Aug 2001


	The Final Straw
	By Pepper
	(peppe1951@yahoo.com)

	[I want to thank my beta for her aid in writing this story
	This is a story of discipline but no slash]

	(Main characters: Starbuck and Commander Adama)
	(Glossary: BSG terms: sectar = month, secton = week)

	"Send him in," ordered Adama to his aid.  Moments later Lt. Starbuck
	swaggered in.  "You are at attention, and if I were you I would wipe that
	grin off your face as well," roared Adama.

	Starbuck snapped to attention with no smile showing on his handsome face.

	"Now what have you done to get put on report again," barked Adama.

	"Nothing much...just ticked of Siress Hera.  She wanted me to fetch for
	her.  I'm a Warrior not her slave."

	"I agree...you are not a servant.  But you could have refused her other than
	snapped at her like you did."  Adama paused thinking his options out.
	"Starbuck, do you remember what I told you yesterday, when you were reported
	for an infraction?"

	"Yes, sir.  You said that if you had to see me again for disciplinary action
	you were going to try something different on me, and you guaranteed that I
	wouldn't like it," responded a wary Starbuck.

	"Lieutenant, I am implementing an old fashion form of discipline on all
	Warriors who fail to behave.  This will a last resort type of punishment
	when nothing else seems to work.  I will try it out on you first and if it
	helps then it will be implemented on all who put on report 3 times in a
	sectar's time.  We shall see if it helps you to remember to control
	yourself, as a Warrior should.  It is called Corporal Punishment and it
	consists of the offender being paddled or strapped on their backside a
	predetermined number of licks."

	"Noooooooo...please sir, not that.  My adopted father used to paddle me all
	of the time before the raid on Umbra," pleaded Starbuck.

	"Did it work at curbing your attitude," Adama seriously asked?

	"Well, yes...the first few days it hurt too much to want a repeat
	performance and afterwards it was too fresh on my mind to forget.  So I stay
	out of trouble at least until I could sit comfortably again," explained
	Starbuck.

	"How many licks did your father give you?"

	"Usually 20 licks for real serious, 10 or 12 licks for something serious and
	half that much for a minor incident," remembered Starbuck with a shudder.

	"And do you think your rudeness to Siress Hera consists of serious or minor
	discipline," asked Adama curiously?

	"My dad would probably consider that to be a serious misdeed," Starbuck said
	before realizing that he had said too much.

	"I agree with you father.  Now go to the table in the next room and lower
	your pants and briefs and bend over.  I'll be in presently," admonished
	Adama.

	"No, please.  I promised I'll behave," started Starbuck only to be
	interrupted with a "Lieutenant, get yourself in there this minute or I will
	be doubling the licks," which got Starbuck to moving right away.

	While Starbuck was getting into position, Adama was looking for just the
	right implement to use of his young Warrior.  He finally settled on a
	ruler.  It was long and about 2 to 3 inches in width and made of imitation
	wood.

	When Adama finally made his way out he found Starbuck in position and with
	his bare bottom on display.  He looked up and noticed at once what the
	Commander was carrying and groaned.  "This is going to hurt," he thought,
	"and bring back unpleasant memories of life before he was orphaned."

	"Starbuck, since all other methods of disciplining you have fail, I'm forced
	to use corporal punishment once again.  You are to stay in position until
	all of the licks are handed out.  If you fail to do so, the licks will be
	doubled...do you understand?"

	Starbuck nodded and waited for the paddling to begin.  He didn't have to
	wait long when suddenly a sharp pain visited his left buttock.  He gasped as
	the line of fire visited his right buttock and began to howl as the licks
	came fast and furious.  The ruler peppered his backside until it was hot,
	sore and a deep red in color.  He managed to stay put through the 12 licks
	but only barely.  He found that as he voiced his distress he was unable to
	stop the tears that fell down his face.

	Adama stepped back to admire his handiwork on the boy's bottom and was
	pleased with the effort.  This was therapeutic for him as well. He worked
	out his displeasure as well as punishing the miscreant.  He would definite
	have to implement this form of discipline with regards to his Warriors.  He
	was sure that Starbuck would think before he acted from now on.

	"You can get up now Starbuck," and watched as Starbuck straighten up wincing
	as the movement caused his bottom to throb a bit more.  "You can get dress
	now and leave."  Starbuck gingerly pulled his pants and briefs up gasping as
	the material brushed against his new chastised bottom.  He made a move to
	leave stopping when Adam spoke again.

	"Starbuck, I had better not see you again this sectar for disciplinary
	actions or you will think the paddling you just got a walk in the park...am
	I making myself clear?"

	Starbuck nodded grimly and left.  He didn't think he could speak without
	crying and had been forced to communicate with nods instead.  He hurried
	back to the barracks and straight into the showers where he could finally
	cry out his pain and humiliation in the privacy of the showers without being
	seen.  When he finally emerge he felt a lot better and vowed not to be in
	this position ever again.

	*******

	He succeeded for only a secton before finding himself in front of the
	Commander once again.  Adama was furious and had vowed to really discipline
	the Lieutenant this time.  "Starbuck, I warned you what I would do if you
	once again came in front of me for disciplinary actions before the sectar
	was out, didn't I?"  Starbuck nodded and try to explain why he shouldn't be
	punished, "But sir, it wasn't my fault."

	"Oh really, please explain to me, why it isn't your fault," he said quietly.
	This punishment was due to his being tricked into becoming sheriff of a back
	world planet.  If he hadn't gotten into that card game in the first place
	none of this would have happened.  Fortunately everything came out okay in
	the end but that didn't save Lt. Starbuck from being called on the carpet
	for his behavior.

	"Well, sir, if I hadn't gotten into the card game, that planet would still
	be tricking young men into becoming sheriffs and dying for the effort.
	As it was because of me we were able to save them and fix everything and get
	the grain as well.  I should be rewarded not punished," Starbuck said
	haughty.

	"While what you say is true; you still disobeyed my order that you and
	Boomer be inconspicuous and what do I find?  Only that you have been made
	sheriff...no I'm sorry Starbuck that action alone has earned you this
	punishment.  So please assume the position so we can get this over with."

	Starbuck started to open his mouth to argue when Adama's next words stopped
	him cold, "If I would you, I would do as I said...we can always take this
	disciplinary action to a more public location and we will if you continue to
	argue."

	Starbuck didn't even want to think about others viewing his punishment and
	hurried into position.  He thought, "Well I survived the first paddling, and
	I can do it again."

	He was totally unprepared when a line of fire descended on his buttocks and
	he let out a mighty yell of pain...YEOWWWWCCCHHHLLL, and turned to see what
	Adama was using on him.  He gasped as he recognized a swagger stick, one
	identical to the one Commander Cain always carried.  Adama gave him only 6
	licks one right after the other in lines that encompassed from mid buttock
	to top of his thighs.  He knew that sitting in any form wouldn't be
	comfortable for some time and he cried out in agony.  Adama had given the
	licks out with strength enough to hurt but not bleed.

	With stick in hand Adama asked, "Do you think you can stay out of the
	trouble for the remainder of the month?"  Starbuck nodded swiftly and
	started to rise.  He was surprised when he was pushed back in position.
	"Then remember this," and gave him the 7th and final hard lick, which
	crossed all of the 6 previous licks, "when next you find yourself ready to
	misbehave."  That one stroke broke the dam of emotions within the Lieutenant
	and he began to sob mightily.  Adama watched only momentarily before
	gathering him in his arms for an all-forgiving hug.  He held him until
	Starbuck was able to control himself and pull back.

	"Starbuck, your slate is cleaned...try not to be here again.  I hate to
	punish someone I love as a son but will do so to keep you safe and sound, do
	you understand?" Adama said fatherly.

	"Yes, sir...and thank you for caring," he said wiping his eyes and rubbing
	his butt in an effort to ease the pain and left.

	Adama smiled knowing that with that boy he would be seeing him again and
	this was far from being THE END of the punishment he would be applying to
	that boy's backside.