Title: The Changers Author: Betty Rating: Damned if I know. Category: Slash (?) Disclaimer: I do not own them, I only borrow them. I might return them. Distribution: Please let me know where. Feedback: er.br@sympatico.ca Summary: Apollo gets more help than he bargained for. ***** Apollo and Starbuck landed their vipers in a small clearing and climbed down. Their scanners had told them that there were humanoids living on the planet, but no dwellings were seen from the air. They did however see a small opening in the cliff wall, maybe the population lived underground. Siky watched the strange ships land and their pilots climb down and head towards the entrance to the city. He saw that both pilots were of the same sex, now that was strange. Quickly he called over his adviser, Pooky would know what do, she always did. The first thing Apollo noticed in the cave entrance were the lights, they were somehow embedded into the cave's ceiling, the light they gave out was soft, not to bright, yet not to dark. It felt very inviting. The two warriors followed the path. Pooky's bright eyes watched the monitor, Siky was right to call her. These two had obviously come here seeking help from her people, who were known as 'The Changers'. Help they had come looking for, and help they would get. Starbuck didn't like the fact that Apollo was getting to far ahead of him and called to him, telling him to slow down. It was strange really, usually it was Apollo telling Starbuck to be cautious, but something up ahead seemed to be calling him, pulling the Captain forwards, into the unknown. Siky and Pooky saw the dark haired one pulling ahead of the other. He must be one coming for their help. He felt the calling. They prepared the room for him. Suddenly the pathway widened, and Apollo found himself in a wide room. It seemed to be bare, but for a wall of monitors and small hospital bed in the center. Then he heard their voices. "Welcome, we have been waiting for you. We trust you are the one seeking our help?" Pooky sweet musical voice said. Stunned Apollo stuttered, "Well y-yes we are looking for help, h-how d-did you know?" Smiling sweetly Pooky replied, "Only those who seek our help come here, and we will oblige you. We know what each visitor wants, we know what you want, and what you need. Would you like us to begin now?" "Ah, yes I guess so, but don't you want to ask questions first, see what we can offer you in return?" Apollo thought they were talking about helping the fleet, but he soon discovered otherwise. "No need, we do not require payment for our services, we simply want to help you." Siky said, as he placed his arm on Apollo's elbow and guided him to the center of the room. "Um wait, what are you doing?" "Oh no, my dear, there is no changing your mind, you came here seeking our help, and we intend to give it, you came of your on free will." After Siky said that, he ripped Apollo's uniform off, and threw him on the bed. Apollo tried to struggle and throw the man off, but he was stronger than he looked and Apollo was quickly subdued, his legs and arms bound to the bed. This happened very fast. Apollo looked towards the cave opening, only to see that somehow Starbuck was placed in a cage, unable to come to his aid. Then Apollo saw the needles. These strange beings were coming towards him with needles. Apollo's head was roughly pushed sideways, exposing the back of his neck. The female of these two brushed his hair away, then he felt the sharp prick of the needle as it entered his skin. It felt like it was being pushed all the way into his spine, for indeed it was. "What are you doing to him? Let him go!" he heard Starbuck scream. Then he saw each of the aliens with a needle, which they inserted into his small nipples, causing him to cry out in pain. "Oh God no, please don't do this! Please stop!" "I'm sorry, but it is much to late to stop now." Pooky said. The next needle caused Apollo even more pain, as it was inserted at the base of his penis. Each needle then became more painful that the one before. One into each side of his scrotum, directly into his balls, and then the last one, the most painful of all. It had a very long thin end on it, and was inserted directly into the small opening of his penis. Apollo screamed in pain, he had no idea why they were doing this to him, or what these injections would do to his body, but he was about to find out. Starbuck watched the aliens give Apollo the injections, heard his best friend cry out in pain. Desperately he tried to get of the cage that had dropped from the ceiling, locking him in. He tried to get his hand under it and lift, but it was too heavy. Then he saw the male alien go to the wall and press a button, and the cage lifted. He ran to Apollo's side, untying his friend, who was still crying from the pain. Suddenly Apollo's body started shaking, and Apollo screamed again. Starbuck cradled Apollo in his arms, lifting him off the bed and onto the floor, holding him close. Apollo laid his head on Starbuck's shoulder, crying and shaking, his whole body felt like it was on fire. They stayed like this for half a centar, then Starbuck noticed something different about Apollo. Pulling back from his friend Starbuck looked into the tear filled eyes, then down at the naked body. Apollo was now the most beautiful woman Starbuck had ever seen. ***** Starbuck and Apollo quickly returned to the Galactica, although Apollo was deeply tempted to just stay on that strange planet and hide from everyone he/she knew. It took all her courage to climb into that viper, and wearing a uniform that was several sizes to big was not very comfortable. But return she did, and coming out of decon, where she had hoped she would revert back to a he, she felt everyone's eyes on her. Unable to stand it she turned and yelled, "WHAT ARE YOU ALL LOOKING AT HAVEN`T YOU EVER SEEN A WOMAN BEFORE?" Starbuck quickly grabbed her and took her to the Commander's quarters, where they had to try and explain what had happened. "What do mean they said they only wanted to help you? This is help?" Adama said, bewildered. "I don't know what they were thinking father, you act like this is my fault." "Well you could have tried to stop them, explain this wasn't what you wanted." "They never said they would do this, and I tried to stop them but they were too strong." "Well, I guess none of that matters now, does it? Go to the life center, maybe Salik can figure something out." "Fine." Apollo stomped out of the room. Turning to Starbuck Adama said, "And just where were you when this was happening, didn't you do anything to stop this, you're his wingman." "I tried Sir, but they dropped a cage on me. It was too heavy, I couldn't get out, I did try Sir!" Starbuck was never so scared in his life. "Of all the lame excuses........go down to life center with my son......oh excuse me, I mean my daughter, and make sure she is alright." Starbuck all but ran from the room. The Commander was the last person he wanted to be around. ***** Cassie double checked the readings from the scanner. "Well Apollo, this change appears to be perfect. You are definitely a woman. I can't change you back." "I don't want to be a woman, and what do you mean perfect?" Apollo huffed. "I mean you have everything a woman should have, you can even get pregnant if you want." Apollo thought a centon, then smiled at that thought. "Oh really, well now isn't that something?" Cassie saw the smile, wondering what Apollo was thinking. Then Starbuck entered, and she thought, 'Oh no, she wouldn't do that, would she?' Starbuck saw the way Apollo smiled at him and knew he was in big trouble. ***** They walked in silence back to Apollo's quarters, each occupied with their own thoughts about what had happened. Once inside Apollo turned to Starbuck. "Would you like a drink? There's still some of your grog in the cupboard." Shifting nervously Starbuck said, "Um...well I was thinking of going to the OC. Have a drink with the guys." "Oh, and I'm not one of the guys anymore is that it?" "Apollo that's not it at all. Look, this is a bit overwhelming, it's gonna take getting used to." "Yeah, well tell me about it. This is not my fault, I didn't ask for this to happen. They just did it." "Apollo I know that, its just......." Starbuck shrugged, not knowing what to say. "You don't want me anymore is that it, you love me but only if I'm a man so now that I'm a woman you don't. Is that it?" Apollo was now crying. "Apollo I still love you, I always will, but you're going to have to give me some time to get used to this........" Tears streaming down her cheeks Apollo cried, "Go to the OC, go on get out, just leave me alone, but remember I might be a woman now but I am still a captain and your commanding officer, remember that." "Apollo please...." "GET OUT!" Apollo screamed. Starbuck threw up his hands in surrender and turned to go. As the door closed behind him he heard something shatter against it. Closing his eyes he said a quick prayer, "Lords please, please turn him back the way he belongs, I want to make love to my Apollo, not a female version, please." In her quarters, Apollo threw herself onto the bed crying, "I`ll get you back Starbuck, I will. Man or woman I'm the one you belong to and I`ll get you back, and I know exactly how I'm going to do it." ***** To Be Continued