The cheers were raucous but jovial.
Starbuck climbed on a chair for another toast:
"To Greenbean." He smiled a sly starbuckian smile. "Well, old buddy, you are guilty again. Guilty as charged." Greenbean, befuddled, stared up at Starbuck. "Guilty of heroism beyond the call of duty."
The revelers laughed jovially,
"Hey, Greeny, you just been starbucked!" Giles said. To be starbucked was a fate that regularly befell anyone who associated with the brash young lieutenant.
"He saved your bacon, Starbuck," Boomer said.
"Saved it, cured it, and served it sizzling on a plate. Thanks again, Greeny."
Greenbean, as was his habit when given compliments, blushed. His red face could be discerned clearly by Commander Adama and Tigh, who had placed themselves at a remote side table so as not to dampen their subordinates' spirit.
"I believe we can dispense with the company punishment for Ensign Greenbean, Colonel," Adama commented.
"Agreed. He's paid his debt."
Apollo came to their table.
"Vaile operation is completed, sir," he reported.
"Very good, Captain," Adama said. "Have the Vaileans that intend to join our quest completed their farewells and shuttled up?"
"Yes. They look like good potential warriors to me."
"Good."
"And, commander—"
"Apollo, you don't have to be so formal, not here in the lounge."
"Father, the Vailean representatives asked me to inform you that they are extremely grateful for the long-range telemetry equipment."
"Well, I'm happy we were able to spare some."
Adama had requisitioned the telemetry devices from a support ship that didn't really need them. Now the Vaileans, if attacked by the Cylons, would be able to detect their presence beforehand, which would allow them plenty of time to prepare for defense or to flee to hiding places in their vast forests.
"Well, Tigh," Adama said, turning to his aide, "I think we should continue on our journey at the earliest possible opportunity."
"Yes, sir."
"After the celebration, of course."
In the middle of the room, Bojay had now taken over the toasting ritual.
"And how about a toast to our other heroes? To Athena, Brie and Dietra, for showing those Cylon creeps some real fancy flying—before reducing them to atoms."
The three women waved proudly as they were honored with the crowd's enthusiasm.
"And here's to us all," Sheba toasted. "May we live to fight, fight to live, and always touch wings in triumph."
After they'd taken their sip of ambrosa, many of the people in the room touched fingers, a part of the ritual.
Apollo found Starbuck with Cassiopeia.
"What say, Cass?" Starbuck was saying in a sexily suggestive voice. "It's hard on the muscles, those long trips in a viper. I'm in pain. Let's go someplace and you can massage the agony right out of me."
Cassiopeia smiled indulgently and said:
"God, Starbuck, that line's no better than your old stale ones."
"Up to your old tricks?" Apollo said as he joined them.
"What tricks, Apollo?" Starbuck said. "I'm the exemplar of sincerity."
"More the distemplar of sincerity, you ask me."
"Hey guys," Starbuck said genially, "Apollo made a funny. But you got to work on wordplay, pal. Make it precise. You know, a little precision wording, as the commander likes to say."
"I give up," Apollo said. He smiled amiably and walked off.
Starbuck returned his attention to Cassiopeia. He grimaced.
"What's wrong?" Cassiopeia said, her nurse's instincts aroused. "You all right?"
"Just a little muscle spasm. If you'd only rub—"
"Starbuck, stop it!" Cassiopeia interrupted angrily. "Don't you feel just a little guilty?"
"About what?"
"About the way you treat women, the way you treat me!"
"Well, I guess I do, a little."
"That's a relief."
"Why don't we go somewhere quiet and discuss my guilt? I got a little bottle of wine just waiting—"
"Starbuck, you're absolutely degenerate."
"God, I hope so."
Cassiopeia groaned in mock disgust, then kissed him. Starbuck, startled, almost forgot to kiss back.
"I thought you were angry," he said.
"I am. But I'd like a little wine just now."
Battlestar Galactica 11 - The Nightmare Machine Page 21
