant to him. When his father had died, Apollo found himself unable to express his grief to any of his friends or family. He had been thrust all too suddenly into his father's former position as Commander of the fleet. He knew that thousands of people were looking to him to continue the strong leadership that Adama had always given. The last thing they needed was to see just how weak and helpless Apollo was feeling at that moment.

He had repeatedly refused any offers of comfort, but it was Sheba who had proven herself to be just as stubborn as her father ever was. She never pressed him on the issue when they were in public, but when they were in private she would seize every opportunity to offer support. In time she made him realize that keeping his feelings hidden from everyone was slowly destroying the Apollo that they had always known. He began to see that closing off his feelings from everyone was effectively pushing them away, and leaving him isolated with no point of sanity to hold on to. It was Sheba who had made him see where he was heading, and she was also the one who became his source of strength when he was so desperately in need.

Apollo forced himself to come back to the moment at hand. He knew that reviewing all of the reasons why Sheba was so special to him would effectively push away all of his guest's own thoughts and feelings. He made it back just in time to participate in the toast that Bojay was giving to Starbuck for his role in saving them from certain destruction.

When the toast was over, Apollo said, "Now that we have all reviewed the many acts of bravery that were displayed today, I think it is time to welcome back some old friends who we have been missing from this table for far too long."

There were acknowledgments from everyone around the table that were directed in the direction of Starbuck and Cassiopeia. "Here, here," Boxy said as everyone raised their glass to the couple.

"I just wish you could have made it back in time for our sealing," Boxy said as everyone was lowering their glasses.

"So do we," Cassiopeia said. "We were very pleased to be able to see it when it was broadcast on the IFB though."

"We were pretty shocked to see it too," Starbuck said, "considering how they hounded the two of you."

"Well," Tala responded, "we all must do our part to assure the well being of the fleet and its people. We didn't give them the grand spectacle they had been told to expect at first, but I think what we gave them was adequate."

"I would say so," Athena said. "I've been getting requests from all over the fleet to use that same spot for other sealing ceremonies. You two may have revolutionized the entire ceremony."

"I wouldn't be surprised," Apollo started to say, "if even the most unlikely of people began breaking down the bulkheads to be sealed." Apollo let the resulting laughter die down before continuing. "Well, enough of this sealing talk. Starbuck, is there any news that you know of that we may have missed while you were gone."

Starbuck recognized the sly smile on Apollo's lips. He had seen it on Adama's lips a few times. One instance in particular sprang to mind now.

Starbuck stood to address everyone. "You will all have to excuse our impatient commander. He knows full well that I have some news I would like to share," he said as he began to move behind Cassiopeia. "It would seem that we are not through with the sealing talk. Cassiopeia and I have decided to be sealed as soon as we get resettled on the Galactica."

A moment of silence set in as the shock of Starbuck's announcement began to sink in. It was almost as if everyone were giving Starbuck a chance to retract the statement before it became solid in their minds just what he had proposed.

"Well," Starbuck said as the silence persisted, "don't everyone speak at once."

"I'm sorry old buddy," Boomer began as he began to regain his thoughts, "its just that those were words some of us never expected to hear come out of your mouth."

"I guess there just comes a time in every man's life…," Starbuck said.

Since Boomer had taken the initiative in stating what they were all thinking, the others around the table began to recover from their own amazement and congratulations were showered upon the happy couple.

"I have to hand it to you, Cassiopeia," Athena said. "There are women all over the fleet who would give a sectons pay to know what you said to talk him into it. The Lords know enough of them have tried to do that themselves over the past few yahrens. You may find your advice in high demand once word of your conquest gets out."

As the laughter spread around the table, Bojay said, "We may be looking at a fleet wide riot by the women once the news of it does come out."

"Don't worry," Apollo said before the laughter got too out of control, "I've already drawn up a crowd control plan."

Laughter took control of the room for some time as even Starbuck and Cassiopeia found the humor in the situation. After all, Starbuck was partly responsible for starting most of the constant rumors about his escapades.

"Well," Apollo began as the laughter subsided, "I would say that the occasion calls for something very special." Apollo stood and said, "If you would all follow me please," as he began to head for the door to the adjoining chamber.

Everyone followed as asked and they soon discovered what the special thing that Apollo referred to. In the chamber were several glasses that bore the mark of his family. They were glasses that had been passed down since the early days of the family after they had settled on Caprica. Few families within the fleet still possessed such treasures. Their use for any occasion was usually reserved for small family celebrations, usually at the time of the sealing of an oldest son or daughter. For Apollo to use them now was a sign of the greatest respect for Starbuck, a display of friendship not lost to Starbuck's notice.

Sheba took the tray with the delicate glasses around the room until everyone had one. Apollo then produced a bottle of Ambrosia. Those gathered in the room could tell from the look of the bottle that it was a very old vintage. It was a rare thing indeed. Nearly as rare as the glasses they were to drink it from in fact.

Apollo recognized the looks at the bottle and knew they were all wondering the age. He said, "This bottle of Ambrosia is nearly eight hundred yahrens old. It seems a fitting age for the glasses we will pour it into."

None of them questioned his choices of the glasses or the Ambrosia, and they remained silent as Apollo poured the valuable liquid into each glass. Once he had filled his own glass, he returned the bottle to the table from where it came.

Apollo surveyed the faces of those gathered in the room. His eyes finally came to rest on Starbuck and Cassiopeia. He said, "I think I speak everyone here when I say that we wish you both the very best. I have only been sealed once, and that was for a brief time. So, I find myself unable to pass along any advice that may make your lives together any happier. However, I have faith that the Lords have brought you together not only to enrich your own lives, but also the lives of those who have the privilege to call you friends."

Everyone raised their glass to the toast before taking their first sip of the well- aged Ambrosia. They all savored the taste of the Ambrosia that was worth more than most of them would earn with a lifetime in the colonial service.

None savored the taste more than Starbuck, as he fought to hold back the emotions created within him by Apollo's words and gestures. Apollo had always been the closest thing to family Starbuck had ever known. Now Apollo made him feel as though he was a part of his family. That would have been confirmed for him had he known the story behind the bottle of Ambrosia.

Apollo had possession of three other such bottles. One of the bottles had been given to him by the people who had been rescued from Protious, where they had been making and storing Ambrosia for generations. The other two had been saved by his father for use when Apollo and Athena became sealed to someone. The one Apollo had opened for Starbuck and Cassiopeia had originally been meant for his brother Zack's sealing. By opening the bottle for Starbuck, Apollo was making a subtle statement about his feelings for Starbuck.

Later that evening as everyone was expressing their appreciation to Apollo before leaving, Starbuck came to him and clasped his arm in friendship and then the two came together for a hug. For those that remained to witness the act, it was a silent but clear message between the two about their mutual feelings for one another. Since they had faced death together so many times and depended upon one another for rescue from that fate, their friendship had grown beyond that of most friendships. In Apollo's mind, Starbuck had filled the gap in his family that opened when the Cylons had killed his brother. To Starbuck, Apollo was the brother he had never known, since he had been orphaned as a small child. A brotherhood had formed between them that was as real as it was silent.

After everyone had left from the dinner gathering, Apollo and Sheba spent a little time cleaning up. Sheba had just put away the last of the table decorations when she noticed Apollo standing next to the window in the living area of his quarters. Seeing the intensity with which he looked out at the stars beyond made her realize that she had not seen him do so since right before they left earth. She guessed that something must be weighing heavily on his mind.

She walked up behind him and placed her arms around his waist as she had done at times like these in the past. Apollo placed his hands on hers, and she could feel the tension within him. After a while it became clear to her that she would have to make the first attempt at conversation to snap him out of the trance like state he seemed to be in.

"Apollo," she began, "what is it that has you so down right now? I would think the nights festivities would prompt nothing but happy thoughts."

Apollo hesitated before asking, "Do you think my father would have approved of my decision to open the bottle of Ambrosia he had meant for Zac's sealing ceremony?"

Sheba could feel the pain in Apollo's voice as he spoke. She knew of the difficulty Apollo still had of talking about his father. Perhaps more than anyone, she understood how deeply Adama's death had affected him.

"I think he would have done it himself in the same situation," she said. "You said yourself that Adama had considered him all but family."

After another moment of silence, Apollo said, "I suppose you're right. I guess I just need reassurance every now and then."

His words seemed to indicate that his problem had been solved, but Sheba could tell that the same tension she had felt in Apollo before was still present. There was more to his troubles, something he wasn't saying.

Sheba moved around Apollo so that she could look into his eyes. The sadness she saw nearly brought tears to he own eyes. Taking a deep breath to regain her own composure, Sheba asked, "What is it Apollo? Something other than that bottle of ambrosia is on your mind."

Apollo looked away from the stars for the first time and saw Sheba looking at him. A look at her face was enough to tell him that he was beginning to sink back into the same pattern he had developed after his father's death. He had seen this same look of concern on her face at that time. He knew that it was only her efforts to break down the wall he erected around himself that saved him from certain insanity.

"I've been thinking about my father," Apollo began. "Celebrating Starbuck's upcoming sealing just made me think about ours. I want to enter into our life together without any necessary things undone. It was more than two yahren ago that my father died, and in that time I still have not found the strength to go through his things. It was one of the last things he asked me to do for him. He made it seem as though it was something of great importance to him. I just haven't found the strength to do it yet. All of his personal belongings are still in the storage area I had them placed in after he died."

"Apollo," Sheba said softly, "it doesn't have to be done right away. I wouldn't be able to do it if I were in your situation. There are very few who could."

"But I do have to do it now," Apollo said. "I can't explain why it is so important to do it right away. It's almost as if there were something in that storage area that is calling to me to come and find it. I know it doesn't sound sane, but the feeling has been getting stronger and stronger lately. It's as if my father is trying to pull me into that room to show me something."

"What ever it is," Sheba began, "can certainly wait until you're ready."

"I'm afraid not," Apollo said. "Whether I like it or not, it's something I have to do now, or I may never do it. I've already cleared my schedule for tomorrow so I can begin going through his things."

There was nothing more Sheba could say. He had already made up his mind about his course of action. So, in defeat, she simply put her arms around him and held him to her. It was after a few microns that she noticed how much of the tension was gone from his body. He had not completely relaxed, but the majority of his tension had melted away into the voids of the universe.

They held each in the embrace for some time before retiring to the bedroom. Even after they had laid down for sleep, Apollo still held on to her as only one who truly loved his mate could. Each of them would assure that no harm came to the other in the night. As their tender contact continued, they were both soon embraced by sleep.

Sheba didn't stir as Apollo rose from the bed and went in to wash his face. Apollo looked into the mirror and could see that sleep was fighting to keep its grasp on him. It was long before the time Apollo would have normally found himself out of bed. As his mind struggled to keep a hold on the world of the present, tiny fragments of his dreams began to replay themselves. They were only small unconnected flashes of what would have been much larger dreams, but Apollo could still tell that his dreams had had one common theme.

Adama had appeared in each of them. It was as if he were determined to make sure Apollo went to search the storage compartment where all of the former Commander's personal things had been placed. Apollo was more sure than ever that some unseen force was urging him in the direction of the storage area.

Apollo splashed his face with a handful of cool water that instantly began its work of driving the sleep away for good. The chill of the water was allowed to remain on his face until Apollo could feel his body begin to re-heat the skin. Once the warming had begun, Apollo dried his face lightly with a towel not wanting to cause any friction that would take away all remains of the wonderful coolness he had enjoyed.

Looking once again into the mirror, Apollo could see that he was refreshed. Still though, there was something else buried in his features that he was less willing to admit recognition of. Deep within himself, he knew it was that which he did not want to face that caused such a change in his appearance.

Walking to his closet to take out a uniform, a thought struck him. He had rarely dressed himself in anything other than a uniform since he entered the academy, yet on this occasion it seemed a bit inappropriate. He reached instead for the civilian clothing he normally reserved for when he had to mingle with the people that were encountered on the worlds they passed.

Once dressed, Apollo took one last look at the still sleeping Sheba as if hoping that she would suddenly wake and rescue him from what he was about to experience. His hopes were dashed, however, as Sheba slept on peacefully. Apollo spent a few microns watching her sleep. In that time he managed to absorb a part of her peacefulness as he felt his emotions calmed by the serene sight.

Upon hearing the door of his quarters close behind him as he stepped into the hallway, Apollo again became aware of the rhythmic beating of his own heart. It was with a slight bit of effort that he set his feet in motion down the corridor that would take him to his destination. All of his senses seemed to be heightened more and more as the distance was closed. The beating of his heart seemed to get harder and harder until he could feel his blood as it moved through every part of his body. His ears became aware of the heavy thud of his boots on the deck as he walked, his steps seeming to follow along with the rhythm established by the cadence of his heart. Even his breathing seemed to fall in line with the established pulse of his body.

Turning a corner, Apollo could see the door to the dreaded room just ahead of him. Try as he might to force his feet to slow their approach, his body seemed locked into its course as if it were being pulled onwards by a invisible cord.

In time Apollo ceased to resist the force which urged him forward. With his mind almost in a trance, it was only at the last micron that Apollo's self control returned to stop him from attempting to walk right through the metal door. Apollo was thankful that whatever it was that urged him on was not so determined that it might cause him injury.

Although the mysterious force had released its attraction, Apollo was sure it would not allow him to retreat from the door which now stood in front of him. After taking a few microns to gather up his courage, Apollo placed his hand on the wall plate that would confirm his identity and clearance.

The confirmation process went on silently while Apollo wished with his entire being that he would somehow be denied access. He knew it was a fruitless wish since, as Commander, he had a clearance that would open every such lock within the fleet. With every fraction of a micron that slipped by, Apollo prepared himself to face the terror that awaited him on the other side of the door.

It was without warning that the door before Apollo slid aside. The muscles in his body seemed to contract in an instant. Then, slowly, his muscles began to relax as his mind assembled the information concerning the state of the room beyond. The demon that Apollo's mind had conjured was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the still and quiet of the small room seemed to flow out and embrace him.

Apollo expected to feel the force that had brought him to the room begin pulling him inside. Expecting such, it was that much more of a surprise to him as his legs were obeying his commands once again. Apollo felt nothing put peace as he took the first tentative step inside the threshold. With another step he found himself fully inside the compartment and growing comfortable with his surroundings, even as the door slid closed behind him.

Taking a deep breath and becoming even more at ease with his surroundings, Apollo surveyed the neatly stacked storage boxes in front of him. Apollo could tell which boxes his father had prepared since each of them had a label that hinted at what was contained within. The boxes without labels Apollo recognized as the ones he and Athena had packed after their father's funeral. Already knowing the content of the unlabeled boxes, Apollo decided to center his investigation on the labeled ones.

So, taking a micron to choose a box at random, Apollo began his journey into Adama's past.

Apollo had become so engrossed in learning from the contents of the boxes in the storage area that he hadn't even noticed that almost an entire cycle had gone by. When he learned it, he was struck by the fact that he had missed all of the normal meal periods observed within the fleet without any sign from his body that something was amiss.

From the time, he guessed that Sheba would already have gone to bed since she was scheduled to be on duty early in the next cycle. Knowing that he himself had a meeting with his squadron commanders and command staff to prepare for during that time, Apollo decided to pick out one more box to take back to his quarters with him.

Apollo had learned already learned more about his father's past than he had ever expected possible. His father had always been faithful in documenting his activities in journals. The ones Apollo had reviewed gave him incredible insight into Adama's life from the time since he was a young boy to just before he was given command of the Galactica. He guessed that no son had ever had so much information about his father's early life.

Although Apollo loved reading about all of his father's adventures, Adama's competitions with Cain when they were in their academy years were his favorite, there was nothing as yet discovered that would indicate anything of such importance that any outside force would be forcing him toward it.

Looking over the stack stacks that he had yet to disturb, Apollo wondered if he should even bother to try to pick one box over another for later review. At that point one box looked remarkably like another to him. Without making a detailed examination of the label on each one it might as well be left up to chance.

Apollo made a to decision to alter his original plan and just leave all of the unexamined boxes where they were until a later date. The plan had barely had time to take a firm hold in his brain before, just as he was turning to leave the room, he felt the gentle tug of the power that had guided him to the room in the first place. It stopped him and made him reverse his course and consider the boxes once again.

Apollo resisted the pull for a micron but soon gave in and let it guide him to a stack of boxes in the far corner of the room. When he reached the boxes he was a bit surprised to find himself moving the entire stack one by one and re-stacking them out of the way. Then he turned the same attention to the stack that sat behind where the other boxes had formerly been. As with the last group, each box was moved individually out of the way.

As Apollo picked up the last of the boxes from that stack he was wondering how many more stacks he would be driven to relocate. Then he realized that he was no longer being guided to stack the box in his hands with the others. I guess someone had a different idea about how much sleep I am going to get, Apollo thought. You had better be worth it, he thought about the box as he left the room and proceeded down the corridor to his quarters.

Upon entering his quarters Apollo promptly set the box down on the edge of his desk and slowly walked away as if waiting for something to pull him right back to the box. Yet nothing did. Instead Apollo was allowed to continue on to find a plate of food and a note waiting for him on a table.

Apollo smiled as he read Sheba's note to himself. Knowing that he had already missed all of the meal periods, she had feared that he would simply go on to bed once he had returned to his room without taking the time to eat. So, taking her kind hint, he sat down and poured himself a drink to go along with his meal. He ate slowly as he suddenly became aware of his hunger after taking the first bite.

By the time he had finished the generous portion of food Sheba had left for him, Apollo decided to get a good nights rest so he would have plenty of time to prepare for his upcoming meeting with his command staff. It was just as he began to stand that he remembered the box he had sat on his desk. He wondered why it was so important that he bring it back to his quarters, but now that he was going to leave it in favor of getting some sleep the feeling of an outside force pulling him back to the box was suspiciously absent.

It only took a couple of microns for him to realize why the aid of an outside force wasn't necessary. Apollo recognized that his own curiosity would compel him to examine the contents of the box before he could ever fall asleep. So, instead of fighting against his own inquisitiveness, he sat at his desk and looked for the usual label that would tell him the general contents of the box.

The fact that he couldn't find any label on the box only served to intensify Apollo's interest. Adama had been meticulous about labeling all of the other boxes so well that there was almost no need to open the box at all, yet for some reason he had never felt the need to apply that same attention to the box that sat before Apollo.

Apollo held his breath at the excitement as he removed the lid of the box. A look inside of the box and he began breathing once again as he found himself faced with what appeared to be a box of ordinary bound reports. Taking a closer look at the folder on the top of the stack, Apollo noticed that it bore the symbol that identified it as being intended for viewing only by those with the highest of security clearance. Picking it up and looking though the first few pages, Apollo realized that the majority of the technical terms in it were really meant for someone like Dr. Wilker who may actually understand what they meant. However, he could gather enough to tell that he was looking at the research data from what appeared to be a new engine design.

Laying the first of the folders to the side and choosing another to scan, Apollo was once again left in the shadows by the technical concepts. From that folder he could tell that he was looking at the research data for a new metal alloy that could be used on a ship's hull. Folder after folder proved to contain similar types of material. Apollo could sense that he might have just hit upon a technical find that could revolutionize the fleet if Dr. Wilker and his scientists on the science ship could complete the unfinished research in the folders.

Only one folder remained in the box, and Apollo's only regret was that he had found the end of his treasure. Removing the last folder from the box and opening it to the first page was enough to tell him that this last one was very different from its predecessors. Whereas with the others he had struggled through the technical jargon just enough to glean the general purpose of the research, the new folder was laid out very neatly and simply in language that almost anyone with an education could follow. Perhaps most sticking about the difference was the fact that the content of the words was biological instead of technological.

Apollo realized almost at once what the project was. He remembered that last time his father had eluded to it. It was during the time when Count Iblis had almost led the fleet on a path to certain destruction. The incredible powers displayed by Iblis had fascinated the people of the fleet so much that they began to think of him as some kind of god. Apollo, having doubts about Iblis and his motives, had nothing that would offer dispute to their belief. Perhaps in time even he would have given in and succumb to Iblis' power. Before that however, he had walked on his father and found him moving a statue across his desk using nothing but his mind.

Adama had explained that he had been involved in a secret experimental project while at the academy that sought to develop unused portions of the brain. The ability to move an object with thought had been one of the areas studied. From his father Apollo had learned that the study, although it had shown results in many areas, was eventually canceled when it became clear that no practical application could be found for the level of abilities shown. There were those in the program like Adama who could manage to move a small object over a short distance, but the effort inevitably caused a severe mental strain on the subjects. Most experienced either extreme pain or blackouts, while others conditions required more extensive medical care.

After learning all of that from his father, Apollo had no wonder as to why the project had been canceled. Yet, something inside of him made him read on in the journal. Apollo had almost read the report from front to back when he came across the exercises used in the study to develop the level of concentration needed. Having read about all of the successes and failures of the program, Apollo still made the decision to try the exercises. He didn't really expect to be able to awaken new areas of his brain as the program had intended, but if it could improve his ability to concentrate any at all then it may serve as a useful tool to enhance the areas he already had command of.

For the first few steps of the exercises Apollo could not detect any difference in his level of concentration. He suspected that his vigilant attempt to monitor for any changes in his relaxation was in itself the thing that was keeping him from making any progress. So, with some effort, he drove all attempts to monitor his progress away from his thoughts. And as he did, the successive exercises seemed to spawn the flow of calm that slowly enveloped his body. By the time he had finished the last of the exercises he knew that he was in a state of consciousness very different from the one he had started with.

The sensations that he was feeling were a bit overwhelming to Apollo at first. His mind and body had become so relaxed that he could almost believe that they no longer existed. Yet he knew they must since the thoughts he was thinking were so real they were almost tangible. It was as if the boundary that his body had always provided was now extended outward into the room. He could almost feel the objects around him as if they were a part of his own being.

With that in mind, Apollo made the decision to test just how far out into the room he could stretch that feeling. He found that he could stretch his consciousness just beyond his desk in front of him and through the wall and into the passageway behind him. Fearing to attempt to push his new found ability too far, he concentrated on just his desk area in front of him.

Apollo began to wonder if this is the state that his father had been in when he had moved the statue those many yahren ago. He wondered if he to could move an object. So, choosing a writing utensil on the corner of his desk, he began to focus all of his senses on it. He could feel the sleek contours of its sides and the sharp point at the end as surely as if he were holding it in his hand. With just the smallest of mental command he saw it move slightly. Encouraged by what he had seen, Apollo applied a bit more effort and watched as the pen rose into the air before him and hovered over the desk. He found that he could make it go left or right in the air with just a hint of suggestion. Amused at what he saw, Apollo added a spinning motion before remembering what he had read about what had happened to the test subjects when they had attempted similar acts.

Apollo allowed the pen to drift softly to the desk once again before releasing his hold on it. He was almost sad as he felt his consciousness pulling itself back into the confines of his body. Being once again fully within himself, Apollo waited for the expected aftereffects, but no matter how long he waited they never came. Somehow he had escaped the effects that the report had said all of the test subjects felt.

Almost not believing his luck, Apollo sat quietly in his chair for a time pondering what he had just done. Now that it was over he could finally begin to feel his exhaustion set in. It was not exhaustion caused by his mental activities, but simply the complaint of a body that should have already been far into its sleep period. So, not wanting to upset his body's schedule any more than he already had, Apollo stood and walked toward his bed for what was sure to be a restful night.