Until the decommission the clock had hung on the wall in the Galactica's ready room and had arrived a few days before the war had broken out.The card on the box was from Commander Adama congratulating Achillies on his promotion and new squadron. The gift had been a surprise, but not totally unexpected. His former commander had said he would keep an eye on Achillies career.
Looking from the clock to the file on his desk he picked it up and went over it for the twentieth time in as many minutes. Skipping the first paragraph his eyes went down to the part he couldn't get passed.
Raptor flight one six was attacked Over Sagittaron's capital city before jumping to pre-designated jump point. Both escort Vipers and Raptors were destroyed. SAR Raptors were dispatched but no survivors were found.
Skipping down a few lines he came to the causality list. Wallace, Mila Lt.. Missing presumed dead. That was the hardest part for him. Missing, presumed dead. Tossing the file back on his desk Tra opened his desk drawer and reached for the full bottle of scotch when a knock on the hatch stopped him. Closing the drawer he sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes before answering.
A moment later Fish walked in, a solemn look on his usually happy face. "How are you holding up?"
Running his hand across his face Tra sighed loudly. "As good as could be expected I guess. Want a drink?"
Fish looked at his watch before answering. "Not really, it's 0530. Look, I just came from operations and I want to give you a heads up. They are talking about taking the Death Angles out of rotation."
Tra stiffened at the news as if he had been slapped. "I guess they know best."
"Look Achillies, we've been friends since flight school. I've seen you drunk, sober and almost everything in between, but you need to snap out of this funk you're in."
"She's dead Fish."
"Ya, she's dead, and I'm sorry for that. But for as long as I've known you the only thing I've heard from you and everyone that watched you fly was that you're the hottest jock in the fleet. That the only thing you needed was for a war to break out, well here you are. The Cylons have attacked and they are on the advance. So now you have a chance to back all your words up. To show everyone why you are considered such a hot pilot. "
"There are allot of things I would die for, allot of things I deserve to die for, but bravado and a reputation is no longer among them." Tra said pulling the bottle out and set it on the desk.
Fish slammed his hands on the desk as he leaned forward. "Then do it for her."
The bottle hung in Tra's hand as Fish's words stopped him from moving. He looked up at Fish and opened his mouth to say something but Fish cut him off.
"What ever passes for blood in those frakkin toasters, whatever vile thing that keeps them alive... Every time you spill it, she will see it from the afterlife."
Tra stood up and sent the bottle flying across the room, shattering it against the wall. "Then I will fill her eyes." Tra said through clenched teeth.
"ACTION STATIONS, ACTION STATIONS, SET CONDITION ONE THROUGHOUT THE SHIP" the speakers blared.