PEACE BETRAYED--ANNIHILATION

          Adama turned, took a couple of steps to the command console, "Mr. President."

          "Yes, Commander, what is it?"

          "One of my patrols is under attack, Mr. President.  At this time, we do not have a clear idea by whom," he saw Baltar move up behind the President, that smarmy smile in place.  "Sir," he said immediately to cover Harry grumbled discontent, and Roark's deeply indrawn breath, "might I suggest we launch a couple of intercept fighters to assist the patrol if necessary?"

          Balter leaned in close to speak into Adar's ear.  "I don't think that would be a very good idea, Mr. President, in view of the...delicacy of our situation."

          "Um...yes," came the nodded answer.  "Yes, quite right, Balter," Adar agreed as Balter turned.  "Commander, as a precautionary measure, I'm afraid I must insist upon restraint."

          "That slithering, low-life snake," came Roark's quiet snarl.  "He has effectively tied our hands with those few words."

          "Restraint, Sir?" Adama asked at the same time as his grandson, covering his words,  "Sir--" he began only to be interrupted.

          "Commander, I DO understand your concern, but if this turns out to be an encounter with some unknown outlaw craft, we could jeopardize the entire cause of Peace by displaying arms so close to our rendezvous point."

          "There isn't going to be any Peace," came Harry's mutter as he glared at the screen.

          "Mr. President," Adama began, throwing a silencing glance at both his grandsons, which was answered by arched brows, "two of my starcraft are under ARMED attack."

          "By forces UNKNOWN.  You are not to launch until the situation becomes more clear."  

          "Mr. President, might I then urge you to bring the Fleet to a state of alert?"

          A sigh.  "Very well, I will consider that if this situation persists, Commander."

          The screen went black as the call ended.  Immediately, Adama's eyes went to his youngest grandson to see just how pale his face had become.  Adama immediately got the sudden feeling there was something he had not been told.

          "Roark--"

          "Hook.  Line.  Sinker.  We..." he waved his left hand around, "are doomed." His head bent, the fingers of his right hand twisting the rings on his left first one way, then the other.  Which he had taken to doing only when he was extremely stressed.

          Harry moved to him immediately, slipping an arm around him, drawing him close to his side as he bent his head, murmuring to him.  Roark's head turned, his forehead on Harry's shoulder as he listened to him.

          "He'll CONSIDER it," Tigh suddenly exploded in agitation, glancing over at the boys.  "Has he completely lost his mind?  Two of our fighters--"

          "Colonel," came the quiet warning as he lay a hand on his friend's forearm, pulling him away from where his grandsons stood.

          As he was being pulled aside, Tigh glanced again at the boys, their heads bent close together, soft murmurs being heard.  Tigh, watching them, had to smile as he brought himself under control.  "I'm sorry, Adama," he murmured, lowering his voice to a near whisper, "it's just that..." his gaze shifted back to Harry and Roark suddenly to find emerald and silver eyes locked on him as if they knew what he was about to say.  "Well--"

          "Just say it, Tigh."

          "The patrol under attack?  It's...well, Sir, it's under the command of Captain Apollo."

          A deeply indrawn breath from Roark as his face paled further.  "If I cannot depend upon my eldest son, Tigh, then whom can I?"

          "Adama, Zac is with him.  It's his first patrol.  One of the men took ill--" snorts from Harry AND Roark at that, for they both knew which of the men was SUPPOSED to have been with their uncle.

          They both would bet that if they were to walk into the Officer's Club right now, they would find Lt. Starbuck sitting with a group of warriors, playing pyramid, smoking, and drinking.

          "Zac asked for this chance to go on a patrol with his brother.  I saw no valid reason to deny it."

          "Of course he did," Harry said with a half grin.  "He's been wanting a chance to fly with his brother as much as Roark and I wanted to fly together, AND with our husbands."

          A sound, almost like a moan sounded then, drawing all their eyes to him to see what little color remained on his face had gone.  Adama went to him, lifting a hand to brush a few strands of dark hair out of his eyes.

          "Roark, tell us what you haven't told us."

          "It's one of the newest dreams," he whispered, which, because of the silence on the bridge, was heard by everyone close by.  "I had it last night--"

          "Hey.  Look at me now," again Adama lay a hand on his cheek.  "Come on now, pull yourself together.  BOTH of your uncles are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves.  Nearly as good as you and Harry are."

          A small smile.  "Of course they are," he said, silver eyes dimmed by far more than worry.

          Adama looked at each of them.  "I want the two of you to be absolutely sure about this.  I have never once doubted either of you, it's just that sometimes I wish what you were telling me wasn't true.  If I go against orders, I need to know it will be worth it."

          "Grandfather, we are positive."

          He nodded and turned to Tigh.  "Anything?"

          "Nothing.  Their transmissions are deliberately being jammed.  I'm afraid if we don't launch soon--"

          "We cannot launch, Colonel, it has--"

          Roark moved.  He pulled free of Harry so suddenly many were startled as he was at his grandfather's side to lay a hand on both their arms to draw their attention.  They both saw the new, calculating look that had entered his eyes.

          "Battle stations drills," he said.