THE JOURNEY CONTINUES: FINDING KOBOL

          Upon entering the large room, they each raised their torches, lighting the room better in which to see more clearly.  In the center of the room was a raised platform, a large octagonal-shaped platform in the center.  It was as the others began to explore the heavily cluttered room, that Roark moved to the platform, and began to study the carvings and colorfully painted depictions.

          "Is this his tomb?" came from Commander Roark as he watched his cousin, watching as his excitement and intensity of discovery rose.

          "The Anti-chamber, where they stored everything he would have needed in the afterlife.  This," his fingers traced over the writings and colorful depictions, "tells the complete story of his life.  His greatest achievements.  And here, on the top...Herein lies the greatest of the Lords of Kobol, Alexandros, First Lord of Kobol, and first of his name to be named King."

          "King?" Adama moved to his side, studying the writings, though much of what he looked at he could not read.  "They named him King?"

          "A distinction they gave to him after his death."  Moving slowly around the platform, carefully studying each of the sections...  "It's a puzzle," he breathed.  "You will not be able to enter the actual Tomb unless you can solve the puzzle."

          "Can you solve it, Rory?"  Apollo asked his nephew as he watched him, seeing how his silver eyes sparkled with excitement.

          "Um...I don't know, it's extremely complicated.  First, I have to unravel where the actual starting point is..." and with that, he got to work, moving first one way, then the next as in the background he heard their chuckles.

          Serina looked at the chuckling men, then to Roark, seeing the intensity of his expression as he studied each section of the octagonal platform.  "I'm missing something, aren't I?"

          "Roark, darling," Apollo grinned as he slipped an arm around her waist, "LOVES this kind of thing.  In the Academy, his teachers would throw a massively detailed combat situation at him and he would have to figure out the best way to go about it.  It's what makes him the tactical and strategic genius he is.  He could study those things and come out with a viable way to commence the attack, and when they put it through simulation..."

          "Worked every damned time," Thorin said with a grin.  "And the causality rate was always lower than what others came up with.  Where several others worked out a way to approach the situation, they invariably lost a quarter, half, three quarters, or ALL of their squadron."

          "Roark and Harry were generally the only ones who came out of simulation with their squadrons in--" the sound of grating stone on stone sounded, and they turned to see a section of the octagonal platform moving, revealing stairs.

          Grinning, he grabbed his torch and headed for the stairs.  "Shall we?"

                                                             CCCvCCC

          "HARRY!"

          Harry stopped at the shout of his name, turning to see Rabastan jogging toward him.  He had no sooner moved to meet him when he was grabbed and drawn against him.  "Bas," he began just as his lips were claimed, making him moan.  "Kobol, I missed you," he breathed when the kiss ended.

          "As I missed you," he stepped back, looking his over very carefully.  "You're alright?  He didn't hurt you?"

          "I'm fine, my love.   Baltar said he needed to capture a pilot because apparently, the new Imperious Leader wished to extend an offer of peace."

          "DID he?" came the question along with an arched brow.  "And he thinks we would believe him...why?

          A snort.  "The man has delusions of grandeur.  He's under the impression we'll allow ourselves to be subjugated...under him.  I need to see the Admiral, warn him--" an explosion sounded, cutting him off.

          They turned as one to see several Cylon fighters.  "That an attack was imminent?"

          "Yes.  Where are they?"

           "The tomb of the First Lord of Kobol.  You've missed quite a bit."

          "So Aunt Athena told me.  Come on, we have to hurry.  Baltar is planetside."

          A quirk of lips.  "IS he?  We'll have to...welcome him."

          Harry laughed as they hurried down a street back the Rabastan had come.