I was beginning to think the fleet had vanished again. The report that a viper patrol was returning at full speed brought me out of my dreamstate and sent the pilots that were on the bridge and me on a run towards the landing bay. The two pilots had bolted out of their vipers and were already in decon procedures. So again we had to wait. Here Steve, who had been in on the rush to the landing bay, commented that he’d be a millionare for every time he had to wait for something. It caused a number of laughs. By then the door hushed open. The two pilots that came out looked rather grim. They found something alright, and I wasn’t going to like what they found. One of them the colonial pilot who had led the mission, made a request I was very willing to comply with “ Sir, could we please use one of the conference rooms.” I nodded and the whole party began to move towards the bridge area. Then the request came for a star chart of the surrounding area. Easily done. om blasting you out of the stars.” The remark caused an uproar lasting a number of minutes. Whilst trying to calm down the quorum members, Apollo managed to send a rather scornful look my way. I returned my version with equal pleasure. As things calmed down, Madron was again given permission by the chair to resume with his questions. “ By what right did you get command of that battlestar?” “ I was tasked to take command of her by my superior officer.” “ And who might that be?” “ Rear-Admiral Jerry Schultz.” “ And where can we find him?” “ On Earth, when we get there.” I had been terribly tempted to say if. Because I felt that if the quorum got in my way, much like they had with commander Apollo apparently, the chances of us getting to Earth would get slimmer every time they interfered. Another uproar ensued.. Again Apollo had to calm them down. “ Look, gentlemen. On the request of commander Apollo, I came here to talk to the colonial government, t9 Having recovered the Vipers, troops and all necessary fuel, we left the star system as fast as we possibly could. We didn’t want to stick around if the Cylons were to come looking to see what had happened to their refinery. And there was something far more important going on. We had a lead! Now I had the search pattern of space shifted to the sector we were in. I’m was pretty sure I wasn’t the only one that felt the tension rising. Even the CAG and some of his pilots found time to come up and wait for the magic contact wording. For a full day nothing happened, until one of the colonial crewmembers from the Pegasus had a brainstorm. It had to do with ion engines and their exhausts. The case in point was that we would look for their exhaust trails. Scanners were promptly reset and tuned to look for the exhaust trails that indicated any heading of the rag tag fleet. Another day passed and still nothing. Even the scouting patrols we launched came up empty. And as a bonus, the computer technician in the room entered the vector coordinates the patrol had flown. Everybody began eyeing the map, looking for any kind of strange phenomena. We found a huge nebula, with a bunch of decaying ion trails nearby. But there was something else as well. A smaller bunch of tightly packed ion engine trails, spread through out the system, flying in a rather rigid pattern. “ Someone is looking for something.” Steve remarked as he saw the map. Mentally I agreed with the comment. I also figured who was looking for whom., and I didn’t like the of the Cylons getting to the Galactica before we did. “ I think that someone is hiding in the nebula, waiting for those others to disappear.” I responded. “ So what do we do now?” “ We wait.” “ Why?” Starbuck, who had also joined the group, looked a little stressed about my comment. “ For all we know this could also be some kind of Cylon wargame. I’m not willing to announce t9 Having recovered the Vipers, troops and all necessary fuel, we left the star system as fast as we possibly could. We didn’t want to stick around if the Cylons were to come looking to see what had happened to their refinery. And there was something far more important going on. We had a lead! Now I had the search pattern of space shifted to the sector we were in. I’m was pretty sure I wasn’t the only one that felt the tension rising. Even the CAG and some of his pilots found time to come up and wait for the magic contact wording. For a full day nothing happened, until one of the colonial crewmembers from the Pegasus had a brainstorm. It had to do with ion engines and their exhausts. The case in point was that we would look for their exhaust trails. Scanners were promptly reset and tuned to look for the exhaust trails that indicated any heading of the rag tag fleet. Another day passed and still nothing. Even the scouting patrols we launched came up empty. And as a bonus, the computer technician in the room entered the vector coordinates the patrol had flown. Everybody began eyeing the map, looking for any kind of strange phenomena. We found a huge nebula, with a bunch of decaying ion trails nearby. But there was something else as well. A smaller bunch of tightly packed ion engine trails, spread through out the system, flying in a rather rigid pattern. “ Someone is looking for something.” Steve remarked as he saw the map. Mentally I agreed with the comment. I also figured who was looking for whom., and I didn’t like the of the Cylons getting to the Galactica before we did. “ I think that someone is hiding in the nebula, waiting for those others to disappear.” I responded. “ So what do we do now?” “ We wait.” “ Why?” Starbuck, who had also joined the group, looked a little stressed about my comment. “ For all we know this could also be some kind of Cylon wargame. I’m not willing to announce to tell them that they should not ask Earth to help them against the Cylons. That is something that Earth will do, now that we know who they are.” I paused to do some recollecting. “ I came here to tell you that I only represent Earth. There will be people from Earth to discuss how we can best integrate our societies.” I’d be too busy worrying about the Cylons to make a real contribution to such a debate anyway. “ But quite frankly, the way I see you politicians behaving I’m very tempted to throw you in my brig if you ever set foot aboard Atlantis without my express consent.” The remark left them all stunned. “ Oh and in case you don’t realize it, I’m not part of your chain of command. I do not have to report to you under any kind of circumstances. “ The room went quiet, deadly quiet. “ What are you saying, captain Adams?” This time it was Apollo who had the question. “ I’m saying basically, you’re welcome at Earth. But that means you must accept Earth as it I was beginning to think the fleet had vanished again. The report that a viper patrol was returning at full speed brought me out of my dreamstate and sent the pilots that were on the bridge and me on a run towards the landing bay. The two pilots had bolted out of their vipers and were already in decon procedures. So again we had to wait. Here Steve, who had been in on the rush to the landing bay, commented that he’d be a millionare for every time he had to wait for something. It caused a number of laughs. By then the door hushed open. The two pilots that came out looked rather grim. They found something alright, and I wasn’t going to like what they found. One of them the colonial pilot who had led the mission, made a request I was very willing to comply with “ Sir, could we please use one of the conference rooms.” I nodded and the whole party began to move towards the bridge area. Then the request came for a star chart of the surrounding area. Easily done. his ship to the Cylons yet, and give them something that’ll lead them to the Galactica anyway…..” I realised what I just said. That was it! Starbuck kept looking at the Nebula on the map, very clearly thinking about the friends he had in there, somewhere. I patted Starbuck on the shoulder and motioned him to follow me out of the room. “ Look, once the Cylons know we’re out here, they’ll come after us as well. That’ll put us in bigger bind when we find the Galactica.” Starbuck continued to gaze at me. “ Look, when the Cylons find the Galactica we’re just going to have to be around to save her, but, we can let the Cylons do the work for us, don’t you see?” Again that sullen silence. What was this guy on? Slowly he began to come to his senses. “ once we beat back the Cylons we have some room to get the fleet to Earth.” Starbuck had a thin smile forming on his lips. “ sounds like an interesting plan, Bill.” So it began. We didn’t launch patrols for a I was beginning to think the fleet had vanished again. The report that a viper patrol was returning at full speed brought me out of my dreamstate and sent the pilots that were on the bridge and me on a run towards the landing bay. The two pilots had bolted out of their vipers and were already in decon procedures. So again we had to wait. Here Steve, who had been in on the rush to the landing bay, commented that he’d be a millionare for every time he had to wait for something. It caused a number of laughs. By then the door hushed open. The two pilots that came out looked rather grim. They found something alright, and I wasn’t going to like what they found. One of them the colonial pilot who had led the mission, made a request I was very willing to comply with “ Sir, could we please use one of the conference rooms.” I nodded and the whole party began to move towards the bridge area. Then the request came for a star chart of the surrounding area. Easily done. his ship to the Cylons yet, and give them something that’ll lead them to the Galactica anyway…..” I realised what I just said. That was it! Starbuck kept looking at the Nebula on the map, very clearly thinking about the friends he had in there, somewhere. I patted Starbuck on the shoulder and motioned him to follow me out of the room. “ Look, once the Cylons know we’re out here, they’ll come after us as well. That’ll put us in bigger bind when we find the Galactica.” Starbuck continued to gaze at me. “ Look, when the Cylons find the Galactica we’re just going to have to be around to save her, but, we can let the Cylons do the work for us, don’t you see?” Again that sullen silence. What was this guy on? Slowly he began to come to his senses. “ once we beat back the Cylons we have some room to get the fleet to Earth.” Starbuck had a thin smile forming on his lips. “ sounds like an interesting plan, Bill.” So it began. We didn’t launch patrols for ais and Earth will have to deal with you as you basically are.” I had an effect in mind “ Can you accept that?” Mardon again reacted “ You’re not fit to command. We should relieve him.” “ You and what army, councillor?” I had enough of the fool. If he still didn’t understand the rules had been changed by the arrival of Atlantis, he would never get it. “ Commander Apollo, can’t you relieve this, this…. gentleman of his command.” Madron hadn’t listened, at all. “ Unfortunately Sire Madron, I can’t.” “ You can’t or you won’t.” Madron asked for clarification. “ I can’t. Captain Adams has made it clear to me that he is not a member of the colonial fleet. He has also tried to make it clear to this august body that he isn’t part of the colonial chain of command. My hands in this matter are tied. And so are yours.” Apollo had understood from the day we met. Why didn’t the quorum? I never bothered to think like a politician. This was one of the times it cameAnd as a bonus, the computer technician in the room entered the vector coordinates the patrol had flown. Everybody began eyeing the map, looking for any kind of strange phenomena. We found a huge nebula, with a bunch of decaying ion trails nearby. But there was something else as well. A smaller bunch of tightly packed ion engine trails, spread through out the system, flying in a rather rigid pattern. “ Someone is looking for something.” Steve remarked as he saw the map. Mentally I agreed with the comment. I also figured who was looking for whom., and I didn’t like the of the Cylons getting to the Galactica before we did. “ I think that someone is hiding in the nebula, waiting for those others to disappear.” I responded. “ So what do we do now?” “ We wait.” “ Why?” Starbuck, who had also joined the group, looked a little stressed about my comment. “ For all we know this could also be some kind of Cylon wargame. I’m not willing to announce t while afraid as we were of revealing our position. And we waited. Off duty crew would come to the bridge hoping to be in the right time to catch a glimpse of maybe the third battlestar coming out of the nebula we were watching. Scanner crews kept their eyes glued to their screens, looking for any evidence of activity that could spoil the best meant plans. Gunnery crews tested their weapons on dry runs and made sure everything stayed in working order. Nearly all the pilots kept themselves entertained in the simulators we had constructed prior to stumbling upon the Cylon Tylieum refinery. Nearly two weeks after it all began, something poked its nose out of the nebula. That something was soon identified as being a small probe. As we could see on our own scanners, the probe looked for anything related to the Cylons as it exited the nebula. Once it found nothing, the probe exited the nebula for a distance and waited. We did the same. Within a few hours, out they came. And as a bonus, the computer technician in the room entered the vector coordinates the patrol had flown. Everybody began eyeing the map, looking for any kind of strange phenomena. We found a huge nebula, with a bunch of decaying ion trails nearby. But there was something else as well. A smaller bunch of tightly packed ion engine trails, spread through out the system, flying in a rather rigid pattern. “ Someone is looking for something.” Steve remarked as he saw the map. Mentally I agreed with the comment. I also figured who was looking for whom., and I didn’t like the of the Cylons getting to the Galactica before we did. “ I think that someone is hiding in the nebula, waiting for those others to disappear.” I responded. “ So what do we do now?” “ We wait.” “ Why?” Starbuck, who had also joined the group, looked a little stressed about my comment. “ For all we know this could also be some kind of Cylon wargame. I’m not willing to announce t while afraid as we were of revealing our position. And we waited. Off duty crew would come to the bridge hoping to be in the right time to catch a glimpse of maybe the third battlestar coming out of the nebula we were watching. Scanner crews kept their eyes glued to their screens, looking for any evidence of activity that could spoil the best meant plans. Gunnery crews tested their weapons on dry runs and made sure everything stayed in working order. Nearly all the pilots kept themselves entertained in the simulators we had constructed prior to stumbling upon the Cylon Tylieum refinery. Nearly two weeks after it all began, something poked its nose out of the nebula. That something was soon identified as being a small probe. As we could see on our own scanners, the probe looked for anything related to the Cylons as it exited the nebula. Once it found nothing, the probe exited the nebula for a distance and waited. We did the same. Within a few hours, out they came. back to haunt me. “ Will there be any further questions?” I was glad to hear Apollo ask. As this was not the case, the gathering was adjourned. Apollo waited for me as I started to make my way out of the chamber. “ Wasn’t that a little overdone?” “ Look, these guys ‘d better understand that when they get to Earth things are going to change radically. I want them to have that impression or else you and your people are going to be in a boatload of trouble.” Apollo seemed to be in tense concentration, probably thinking through some of the things I had said both in the chambers and to him personally. “ Perhaps I’d do better to show you what to expect.” “ Perhaps it might be.” Apollo accompanied me to the Galactica’s Alpha landing bay and boarded my shuttle with me. At his behest, the shuttle flew the scenic route of the Atlantis and landed without effort in our version of the hangar bay not much later. The Marine guard presented arms as wehis ship to the Cylons yet, and give them something that’ll lead them to the Galactica anyway…..” I realised what I just said. That was it! Starbuck kept looking at the Nebula on the map, very clearly thinking about the friends he had in there, somewhere. I patted Starbuck on the shoulder and motioned him to follow me out of the room. “ Look, once the Cylons know we’re out here, they’ll come after us as well. That’ll put us in bigger bind when we find the Galactica.” Starbuck continued to gaze at me. “ Look, when the Cylons find the Galactica we’re just going to have to be around to save her, but, we can let the Cylons do the work for us, don’t you see?” Again that sullen silence. What was this guy on? Slowly he began to come to his senses. “ once we beat back the Cylons we have some room to get the fleet to Earth.” Starbuck had a thin smile forming on his lips. “ sounds like an interesting plan, Bill.” So it began. We didn’t launch patrols for a First out the Galactica, and with her, was a squadron of Vipers, clearly acting as a CAP. Second was a ship that for lack of a better description was a passenger liner. Other ships soon followed as the battlestar kept her station while the fleet reassembled. I was amazed. Starbuck looked as if he was about to cry. “ Don’t worry, we’ll get you reunited with your friends.” “ I know, it’s been a long time though, I’m just wondering who’ll be left.” My attention returned to the screens where with practiced efficiency the rag tag fleet was beginning to get into formation. It wouldn’t be long before they were off on their trek across the stars. Starbuck looked almost itching to go. “ Hold your horses, commander. We’ll join them soon. For now let’s see who else comes to the meeting.” I remembered a tale from an old friend of mine by the name of Rick Brody. Brody had spent his entire career in the Silent Service. During one of our rather infrequent tours together his ship to the Cylons yet, and give them something that’ll lead them to the Galactica anyway…..” I realised what I just said. That was it! Starbuck kept looking at the Nebula on the map, very clearly thinking about the friends he had in there, somewhere. I patted Starbuck on the shoulder and motioned him to follow me out of the room. “ Look, once the Cylons know we’re out here, they’ll come after us as well. That’ll put us in bigger bind when we find the Galactica.” Starbuck continued to gaze at me. “ Look, when the Cylons find the Galactica we’re just going to have to be around to save her, but, we can let the Cylons do the work for us, don’t you see?” Again that sullen silence. What was this guy on? Slowly he began to come to his senses. “ once we beat back the Cylons we have some room to get the fleet to Earth.” Starbuck had a thin smile forming on his lips. “ sounds like an interesting plan, Bill.” So it began. We didn’t launch patrols for a First out the Galactica, and with her, was a squadron of Vipers, clearly acting as a CAP. Second was a ship that for lack of a better description was a passenger liner. Other ships soon followed as the battlestar kept her station while the fleet reassembled. I was amazed. Starbuck looked as if he was about to cry. “ Don’t worry, we’ll get you reunited with your friends.” “ I know, it’s been a long time though, I’m just wondering who’ll be left.” My attention returned to the screens where with practiced efficiency the rag tag fleet was beginning to get into formation. It wouldn’t be long before they were off on their trek across the stars. Starbuck looked almost itching to go. “ Hold your horses, commander. We’ll join them soon. For now let’s see who else comes to the meeting.” I remembered a tale from an old friend of mine by the name of Rick Brody. Brody had spent his entire career in the Silent Service. During one of our rather infrequent tours together disembarked. “ Impressive.” Apollo muttered as he looked around the bay. “ When we found her we pretty much figured it was a carrier. And back on Earth, the Navy handles the carriers. So we basically transported the system over. It seems to be working very well.” We walked further into the bay to a Viper that was being serviced. “ I think you’ll like this. We made some basic improvements to the design. Exterior she still looks the same, but on the interior is where the difference is at.” “ May I?” Apollo asked. I gave him permission to take a seat in the cockpit. “ As you can see we made a lot of changes to the instrument board. Now my pilots no longer have to look around to find a switch. It’s all been placed in front of them.” The commander of the Galactica accidentally activated the attack computer and watched the small screen to his front. “ Interesting. You seem to have found a way to project an image on that glass plate.” I smiled at the response. while afraid as we were of revealing our position. And we waited. Off duty crew would come to the bridge hoping to be in the right time to catch a glimpse of maybe the third battlestar coming out of the nebula we were watching. Scanner crews kept their eyes glued to their screens, looking for any evidence of activity that could spoil the best meant plans. Gunnery crews tested their weapons on dry runs and made sure everything stayed in working order. Nearly all the pilots kept themselves entertained in the simulators we had constructed prior to stumbling upon the Cylon Tylieum refinery. Nearly two weeks after it all began, something poked its nose out of the nebula. That something was soon identified as being a small probe. As we could see on our own scanners, the probe looked for anything related to the Cylons as it exited the nebula. Once it found nothing, the probe exited the nebula for a distance and waited. We did the same. Within a few hours, out they came. at a ROTC unit he had told me about how his crew had once tracked a Chinese submarine that was tracking a Russian one only to be surprised when a North Korean sub showed up as they traversed the Yellow Sea! So we waited some more. “ Bingo.” I watched the scanner and main screens together with everybody else on the bridge as the first Cylon basestar appeared. Pretty soon it was followed by two others. To my right I heard someone exhale. “ You were right.” I wondered if Starbuck was apologizing or just telling me that he’d made a mistake. There was first another matter to take care of. “ Helm follow them, just keep them to the edge of our scanner range.” Slowly we moved off as well. Now the cat and mouse game would really begin. And this time, there was a dog involved. 9B Aboard the lead Cylon basestar things were going according to order. Cylon centurions performed their usual rounds, did their usual maintenance where necessary and flew the occasio while afraid as we were of revealing our position. And we waited. Off duty crew would come to the bridge hoping to be in the right time to catch a glimpse of maybe the third battlestar coming out of the nebula we were watching. Scanner crews kept their eyes glued to their screens, looking for any evidence of activity that could spoil the best meant plans. Gunnery crews tested their weapons on dry runs and made sure everything stayed in working order. Nearly all the pilots kept themselves entertained in the simulators we had constructed prior to stumbling upon the Cylon Tylieum refinery. Nearly two weeks after it all began, something poked its nose out of the nebula. That something was soon identified as being a small probe. As we could see on our own scanners, the probe looked for anything related to the Cylons as it exited the nebula. Once it found nothing, the probe exited the nebula for a distance and waited. We did the same. Within a few hours, out they came. at a ROTC unit he had told me about how his crew had once tracked a Chinese submarine that was tracking a Russian one only to be surprised when a North Korean sub showed up as they traversed the Yellow Sea! So we waited some more. “ Bingo.” I watched the scanner and main screens together with everybody else on the bridge as the first Cylon basestar appeared. Pretty soon it was followed by two others. To my right I heard someone exhale. “ You were right.” I wondered if Starbuck was apologizing or just telling me that he’d made a mistake. There was first another matter to take care of. “ Helm follow them, just keep them to the edge of our scanner range.” Slowly we moved off as well. Now the cat and mouse game would really begin. And this time, there was a dog involved. 9B Aboard the lead Cylon basestar things were going according to order. Cylon centurions performed their usual rounds, did their usual maintenance where necessary and flew the occasio “ My pilots call it a HUD. Basically the optical device keeps your head off the instruments and focused on the outside where your opponent is doing his business.” “ Sounds like a handy device.” “ It is. As you can see we’ve created a cockpit where you’re not toggling switches anymore, and are more focused towards survival.” I explained the rest of the design philosophy as we made our way to the elevator that would take us to the main hull. “ I’m amazed at the similarities between this ship and the Galactica,” Apollo commented as we neared the bridge. “ How do you think I feel when I was aboard you ship,” I answered. We entered the spacious bridge. One of the ensigns on duty called “ Captain on the bridge.” “ As you can see we changed some things here as well.” Apollo studied everything as I gave a running commentary on how we operated. “ You do indeed do things differently.” “ With just these basics we got this vessel up and running. We had s First out the Galactica, and with her, was a squadron of Vipers, clearly acting as a CAP. Second was a ship that for lack of a better description was a passenger liner. Other ships soon followed as the battlestar kept her station while the fleet reassembled. I was amazed. Starbuck looked as if he was about to cry. “ Don’t worry, we’ll get you reunited with your friends.” “ I know, it’s been a long time though, I’m just wondering who’ll be left.” My attention returned to the screens where with practiced efficiency the rag tag fleet was beginning to get into formation. It wouldn’t be long before they were off on their trek across the stars. Starbuck looked almost itching to go. “ Hold your horses, commander. We’ll join them soon. For now let’s see who else comes to the meeting.” I remembered a tale from an old friend of mine by the name of Rick Brody. Brody had spent his entire career in the Silent Service. During one of our rather infrequent tours together nal patrols also. Only one Cylon was on the move near the area of the command centre. The flickering of his lights indicating his higher functions working at full speed. He came to a stop near the command pedestal. “ By your command.” Slowly, the pedestal turned. On top of it, was the only human to ever command a basestar, or for that matter even a fleet of them. Count Baltar, formerly of the council of the twelve, the ruling body of the twelve worlds of man. “ the Galactica commander thinks he has eluded our pursuit.” He’s wrong. As ordered the other ships are waiting on the edge of this system.” Baltar took in all of this as his trusted IL robot Lucifer displayed a holographic projection. “ Good, once those forward units establish contact with the Galactica, we’ll come in from behind and destroy them all. Have preparations begun immediatly.” “ By your command.” Lucifer rolled out of the command chamber, leaving Baltar to his own devices. Aboard the three First out the Galactica, and with her, was a squadron of Vipers, clearly acting as a CAP. Second was a ship that for lack of a better description was a passenger liner. Other ships soon followed as the battlestar kept her station while the fleet reassembled. I was amazed. Starbuck looked as if he was about to cry. “ Don’t worry, we’ll get you reunited with your friends.” “ I know, it’s been a long time though, I’m just wondering who’ll be left.” My attention returned to the screens where with practiced efficiency the rag tag fleet was beginning to get into formation. It wouldn’t be long before they were off on their trek across the stars. Starbuck looked almost itching to go. “ Hold your horses, commander. We’ll join them soon. For now let’s see who else comes to the meeting.” I remembered a tale from an old friend of mine by the name of Rick Brody. Brody had spent his entire career in the Silent Service. During one of our rather infrequent tours together nal patrols also. Only one Cylon was on the move near the area of the command centre. The flickering of his lights indicating his higher functions working at full speed. He came to a stop near the command pedestal. “ By your command.” Slowly, the pedestal turned. On top of it, was the only human to ever command a basestar, or for that matter even a fleet of them. Count Baltar, formerly of the council of the twelve, the ruling body of the twelve worlds of man. “ the Galactica commander thinks he has eluded our pursuit.” He’s wrong. As ordered the other ships are waiting on the edge of this system.” Baltar took in all of this as his trusted IL robot Lucifer displayed a holographic projection. “ Good, once those forward units establish contact with the Galactica, we’ll come in from behind and destroy them all. Have preparations begun immediatly.” “ By your command.” Lucifer rolled out of the command chamber, leaving Baltar to his own devices. Aboard the threeome troubles but these were soon sorted out, with some help.” “ What kind of help?” “ Shall we proceed to my quarters? The answer to that question can be found there.” As we left that same ensign said, “ Captain off the bridge.” We trotted off to my personal quarters. The door hushed open and I motioned for Apollo to enter. I smelled the fumes of a cigar as I followed the colonial commander. I knew he was there as well. “ Sorry, but I let myself in.” “ No problem.” Apollo’s mouth was already hanging ajar as I decided to do the formal introductions. “ Commander Apollo, it is my honor to introduce to you, commander Starbuck, of the colonial Battlestar Pegasus.” The new questions followed in rapid order along with the answers. In the end Apollo again turned to me “ Is he…” “ Despite the fact that I named him as commander of the Pegasus, since he was the ranking officer to survive, Starbuck falls within your chain of command. I must admit tat a ROTC unit he had told me about how his crew had once tracked a Chinese submarine that was tracking a Russian one only to be surprised when a North Korean sub showed up as they traversed the Yellow Sea! So we waited some more. “ Bingo.” I watched the scanner and main screens together with everybody else on the bridge as the first Cylon basestar appeared. Pretty soon it was followed by two others. To my right I heard someone exhale. “ You were right.” I wondered if Starbuck was apologizing or just telling me that he’d made a mistake. There was first another matter to take care of. “ Helm follow them, just keep them to the edge of our scanner range.” Slowly we moved off as well. Now the cat and mouse game would really begin. And this time, there was a dog involved. 9B Aboard the lead Cylon basestar things were going according to order. Cylon centurions performed their usual rounds, did their usual maintenance where necessary and flew the occasioat a ROTC unit he had told me about how his crew had once tracked a Chinese submarine that was tracking a Russian one only to be surprised when a North Korean sub showed up as they traversed the Yellow Sea! So we waited some more. “ Bingo.” I watched the scanner and main screens together with everybody else on the bridge as the first Cylon basestar appeared. Pretty soon it was followed by two others. To my right I heard someone exhale. “ You were right.” I wondered if Starbuck was apologizing or just telling me that he’d made a mistake. There was first another matter to take care of. “ Helm follow them, just keep them to the edge of our scanner range.” Slowly we moved off as well. Now the cat and mouse game would really begin. And this time, there was a dog involved. 9B Aboard the lead Cylon basestar things were going according to order. Cylon centurions performed their usual rounds, did their usual maintenance where necessary and flew the occasio baseships, preparations for the fighter launch began immediatly. The same applied for the weapon systems. The scanners aboard Atlantis easily picked up the increased power signatures. We didn’t dare power up ourselves., not yet, we would wait and strike, hard. The forces near the edge of the system were under the command of Spectre, the other IL that Starbuck had defeated on Atilla. His taskforce consisted of another three more modern baseships. Like Baltar, he knew the Galactica would now never the chance of escaping. He realised one other thing though. Far from leaving the glory of the destruction of the last remnant of humanity to Baltar and Lucifer, Spectre wanted some of that glory for himself. Only in this way could he be an equal to Lucifer. Unfortunately, this revelry was interupted “ By your command.” One Gold centurion, his personal baseship commander, had entered the chamber. “ Report centurion.” “ We have received a report from Lord Baltar. W baseships, preparations for the fighter launch began immediatly. The same applied for the weapon systems. The scanners aboard Atlantis easily picked up the increased power signatures. We didn’t dare power up ourselves., not yet, we would wait and strike, hard. The forces near the edge of the system were under the command of Spectre, the other IL that Starbuck had defeated on Atilla. His taskforce consisted of another three more modern baseships. Like Baltar, he knew the Galactica would now never the chance of escaping. He realised one other thing though. Far from leaving the glory of the destruction of the last remnant of humanity to Baltar and Lucifer, Spectre wanted some of that glory for himself. Only in this way could he be an equal to Lucifer. Unfortunately, this revelry was interupted “ By your command.” One Gold centurion, his personal baseship commander, had entered the chamber. “ Report centurion.” “ We have received a report from Lord Baltar. Whough that I’m sorry to lose such a good XO.” Starbuck looked a little gloomy himself “ I’d be sad to let go of such a position here.” “ What happened to the Pegasus, and for that matter, Cain?” “ Easy answer. Cain is on Earth in one of the Navy hospitals.” Starbuck then went on to explain how Cain ended up in said hospital. When he finished the story, Apollo again found a reason to look at me. “ I suspected a number of things, commander Apollo. A number of them added up ever since Starbuck has been on this ship, a few others I learned after our meeting. But now gentlemen, let’s look at the matter at hand. How do we prepare your people for Earth?” Brothers from space 13 It was more usual to see a car skidding to a stop near the emergency ward instead of a main entrance of any hospital, even if it was the famous Naval hospital. This time however it was a truly remarkable coincidence that this car was a rather official looking staff car. Out of said staff car, cnal patrols also. Only one Cylon was on the move near the area of the command centre. The flickering of his lights indicating his higher functions working at full speed. He came to a stop near the command pedestal. “ By your command.” Slowly, the pedestal turned. On top of it, was the only human to ever command a basestar, or for that matter even a fleet of them. Count Baltar, formerly of the council of the twelve, the ruling body of the twelve worlds of man. “ the Galactica commander thinks he has eluded our pursuit.” He’s wrong. As ordered the other ships are waiting on the edge of this system.” Baltar took in all of this as his trusted IL robot Lucifer displayed a holographic projection. “ Good, once those forward units establish contact with the Galactica, we’ll come in from behind and destroy them all. Have preparations begun immediatly.” “ By your command.” Lucifer rolled out of the command chamber, leaving Baltar to his own devices. Aboard the threenal patrols also. Only one Cylon was on the move near the area of the command centre. The flickering of his lights indicating his higher functions working at full speed. He came to a stop near the command pedestal. “ By your command.” Slowly, the pedestal turned. On top of it, was the only human to ever command a basestar, or for that matter even a fleet of them. Count Baltar, formerly of the council of the twelve, the ruling body of the twelve worlds of man. “ the Galactica commander thinks he has eluded our pursuit.” He’s wrong. As ordered the other ships are waiting on the edge of this system.” Baltar took in all of this as his trusted IL robot Lucifer displayed a holographic projection. “ Good, once those forward units establish contact with the Galactica, we’ll come in from behind and destroy them all. Have preparations begun immediatly.” “ By your command.” Lucifer rolled out of the command chamber, leaving Baltar to his own devices. Aboard the threee are to commence final preparations for the attac k on the human fleet.” Spectre didn’t answer. Instead thoughts of a plan entered his cybernetic comparison to a brain. “ Begin the preparations at once, then close to launch distance with the humans.” He waited until the Centurion had left again, and then spoke to noone but his own “ Then we will see who will have the glory of finishing off the humans.” The three baseships that had formed the blocking force began maneuvering into formation before working their way deeper into the system. 9c Aboard the Galactica, Apollo was in shock. Karia was missing, his wife was in a coma, and so far fuel searches had come up empty. A few Vipers had again been launched to scout the area ahead of the fleet, and these weren’t due yet to come on in. A rescue team for Karia was in the works, but the fleet needed to be kept moving to make sure the Cylons wouldn’t catch up. Apollo understood perfectly well that after all te are to commence final preparations for the attac k on the human fleet.” Spectre didn’t answer. Instead thoughts of a plan entered his cybernetic comparison to a brain. “ Begin the preparations at once, then close to launch distance with the humans.” He waited until the Centurion had left again, and then spoke to noone but his own “ Then we will see who will have the glory of finishing off the humans.” The three baseships that had formed the blocking force began maneuvering into formation before working their way deeper into the system. 9c Aboard the Galactica, Apollo was in shock. Karia was missing, his wife was in a coma, and so far fuel searches had come up empty. A few Vipers had again been launched to scout the area ahead of the fleet, and these weren’t due yet to come on in. A rescue team for Karia was in the works, but the fleet needed to be kept moving to make sure the Cylons wouldn’t catch up. Apollo understood perfectly well that after all tame admiral Jerry Schulz. The admiral was out of his car before it had come to a nearly complete stop and running towards the doors with a full head of steam. He reached one of the special wards in record time, where he was met by one of the doctors that had a rather special patient under her care. “ Okay Doc, what’s the emergency?” “ Follow me, sir. And I’ll show you.” The doctor led the admiral deeper into the ward with only one room. The two Navy officers were in time to see how the room its only occupant was in the proces of putting on his jacket. “ Ah Admiral Schulz, would you please convince this medical officer here to release me from this hellhole that you call a lifestation?” Schulz’mouth was ajar. Before him, looking as if he had a clean bill of health again, stood none other then Cain, commanding officer of the battlestar Pegasus. “ Cain, what the hell are you doing up?” “ They’re coming, Admiral, and you’re going to need me and the baseships, preparations for the fighter launch began immediatly. The same applied for the weapon systems. The scanners aboard Atlantis easily picked up the increased power signatures. We didn’t dare power up ourselves., not yet, we would wait and strike, hard. The forces near the edge of the system were under the command of Spectre, the other IL that Starbuck had defeated on Atilla. His taskforce consisted of another three more modern baseships. Like Baltar, he knew the Galactica would now never the chance of escaping. He realised one other thing though. Far from leaving the glory of the destruction of the last remnant of humanity to Baltar and Lucifer, Spectre wanted some of that glory for himself. Only in this way could he be an equal to Lucifer. Unfortunately, this revelry was interupted “ By your command.” One Gold centurion, his personal baseship commander, had entered the chamber. “ Report centurion.” “ We have received a report from Lord Baltar. W baseships, preparations for the fighter launch began immediatly. The same applied for the weapon systems. The scanners aboard Atlantis easily picked up the increased power signatures. We didn’t dare power up ourselves., not yet, we would wait and strike, hard. The forces near the edge of the system were under the command of Spectre, the other IL that Starbuck had defeated on Atilla. His taskforce consisted of another three more modern baseships. Like Baltar, he knew the Galactica would now never the chance of escaping. He realised one other thing though. Far from leaving the glory of the destruction of the last remnant of humanity to Baltar and Lucifer, Spectre wanted some of that glory for himself. Only in this way could he be an equal to Lucifer. Unfortunately, this revelry was interupted “ By your command.” One Gold centurion, his personal baseship commander, had entered the chamber. “ Report centurion.” “ We have received a report from Lord Baltar. Whese years, the Cylons were still on their tail, following their every move, and that they had to be prepared. Even to the point that the council was not. Hell, Apollo had suffered more from the council of the twelve then from the Cylons altogether after taking command from the Galactica. Still, the only leeway he still had was that he now being the commander, had noticed that council orders often carried a great deal of leeway in which to carry them out. But in more recent times, the council had started to clamp down. “ Sir,m we’re showing cpatain Kree’s patrol inbound on turbos.” The report shook him out of his contemplations. “ Any luck on contacting them?” “ No sir, it appears as if they’re being jammed.” Apollo already had his suspicions. “ Battlestations!” the red combat lights soon came on and the monitors began to show pilots leaving for their respective ships. “ Longrange scan to full power, let’s see what’s behind them.” Tension began to mount, ahese years, the Cylons were still on their tail, following their every move, and that they had to be prepared. Even to the point that the council was not. Hell, Apollo had suffered more from the council of the twelve then from the Cylons altogether after taking command from the Galactica. Still, the only leeway he still had was that he now being the commander, had noticed that council orders often carried a great deal of leeway in which to carry them out. But in more recent times, the council had started to clamp down. “ Sir,m we’re showing cpatain Kree’s patrol inbound on turbos.” The report shook him out of his contemplations. “ Any luck on contacting them?” “ No sir, it appears as if they’re being jammed.” Apollo already had his suspicions. “ Battlestations!” the red combat lights soon came on and the monitors began to show pilots leaving for their respective ships. “ Longrange scan to full power, let’s see what’s behind them.” Tension began to mount, aPegasus when they arrive.” Schulz gave Cain a very hard look, one he usually reserved for junior officers that failed him. “ Who are they?” “ They are the ones who got me here, doctor Morales.” At that, doctor Morales who had heard some of Cain’s muttering when he had been comatose paled. Morales and Schultz both exchanged glances. The admiral knowing what Cain was talking about, also wondering how Cain would know. Yet he kept those thoughts to himself and gave am order to Morales instead “ Doc, you’re his personal physician now. Grab whatever you need to keep him alive and go with him.” Morales nodded and left in a hurry. Cain looked relieved and nodded to the admiral. “ Good work, now shouldn’t we get going?” The admiral and the colonial left together with doctor Morales. Ah, the joys of modern communication. Using his cellphone, the admiral had contacted Groom Lake and managed to contact the Pegasus, which luckily still had a couple oe are to commence final preparations for the attac k on the human fleet.” Spectre didn’t answer. Instead thoughts of a plan entered his cybernetic comparison to a brain. “ Begin the preparations at once, then close to launch distance with the humans.” He waited until the Centurion had left again, and then spoke to noone but his own “ Then we will see who will have the glory of finishing off the humans.” The three baseships that had formed the blocking force began maneuvering into formation before working their way deeper into the system. 9c Aboard the Galactica, Apollo was in shock. Karia was missing, his wife was in a coma, and so far fuel searches had come up empty. A few Vipers had again been launched to scout the area ahead of the fleet, and these weren’t due yet to come on in. A rescue team for Karia was in the works, but the fleet needed to be kept moving to make sure the Cylons wouldn’t catch up. Apollo understood perfectly well that after all te are to commence final preparations for the attac k on the human fleet.” Spectre didn’t answer. Instead thoughts of a plan entered his cybernetic comparison to a brain. “ Begin the preparations at once, then close to launch distance with the humans.” He waited until the Centurion had left again, and then spoke to noone but his own “ Then we will see who will have the glory of finishing off the humans.” The three baseships that had formed the blocking force began maneuvering into formation before working their way deeper into the system. 9c Aboard the Galactica, Apollo was in shock. Karia was missing, his wife was in a coma, and so far fuel searches had come up empty. A few Vipers had again been launched to scout the area ahead of the fleet, and these weren’t due yet to come on in. A rescue team for Karia was in the works, but the fleet needed to be kept moving to make sure the Cylons wouldn’t catch up. Apollo understood perfectly well that after all ts most of the people on the bridge within earshot awaited the report. “ Commander, longrange scan shows a wall of unidentified craft closing with the fleet. We’re switching to high resolution scan.” “ Power to all weapon systems, standby for a major attack.” Apollo heard the organized chaos with which his orders were carried out. “ Positive form scan, multiple person attack craft which are....now confirmed to be Cylon raiders.” Apollo glanced around his bridge. Now he would really see what the and the others had prepared the latest generation of warriors for. “ Launch fighters at twenty microns range. Prepare for full artillery barrage. Helm, defensive pattern three and order the fleet to go to defensive formation three.” Spectre already had the refugee fleet on his screens as he noticed how they rearanged themselves “ Interesting, they think they can challenge us with a change in formation.” Somebody else also noticed what was going on. Soon Spectre reces most of the people on the bridge within earshot awaited the report. “ Commander, longrange scan shows a wall of unidentified craft closing with the fleet. We’re switching to high resolution scan.” “ Power to all weapon systems, standby for a major attack.” Apollo heard the organized chaos with which his orders were carried out. “ Positive form scan, multiple person attack craft which are....now confirmed to be Cylon raiders.” Apollo glanced around his bridge. Now he would really see what the and the others had prepared the latest generation of warriors for. “ Launch fighters at twenty microns range. Prepare for full artillery barrage. Helm, defensive pattern three and order the fleet to go to defensive formation three.” Spectre already had the refugee fleet on his screens as he noticed how they rearanged themselves “ Interesting, they think they can challenge us with a change in formation.” Somebody else also noticed what was going on. Soon Spectre recef shuttles remaining in good enough condition to pick up Cain, the doctor and the admiral. “ Wow!” Morales reaction to finding herself in space wasn’t all that to the commander and the admiral. “ The stars do pull, but a home on a planet, a wife, there are just some things...” Cain trailed off. Schultz nodded. “ It’s not unlike the sea.” Morales nodded agreement, having spend part of her career shipboard. “ Oh by the way doctor, welcome on the Atlantis project. This is so far over top secret ...” “ To Hades with that, I need a medical officer aboard Pegasus, and you’re it, doctor Morales.” Cain blurted out as Admiral Schultz began reciting Navy rules and regulations again. Morales smiled “ Aye sir.” She also noticed how Schultz now glared at Cain. /Aboard the Atlantis, away from Earth./ “ Message from Galactica sir, commander Apollo on screen.” “ Captain Adams, I would like to see you and your groundforce commander aboard the Galactica as soon as phese years, the Cylons were still on their tail, following their every move, and that they had to be prepared. Even to the point that the council was not. Hell, Apollo had suffered more from the council of the twelve then from the Cylons altogether after taking command from the Galactica. Still, the only leeway he still had was that he now being the commander, had noticed that council orders often carried a great deal of leeway in which to carry them out. But in more recent times, the council had started to clamp down. “ Sir,m we’re showing cpatain Kree’s patrol inbound on turbos.” The report shook him out of his contemplations. “ Any luck on contacting them?” “ No sir, it appears as if they’re being jammed.” Apollo already had his suspicions. “ Battlestations!” the red combat lights soon came on and the monitors began to show pilots leaving for their respective ships. “ Longrange scan to full power, let’s see what’s behind them.” Tension began to mount, ahese years, the Cylons were still on their tail, following their every move, and that they had to be prepared. Even to the point that the council was not. Hell, Apollo had suffered more from the council of the twelve then from the Cylons altogether after taking command from the Galactica. Still, the only leeway he still had was that he now being the commander, had noticed that council orders often carried a great deal of leeway in which to carry them out. But in more recent times, the council had started to clamp down. “ Sir,m we’re showing cpatain Kree’s patrol inbound on turbos.” The report shook him out of his contemplations. “ Any luck on contacting them?” “ No sir, it appears as if they’re being jammed.” Apollo already had his suspicions. “ Battlestations!” the red combat lights soon came on and the monitors began to show pilots leaving for their respective ships. “ Longrange scan to full power, let’s see what’s behind them.” Tension began to mount, aived word that Baltar was hailing him. “ What are you doing, Spectre?” Baltar seemed slightly agitated. “ Preventing the Galactica and her fleet from escaping, just as your plan called for.” Baltar seemed to redden. “ You idiot! They’ll only have to defeat our forces one after the other. You fool, delay your engagement until I get there. And incase you don’t understand, that’s an order.” Spectre now found the time to comply with Baltar. His fighters changed course at twenty one microns range from the Galactica. On the Galactica bridge, a few sighs of relief were released. Not this time, yet. “ Full scan, all aspects.” A worried Apollo ordered. Something wasn’t right here. He got his answer a few moments later “Sir, another wall of Cylon attack craft approaching from the rear.” Instead of shock, Apollo got a suprise a few moments later. “ Commander, The second Cylon assault is turning away!” Apollo looked at one of the tactical screens. The ensign that haived word that Baltar was hailing him. “ What are you doing, Spectre?” Baltar seemed slightly agitated. “ Preventing the Galactica and her fleet from escaping, just as your plan called for.” Baltar seemed to redden. “ You idiot! They’ll only have to defeat our forces one after the other. You fool, delay your engagement until I get there. And incase you don’t understand, that’s an order.” Spectre now found the time to comply with Baltar. His fighters changed course at twenty one microns range from the Galactica. On the Galactica bridge, a few sighs of relief were released. Not this time, yet. “ Full scan, all aspects.” A worried Apollo ordered. Something wasn’t right here. He got his answer a few moments later “Sir, another wall of Cylon attack craft approaching from the rear.” Instead of shock, Apollo got a suprise a few moments later. “ Commander, The second Cylon assault is turning away!” Apollo looked at one of the tactical screens. The ensign that haractically possible.” “ Not the council again, I hope.” “ No, a miracle, you should see it for yourself though.” “ I’ll be aboard shortly.” “ Thank you. Galactica out.” I left the command dais and headed for the launchbay, asking David Cain to be paged to the landing bay as well. We had a short trip over. A major Boomer was waiting for us, together with Starbuck, who had taken a chance to see some old friends. “ As soon as you’ve finished Decon procedures I’m to take you to the lifestation.” Boomer then motioned us to enter the chambers. The procedure wasn’t really anything to talk about. Exiting the chambers we followed the major. The Galactica’s life station was indeed a sight. Not only was it spacious, and oddly enough rather empty, there were machines there the use of which I couldn’t even begin to imagine. We didn’t stay long in the general ward as Boomer led us to a separate room. Where we found Apollo, another colonial officers most of the people on the bridge within earshot awaited the report. “ Commander, longrange scan shows a wall of unidentified craft closing with the fleet. We’re switching to high resolution scan.” “ Power to all weapon systems, standby for a major attack.” Apollo heard the organized chaos with which his orders were carried out. “ Positive form scan, multiple person attack craft which are....now confirmed to be Cylon raiders.” Apollo glanced around his bridge. Now he would really see what the and the others had prepared the latest generation of warriors for. “ Launch fighters at twenty microns range. Prepare for full artillery barrage. Helm, defensive pattern three and order the fleet to go to defensive formation three.” Spectre already had the refugee fleet on his screens as he noticed how they rearanged themselves “ Interesting, they think they can challenge us with a change in formation.” Somebody else also noticed what was going on. Soon Spectre reces most of the people on the bridge within earshot awaited the report. “ Commander, longrange scan shows a wall of unidentified craft closing with the fleet. We’re switching to high resolution scan.” “ Power to all weapon systems, standby for a major attack.” Apollo heard the organized chaos with which his orders were carried out. “ Positive form scan, multiple person attack craft which are....now confirmed to be Cylon raiders.” Apollo glanced around his bridge. Now he would really see what the and the others had prepared the latest generation of warriors for. “ Launch fighters at twenty microns range. Prepare for full artillery barrage. Helm, defensive pattern three and order the fleet to go to defensive formation three.” Spectre already had the refugee fleet on his screens as he noticed how they rearanged themselves “ Interesting, they think they can challenge us with a change in formation.” Somebody else also noticed what was going on. Soon Spectre reced manned the tactical scanners had been right. The Cylons were indeed withdrawing, as fast as they could. That only left the three Cylon baseships to the front of them. A major effort, if there ever was one. 10 It would be much later when commander Apollo learned about why the Cylon forces to his rear had pulled back. Starbuck told me beforehand if it was a certain Count Baltar who commanded those forces he’d pull them back to save his own skin. I’d end up giving him a box of Cuban sigars if at all possible. In the meantime, we had three baseships to cripple and not quite a lot of time to work with. Again I preplanned a little something with colonel Merryweather and the missile crews. During our training we had discovered the volatility of a substance the colonials knew as solenite. Tests on the wreck of the basestar we destroyed proved it to be a pretty potent explosive material. However, it also showed a weakness. Despite its power, solenite couldn’t d manned the tactical scanners had been right. The Cylons were indeed withdrawing, as fast as they could. That only left the three Cylon baseships to the front of them. A major effort, if there ever was one. 10 It would be much later when commander Apollo learned about why the Cylon forces to his rear had pulled back. Starbuck told me beforehand if it was a certain Count Baltar who commanded those forces he’d pull them back to save his own skin. I’d end up giving him a box of Cuban sigars if at all possible. In the meantime, we had three baseships to cripple and not quite a lot of time to work with. Again I preplanned a little something with colonel Merryweather and the missile crews. During our training we had discovered the volatility of a substance the colonials knew as solenite. Tests on the wreck of the basestar we destroyed proved it to be a pretty potent explosive material. However, it also showed a weakness. Despite its power, solenite couldn’t with the rank of captain and a woman about Apollo’s age, in a bed, looking as if she had either been without sunlight for too long or suffered a very near brush with death. Again I saw David Cain straighten his shoulder. Apollo gave us a brief glance and then spoke “ Which one of them, Sheba?” She pointed to David whispering “him.” I frowned, but watched as acting out instinct David Cain sat down beside the bed. With the effort, Sheba managed to reach out with her hand to him. David reached out and took it. /Somewhere beyond the heavens, but close to the Galactica/ John sighed, relieved and exited all at once. The pawns were in motion. He also heard Iblis laugh. “ So you set your pawns John.” John didn’t respond, allowing Iblis his own floor. “ What makes you think I haven’t moved mine.” / Earth space/ Cain smiled as he saw the bridge of his Pegasus. “ Very well done indeed, admiral Schultz.” There were even cheers from ived word that Baltar was hailing him. “ What are you doing, Spectre?” Baltar seemed slightly agitated. “ Preventing the Galactica and her fleet from escaping, just as your plan called for.” Baltar seemed to redden. “ You idiot! They’ll only have to defeat our forces one after the other. You fool, delay your engagement until I get there. And incase you don’t understand, that’s an order.” Spectre now found the time to comply with Baltar. His fighters changed course at twenty one microns range from the Galactica. On the Galactica bridge, a few sighs of relief were released. Not this time, yet. “ Full scan, all aspects.” A worried Apollo ordered. Something wasn’t right here. He got his answer a few moments later “Sir, another wall of Cylon attack craft approaching from the rear.” Instead of shock, Apollo got a suprise a few moments later. “ Commander, The second Cylon assault is turning away!” Apollo looked at one of the tactical screens. The ensign that haived word that Baltar was hailing him. “ What are you doing, Spectre?” Baltar seemed slightly agitated. “ Preventing the Galactica and her fleet from escaping, just as your plan called for.” Baltar seemed to redden. “ You idiot! They’ll only have to defeat our forces one after the other. You fool, delay your engagement until I get there. And incase you don’t understand, that’s an order.” Spectre now found the time to comply with Baltar. His fighters changed course at twenty one microns range from the Galactica. On the Galactica bridge, a few sighs of relief were released. Not this time, yet. “ Full scan, all aspects.” A worried Apollo ordered. Something wasn’t right here. He got his answer a few moments later “Sir, another wall of Cylon attack craft approaching from the rear.” Instead of shock, Apollo got a suprise a few moments later. “ Commander, The second Cylon assault is turning away!” Apollo looked at one of the tactical screens. The ensign that hareally destroy anything unless you hit stuff like fuel tanks or armorys and the like, with pretty much something that looked like an alpha strike to me. One of the ordinance people in Dunlaps airwings then had an idea. He simply proposed attaching a nuclear warhead behind the solenite warhead and reshaping said solenite warhead to create a shaped charge then he would test it to see what the explosion of the solenite would do to the nuclear stuff. In essence we would be creating a shipkiller with a tandem charge of enough power to kill a city. When reading about it, I pretty much figured we didn’t want to be anywhere around if that stuff went up. Starbuck agreed with me on the matter. In the end however, Chief O’Neill got the go ahead. Shortly after that we got a delivery of W-80 nuclear warheads. Somewhat after the hyperjump I visited the ordinance locker again. O Neil had three weapons prepared. “ So what are you going to call them, Chief?” O’Neill grinned “ The only treally destroy anything unless you hit stuff like fuel tanks or armorys and the like, with pretty much something that looked like an alpha strike to me. One of the ordinance people in Dunlaps airwings then had an idea. He simply proposed attaching a nuclear warhead behind the solenite warhead and reshaping said solenite warhead to create a shaped charge then he would test it to see what the explosion of the solenite would do to the nuclear stuff. In essence we would be creating a shipkiller with a tandem charge of enough power to kill a city. When reading about it, I pretty much figured we didn’t want to be anywhere around if that stuff went up. Starbuck agreed with me on the matter. In the end however, Chief O’Neill got the go ahead. Shortly after that we got a delivery of W-80 nuclear warheads. Somewhat after the hyperjump I visited the ordinance locker again. O Neil had three weapons prepared. “ So what are you going to call them, Chief?” O’Neill grinned “ The only tsome of the duty bridge crew, whilst the composite Navy crew stood ramrod straight at attention. “ As you were.” Cain looked a little miffed as the Navy personnel returned to their station. The admiral winced briefly as Cain stared him down. Such military procedure was new to Cain, and unheard of in the current colonial military, or what remained of it. But he decided to talk to the admiral about it later. There were more pressing matters at hand. “ Status report.” “ Scopes are clear.” A voice from the crew pit reported. “ A little too clear perhaps. Helm, patrol course Alpha, but keep us in range of Earth.” Cain ordered. Again, the Pegasus moved out, under her own power. /Cylon baseship/ With yet another baseship failing to report in, Command centurion Taurko’s ship had been dispatched to find its missing companion. Taurko, a veteran of many battles against the humans, had no doubt about who was really responsible for the disappearance. Caind manned the tactical scanners had been right. The Cylons were indeed withdrawing, as fast as they could. That only left the three Cylon baseships to the front of them. A major effort, if there ever was one. 10 It would be much later when commander Apollo learned about why the Cylon forces to his rear had pulled back. Starbuck told me beforehand if it was a certain Count Baltar who commanded those forces he’d pull them back to save his own skin. I’d end up giving him a box of Cuban sigars if at all possible. In the meantime, we had three baseships to cripple and not quite a lot of time to work with. Again I preplanned a little something with colonel Merryweather and the missile crews. During our training we had discovered the volatility of a substance the colonials knew as solenite. Tests on the wreck of the basestar we destroyed proved it to be a pretty potent explosive material. However, it also showed a weakness. Despite its power, solenite couldn’t d manned the tactical scanners had been right. The Cylons were indeed withdrawing, as fast as they could. That only left the three Cylon baseships to the front of them. A major effort, if there ever was one. 10 It would be much later when commander Apollo learned about why the Cylon forces to his rear had pulled back. Starbuck told me beforehand if it was a certain Count Baltar who commanded those forces he’d pull them back to save his own skin. I’d end up giving him a box of Cuban sigars if at all possible. In the meantime, we had three baseships to cripple and not quite a lot of time to work with. Again I preplanned a little something with colonel Merryweather and the missile crews. During our training we had discovered the volatility of a substance the colonials knew as solenite. Tests on the wreck of the basestar we destroyed proved it to be a pretty potent explosive material. However, it also showed a weakness. Despite its power, solenite couldn’t hing that comes to mind, Basestar Busters.” I nodded “ I’m pretty sure the Cylons will allow you to field test them.” The Chief answered that he’d sure hope so. We never suspected how close we came to the truth about the matter. “ What’s in the tubes?” was the first thing out of my mouth as Starbuck reported the Cylon fighters would be to late to interfere. “ Two Basestar busters and two conventionals, sir.” “ Right. Gunnery crews, target all their landing bays, potshots on anything that looks important. Missile crews standby.” I breathed out briefly “ Set basestar busters for the guys on the flanks, conventionals on the middle.” Again I waited until those orders had been carried out. “ All set, sir.” “ Helm, prepare lightspeed coordinates to the colonial fleet. Execute once we’re past the Cylons.” As the helm signalled their readyness, I gave the final order. “ Full power to all systems! Execute firing run!” Baltar’s first inclination that somethihing that comes to mind, Basestar Busters.” I nodded “ I’m pretty sure the Cylons will allow you to field test them.” The Chief answered that he’d sure hope so. We never suspected how close we came to the truth about the matter. “ What’s in the tubes?” was the first thing out of my mouth as Starbuck reported the Cylon fighters would be to late to interfere. “ Two Basestar busters and two conventionals, sir.” “ Right. Gunnery crews, target all their landing bays, potshots on anything that looks important. Missile crews standby.” I breathed out briefly “ Set basestar busters for the guys on the flanks, conventionals on the middle.” Again I waited until those orders had been carried out. “ All set, sir.” “ Helm, prepare lightspeed coordinates to the colonial fleet. Execute once we’re past the Cylons.” As the helm signalled their readyness, I gave the final order. “ Full power to all systems! Execute firing run!” Baltar’s first inclination that somethi, one of the thoughest human opponnents the Cylons had ever faced. That’s why Taurko had smaller patrols out, looking for traces of tylium and the human ion trail. Even though the intelligence was by now outdated, the centurion knew that there would be no way that Cain would have a full crew. Could he? Then Taurko remembered another report. Forces led by Baltar and Spektor were still in pursuit of the Galactica. There had been not a sign of the Pegasus, yet. Only one way to proceed in this. Taurko ordered his ship to come to a full stop whilst sensors were switched to passives only. The waiting game began, again. chapter 14 I was standing alone in the briefing room, watching from the Atlantis how we idled along in formation with the Galactica. Some of the refugee fleet vessels were also visible. We were afcourse travelling at the speed of the slowest vessels. Still, I had time to be amazed. Adama and Apollo had literally pulled of a miracle. Getting nearly a mreally destroy anything unless you hit stuff like fuel tanks or armorys and the like, with pretty much something that looked like an alpha strike to me. One of the ordinance people in Dunlaps airwings then had an idea. He simply proposed attaching a nuclear warhead behind the solenite warhead and reshaping said solenite warhead to create a shaped charge then he would test it to see what the explosion of the solenite would do to the nuclear stuff. In essence we would be creating a shipkiller with a tandem charge of enough power to kill a city. When reading about it, I pretty much figured we didn’t want to be anywhere around if that stuff went up. Starbuck agreed with me on the matter. In the end however, Chief O’Neill got the go ahead. Shortly after that we got a delivery of W-80 nuclear warheads. Somewhat after the hyperjump I visited the ordinance locker again. O Neil had three weapons prepared. “ So what are you going to call them, Chief?” O’Neill grinned “ The only treally destroy anything unless you hit stuff like fuel tanks or armorys and the like, with pretty much something that looked like an alpha strike to me. One of the ordinance people in Dunlaps airwings then had an idea. He simply proposed attaching a nuclear warhead behind the solenite warhead and reshaping said solenite warhead to create a shaped charge then he would test it to see what the explosion of the solenite would do to the nuclear stuff. In essence we would be creating a shipkiller with a tandem charge of enough power to kill a city. When reading about it, I pretty much figured we didn’t want to be anywhere around if that stuff went up. Starbuck agreed with me on the matter. In the end however, Chief O’Neill got the go ahead. Shortly after that we got a delivery of W-80 nuclear warheads. Somewhat after the hyperjump I visited the ordinance locker again. O Neil had three weapons prepared. “ So what are you going to call them, Chief?” O’Neill grinned “ The only tng was wrong was the fact that his basestar shook like an earthquake as the first shots from Atlantis impacted and wrecked the landing bays on his base star. As he picked himself of the floor, Lucifer, his trusted IL series aide ambulated in. “ What was that?” “ It would seem that we are under attack from a battlestar.” Lucifer reported in between shocks. Much like at Gamoray, Baltar panicked again and ordered his fighters recalled. By then however we played our next trump. “ Fire basestar busters.” In my log I would later credit the missile crew leading officers with the idea. The two missiles we launched didn’t impact on the hull areas of the base stars we targeted. Instead, they flew through some of the holes that had been created in the landing bay areas and detonated there. The results were spectacular indeed. By then we were on rear scan, as we had passed the baseships and were rapidly accelerating towards the colonial fleet. Two very large explosions were ng was wrong was the fact that his basestar shook like an earthquake as the first shots from Atlantis impacted and wrecked the landing bays on his base star. As he picked himself of the floor, Lucifer, his trusted IL series aide ambulated in. “ What was that?” “ It would seem that we are under attack from a battlestar.” Lucifer reported in between shocks. Much like at Gamoray, Baltar panicked again and ordered his fighters recalled. By then however we played our next trump. “ Fire basestar busters.” In my log I would later credit the missile crew leading officers with the idea. The two missiles we launched didn’t impact on the hull areas of the base stars we targeted. Instead, they flew through some of the holes that had been created in the landing bay areas and detonated there. The results were spectacular indeed. By then we were on rear scan, as we had passed the baseships and were rapidly accelerating towards the colonial fleet. Two very large explosions were illion people out of a genocidic hell, moving through space for the promised land. And now they were nearly there. But what came afterward...... for some reason I felt myself shivering. “ You seem frightened.” As the voice came out of nowhere, I turned around, very startled. It wasn’t any of the colonials, nor of my crew or staff for that matter. I had never seen him before. “ Surprised and perhaps astonished is a better word.” I answered. He, it looked like a man to me, smiled. “ Perhaps you shouldn’t be. It’s only providence that puts me here.” My only response was to frown. “ And why might your arrival be, providence?” “ Why my dear captain Adams, I do believe that you need guidance in dealing with these colonials.” Again I frowned. “ Why?” “ doesn’t time tell all?” I shook my head, not really believing what I was hearing. Yet for some reason my spider sense was sending warnings. Whoever this entity was, he was trouble, whing that comes to mind, Basestar Busters.” I nodded “ I’m pretty sure the Cylons will allow you to field test them.” The Chief answered that he’d sure hope so. We never suspected how close we came to the truth about the matter. “ What’s in the tubes?” was the first thing out of my mouth as Starbuck reported the Cylon fighters would be to late to interfere. “ Two Basestar busters and two conventionals, sir.” “ Right. Gunnery crews, target all their landing bays, potshots on anything that looks important. Missile crews standby.” I breathed out briefly “ Set basestar busters for the guys on the flanks, conventionals on the middle.” Again I waited until those orders had been carried out. “ All set, sir.” “ Helm, prepare lightspeed coordinates to the colonial fleet. Execute once we’re past the Cylons.” As the helm signalled their readyness, I gave the final order. “ Full power to all systems! Execute firing run!” Baltar’s first inclination that somethihing that comes to mind, Basestar Busters.” I nodded “ I’m pretty sure the Cylons will allow you to field test them.” The Chief answered that he’d sure hope so. We never suspected how close we came to the truth about the matter. “ What’s in the tubes?” was the first thing out of my mouth as Starbuck reported the Cylon fighters would be to late to interfere. “ Two Basestar busters and two conventionals, sir.” “ Right. Gunnery crews, target all their landing bays, potshots on anything that looks important. Missile crews standby.” I breathed out briefly “ Set basestar busters for the guys on the flanks, conventionals on the middle.” Again I waited until those orders had been carried out. “ All set, sir.” “ Helm, prepare lightspeed coordinates to the colonial fleet. Execute once we’re past the Cylons.” As the helm signalled their readyness, I gave the final order. “ Full power to all systems! Execute firing run!” Baltar’s first inclination that somethireported. “ Scratch two.” Caldwell remarked as he noticed the screen read outs. We began making out explosions as we rapidly closed on the forward parts of the refugee fleet. Sometimes one of them would briefly reveal the shadow of a Cylon basestar or even the Galactica herself. “ Closing to optimum launch range.” One of the other officers on flight operations duty reported. I was studying the tactical read outs. Apparently the Cylons were concentrating their attacks on the Galactica, saving the fleet as target practice for later. For some reason they didn’t even bother to spread out her defenses by attacking the fleet. “ Launch fighters when in range. All gunnery crews, standby for air to air combat.” I watched on the monitor as the starfield passed by at an angle. As soon as we levelled out, things began in earnest. 10B Lieutenant Boxy of Blue squadron always found targets, no matter how he turned his fighter and at what angles he flew. So many Cyloreported. “ Scratch two.” Caldwell remarked as he noticed the screen read outs. We began making out explosions as we rapidly closed on the forward parts of the refugee fleet. Sometimes one of them would briefly reveal the shadow of a Cylon basestar or even the Galactica herself. “ Closing to optimum launch range.” One of the other officers on flight operations duty reported. I was studying the tactical read outs. Apparently the Cylons were concentrating their attacks on the Galactica, saving the fleet as target practice for later. For some reason they didn’t even bother to spread out her defenses by attacking the fleet. “ Launch fighters when in range. All gunnery crews, standby for air to air combat.” I watched on the monitor as the starfield passed by at an angle. As soon as we levelled out, things began in earnest. 10B Lieutenant Boxy of Blue squadron always found targets, no matter how he turned his fighter and at what angles he flew. So many Cyloith a capital T. “ Time heals all wounds. If the colonists are really refugees, we can provide them a home on Earth and ask them to protect us from any threats from space in return, fair offer, don’t you think?” The intense look on his face said enough to me. “ Indeed. But what if I told you that there is no such element in these within colonial society that seek to end this.” My spider senses were shifting into higher gear. Everything I had seen from whoever this was, was trouble, BIG trouble. Time for a little test. “ I know commander Apollo is the head of the military, are you saying the council has different plans?” Utter silence. “ Actions speak louder then words, captain.” I had a flashback of another battlestars bridge, smoke and flames everywhere. It looked like a mixed crew of colonial and, to my own astonishment, navy personnel. “ Status report.” It was Cain that said it. “ We seem to have gotten through the fighters. Baseshing was wrong was the fact that his basestar shook like an earthquake as the first shots from Atlantis impacted and wrecked the landing bays on his base star. As he picked himself of the floor, Lucifer, his trusted IL series aide ambulated in. “ What was that?” “ It would seem that we are under attack from a battlestar.” Lucifer reported in between shocks. Much like at Gamoray, Baltar panicked again and ordered his fighters recalled. By then however we played our next trump. “ Fire basestar busters.” In my log I would later credit the missile crew leading officers with the idea. The two missiles we launched didn’t impact on the hull areas of the base stars we targeted. Instead, they flew through some of the holes that had been created in the landing bay areas and detonated there. The results were spectacular indeed. By then we were on rear scan, as we had passed the baseships and were rapidly accelerating towards the colonial fleet. Two very large explosions were ng was wrong was the fact that his basestar shook like an earthquake as the first shots from Atlantis impacted and wrecked the landing bays on his base star. As he picked himself of the floor, Lucifer, his trusted IL series aide ambulated in. “ What was that?” “ It would seem that we are under attack from a battlestar.” Lucifer reported in between shocks. Much like at Gamoray, Baltar panicked again and ordered his fighters recalled. By then however we played our next trump. “ Fire basestar busters.” In my log I would later credit the missile crew leading officers with the idea. The two missiles we launched didn’t impact on the hull areas of the base stars we targeted. Instead, they flew through some of the holes that had been created in the landing bay areas and detonated there. The results were spectacular indeed. By then we were on rear scan, as we had passed the baseships and were rapidly accelerating towards the colonial fleet. Two very large explosions were ns were pouring towards him and his compatriots that in the back of his mind he wondered if this was the final Cylon assault against them. The thought was reinforced as he watched another Viper shatter after being hit by Cylon fire. That brief moment was also enough for him to be trapped in the beginnings of a pinwheel attack. Boxey flew as if posessed. It seemed as if the Cylon fire never touched him, but the young lieutenant knew better. Their shots were getting closer. The firing suddenly stopped. Boxey was quick enough to catch a four ship formation of Vipers flash by on turbos not soon after. Strike captain Cree, commanding officer of Blue squadron, found himself in nearly the same position. Outnumbered about ten to one, and with his wingman destroyed, Cree was also giving as good as he got. Then he too saw it. This time it was a formation about a third the size of a squadron. The formation appeared above his opponnents and vaporised all of them in a short battns were pouring towards him and his compatriots that in the back of his mind he wondered if this was the final Cylon assault against them. The thought was reinforced as he watched another Viper shatter after being hit by Cylon fire. That brief moment was also enough for him to be trapped in the beginnings of a pinwheel attack. Boxey flew as if posessed. It seemed as if the Cylon fire never touched him, but the young lieutenant knew better. Their shots were getting closer. The firing suddenly stopped. Boxey was quick enough to catch a four ship formation of Vipers flash by on turbos not soon after. Strike captain Cree, commanding officer of Blue squadron, found himself in nearly the same position. Outnumbered about ten to one, and with his wingman destroyed, Cree was also giving as good as he got. Then he too saw it. This time it was a formation about a third the size of a squadron. The formation appeared above his opponnents and vaporised all of them in a short battp is coming up, her weapons are charged.” “ Continue on course, fire as she bears.” After a few moments and some vibrations to the deck, which I could feel, the damage and gunnery reports began to come in. “ Get us to point blank range, then ready missile one and two.” “ Ready missile one and two, aye sir.” The voice of admiral Schulz rang through my ears. Again the entity cut in “ Do you understand now?” I nodded appreciatively. “ I do indeed.” “ so what did they do to incur your wrath?” Again that silence. The answer came from a rather unexpected direction., the entrance to the room itsself. “ We did exactly nothing.” The entity turned It was Sheba, supported by David Cain, and her husband. He seemed softened by her appearance. “ Sheba!” Sheba, still in her medical garb, continued “ When the Cylons came we defended ourselves, and we continue to defend ourselves against the Cylons, count Iblis.” “ Nice of you to inreported. “ Scratch two.” Caldwell remarked as he noticed the screen read outs. We began making out explosions as we rapidly closed on the forward parts of the refugee fleet. Sometimes one of them would briefly reveal the shadow of a Cylon basestar or even the Galactica herself. “ Closing to optimum launch range.” One of the other officers on flight operations duty reported. I was studying the tactical read outs. Apparently the Cylons were concentrating their attacks on the Galactica, saving the fleet as target practice for later. For some reason they didn’t even bother to spread out her defenses by attacking the fleet. “ Launch fighters when in range. All gunnery crews, standby for air to air combat.” I watched on the monitor as the starfield passed by at an angle. As soon as we levelled out, things began in earnest. 10B Lieutenant Boxy of Blue squadron always found targets, no matter how he turned his fighter and at what angles he flew. So many Cyloreported. “ Scratch two.” Caldwell remarked as he noticed the screen read outs. We began making out explosions as we rapidly closed on the forward parts of the refugee fleet. Sometimes one of them would briefly reveal the shadow of a Cylon basestar or even the Galactica herself. “ Closing to optimum launch range.” One of the other officers on flight operations duty reported. I was studying the tactical read outs. Apparently the Cylons were concentrating their attacks on the Galactica, saving the fleet as target practice for later. For some reason they didn’t even bother to spread out her defenses by attacking the fleet. “ Launch fighters when in range. All gunnery crews, standby for air to air combat.” I watched on the monitor as the starfield passed by at an angle. As soon as we levelled out, things began in earnest. 10B Lieutenant Boxy of Blue squadron always found targets, no matter how he turned his fighter and at what angles he flew. So many Cylole. One of the other officers also surprised, was Major Boomer. After Starbuck’s disappearance, and Apollo’s promotion following the death of Adama, Boomer found himself being named head of all flight operations. And as usual he was out with the rest of the squadrons, providing support and tactical advice where he could. He saw the largest formation of Cylon ships being overwhelmed by a massive number of freshly arriving Viper fighters. Then he saw something else as well. On the Galactica bridge, things were a little hectic. Every screen showed Cylon fighters giving the Galactica their full attention. Vipers shot down scores of Cylons, only to be overwhelmed by more Cylons not much later. And yet, the Cylons weren’t even concentrating any kind of effort on the refugee fleet. Apollo knew this would soon change. It all depended on how his fathers ship would hold together. Considering the amount of smoke, fire and assorted sparks which meant instruments short circuiting, hele. One of the other officers also surprised, was Major Boomer. After Starbuck’s disappearance, and Apollo’s promotion following the death of Adama, Boomer found himself being named head of all flight operations. And as usual he was out with the rest of the squadrons, providing support and tactical advice where he could. He saw the largest formation of Cylon ships being overwhelmed by a massive number of freshly arriving Viper fighters. Then he saw something else as well. On the Galactica bridge, things were a little hectic. Every screen showed Cylon fighters giving the Galactica their full attention. Vipers shot down scores of Cylons, only to be overwhelmed by more Cylons not much later. And yet, the Cylons weren’t even concentrating any kind of effort on the refugee fleet. Apollo knew this would soon change. It all depended on how his fathers ship would hold together. Considering the amount of smoke, fire and assorted sparks which meant instruments short circuiting, hetroduce yourself, count.” It got me a polite nod from the entity I now knew as the count. “I figured it polite to wait with introductions until we were all complete. Now we are.” “ Whatever his plans are captain, I urge you not to thrust him.” I nodded. “ Trust should be earned, not given.” I saw Iblis frown after my comment. “ Then you seek proof?” Iblis nodded, clearly thinking to himself. “ Then you shall have it.” Before I could blink my eyes we were no longer on the Atlantis, but we were someplace else. The best description would be a mountain top. A short distance away was a tent. Iblis directed me to enter the tent. “ I’ll be along presently.” “ I’m sure you will.” I sat myself down near the fire and waited, contemplating what Iblis could bring up as a challenge. The waiting period wasn’t too long. He came back 30 minutes later. “ Come outside, there is something you must see.” I followed him as he walked to the edge ofns were pouring towards him and his compatriots that in the back of his mind he wondered if this was the final Cylon assault against them. The thought was reinforced as he watched another Viper shatter after being hit by Cylon fire. That brief moment was also enough for him to be trapped in the beginnings of a pinwheel attack. Boxey flew as if posessed. It seemed as if the Cylon fire never touched him, but the young lieutenant knew better. Their shots were getting closer. The firing suddenly stopped. Boxey was quick enough to catch a four ship formation of Vipers flash by on turbos not soon after. Strike captain Cree, commanding officer of Blue squadron, found himself in nearly the same position. Outnumbered about ten to one, and with his wingman destroyed, Cree was also giving as good as he got. Then he too saw it. This time it was a formation about a third the size of a squadron. The formation appeared above his opponnents and vaporised all of them in a short battns were pouring towards him and his compatriots that in the back of his mind he wondered if this was the final Cylon assault against them. The thought was reinforced as he watched another Viper shatter after being hit by Cylon fire. That brief moment was also enough for him to be trapped in the beginnings of a pinwheel attack. Boxey flew as if posessed. It seemed as if the Cylon fire never touched him, but the young lieutenant knew better. Their shots were getting closer. The firing suddenly stopped. Boxey was quick enough to catch a four ship formation of Vipers flash by on turbos not soon after. Strike captain Cree, commanding officer of Blue squadron, found himself in nearly the same position. Outnumbered about ten to one, and with his wingman destroyed, Cree was also giving as good as he got. Then he too saw it. This time it was a formation about a third the size of a squadron. The formation appeared above his opponnents and vaporised all of them in a short batt had little hope. Only then he began noticing the diminishing amounts of impacts on the hull. “ Status report.” In space, captain Steven Dunlap, commander air group USS Atlantis had a blast. Everywhere he looked the Viper fighters under his command shot Cylons out of the stars. The two wings from the Eisenhower flew together and attacked the Cylon main force. A whole lot of explosions later, there was nothing resembling a Cylon main force left. The squadrons from his own wing were at it too. A flight from the reserve group saved a colonial from a pinwheel attack as Steve personally led another squadron down to help a Viper that was fighting against an entire squadron of Cylons on his own. The Cylon squadron was annihilated without Steve’s unit taking casualties. It surprised me how effective our attack was. The Cylons, apparently intent on destroying what they thought was the last vestige of human power, now found themselves under attack. And the results wer had little hope. Only then he began noticing the diminishing amounts of impacts on the hull. “ Status report.” In space, captain Steven Dunlap, commander air group USS Atlantis had a blast. Everywhere he looked the Viper fighters under his command shot Cylons out of the stars. The two wings from the Eisenhower flew together and attacked the Cylon main force. A whole lot of explosions later, there was nothing resembling a Cylon main force left. The squadrons from his own wing were at it too. A flight from the reserve group saved a colonial from a pinwheel attack as Steve personally led another squadron down to help a Viper that was fighting against an entire squadron of Cylons on his own. The Cylon squadron was annihilated without Steve’s unit taking casualties. It surprised me how effective our attack was. The Cylons, apparently intent on destroying what they thought was the last vestige of human power, now found themselves under attack. And the results wer a hill. “ Behold.” It was a site I knew I’d never see again. The shortest and best description was that in some way and somehow had assembled an emmisary from all things in the known space. The assembly was stretched for miles across the plain “ I´m impressed.” “ I thought you would be.” “ All of them, subjugated to me. They do my bidding, and mine alone. I will set them free, if the colonials will choose me as their ruler.” As if to reinforce his point a line of Cylon centurions appeared near the bottom of the hill. I looked down from the hill. Many species, all the more special then the other. Every color and creed in the universe must have been assembled on that plain. So a lot of races served Iblis. It just made me curious. “ Why?” “ Why not. Power and goals, isn’t that something that binds the universe.” I laughed, and kept on laughing. “ Oh ye of little faith.” At Iblis’ enraged look my laughing got only worse. “ Mocle. One of the other officers also surprised, was Major Boomer. After Starbuck’s disappearance, and Apollo’s promotion following the death of Adama, Boomer found himself being named head of all flight operations. And as usual he was out with the rest of the squadrons, providing support and tactical advice where he could. He saw the largest formation of Cylon ships being overwhelmed by a massive number of freshly arriving Viper fighters. Then he saw something else as well. On the Galactica bridge, things were a little hectic. Every screen showed Cylon fighters giving the Galactica their full attention. Vipers shot down scores of Cylons, only to be overwhelmed by more Cylons not much later. And yet, the Cylons weren’t even concentrating any kind of effort on the refugee fleet. Apollo knew this would soon change. It all depended on how his fathers ship would hold together. Considering the amount of smoke, fire and assorted sparks which meant instruments short circuiting, hele. One of the other officers also surprised, was Major Boomer. After Starbuck’s disappearance, and Apollo’s promotion following the death of Adama, Boomer found himself being named head of all flight operations. And as usual he was out with the rest of the squadrons, providing support and tactical advice where he could. He saw the largest formation of Cylon ships being overwhelmed by a massive number of freshly arriving Viper fighters. Then he saw something else as well. On the Galactica bridge, things were a little hectic. Every screen showed Cylon fighters giving the Galactica their full attention. Vipers shot down scores of Cylons, only to be overwhelmed by more Cylons not much later. And yet, the Cylons weren’t even concentrating any kind of effort on the refugee fleet. Apollo knew this would soon change. It all depended on how his fathers ship would hold together. Considering the amount of smoke, fire and assorted sparks which meant instruments short circuiting, hee devastating. But we weren’t out of the woods yet. I got another report over my headset from Colonel Merryweather “ Missile tubes reloaded with base star Busters.” “ Good job, colonel. We may need those missiles soon then you think.” Aboard the main Cylon basestar, Spectre watched as his attackforce was cut to pieces. He seemed a little ‘ agitated’ that Baltar had been right again. “ Order all baseships to close the range with the Galactica. Finish her off and we will carry the field.” “ Sir if I may.” One of the command centurions interupted Spectre. “ Computer read out indicates there are enough Viper currently flying to have come from two battlestars.” As if to emphasize the point Spectre’s own Basestar got a jolt from a hit. The nearly made the IL fall over. “ What was that?” “ The other battlestar. It has just hit us with a laser volley.” “ What other battlestar?” The Cylon variation of the colonial warbook appeared on a computer screen. It rae devastating. But we weren’t out of the woods yet. I got another report over my headset from Colonel Merryweather “ Missile tubes reloaded with base star Busters.” “ Good job, colonel. We may need those missiles soon then you think.” Aboard the main Cylon basestar, Spectre watched as his attackforce was cut to pieces. He seemed a little ‘ agitated’ that Baltar had been right again. “ Order all baseships to close the range with the Galactica. Finish her off and we will carry the field.” “ Sir if I may.” One of the command centurions interupted Spectre. “ Computer read out indicates there are enough Viper currently flying to have come from two battlestars.” As if to emphasize the point Spectre’s own Basestar got a jolt from a hit. The nearly made the IL fall over. “ What was that?” “ The other battlestar. It has just hit us with a laser volley.” “ What other battlestar?” The Cylon variation of the colonial warbook appeared on a computer screen. It raking me is not beneficial to your health, captain Adams.” I nodded, the laughing fading from my lips and ears. “ Power and goals it is. I’ll tell you this then. Goals yeah, it helps to challenge yourself, to grow beyond what you are and maybe even who you are.” I paused. “ But power, absolute power like yours......” I paused for a bit, waiting to collect both my thoughts and words. “ Power like yours is a bad thing. Why should everyone be the same? Why should I be reverred like a god? I’m not god and for some reason I don’t think you are either.” I could see Iblis beginning to seethe with anger. “ We humans have always been different. Although we haven’t always shown we care for our fellow man enough to forget said differences. So yes, We’ve made mistakes, but we’re getting there.” “ So be it then.” The count sighed and raised both his hands. “ Hold!” It seemed a voice of power, authority much like my own to me that appeared out of nowhere had little hope. Only then he began noticing the diminishing amounts of impacts on the hull. “ Status report.” In space, captain Steven Dunlap, commander air group USS Atlantis had a blast. Everywhere he looked the Viper fighters under his command shot Cylons out of the stars. The two wings from the Eisenhower flew together and attacked the Cylon main force. A whole lot of explosions later, there was nothing resembling a Cylon main force left. The squadrons from his own wing were at it too. A flight from the reserve group saved a colonial from a pinwheel attack as Steve personally led another squadron down to help a Viper that was fighting against an entire squadron of Cylons on his own. The Cylon squadron was annihilated without Steve’s unit taking casualties. It surprised me how effective our attack was. The Cylons, apparently intent on destroying what they thought was the last vestige of human power, now found themselves under attack. And the results wer had little hope. Only then he began noticing the diminishing amounts of impacts on the hull. “ Status report.” In space, captain Steven Dunlap, commander air group USS Atlantis had a blast. Everywhere he looked the Viper fighters under his command shot Cylons out of the stars. The two wings from the Eisenhower flew together and attacked the Cylon main force. A whole lot of explosions later, there was nothing resembling a Cylon main force left. The squadrons from his own wing were at it too. A flight from the reserve group saved a colonial from a pinwheel attack as Steve personally led another squadron down to help a Viper that was fighting against an entire squadron of Cylons on his own. The Cylon squadron was annihilated without Steve’s unit taking casualties. It surprised me how effective our attack was. The Cylons, apparently intent on destroying what they thought was the last vestige of human power, now found themselves under attack. And the results wern through the different variations of every colonial ship known to the Cylons, and since the war between the humans and the Cylon empire had lasted for a thousand years, it was an extensive database. Finally it settled on the silhouette of a battlestar. Spectre and his command staff studied the screens for a brief moment before he gave the next order “ Retrieve all our remaining fighters and prepare to retreat.” During that period the Basestar was hit twice, with one hit literaly putting Spectre on the floor. Out in space things began to change nearly instantly. The Cylons to the rear of the attack started to disengage and turn onto a course that would take them back to their base stars. Those at the halfway point began to imitate their compatriots. Those in the front were the unlucky ones. Nearly two thirds of them fell victim to a massive Viper charge. By then one of the three Cylon ships that had charged upon the Galactica had been reduced to its component atoms. The rn through the different variations of every colonial ship known to the Cylons, and since the war between the humans and the Cylon empire had lasted for a thousand years, it was an extensive database. Finally it settled on the silhouette of a battlestar. Spectre and his command staff studied the screens for a brief moment before he gave the next order “ Retrieve all our remaining fighters and prepare to retreat.” During that period the Basestar was hit twice, with one hit literaly putting Spectre on the floor. Out in space things began to change nearly instantly. The Cylons to the rear of the attack started to disengage and turn onto a course that would take them back to their base stars. Those at the halfway point began to imitate their compatriots. Those in the front were the unlucky ones. Nearly two thirds of them fell victim to a massive Viper charge. By then one of the three Cylon ships that had charged upon the Galactica had been reduced to its component atoms. The r. The only thing I saw was a great white light, like the famous light at the end of the tunnel, now hanging between myself and the count. I made sure to stand perfectly still and waited what was to come. “ Oh now Bill, please be at ease, I’m not here for you.” For some reason I found myself looking at the face of an old friend, Max Steiner. I wondered how he could look so healthy as he had been dead for the last seven years! Max seemed to be able to read my mind. “ I’ll explain later. For now, it’s important to get you back to Atlantis and moving, the Cylons are on their way, and even Atlantis will have to fight.” And within the blink of an eye I was back in the briefing room, watching the fleet, with Max Steiner standing right beside me. “ A battlestar is an awsome sight, isn’t it.” “ It is. What brings you back, from the dead that is?” I snickered involuntarily, but realised that something much bigger concerning the rag-tag fleet of ships was going on.e devastating. But we weren’t out of the woods yet. I got another report over my headset from Colonel Merryweather “ Missile tubes reloaded with base star Busters.” “ Good job, colonel. We may need those missiles soon then you think.” Aboard the main Cylon basestar, Spectre watched as his attackforce was cut to pieces. He seemed a little ‘ agitated’ that Baltar had been right again. “ Order all baseships to close the range with the Galactica. Finish her off and we will carry the field.” “ Sir if I may.” One of the command centurions interupted Spectre. “ Computer read out indicates there are enough Viper currently flying to have come from two battlestars.” As if to emphasize the point Spectre’s own Basestar got a jolt from a hit. The nearly made the IL fall over. “ What was that?” “ The other battlestar. It has just hit us with a laser volley.” “ What other battlestar?” The Cylon variation of the colonial warbook appeared on a computer screen. It rae devastating. But we weren’t out of the woods yet. I got another report over my headset from Colonel Merryweather “ Missile tubes reloaded with base star Busters.” “ Good job, colonel. We may need those missiles soon then you think.” Aboard the main Cylon basestar, Spectre watched as his attackforce was cut to pieces. He seemed a little ‘ agitated’ that Baltar had been right again. “ Order all baseships to close the range with the Galactica. Finish her off and we will carry the field.” “ Sir if I may.” One of the command centurions interupted Spectre. “ Computer read out indicates there are enough Viper currently flying to have come from two battlestars.” As if to emphasize the point Spectre’s own Basestar got a jolt from a hit. The nearly made the IL fall over. “ What was that?” “ The other battlestar. It has just hit us with a laser volley.” “ What other battlestar?” The Cylon variation of the colonial warbook appeared on a computer screen. It raemaining others two ships had several parts shot away each. Traces of other kinds of damage were also visible. As soon as those two recovered their remaining fighters, they started to accelerate away from the battle. From both battlestars cheers erupted over the comwaves as each brought their respective fighters home. Aboard the Galactica the mood was esspecially jubilant. They had survived the Cylon onslaught once again, with the help of Cain, or so the crew thought. Apollo had noticed something different, esspecially when Boomer reported in in person about what he had seen during the battle. Aboard the Atlantis, the cheers erupted for a different reason. We had found the Galactica! But now what? It was a thought that sprung on me like a trap door. We found the Galactica but where her crew and the fleet she was escorting even willing to come to Earth? And more importantly, what would the consequences be of taking them to Earth? It all started to run through my emaining others two ships had several parts shot away each. Traces of other kinds of damage were also visible. As soon as those two recovered their remaining fighters, they started to accelerate away from the battle. From both battlestars cheers erupted over the comwaves as each brought their respective fighters home. Aboard the Galactica the mood was esspecially jubilant. They had survived the Cylon onslaught once again, with the help of Cain, or so the crew thought. Apollo had noticed something different, esspecially when Boomer reported in in person about what he had seen during the battle. Aboard the Atlantis, the cheers erupted for a different reason. We had found the Galactica! But now what? It was a thought that sprung on me like a trap door. We found the Galactica but where her crew and the fleet she was escorting even willing to come to Earth? And more importantly, what would the consequences be of taking them to Earth? It all started to run through my “ Iblis. He’s messing around again.” “ I take it Iblis is something akin to Satan?” Max his silence was rather telling all on its own. “ Whatever you do, get them into Earth’s solar system, pronto.” And with that, Max Steiner, one of the very people I was honoured to call a friend, was gone again, leaving me wondering what else this part of the universe that we had suddenly chanced upon had in store. /Earth’s solar system/ Cain and the admiral were hovering near one of the newly installed upgrades aboard the Pegasus. “ ESM gear, we modified it to look for weird pulses and anything else out of the ordinary you recorded on your way over.” “ Take a look at these guys here.” Schulz pointed to a series of what Cain noticed were wavelons. “ Notice how steady the signal is, and gaining?” Cain nodded. “ So there’s another one out there.” “ Commander, as soon as these bozos turn, we’ll follow them back to their nest. And then it’ll get intern through the different variations of every colonial ship known to the Cylons, and since the war between the humans and the Cylon empire had lasted for a thousand years, it was an extensive database. Finally it settled on the silhouette of a battlestar. Spectre and his command staff studied the screens for a brief moment before he gave the next order “ Retrieve all our remaining fighters and prepare to retreat.” During that period the Basestar was hit twice, with one hit literaly putting Spectre on the floor. Out in space things began to change nearly instantly. The Cylons to the rear of the attack started to disengage and turn onto a course that would take them back to their base stars. Those at the halfway point began to imitate their compatriots. Those in the front were the unlucky ones. Nearly two thirds of them fell victim to a massive Viper charge. By then one of the three Cylon ships that had charged upon the Galactica had been reduced to its component atoms. The rn through the different variations of every colonial ship known to the Cylons, and since the war between the humans and the Cylon empire had lasted for a thousand years, it was an extensive database. Finally it settled on the silhouette of a battlestar. Spectre and his command staff studied the screens for a brief moment before he gave the next order “ Retrieve all our remaining fighters and prepare to retreat.” During that period the Basestar was hit twice, with one hit literaly putting Spectre on the floor. Out in space things began to change nearly instantly. The Cylons to the rear of the attack started to disengage and turn onto a course that would take them back to their base stars. Those at the halfway point began to imitate their compatriots. Those in the front were the unlucky ones. Nearly two thirds of them fell victim to a massive Viper charge. By then one of the three Cylon ships that had charged upon the Galactica had been reduced to its component atoms. The rbrain, at rather high speed as well. Lieutenant Caldwell broke my thoughts. “ Sir, a message from the Galactica incoming.” “ Business or pleasure?” Caldwell gave me a look of disbelief. “ Business.” “ What’s the status on fighter recovery?” Caldwell checked the operations monitor from his station. “ 99 percent complete, sir.” It figured. No time like the present. “ Alright, prepare my shuttle and have David Cain meet me with an escort, four guys ought to be enough. In the meantime, no landings from anything from the refugee fleet. Even if it is an emergency. ” I didn’t want to upstart anyone, not yet. Hell, Earth on its own would be a culture shock to the Colonials on a never seen or heard of before level. I left the bridge and headed for my quarters. Since I was basically going to write the book on the so called First Contact protocols I would need time to prepare. Starbuck met me at the door. “ Anything I should know?” “ Yeah, beware of the council of tbrain, at rather high speed as well. Lieutenant Caldwell broke my thoughts. “ Sir, a message from the Galactica incoming.” “ Business or pleasure?” Caldwell gave me a look of disbelief. “ Business.” “ What’s the status on fighter recovery?” Caldwell checked the operations monitor from his station. “ 99 percent complete, sir.” It figured. No time like the present. “ Alright, prepare my shuttle and have David Cain meet me with an escort, four guys ought to be enough. In the meantime, no landings from anything from the refugee fleet. Even if it is an emergency. ” I didn’t want to upstart anyone, not yet. Hell, Earth on its own would be a culture shock to the Colonials on a never seen or heard of before level. I left the bridge and headed for my quarters. Since I was basically going to write the book on the so called First Contact protocols I would need time to prepare. Starbuck met me at the door. “ Anything I should know?” “ Yeah, beware of the council of testing.” “ No it won’t, we’ll just blast them to bits.” With that said Cain ordered the helm to follow the Cylons. For some reason Jerry Schulz didn’t share the colonial’s optimism, but kept the thoughts to himself. /Aboard the lead Cylon patrol craft/ The command centurion keyed a few switches near his command seat. “ The plan is working. The battlestar is following.” Taurko wasn’t fazed. “ Continue to the basestar.” Chapter 15 Jerry Schulz hadn’t bothered to leave the Pegasus bridge. With the Cylon danger this close, He knew it would end one way or the other way, and since this was ringside.......... Schulz glanced over to where the weapons panel was. The current duty officer was colonial and performing a checkup of systems. A brief glance of the panel told Schulz nothing very reassuring. The Pegasus had two missiles remaining. Most of the laser batterys seemed intact. To the side of the armament panel was the flightboard. Pegasus had half a flight of emaining others two ships had several parts shot away each. Traces of other kinds of damage were also visible. As soon as those two recovered their remaining fighters, they started to accelerate away from the battle. From both battlestars cheers erupted over the comwaves as each brought their respective fighters home. Aboard the Galactica the mood was esspecially jubilant. They had survived the Cylon onslaught once again, with the help of Cain, or so the crew thought. Apollo had noticed something different, esspecially when Boomer reported in in person about what he had seen during the battle. Aboard the Atlantis, the cheers erupted for a different reason. We had found the Galactica! But now what? It was a thought that sprung on me like a trap door. We found the Galactica but where her crew and the fleet she was escorting even willing to come to Earth? And more importantly, what would the consequences be of taking them to Earth? It all started to run through my emaining others two ships had several parts shot away each. Traces of other kinds of damage were also visible. As soon as those two recovered their remaining fighters, they started to accelerate away from the battle. From both battlestars cheers erupted over the comwaves as each brought their respective fighters home. Aboard the Galactica the mood was esspecially jubilant. They had survived the Cylon onslaught once again, with the help of Cain, or so the crew thought. Apollo had noticed something different, esspecially when Boomer reported in in person about what he had seen during the battle. Aboard the Atlantis, the cheers erupted for a different reason. We had found the Galactica! But now what? It was a thought that sprung on me like a trap door. We found the Galactica but where her crew and the fleet she was escorting even willing to come to Earth? And more importantly, what would the consequences be of taking them to Earth? It all started to run through my he twelve.” Oh great, here my acting XO tells me to be aware of their politicians. I was starting to wonder if we had any crew by the name of Murphy aboard, and for that matter, how many of them as well. “ Aren’t you coming?” I asked “ No, not yet. Though it might be wise to take Karia with you as a sign of trust.” I nodded. Karia was already on her way to the shuttle bay, under the watchfull eye of David Cain. “ One other thing. Since they don’t know who they’re going to meet, use that to your advantage. Surprise them.” Starbuck’s words struck a cord with me. Even more so as I changed my wardrobe. Surprise had had won us this battle. Would surprise win us the next one? A plan began forming in my mind as I went on my way to the shuttle. 11 the flight over was uneventful. At my own request, the shuttle pilot along with the escorting squadron of vipers from the Atlantis, did a scenic flight of the Galactica. The traces were visible to the naked eye. Dhe twelve.” Oh great, here my acting XO tells me to be aware of their politicians. I was starting to wonder if we had any crew by the name of Murphy aboard, and for that matter, how many of them as well. “ Aren’t you coming?” I asked “ No, not yet. Though it might be wise to take Karia with you as a sign of trust.” I nodded. Karia was already on her way to the shuttle bay, under the watchfull eye of David Cain. “ One other thing. Since they don’t know who they’re going to meet, use that to your advantage. Surprise them.” Starbuck’s words struck a cord with me. Even more so as I changed my wardrobe. Surprise had had won us this battle. Would surprise win us the next one? A plan began forming in my mind as I went on my way to the shuttle. 11 the flight over was uneventful. At my own request, the shuttle pilot along with the escorting squadron of vipers from the Atlantis, did a scenic flight of the Galactica. The traces were visible to the naked eye. DVipers remaining. If it were to come to an altercation with Cylon fighters........ “Admiral?” Schulz his thoughts were interupted by another navy officer, wearing a flightsuit. A commander, or so Schulz saw. “ Yes commander, and, what unit do you command if you don’t mind me asking.” “ Skull squadron sir, we were supposed to be on planetary defense duty, but we got ordered to this wreck here sir.” “ Commander,” Schulz began eyeing the pilots nametag “ Rabb, keep your ships ready to launch at short notice. Things are gonna get ugly.” “ That bad?” Schulz nodded and described Cain’s plan as quickly as he could. “ and that’s it. He thinks he can surprise a basestar.” Rabb nodded “ We’ll be ready admiral.” He cast a brief glance towards Cain who had returned to the bridge. The colonial commander didn’t see it and ask for an update on the current situation. /Cylon base ship/ Taurko studied the readouts. With the help of the patrol and the nebrain, at rather high speed as well. Lieutenant Caldwell broke my thoughts. “ Sir, a message from the Galactica incoming.” “ Business or pleasure?” Caldwell gave me a look of disbelief. “ Business.” “ What’s the status on fighter recovery?” Caldwell checked the operations monitor from his station. “ 99 percent complete, sir.” It figured. No time like the present. “ Alright, prepare my shuttle and have David Cain meet me with an escort, four guys ought to be enough. In the meantime, no landings from anything from the refugee fleet. Even if it is an emergency. ” I didn’t want to upstart anyone, not yet. Hell, Earth on its own would be a culture shock to the Colonials on a never seen or heard of before level. I left the bridge and headed for my quarters. Since I was basically going to write the book on the so called First Contact protocols I would need time to prepare. Starbuck met me at the door. “ Anything I should know?” “ Yeah, beware of the council of tbrain, at rather high speed as well. Lieutenant Caldwell broke my thoughts. “ Sir, a message from the Galactica incoming.” “ Business or pleasure?” Caldwell gave me a look of disbelief. “ Business.” “ What’s the status on fighter recovery?” Caldwell checked the operations monitor from his station. “ 99 percent complete, sir.” It figured. No time like the present. “ Alright, prepare my shuttle and have David Cain meet me with an escort, four guys ought to be enough. In the meantime, no landings from anything from the refugee fleet. Even if it is an emergency. ” I didn’t want to upstart anyone, not yet. Hell, Earth on its own would be a culture shock to the Colonials on a never seen or heard of before level. I left the bridge and headed for my quarters. Since I was basically going to write the book on the so called First Contact protocols I would need time to prepare. Starbuck met me at the door. “ Anything I should know?” “ Yeah, beware of the council of tespite some very rugged maintenance efforts, it seemed as if the battlestar looked like a sieve, with hull plating even piled on top of other previous repairs. They had been through a lot, and now their journey was nearly complete. The shuttle pilot reported that we had clearance to land. I instructed him to do so. It wasn’t unlike the landings on Atlantis. We passed through some sort of magnetic field and touched down. Then a member of the groundcrew signalled us with lights wants and marshalled the shuttle to the far end of the landingbay. David Cain came over to my seat “ Alright captain, let us go out first and asses the situation.” I nodded. “ Proceed, no flashbangs or other stuff though. And you don’t have to present arms when I leave the shuttle.” Cain turned around and went aft towards his men. I looked at Karia who had been sitting beside me during the flight and had chattered about how glad she was to be back. And she was also glad she was rescued from theespite some very rugged maintenance efforts, it seemed as if the battlestar looked like a sieve, with hull plating even piled on top of other previous repairs. They had been through a lot, and now their journey was nearly complete. The shuttle pilot reported that we had clearance to land. I instructed him to do so. It wasn’t unlike the landings on Atlantis. We passed through some sort of magnetic field and touched down. Then a member of the groundcrew signalled us with lights wants and marshalled the shuttle to the far end of the landingbay. David Cain came over to my seat “ Alright captain, let us go out first and asses the situation.” I nodded. “ Proceed, no flashbangs or other stuff though. And you don’t have to present arms when I leave the shuttle.” Cain turned around and went aft towards his men. I looked at Karia who had been sitting beside me during the flight and had chattered about how glad she was to be back. And she was also glad she was rescued from thew sensors they were drawing the human battlestar ever closer into the trap. Yes, the time would be soon. /Colonial Battlestar Pegasus/ “ Helm slow us down.” At Cain’s order, the helm officer reset the Pegasus throttles. “ Something’s not right here.” Schulz sighed quietly. “ You’re damn right sir, we’re probably.........” By then he and the rest of the crew were spread eagled across the several levels of the command deck. Through sheer will power and holding on the railing rather thightly, Cain prevented himself from going the way of his crew. “ damage report.” “ We were hit!” Having picked himself up of the deck Admiral Schulz made his way toward the command panel. “ Incoming raiders.” “ Launch Skull squadron!” it was more of a shout then an order. The officer at the command panel was a colonial sergeant. He looked up to Cain who nodded to him to make it happen. “ What hit us?” The sergeant checked the panel “ Cylon baseship,he twelve.” Oh great, here my acting XO tells me to be aware of their politicians. I was starting to wonder if we had any crew by the name of Murphy aboard, and for that matter, how many of them as well. “ Aren’t you coming?” I asked “ No, not yet. Though it might be wise to take Karia with you as a sign of trust.” I nodded. Karia was already on her way to the shuttle bay, under the watchfull eye of David Cain. “ One other thing. Since they don’t know who they’re going to meet, use that to your advantage. Surprise them.” Starbuck’s words struck a cord with me. Even more so as I changed my wardrobe. Surprise had had won us this battle. Would surprise win us the next one? A plan began forming in my mind as I went on my way to the shuttle. 11 the flight over was uneventful. At my own request, the shuttle pilot along with the escorting squadron of vipers from the Atlantis, did a scenic flight of the Galactica. The traces were visible to the naked eye. Dhe twelve.” Oh great, here my acting XO tells me to be aware of their politicians. I was starting to wonder if we had any crew by the name of Murphy aboard, and for that matter, how many of them as well. “ Aren’t you coming?” I asked “ No, not yet. Though it might be wise to take Karia with you as a sign of trust.” I nodded. Karia was already on her way to the shuttle bay, under the watchfull eye of David Cain. “ One other thing. Since they don’t know who they’re going to meet, use that to your advantage. Surprise them.” Starbuck’s words struck a cord with me. Even more so as I changed my wardrobe. Surprise had had won us this battle. Would surprise win us the next one? A plan began forming in my mind as I went on my way to the shuttle. 11 the flight over was uneventful. At my own request, the shuttle pilot along with the escorting squadron of vipers from the Atlantis, did a scenic flight of the Galactica. The traces were visible to the naked eye. D Cylons. Although the we hadn’t really told her where we were from yet, I just smiled “ All in a days work.” Then I also went aft, to the exit. David Cain was amongst the first of his men out of the shuttle. And he couldn’t help but notice the smell of smoke still permeating the air. Cain and one of his men securely scanned their surroundings, weapons at the ready. The other two men scanned the people obviously in honor formation. When they found no threats they called clear. “ All clear, captain. A guy in blue up front looks like he’s the top dog in here.” I nodded and put on my service cap. It was time. There were a few hushed voices in the background, and a few looks from the Colonial personnel still working on repairing the damage. For a moment I thought I heard a gasp, or maybe even two. I descended via the small boarding ramp that had been attached to the shuttle and came to a stop in front of the man Cain had described to me. I presented him a standard mili Cylons. Although the we hadn’t really told her where we were from yet, I just smiled “ All in a days work.” Then I also went aft, to the exit. David Cain was amongst the first of his men out of the shuttle. And he couldn’t help but notice the smell of smoke still permeating the air. Cain and one of his men securely scanned their surroundings, weapons at the ready. The other two men scanned the people obviously in honor formation. When they found no threats they called clear. “ All clear, captain. A guy in blue up front looks like he’s the top dog in here.” I nodded and put on my service cap. It was time. There were a few hushed voices in the background, and a few looks from the Colonial personnel still working on repairing the damage. For a moment I thought I heard a gasp, or maybe even two. I descended via the small boarding ramp that had been attached to the shuttle and came to a stop in front of the man Cain had described to me. I presented him a standard mili coming in on the positive Z axis.” Warp speed thinking was one of Jerry Schulz’ s strong points. It would work again in this case but not before half the command platform disappeared in a series of explosive like flashes. Out in space, Skull squadron went to work with a vengeance, taking pages straight out of the colonial flying manual, and writing their own in the proces. “ Status report?” Schulz voice seemed to be able to cut through most of the din of just about everything else. “ Main engines at 50 percent, we have a fire in Beta bay, the Alpha deck and Gamma deck. Damage control teams are responding but it’s gonna be a while.” Schulz felt like slugging the colonial. “ Weapon status?” “ Main fire control is down. They’re booting up auxilliary control but it’ll be online in two centons.” “ where’s the Cylon?” “ Sitting comfy at our astrums and waiting.” “ He’s probably watching the outcome of the fighter battle, hoping to finish us offespite some very rugged maintenance efforts, it seemed as if the battlestar looked like a sieve, with hull plating even piled on top of other previous repairs. They had been through a lot, and now their journey was nearly complete. The shuttle pilot reported that we had clearance to land. I instructed him to do so. It wasn’t unlike the landings on Atlantis. We passed through some sort of magnetic field and touched down. Then a member of the groundcrew signalled us with lights wants and marshalled the shuttle to the far end of the landingbay. David Cain came over to my seat “ Alright captain, let us go out first and asses the situation.” I nodded. “ Proceed, no flashbangs or other stuff though. And you don’t have to present arms when I leave the shuttle.” Cain turned around and went aft towards his men. I looked at Karia who had been sitting beside me during the flight and had chattered about how glad she was to be back. And she was also glad she was rescued from theespite some very rugged maintenance efforts, it seemed as if the battlestar looked like a sieve, with hull plating even piled on top of other previous repairs. They had been through a lot, and now their journey was nearly complete. The shuttle pilot reported that we had clearance to land. I instructed him to do so. It wasn’t unlike the landings on Atlantis. We passed through some sort of magnetic field and touched down. Then a member of the groundcrew signalled us with lights wants and marshalled the shuttle to the far end of the landingbay. David Cain came over to my seat “ Alright captain, let us go out first and asses the situation.” I nodded. “ Proceed, no flashbangs or other stuff though. And you don’t have to present arms when I leave the shuttle.” Cain turned around and went aft towards his men. I looked at Karia who had been sitting beside me during the flight and had chattered about how glad she was to be back. And she was also glad she was rescued from thetary salute. “ Sir, Captain William Adams, commanding officer USS Atlantis.” My mentioning of the Atlantis caused even more frowns then my standard US Navy service uniform. Or for that matter, the SEALS and their equipment. The blue clad figure remained at his form of attention and answered “ Commander Apollo, commander of the Colonial battlestar Galactica and president of the council of the twelve of the colonies of man.” He paused shortly “ Or what’s left of them.” I exhaled. So far so good. " To bring you proof of our intentions, here's someone we rescued from the Cylon tylieum mine on that planet back there." At that, one of Cain's men disappeared back into the shuttle and came out with Karia. Apollo's face told a thousand tales all at once. A father happy to see his daughter return safe and sound, a commander whose troubles had eased, somewhat. And loads more. There would be plenty time for that later though. " Words can't describe my feeling at this motary salute. “ Sir, Captain William Adams, commanding officer USS Atlantis.” My mentioning of the Atlantis caused even more frowns then my standard US Navy service uniform. Or for that matter, the SEALS and their equipment. The blue clad figure remained at his form of attention and answered “ Commander Apollo, commander of the Colonial battlestar Galactica and president of the council of the twelve of the colonies of man.” He paused shortly “ Or what’s left of them.” I exhaled. So far so good. " To bring you proof of our intentions, here's someone we rescued from the Cylon tylieum mine on that planet back there." At that, one of Cain's men disappeared back into the shuttle and came out with Karia. Apollo's face told a thousand tales all at once. A father happy to see his daughter return safe and sound, a commander whose troubles had eased, somewhat. And loads more. There would be plenty time for that later though. " Words can't describe my feeling at this mo at his leisure.” Schulz nodded, a plan already formed in the back of his mind. “ Armament?” “ Three missiles left, starboard laser batteries nearly all out of action, port side fully operational.” “ Helm control, I need you to coordinate for the following maneuver. At my signal I want you to pitch the bow full down and roll us to the left in such a way as to present a full port aspect to that baseship.” Schulz glanced at the weapons panel. “ Weps, once the lasers have a solution I want you to plan an alpha strik with all remaining missiles. You need to plot a solution that stays clear of the lasers. Understood?” The weapons officer had some pretty horrific injuries of his own, but stayed on his post and could only nod as he started entering data into his panel. “ Are we ready?” It wasn’t until then the admiral realised the doctor was working on Cain on the command dais. He had seen’t but had been hell bent on just staying alive. The weapons offi Cylons. Although the we hadn’t really told her where we were from yet, I just smiled “ All in a days work.” Then I also went aft, to the exit. David Cain was amongst the first of his men out of the shuttle. And he couldn’t help but notice the smell of smoke still permeating the air. Cain and one of his men securely scanned their surroundings, weapons at the ready. The other two men scanned the people obviously in honor formation. When they found no threats they called clear. “ All clear, captain. A guy in blue up front looks like he’s the top dog in here.” I nodded and put on my service cap. It was time. There were a few hushed voices in the background, and a few looks from the Colonial personnel still working on repairing the damage. For a moment I thought I heard a gasp, or maybe even two. I descended via the small boarding ramp that had been attached to the shuttle and came to a stop in front of the man Cain had described to me. I presented him a standard mili Cylons. Although the we hadn’t really told her where we were from yet, I just smiled “ All in a days work.” Then I also went aft, to the exit. David Cain was amongst the first of his men out of the shuttle. And he couldn’t help but notice the smell of smoke still permeating the air. Cain and one of his men securely scanned their surroundings, weapons at the ready. The other two men scanned the people obviously in honor formation. When they found no threats they called clear. “ All clear, captain. A guy in blue up front looks like he’s the top dog in here.” I nodded and put on my service cap. It was time. There were a few hushed voices in the background, and a few looks from the Colonial personnel still working on repairing the damage. For a moment I thought I heard a gasp, or maybe even two. I descended via the small boarding ramp that had been attached to the shuttle and came to a stop in front of the man Cain had described to me. I presented him a standard miliment." Apollo remarked as Karia finished telling her the story of her rescue. “ I know. Our scanners showed us more then we expected. Technology can be discussed at a later stage though. Right now I’m more interested in the fleet status, because the Cylons will be back to finish what they started.” It caused a few concerned looks amongst what I guessed to be staff officers. “ Perhaps we should adjourn to a conference room.” At my agreement we trekked deeper into the ship. I was amazed at the similarities in construction between the Galactica and the Atlantis. Atlantis looked older yet better maintained where as Galactica clearly showed signs of heavy use. I refocused on the matter at hand as we entered the conference room. The disk with the combat data that had been collected aboard the Atantis was soon inside the data recorder of the conference room. On the screen it showed the Cylon positions as they withdrew from the area. I briefed the assembled officers pement." Apollo remarked as Karia finished telling her the story of her rescue. “ I know. Our scanners showed us more then we expected. Technology can be discussed at a later stage though. Right now I’m more interested in the fleet status, because the Cylons will be back to finish what they started.” It caused a few concerned looks amongst what I guessed to be staff officers. “ Perhaps we should adjourn to a conference room.” At my agreement we trekked deeper into the ship. I was amazed at the similarities in construction between the Galactica and the Atlantis. Atlantis looked older yet better maintained where as Galactica clearly showed signs of heavy use. I refocused on the matter at hand as we entered the conference room. The disk with the combat data that had been collected aboard the Atantis was soon inside the data recorder of the conference room. On the screen it showed the Cylon positions as they withdrew from the area. I briefed the assembled officers pecer now nodded positively as did the helm control. “ Engage!” /Cylon baseship/ / / “ Human battlestar is accelerating and firing....” The centurions report trailed off into some thunderous booms as the close impacts from laser fire told the tale. “ Return fire, match their course and start targetting mega pulsars.” Would Taurko have had human emotion, the following respons would have stunned him “ Mega pulsar controls offline.” “ Return fire, all batteries.” “ The humans are launching missiles out of our targetting arc.” It was the last thing Taurko heard before the command center disappeared in a firestorm. /Pegasus/ Besides the cheers of the crew, some of the officers exhaled quietly. They had lived through another day yet again. “ Status on our fighters?” “ Skull squadron reports disengagement from the Cylons.” “ give them rendezvous coordinates and prepare for fighter recovery and get me a status on the damatary salute. “ Sir, Captain William Adams, commanding officer USS Atlantis.” My mentioning of the Atlantis caused even more frowns then my standard US Navy service uniform. Or for that matter, the SEALS and their equipment. The blue clad figure remained at his form of attention and answered “ Commander Apollo, commander of the Colonial battlestar Galactica and president of the council of the twelve of the colonies of man.” He paused shortly “ Or what’s left of them.” I exhaled. So far so good. " To bring you proof of our intentions, here's someone we rescued from the Cylon tylieum mine on that planet back there." At that, one of Cain's men disappeared back into the shuttle and came out with Karia. Apollo's face told a thousand tales all at once. A father happy to see his daughter return safe and sound, a commander whose troubles had eased, somewhat. And loads more. There would be plenty time for that later though. " Words can't describe my feeling at this motary salute. “ Sir, Captain William Adams, commanding officer USS Atlantis.” My mentioning of the Atlantis caused even more frowns then my standard US Navy service uniform. Or for that matter, the SEALS and their equipment. The blue clad figure remained at his form of attention and answered “ Commander Apollo, commander of the Colonial battlestar Galactica and president of the council of the twelve of the colonies of man.” He paused shortly “ Or what’s left of them.” I exhaled. So far so good. " To bring you proof of our intentions, here's someone we rescued from the Cylon tylieum mine on that planet back there." At that, one of Cain's men disappeared back into the shuttle and came out with Karia. Apollo's face told a thousand tales all at once. A father happy to see his daughter return safe and sound, a commander whose troubles had eased, somewhat. And loads more. There would be plenty time for that later though. " Words can't describe my feeling at this morsonally, as Cain and a couple of men stood guard outside. “ This is the situation we currently face. The Cylons have at least four baseships still in the general area. Those ships should have more then enough fighters still remaining to wipe us out, twice over.” I let that sink in and then went on to propose my plan. Apollo was the first to respond, commenting that he thought it quite sceptical that the Cylons would attack so soon after getting mauled like this. I answered that under the circumstances I would agree with him, but I felt the Cylons would soon have reinforcements on their way, and that we didn’t want to be around when they got there. Now the colonial commander was forced to agree with me. His next question was rather more pointed “ Commander Adams, where is the rest of your fleet?” “ What fleet?” “ Your single battlestar, is that all there is of Earth’s fleet?!?” Apollo’s look of disbelief is rather annoying but I figure I don’t want to burst rsonally, as Cain and a couple of men stood guard outside. “ This is the situation we currently face. The Cylons have at least four baseships still in the general area. Those ships should have more then enough fighters still remaining to wipe us out, twice over.” I let that sink in and then went on to propose my plan. Apollo was the first to respond, commenting that he thought it quite sceptical that the Cylons would attack so soon after getting mauled like this. I answered that under the circumstances I would agree with him, but I felt the Cylons would soon have reinforcements on their way, and that we didn’t want to be around when they got there. Now the colonial commander was forced to agree with me. His next question was rather more pointed “ Commander Adams, where is the rest of your fleet?” “ What fleet?” “ Your single battlestar, is that all there is of Earth’s fleet?!?” Apollo’s look of disbelief is rather annoying but I figure I don’t want to burst ge control effort. I’ll be in the life station.” Schulz didn’t walk easily, but hurried along as fast as he could. He had a bad feeling, a really bad feeling which only increased in intensity as he got closer. /Pegasus life station/ “ Hit him again, max volt!” It was the doctor he had brought with him, Morales, shouting it. “ No use sir, he’s gone.” “ confirmed, no brain activity.” The voice had a slight colonial accent to the spoken English of Morales. As he approached, Schulz noticed they had been working on a Colonial. “ Doc?” Morales held a breath for a moment then turned around from the treatment table and reported what had happened. Out in space, Harmon Rabb junior found time to catch his breath. “ Skulls check in.” A few moments later the Captain normally in charge of the Navy JAG found out that he had lost a full third of his squadron. But atleast he had a place to call home. The Cylons didn’t anymore. A small number of Cylons ment." Apollo remarked as Karia finished telling her the story of her rescue. “ I know. Our scanners showed us more then we expected. Technology can be discussed at a later stage though. Right now I’m more interested in the fleet status, because the Cylons will be back to finish what they started.” It caused a few concerned looks amongst what I guessed to be staff officers. “ Perhaps we should adjourn to a conference room.” At my agreement we trekked deeper into the ship. I was amazed at the similarities in construction between the Galactica and the Atlantis. Atlantis looked older yet better maintained where as Galactica clearly showed signs of heavy use. I refocused on the matter at hand as we entered the conference room. The disk with the combat data that had been collected aboard the Atantis was soon inside the data recorder of the conference room. On the screen it showed the Cylon positions as they withdrew from the area. I briefed the assembled officers pement." Apollo remarked as Karia finished telling her the story of her rescue. “ I know. Our scanners showed us more then we expected. Technology can be discussed at a later stage though. Right now I’m more interested in the fleet status, because the Cylons will be back to finish what they started.” It caused a few concerned looks amongst what I guessed to be staff officers. “ Perhaps we should adjourn to a conference room.” At my agreement we trekked deeper into the ship. I was amazed at the similarities in construction between the Galactica and the Atlantis. Atlantis looked older yet better maintained where as Galactica clearly showed signs of heavy use. I refocused on the matter at hand as we entered the conference room. The disk with the combat data that had been collected aboard the Atantis was soon inside the data recorder of the conference room. On the screen it showed the Cylon positions as they withdrew from the area. I briefed the assembled officers pehis bubble, yet. “ Currently there is one other ship in the Earth fleet. I can’t divulge its name, but I can tell you that her commander has temporarily replaced my executive officer. He couldn’t make this meeting.” One of the other officers in the room, a major, made some comments in a colonial tongue that I couldn’t quite understand. The question that followed however was far to clear not to understand. “From where did the Atlantis depart?” No time like the present “ Earth.” “ So Earth is real then?” Apollo asked. “ As real as you and me.” I answered. What Apollo said next however, surprised me “ Since with your presence Earth is determined to be real, as president of the council of the twelve, the governing body of the twelve worlds of man I hereby request asylum on behalf of our people.” “ I’m sorry sir, but that decision is not up to me. Such requests are usually handled by people higher up my chain of command.” Apollo’s look of disbelief was worhhis bubble, yet. “ Currently there is one other ship in the Earth fleet. I can’t divulge its name, but I can tell you that her commander has temporarily replaced my executive officer. He couldn’t make this meeting.” One of the other officers in the room, a major, made some comments in a colonial tongue that I couldn’t quite understand. The question that followed however was far to clear not to understand. “From where did the Atlantis depart?” No time like the present “ Earth.” “ So Earth is real then?” Apollo asked. “ As real as you and me.” I answered. What Apollo said next however, surprised me “ Since with your presence Earth is determined to be real, as president of the council of the twelve, the governing body of the twelve worlds of man I hereby request asylum on behalf of our people.” “ I’m sorry sir, but that decision is not up to me. Such requests are usually handled by people higher up my chain of command.” Apollo’s look of disbelief was worhrsonally, as Cain and a couple of men stood guard outside. “ This is the situation we currently face. The Cylons have at least four baseships still in the general area. Those ships should have more then enough fighters still remaining to wipe us out, twice over.” I let that sink in and then went on to propose my plan. Apollo was the first to respond, commenting that he thought it quite sceptical that the Cylons would attack so soon after getting mauled like this. I answered that under the circumstances I would agree with him, but I felt the Cylons would soon have reinforcements on their way, and that we didn’t want to be around when they got there. Now the colonial commander was forced to agree with me. His next question was rather more pointed “ Commander Adams, where is the rest of your fleet?” “ What fleet?” “ Your single battlestar, is that all there is of Earth’s fleet?!?” Apollo’s look of disbelief is rather annoying but I figure I don’t want to burst raiders that tried to follow the retreating Vipers were shot down by the rear guard. As Skull lead, Rabb was the last to land. After going through the deconn procedures he headed up to the bridge. Only to find utter shambles “ What’s going on here?” Another colonial sergeant temporarily stopped his work and came over to him. “ Sir, the admiral is in the life station.” Rabb left running. Out of breath he found Schulz sitting on one of the beds. The admiral was out of it. Outward there wasn’t much of a sign of it, but Harmon Rabb knew what shock looked like. “ Admiral, snap out of it.” Rabb shook him and when he saw no effect, repeated it. “ Admiral, snap out of it!” “ That ‘ll be quite enough, commander.” Doctor Morales had noticed Rabb coming in and had briefly followed him before other more pressing matters demanded her attention. She came back to check on the admiral. Rabb turned around to face the doctor. Only then did he notice rsonally, as Cain and a couple of men stood guard outside. “ This is the situation we currently face. The Cylons have at least four baseships still in the general area. Those ships should have more then enough fighters still remaining to wipe us out, twice over.” I let that sink in and then went on to propose my plan. Apollo was the first to respond, commenting that he thought it quite sceptical that the Cylons would attack so soon after getting mauled like this. I answered that under the circumstances I would agree with him, but I felt the Cylons would soon have reinforcements on their way, and that we didn’t want to be around when they got there. Now the colonial commander was forced to agree with me. His next question was rather more pointed “ Commander Adams, where is the rest of your fleet?” “ What fleet?” “ Your single battlestar, is that all there is of Earth’s fleet?!?” Apollo’s look of disbelief is rather annoying but I figure I don’t want to burst ty of a photograph to say the least. “ You mean to tell me you’re not even a sector commander?” “ No sir, my only responsebility was finding you. And once I did I was to get you to Earth in any which way possible, and that goes for the fleet of ships you’re escorting as well. We’re prepared to offer you sanctuary for the time being.” “ You know about the Cylons?” I nodded “ We do.” “ The Cylons aren’t a concern unless we move quickly. “ I felt we had more then one option to encourage the Cylons from not pursueing us any further, and “ I also feel that we’re wasting time here with talking to each other while we could be preparing a very hot reception for those Cylons that will come after us.” Apollo nodded. “ Very well, how do you wish to proceed?” I switched over to another part of the data that I brought with me and brought it up on the screen. “ Like this.” As Apollo and his command staff studied the data, they now found they had ample reason to smile aty of a photograph to say the least. “ You mean to tell me you’re not even a sector commander?” “ No sir, my only responsebility was finding you. And once I did I was to get you to Earth in any which way possible, and that goes for the fleet of ships you’re escorting as well. We’re prepared to offer you sanctuary for the time being.” “ You know about the Cylons?” I nodded “ We do.” “ The Cylons aren’t a concern unless we move quickly. “ I felt we had more then one option to encourage the Cylons from not pursueing us any further, and “ I also feel that we’re wasting time here with talking to each other while we could be preparing a very hot reception for those Cylons that will come after us.” Apollo nodded. “ Very well, how do you wish to proceed?” I switched over to another part of the data that I brought with me and brought it up on the screen. “ Like this.” As Apollo and his command staff studied the data, they now found they had ample reason to smile ahis bubble, yet. “ Currently there is one other ship in the Earth fleet. I can’t divulge its name, but I can tell you that her commander has temporarily replaced my executive officer. He couldn’t make this meeting.” One of the other officers in the room, a major, made some comments in a colonial tongue that I couldn’t quite understand. The question that followed however was far to clear not to understand. “From where did the Atlantis depart?” No time like the present “ Earth.” “ So Earth is real then?” Apollo asked. “ As real as you and me.” I answered. What Apollo said next however, surprised me “ Since with your presence Earth is determined to be real, as president of the council of the twelve, the governing body of the twelve worlds of man I hereby request asylum on behalf of our people.” “ I’m sorry sir, but that decision is not up to me. Such requests are usually handled by people higher up my chain of command.” Apollo’s look of disbelief was worhthe carnage. “ What happened in here?” Morales looked rather grim at the carnage “ We took a number of hits, esspecially on the starboard side, most of the casualties were from there.” “ What happened to the admiral?” “ Apparently he was on the bridge, they took a hit there too.” Rabb noticed Morales becoming rather hesitant the same moment. “ What happened on the bridge, doc?” Again Morales hesitated. Rabb repeated the question. “ They just brought Cain down, he’s critical. You’re the senior surviving officer.” Rabb exhaled rather sharply for a brief moment. “ Allright, I’ll be on the bridge oh and doc, keep me informed on Cain.” Morales nodded and went back to work while Harmon Rabb headed for the bridge. It was still chaos but Rabb’s voice soon got through it. “ I need a damage report, as soon as possible.” “ Ehm sir, you might wanna take a look at this.” A navy Chief called Rabb over to his position. Rabb found the chief lookinhis bubble, yet. “ Currently there is one other ship in the Earth fleet. I can’t divulge its name, but I can tell you that her commander has temporarily replaced my executive officer. He couldn’t make this meeting.” One of the other officers in the room, a major, made some comments in a colonial tongue that I couldn’t quite understand. The question that followed however was far to clear not to understand. “From where did the Atlantis depart?” No time like the present “ Earth.” “ So Earth is real then?” Apollo asked. “ As real as you and me.” I answered. What Apollo said next however, surprised me “ Since with your presence Earth is determined to be real, as president of the council of the twelve, the governing body of the twelve worlds of man I hereby request asylum on behalf of our people.” “ I’m sorry sir, but that decision is not up to me. Such requests are usually handled by people higher up my chain of command.” Apollo’s look of disbelief was worhgain. The tap on my shoulder came from David a few moments later. At nearly the same time, I heard a squawk from the Galactica pa system. “What is it?” “ We just got a relay through the shuttle. A shuttle from the refugee fleet requested permission to land aboard Atlantis.” “ You know the orders I gave, right?” Cain nodded “ Yes sir. So does the XO. They told me what he did.” Cain whispered to me what had happened. The shock of it all apparently showed on my face, for Commander Apollo came over and asked what was wrong. I told him what Cain had told me. The commander of the Galactica stepped over to the nearby com panel and spoke a few words which I didn’t understand. Not much later he told me that the problem had been temporarily solved although he also added that “ The council will want to talk to you.” We returned our attention to the Cylon taskforce. 11b In something that could rather described as a stroke of bad luck, Spectre angain. The tap on my shoulder came from David a few moments later. At nearly the same time, I heard a squawk from the Galactica pa system. “What is it?” “ We just got a relay through the shuttle. A shuttle from the refugee fleet requested permission to land aboard Atlantis.” “ You know the orders I gave, right?” Cain nodded “ Yes sir. So does the XO. They told me what he did.” Cain whispered to me what had happened. The shock of it all apparently showed on my face, for Commander Apollo came over and asked what was wrong. I told him what Cain had told me. The commander of the Galactica stepped over to the nearby com panel and spoke a few words which I didn’t understand. Not much later he told me that the problem had been temporarily solved although he also added that “ The council will want to talk to you.” We returned our attention to the Cylon taskforce. 11b In something that could rather described as a stroke of bad luck, Spectre anty of a photograph to say the least. “ You mean to tell me you’re not even a sector commander?” “ No sir, my only responsebility was finding you. And once I did I was to get you to Earth in any which way possible, and that goes for the fleet of ships you’re escorting as well. We’re prepared to offer you sanctuary for the time being.” “ You know about the Cylons?” I nodded “ We do.” “ The Cylons aren’t a concern unless we move quickly. “ I felt we had more then one option to encourage the Cylons from not pursueing us any further, and “ I also feel that we’re wasting time here with talking to each other while we could be preparing a very hot reception for those Cylons that will come after us.” Apollo nodded. “ Very well, how do you wish to proceed?” I switched over to another part of the data that I brought with me and brought it up on the screen. “ Like this.” As Apollo and his command staff studied the data, they now found they had ample reason to smile ag at one of the larger monitors that had a diagram of the battlestar on it. The highlighted diagram showed him something he didn’t want to see. Fire! A serious fire had developed on the starboard side of the Pegasus. “ Status on the fire?” “ Not good, it’s working it’s way inward, feeding of the oxygen in the rest of the ship.” “ Options?” “ If we were on Earth, I’d say flood the entire burning area, but that’s not an option here, is it sir.” The chief responded. Rabb shook his head negatively. “ No it isn’t.” He briefly gazed at the star field and started to laugh. “ We have the vacuum of space to put out the fire with.” The chief gave the commander an I don’t believe you face. “ Sir, that’s a pretty dangerous thing to do.” “ I know chief, but it beats going up in flames altogether.” The chief admitted that his commander had a point. “ Oh and chief, might want to call for volunteers.” The chief nodded and started up some othty of a photograph to say the least. “ You mean to tell me you’re not even a sector commander?” “ No sir, my only responsebility was finding you. And once I did I was to get you to Earth in any which way possible, and that goes for the fleet of ships you’re escorting as well. We’re prepared to offer you sanctuary for the time being.” “ You know about the Cylons?” I nodded “ We do.” “ The Cylons aren’t a concern unless we move quickly. “ I felt we had more then one option to encourage the Cylons from not pursueing us any further, and “ I also feel that we’re wasting time here with talking to each other while we could be preparing a very hot reception for those Cylons that will come after us.” Apollo nodded. “ Very well, how do you wish to proceed?” I switched over to another part of the data that I brought with me and brought it up on the screen. “ Like this.” As Apollo and his command staff studied the data, they now found they had ample reason to smile ad Baltar had managed to stay in communications range. There was one difference though, Baltar did the talking, and Spectre, was the one who listened. After he was through with him, the only thing Spectre responded with was the obligatory “ By your command.” Then he closed the channel and the baseships were off again, in search of their prey. This time however, they operated together. Baltar making sure that he had full control of the operation. This time, nothing would stop him from destroying the Battlestar Galactica and her fleet. With their fighters in the lead, the Cylon baseships moved in. Only to find empty space! Where only centons ago had been a fleet of ships, there was now only debris of the previous battle. The Cylon fighters were promptly send to scout the debris field. “ Mistake number one.” I silently muttered as we watched our screens in the far distance. “ Sequence one is a go.” The scanner screen lit up with the telltale sign of a d Baltar had managed to stay in communications range. There was one difference though, Baltar did the talking, and Spectre, was the one who listened. After he was through with him, the only thing Spectre responded with was the obligatory “ By your command.” Then he closed the channel and the baseships were off again, in search of their prey. This time however, they operated together. Baltar making sure that he had full control of the operation. This time, nothing would stop him from destroying the Battlestar Galactica and her fleet. With their fighters in the lead, the Cylon baseships moved in. Only to find empty space! Where only centons ago had been a fleet of ships, there was now only debris of the previous battle. The Cylon fighters were promptly send to scout the debris field. “ Mistake number one.” I silently muttered as we watched our screens in the far distance. “ Sequence one is a go.” The scanner screen lit up with the telltale sign of a gain. The tap on my shoulder came from David a few moments later. At nearly the same time, I heard a squawk from the Galactica pa system. “What is it?” “ We just got a relay through the shuttle. A shuttle from the refugee fleet requested permission to land aboard Atlantis.” “ You know the orders I gave, right?” Cain nodded “ Yes sir. So does the XO. They told me what he did.” Cain whispered to me what had happened. The shock of it all apparently showed on my face, for Commander Apollo came over and asked what was wrong. I told him what Cain had told me. The commander of the Galactica stepped over to the nearby com panel and spoke a few words which I didn’t understand. Not much later he told me that the problem had been temporarily solved although he also added that “ The council will want to talk to you.” We returned our attention to the Cylon taskforce. 11b In something that could rather described as a stroke of bad luck, Spectre aner equipment. Rabb had his volunteers ten minutes later. He briefed them as quickly as possible on what he had planned. The two volunteers were suited up and underway within twenty minutes. Nearly everybody that wasn’t too busy effecting repairs, stopped to listen to the proceedings. Rabb didn’t realise he was holding his breath. He finally inhaled deeply as the two men reported they were safe inside the ship. “ Detonate!” After the vibrations of the detonations and other assorted things had subsided, Rabb noticed Morales coming towards him, watery eyed. gain. The tap on my shoulder came from David a few moments later. At nearly the same time, I heard a squawk from the Galactica pa system. “What is it?” “ We just got a relay through the shuttle. A shuttle from the refugee fleet requested permission to land aboard Atlantis.” “ You know the orders I gave, right?” Cain nodded “ Yes sir. So does the XO. They told me what he did.” Cain whispered to me what had happened. The shock of it all apparently showed on my face, for Commander Apollo came over and asked what was wrong. I told him what Cain had told me. The commander of the Galactica stepped over to the nearby com panel and spoke a few words which I didn’t understand. Not much later he told me that the problem had been temporarily solved although he also added that “ The council will want to talk to you.” We returned our attention to the Cylon taskforce. 11b In something that could rather described as a stroke of bad luck, Spectre andetonation. Hidden in the debris field, was a motley collection of nuclear warheads and a couple of basestar busters. The Cylon flight group had been close enough for me to order the remote detonation of one of the nukes. I had to keep from laughing out loud as one of the basestar busters was poulled into a basestar with a tractor beam. “ Detonate number five please.” Again that sign. “ Alright, activate timers on all charges then get us back to rendezvous with the refugee fleet.” Within a five centon period, the basestars were unable to move, afraid that they would run into something that could well be fatal. From what we calculated, there would be no way the Cylons would be able to follow any kind of trail. And they’d be wary anyway, Atlantis already had three baseships on her killboard. We got back to the fleet without any trouble. The first message from the Galactica however spelled trouble. I read it with the command staff present “ the presence of the detonation. Hidden in the debris field, was a motley collection of nuclear warheads and a couple of basestar busters. The Cylon flight group had been close enough for me to order the remote detonation of one of the nukes. I had to keep from laughing out loud as one of the basestar busters was poulled into a basestar with a tractor beam. “ Detonate number five please.” Again that sign. “ Alright, activate timers on all charges then get us back to rendezvous with the refugee fleet.” Within a five centon period, the basestars were unable to move, afraid that they would run into something that could well be fatal. From what we calculated, there would be no way the Cylons would be able to follow any kind of trail. And they’d be wary anyway, Atlantis already had three baseships on her killboard. We got back to the fleet without any trouble. The first message from the Galactica however spelled trouble. I read it with the command staff present “ the presence of the d Baltar had managed to stay in communications range. There was one difference though, Baltar did the talking, and Spectre, was the one who listened. After he was through with him, the only thing Spectre responded with was the obligatory “ By your command.” Then he closed the channel and the baseships were off again, in search of their prey. This time however, they operated together. Baltar making sure that he had full control of the operation. This time, nothing would stop him from destroying the Battlestar Galactica and her fleet. With their fighters in the lead, the Cylon baseships moved in. Only to find empty space! Where only centons ago had been a fleet of ships, there was now only debris of the previous battle. The Cylon fighters were promptly send to scout the debris field. “ Mistake number one.” I silently muttered as we watched our screens in the far distance. “ Sequence one is a go.” The scanner screen lit up with the telltale sign of a