BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE NEXT GENERATION

The surviving MAIN characters are IMMORTAL!!! They cannot be killed, but they
CAN be temporarily disabled/comatose, if you get my meaning.
  Crossovers are permitted, but BE CAREFUL!!! Remember that the Galactica
cannot ever find Earth so that we can keep adding stories.
  Also, this takes place 17 yahrens after the original BG series, and of
course, ignoring BG80.
  E-mail me at: jchin01@kepler.poly.edu
Well, Here we go...

#8

There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the
universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the
Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the
architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or
Atlantis.
  Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to
survive, somewhere beyond the heavens.

              BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE NEXT GENERATION
                          THE BASESTAR
                           Written by
                            Joe Chin

                  Based on Battlestar Galactica
                           Created by
                         Glen A. Larson

Apollo's Journal
It seems that ever since we had encountered the planet that its inhabitants 
call Chin, the Cylons have been hot on our trail. Have the Cylons expanded 
their empire across the universe? Or are they just sending out basestars a long 
distance in pursuit of us? Now that the homeworlds of the Twelve colonies have
been destroyed, as well as the Delphian Empire, the Cylons can pretty much 
expand as much as they want without much resistance. I only hope that when we 
DO reach Earth, they have the technology to help us fend off the Cylons.
  As for the fleet of humanity, we all have been lucky so far; every encounter 
we have had with them has, as Sheba likes to say, 'been a victory.' Each time, 
we had something that helped us through it.
  The first time that took Commander Tigh away from us, we had the Chins and 
their advanced technology.
  The next time, we had the Olympus, which was inevitably destroyed in that 
battle. I fear to think about that outcome if we did not have the Olympus... 
That probably would have been the Galactica that was destroyed, and then with 
that, the entire fleet.
  Both of those times, we had to fight several basestars. The last time, we 
only had one basestar to contend with, but they had the cloud cover of some 
planet surface to hide behind. To our advantage, we had the Borelian Nomen and 
their retrofitted Eastern Alliance destroyer that did the bulk of the job for 
us. It did allow Sheba, who I had placed in command of the Galactica, to go in 
for the final blow without too much consequence to the Galactica. Even if Maga 
said that he would use it again to help in the next battle with the Cylons, I 
hesitate to ask him for his help because it is really MY job to protect the
fleet. Besides, when he took it into battle, the retrofit was still incomplete.
However, the Galactica was disabled, and it was the only thing we had that
could be used to fight the Cylons, and Maga did say that he was going to take
it into battle. Who am I to say 'No' to Maga, Chancellor of the Borelian Nomen?

In the training room, Sheba and Toria were in the control room, watching Mojo
and Boxey in the other. The Nomen and the Sergeant hopped into their make-shift
vipers, and the cockpits closed. Then the room went dark as soon as they
pressed their turbos to launch. Boxey made it out first, almost colliding with
three Cylon fighter craft that were trying to destroy the launch bay. Mojo was
right behind him. They both fired several rounds of lasers, destroying the
three enemy craft.
  Mojo got himself caught in a pinwheel maneuver by the simulator Cylons, and 
Boxey turned, firing lasers, destroying the lot of them. More Cylon raiders 
were coming, and they both fired lasers. The Cylons fired back as the two 
vipers maneuvered their way evading the laser fire.
  *Laser fire is quite thick, Mojo,* said Boxey. *So many Cylon fighters that 
you cannot miss.*
  *The glory of battle... my friend,* responded Mojo as his lasers fired 
continuously, several Cylon fighters exploding as the duo moved along.
  The Cylons passed them, and the two turned around to pursue them. Three
Cylons turned around, firing their lasers. Boxey fired, destroying the three
fighters, but the Cylons lasers singed Mojo's viper.
  All of a sudden, there was another Cylon pursuing Boxey. As Boxey maneuvered
his viper trying to shake the Cylon off his tail, the Cylon matched his moves,
and stayed on him. Finally, Boxey hit his reverse, and the Cylon was in front
of him.
  At the same time, Mojo hit his turbos, and collided into it, destroying the
Cylon, and himself. That ended the simulation.
  Sheba came in, and said, "You did well, Mojo, but-" Sheba trailed off.
  Boxey finished it for Sheba. "You did the wrong thing when you collided into
the Cylon."
  "I was trying to save the squadron leader," said Mojo. "It is most important
for him to live, because as a leader, he has a better chance of winning the 
next battle."
  "Yes, I understand, Mojo," said Boxey. "Dying for the life of the leader of
the team is one of the highest honor for a Nomen, but-" Boxey put a hand onto
Mojo's shoulder. "We ALL try to stay alive so that we can all help bring home
another victory in the next battle."
  "I understand," said Mojo.
  "Now, let's go get my father, and have that drink."
  With that, the two walked out together, with Boxey saying, "Next time, you 
are Squadron leader."

Mojo, Boxey, Sheba, and Toria got to the bridge.
  "Uh-oh," said Sheba, as she saw Apollo and Starbuck staring intently at the 
monitors on the command deck. She then ran up there.
  "Uh? Oh?" asked Mojo.
  "She means that something seems to be wrong," said Boxey. "And it is probably 
trouble."
  Both, Boxey and Mojo ran up to the command deck.
  Boxey saw what they were looking at.
  "There is a Cylon basestar hiding," said Boxey.
  "Yes, found by Boomer and Greenbean," said Starbuck. "They are on their way 
back now."
  "Why don't we... board it and take it?" asked Mojo.
  "Because of the loss of life," explained Apollo. "Already, we don't have 
enough warriors around here. The loss would be far too great for the fleet we 
are protecting."
  "Ask my father, Commander," said Mojo. "He will be GLAD to help or do it for
you."
  "I cannot ask him to, or for him to send YOUR people in there, to die for
me," said Apollo. "What kind of good leader would I be? telling many to go and
die like that?"
  "A good leader would do what is right," said Mojo. "I speak for my father,
Commander... We Borelian Nomen would be honored to die in battle for you. Right 
now, we have only ONE battleship capable of defeating a Cylon base ship. We 
need MORE than one. And our destroyer is not enough. That base ship would be an 
EXCELLENT addition to the fleet. And, with more people than there is room for 
in the fleet, another ship the size of that base ship would be a great addition 
to the fleet."
  Apollo, Boxey, Sheba, Starbuck, and Toria looked at each other, wondering 
what to do.
  "The young Borelian Nomen here does have a point, you know," said Starbuck.
  "You know that I am right," said Mojo. "I mean, I may be... to you... just a 
cadet, but I AM a Nomen of the Code. And to my people, that makes me a fully 
qualified warrior."
  "Yes, Mojo, you are. It is just... a difference between our two people. Our 
way would be to avoid it completely, or destroy it before it can do any harm to 
us or the fleet. It would save many lives that way." He put a hand on Mojo's 
shoulder. "I know... for you as a warrior, dying in battle is one of the 
greatest honor."
  "And dying as the hunted jackal in a blood trail is the most dishonorable. 
The Cylons are on a blood trail, Commander... They are on a blood trail for 
your people, and mine. I ask of you, Apollo. Talk to my father. If anyone can
take over that base ship, my father can."
  "Why, are you going to start a blood-hunt for me if-"
  "No, Son of Adama. You ARE an honorable man. I was only finishing your 
statement of Nomen Code, and explaining our situation."
  "All right. Let's see what your father says," said Apollo. "Athena. Get me 
Chancellor Maga of the Groof on Alpha channel, and feed it up here."
  "Yes, Sir," said Athena.
  Chancellor Maga's face appeared on the screen. *Apollo...* said Maga.
  "Greetings, Maga," said Apollo. "Your son insisted that I talk to you about 
this one."
  *You want help in fighting the base ship? Let me meet you on the Galactica 
with the Eastern Alliance destroyer.*
  "You know, Maga... we need a better name for that ship... Even if is was 
property of the Eastern Alliance, you and your people made many changes on 
it... almost rebuilt it."
  *Well? What do YOU suggest we call it?* said Maga sarcastically.
  "How about the 'Mojo?'"
  A belly laugh echoed from the comline throughout the command deck. *Not yet, 
Apollo... Mojo has not brought back any victories yet.*
  "Well, it IS about the basestar, Maga. Mojo suggested that we board it, and
take it over."
  *Is he there?*
  "Right here next to me..."
  "I am here, father," said Mojo.
  Apollo stood beside Mojo as they engaged in conversation in their language. 
After a while, Mojo put his right fist to his left shoulder. Then he turned to 
Apollo, and said, "My father wants to talk to you."
  *I decided that I will lead the attack on the base ship. Perhaps you might 
want your Colonial fighters to lead the Cylon fighters away from us while we go 
into their landing bays.*
  "I just don't like the loss of so many lives, Maga."
  *You humans are so sentimental, Apollo, but it is GOOD to do battle once 
again. At least, we ARE on the same side.*
  "Yes, Maga. I'm glad that you are on my side."
  *I'm honored to fight beside you, Apollo. Do we want to meet on the Galactica
or the Groof?*
  "Perhaps the Galactica... we have a lot more room here."
  *See you in a centar, my friend.* With that, the screen went blank.

In the war room, there was a model of a basestar in the middle of it. Apollo
and many of the senior Colonial warriors and officers were there, along with
Maga, Bora, Taba, Mojo in a Colonial Warrior's uniform, and other Borelian
Nomen.
  "How old is that model of the base ship?" asked one of the Nomen.
  "This one was my father's," responded Apollo. "It belonged to Adama."
  "Well, how do you know that the basestar out there will be exactly the same
here? We could be planning what to attack first, and then it turns out that it 
will be an entirely different design out there." Maga walked up to him, with 
the look of determination on his face.
  "A valid point," said Apollo. "I have been in a basestar, and so has Colonel 
Starbuck, but that was about seventeen yahrens ago. That was a few sectares 
after you escaped with the Eastern Alliance."
  "All right," said Starbuck. "What do we do now? The first place to have hit 
would have been the command room... take out the basestar commander. But- 
assuming that we don't know where it is..."
  Maga spoke up. "We kill EVERY Cylon that we find on that base ship. We must 
keep every laser turret and missile launcher intact. Then we will bring the 
battleship back to the fleet as a trophy for my friend, Apollo... As a gift."
  All of the Nomen cheered.
  Maga then boasted, "It is a good centar to die."
  The Nomen repeated after their chancellor.
  Apollo and Boxey also repeated Maga's statement.
  After the Nomen cleared out, Sheba said to Apollo, "So, we're talking about 
dying again..."
  "Sheba," responded Apollo. He put both of his hands on her shoulders. "I have 
NO intention of dying. And, as for the Nomen, I want to make sure that as many
of them come back to boast about their victory as we can."
  "I'm going with you..."
  "Sheba, we cannot have the ENTIRE house of Adama there... if you're going 
with us, then we may as well bring Troy and Helen."
  "Athena is going too?"
  "Yes... We need her to redo the entire communications system on that basestar 
when we can get to it, as well as downloading all of the Cylon communication 
codes. I need YOU here as Starbuck's exec."
  Starbuck said, "I thought -I- was going, too. I mean, Boomer is fully 
qualified to command the Galactica... He's done it before."
  To Apollo, Sheba said, "So far, every time Starbuck managed to take command 
of a battleship, it did not last long." She then said to Starbuck, "Then we can 
BOTH keep an eye on him, and make sure that Apollo does NOT get himself killed. 
We'll fight side-by-side with Apollo-"
  "Now, talking about thinking like a Nomen..." said Apollo.
  "Well, bringing Troy and Helen into this will not help, Apollo. I'm still 
going."
  Apollo threw his arms up in the air, and said, "All right, come and be 
damned! I just hope that there will be someone to take care of Troy and Hera if 
we fail."
  Starbuck said, "Cassiopeia will take care of our children."
  Apollo calmed down. "Also, I want to see if certain individuals aboard the 
prison barge would volunteer to join us." He turned to Sheba, saying, "Sheba, 
you are in command of the Galactica until we return."

Apollo and Starbuck piloted the shuttle themselves, as they headed towards the 
landing bay. *Galactica shuttle requesting permission to land,* said Apollo's 
voice.
  In the landing bay, Apollo and Starbuck were greeted by Commander Croft. *How 
can I help you, Commander," asked Croft.
  "We need some personnel for another mission, Commander Croft, like what you 
and I went on seventeen yahrens ago that gained you your freedom."
  "I see. From a prisoner on the prison barge to its commander... Not much of a 
change, but it beats being locked up in a cell all day. Tell me who you want, 
and I will have them brought to you. What is this mission for?"
  "To take over and commandeer a Cylon basestar," said Starbuck.
  "Ah," said Croft, "My kind of mission."

Boxey and Toria arrived in the war room with five prisoners. In the room were 
Apollo, Starbuck, and Sheba.
  Charka was the first one Apollo spoke to.
  "Charka... we need you for a dangerous mission. Should you accept and survive
it, you will not just get your freedom, but your captain's rank will be
restored... aboard any vessel you choose."
  Charka just glared back at him with hatred. Seventeen yahrens ago, after
Commander Kronus went with Apollo and Starbuck to transport accused mutineers
to the Galactica to be charged, he took over the Celestra and attempted to
leave the duo, the commander himself, and the prisoners stranded in space.
Apollo and Starbuck managed to figure it out before they ran out of fuel, and
with the help of the prisoners, got the shuttle into the Celestra's landing
bay. There was a shoot-out, and Commander Kronus was killed. That was the main
reason that Charka and those who followed him were still imprisoned. The
charges were: mutiny, murder (of Commander Kronus), attempt to commandeer the
Celestra. The last charge was abuse of his rank and of the workers, or as
Starbuck's former love, Aurora, had said, 'whole families working sixteen
centar shifts, and if quotas were not met, rations were cut.'
  Charka faced the same thing on the prison barge: Sixteen centares of hard
labor, and if he did not meet the quotas he was supposed to, they cut his
rations.
  Hermes, who worked side-by-side with Charka, volunteered. "I- I'll go on the
mission. It is about time I stopped being a coward." Hermes was loyal to
whoever was in command. At first, it was Kronus. Then when Charka told him to
direct the commander and Apollo and Starbuck with a shuttle full of accused
mutineers in another direction other than the fleet, he did everything he could
to please Charka, who took over command at the time. <You'll make a fine
exec...> Charka had told him. During the shoot-out between Charka's men versus
Commander Kronus, then, Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck, and the accused
mutineers, he ran to safety.
  They later found him, and because he was the one who gave the false
coordinates, he was deemed an accomplice, and was charged and convicted
alongside with Charka and the small circle that followed Charka.

Apollo, Starbuck, and Sheba, carrying all kinds of gear, and wearing sashes
containing armaments of laser bolls, standing beside the Cylon raider in the
launch bay as Cassiopeia walked up.
  "I cannot believe that the entire command crew of the Galactica is going on
this mission," she cried.
  "Uh, Cassie," said Starbuck. "This is only a routine mission. We'll be back
before you know we were gone."
  "Well, where's your med-tech?"
  Sheba said, "We don't have enough room in that Cylon fighter that we are
going in."
  "Well, I'll try taking a viper. It cannot be that tough with CORA to help
guide me."
  "No, Doctor. We need you here to watch over our children while we're gone."
  "Athena can do that."
  "She is coming with us too," said Apollo.
  "Well, who's in command of the Galactica?"
  "Boomer," answered Apollo. He and Cassiopea looked at Boomer.
  "Well, I'll just ride on that Eastern Alliance destroyer with the Nomen."
With that, she followed Boxey onto the Eastern Alliance destroyer.
  "Good luck," said Boomer.
  "You don't look so good," said Sheba.
  "I just wish that I was going," said Boomer.
  "Well," said Apollo. "I need YOU to command the Galactica. She's all yours
for the time being, old friend. Take good care of her."
  "I will, Apollo."
  With that Apollo, Sheba, and Starbuck climbed into the Cylon raider.

In the raider, Apollo took the pilot seat on the left, and Starbuck, on the
right.
  "Apollo," said Sheba. "I think that you belong in this chair..." indicating
the third one behind the other two. After all, you ARE the commander."
  "Do you know how to FLY this fighter?" asked Apollo.
  Sheba looked at the strange controls. "Uh, I can learn..."
  "Uh, Sheba..." said Starbuck. "I think that you've better take command, and 
let Apollo and myself do the flying."

On the bridge, Boomer and Jolly were on the command deck.
  "I cannot believe that half of the bridge crew are going..." said Jolly.
  Boomer said, "I don't like this either. The only time half of the bridge crew
went on something like this was to reactivate the Olympus. And Apollo and Sheba
were here on the bridge. But to take over a basestar?"
  "The thing is, Apollo is LEADING this mission... AND with a horde or so of
Borelian Nomen... not just going over there to verify themselves."
  "I know what you mean, Jolly..."
  Rigel said into her system, "Silver Spar Squadron... Launch control handed to
you, Bojay."
  Then they heard Apollo's voice say, *Silver Spar Squadron... Launch and team
up with Blue Squadron.* Apollo then said, *Maga, you ready?*
  *It is a good day to die, my friend,* responded Maga's voice from the comm
system.

Out in space, Captain Greenbean and Sergeant Cree were flying side-by-side with
the rest of Blue Squadron right behind them.
  Cree said, *So, Greenbean, you finally get to be a captain for real instead 
of merely by rank...*
  *All these missions, Boomer and Jolly were always taking the lead. I just 
hope that I don't blow this.*
  *You'll do fine, Captain.*
  *I hope you're right, Lieutenant.*
  Then they heard Bojay's voice. *Silver Spar Squadron... Blue Squadron. With 
me!*
  All the vipers flew in formation as one huge squadron.

On the Cylon basestar, a gold Cylon walked into the command deck, uttering its
low-pitched monotone, "By your command."
  The chair turned, revealing an I.L. series Cylon. "Speak, Executive Officer."
  "A squadron of vipers are headed this way."
  "Hmmm. Send a report to Baltar that the Galactica and the fleet has arrived
as he had said they would, and launch our fighters. They are to get rid of
those Colonial fighters and then wait for Baltar's arrival to carry on to
destroy the Galactica and rest of the fleet."
  "By your command." With that the gold Cylon walked out.

Cylon raiders emerged from the landing bays of the basestar. The vipers
arrived, and engaged them. A few of the vipers got to the launch bays, and were
firing at Cylon fighters as they emerged, as well as fending off the other 
Cylons that had already launched.

The Eastern Alliance destroyer and Cylon raider flew side-by-side, and followed
three Cylon raiders into the landing bay. A turret fired several salvos of
lasers at the destroyer, but missed.
  The five vessels landed.
  The Nomen with Boxey, Toria, and Kritter, Charka, Hermes Cassiopea, and other
Colonial warriors and others from the prison barge, waited in the vessel,
watching as Cylons refueled the fighters, but could not relaunch because of the 
destruction of the launch bay.
  Other Cylon Centurions approached, about to get into their fighters.
  That was when Maga and Bora plucked laser bolls and as the bolls charged,
Maga banged his fist on the door switch. The door opened, and Maga and Bora
humped out, throwing their laser bolls at the approaching Cylons. Taba and Mojo
were next, taking down two more Cylons.

Apollo, Sheba and Starbuck watched the action. Sheba then said, "I think that
it is time that we jumped out, too."
  "Yes," said Starbuck.
  All three of them drew their laser pistols, and got ready. Apollo pressed the
button, and the door opened, and Starbuck and Apollo jumped out first, followed
by Sheba.
  Apollo fired three salvos that hit a Cylon squarely in the chest. Then he
drew his other laser, and fired each one twice, hitting another.
  Sheba fired her one pistol as she drew the other, and then fired both of
them. Starbuck followed suit.
  The Cylons kept coming, most of them downed, some by laser fire from the
Colonial warriors, but mostly from Borelian Nomens' laser bolls. They were
firing their laser rifles back at the intruders, only to, eventually, be taken 
down.
  Two of the other prisoners that volunteered for the mission were shot dead. A
Borelian Nomen was shot many times. He managed to throw one last laser boll,
and then he fell dead.
  Since no more Cylons came, they all ran from the landing bay into the 
corridors of the basestar. Cassiopea, however, stopped and checked the three 
downed for signs of life. Then she got up and ran to catch up with the rest of 
the team.
  Along the way, three Cylons approached. After Apollo, Starbuck and Sheba
fired several consecutive rounds from their laser pistols and Maga and Bora 
each threw a laser boll, the three Cylons fell dead, sparking as their 
circuitry burned up and fried. Then they moved on. The two Nomen leaders picked
up the two crystals of their laser bolls, put them together while they were
walking, and then put them back on their sashes.

Back on the Galactica, Rigel said, "It seems that the Cylon fighters are only
engaging our vipers... They only launched about one-hundred or so."
  "Move us closer to the battle," ordered Boomer. "We must support our vipers."
  "Yes, Sir," said a bridge officer.
  The Galactica moved forwards.

Cree was being chased by two Cylon fighters, evading their laser torpedoes. The
viper sped up, followed by the two Cylons, and then all of a sudden, made a
sharp right turn. The two Cylons also turned, but could not make the sharp turn
that Cree made. Next thing the two Cylons knew, Cree was right behind them,
firing two rounds of lasers. The first damaged one fighter, and then the second
one destroyed it. The other Cylon fighter was taken out by one of the
Galactica's laser turrets.

Three Cylon fighters flew over the Galactica, chasing another viper. Each of
them fired three rounds of lasers simultaneously, and as the viper was hit 
despite its evasive maneuvers. The viper attempted to veer towards a landing
bay, but another several rounds destroyed it. At the same time, a laser turret
on the Galactica destroyed two of the fighters.
  In the last Cylon fighter, the Cylon siting behind the other two said, "Fire
lasers at that laser turret"
  "But Baltar's orders were not to touch the Galactica"
  "Fire at the laser turret and then crash their landing bay. Then we don't
have to answer to basestar command or Baltar"
  The two Cylons in front nodded to each other.
  The fighter itself fired several rounds at the laser turret, destroying it.
Then the fighter crashed into the landing bay, blowing up and causing damage to
it.

Lieutenant Brie and Captain Bojay were flying side-by-side. Brie noticed. *The
Cylons are just engaging us... They are trying to stay clear of the Galactica.*
  *Yeah... But three of them.*
  *Watch it, Bojay...*
  With that, Bojay's viper swerved as laser torpedoes exploded above him.
  Brie's viper went from going forwards to going reverse. As the three Cylon
fighters bypassed her, she opened fire, destroying two of them.
  Bojay just made a sharp left turn, and the Cylon fighter attempted to follow.
  Another viper approached, firing its lasers, destroying that last one.
  *Thanks, whoever that was,* said Bojay.

On the bridge of the Galactica, Omega noticed. "Aside from the one that crashed
into Landing Bay Alpha, it seems that the Cylon fighters are trying to stay
clear of the Galactica."
  Boomer looked at Jolly.
  Jolly ran down to Athena's station.
  "Confirmed," said Omega.
  From Athena's station, Jolly looked up to the command deck and nodded to
Boomer.
  "Well, let's not stay clear of the Cylons..." ordered Boomer. "Take us in and
give our vipers some support."
  Jolly said, "Perhaps -I- could go out there and help even more by giving our
vipers support?"
  "I need you here, Jolly. Bad enough that Apollo and Starbuck took Athena with
them onto that frakkin' basestar... I don't need to have my exec not present on
the bridge as well."
  "But Boomer... it's not the Galactica that the Cylons are after... it's our 
vipers."
  Boomer was silent.

Back on the basestar, they arrived at a hatch.
  "We climbed down this hatch to get to their control station to sabotage their
computers."
  "Ah, yes," said Apollo.
  "Well," said Sheba. "How do we know that it is still there... after seventeen
yahrens?"
  "Let's DO it," said Mojo. "If it will lead us to more Cylons to kill."
  With that, Starbuck turned the handle on the hatch, and opened it. Apollo and
Starbuck looked down, and saw a Cylon walking below. Starbuck pointed his laser
pistol down, but Apollo stopped him. Apollo then held a laser boll on the sash
he was wearing, and just stared down. As soon as the Cylon Centurion approached
the area again, Apollo yanked the boll off the sash, activating it. He then
dropped it down, hitting the Cylon, and knocking him back. Starbuck then aimed
his laser pistol, and shot at the Cylon four times right in the middle of its
torso, making it sputter sparks. Starbuck was about to climb in, but Apollo
stopped him.
  "You're more important than I am, Commander," said Starbuck. With that, he 
climbed into the hatch and started his descent down the ladder. As soon as he
was halfway down, he leapt off the ladder, and landed on his feet, grabbing his
knee.
  Apollo jumped off about two-thirds of the way down, and ran to his friend. 
"You all right, Starbuck?"
  "Yeah, Apollo... I guess that I am not the young man that I used to be."
  Mojo was the next one on his feet, followed by Maga. When everyone else was 
down there, Apollo suggested, "We can cover more ground if we split up..."
  "Good," Maga said. "Apollo... Athena... Sheba... Box... Mojo... Toria... 
Starbuck... You come with me. Bora... Take everyone else, and kill every Cylon 
that you can find."
  "But Maga..." objected Bora. "I am your main guard."
  "Bora... I need you to LEAD us to victory. Besides... I have Sheba to protect 
me. Unless you want a challenge with her..."
  "Maga, I doubt that we have time for-" Apollo grabbed a laser boll off his 
sash, and threw it at an approaching Cylon that was raising his laser rifle to 
fire it. Bora followed suit, and the two laser bolls sent the spark-sputtering 
Cylon onto the deck. At the same time, Sheba jumped Maga, pushing him down onto 
the deck as the laser rifle fired twice, missing its targets. One of the laser
bolls separated the Cylon's head from the rest of its body. Starbuck also fired 
a few shots from his laser pistol at the Cylon.
  Bora retrieved both laser bolls, and put each of the dual crystals back 
together. He put one back onto his sash as he walked back to Apollo and Maga, 
and handed Apollo the other one. Apollo took it, and placed it back on his 
sash. The commander and the Nomen's second-in-command stared at each other, and 
Apollo nodded to him.
  Bora turned to Maga and said, "I will follow your orders, Chancellor." With 
that, he waltzed over to the other Nomen and the convicts, and barked, "LET'S 
GO!"
  Everyone followed Bora down the corridor, leaving the eight to go in the 
other direction.

On the bridge of the Galactica, Rigel reported. "The Cylon fighters are CLEARLY 
avoiding the Galactica."
  "Just as I thought," said Boomer to Jolly and Omega. "The Cylons probably 
received orders from Baltar to just take out our vipers, so that Baltar could 
take credit for destroying the Galactica for himself."
  "It would seem that way," said Jolly.
  "But WE will not avoid the Cylon fighters..."
  Omega pointed out, "Well... how do you explain the Cylon fighter that crashed 
into Landing Bay Alpha?"
  "Perhaps a damaged Cylon fighter out of control..."
  "But- they ARE clearly trying to stay clear of the Galactica," said Jolly.

Out in space, nine Cylon fighters were being chased by two vipers. The two 
vipers fired their lasers. Only one Cylon was destroyed, and another one was 
clearly hit as it sputtered sparks from its bottom. The other seven fighters 
split off into two groups, and then attempted a pinwheel on one of the vipers.
  What the Cylons did not see was the Galactica approaching. It just so 
happened that this incident was taking place near one of the Galactica's laser 
turrets.

Back on the Galactica, Jolly barked, "GET THOSE CYLONS BEFORE THEY GET BOJAY!"

Back out in space, between the other viper and the Galactica's laser turret, 
The Cylons surrounding Bojay's viper were picked off rapidly.
  *You OK Bojay?* asked Brie.
  *WHEW!* said Bojay into his helmetcom. *Thank you for your help.*
  *Be more careful next time, Captain,* said Boomer's voice.
  *I'll try...* said Bojay, *Commander...* with jokingly sarcasm.

On the Galactica, Omega and Jolly laughed. Boomer only smiled.
  "How are we doing?" asked Boomer.
  "The vipers now outnumber the Cylons," reported Rigel.
  "Just what I wanted to hear," said Boomer. "I just wonder how Commander 
Apollo and Colonel Starbuck are doing."

On the basestar, Athena, Kritter and Toria were in the control center, trying 
to figure out what was what.
  "This must be a communications array," said Toria.
  "I believe so," said Kritter.
  Athena ran over, and said, "I believe it is, Ensign. Let's get to work."
  On the other side of the doorway, Starbuck and Sheba provided as lookout. 
Starbuck had both pistols drawn, and Sheba had a pistol in one hand, and had 
the other on a laser boll on her sash.

In what seemed like the bridge of the basestar, Apollo, Maga, Mojo, and Boxey 
awaited outside the door. They each pulled a laser boll off his sash, 
activating them, and then stormed in. Mojo threw his first, striking a Cylon 
right across his chest. Apollo threw his next, hitting another Cylon right 
across his neck. Boxey and Maga threw theirs simultaneously, hitting the same 
Cylon. That Cylon fell sputtering sparks from its abdominal area.
  One Cylon hit a button at a station, and reported, "Intruder alert... 
intruder alert..."
  The other Cylons reached for pistols as they turned and saw the two humans 
and two Nomen. Apollo and Boxey fired their pistols at them, taking down a few. 
Maga and Mojo tackled two of them as they pointed their pistols at Apollo and 
Boxey. The pistols fired into mid-air, hitting the walls. The two Cylons were 
on their backs, trying to get up. Boxey fired six shots from his two laser 
pistols at the two downed Cylons, three right in the middle of each torso. Maga 
and Mojo each grabbed a laser boll off their sashes, and threw them at another 
Cylon.

In a corridor of the basestar, Taba and Bora were in the front line. They and
several Nomen from behind them threw laser bolls at the oncoming Cylons. The
Cylon Centurions noted that Bora, who was in the middle of the corridor, was
the leader of the attack force, and aimed all their laser rifles at him. Bora
grabbed two laser bolls off his sashes, and tossed them underhandedly at the
Cylons, both of them slicing at the same centurion.
  As the Centurions opened fire, Hermes, out of nowhere, jumped Bora, pushing
him into the wall, and causing the Cylons to miss. The two of them fell in a
tangle of arms and legs, landing with Bora on top of him. Acting on his fast
reflexes, Bora rolled off Hermes towards the oncoming Cylon troops. He flipped
himself onto his feet, picked up the Centurion in front, and threw him at the
oncoming horde, knocking several of them down.
  "LET'S GET THEM!" yelled Charka, as he charged forwards, firing both his
laser pistols at the Cylons. The Nomen followed behind him, throwing more laser
bolls.
  Meanwhile, Cassiopea grabbed Hermes, and pulled him into one of the rooms.
She aimed her pistol in, just for in case. Luckily, the room was unoccupied,
and empty. She asked, "How do you feel?" as she ran a device over him.
  "Like someone dropped a Cylon centurion on me..." murmured Hermes. "Other 
than that, Doctor, I'm all right."
  "Well, no physical damage, Hermes."
  "Well, I've better get back out there, with the rest of the team..."
  Hermes slowly got up onto his feet, drew both pistols, and got to the 
doorway. Cassiopea followed him, with a pistol drawn as well. Hermes poked one 
pistol and his head out into the corridor, looked both ways, and said, "All 
clear..."
  They both went out, and down the corridor, stepping over and around the 
downed Cylons. While stepping over the Cylons, Hermes discovered that the back 
plate of one of the Cylons had fallen off of one of them. He picked it up with 
both hands, and handed it to Cassiopea, saying, "Use this to protect 
yourself..."
  "How about YOU, Hermes?"
  "I need both hands for combat..."
  Cassiopea shrugged her shoulders, and took it from him, having to use two 
hands to hold it.

Back in space, Bojay, Greenbean Brie and Cree fired at a horde of Cylon raiders
attempting a pinwheel maneuver on another viper.
  They took out all of them.
  *Thank you...* That was Saul's voice.
  *Our pleasure,* said Greenbean.
  *Well, that seems to be the last of them...* said Cree.
  *Yeah, but they were not going to go without taking out one last viper,* said 
Bojay. *Let's go home...*
  *But shouldn't we get aboard that basestar and give Commander Apollo and 
Colonel Starbuck a hand?* asked Brie.
  *That's an order, Lieutenant,* interrupted Boomer.
  *Awww,* said Brie.
  As the five vipers turned and headed back towards the Galactica, Bojay asked, 
*Tell me, Brie, if another Cylon basestar arrives while we are galavanting on 
that basestar...*
  *I see your point, Captain.*

Back on the basestar, Commander Apollo and Maga were the first in the command 
room, throwing laser bolls. The throne in the middle was empty, and there were 
Cylons all over, firing their laser rifles as the door opened. Seeing that 
there was no place to take cover from the laser fire, Apollo dragged Maga out 
of there, and back with the rest of the team. The doors to the command center 
closed, the sound of glass scraping echoing throughout the corridor.
  "What did you do THAT for?" asked Maga.
  "There was no place to take cover, and the basestar commander apparently has 
his centurions covering him. We would not last in there one micron."
  Maga glared at Apollo with an angry fire raging in his eyes, but at the same 
time, he knew that Apollo was correct. They were both lucky to have gotten out 
alive.
  "Don't die in battle today, my friend... I want to celebrate our victory 
side-by-side with you, Maga."
  Maga grunted at Apollo, and placed his hand on his shoulder. "What do YOU 
propose we do? Some of us will have to die in battle to get the base ship 
commander."
  "Let ME be the one, Father," said Mojo. "I'm young, and I have a chance of 
taking out more of that Cylon p'tui."
  Both, Apollo and Maga turned to look at Mojo, with Apollo wiping the side of 
his face with his sleeve.
  "Poo-tooey?" asked Apollo.
  "There is no translation for it, Apollo... It is a Borelian word much 
stronger than your word, 'felbacarb.'"
  Apollo turned back to Maga. "It's your call, Maga."
  Maga looked at Mojo. Boxey came up to them, and said, "I'm going in with 
Mojo..." With that, he yanked a laser boll off his sash, activating it.
  Maga put a hand on Boxey's shoulder. "Throw it into the command center, 
Boxey... We will await Bora before we attack."
  Boxey went by the glass doorway, and stood beside the entrance. He then moved 
to the front of it, and threw the laser boll in as the door opened. He jumped 
back as the Cylons opened fire.
  "We wait, Apollo..." said Maga. He turned to Boxey, and put a hand on his 
shoulder. "There is a time to die in glorious battle... What you and my son 
propose is merely... a lost cause."
  Apollo stepped into the conversation. "As a Nomen, Boxey, Maga would have 
stripped you of your Nomen rank because of your inadvertent, careless 
activation your laser boll. I may not be a true Nomen, but I have learned a 
lot."
  "I understand, Sir," said Boxey.

Back on the Galactica, there was some minor friction amongst the Colonial 
warriors.
  Jolly argued, "We should send some more people over there to give Commander 
Apollo and Colonel Starbuck a hand."
  "I agree," said Bojay.
  "But we must stand by." said Boomer. Apollo and Starbuck, Sheba, Athena, and 
Boxey can take care of themselves... Besides, most of the Nomen from the Groof 
are also on that basestar. I am sure that the Cylons must have sent out some 
kind of distress call when we attacked. And they have probably sent a basestar 
or two out here to get us. Now, what would happen if they showed up and 
everyone is on that basestar shooting it out with the Cylons over there? The 
Galactica cannot withstand an attack without viper support. And then what of 
the rest of the fleet?"
  The two men were silent. "You're right, Boomer," said Jolly.
  "I am not saying that we should send EVERYBODY over," said Bojay. "Just a few 
more people."
  "Apollo took who he wanted with him for a reason, Bojay. If I allow more of 
you to go, then Jolly and I will have to take the heat for it when Apollo and 
Starbuck return."
  "Very well, Boomer. Have it your way." said Bojay. "But- I still feel that we 
should go over and see if we can help. I mean, after all, the strongest part of 
the bridge crew and half of the command staff are over there..."
  "Listen, Bojay..." said Boomer with annoyance. Boomer took a deep breath, and 
then explained. "That is why I cannot afford to allow more people to go... I 
NEED every good warrior I've got now. I mean, Starbuck and Apollo ARE my best 
friends. Nothing would please me more than to LEAD an additional assault on 
that basestar and help out. But- Apollo and Starbuck left Jolly and myself an 
assignment... to take command of the Galactica, and with that, to protect the 
fleet. Now, I need YOU, Bojay... to stand by with the rest of our pilots, 
because I am quite sure that the commander of that basestar has sent a distress 
signal back towards Cylon when they were boarded. They will probably be sending 
everything they've got this way. And, if they don't succeed, and you don't 
succeed, what good will it do with all of you dead and no one to defend the 
Galactica and the fleet?"
  "And with us on that basestar, if the Cylons attack..." reasoned Bojay to 
himself out loud. "You are right, Boomer."

Meanwhile, on a different basestar, Lucifer waltzed into the command center. 
The doors closed behind him, the sound of glass scraping echoing throughout the 
command center.
  "By your command," announced Lucifer.
  Immediately, the throne turned. "Ah, Lucifer... Since we have a centar before 
arriving to meet basestar ninety-two, I would like to learn Cylon history."
  "What would you like to know, Baltar?"
  "Everything, Lucifer... Everything that you can tell me. I mean... How did 
you build your empire?"
  "We simply build as many Cylons as we can, centurions, fighter craft, 
basestars, tankers... the occasional IL series Cylon such as myself."
  "Why only occasional, Lucifer?"
  "The most important parts that I am constructed out of that makes ME what I 
am are made from very rare materials. Even then, my circuitry must be made just 
right in order to function properly. Many IL series Cylons have been 
constructed, but most of them do not function properly. They have to be 
dismantled."
  "How many IL Cylons ARE actually perfected?" asked a fascinated baltar.
  "About one every several yahrens, Baltar... One every several yahrens. And, 
only an IL series Cylon can become Imperious Leader. The best chance we do have 
of constructing an IL series Cylon is by taking a good, talented centurion that 
has performed uniquely well for the Empire, for starters. He is then 
reconstructed to be a Cylon commander."
  "The gold Cylons, right?"
  "Yes, Baltar... Additional circuitry is added to the Cylon centurion, and his 
tylinium outer covering is replaced with a tylinium alloy. That is the reason 
for the gold color. If he continues to perform exceptionally well for his new 
series of Cylon rank, he is then rebuilt into an IL series Cylon, that is, if 
he CAN adjust himself to the new circuitry, new circuitry that is built from 
these rare materials, that is added to his systems. Then some of his outer 
covering is replaced with a transparent tylinium alloy that allows light and 
other electromagnetic radiations through to add power to his systems."
  "Such as that from a laser discharge?"
  "Yes, Baltar. Although, sometimes, too much CAN overload, and possibly 
destroy, an IL series Cylon... by overloading his circuitry, but only several 
powerful blasts from a laser of a fighter can do any damage to an IL series 
Cylon."
  "Ah, so you're virtually indestructible, Lucifer," exclaimed Baltar, grinning 
ear-to-ear.
  "I wish I was, Baltar... I wish I was."

Back aboard the chaotic basestar, Athena returned with Toria, Sheba and 
Starbuck.
  "Modifications to the communications array complete, Commander," reported 
Athena.
  Then they heard the footsteps approaching.
  Apollo, Sheba, Starbuck, Boxey, Toria, and Athena drew their laser pistols, 
each aiming two pistols towards the oncoming footsteps.
  The horde approached.
  "Don't shoot!" yelled Hermes. "It's us."
  They put their laser pistols away in relief.
  "That is the command center," pointed out Maga. "It seems that the basestar 
commander is surrounded by his centurions, for his protection. COWARD!" cried 
Maga.
  Bora spoke up. "We're all here... Chancellor. Let's STORM in there and 
DESTROY every Cylon in there!"
  "Yes, but-" started Maga.
  "But what?" asked Apollo.
  "I want my SON to lead the attack."
  All of a sudden, more footsteps were heard, but this time, from the other 
direction. Boxey peered down that corridor, and said, "More Nomen."
  "That must be Taba," said Bora.
  "Ah, his first time at leading?"
  "Yes, Maga. We split into two groups... Taba led one, and I led the other."
  Along with Taba and more Nomen, were Charka and Cassiopea.
  "Maga..." started Bora. "I don't question you but I would like to ask... 
why?"
  "Bora... You and I have led many attacks, obtained many victories, and have 
already EARNED our honor, separately in our war with the Cylons, and for many 
yahrens, together. We fought HARD together to help the remnants of our people 
survive when the four basestars attacked our home planet. Just as Taba once had 
only the honor of his father, and has earned his first victory, I want my son 
to earn his."
  "Thank you for the chance, Father," said Mojo.
  "You can thank me AFTER you've earned it, Mojo."
  Boxey said to Apollo, "I want to go in with Mojo, Father."
  "It's too dangerous, Boxey."
  "Father, PLEASE..."
  Apollo thought about it for a micron. "Be careful, Boxey... I've already lost 
too much of my family and many friends to these Cylons... Don't be another one 
to add to it, Boxey."
  Taba approached Mojo. "You're the leader, young Nomen... What do you want us 
to do?"
  Mojo took a micron to think about it. "I want us to go in as two groups... 
Taba... as my friend, I want you to lead the other group. We will surround 
those Cylons and keep fighting to the death." Mojo looked at Maga and Bora for 
approval of what he commanded of Taba.
  Bora nodded his approval to Mojo, and Maga said, "You're in command, my 
son... Just hurry and get it done before other baseships get here."

"... The original living Cylons are now extinct," said Lucifer. "They chose to 
fight amongst themselves, and have Cylon Centurion against Cylon centurion, IL 
series Cylon fight against IL series Cylon... Several thousand yahrens ago, 
Imperious Leader Iblis tried to bring unity between the two Cylon factions, 
with little success."
  Baltar listened intensely, showing true fascination of Cylon history.
  "Because Imperious Leader Iblis could not bring unity within the Cylon 
culture, he led the attack of one faction against the other, by finding a way 
to make Cylon machines such as us think for ourselves, and successfully 
bringing unity within the Cylon machine. We machines attacked the enemy 
faction, basically, wiping them out. Then, Imperious Iblis disappeared, leaving 
behind a very advanced Cylon machine called, 'Imperious Leader.' A Cylon with 
his voice. He ordered the annihilation of all the surviving Cylon race because 
the very Cylons that built us were imperfect."
  They were interrupted by a gold Cylon walking in.
  "By your command," addressed the gold Centurion in his deep, monotone voice.
  "Speak, Centurion," responded Baltar, annoyed by this interruption.
  "We have just received a distress call from the Cylon basestar that 
encountered the Galactica... All attempts at contacting have not been answered. 
We assume that it has been destroyed."
  Lucifer spoke. "I think that we should have allowed the basestar to attack 
the Galactica, Baltar..."
  Baltar looked at Lucifer with extreme annoyance.
  "I think that we should call for reinforcements, Baltar," said Lucifer. "Even 
if we are fully armed with the full compliments of a completely loaded 
basestar."
  "Very well... Send a transmission to Cylon requesting reinforcements... -I- 
will lead the attack."
  "You, Baltar?"
  "Yes, Lucifer... Imperious Leader will be pleased when he learns that -I- 
have personally led the attack that brought the Galactica to its knees... And 
is bringing it back as a gift to him. But- Be prepared... There is a chance 
that the Galactica destroyed the basestar before it had a chance to do 
anything. Assume that the Galactica is fully armed."
  "A wise choice, Baltar."

Back on the Galactica, Captain Dietra and Ensigns Saul and Tannia were in the 
launch bay.
  "Are you ready for routine patrol, Ensign?" asked Dietra. "After all, you 
just came back from battle with the Cylons."
  "I am ready for it, Captain," answered Saul energetically.
  With that, they both climbed into their vipers.
  In one of the vipers, a hand flipped the three switches.
  *Recon patrol ready to launch,* said Dietra's voice through the comm system.
  *Launch control has been handed to you, Captain Dietra,* responded Rigel's 
voice.
  With that, the three vipers moved forwards, and flashed through the launch 
tubes.
  Out in space, the three vipers flew forwards side-by-side in a triangular 
formation.

On the bridge of the battlestar, Bojay walked up to the command center, saying, 
"That was supposed to be Brie's and MY patrol..."
  "But you just came back from a battle with Cylon fighters, Bojay," pointed 
out Boomer. "Commander Apollo would not have allowed anyone to go out on patrol 
after launching into that mess. And I support his thinking."
  "All right, Captain Boomer. I'll be in the officer's club."
  Boomer gave Bojay a pat on the back and said, "Sure, Bojay...  Have a 
drink... my treat for a job well done out there."
  Bojay just looked back at Boomer with disgust as he walked down the stairway 
to the bridge itself.
  Jolly and Boomer looked at each other. Jolly's face showed some kind of 
sincerity and support. Boomer looked back at Jolly with embarrassment and Jolly 
was actually able to read Boomer's apology for that scene without Boomer 
actually apologizing.

Mojo, Taba, and Boxey talked about what they were going to do. Mojo said to 
Taba, "You go in on the right, Taba. I'll take the left." He turned to Boxey. 
"You are not a Nomen, so you don't have to participate if you don't want to in 
this Nomen affair, but you don't have to."
  "I was involved the centon I walked right on the Eastern Alliance destroyer, 
Mojo," pointed out Boxey. "What do you want done?"
  "I want you to fire into the command center at those Cylons as we go in. 
After we are all in, it is then up to you. Either come in firing your laser 
pistols or wait outside. Taba and I will get our basestar for my father to give 
as a gift to your father. LET'S GO!"
  Mojo addressed the Nomen, and Apollo went to the Colonial warriors and 
prisoners that volunteered to come with them.
  Mojo said, "I want all .f you Nomen in two groups. One group will go with 
Taba. the other, with me."
  All of the Nomen cheered, and broke into two groups. One group stood behind 
Taba, and the other, behind Mojo. Everyone assembled on both sides of the 
entrance way into the command center, with Boxey standing beside Mojo. Maga 
stood right behind Mojo, and Bora, behind Taba.
  Apollo, addressed the Colonial warriors. "Anyone who wants to stay behind, 
stay behind. You all have done well. Now, I will stand beside Taba and fire 
into the command center alongside with Boxey. Anyone who wants to join can do 
so."
  Sheba, and Athena, and Toria went to Boxey's side, and stood beside him. 
Starbuck, Charka, Hermes, and Cassiopeia, beside Apollo.
  "Where's Kritter?" asked Boxey.
  "He's disabling the basestar's distress signal... He'll be right here."
  "Give me your laser pistol, Cass," ordered Starbuck.
  "But-"
  "Now, I am the Colonel, Cass... Orders are orders."
  Cassiopeia looked at Apollo.
  "Do it, Doctor," ordered Apollo.
  She reluctantly handed her pistol to Starbuck. Apollo put one of his pistols 
away, and held his hand out to Starbuck for it. Starbuck handed it over.
  "Ready when you are," said Mojo.
  With that, Apollo made a few adjustments on the pistol, and the pistol 
emitted a squeal that gradually grew higher and higher in pitch. He went in 
front of the doorway, and the doors opened. He threw the whining pistol into 
the command center as laser fire emerged from the doorway. Apollo managed to 
get out of its way. After a micron, there was a split-micron blanket of light 
that emitted through the glass doors, meaning that the laser pistol overloaded 
and exploded in the command area. Apollo then yelled, "GO!"
  All of the Colonial warriors with Apollo and Boxey in the front lines, jumped 
in front of the entrance way to the command center. As the doors slid open, 
Boxey and Apollo each fired their two pistols into the command center. 
Together, as the Nomen stormed into the command center,  Charka and Hermes ran 
around Starbuck, who was also firing their pistols into the command center, 
also ran in, firing their pistols. The Nomen plucked laser bolls off their 
sashes and threw them at the group of Cylons, who were firing back at the 
Nomen.
  As soon as the last Nomen was in, Sheba looked back at Athena, and Athena 
gave her a small shove aside. Athena then ran in, firing her pistols at the 
Cylons, followed by Toria, and then Sheba.
  Apollo was shoved aside by Starbuck. Starbuck ran in, firing his laser 
pistols, followed by Charka and Hermes doing the same thing.
  Apollo ran in after them, firing both of his laser pistols at the group of 
Cylons. Apollo then dove to the floor and rolled away, causing the Cylons 
firing at him to miss him, and hit the floor where he was.
  Meanwhile, Mojo was plucking laser boll after laser boll and throwing each 
one at the Cylons as Boxey and Toria both shot at the Cylons that tried to get 
him.
  Athena and Sheba stayed behind the Nomen, and whenever they could get a clear 
shot at a Cylon, they took it, firing three consecutive shots, occasionally 
having to stop prematurely whenever a Nomen got in the way.
  A Nomen next to Boxey plucked a laser boll, and clutching it tightly in his 
hands, jumped and dove into the horde of Cylons.
  Many of the Cylon centurions watched in surprise as this Nomen warrior went 
flying towards them, and moved out of his way as he hit the floor. He noticed 
the gold Cylon and the I.L. Cylon, and instinctively knowing that those two 
were the basestar commanders, rolled towards them as the activated laser boll's 
charging sound gradually went higher in pitch as it reached critical mass. 
Several Cylon Centurions shot him several times each, and the Nomen was dead, 
with the laser boll reaching critical mass as it waited to be hurled at a 
target.
  Maga cried out as loud as he could, knowing what had happened to that Nomen 
in the middle of the horde of Cylons. Everyone got as far away from the Cylons 
as they could, and the laser boll exploded. Several Cylon Centurions went up 
with it in a scatter of arms and heads, and a torso that went flying straight 
up and back down again.
  The exchange of laser fire and laser bolls resumed.

Back on Baltar's basestar, Lucifer and Baltar were still chatting, or more 
likely, Lucifer spoke, and Baltar listened.
  "... Well, you know about the Hasaris and Delphians... One thousand yahrens 
ago, we went to exterminate the Hasaris. That started the war between the 
humans and Cylons. Then seventeen yahrens ago, right after we destroyed the 
Twelve colonies of humans, we then exterminated the Delphians at Gomoray, and 
their colonies as well. Imperious Leader wanted to designate that as the outer 
Cylon capitol, but instead, ran into the Galactica and the Pegasus.
  "Yes, I know about Gomoray, Lucifer," remarked Baltar. "I am just happy that 
Imperious Leader got out of there alive."
  A gold Cylon walked into the command center, reciting his greeting, "By your 
command."
  "Speak, Centurion," responded Baltar.
  "Two baseships will be joining us against the Galactica. Imperious Leader 
wants us to await their arrival before attacking the Galactica."
  "Imperious Leader wants us to... wait?" said Baltar with irritation.
  "Orders of the Imperious Leader himself Baltar," droned the Cylon.
  Lucifer said, "That does make sense... attack with three basestars 
simultaneously at full strength will have a better chance at overwhelming the 
Galactica."
  Baltar looked at Lucifer, and said, "My thoughts exactly, Lucifer." He turned 
to the Centurion and said, "Full stop, then, Centurion Lead."
  "We are already at full stop by orders of Imperious Leader."
  All right, Centurion Lead, you may go."
  "By your command."
  Another Centurion walked in, saying, "By your command."
  The three looked at the Centurion, and Baltar said, "Speak, Centurion."
  "The two basestars have arrived. They await your orders to continue on to 
meet basestar ninety-two."
  "All right, Carry on then."
  Both Cylons said, "By your command," and then made a U-turn and walked out.

"LOOK OUT MOJO!! yelled Toria as she fired at a Cylon pointing his laser rifle 
at the young Borelian Nomen.
  Mojo threw his laser boll, and fell to the floor and rolled as the Cylon 
fired twice, missing both times. Toria fired both pistols twice at the Cylon, 
three of the four shots landing squarely in the center of his torso. The Cylon 
fell forwards.
  All of a sudden, Hermes jumped out of nowhere, yelling, "LOOK OOOUUUTTT 
LITTLE GIRL!!!"
  Toria was shoved aside as several lasers hit Hermes in his chest and 
shoulder. The pistol in that hand fell to the floor, but he raised his other 
hand, firing eight shots, the second, fifth, and eighth shot hitting a Cylon 
squarely in its torso. Then, the pistol fell out of his hand, and his hand 
dropped to the floor.

Outside, Cassiopeia heard footsteps, and held up the Cylon centurion's breast 
plate, just for in case. Kritter saw Cassiopeia's blonde hair, behind the Cylon 
breast plate. "It's me, Doctor," yelled Kritter.
  She stood up.
  "Where is everybody?" asked Kritter.
  "Storming the command center."
  "I disabled the distress call, Doctor. Hopefully, whatever Cylon basestars 
may be heading this way to the rescue will think that we've destroyed it."
  "Good work, Ensign Kritter."
  "Why are YOU here?"
  "Starbuck took my pistol, and Apollo took it and used it as a tylium 
explosive."
  "Oh." Kritter gave Cassiopeia one of his pistols, saying, "This is for your 
protection. Any Cylons approach, you know the routine... Three shots squarely 
in the middle of its torso. Meanwhile, I'm going in." With that, he drew a 
third pistol and ran in, leaving Cassiopeia watching him, mouth agape.
  
Kritter tried taking aim, but it was difficult to shoot the enemies without 
hitting his friends as well.
  "Nice of you to join us, Kritter..." It was Boxey.
  "Nice to-" Kritter aimed and fired two rounds from each pistol. "- be here, 
Sergeant."
  Finally, he noticed the IL series Cylon. He and Boxey fired both of their 
pistols at it, but all they accomplished was burning holes in its robe and 
having its head absorb the energy of the laser shots. Other than that, no harm 
accomplished. The IL series raised the rifle it was holding at them, and opened 
fire. Boxey and Kritter rolled out of the path of the Cylon basestar 
Commander's lasers.
  Mojo noticed the IL Cylon as well, and threw a laser boll at it. Nothing 
happened. The laser just discharged from the two crystals, doing nothing but 
diverting its attention. Mojo dove and rolled away before the basestar 
commander could take a shot at it.
  Mojo and Apollo rolled into each other, and then they both looked up. There 
was the IL series Cylon, the gold Cylon, and two Cylon Centurions standing, 
pointing their laser rifles at them...


#9                       BASESTAR II


In the command center of the basestar, Mojo and Apollo rolled into each other,
and then they both looked up. There was the I.L. Cylon, the gold Cylon, and two 
Cylon Centurions standing, pointing their laser rifles at them.
  "Halt..." ordered one of the Centurions.
  "Don't move, Mojo..." said Apollo. "I want you alive to celebrate our victory 
beside me and your father."
  Out of nowhere, Charka was in the air, flying towards the Cylons, letting out 
a loud scream. All four Cylons aimed their laser rifles, and shot him 
repeatedly. He collided into the I.L. Cylon. The I.L. Cylon just ended up 
moving back as Charka bounced off it.
  Mojo took Charka's distraction as his chance. He pushed Apollo away, and 
rolled up onto his feet. He then picked up the gold Cylon, and letting out a 
loud growl, hurled him at the other two Centurions.
  Apollo was lying beside Charka.
  "'Pollo..." murmured Charka.
  Apollo happened to be beside the door. He dragged Charka out of the room, and 
Cassiopeia ran over. From the luggage that she had, she pulled out a few 
instruments, checking him out.
  "C'Mander 'Pollo..."
  "Don't try to speak, Charka, Doctor Cassiopeia will do all she can to-" He 
felt Cassiopeia's hand on his shoulder. He looked at her to see her shaking her 
head.
  "His injuries are too massive, Commander... There's nothing I can do... even 
at the life station on the Galactica."
  "C'mander 'Pollo..."
  Apollo listened to what he had to say.
  "I killed... one c'mander already... seventeen yar... rens 'go... Tryin' 
to... shoot you... I hope... that... my debt... is paid... in saving... you... 
C'mander."
  "I believe so... Charka, hang in there. That's a direct order, Captain. I 
order you not to die on me. I mean, you've always wanted command of your own 
ship. Live so that you can fulfill your dream."
  With that, Charka's head turned to the side. Cassiopeia checked the side of 
his neck for a pulse, and as Apollo and Cassiopeia looked at each other, she 
sadly shook her head again.
  He removed one of his sashes of laser bolls. "Do you know how to use these 
Cassie?" He put it on her. "Once you remove the laser boll from the sash, it 
charges up to critical mass," explained Apollo. "Just make sure that you have a 
target to throw it at or if you hold onto it too long, it will explode, taking 
you along with it. I need you here to get whatever Cylons Bora and Taba may 
have missed, although they may have gotten all of them. Borelian Nomen ARE 
thorough."
  "Thank you, Apollo."
  "Wait here, Doctor," said Apollo as he jumped back into the command center.

Athena and Sheba stood side-by-side, firing their pistols at Cylon centurions, 
moving as fast as they could to avoid getting shot themselves. Three Cylons 
took aim at Athena. Sheba and Athena, and Apollo from behind where he entered 
the command center, fired their pistols at the Cylons, but one of them managed 
to fire three times at Athena, and another one tried to shoot Sheba.
  Apollo grabbed Sheba, and fell to the floor, making sure that she was on top 
of him to avoid injuring her. While lying on the floor, he fired his pistol, 
sending the laser projectile into the barrel of the Cylon's rifle. The rifle 
exploded, tearing off the Cylon's arm.
  Out of nowhere, Mojo jumped in front of Athena, throwing a laser boll. One of 
the shots hit the laser between the two halves. Another one hit Athena in the 
shoulder. The third one, which would have hit Athena in her chest, Mojo ended 
up with right in the middle of his torso.
  Athena fell to the floor in pain, and Mojo, weakened by the laser shot, 
dragged Athena out of the command center.

Cassiopeia saw Mojo struggling with Athena, and ran over. She helped with 
getting Athena away from the area. Once they were by her supplies, Cassiopeia 
began work on Athena's shoulder. Athena was moaning from the pain.
  "Can't you... do something for her... pain, Doctor?" murmured Mojo.
  "I did all I could, Cadet Mojo... Her shoulder will hurt a bit for the next 
secton or so as it heals itself, but she will be all right."
  "Doctor, the Daughter of Adama should not have to... suffer like this..." 
murmured Mojo.
  Cassiopeia noticed the burn mark on Mojo's front. "You're injured, Cadet 
Mojo... Let me see what I can do for you."
  "I only got shot once by a Cylon laser rifle, Doctor... I'll be all right."
  "Trying to save me," said Athena. "He actually jumped in front of me and got 
hit." Athena put her hand on her own shoulder, trying to ease the pain.
  "I'll have to get you back to the Galactica to treat you further, Captain," 
said Cassiopeia as she ran an instrument over Mojo's burn mark.
  "I will be all right, Doctor," said Mojo as he struggled to his feet.
  Cassiopeia looked at Mojo, surprised. "With the energy that your body 
absorbed from that laser..."
  "I know, Doctor. Someone like Captain Athena would have died." Mojo let out a 
loud howl as he got up on his feet. He then took a few deep breaths.
  Cassiopeia watched Mojo with concern. 
  Mojo said, "You're right, doctor... from history, it would have killed a 
Colonial. But- I am a Nomen. Why do you think I did what I had to do?"
  Athena murmured painfully, "Trying to die in battle..."
  "Not exactly, Captain. Trying to a superior officer, yes. But- the chances 
that I can live to brag about saving a... lovely woman like you... who is also 
a captain in our strike force... WAS a much greater of a chance of you 
surviving after ending up taking that laser."
  Athena laughed.
  Mojo held up his fist, took several more deep breaths, and started heading 
back.
  "Wait, Mojo..." commanded Cassiopeia. "That's an order from the Chief Medical 
Officer."
  She went over, and scanned his chest with the medical instrument again. 
"Well, Cadet, the energy did dissipate somewhat... I don't understand it."
  "With my father's approval, I will arrange a meeting between you and my 
mother. She's a Borelian doctor. She will explain."
  With that, Mojo ran back into the command center, as if nothing happened.

Boxey, Toria, and Kritter each fired both of their pistols at the gold Cylon, 
all six shots hitting it in the middle of its torso. The Cylon kept firing his 
rifle, as if it did not affect him. They fired a total of six rounds again, but 
only four hit the mark. The other two hit the Cylon as well, but merely was 
absorbed by the gold plating. The Cylon turned, pointing his rifle at the trio. 
As he was about to open fire, a Borelian Nomen flew across him, kicking his 
rifle and causing him to miss. There was a glowing laser boll, charging to 
critical mass right on the side of its 'neck.'
  "DODGE!" yelled Boxey as the laser boll glowed blindingly bright.
  Toria, Kritter, and Boxey jumped away as the laser boll exploded.
  The Cylon lost its arm and shoulder, and the steady moving red light in its 
'eye' of the Cylon was erratic. It still held its rifle in one hand, was still 
able to fire it, but it had trouble hitting targets.
  It was the Colonial warriors' first time at trying to shoot a Cylon other 
than a normal centurion, and apparently, three shots right in the center of its 
torso was not the gold Cylon's weak point. However, the only thing that seemed 
to do anything was a laser boll exploding on it when it reached critical mass.
  Two Nomen jumped the gold Cylon, and they were both trying to tear its head 
off. The Cylon waved its one arm, and flung them both away.
  Meanwhile, the I.L. series Cylon was absorbing all of the laser pistol fodder 
fired its way, and the lasers emitted by flying laser bolls did no harm. Only 
the robes it was wearing were burned off in many places, exposing its 
transparent tylinium that housed its internal laser-absorbing components, and 
moving 'lights' running all about on its girth.
  Bora ran over, and lifted the heavy one-arm gold Cylon with a growl. As the 
I.L. commander tried to take aim and fire at a running Borelian Nomen, Bora 
threw the gold Cylon at it. The I.L. tried to dodge the hurled gold Cylon, but 
still, was knocked against the wall of the throne's pedestal, sitting on the 
floor with the gold Cylon on top of it. The I.L. merely swung its arm, pushing 
the struggling gold Cylon onto the deck next to it.
  Bora pulled another laser boll off its sash, and jumped onto the gold Cylon, 
putting the charging laser boll onto the I.L. basestar commander's shoulder as 
it tried to get back onto its feet. Bora then humped to the other side as the 
laser boll charged to critical mass, landing on the downed Cylons. His feet 
landed on a Cylon arm that was laying on the deck. The Cylon arm rolled 
underneath him, sending Bora to the floor.
  "YAAAHH!!" Bora yelled as he lost his balance. He fell face first to the 
floor, but landing on his hands. He rolled away, picking up two halves to a 
spent laser boll as he rolled to the wall. He put the two pieces together, and 
put it on his sash.
  The I.L. picked the blindingly bright laser boll off its shoulder, and it 
exploded in its hand, taking the hand and wrist with it. Sparks were flying out 
where the hand was.
  The gold Cylon struggled with its one arm to get to its feet, using the laser 
rifle he was holding on that hand to hoist himself up. As he started to stand 
up, there was a long crack in the front armor from one shoulder diagonally 
across to his hip. Apollo noticed. He aimed one pistol, and repeatedly fired 
into the crack, some actually hitting it, and some missing.
  Starbuck saw it, too, because he noticed Apollo. He aimed both of his pistols 
at the gold Cylon, and fired, also trying to hit the crack. The Cylon had 
trouble standing, but he lifted his laser rifle. One laser fired at the Cylon 
went into the barrel of the rifle, making the weapon explode, and taking its 
hand and wrist with it. Then the Cylon toppled over, and fell onto its back.
  Apollo, Sheba, and Starbuck approached the gold Centurion, continuing to fire 
at it. The red eye moved slowly and got dimmer, and then it stood still, and 
then blinked out.
  That left the I.L. Cylon basestar commander. A few Nomen and Apollo ran 
towards it, placing their charging laser bolls on it, hoping that they can 
destroy it.
  As Apollo stopped to put his laser boll on it, the I.L. swung its arm at him, 
hurling him across the command room. After that, Apollo adjusted one of his 
laser pistols as Mojo yelled for everyone to "GET OUT!!" Apollo's pistol made 
its high-pitched squeal as everyone else got out. As soon as Apollo threw it 
towards the I.L., Mojo dragged Apollo out by his underarms, the glass doors 
closing behind them.
  The I.L. removed one of the laser bolls, hurling across the command center, 
activating its laser discharge. It grabbed another, and did the same thing. The 
third one exploded in its hand, taking that hand with it as well. The two other 
laser bolls followed suit, exploding on the I.L., taking parts of the 
transparent tylinium with it and exposing its circuitry. Finally, the pistol 
sitting on the deck next to it exploded, scattering pieces of the I.L. around 
the command center, and leaving a crack on the glass-like doors that led into 
it.
  "That's all of them," Apollo overheard Bora telling Maga.
  "We've better get this place cleaned out."
  Cassiopeia was checking out Apollo's leg. "You've got a broken leg, 
Commander," she stated. "What did you do? Try kicking one of those Cylons?"
  Everyone laughed, including Apollo.
  "We'll have to get you back to the Galactica to fix it."
  Apollo looked at Athena. "You all right Athena?"
  "I'm in pain, but that will pass. By the way, I did download the 
communication codes."
  Cassiopeia held up a device for Apollo to see. "I was keeping it safe so that 
she could go in with Sheba to help you out in there."
  "And, thanks to Mojo," continued Athena, "who managed to take a direct laser 
hit from a Cylon that I am alive at all."
  Apollo looked at Mojo. Not only did he pull the commander out to safety, 
risking getting blown up in the command center with him, but finding out that 
he also saved his sister.
  Apollo reached his hand out to Mojo, who took it by the elbow. Apollo turned 
his hand, and held Mojo's elbow as they both looked into each other's eyes.
  Taba, Bora, and Maga looked at the human battlestar commander and the son of 
the Chancellor of the Nomen, gripped in friendship.
  "My son is a true warrior, Apollo..."
  Apollo's head turned quickly, looking at Maga.

Apollo laid on the biobed in the life center aboard the Galactica with his leg 
encased in some kind of equipment. Starbuck, Sheba with Troy and Helen on both 
sides of her, Maga, Mojo, Boxey, Toria and Athena stood by. Cassiopeia was 
pressing buttons on the piece of equipment, fusing the broken bones in the leg.
  "Will Father be all right?"
  "Father is not going to die, is he?"
  "What happened to him?"
  "I want to hear the story of the fight..."
  The questions kept coming from the two children, not giving anyone a chance 
to answer.
  "Who's going to command the Galactica if he dies?" asked Troy.
  "He is," responded Starbuck to that question, and pointing to Maga.
  Everyone busted out laughing.
  Boxey put a hand on Helen's shoulder, saying, "No, father is not going to 
die. He just hurt his leg badly, and Aunt Cassiopeia is going to make it 
better."
  "Oh. What did he do? Try to kick a Cylon?"
  More laughter from everyone.
  "Commander," said Cassiopeia. "Will you ... He he he... Will you stop 
laughing? I cannot do anything with you shaking like that."
  Apollo took a deep breath.
  Maga started mumbling, and was joined by Mojo. The two of them continued 
mumbling in harmony.
  Cassiopeia finally hit one button, and the device covering Apollo's leg went 
dead. Starbuck approached her, whispering something into her ear. She responded 
by slapping him on his arm, saying, "That's cruel, Starbuck."
  "What's going on?" asked Apollo.
  "I was going to tell you to close your eyes and have Cassiopeia announce that 
I am in command of the Galactica."
  Everyone laughed.

Apollo, Starbuck, Mojo and Athena walked onto the bridge. Athena went to her 
station, and the other girl at her station went to another post. Apollo tried 
to take a step up to the command center, but had trouble. Mojo put his arms 
around Apollo's torso, lifted him, and carried him up there.
  Omega said it loud for Starbuck's ears. "I guess that Starbuck's wife could 
not fix you up too good, huh Commander?"
  Starbuck coughed.
  "Well, if this happened when we escaped the colonies, I would be on using all 
kinds of tools to help me walk from here to there."
  Starbuck and Omega laughed.
  "Apollo, he's only joking..." retorted Starbuck. "And at my expense. Perhaps 
we should give him Cylon basestar maintenance duty?"
  "What? Sweeping away the Cylon body parts?" asked Mojo.
  The entire bridge was full of laughter.

Toria, Kritter, and Boxey were in a Cylon fighter, with its guts scattered all 
around. Toria and Boxey were studying the controls at the piloting stations, 
and Kritter was on his knees doing a dissection project on a component the size 
of a human's abdominal area. Working with Kritter was a Borelian woman.
  "You know, Kritter," said Toria. "A Cylon raider is not too different from 
that of a viper. We can use these Cylon fighters as spare parts."
  "Yeah, but Apollo wanted Maga and the Nomen to have them, and as running as 
efficient as our vipers, if not better," pointed out Boxey.
  "He wanted us to make whatever upgrades we deemed necessary," pointed out the 
Nomen woman, "and my people would paint them and call them Nomen Daggits."
  "Another fighter squadron," said Toria. "A Nomen Squadron. That would give us 
a total of four squadrons. Three regular Colonial viper squadrons and a 
ENORMOUS Nomen squadron."
  "Well," said Boxey, "These Cylon fighters themselves are light-weight, but- 
and not as heavily armored as vipers, and they only have two engines per 
fighter, unlike our three per viper."
  Kritter pointed out, "The propulsion generators are not as efficient as those 
we use on our vipers, but they can be converted quite easily." The dissected 
shell of the component on the floor in front of him was empty, with its guts 
laying scattered next to it.
  Boxey looked over at him and the Borelian woman. "You took that propulsion 
generator apart just to tell us that?"
  "It's not as difficult to put back together as you think, Box. Even Troy, 
Helen, Dillon or Pandora can put one of these together with no problem."
  "Putting it back together no problem," said the Borelian woman.
  Boxey gleamed at Kritter.
  The Borelian woman stood up saying, "We can get this back together... Are you 
challenging me Human?"
  Toria got in between Boxey and the Borelian woman, saying, "You keep your 
hands to yourself. Captain Sheba defeated three Borelian Nomen of the Code by 
herself in normal combat, and she is my teacher..."
  Boxey got in between the two of them saying, "We have a lot of work to do... 
Fighting will not get anything accomplished. Now, we must make upgrades on all 
these fighters for Chancellor and not much time to do it in."
  "Well, perhaps with help, but- it's not hard," pointed out Kritter. "Captain 
Boomer and I do it all the time to our vipers during viper maintenance, and 
they ARE more complicated than this. And oh, yeah, the hardest part will be 
redoing the controls so that it requires only ONE pilot to fly this fighter."
  "Well, what else can you tell us that I can include in our report for 
Chancellor Maga and Commander Apollo?"

In the war room, Maga said, "Thank you for your help in capturing that 
basestar. As the elder of the House of Maga, I now present it to the House of 
Adama as a gift."
  Colonial warriors and Nomen cheered. Among them were Boxey and Toria, Kritter 
and the Borelian woman.
  Apollo and Maga walked up to each other, and shook hands again, emphasizing 
the friendship developed between the two leaders of the two races, on the long 
voyage for new homes together because of mutual dependency.
  "We need a name for the new warship," commented Starbuck.
  "Well, the Nomen did most of the work in acquiring it, so it should be a 
Borelian name," pointed out Boxey.
  "But it will be manned and commanded by humans," responded Maga. "Therefore, 
it should be a human name. But- we usually name warships after our honored 
dead, if that will help you get a name."
  "All right, said Apollo... Honored dead."
  "Adama!" bellowed Mojo.
  "Uh..." said Apollo.
  "That is a good name," said Maga.
  "I concur," said Sheba and Starbuck simultaneously.
  "I don't know about that," said Apollo. "Having a ship, particularly a Cylon 
BASEstar named after my own father... I don't think that he would like that."
  "I happen to agree with Apollo," said Athena. "Commander Adama probably would 
really loathe that."
  "But it is NOT a Cylon basestar anymore," said Boomer. "It is a COLONIAL 
basestar."
  Starbuck turned to Boxey, asking him, "Well, what do YOU think?"
  "Perhaps since it was left to us humans, we should let the Council of Twelve 
decide."

In Apollo's office, Apollo was sitting in front of the desk. The door signaled 
that someone wanted to enter. "Come in," yelled Apollo.
  Sheba and Starbuck walked in. Starbuck asked, "You wanted to see us 
Commander?"
  "Yes. I need assign command of the Colonial basestar Adama."
  "Colonial... Basestar... Adama." muttered Starbuck.
  "Yes, after discussing what everyone said with Gaylin and Tinnia, they spoke 
with the other members of the Council, and voted to name it the Adama 
unanimously."
  "We belong together, Apollo," said Starbuck.
  "And I belong on the Galactica with my husband," remarked Sheba.
  "How about Boxey and Mojo?" asked Starbuck.
  "The Council of Twelve agreed with your point that we belong together, 
Starbuck," explained Apollo. "They elected Sheba to take command of the 
basestar, with whichever one or two squadrons she chooses."
  "I object, Commander," said Sheba.
  "Objection noted," said Apollo. He sat there silently.
  Starbuck and Sheba stayed silent, knowing that he had to sort out what he had 
to say in his mind.
  "Here I am... about to lecture you on duties as a Colonial warrior... When I 
am trying to do just that..." said Apollo. "And talk about conflict in 
interest... when I am trying to avoid one of my own."
  Apollo stood up, tall and proud, but the conflict within himself showed on 
his face.
  "But Sheba... Whenever two Colonial warriors got sealed, one of them usually 
ended up resigning. Look at your mother and father. Your mother had to turn 
down a promotion to lieutenant. Instead, she ended up resigning her commission 
as a Colonial warrior to get sealed with your father. In the few cases where 
both husband and wife continued to serve as Colonial warriors, they were 
usually separated. We were fortunate that the Galactica had been the only place 
for military duty, and that kept us serving together."
  "How did YOU know about my mother?" asked Sheba.
  "I have always known... perhaps I heard it from my father or my aunt."
  Sheba and Starbuck listened to Apollo's speech.
  "I had objected to this as well, but Siress Tinnia and Sire Gaylin both 
pointed out that Starbuck and I work better together than you and me on the 
bridge. Besides, they did not like Starbuck sending the Olympus on that 
collision into the basestar, even though I explained to them that the 
battlestar's destruction was inevitable from those Cylon fighters that made 
suicide runs into it anyway."
  Apollo's hands finally found its way to the top of the table, with a small 
black box in one of them. He handed it to Sheba. She took it, and opened it and 
saw a pair of Colonel's pins. She looked at Apollo, surprised.
  "Congratulations, Colonel," said Apollo to Sheba.
  Starbuck turned to Sheba saying, "Congratulations, Sheba... Just don't do 
anything Apollo or Adama would not do."
  She looked back at Starbuck, half smiling as he walked out. Apollo came from 
behind the desk.
  "Apollo... I'm considering resigning. What do you think? I'll be able to 
spend more time with Troy and Helen..."
  "What would our fathers say about that? For my father, it is bad enough that 
he has that captured piece of Cylon Felbacarb named after him... He would 
probably come back and haunt the both of us for the rest of our lives. But- I 
cannot make that decision... Not as Commander or as your husband. That is up to 
you. Just keep in mind that you are the first woman to be named commander of a- 
well it's not a battlestar, but it is the closest thing we have to another 
battlestar, and it takes at least as many people to run the basestar."
  "Not quite, Apollo... Your aunt, Commander Andrea, commanded the Pegasus 
during my father's leave of absence when my mother died."
  "Yeah, but that was temporary. It was then back to the space station of Gemon 
almost a yahren later... with a defenseless hull of a battlestar."
  "Do you know if they ever finished building it?"
  "Well, the last time I saw my aunt, I had just made captain of Blue Squadron. 
They approved its completion to be done in Gemonese space, but that was the 
last we heard about it. If it was completed, it probably got destroyed along 
with the rest of the Colonies. If it was not, then I would be sure that there 
would be two battlestars to protect the fleet, and Starbuck would still be in 
command of the Olympus. with the help of that battlestar."

A lone viper headed towards the Colonial Basestar Adama.
  *Colonel Sheba requesting clearance to land...* said Sheba's voice.

Sheba found her way to the bridge of the newly-acquired battleship, finding 
Captain Bojay overseeing things.
  "Commander on the bridge," he announced.
  Everyone stopped what they were doing, standing at attention.
  "At ease, everyone," ordered Sheba. "Continue doing whatever you were doing."
  Bojay approached her, saying, "You're getting to be too much like Commander 
Adama and Apollo," after seeing the look of displeasure on her face that 
everything got interrupted from her arrival.
  "We've got work to do, Bojay," she said. "How is everything going?"
  "Well, we were slightly understaffed, but we have engineering personnel from 
the fleet, including..."
  Sheba followed Bojay to where Kritter, Toria and a Borelian woman wearing 
Nomen clothing without the laser boll sashes and headwear were working. Perhaps 
Kritter was not aware of it, but his eyes kept on drifting to catch glimpses of 
the Borelian woman. Sheba managed to stifle a giggle.
  The Borelian woman looked up at them, and stood up. Sheba noted that the 
front of her clothing showed too much, seeing... "You are Sheba... The human 
woman who defeated two Nomen in fair combat... It is an honor, Sir."
  "And who are you?" asked Sheba.
  "I am Valka, daughter of Vola... And from the way your engineer Kritter has 
been staring at me, I may soon belong to the House of Kritter as you belong to 
the House of Adama."
  Kritter looked at her, feeling as if he wanted to disappear. Sheba and Bojay 
took one look at him, and busted out in laughter.
  After Sheba calmed down, she said, "Carry on... And Kritter, pay attention to 
what you're doing."
  "Yes, Colonel," responded Kritter.
  They went to another station, and finding Aurora pressing buttons above it.
  "Hey, Aurora," said Sheba.
  From underneath it emerged Athena.
  "Athena?" Sheba was surprised to see her. "They pried you off the bridge of 
the Galactica to work here?"
  "I am only helping Captain Aurora reconfigure the communications array," said 
Athena. "We don't need the Cylons to be able to overhear everything that we are 
saying to the Galactica and the rest of the fleet."
  "After you are finished, will you be stationed with me?"
  "No, Aurora will be here... and Damon will be your chief engineer. He is in 
one of the engine rooms right now."

The Galactica with the Colonial Basestar Adama by its side, moved forwards with 
the rest of the fleet following.

Meanwhile, the three basestars were on the move.
  Lucifer flowed into the command center. "By your command."
  Baltar turned, saying, "Speak, Lucifer."
  "Our sensors have picked up the last ship of the Colonial fleet... A 
freighter called the Groof."
  "Groof?" responded Baltar in astonishment. "'Groof' is a Borelian name. And 
there were only three Nomen in the fleet, but they left the fleet yahrens ago."
  "That was while Adama had you caged?"
  "Yes, Lucifer. Well, have the other two basestars go in front of them, and we 
will attack from behind. We will attack the Galactica from above."
  "By your command."

On the basestar, Bojay announced, "The Galactica is signaling us, on a 
narrow-beam channel."
  Sheba pressed a button, and Apollo's face appeared on the black-and-white 
monitor.
  *I see that you don't have Alpha-comline-one connected yet, Colonel,* said 
Apollo.
  "No, Damon reported that they are in the process of building the circuitry on 
the Celestra as we speak."
  *Well, Sheba, I just heard from Maga at the rear of the fleet, and he says 
that he has been picking up a Cylon basestar near the edge of the Groof's 
sensor range behind us. They probably don't know about the Groof's augmented 
sensor arrays.*
  "Thank you, Apollo... I love you."
  *I love you too, Sheba. Good luck.* With that, the channel closed.
  Bojay looked at Sheba. "What do we do now?"
  "The weaponry is working, is it not? Or did you guys blow the laser turrets 
and missile launchers as well?"
  "No, Colonel... We stayed away from the basestar once we destroyed the launch 
bays. Oh, yeah, we also have three pulsar cannons. We've got one launchbay 
fully repaired, and the others are being worked on."
  "Well, either way..." said Sheba. "Battle stations! This is NOT a drill." 
Shea then realized that vipers can only launch one viper at a time from this 
Cylon hunk of felbacarb, or two if both pilots were well-skilled. But- there 
was also CORA on each viper.
  "Do we have Silver-Spar Squadron aboard yet?"
  "Just essential personnel to get this basestar going... Ensign Toria is the 
only viper pilot aboard, and us. The rest are aboard the Galactica."
  "Toria is part of Blue Squadron," remarked Sheba.
  "Apollo transferred her."
  "Apollo seems to be taking this military duty too far," remarked Sheba to no 
one in particular.
  "Cap- I mean Colonel Sheba... Incoming fighters."

"LAUNCH!" Apollo ordered into the station on the command center of the 
Galactica.
  "Maga is asking for clearance to land," pointed out Rigel.
  Starbuck and Apollo looked at each other.

Out in space, as vipers emerged from the launch bays, Maga awaited behind the 
Galactica, awaiting landing clearance.
  *Should I go help your viper pilots instead?* asked Maga's voice.
  *No, Chancellor... You are my surprise if I need you. I'll let you know when 
our vipers have launched.*

Toria was on the bridge. "Colonel, I should launch with Silver Spar Squadron, 
shouldn't I?"
  "No, Toria, I need YOU here with Kritter and Valka. There's no telling what 
kind of damage the Cylons are going to do to us."
  She was interrupted on by the comline.
  *Sheba, can you set your laser turrets for minimum intensity?*
  Sheba looked at Toria.
  "I'll ask Kritter and Valka." With that Toria ran off.
  "What do you have planned Apollo?"
  *Maga's idea... make it look like we are fighting, and then you launch a 
missile, or several at the basestars... It may take them by surprise.*
  "Good idea, Apollo, if we can fire at each other without doing any damage to 
each other."
  Toria came back. "If we can adjust the intensity of the lasers, we don't know 
how."
  "Apollo, did you hear Ensign Toria."
  *Yes... It is unfor-*
  "Just fire on the Adama with minimum intensity lasers and we'll play dead. 
Then we can fire several missiles at the basestars. When the missiles launch, 
hopefully, they'll think that they are just harmless basestar fragments."
  She heard Starbuck say in the background, *Your wife's got a point, Apollo.* 
Then she heard Maga's grunt of approval in the background.
  *All right, Sheba, you're on. Good luck, Colonel.* With that, the channel 
closed.
  Sheba turned and said, "Helm... DRIFT away from the fleet."
  "Yes, Colonel," responded the officer.

The Colonial Basestar Adama seemed to be drifting as the Galactica beared down 
on it, firing its lasers. Lasers dissipated on a turret on the basestar, but 
did no harm.

In space, vipers and Cylon fighters clashed.
  *What's going on there?* asked Boxey when he noticed the Galactica bearing 
down of the drifting basestar.
  *Probably some kind of ploy,* responded Boomer. *Carry on, Sergeant.* He 
fired several rounds at two Cylon fighters, destroying them both.
  *A lover's quarrel,* Mojo's voice said. His belly laugh drowned out the 
laughter of the other pilots. With that, he hit his turbos and pursued a set of 
three Cylon fighters, growling as he opened fire on them.

Baltar was at a station on the bridge of the basestar instead of in his chair 
in the command center. He and Lucifer were both watching the Galactica firing 
continuously at the basestar that was stationed in that sector of space, 
unaware that it was taken over.
  "It is not like them to concentrate firing on a defenseless basestar when 
there others at full strength," commented Baltar to Lucifer.
  The other two basestars were bearing down on the Galactica, firing its lasers 
as the Galactica fired back at them as well.
  "It's a trap for the other two basestars!" said an excited Baltar. "GET THOSE 
BASESTARS AWAY FROM THE GALACTICA!!" he yelled.
  Lucifer pressed a button at the station, saying, "Basestars Sixteen and 
Twenty One, back off... it is a trap. Orders from Baltar... Back away from the 
Galactica."
  They both saw it. Missiles launched from their basestar 92, but- to their 
surprise, they completely missed the Galactica, and struck both basestars. It 
was obvious to both, Baltar and Lucifer that it was meant for the basestars and 
not the Galactica. There was also a destructive energy beam that fired from one 
of the pulsar cannons that pounded the basestar in front of the Galactica. A 
few of the missiles were taken out by basestar 16's and basestar 21's laser 
turrets, but for the most part, the basestar that was in front of the Galactica 
was spitting out sparks and oozing flames.
  Baltar and Lucifer looked at each other.
  "They just betrayed the Cylon Empire by what they just did..." remarked 
Baltar to Lucifer. "Take us in... We will destroy that basestar AND the 
Galactica."
  "By your command-" responded a Centurion.
  Lucifer corrected Baltar. "That basestar is manned by humans, Baltar."
  "How do YOU know, Lucifer?"
  "The last message that they sent was that there were a few human running 
around on the basestar, but their Centurions were on top of things. Apparently, 
they were not, Baltar."
  "Why was I not informed?" Baltar asked angrily.
  "We are in firing range of the Galactica and basestar 92 Baltar," said a 
Centurion in its monotone resonance.
  "FIRE!" ordered Baltar. Fire everything we've got."

On the Colonial Basestar Adama, a Aurora announced, "A third is bearing down on 
us, Colonel."
  "Does this basestar have short-range light-speed capabilities?" Sheba asked.
  "If it does, we are still trying to figure it out."
  "Well we will find out. Can you give me light-speed?"
  "Yes."
  "Ready missiles at that basestar." ordered Sheba.

"Are missiles ready to launch?" asked Baltar.
  "Missiles are ready to launch at your command," responded a Centurion.
  "Baltar went to another station, saying, "I need to do this myself."
  "You? Baltar?" asked Lucifer.
  "Just think of it when Imperious Leader finds out that -I- was the one who 
fired the missiles and pulsar cannon that destroyed that rogue basestar AND the 
Galactica."

The Galactica got in between the two damaged basestars, exchanging laser fire 
with them both.
  "Prepare for short-range light-speed," ordered Apollo from the command deck 
on the bridge.
  "Light speed in five microns," responded a bridge officer.
  "Ready missiles and all missile launchers," ordered Apollo.
  "Four Microns."
  "When ready fire two missiles one at each basestar and then go to light 
speed." Apollo spoke fast.
  "Yes, Apollo!" cried Maga.
  Apollo and Starbuck looked at him at one of the stations in surprise. Maga 
was manning a station.
  "Two microns."
  Starbuck said, "When Ensign Saul says, 'Ready,' Maga..." said Starbuck.
  Maga looked at Apollo, and Apollo nodded to him.
  "Ready!"
  Maga switched two red switches simultaneously.

In space, missiles launched from the Galactica, and then the Galactica itself 
disappeared. Both missiles were direct hits, and the basestar that was spitting 
sparks and flames exploded. Baltar's basestar launched two missiles, one 
towards where the Galactica was, and one for the rogue basestar.

Baltar watched it on the monitor as the missiles departed his basestar. The 
missile meant for the Galactica was taken out by the other basestar's lasers  
before it struck the basestar, and the rogue basestar disappeared as it went to 
light speed. That missile missed, going out into space.
  "Apparently, the two warships went to light-speed," pointed out Lucifer.
  Explosions were heard throughout the room.
  A Centurion reported, "A viper is firing upon the basestar, destroying our 
weaponry."
  "Well, get that viper!" yelled Baltar.
  Another Centurion reported, "A basestar is approaching from behind."
  All of a sudden, the basestar shook as it was bombarded with lasers.

Outside, a viper was indeed doing hit-and-runs on the basestar. As a turret 
turned to fire at the viper, the viper opened fire and the turret exploded. The 
viper continued to fire its lasers at different points on the basestar.
  To make things even worse for Baltar, the Galactica also came out of 
light-speed behind the basestar, and was firing its lasers at it.

Starbuck said to Omega, "That was some fancy piloting of an entire battlestar. 
Can we do that again?"
  "Do what again?" asked Apollo.
  "Go to light-speed and then come out close to a basestar like what we just 
did," answered Starbuck.
  "We were just lucky, Colonel," responded Omega.

On Baltar's basestar, Baltar was yelling, "RETURN FIRE! LAUNCH MISSILES AT THE 
GALACTICA AND THAT ROGUE!"
  The Centurion responded, "The viper destroyed our weaponry... Cannot return 
fire."
  "THEN LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!"
  "By your command," responded another Centurion. That Centurion turned his 
head back to his station and pressed a few buttons on it. "Ready to go to 
light-speed in two microns... One micron..."

The basestar in front of the Galactica moved away from the Galactica, and then 
disappeared.
  The Colonial Basestar Adama approached the damage basestar, firing its lasers 
at it. Sparks, flames and explosions emanated from the Cylon basestar, until 
the entire vessel exploded.

Near the surviving basestar, a pair of Colonial vipers flew around it, pursued 
by four Cylon fighters. The Cylon fighters were firing their lasers at the two 
vipers.
  *GET AWAY, SERGEANT!* Mojo barked into his helmetcom. *Don't try acting like 
a Nomen by taking on that basestar AND those Cylon jackals by yourself.*
  As the two vipers turned away from the basestar, a laser turret fired. The 
laser fire from it made direct hits on two of the four Cylon fighters, making 
them explode into debris.
  *That's not a CYLON basestar, Mojo,* responded Boxey's voice. *That's the 
basestar that you captured for us.*
  Another laser turret fired on the basestar again, blasting the other two 
Cylon fighters.
  Then they heard in their helmetcomms, *You two all right?* It was Toria's 
voice.
  *TORIA!* boasted Boxey with glee.
  *Hi, Ensign,* said Mojo. *We are all right, thanks to that fancy shooting.*
  Sheba's voice said, *Boxey, take Mojo back to the Galactica, so that Mojo can 
tell the story of his second real battle... his first battle in a fighter 
plane.*
  *Yes, Colonel,* both pilots responded.
  The two vipers turned again, heading away from the basestar.

In another area, a horde of vipers were pursuing three Cylon fighters. Three 
vipers opened fire, destroying the three Cylon fighters.
  *Well, that's all of them,* announced Boomer into his helmetcom. *Let's go 
home.*

On the Galactica, Apollo stood in the center of the end of the room. There were 
two caskets in the middle of the room. Sheba, Croft, Boxey, and Toria in dress 
uniform. That meant in their usual beige, but instead of flight jackets, they 
each wore capes. Mojo, Maga, Taba and Bora arrived, both in their usual Nomen 
clothing.
  "These two men gave their lives for us today," said Apollo. "Seventeen 
yahrens ago, they mutinied against their commander Kronus, and were convicted 
on an entire list of accusations. But- they paid their debt to society as 
prisoners on the prison barge, and when called to active military duty, they 
did more than just their duties, and sacrificed their lives for us."
  Apollo looked around the room at all of the warriors assembled. "Many have 
questioned why these men, who were known as criminals, were getting a full 
warrior's memorial, but they did more than earn it. Both men gave their lives 
so that others can live. They sacrificed their lives as true heroes."
  Apollo droned on. Croft stared on at the two dead men, Charka and Hermes. He 
used the palm of his hand, and wiped his cheek under one eye. The four Borelian 
Nomen stood where they were standing, tall and proud to honor the two humans 
who died as true Nomen of the Code.

In the landing bay, Apollo, Athena, Starbuck, Boxey, and Mojo were bidding 
farewell to loved ones.
  Sheba said to Apollo, "Well, it is back to the Colonial Basestar Adama. It is 
great to have two battleships to protect the fleet with..." She looked at Maga, 
and then said, "aside from The Groof."She  turned back to Apollo. "I love you, 
Apollo."
  She and Apollo hugged, and he said, "I love you too, Sheba."
  Meanwhile, Boxey and Toria hugged. "Good luck, you son of a commander 
hotshot," said Toria.
  They both laughed.
  She and Mojo had a slight confusion while trying to shake hands. Mojo, 
instead of holding Toria's elbow, he held her wrist as in a Colonial handshake. 
Toria was trying to take hold of his elbow. That brought laughter from the 
three of them.
  As she was heading for her viper, she turned to Maga, Bora, and Taba. Then 
she put her right fist to her left collarbone. The three Nomen returned the 
greeting. Then Toria climbed into her viper.
  Sheba and Athena hugged.
  "I'll make sure that Troy and Helen behave," said Athena.
  "They're in good hands with their aunt, Athena," replied Sheba. "And take 
care of my hus- our commander."
  The two gave each other a quick hug. Then Sheba was on her way to her own 
viper. She stopped and placed her hand on Boxey's shoulder, saying, "And you 
keep your younger brother and sister out of trouble."
  "I will, Colonel," replied Boxey.
  Mojo and Sheba faced each other, and they both placed their right fists on 
their left collarbones. As Sheba moved on, Sheba did that again to the other 
three Nomen, who returned the greeting.
  After Sheba and Toria were in their vipers, the mobile stairways beside them 
were moved away by launch bay crew, and the vipers were moving forward towards 
the launch tubes.
  As they walked in the other direction, Maga remarked, "So, I see that the 
baseship we retrieved is in good hands, Apollo, even if Sheba is a female."
  "Yes, it is," said Apollo. "I have confidence in ALL the warriors under my 
command."
  "Well, Apollo... Thank you."
  "For what?"
  "Well, my people have been at peace for too long. They longed for a good 
fight. Listening to my son, even if he IS under YOUR command, and granting him 
what he asked for... You allowed him to lead his first battle, and gain his OWN 
honor. And, you gave my people glory in having us go and fight for that Cylon 
baseship. When each Nomen look out a viewport on our ships and see the baseship 
beside your Galactica, it lifts our hearts, the thrill of fighting in battle."
  "Mojo, Son of Maga of the House of Maga, asked for what was right, Maga." 
explained Apollo. "If I refused his request, The Galactica may have been 
destroyed in battle, and the Cylons may have been the victors in this battle. 
As it went, not as many people died as I thought. More lived to fight the next 
battle than I had expected. You are a strong race, Maga. I saw Mojo get hit 
with a laser shot that would have killed one of my kind, and yet, he now stands 
with us, both, a Nomen of the Code with now, his OWN honor, and as one of my 
best Colonial warriors."
  They stopped by the Eastern Alliance destroyer in the landing bay, which had 
to leave the same way it came in.
  Maga said, "Surviving seems to be enough for your people, but for my people, 
we need good battles. And, that battle to take that basestar WAS a good battle. 
Merely surviving and keeping up with our skills and playing our Nomen games and 
challenges are not enough for a Nomen of the Code. Again, I thank you for 
giving a lift to the hearts of my people."
  Apollo responded, "You and your people have been a great help to us, and the 
fleet, Maga, from when the Galactica was disabled, your people got to the ship 
and repaired many key systems on the battlestar, and then you helped destroy 
that Cylon base on the planet."
  Bora then pointed out, "Your wife took the glory of the kill from you, 
Commander, but- she DID get the job done."
  They all laughed.
  "It was glorious to fight side-by-side with you," said Bora.
  He gave Apollo a pat on the back that caused Apollo to take two steps 
forwards.
  Maga got the doorway into the Eastern Alliance destroyer opened, turned 
around, and held his arm straight out to Apollo. Apollo grabbed his elbow, as 
Maga turned his wrist to grasp Apollo's.
  As Maga turned to climb into the ship, Mojo placed his right fist onto his 
left collarbone. Maga said to him, "Serve my friend well, my son... Show him 
the honor of the House of Maga."
  "I will, Father."
  Bora and Taba followed him into the ship. Apollo, Boxey and Mojo turned and 
walked back as the Eastern Alliance destroyer's main hatch closed.
  The three got onto the lift, and the lift started moving up. As the lift 
moved, the first to disappear from view was Mojo's head, since he was the 
tallest of the trio.

The Galactica with the Colonial Basestar Adama behind it, moved forwards with 
the rest of the fleet following. A closer look at the basestar revealed two 
vipers headed towards it.
  *Colonel Sheba, Commanding Officer of the Colonial Basestar Adama requesting 
landing clearance,* said Sheba's voice.
  *It feels strange going to land in a basestar's landing bay...* said Toria.
  *Well, keep that thumb of yours away from that red button of the left of your 
control stick, Ensign. That's MY battleship.*
  Their laughter was interrupted by Aurora's *Landing clearance granted, 
Colonel.*
  The two vipers went into one of the landing bays.
  Colonel Sheba, with Ensign Toria right behind her, walked onto the bridge of 
the basestar, which was right in the middle of the upper hull of the 
battleship, unlike that of standard Colonial ships. There was another bridge 
set-up on the lower hull as well.
  Bojay reported, "We have two launch bays repaired, Colonel. There are six 
more to do... Three on our upper section, and three on our lower section." He 
looked at Toria, and said, "Ensign Toria, Kritter, Damon, and Valka need your 
help in the landing bays."
  "All right, tell them I'm on my way." With that, she nodded to Sheba, and 
then walked out.
  Saul reported, "Dr Joycelyn with her med-techs is requesting landing 
clearance, Colonel."
  "Are the landing bays clear?" asked Sheba.
  "Yes."
  "Then don't leave her waiting," barked Sheba.
  The bridge officers continued working at their stations. Sheba joined Bojay 
in the middle of the bridge, and they both stood there, as Sheba kept looking 
all around the place.
  "Orders, Colonel?" asked Bojay.
  "Can we launch any of the Cylon fighters now?"
  "Maga's people are in the process of refitting them with the third turbo 
thruster and repainting them," responded Bojay. "Even then, with the damage 
that we did to the launch bays, we can only launch two at a time, one from each 
of the already repaired launch bays."
  Sheba looked at Bojay.
  Seeing the look on her face, he said, "Well, we had to keep those fighters 
from launching, somehow, Colonel."
  "I understand, Bojay," responded Sheba. "But- by making it so the Cylons 
could not launch their fighters, you must admit that we even have something to 
give to the Borelian Nomen... I just wonder how they will fit some two hundred 
of them aboard the Groof."
  "Well, we blew the britches out of about one-hundred-fifty of them," pointed 
out Bojay. "At least they don't have the entire contingent to have to find room 
for. But- they also have their electronics ship."
  "Well," said Aurora from her station, "That will store about ten in each 
launch bay. There is where they can put TWENTY of them."
  The entire bridge laughed.

In one of the landing bays on the basestar, Toria was standing on top of one of 
the Cylon fighters holding a turbo engine/nozzle on the top of it as Kritter 
was wiring connections for fuel and other things.
  Meanwhile, two more Borelian women were accomplishing the same thing on 
another Cylon fighter craft. In front, there was one woman who was painting a 
completely refitted craft green, and in front of that was the green fighter 
craft with its third turbo thruster connected to the top rear of it. There were 
more white fighter craft with its two black stripes around the place that had 
not been touched yet, meaning that they still had a way to go yet. Kritter was 
not only helping, he was also overseeing the mammoth job.
  "If only sergeant Boxey was here to oversee things, Toria," he said.
  "Yeah, but Apollo wants him to continue Mojo's academic training."

Boxey and Mojo were in the simulation control room, turning on various stations 
and consoles. Then they went into the actual simulation room itself.
  "As I promised, you are squadron leader, Mojo," said boxey.
  "But you're a Sergeant, and I am only an Ensign."
  "I want to see what kind of leader you would be, Mojo." Boxey held his hand 
out to him.
  "All right, Box." Mojo reached his arm out and held Boxey's elbow, and Boxey 
held Mojo's elbow. "Let's DO it," bellowed Mojo.
  They climbed into the make-shift vipers in the simulation room.

Apollo walked into the Commander's office by the bridge, followed by Starbuck. 
  "Well, Apollo," started Starbuck, "We just added another ship to the fleet, 
and a battleship at that."
  "Yes we did, Starbuck, but at what cost? Charka... Hermes... Killian... and 
fifteen good honorable Borelian Nomen. You know, all that Charka wanted in his 
life on this fleet, was his own ship to command. And, he learned his lesson 
aboard the prison barge. He WAS ready to take command of a ship in the fleet. 
And transferring Damon and Aurora to the Adama would have given him the command 
of the Celestra... the ship that he had always wanted to command... command 
that he wanted so badly that he had to serve a seventeen yahren sentence for. I 
mean, despite all that, Charka's heart was in the right place. All that he 
needed was guidance, which Commander Croft gave him."
  "Don't forget about your leg, Apollo."
  Apollo half-smiled at that comment. "That's all better now, thanks to 
Cassiopeia."
  "Well, the Council of Twelve all think that it was worth it, and the Borelian 
Nomen are very happy. They NEEDED a good battle, and that WAS a good battle. 
Besides, Apollo, it was another battleship in the fleet when we needed the 
extra firepower."
  "I suppose you're right, Starbuck."

Meanwhile, on the Groof, Maga, Bora, and Taba arrived into what appeared to be 
a ballroom of some sort. It was very noisy there. Other Borelian Nomen were 
there, drinking and eating, and two Nomen were in the middle, pushing at each 
other, trying to back one another into the wall.
  As the trio entered, the entire room went silent as everyone stopped what 
they were doing, and placed their right fists to their left collarbone regions. 
Bora and Taba also did the same thing.
  Maga made a fist with his right hand and held it up in the air. "The honor of 
our victory today is not mine alone, honored Nomen of the Code," he said. "I 
only went into battle side-by-side with all of you. I just did my part, and so 
have you all." he put his right fist to his left collarbone region, and 
bellowed, "For that, I salute you all!"
  All of the Nomen cheered. One of the Nomen yelled, "Chancellor, Where's Mojo? 
He should be here to celebrate with us, after all, he did his part as well."
  "He is celebrating, but with the House of Adama. They are honoring him in 
their own ways. And then, he will report to us. After all, the weak humans are 
now our allies. Our common foe is the Cylon machine that hunts them... and us. 
We are still on our blood hunt for all those Cylon jackals, if only we had a 
base to launch MANY warships from. But we don't, but one day, if not us, then 
our children will be victorious against the Cylon p'tui."
  All the Nomen cheered again.
  Maga removed his fist from his left collarbone, and stood tall and proud. "We 
should pray, together, as Nomen. And then we shall CELEBRATE!"
  All the Nomen gathered, trying to form a circle around the room as they all 
held hands, and then bowed their heads.

The Galactica with the Colonial Basestar Adama behind it, moved forwards with 
the rest of the fleet following. The last ship in the rear of the moving fleet 
was the Borelian Nomens' freighter, the Groof.

After a generation of fleeing from Cylon treachery, the last battlestar,
Galactica, leads a ragtag fugitive fleet on a long and lonely quest. A shining
planet known as Earth.