Was it Live, or Was it Dream Trap?
By Krystina Stressman & Scorpio

 It was extraordinary. It was startling. It left Rigel speechless. Commander Adama sensed Rigel stiffen. "Rigel? . . . Lieutenant?"
 Rigel seemed to simultaniously come out of a trance, as well as snap tp attention. "Yes! Sir!"
 "Rigel, what's wrong?"
 "Sire, it's . . . I can't describe it! I . . . I . . ."
 Adama stepped down from the Control Com and looked over her shoulder at the console.
 "Switch to War Book," the Commander spoke.
 Rigel expertly flipped on the computer's Ship Identifier, and it began to draw a diagram of a scorpion.
 Lt. Rigel was the first to see it on the Galactica's scanners, but she still could not believe her eyes. "How can an animal . . . a scorpion . . . live out in space?"
 Adama reached down and flipped a switch to better see the schematics diameters. "Lords," Adama breathed, "That's no animal. That's a ship! And it appears to be three times larger than the Galactica! Omega!"
 "Yes, sir!"
 "Sound Yellow Alert!"
 "Yes, sir!"
 Things around the Galactica began hopping, but still remained fairly casual. Adama turned back to the console in front of Rigel.
 "Go to Negative Shields. I want to see what's out there . . . without the scanners."
 "Yes, sir," Rigel replied and complied to the order.
 The massive shields lowered away from the Galactica's main viewing portal from the Bridge, and what appeared to be a gigantic, robotic scorpion loomed in front of them.
 Everyone on the Bridge  murmured in awe.
 Rigel seemed to be nudged out of a trance again. "Uh . . . Sir! They wish to speak with you!"
 Adama jumped back to the Comm again in just a few leaping steps.
 "Put it on Commander Adama."
 "Yes, sir!"
 The monitors on the Bridge Comm winked on and a man who appeared to be not quite as old as Adama, and a little larger in build, wearing a burgundy Colonial Uniform appeared there.
 "Commander Adama! Greetings! I offer my regrets to you, but let me also be the first to congratulate you."
 Adama was massively confused. First of all, who was this stranger? Why was jhe wearing the same uniform, but in a different color? And how did he know about the circumstances of the Galactica?
 "Uh, thank you," he tried to return the cordialness. "Ummm . . . don't think me rude, but who are you?"
 "Ah . . . Forgive me, Commander.  It is I who have been rude. I have been following your situation for so long, I feel almost as though you are family. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Commander Starfire of the Scorpius." Starfire added a slight bow to his introduction.
 Upon hearing the name of the ship in front of them, a few crew members on the Bridge began talking among themselves.
 Adama held a hand up to stop them and to calm everyone. he turned back to the monitor. "How do you do . . ."
 "Commander," Starfire replied, "I realize this must be an awkward situation for you. let me explain. I understand that the last colony you and your ship had contact with, you had high hopes for it to be Earth. My regrets to you. I know it was a personal loss to you that it turned our not to be Earth."
 Adama put on his skeptic's face. "Yes . . . true . . ."
 It was about this time, Apollo silently entered the Bridge and listened to the conversation, a step or two away from his father.
 Starfire continued, "But let me be the first to congratulate you on your re-election to the new council . . ."
 Everyone turned to look at their Commander at this news. Adama smiled sheepishly.
 "And, Commander, let me reassure you that Yellow Alert is not necessary."
 "How did . . ." Adama started.
 Starfire raised his hand in a wave of dismissal. "Never mind that, Commander. let me get to the point. I simply wish to extend hospitality for my earlier congratulations. I propose to hold a banquet this evening in your honor and invite you aboard."
 Commander Adama opened his mouth to say something, but the air remained still.
 After waiting a few moments and still getting no reply, Starfire replied, "I know this must be overwhelming, Commander. Why don't you think it over and get back to me? My Communications Officer will be standing by."
 "Yes, very well," was all Adama managed to say.
 "Very well, then. By your leave."
 The Comm monitor went blank.
 As soon as the Bridge crew realized the Com-link ended, they all started talking at once.
 Adama was just standing there with his mouth open. A few microns laters he sank into his command chair and closed his mouth, thinking. Apollo stepped forward.
 "Cancel Yellow Alert," was the first thing Adama managed to say.
 "Father!" Apollo took it up with him. "Are you serious?! Didn't you take a good look at that ship? They're probably armed to the teeth."
 Omega also stepped forward, in agreement with Apollo. "Sir, I agree . . ."
 Adama cut them off. "Cancel it. Did you see his uniform, Captain? It may have been a different color, but they, too, are from our Colonies. besides, I see no threat at this time. Not unless you think they're going to come over here and attack us with a leg of ovine."
 "Yes, sir." Omega turned back to his post and signaled the cancel order.
 Apollo looked at his father. "How did her know you'd just been re-elected to the new Council? The election was just last night, and not announced yet!"
 "I don't know, Apollo. I don't know." He looked at his son.
 "What are you going to do, father?"
 "I'm not sure . . . Probably attend a party."
 

 As soon as the Comm went dead, Starfire looked to his left, at his Commander.
 "Very well done, Commander," Scorpio complimented Starfire.
 "Thank you . . . but I still don't understand your plan. I mean, I thought you wanted the girl."
 "Oh, she'll come," Scorpio replied with a sly smile. "These things must be handled delicately. First you gotta get on their good side. Show them a good time, and that you aren't there to declare war, or anything - just because we can. Let them think we're their friends."
 Starfire smiled . . . Good plan.
 "Oh . . . and how did you know he'd just been re-elected?"
 "Like I said, Commander - or, like you said." There was a brief exchange of slight smiles, as Scorpio got up and headed for the transport chamber, "I always like to follow a good story." He turned to the Communications Officer on duty. "Call Operations, and have them prepare the banquet for this evening."
 "Yes, sir."
 Starfire knew he had the Comm. Scorpio entered the transport chamber and beamed to his quarters.
 

 A few centaurs later, the buzzer sounded at Scorpio's quarters.
 "HlghoS!"
 There was a hesitation, and Starfire slowly entered. He poked her head in and saw Scorpio sitting in the middle of the room at one of the six chairs arranged in a circle with a table in the center, potted palms between each chair and a sunken ceiling with a beautiful chandelier hanging from its depth, squarely over the table and chairs. Live plants surrounded the chandelier, on a ledge inside the sunken ceiling.
 "HlghoS!" Scorpio repeated, and Starfire slowly entered the huge room.
 "What . . . did you say?!"
 "HlghoS," Scorpio replied and set a small book down on the table. "It means, 'Come in' - I've found a new language, and I was practicing."
 "Oh . . ." Starfire walked over to his Commander and indicated one of the chairs.
 "Yes, Starfire, please sit down."
 Starfire sat in a chair, leaving one between himself and Scorpio, and found the chairs to be even more comfotable than they looked, which is to say, they looked very comfotable.
 Scorpio, himself, got up and went over to an odd-looking contraption. From waht Starfire could see, he took out some fresh bovine juice and steamed it in a small silver pitcher. Next he force-brewed water through a small filter of ground beans, and mixed it with the steamed bovine juice. Then he forced some white foam from a pressurized container that was kept in the cooler with the juice. Scorpio walked over and handed it to Starfire, who eyes it suspiciously.
 Scorpio laughed as he went over to the machine to make one for himself. "Try it. it won't bite you. It's called a 'latte'. Something else I've recently discovered."
 Starfire sipped it and unknowingly left a large, foamy, white moustache on his lip.
 Ummmm," he smacked, "Not bad."
 Scorpio settled into his chair with his latte, smiling at Starfire's minor faux pas. He threw his Number One a napkin.
 "You've brought me some news."
 Starfire swallowed his mouthful. "Umm. yeah, yeah, I did. Commander Adama called back. he's gonna come over tonight!"
 "Very good. And?"
 "And he's bringing Warriors from his two best Squadrons with him."
 "Yes, very good. I had our Communications Officer leave word that," Scorpio paused, "You suggested some of his people might beed 'shore leave' time, that they're more than welcome. It's not a private banquet, after all."
 Starfire smacked his latte. "Well, he went for it." Suddenly he sat up and looked at Scorpio for the first time since getting his coffee. "Speaking of going for it, that was a beautiful set-up. Your telepathically feeding me what to say!" Starfire paused, looking at the little bit of foam left on his latte. "It was really weird," he looked back up, "But it came off really well."
 "Oh, of course. When you[re perfectly polite, there's no reason why they shouldn't respond favorably," Scorpio replied.
 "And you're sure," Starfire urged, "That the girl is coming?"
 Scorpio looked at his companion sideways as he got up to put his cup away. "Yes, Starfire, she's coming. You're almost concerned as if you were the one going to make a play for her."
 "It's not that, Commander. It's just that I always love watching your plans hatch. Sometimes I don't know how you do it . . . Watching you plans happen . . . is fun."
 "All part of being a pirate, my friend," Scorpio smiled.
 "Oh, and speaking of your plan hatching," Starfire held up a finger, "How am I suppose to act tonight? I mean, if you're not going to be there to help -"
 "Just be a gracious host," Scorpio assured him, "And the rest should fall into place." He offered to take Starfire's cup, instead Starfire indicated he's like another helping.
 Scorpio, this time, pulled out some liquid chocolate from the small cooler.
 "This one's called a 'mocha'."
 

 The air had a feeling of electricity to it. It was exciting. It always was before a party. Tonight was a huge banquet.
 The harem quarters were a buzz with excited chattering as the women of Scorpio's harem were getting prepared to go.
 "This is going to be so much fun," Venus told the others.
 "Yes, I agree," Valaria added with a sly grin. Her eyes twinkled, "Just think about all those men."
 Andrea stepped in at that moment and looked at Valaria. "No, dear," she said quietly, "We are going to be by ourselves at the end of the table."
 Valaria was visibly disappointed.
 "You see, dear," Andrea added, "We are only Scorpio's slaves, and we have our place; which is not with the others."
 "That hardly seems fair," Valaria went on.
 Andrea slowly shook her head. "Your taste for men must be left here where ot belongs, as the feast is honoring the Commander of another ship, not of our Fleet, as well as some of the crew members of the other ship. We have to be on our best behavior."
 Valaria opened her mouth to say something, and Andrea gently cut her off. "No dear, not even just a 'little fun'."
 "Oh, all right," Valaria sulked.
 "It's been a long time since we've got to attend one of Scorpio's feasts," Lynx spoke up.
 "This Commander must be very special," Audrey said.
 Ilyalonie was busy putting on her make-up, and Amber was a couple of seats down from her at the group vanity table.
 Amber looked around. "Does anybody know where Riana is?"
 "Oh, I heard she has to work tonight," Ilyalonie told her.
 "Awww, she doesn't get to have any fun," Amber replied.
 "Isn't she the only one who's got a job around here?" Venus asked.
 Andrea looked at Venus. "Riana has special duties, and has had ever since Scorpio brought her back with him. She ahppens to be his own personal attendant; she's part of Medical personnel and she has priviledges where working are concerned," she explained to venus, one of Scorpio's most recent captures. Andrea continued, "Normally Scorpio does not allow any girls to work, he's chauvinistic in that way. He has been ever since I've known him. But he's still a gentleman."
 "Yes," Venus answered, "I have noticed that about him."
 Just about then, their converstaion was interrupted by Amber chasing Audrey through the room. Two of the younger and newest additions to the harem were squabbling over a pink, chiffon stole, they each wanted to wear to the banquest.
 Andrea, being the oldest woman there, always took charge when these things happened. She clapped her hands three times and all the girls settled down. She stepped into the next room where the chase ended at that moment. "All right, girls, what is this about?"
 She got two answers at once. Andrea clapped her hands again for silence.
 Amber had slightly more 'senority' in the harem than did Audrey. Andrea pointed to her.
 "Amber, you first."
 "Audrey grabbed the stole before I could get it, and I wanted to wear it -"
 Andrea cut her off and pointed to Audrey.
 "Well, I got it first and it'll go with -"
 Andrea cut her off, too. "May I remind both you girls taht we wear silver, not pink, to show we belong to Scorio," she eyeballed the two girls, "And second, the stole does not belong to either of you, does it?"
 Both girls were quiet.
 "Does it?"
 "No, ma'am," they replied together.
 "Audrey, go put it away where it belongs."
 "Yes, ma'am."
 Andrea glanced at her chronometer, and clapped her hands. "All right, girls, let's prepare to go!"
 Excited chatter began again.
 

 There was another womens' quarters filled with excited chatter going on, too. This happened to be the women's billet of Recon Squadron, on the Battlestar Galactica.
 Excitement was high, as the Warriors of Recon got ready to go to the party. Five of the women from Recon had been invited to go.
 Nova was unusually quiet as she got ready to go. Her original sighting of the ship they were going to had given her pause. Now, they were invited to go aboard. She felt a little uneasy for some reason she couldn't explain.
 Aurora, a retired Recon member, who had been given the invitation of one of the other girls who couldn't go, looked at Nova. "Come on -  it's a party, girl," she spoke up.
 "Yur right, mate," Nova had to smile then.
 Kristalys was quiet, too.
 Electra voiced Kristalys' concern. "Do you think it's a break-off from Black Squadron?"
 Kristalys looked at her. "It's possible," she admitted.
 "Hey - you know," Dia, another retired Recon Warior added, "I've heard that Black Squadron has some real good parties. It might be fun to go." She, too, had received an invitation because one of the other girls couldn't go.
 "Well, that's true," Kristalys admitted.
 Electra broke the tension when she said, "Well, everyone, let's just keep in mind it is only a party . . . Let's enjoy ourselves."
 The temporary apprehension disappeared, and the excitement returned.
 

 There was also invitations issued to the famous and infamous Blue Squadron. After all schedules were compared, five of Blue's Warriors were able to attend.
 Greenbean got up from the table. "Good game, Starbuck."
 Starbuck grinned as he took a draw on his fumarello. "As usual, Greenbean, as usual."
 Jolly jumped up from his chair. "Well, I'm going to get ready for that party! They're bound to have good eats."
 Boomer sat up. "That's right. We've got that party tonight." he followed the other two men to their lockers.
 Apollo had been sipping ale as he watched the others play cards. He had also gotten up to follow the others, but noticed the concern on his friend's face. "You comin', Starbuck?"
 Starbuck paused as he rolled his fumarello in his fingers. "I dunno, Apollo. It . . .feels funny. Did you get a look at that ship?"
 Apollo sat down next to Starbuck and studied his friend's face. "You know, you don't have to go."
 Starbuck stabbed the fumarello into the ashtray. "Oh, I'll go," he looked at his friend, "I want a good look at the inside of that thing."
 Apollo leaned back. "Oh - you know they aren't going to give us the Grand Tour."
 "Well, no, but still . . ."
 Apollo patted Starbuck's shoulder as he stood up. "Always on the great adventure, aren't you?"
 Starbuck grinned as he followed Apollo to their lockers.
 

 Everyone was buckled in and Starbuck received clearance to take off. Apollo was riding shotgun.
 "This anticipation feels like old Academy days, just like old times, eh, Apollo?"
 Apollo chuckled.
 Starbuck looked up at the gigantic scorpion that was ahead of them and shivered.
 Apollo noticed his comrade's uneasiness and looked at it himself. "I know what you mean. How are we suppose to land on that thing anyway?"
 "The instructions I received were pretty simple. They said to come straight in, I'd know where."
 "You'd know where. Uh-huh . . ."
 "Oh, and they also saod they had something special for us to watch for, as we make our approach."
 "Something special. Like what? Is it going to reach out and grab us?"
 "I don't know."
 Meanwhile, those in the back were excitedly chattering. Then Nova caught sight of the robotic scorpion and shivered.
 Electra noticed her friend visibly shaken. "What's wrong, Nova?"
 "D'yer get a load of that thing?"
 "Yeah, it is kind of creepy, isn't it?" greenbean spoke up.
 With the chattering slowing down a bit, the rest of the passengers held their converstaion to take a look at their destination, too.
 They were ready to make their approach. Starbuck made contact.
 "Scorpius, this is the Galactica shuttle. We're ready for our approach instructions."
 The huge mandible of the scorpion opened up and Starbuck and Apollo could see the running lights of a landing bay. "Galactica shuttle, this is the Scorpius, you are cleared for landing," came a voice over Starbuck's pilot headgear.
 And with that, the scorpion's huge right pincher began to move. Everyone gasped and held their breaths.
 All the scorpion's legs seemed to lower themselves in a straight position, and the right pincher raised itself to above the Scorpion's head.
 Suddenly Adama laughed, "It's saluting!"
 Everyone let out his or her breath and laughed nervously. Eventually everyone's nerves calmed and amiable chatter returned.
 It didn't take long with Starbuck's expertise before they had landed.
 

 When the Galacticans exited the shuttle, they noticed the Warriors of this strange ship wearing the same style uniforms, only burgundy in color.
 "It must not be Black Squadron after all," Electra whispered to Kristalys.
 "Must not be," Kristalys answered.
 "But what does burgundy mean?" whispered Dia.
 "Oh, what does tan mean, what does blue mean? Who decides these things anyway?" Nova whispered sarcastically.
 "Shhhhh!" Adama hushed them loudly.
 They all quit talking and quickly fell into the line they noticed everyone else had formed.
 "Commander Adama! Welcom aboard, you and your Warriors."
 Adama stepped forward and shook Starfire's hand, each clasping the other's wrist.
 "Commander Starfire, thank you for having us over. Everyone is looking forward to this evening with great anticipation."
 "very goos then. I'll have my men show you to the Banquet hall. I'll be along very momentairly."
 "Thank you, Commander." Adama returned to his group.
 Commander Starfire turned to the Security Team, who had very reluctantly disarmed themselves for this occasion.
 "Orge!"
 Scorpio's seven-foot-six-inch Head of Security turned to him.
 "Ugh!"
 Oh-feldercarb, Starfire thought, his 'ugh' nonsense again. Starfire quickly glared at him.
 Orge snapped to attention and pounded his chest in a salute. "Ugh, sir!"
 Starfire shook his head. There was no breaking his barbarian spirit.
 "Escort our guests to the main banquest hall."
 Orge pounded his chest again. "Ugh!" Then raised his arms to the Galacticans in a 'follow me' manner, and the two security officers crisply turned heel and lead the way. The Galacticans followed, Orge brought up the rear.
 

 As soon as the visitors were out of the landing bay, Starfire exited thought the nearest transport chamber to go look for Scorpio. Starfire was usually old-fashioned and preferred the turbo-lift to theis new molecular scrambler contraption, but he didn't have much time.
 He quickly made his way to the Supreme Commander's quarters and before he could press the button for the buzzer, the door whisked open and he was pulled inside.
 "What are you doing here? You have a party to attend!"
 "Uh!" Starfire was always startled when  Scorpio thought ahead of him. Starfire regained his composure, "Don't do that!"
 "Sorry . . ." Scorpio chuckled to himself and smotthed Starfires's uniform.
 "They're here! They're really here! - What do I do now??!"
 "Don't panic, Commander. You're doing just fine."
 "Have you been watching . . . ?"
 "Of course, now get to the party - remember, just be gracious and polite - and everything will be fine."
 The door whisked open as Starfire stepped between them to leave, but paused.
 "What if they get up and wander around?"
 "I've thought of that. There's security posted in areas where they're no allowed. Don't worry, they can't get far."
 "Oh-okay." Starfire paused, thinking if he'd forgotten anything else.
 "Go-on, go on - everything's fine. This banquet is on the level, so just party and have a good time."
 Starfire assured, headed for the nearest transporter chamber. "Okay, Commander, see you later."
 Scorpio went back inside to his office, and to the monitor showing the banquet hall.
 
 

 Starfire entered the banquet hall as the galactica's were just geting settled.
 The room was huge and lined with tables along three walls. The head of the table being in the center of the longer table. The opposite wall was empty, being the servants entrance for the galley was there.
 Starfire sat in what was normally Scorpio's place, Adama and Blue Squadron to his right, and Kristalys and Recon Squadron to his left. However, Starfire's bodyguard sat to the Commander's immediate left, next to Kristalys and Recon. There were several other Scorpius crew members present at the large banquet table, and a group of seven women gathered at the far right end of the long table.
 The women of Recon couldn't help but notice these women, and that they were all dressed in very rich and fancy attire. They also noted they were quiet and kept to themselves. There were a few more women there, dressed in fancy attire. Those additional women were interspersed between Scorpius crew members.
 The females Warriors realized that the main color the Scorpius women wore matched the uniform braids of the crew members they were with.
 Between the festive music playing and exotic foods lining the table, the environment couldn't help but put the Galacticas in a festive mood.
 Commander Starfire joined them at the head of the table. "Everyone, please sit down and make yourselves comfortable. Let the feast begin."
 He clapped his hands twice then sat down. Several serving wenches entered the room with large platters of food piled high, and began serving everyone. The music picked up its tempo and several dancing women ran into the center of the room and began performing.
 Adama turned to their proxy host, "Well, Commander, I must say this is all vey impressive!"
 "I*'m glad you like it. We have plenty to share. I want you and your people to enjoy yourselves."
 "Thank you." Adama raised his goblet, and all the Galacticas did likewise, and chimed in their thanks.
 

 Following Scorpio's orders, Riana waited to go into the banquet room until she knew everyone was occupied. very quietly she entered the room through the left entrance and slowly started along the wall.
 She stopped behind the first Recon member, which happened to be Sgt. Electra. She looked down at her hand-held DNA extractor and turned it on. She touched the right button and a small, nearly imperceptable laser beam scanned the back of Electra. Riana pressed the button just below the scan button, sending the information to the main computer.
 She moved on to the next, who was Aurora, and repeated the process. This continued down the line with Dia, Nova and Captain Kristalys. She set her scanner on pause as she walked by the two Scorpius men.
 She started it once again as she stepped behind Adama. By the time she reached Apollo, she was close enough to Scorpio, and noticed him watching her. She gave a small start as a strange feeling engulfed her. There was something about this man, but what was it? She was trying to get control of herself so she could continue her work.
 Managing to do so, she stepped behind Starbuck. She visibly shook herself and took Starbuck's reading, and just before sending it, thought 'something's familiar here'.
 As Riana moved behind Lt. Boomer, she felt herself become disquieted again. She found Starbuck still watching her. Trying not to show her unrest, she looked at Starbuck, who was grinning and winking at her. She smiled back, knowing that he was tipsy. She continued on her way down the line to finish her work.
 The next person was Lt. Jolly, who was busily engaged in wolfing down a tray of passing serving wench; the same as he'd seen some of the Scorpius crew do. Riana watched amusedly for a moment, thinking how much like some of the others of the Scorius crew he was.
 After finishing with Jolly's reading, she stepped behind Greenbeab, and followed the same procedure. As soon as she was through, she just as unobstrusively left by way of the right down.
 Still not finished with her job, she headed for the lab where she checked the computer and made sure all the readings had been recorded correctly. Once again, as she scanned each reading, Starbuck's caused her to become unsettled. Shaking off the feeling, Riana called Scorpio's quarters.
 "The reading you have requested, Commander, have been made."
 "As, yes, very good. Thank you, Riana."
 She smiled and said, "Actually, it was somewhat fun." She looked at Scorpio and said, "I do, however, need to talk to you about something I have found."
 Scorpio paused and she noticed a mixed reaction. She couldn't tell if he was pleased or upset with her. "The computer in Life Center comtains the readings?" He got straight to business.
 "Yes, sir."
 "Good. Now make sure the transport computer received the same reasings, then you're dismissed for the evning."
 "All right."
 Scorpio cur her off by shutting the tele-monitor off from his end. She looked down for a moment and thought, 'He is upset. I guess I'll find out why later.' Riana turned to do what he had ordered, unable to shake the feeling that he was angry.
 She finished her duties and not really wanting to go back to the harem quarters right away, she decided to go into the banquet for awhile. To avoid coming in contact with Starbuck again, she entered the door which was behind Scorpio's harem. She very quietly moved to an empty seat next to Andrea and sat down.
 Sndrea looked up, "Oh, girl, you made it after all!"
 Riana had to chuckle slightly. I was here before, just not here," and she pointed to the area where she had been.
 

 As the evening wore on, a couple of the Recon members got up and decided to go look for a rest-room. They timidly moved toward the door, and when they saw no one was making a move to stop them, they left the banquet hall and wandered down the corridor.
 "Do you think they even have a bathroom down here?" Electra asked Aurora.
 Aurora looked around suspiciously. "I don't know. From the looks of things, I don't know if they're really set up to accomodate women much at all."
 Electra paused. "Well, I would think if they're set up for these kinds of parties, they must have restrooms around here somewhere!"
 The girls finally found what they were looking for and took full advantage of it. On the way back, Electra felt an irresistable urge to explore.
 "Uh, Aurora . . . you go ahead and let the others know there is a bathroom down here, if they need it . . . I'm, uh, I have to go back for a centon."
 Aurora paused. "Well, all right. You okay?"
 "Yes, I'm fine."
 When Electra was alone, she went down in the opposite direction and disappeared down the corridor.
 

 When Starbuck noticed that two girls left and only one came back, he got uneasy.
 "Uh, Apollo . . .  I'm going to to see if I can find a turbo-flush, okay?"
 Apollo grinned at his friend. "Getting your share of wine, huh, buddy?"
 "Uh, yeah, wine," Starbuck agreed, and disappeared into the corridor.
 

 Electra did not know what was drawing her down the hallway, but she felt as though she knew where she was going.
 The next corner she went around, there were three options, but there was a trail of red roses laid down the sorridor to the left; single buds on long stems, about every three feet.
 She followed the trail laid out for her, picking up the buds as she went. She had exactly twelve of them and found herself in front of a large 'yin'yang' painted on the wall. Suddenly, the two halves of the design split apart, and a doorway opened up. She couldn't help but gasp at what she saw in front of her.
 Inside the huge room stood the man who had appeared to her in many dreams. He, too, was wearing a burgundy Colonial uniform, with silver braid. He had nearly shoulder- length sandy blond hair and ice blue eyes. He was more handsome than she rememnber him being. He was holding two beautiful crystal stem wine goblets.
 "Electra! My dear, I've been expecting you. Please come in. Sit. Make yourself comfortable."
 He came over and handed her one goblet, and before she could say anything, he led her over to an arrangement of six very comfortable looking chairs, arranged in a circle with a table in the center.
 When she sat down, she noticed a sunken ceiling with a beautoful crystal and diamond chandelier hanging down from its depths with live plants on a ledge inside the sunken ceiling.
 "Oh . . . my Lord," was all she could say at first, when he lead her to a chair and she sat down.
 He sat down in the chair to her right, sipping his brandy. he then set it down on the table, and turned to look at her.
 She couldn't help but gaze into his hypnotic blue eyes as she ran her fingers nervously up and down the stem of her wine glass. Within moments, she forced her gaze away, to once again stare around the room. Part of her was terrified that she had indeed lost her mind - that those dreams had been merely dreams and that here and now she was faced with an illusion that her heart desperately wanted to see.
 This room was light and cherry in colors of beige and ivory, except for the burgundy table that matched the four marble pillars. It was quite a contrast, considering the darkness of the chamber in her first dream. But that had been just a dream, hadn't it? She wondered. All of the plants in their silver pots hanging or standing, gave a warmth to the atmosphere that she just loved.
 "This room is beautiful . . . " shewhispered, unable to find her will voice. Part of her wanted to run and hide for fear she had indeed suffered a mental breakdown. Another part of her wanted to fall into Scorpio's arms and just be held by him and a part of her wanted to scream out all the frightening emotions within her.
 As her bright green eyes returned to his blue, she asked shaking, "Is this a dream? Or is this time actually for real? I . . . I can't seem to tell at the moment."
 To keep her composure, she swiftly took a sip of her brandy. It's warmth spread through her body, comforting her over-wrought nerves. What if she was only hallucinating, she wondered. She had been pre-occupied with thoughts of Scorpio for so long . . . Yet this time things felt more than just slightly real, and if she were hallucinating, where was she really? In the bathroom? In the banquet hall? No . . . this time had to be real. But she had to hear it from him. Only  then would she allow herself to believe this was truly happening in reality and not the mysterious corridors of her mind.
 Somehow she seemed to understand why Scorpio then took her goblet from her, before she shook it empty, and set it on the table within her reach. he had also set his own glass down. When he took her hands in his, she became aware of how much she was really trembling. As he waited for her to calm down, she became aware of how powerful he really was - physically as well as his Command; but also how gentle he could be.
 She sharply caught her breath as ice blue eyes met emerald green.
 "Electra," Scorpio said gently, "This is no dream. I'm not going to tell you how, but I am aware of your dreams - but today is real."
 She still could not find her voice, but suddenly felt calm that she did not need to reply yet.
 "Did your dreams reveal the appearance of my ship to you? Did your dreams reveal the location of my ship to you? Or the color of my uniform? The answer to all thise questions is 'No'. You see, if you do not know this information, consciously or subconsciously, your mind cannot put it into your dreams. But you see those things today, because you are really here, at my invitation."
 

 Meanwhile in the corridor, starbuck was still trying to find out what had happened to the missing Recon member. He had wandered up and down so many hallways and gone around so many corners he was beginning to wonder if he'd started going around in circles.
 Suddenly, as he rounded another corner, he bumped into a Security Guard.
 "OOF!"
 "UGH!"
 Starbuck looked up. There was Orge, the 7-foot, 6-inch guard he'd seen when they were escorted to the banquet hall.
 "UGH!" Orge bellowed. "What you doing down here?"
 "Uh-right . . ." Starbuck stammered. "I-uh-I was just looking for the turbo-flush - "
 Orge reached out and Starbuck jumped back. Scorpio's bodyguard pointed down the corridor. "Go back. Turbo-flush down by Dinner-Hall. Not allowed down this hall."
 Starbuck quickly backed away. "Okay- Okay! I know where I'm not wanted . . . I'll ah . . .you want me to bring you guys back something . . . ?"
 "UGH!" Orge grunted again as he pointed down the hallway again and took a step toward Starbuck.
  Blue Squadron's Lieutenant quickly disappeared as he ran away and rounded a corner.
 Scorpio's #1 guard and his partner laughed as they high-fived.
 "That funny! Orge love to scare pants off Galacticans!"
 They laughes again.
 Starbuck peeked around the corner to look at them again, and his knees almost buckled out from under him at what he saw. He pinched himself to see if he was awake - he felt as though he must be seeing a ghost.
 Scorpio had stepped out into the corridor for a moment to confer with his very tall bodyguard, then quickly stepped away again, disappearing from Starbuck's view.
 Starbuck had to lean against the bulkhead for several centons for support. He couldn't believe his eyes. When he regained himself, he hurried back to the banquet hall.
 
 

 The Blood Fleet's Supreme Commander returned to Electra's side and refilled her goblet. he figured a few centons alone to let what he's said so far sink in wouldn't hurt.
 He sat down in the chair to her left and looked into her eyes. "Electra," he said softly, "You have one of two choices." He waited for that to take hold. "One: Stay with me. You'll be taken care of, you'll never want for anything again. You can bring your little sister aboard with you,too, if you wish - You need not leave Noel behind. Or Two: Return to the Galactica with a message from me: The Blood Fleet will co-exist with them. But we are pirates - when we see what we want - we take it. We might harass you from time-to-time, but we are not out to harm the Galactica or her crew. But - heed my warning; Do Not Cross me - or I will - and can - destroy your ship and all aboard."
 He paused once more for dramatic effect and he could see his warning sinking in as her eyes grew wide.
 Scorpio got up and took a few steps across the room.
 " . . . 'Course, if you stay with me, you'd receive the new a lot sooner, should anything about your beloved Nico happen to - "
 "Nico!" she cried, her eyes wide with surprise. "Have you found out something?! Have you heard some news about him?"
 She reacted as Scorpio had expected. He turned on his heels and locked with her eyes.
 "Mydear Electra . . ." he began slowly, "I merely raised the possibility of potential word of him . . . nothing more."
 He studied her face as he circled around. " . . . did you even hear  what I had just told you . . . ?"
 It was almost as though he was thinking out loud about his warning for the Galactica.
 "Your message . . ." Electra replied, her voice trembling as her mind raced. "The Blood Fleet will co-exist with them. But we are pirates - when we see what we want - we take it. We might harass you from time-to-time, but we are not out to harm the Galactica or her crew. But - Heed my warning: Do Not Cross Me - or I will - and can - destroy your ship and all aboard."
 She quoted it back word for word. One of the few talents she did posses was a photographic memory, though few knew of it. She glanced at Scorpio momentarily to see if she had said it the way he had intended, but even his reaction wasn't registering. Even as she shook, from all the wild and crazy thoughts running and colliding in her mind, she could still quote what was said, word for word. What the words meant had sunk in, but there  were too many other things going through her mind and heart. Again, she looked up into Scorpio's rougishly ahndsome face . . . the long, sandy blond hair . . . the piercing, ice blue eyes . . . the perfect cut features . . . She had her choices. She could stay with him. Noel would have everything she would need. Even Electra would to a degree. But what about her responsibility to the Galactica? And what about Nico . . . wherever he was. She was so bewildered by the choices, she felt she could not make a decision - not at that juncture in time. She had to be calm and rational when she made her choice so she would make the best decision possible, and at the moment, she was far from calm and rational. Should she return? Should she stay here and be cared for? What would it be like to wake up in his arms, she wondered. She remembered how it had felt with Nico . . . Warm, loving and secure. Would it be the same? Or would it be a mistake? She just didn't know . . . How she wanted the security of strong arms around her at that moment, so she could burry her head and close her eyes . . . Just long enough to calm down. Sometimes she felt like such a child, and perhaps in many ways she was. She was scared of the confusion she felt . . . and of making a wrong decision that would hurt her or her sister.
 There was no suddenness, so she was not startled.
 This nerve-rattled, part Recon Warrior, part child-like, love-starved, fragile female gradually became aware of her cheek resting on Scorpio's chest, the nape of his uniform warm from his body temperature; strong arms firmly, but not tightly caressing her.
 "Calm, my little one," she could hear his voice softly in her mind. "You need time," he said aloud, but softly. "Return to the Galactica - deliver my message - then make your decision. I will contact you within a secton's time for your answer."
 She knew that's what she needed - time . . . But at the moment, she couldn't force herself to move from his gently, comforting embrace. She wanted this moment to be burned into her memory, so that no matter the out-come, she would always remember Scorpio's gentle touch. But she was also afraid . . . She didn't want this to be their last meeting . . . For there to be no more dreams, no more rendezvous . . . Scorpio was the last person within her realm of reality whom she loved. Every other man was either dead or missing . . .Could her heart take not seeing him again . . . ? Why did life have to be so painfully confusing where emotions were concerned, she wondered.
 "Scorpio," she whispered, never lifting her head from his chest as he gently caressed her hair and back, "If I leave now - and I should chose not to go with you . . ." For a moment she held her breath, fearing her questions; fearing the answer and blinking back tears misting her eyes, "Will I ever see you again . . . ?"
 

 Apollo noticed when Starbuck finally return to his place at the banquet table, but his attention was on the entertainment, the conversation between Starfire and his father, and the food and wine. It was very easy to be kept distracted.
 "Apollo -"
 "No now, Starbuck."
 "But-but-but-"
 Apollo finally turned to his friend, who appeared quite pale. "Starbuck - what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!"
 That's just it - he may have. "I - in the hall - but I, he -" Starbuck stammered and struggled with the words.
 Apollo handed Starbuck a goble of wine. "Here, Starbuck. Take a drink, calm down."
 Starbuck gratefully took the goblet and started to gulp the drink, but then struggled to slow down his swollows, and Apollo's attention was then again distracted by a change in entertainment; a wizard finished his spectacular magic act, then more dancing girls once again took the floor and began dancing seductively to sensuous, but lively music.
 As the drink began to calm Starbuck, he, too, became distracted by the girls' seductive dancing.
 

 Scorpio gently pushed her back and gently held her shoulders, to look into her eyes. Almost chuckling, he responded, "Will you ever see me again? Is that what you're worried about?"
 She looked at him in confusion.
 "Will you ever see me again?" he repeated, " Of course you'll see me again."
 He began to think this almost comical now. he walked across the room to retrieve the bottle of brandy. he reached over to put a little more in her goblet and look at her again.
 "It's just up to you in what capacity you want to see me in. Do you wish to view me as your Lord and Master - or would you prefer to see me as a villainous, pirating scum, when I attack your ship from time to time?"
 For the first time that evening Electra genuinely smiled.
 "A viilainous, pirating scum . . ." she giggled. Now that she knew she would see him afain, she was more at ease. A great deal was lifted from her spirit and she was gradually calming down to a normal state. "Somehow, I don't know if I could ever consider a scum . . . Villainous, perhaps . . . Pirating? Of course! But a scum . . . ?" she smiled brightly, bringing a soft light to her features. "It would take something of devastating proportions to make me consider you that . . ." She shrugged her shoulders taking another small sip of the brandy. "I suppose I am just a naive, romantic dreamer . . ." Once again, she placed the glass on the tabel. "Besides, I could probably rationalize almost any situation." For a brief moment, pain flickered through her eyes, but vanished just as quick. She wasn't going to let her memories ruin this. Most of this meeting had been very emotional for her . . . Now she felt free. Nothing had to be decided quickly. She had time to consider her options and she would see Scorpio again. There was the matter of the message, but that would take no time at all . . . She stared at him, gazing into his eyes and sighed. What would the future hold for her, she wondered.
 

 After and enjoyable evening on the Scorpius, the Galacticans decided to return to their ship. Some of the Warriors were quite inebriated, but good-natured.
 Everyone was in the launch bay, with the exception of Electra. Some of the group was beginning to wonder where she was.
 Meanwhile, Electra was finding her way to the launching area through a different door, carrying a dozen long-stemmed roses.
 Nova spotted her first. "Well, mate," she greeted, "Where'd yer get the posies?"
 Electra blushed bright red, but said nothing. She headed for the shuttle.
 Nova grinned almost impsihly, then followed.
 With everyone on board, preparations for launch were made. Starbuck was that the ship's controls, and Apollo was his second.
 Starbcuk was concentrating fully on his flying as he was fighting off the effects of the liquor he had been drinking at the party, so he wasn't thinking about anything else.
 Once on their way, Apollo looked over at his friend and asked, "hey, Bucko, what were you trying to tell me back there?"
 "Huh? Oh that - well - I think I saw -" he paused as he paled.
 "You look like you saw a ghost. What happened back there?"
 "Apollo - I saw Scorpio," he spoke in hushed tones.
 "What?! I thought you killed him back on the Northwest quadrant of Seatactra."
 "I did."
 "Are you sure it was Scorpio?"
 "It looked like him."
 "Well -" Apollo began, "Maybe this guy just looks like him," he tried to console Starbuck.
 "I guess maybe you're right. Scorpio is dead." He turned his full attention back to the matter of getting back to the Galactica for a sleep period. Everyone had had a long day.
 Once back aboard the Galactica, many of the Warriors had already gone to bed, others were getting ready for their sleep period.
 Electra had been excited about her encounter, but realized as she walked to corridors that she still had a message to deliver and it couldn't wait. She had to find Adama.
 She headed down a corridor that she had seen Apollo disappear into, hoping to catch up with him. She hurried alonf. As she rounded a corner, she caught up with him.
 "Captain Apollo," she called out, "Please wait."
 He stopped and turned to face her. "Yes, Sgt. Electra, what is it?"
 "Sir, I have to see your father - I have a very important message that I must give him to him personally." Electra was earnest as she looked at the Captain. "Please, sir."
 Apollo looked at her for a moment, and eyebrow raised. "It is late - but - well, all right." He called his father on the comlink.
 Adama answered, and Apollo told him that Electra said she had an important message that she must relay.
 "Can it wait until morning, son?"
 Apollo looked at Electra again.
 "I really should deliver it as soon as possible, Sir," she replied, with resolve.
 Adama sighed, "All right, bring her to my chamber."
 "Let's go," Apollo replied, leading the way. Taking another look at her, he noticed a bouquet of red roses in her right hand that she held down at her side. "Where did you get the roses?" he asked, his blue eyes questioning in small glances.
 "They were given to me," she replied, lightly blushing and sporting a girlish grin.
 He nodded as he realized that with her beautoy, it was obvious that she must have a significant other, or at the very least an admirer. Within centons they were at Adama's chamber. Electra felt a tremor go through her. She realized that her position was a rather awkward one. Scorpio was not exactly a friend to this Fleet and yet, she was in a relationship with him . . . a type of relationship, she thought, for it wasn't what someone would call typical . . . Their relationship was based on dreams . . . very vivid dreams . . . And she had sworn not to reveal that to anyone. An awkward position for her, for sure, but one she suddenly felt confident in handling.
 As they entered Adama's chamber, she noticed that the Commander was in his robe, his white hair slightly touselled from sleep, which she had apparently disturbed, though they had all just returned from the Scorpius in the last centaur. he looked at her gently and managed a formal smile, though it wasn't cold. The one thing she knew for sure was that Adama cared about everyone in the Fleet and if there was something important to deal with, he was always ready.
 "Good-evening, Apollo . . . Electra . . . Now what is this message?" he asked with a curious glance.
 "Well, Commander, I have a message for you from the Supreme Commander of the Blood Fleet."
 "The Supreme Commander?" hequestioned, turning his attention to Apollo.
 Apollo shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what she was talking about.
 "Commander Starfire isn't the Supreme Commander?"
 "No . . ."
 "What is the message?" Adama asked, more mystified than before.
 Electra took a deep breath and looked at a spot on the wall beyond the Commander as the words formed a picture in her head. " 'The Blood Fleet will co-exist with them,' meaning us, 'But we are pirates. When we see what we want, we take it. We might harass you from time-to-time, but we are not out to harm the Galactica or her crew. But heed my warning - Do Not Cross Me - or I will and can, destroy your ship and all aboard."
 "Who sent this message?" Apollo demanded, visibly taken aback.
 She looked from Captain Apollo to Commander Adama, and took another deep breath. She didn't want her voice to betray her private emotions. "Supreme Commander Scorpio."
 Eyes bulged at the name as she knew they would. She only prayed that they wouldn't question her as to why she was picked to take the message to them and not one of the other girls.
 "Scorpio can't be alive!" Apollo said, looking at Adama, "Starbuck killed him. He's dead . . ."
 "Apparently he isn't . . ."
 Suddenly, it was as if Electra was no longer there as they both looked deep in thought, occasionally exchanging words. She could see that her message had given them more to think about than just a simple warning.
 "I don't mean to interrupt, but it is late. May I be excused, Commander?" she asked.
 "Of course, Sergeant. If we have any more questions we'll contact you."
 "Thank you, Commander, and good-night . . . and good-nioght, captain."
 

 Weary from the evening's events, she made her way to Recon's billet. She could hear several of the girls still chattering away about the festivities.
 "That Blood Fleet . . . they really know how to throw a party!" Aurora smiled and laughed. She saw Electra walk in. "Hey, girl, where did you disappear to  when you were suppose to go back to the turbo flush? I thought you'd gotten lost!" She saw Electra place the roses in a container and remembered that she had boarded the shuttle with them. "It looks like you were making friends."
 "You might say that," replied Electra, smiling and giggling, feeling the effects of the alcohol and the lack of sleep. Slowly she slid out of her dress uniform.
 "Mmmmmm-hhmmmmm . . . just who did you meet?"
 Electra again smiled, this time, like a cat that ate the canary. "Maybe I'll tell you sometime . . . But not tongiht . . ." Slowly, she crawled onto her bunk and burried herself under the covers. Within moments, she was asleep.
 

 days passed, and Electra focused on her work to blot out everything that could impair her performance both on the job and with her sister. Before she knew it a secton's time had passed. She knew Scorpio would be contacting her soon for her answer, which was the only thing that pre-occupied her mind when she was alone.
 Knowing that she was on the roster for a patrol the following day, she decided to check over her viper and looked it opver carefully. Last time she had taken it out, she had heard an unusual rattling when she had engaged the turbo thrusters that had caused her concern. She had put it down in a report, but she couldn't be sure that it had been fixed. Perhaps the technician on duty knew, she reasoned. She approached him from behind, as he appeared to be busy working on another viper.
 "Excuse me, I'm Sgt. Electra. I reported a problem with my viper two days ago. Do you know if the problem's been checked yet?"
 Electra was taken aback and gasped when the technician slowly turned around and put a finger gently to her lips, so she would not unthinkingly scream or cry out.
 "Scorpio!" she whispered, "What are you doing here? - How did you get here . . . undetected?!"
 He smiled his sly smile and chuckled his secretive chuckle.
 "Don't fret about that now, little one," he said softly. "It has been a secton, and I've come for your answer."
 With nervous tension, she took a sharp breath in. She knew the time had come and she had hoped to be prepared, but faced with this difficult decision, she suddenly didn;'t have the words. her heart pounded as she gazed into his handsome face, realizing she had to say something, yet not knowing the answer. "I'm still not sure what to say . . . Part of me wants to go with you so very, very much . . . But I responsibilities here. To my Captain . . . To the Fleet . . . I don't know if I can just walk away from that . . . But I don't want to lose your companionship either. I look forward to the times I see you in my dreams, though it would be nice to see you like this . . . I thought I knew what I wanted, But I suppose I don't . . ." She brought her hands up to her lips, contemplating her position with a mixture of feelings as her emerald green eyes fell to the deck. What was she to do, she wondered.
 She felt a finger under her chin and let it guid eher eyes to meet his, and saw that knwoing smile of his.
 "I had hoped a secton would be enough time . . . but somehow I knew you would still not know what you really wanted . . . not yet."
 he took a few steps away from her, letting his hand glide along the shiny body of her viper. "I fixed that rattle for you, by the way . . . "
 And before she could ask how he knew about the rattle, he turned to face her, took a few steps away from the craft, "We will meet again, my dear - and you will come home . . ."
 Then he disappeared in a seemingly glistening sea of stars.
 As she stood there in awe, she felt a tingling sensation in her left hand. As she looked, she saw a red rose appear from a glistening shower, much like theone that had taken Scorpio from the launch bay. As the rose materialized completely, she lifted it to her nose to smell the soft fragrance and sighed with longing. Had she done the right thing by staying longer on the Galactica? she wondered. If she had, why did she feel as if a part of her was missing? But she did have responsibilities to deal with . . . She couldn't just leave . . . Yet, his last words echoed through her mind, "You will come home . . ."
 Smiling to herself, she gave a final glance to the spot Scorpio had been standing and then turned to go. She knew there was going to be another day and time, in the future, where instead of saying good-bye to Scorpio, she would be saying good-bye to the Fleet and going with him. he had her heart . . . No question about it . . . her future was with him . . .