OBT Forum

   Nice update!  So your story had Apollo lose the love of his life in his arms!  You remembered that from the original BSG.  More please!

Five

To avoid any immediate Cylon threats the two ships made a lateral jump no further from the Colonies but into another area.  After an initial scan of the region the senior staff, Samuel Anders and Sharon Valerii all met aboard Lee's craft standing around the planning table.  “Damn her” Lee said quietly referring to Starbuck's latest stunt “I can't force all these people to jump back into gods knows what to rescue Starbuck, who might not even be alive.”  He continued in his gut he knew she was alive pulling some crazy stunt, but he couldn't trust all these lives with his gut.

“I'll go back” Helo volunteered seeing some surprised looks “hey I've been on that planet for the last three months I know the Cylon patrols, I can get her out.”  He said confidently

“You don't even know where to start Helo” Lee started

“I do” Sharon interrupted bringing an annoyed glance from Lee. “Captain, I know you have no reason to trust anything I say...”

“You're right, I don't” Lee agreed

“...but I know where Starbuck is heading.”  She continued ignoring his anger “she wants the Arrow of Apollo from the Delphi Museum of the Colonies.  The scrolls of Pythia say that the Arrow of Apollo if taken to the Tomb of Athena on Kobol it will point the way to Earth.”

“We have people from Earth with us, Sharon.”  Lee said nodding to McQueen "and we have no idea where Kobol is, it was lost centuries ago."

"You'll find Kobol."

“And we don't know the way either.”  McQueen admitted “we'll recognize the stars as we go, but it's not a map.”

“I can get her out and catch up with you.”  Helo stated again

“You're not going yourself Helo if we can't get enough volunteers then its a no go.”

“I'll go” Sharon said in Lee's opinion she should be in lock up but McQueen had vouched for her.

“So will I, I know Caprica better than any of you since the bombs fell, I can get anyone who lands to weapon stores and through safe routes.”  Samuel Anders said volunteering.

“I'll go too” Cooper Hawke said bringing even more surprised looks “I like her style” he said smirking bringing laughter from Damphoouse and Wang who were standing at the very back of the CIC listening in.

“Helo you have your team and a go.  Before you leave we're going to plot six jumps into the nearby area.  We are going to make one jump a day we'll be at the end of one jump specific to these pre-programmed jumps for the next six days.  On the seventh we start chasing down Galactica and the fleet.”  Lee said

“Yes, sir we'll see you before the end of the week.”  Helo promised filing out of the room followed by Sharon, Hawke and Anders.  Soon after the other members of the 58th followed suit leaving Lee with McQueen.

“A risk hanging around longer than we need to.”  McQueen pointed out

“Yeah but it's Starbuck” Lee said as if that explained all the risk he was taking McQueen decided for now to leave it.  “One problem hopefully solved how are the ships?”  He asked McQueen had been checking over both ships making sure they were ready for their next problem.

“Mostly in one piece” McQueen said quietly “we've got enough bodies to crew them but their knowledge on military ships and their discipline lacks quite a bit.  We're also screwing down some of the last nuts and bolts bringing everything operational on them both.”  McQueen admitted “they also both lack names as far as I can tell.”

“Neither has been commissioned” Lee said quietly “the official class designation is First-class Patrol Ship.  Unofficially we called them Marauders during testing.”  He explained smirking before frowning when he remembered John was the one who had first come up with the name.

“How about Icarus and Phoenix?”  McQueen suggested Lee didn't recognize either name “in Earth Mythology the Phoenix is a bird of flame that arose from the ashes to take vengeance on their enemies.  Icarus was the the son of Daedalus to escape oppression Daedalus created wings for him and his son unfortunately Icarus flew too close to the sun and he fell into the sea.”

“Not the greatest of role models” Lee commented thinking both sounded like they needed to experience a great fall.

“Our wings are more advanced than Icarus'” McQueen suggested "and hopefully these ships will see the rebirth of your civilization."

“Then you will command the Icarus, I'll remain here on Phoenix and command until we return to the fleet and my father can select a proper commander.”  Lee said afterwards he could get back to being a pilot.  “With Hawke going with Helo I suggest that we split the Wildcards three on each ship each can fly one of the Vipers.”

“They will be starting from basic” McQueen warned “the Viper is a far different animal to their Hammerheads.”

“Once a pilot always a pilot” Lee commented quietly remembering something else his father had once said.  “I'll take each on a paired flight it'll ease them in.”  He hoped he had his own motivations for taking the flights the Mark IX Viper was a different animal from the others of her type.

Hours later the Raptor left the forward launch bay of the Phoenix with its small crew aboard the small ship pulled away from the two Colonial craft before disappearing in a flash of light.  Moments later the craft reappeared in low Caprica orbit “We're going in the fun way!”  Sharon shouted from the pilot chair although Lee hadn't trusted her Helo trusted the woman implicitly whether she was a Cylon or not.

The Raptor hit the atmosphere almost as soon as it's FTL Drive had completed its jump the small ship plunging through the atmosphere “oh how we love the fun way!”  Helo shouted as he helped Sharon keep the craft under control behind Hawke and Anders held onto their seats as if their lives depended on it.

“At least this should keep us off Cylon radar!”  Cooper shouted to Anders full of confidence despite feeling very little of it.  Anders looked back baffled not having a clue what 'radar' was.

“We're right over Delphi, damn I'm good” Sharon said smirking inside her pressure helmet.

“You're good?”  Helo said “and what happened to our team effort?”

“Are we still a team?”  Sharon asked in a near whisper

“All the way” Helo promised grabbing her hand squeezing it gently as the Raptor's descent slowed slightly passing through the clouds showing Delphi below.  “It looks mostly intact, unlike Caprica City.”  He commented Caprica City was a nuclear hole the Cylons had made certain of that with several missile strikes at the heart of the city.

“Plenty Cylons down there too” Sharon commented on looking at the DRADIS signals there were plenty humanoid Cylons and Centurions detected.  “I'm going to bring us down ontop of that multi-storey car park that'll give us a vantage point.”

“Won't the Cylons question a Colonial Raptor landing?”  Hawke pointed out

“We've seen them use Raptors before as transports” Anders mentioned “they are jump capable craft the Cylons don't seem to care if they are Colonial or Cylon made.”

“Hopefully they are not too inquisitive today.”  Helo said as Sharon brought the Raptor down to a lower altitude in among the buildings.  The small ship moved passed several Centurion patrols but none paid it any attention as Sharon brought it down to land on top of the structure.  There were several abandoned ground vehicles on the roof of the building but there was still plenty room for the Raptor to land.

After the ship had come to a rest all four of its passengers moved to the very edge of the building Helo carrying a pair of binoculars which he raise to his eyes.  “The Museum looks like its taken some damage but the structure looks intact.”  He said looking over the park area between them and the building.  “I don't see Starbuck's fighter on the forecourt.”

“There's the service areas she could have landed at any of them.”  Sharon pointed out.

“We can't move during the day, we're going to have to wait until nightfall.”  Anders said Helo knew he was right during the day they would be sitting ducks.

“Right, me, Sharon, Anders head to the Museum.  We all know the city if things get hairy we split up and circle around here.  Hawke you have the high ground defend our ride out of here.”  Helo said Hawke smirked showing the long bore sniper rifle he'd taken from the Phoenix before they left.

“Read your mind boss” he said looking the rifle over “a guns a gun” he whispered “but this is my gun and we're going to do great things.”  The three Colonials looked at him strangely for a moment but Cooper was too engrossed in his ritual to notice.

Aboard the Phoenix and the Icarus things were going well as the two crews began to get to know their ships better.  “Three, two, one and jump” Lee ordered as the clock ticked down it was exactly twenty-four hours since their last jump.  “Full scan” he ordered as the two ships emerged from the jump.

“Sensor resolution is still flawed, Icarus reports their systems are still not fully operational either.”  One of the CIC crewmen reported Lee still couldn't remember half their names.  Most were resistance fighters, freighter pilots or crew or just regular members of Caprica's public who had been lucky enough to survive.  Now they were being asked to bring two experimental Colonial Warships online without much training.  “We've got significant blind spots.”

“Then we search them out with Raptors and Vipers.”  Lee said quietly “Phoenix to Icarus, Colonel McQueen dispatch a Raptor to Quadrant 4.  I'll take a Viper patrol into Quadrant 2 cover our blind spots.”

“Acknowledged” McQueen replied Damphoouse and Wang had been studying on how to operate a Raptor since they they had arrived on Galactica now they got to put that into practice.

“Captain Vansen, meet me in the Viper hanger deck.”  Lee said “Mr Collins, you have CIC” Lee said to one of the crew that he remembered the name of.

At the rear of the vessel were the two Viper Bays each held six Viper Mk IXs. Vansen was already looking around the fighter unlike a Battlestar like the Galactica or the newer Columbia-class Battlestar the 'Marauder'-class did not feature launch tubes for its fighters or long landing bays instead fighters launched under their own power from the bay and were recovered the same way.  Under combat conditions it would be far more difficult to recover fighters than the Galactica did with “Hands-on” landings which Commander Adama preferred far more risky.  Today however Lee didn't need to worry about his father or the Galactica today this was his ship and rules.  “You ready Shane?”  He asked the 58th's commander the two had gotten to know each other quite well squadron commander to squadron commander, personally he knew little about her.

“No” she admitted she'd sat in a Viper cockpit before it was smaller and more cramped than a Hammerheads and offered less vision around the pilot.  This newer version of the fighter seemed to try and address some of that problem the cockpit of this type of ship was slightly higher than the rear section leading to a small dip before the stabilizing find at the rear, which was useless in space but essential in the atmosphere of a planet.

“We'll take it nice and easy” Lee assured her “these ships have a lot more kick than the older ships but they can also be more forgiving in places.  Trust your instincts and you'll be fine.”

“Easy for someone who has been around them all their life” Vansen replied “let's go.”  She said with faked confidence climbing the small side ladder.  As she reached the cockpit the ladder retracted itself into the fighter.  Lee headed around to his own fighter and climbed aboard.

“Apollo to Queen of Hearts, wireless check” he called in a few moments later

“Loud and clear, Apollo”

“I have three green engines, four green cannons.”  Lee called in moments later.

“Same” she said checking off the systems.  Like other Vipers these Mk IX's had three rear mounted engines but for firepower they featured four KEWs mounted one per each wing and two centrally along the belly of the craft.  The Mk II Viper still in operation aboard the Galactica had two such weapons while the Mk VII had three the four weapons on this craft were a significant upgrade.

“Flight this is Apollo, we are green, retract launch doors.”  Lee called out moments later unlike the larger Galactica the hanger deck aboard the Phoenix and Icarus became the launch decks aboard these smaller craft.  It meant that all six fighters in each bay could launch at the same time but it also meant that all equipment had to be locked away and all personnel had to be clear of the bay before launching and before recovery.  In front of the two Vipers the doors opened slowly showing them the open space ahead.  “Thrusters at twenty percent up angle, ease into it Queen” Lee said quietly coaxing his fighter into motion as the thrusters fired he brought in the craft's landing struts “engines to fifteen percent moving clear of Phoenix” he then said bringing the Viper's engines to power 'pushing' the fighter clear of the ship.  Beside him he saw Vansen's fighter slowly rising into formation.  “Let's see what they can do” he said giving the fighter more power banking slowly to port bringing the fighter into the Phoenix's rear area which was partially blocked because of the sensor problems.  He saw Vansen's fighter bank slower than his but rapidly rejoin formation.

“So smooth” she commented “no hesitation, no surprise” she said he could sense the surprise in her voice.

“Treat her right and it'll do good, treat her bad and she'll spit you out backwards.”  Lee said hitting his control thrusters spinning her Viper 180 degrees so he was effectively flying backwards with Vansen's fighter flying alongside in the 'correct' direction.  Moments later he flipped the ship back onto its correct heading he watched as Vansen copied the move more carefully than he had but better than many graduated pilots he'd seen.  “All right then, we're going around that planetoid than back to the barn nice and easy first run.”  He said quietly bringing up the Viper's power increasing the speed Vansen's fighter staying with him the entire time.

The two craft accelerated away from the Phoenix and Icarus approaching the frozen rock that seemed to just hang in space, there was little chance of there being any threat her but it was worth a look over.  As the fighters turned around the rock however Lee's worse fears as his DRADIS lit up with contacts.

“MULTIPLE RADAR! Damn it, I mean DRADIS contacts!”  Vansen shouted out the warning as Lee looked up from his instruments not believing what he was seeing...

Seven

Alone in his quarters Commander Adama was eating a warm meal for the first time in what seemed like days since the Fleet's escape from the world they believed to be Kobol they had concentrated on repairs to the ships that had been damaged.  Not including the damage done to Galactica, Adriatic, Cloud 9, the Zephyr and the Gemenon Traveller had all taken damage in various degrees most of it was repairable although there was still a question over the Gemenon Traveller's space worthiness.  On top of that sixteen Vipers and three Raptors had been damaged in the fight with two pilots killed in the fight the deaths had played on Adama's mind but there was little he could do for the dead.  Instead he worried about the living, or at least those he prayed were living, he'd heard nothing from Lee's expedition back to the Colonies and that worried him more than anything although he and his son had a strained relationship he was still his only remaining blood relation.

There was a knock at the door Adama knew it had to be bad news if anyone had urgently needed him they would have used the Personal Announcement System and if it wasn't urgent it could wait until the morning.  Putting the food down on his desk he made his way to the door his uniform jacket still half open opening it he saw the two marines were on duty but between them stood President Roslin, he hadn't even been aware she was on the ship, it must be bad news.  “Please come in Madam President” Adama said turning around heading back into his quarters buttoning up his jacket as he went “how can I help you?”

“There's a rumour going around that you are planning on leaving this area soon?”  She said quietly crossing the room helping herself to a chair.

“That's the current plan as soon as we're happy with repairs to the damaged ships, we need to find a source of Tylium and raw materials the battle with the Cylons depleted Galactica's munitions.”  Adama explained, they had the facilities to manufacture more ammunition but first they needed more raw materials.

“What about Kobol?”  She asked she'd spoken about Kobol on three occasions already “it will point our way to Earth.”

“It's also a Cylon hive, the last Raptor we sent back to the planet barely got out before the Cylons were on top of it.  Galactica used a considerable amount of ammunition during our last encounter and took more damage than she is showing, we need some time to rest up lick our wounds.”  He said the old Battlestar was showing plenty strains of combat even with the extra engineers and technicians from McQueen's party aboard the ship needed a good few weeks of solid maintenance without further combat.  The Starboard flight pod was fortunately now fully operational even without the launch tubes it made the ship far more versatile.

“Then surely we can stay here while your people work on repairs?”  She asked “they Cylons haven't come here even though we've been here for more than a week.”  She pointed out a week that the civilians had question as to why the ships hadn't moved.  Fortunately the engineers of the fleet repairing various vessels had kept most quiet but the voices in the press were raising again.

“Not a good idea, the Cylons will soon become bored with Kobol and come looking for us again.”

“But we're this close to a signpost to Earth!”  She insisted raising her voice slightly “we can see the path Bill, we just need to step onto it.”

“If we do half this fleet will die.”  Adama said bluntly “Galactica cannot defend the entire fleet at Kobol long enough to find what you want, we don't have the ammunition for an extended battle not the guns to hold off that many Cylons, she can't abandon the fleet because if she does and doesn't come back our civilization will cease to exist.”

“Then what we jump blindly into space hoping to find something?”  She asked “what about Captain Apollo's expedition, if we leave here they may never find us.”  She said she almost always referred to Lee by his call sign instead of his family name Adama guessed it was a way for her to distinguish between the two of them.

“They may all already be dead.  If not my son is more than capable of looking after himself and those with him, he also has Colonel McQueen and the 58th Squadron in support they are well looked after.”  Adama said with false confidence there was no guarantee that the APC's jury-rigged FTL Drive would last out indefinitely and there was little chance the small ship could survive without support from a larger vessel for food, maintenance, fuel and ammunition.  He suspected they'd last a month maybe a little longer.

“The other members of the Earth delegation won't like that losing McQueen and one of their more decorated squadrons.”

“Not necessary Captain LaGarda doesn't regard McQueen very well he considers him to be a 'Tank' the same as Cooper Hawke.”  Adama explained “I'm not exactly sure as to what that means but the way LaGarda said it I don't think it's a well regarded thing.  The APC pilots are able pilots of the Hammerheads we have left so losing the 58th isn't that big a deal to our fighting strength.”

“But taking them back to Earth would win us some goodwill with these people.”  Roslin pointed out.

“That will be up to Lee, if he can get them back to us before we have to leave then so be it.  Otherwise Galactica will be leaving this system sooner rather than later.”  Adama promised the President who seemed to realize that the Commander's mind was made.

- - -

In deep space Lee Adama was facing as bad a choice the makeshift drives he and his crews had manufactured were beginning to show the stress of the near continuous jumping the ships had been doing.  “The Engineers want at least twenty-four hours between jumps” Lt Alex “Crashdown” Quartararo said after a short spell aboard the Icarus he'd been transferred to Lee's Phoenix after a confrontation with Sharon Valerii he like many colonials couldn't get over that she was a Cylon, Crashdown especially so since Boomer had been his pilot when on Raptor duties.  With the Raptor engines being used on the civilian ships Lee had put Crashdown to work keeping him updated on the flotilla's status.

“They can get twelve hours cool down maximum, but if the Cylons come we need to be able to jump as quickly as possible.”

“They also said fast charging these drives could burn them out a lot quicker.”  Crashdown pointed out

“The Cylons will burn us a lot quicker.”  Lee answered he knew Crashdown and the Engineers were probably right but he also had to weigh up the possibility that the Cylons were chasing them, if they could find the fleet they'd at least have a chance.

“Yes, sir I'll pass on the message.  Ships' doctors are also reporting strain on our people from the continuous jumping.”

“The Fleet went through worse when the Cylons first attacked us.”  Lee said remembering the time immediately after Galactica's escape from the Colonies the Cylons had attacked the fleet every thirty-three minutes.  For 130.35 hours the fleet had been on continuous alert making a total of 237 jumps they had finally avoided the Cylons only to find one of their ships had been lost as well.  When the Olympic Carrier had rejoined the fleet the Cylons had followed 33 minutes later.  With a nuclear signal aboard the Olympic Carrier Lee had been ordered along with the Starbuck to shoot down the ship along with its 1,345.  The fact that two of the civilian ships in his current flotilla were of the same class as the Olympic Carrier had more than once brought back memories of that ship's destruction.

“Yes, sir, but the fleet we had also had a fully stocked Battlestar full of drugs, neither of these Patrol Ships had much medical supplies since they were being tested.  And the civilian ships were alone for a while they've used much of their own supplies.”

“Once we're with Galactica they can have all the rest that they need.”  Lee said “Lieutenant, we need to avoid the Cylons, we need to take risks.”

“Yes, sir” Crashdown replied “I'll try to convince them.”  He said leaving Lee's small quarters that doubled as his part time office and the quarters of his young son Michael who slept quietly in his small cot.  Gianne had raised his son well but he didn't know where to start looking after him fortunately there was more than one person on board who had volunteered to care for the baby while he was commanding the ship.

- - -

Two days later aboard Galactica alarm klaxons sounded throughout the Battlestar as Commander Adama entered the CIC “Report Colonel!” Adama called out over the background sounds.

“Two minutes ago a Cylon Raider flashed into the system.  The CAP intercepted and destroyed it but it's only a matter of time before they arrive again.”  Saul Tigh explained standing at the centre table “we've recalled the CAP, fleet's FTL engines are charged ready for jump.”

“Begin jumping in sequence.”  Adama said the civilian ships would begin jumping in small groups with Galactica clearing the system last.  Adama said looking up at the DRADIS console.

“He'll find us if he can” Saul said reading Adama's look as ships continued to disappear.

“MULTIPLE DRADIS CONTACT!”  Gaeta shouted out as a Cylon Basestar jumped into the region and began to launch Cylon Raiders.

“Continue jump” Adama ordered “put us between the Cylons and the civilians but keep our Vipers aboard!”  Adama ordered again moments later the Battlestar shook heavily after a hit from Cylon fire.

“Alternate weapons turrets, we need to conserve ammunition.”  Tigh ordered another member of crew.

“More ships jumping in!”  Gaeta shouted out “we're receiving Colonial ID signals!”  The young officer shouted out.

“You're frakking kidding me!”  Adama shouted back looking up at the DRADIS console seeing the new ships they were behind the Galactica with the rest of the Civilian ships.

“Two combat classes of unknown type, and ten Civilian ships!”  Gaeta replied “they are launching Vipers!”

“Give me contact, end jump prep, launch alert fighters” Adama said looking down as Tigh “we need to buy time.”  Tigh nodded his agreement as the Galactica's Vipers, Raptors and Hammerheads began to launch.

“We've got them sir” Dee shouted

“This is Commander Adama aboard the Battlestar Galactica identify yourself.”  He demanded

“Galactica Actual, this is Apollo, looks like we arrived just in time.”  The familiar voice cracked over the speakers the CIC erupted in celebration at the sound.

“Lee” Adama whispered holding the microphone “Mr Gaeta transmit jump coordinates to the new ships. Phoenix Actual prepare to receive coordinates for jumping” Adama ordered

“Roger Galactica several of our civilian ships are struggling with their FTL they may need longer to recharge.  Both Phoenix and Icarus are ready for combat as are our fighters.”

“Understood, do you have the 58th with you?”  Adama asked thinking of the Earth squadron who had accompanied his son.

“That's an affirmative Actual as is Starbuck and Helo!”  Lee replied all around the bridge Adama saw smiles at those words the two missing crewmen had left a gap in Galactica's crew and were a link to the ship before the holocaust.

“Good news Apollo, if your ships are combat ready you are welcome to fire at will.”  Adama said smiling for the first time in several days.  He watched as the two smaller vessels moved flanking the Cylon Basestar on it's port side supported by their Vipers which were swatting away any Cylon raiders that went near the ships.  The two smaller ships were far faster than the Galactica and were soon almost alongside the Cylon vessel hitting it from a second direction.  With Galactica's own flak barrages cutting down the Basestar's main missile fire and the waves of Cylon raiders charging down on the Battlestar.  From another direction more cannon and missile fire crossed against the Basestar tearing into the Basestar shattering one of the arms on the Cylon ship.  Under fire from two directions, outnumbered three-to-one, the Cylon Baseship began to be consumed with fire as internal explosions caused by the damage consumed the vessel.

“Cylon Raiders are jumping clear!”  Gaeta reported

“Galactica to Phoenix recall your fighters and prepare to jump as soon as your Civilians are away.”  Adama ordered speaking into the intercom. “Recall all our fighters, prepare to jump the ship.”  He said to Gaeta.  “Well done Lee” he whispered looking at the two new armed vessels that had joined his fleet as soon as all the civilian ships were gone first the two smaller ships and then Galactica left the system as well.

- - -

In interstellar space Raptors from both the two smaller ships boarded Galactica one carrying Lee and Starbuck from the Phoenix while the other carried McQueen, Helo and Sharon.  “Permission to come aboard sir.”  Lee said stepping from Raptor onto Galactica's hanger deck in his arms he held his son.  “Allow me to introduce you to your grandson, Michael.” Lee said quietly trying not to disturb the child his father's eyes glistened with tears as he saw his son and his grandson before him.

“Welcome home” Adama said simply enveloping his son and grandson in a hug he didn't know where the child had come from but he didn't care his family had become bigger today.

  Nice update!  any more?

Of Course

Eight

The fleet was full of a strange mix of rumour and celebration as the new ships and their passengers were integrated into to the fleet.  While engineers helped retrofit the FTL drives to something more stable, that would allow the ships to keep up with the rest of the fleet, the rumours coming off the ships about what had happened to the ships and what the Battlestar Pegasus had done to them.

Across the fleet anger had arisen from what had happened to the new arrivals and a sense of relief that it was the Galactica had led them to where they were.  The President had also put a spin on it pointing out that civilian oversight of the military had kept them in check.  Adama however had been more interested in his son's story and in his grandson before the holocaust they had not been close. Adama hadn't even known Lee and Gianne had become engaged let alone that Gianne was pregnant their return had brought a little joy to his life.

With the fleet cruising though interstellar space Adama was able to take time and reorganize his now expanded fleet however as he finalized new assignments there was a knock at the door to his quarters which again doubled as his office and part time meeting room.  Answering Adama wasn't surprised to see President Roslin accompanied this time by her assistant Billy Keikya.

“Commander Adama, it's good to see you.”  She greeted him as she entered the room.

“Thank you” he said looking at her he still wasn't happy with her comment that it was with her oversight that the military personnel on Galactica had been kept in check.  He ran a disciplined crew  and one that would never have committed the atrocity that the Pegasus had with their civilian ships.

“Commander, I hear you've given command of one of the Colonial ships to Colonel McQueen?”  She said emphasizing the word Colonial.  “Considering how few ships we have remaining wouldn't a member of Galactica's crew been a better choice?”

“As a military officer, and military commander of this fleet, I make choices on fleet assignments.”  Adama said “as we previously agreed.”  He continued taking a seat behind his desk.

“I understand that, Commander, I wasn't suggesting anything different just looking for some answers.  McQueen is an Earth Colonel that ship is of Colonial origin.”

“Yes, it is just like the Phoenix” Adama said pausing for a moment “which I have given formal command of to Lee along with a promotion to the rank of Major.”  He pointed out having his son tied to a larger ship would hopefully ensure his grandson did not become an orphan.

“So I saw on one of your status reports, I'm sure that Major Adama would rather have remained aboard Galactica as the commander of you air wing?”  Adama nodded “however times change.”  She said sitting opposite him “I also noticed that you confirmed Karl Agathon's promotion to Captain and his assignment as Colonel McQueen's executive officer?  Despite Agathon's association with the Cylon defector.”

“Karl Agathon was an officer under my command before the fall of our civilization and the Cylon defector has been accepted as a commissioned officer by Colonel McQueen into the forces of the United States Marine Corp.”  He explained he also couldn't get over the woman's similarity to the young woman that had once served on his Battlestar not the fact that she was a Cylon.  He wondered that if the President had ordered her execution if he would allow it.  McQueen's acceptance of her as an officer in his own military had taken that option away neatly.

“She is a colonial citizen that betrayed her oath to you.”  Roslin pointed out

“Technically she never took an oath of Colonial service.  The woman that did is dead killed by Captain Agathon on Caprica.”  Adama said smirking at how it had worked out.

“So everything works out.”  She said quietly accepting the defeat “I hear Lieutenant Thrace also returned with the Arrow of Apollo?”

“She did return with that artefact but her actions gaining it put the mission and others at risk.” Adama pointed out he was angry Kara had taken the risks she had to get the Arrow.  In fact he'd chosen to pass up on promoting her because of it, he needed to find a replacement CAG, for now Starbuck was not that person.

“The Arrow can point us in the direction of Earth, but we need to bring it to the Tomb of Athena on Kobol.”  President Roslin insisted

“Kobol is surrounded by Cylons” Adama said resigned to not being able to visit the world that had birthed the thirteen tribes of humanity.  They had yet to return to the world since the last jump but he doubted if it had changed much.

“We have additional vessels...” Billy began but he stopped with a look from Adama.

“You would have us risk more lives for an Arrow!”  He said raising his voice looking at Roslin seeing she agreed with Billy's statement. “Major Adama's mission was a resounding success for us we now have resources to defend this fleet and have several thousand more people added to our numbers.  We need to concentrate on looking after our people and not chase after rumours.”

“We cannot head into deep space we may never find a habitable system again, or systems that could give us resources.”  Roslin replied “with the Arrow we can find the path that the Thirteenth Tribe took, use the resources that they did, and find Earth.”  She said everything she was saying made sense.

“Earth is a developed space faring world Madam President, we could find them in space in any of a number of systems.”

“Or we may find their enemies.”  Billy said speaking up bringing another look from Adama and then Roslin “you can't say you haven't thought about it Commander, Earth has enemies, I don't think we can afford to run into them.  Straying from the path of the Thirteenth Tribe path may increase our chances of coming across them.”

“Or following it may bring us to them as quickly, who says they are not following the same signs?” Adama asked quietly looking from one to the other.  “Galactica, cannot return to Kobol, our ammunition supplies are too low to survive a battle without us resorting to the use of nuclear weapons which we are also very short on.”  He said standing back up walking around the room thinking “however, if the commanders of the Icarus or Phoenix are willing I would allow one of those ships to return.  Those ships are not strong enough to survive a standing battle with the Cylons but it may be fast enough to get us to the planet.”

“Us?”  Roslin asked

“Yes, if there is something on Kobol for this fleet I'd like to see it too.”  He said “prepare a small team Madam President.  I'll speak with Lee in the morning tonight he's spending some much needed time with his son.”

“Ah yes I did hear Captain... I mean Major Adama discovered more than one surprise during his trip.”  The President began “regarding surprises, Admiral Cain and the Pegasus...” she began before Adama turned his back on her and walked over to the drinks cabinet.  The entire fleet had heard of the actions of the Pegasus and her crew when she had discovered surviving civilian vessels.

“If we encounter them” he said pausing briefly “I will deal with Admiral Cain, it's a military matter, officially they have not broken any written rule.”  He said seeing Roslin's horrified look “we are at a state of war” he explained seeing her about to start. “It does not matter how much you say it is over and that we lost, Madam President, the military myself included will never accept defeat.  We didn't in the first war, we're not fraking doing it this time.”  He said “no Cain has to be dealt with within the rules of the military.”

“And if she can't be dealt with within the rules?  Can Galactica match Pegasus and defend this fleet against that Battlestar should she turn on us?”  Roslin asked the Pegasus was a front-line Mercury-class Battlestar compared to Galactica which was a museum piece.

“No” Adama admitted which was difficult enough “even with support from the Phoenix and Icarus we are outnumbered in fighters, Raptors and overall firepower guns.  A Mercury-class can absorb fifteen-twenty nuclear missile strikes before even worrying and we don't have half that many to start with.  That ship could cruise its way through this fleet and destroy everything we have if it wanted” he said grimly “if we encounter Pegasus we need a different strategy.”  He said turning around a glass in his hand.

“You have a plan?”  Roslin asked pushing as Adama took a sip of the amber coloured drink.

“I have one that may work within the rules.”  Adama said quietly “but it's one that I'll be keeping to myself until I am sure its the course I want to take.”  Adama said turning.

“You will have the full support of the Fleet, the Quorum and its President.”  Roslin said throwing her full support behind Adama his ship and crew had protected the fleet up until now she wouldn't turn on them now.  “However, I must make you aware the ships that accompanied Lee back from the Colonies have asked to be positioned on the outskirts of the fleet once their repairs are completed, and to be closer to the Icarus or Phoenix instead of the Galactica.”  She said warning the Commander seeing his face harden “I do not think it is anything against your ship Bill” she said using his first name “just that your Battlestar reminds their passengers a lot of bad times.”

“I understand Madam President” Adama said “I will assign the Icarus to their area of the fleet however Vipers from Galactica will still be taking part in the CAP and Galactica herself may have to manoeuvre through their region of the fleet should the situation arise.”  He warned

“I'll brief the Captains, thank you Commander for your understanding.”  Roslin said leaving the room with Billy leaving Adama to his drink.  He didn't like this plan to return to Kobol but it would help distract him from other matters resolving around Cain and her rogue Battlestar.

The next morning Adama travelled down to the launch bay to take a Raptor across to the Phoenix, he wanted to see his son and grandson but he was also curious about the patrol ship that had joined the fleet.  In the pilot ready room he found Captain Shane Vansen standing in front of the assembled Viper pilots holding the briefing.  Instead of interrupting he stood in the shadow at the back listening so far he'd had very little time to spend with the newcomers from Earth except for McQueen and a couple of briefings with Captain LaGarda.  LaGarda was a good pilot but a piss-poor commander of pilots.  He listened to Vansen brief the pilots both Colonial and Earther on the rotations of the CAP and the variations added by the inclusion of the Phoenix and Icarus.  Each member of the air group listened, she answered a couple of questions then dismissed the pilots who filed out only now seeing Adama.  Each saluted as they passed including Starbuck “seems like we have a self proclaimed CAG boss” she said with a half smirk as she walked past.

“Commander” Vansen said saluting as she saw Adama as he stepped into the room proper “I hope you don't mind, no-one seemed to be taking the initiative with Major Adama accepting another command.”

“Not at all Captain, it's something a ship's Commander should have dealt with, that was a well delivered briefing.”  Adama said he said moving forward into the room.  “My son led these pilots through the worse disaster of our known history.”  He said quietly “they need more than just a good pilot.”

“Yes, sir” Vansen agreed

“You want the job?”  He asked

“Sir, I'm not even a Colonial Officer or a Viper pilot” she pointed out Lee Adama had offered the 58th the Viper Mk IX fighters aboard Icarus and Phoenix however the squadron was a Hammerhead squadron by birth and they would remain one.  Shane had ordered them all to familiarize themselves with Viper and Raptor operations as well but Hammerheads were her preference.

“No but according to reports from Major Adama each member of your squadron has trained in Viper operations, you know how they fly and you know how to fight the Cylons.”  Adama pointed out all valid points “you're also a Combat Veteran according to Colonel McQueen.”

“Yes, sir” Vansen agreed she'd fought against the Chigs and Cylons in more than a dozen aerospace engagements, overall she preferred Cylons, “but I've never commanded more than a squadron of fighters.  I have not even been a Captain for very long.”  Adama smirked as it appeared she intended on trying to talk herself out of the position as much as possible.

“Even then you are a disciplined officer and one that seems to understand tactics and organisation.  Things that I need aboard the Galactica.  This ship is the primary defence of all that remains of my civilization, we cannot fail in our duty Captain, you understand me?”  He asked Vansen nodded “that's why I don't care who trained you or what planet you come from, you're the person I want to lead my pilots.”  He said looking Vansen in the eyes his resolve and determination reminded her of Colonel McQueen.

“I agree sir” she said saluting Adama who returned her salute then offered Vansen his hand which she shook in agreement.

“Good, your first job as CAG Captain Vansen” he began after releasing her hand he saw Vansen's expression become more serious “find me a Raptor to take me to the Phoenix.”  He said with almost a smile soon after he was aboard Racetrack's Raptor departing the Battlestar happy that his new CAG had things in hand.

The Raptor crossed the small distance between the Galactica and the Phoenix, it was the first time he'd been able to have a proper look at the ship, he ordered Racetrack to orbit the vessel a couple of times before landing.  It had a rounded nose with two launch bays just under the prow for Raptor landing.  The main hull was vaguely an oblong with the rear engine section larger than the rest of the hull and more rectangular.  Along the sides of the ship Adama saw the multiple missile tubes that provided the ship with powerful broadside fire power while along the ships back were several large ballistic turrets providing the ship with basic defence and offensive weapons.  Near the rear of the craft were two large launch bays for the Vipers unlike Battlestar class of Colonial vessel this ship was more compact with its launch bays integrated into the main hull, more than likely making for more awkward landings.  Adama wasn't convinced with the arrangement in combat should the vessel be under fire it could take a lot more damage waiting for pilots to make landings, that said there was no reason the fighters could not be recovered by a Battlestar while in combat and returned to the smaller vessel after the fight, all well and good if both ships survived the fight.

The Raptor was cleared for landing in the forward bay which berthed two Raptors of its own but had room for up to four ships, it was standard operating procedure for Colonial craft to have room aboard them for more than fighters than they actually had assigned so they could recover additional fighters should other Battlestars or friendly vessels be destroyed.  Adama left the bay and heard the pressure doors behind him reopen allowing Racetrack's Raptor to leave another feature he didn't like about the ship was the hanger deck becoming the flight deck, it was a great way for accidents.  Standing waiting for him was not his son however instead there was another familiar face “Captain Kelly, permission to come aboard” he said to Galactica's former Second Officer who had accepted Lee's invitation to be his XO.  The two had worked together when Lee was CAG so it had made sense for the move especially with the Phoenix's largely untrained/non-military crew it would be a long time until this ship or the Icarus was properly ready for routine combat operations 'but the Cylons don't like leaving us with time' he reminded himself.

“Permission granted” the man said saluting Commander Adama “welcome aboard sir”

“Thank you Captain, how do you like your new assignment?”  He asked remembering the last time that he and Kelly had spoken about another assignment beyond Galactica just before the fall of their civilization.

“She's an interesting ship sir.”  He said leading Adama from the launch bay “everything is designed to be fast.  Major Adama said that the admiralty intended on commissioning the Marauders” he said using the classes unofficial designation Commander Adama could see the name sticking “as inspection vessels, fast enough to run down anything else in the Colonies deploying its upgraded Vipers which can fight twice their number of normal Vipers.”

“Almost like she was intended to fight a specific target.”  Adama said absently thinking of the Colonies before the Cylon attack.  Things hadn't been perfect there were raiders criminals who prayed on unprotected civilian vessels and the colony of Sagittaron was particularly rebellious.  One group of rebels had developed a Viper variant known as the Scarlet Viper which was an up-armed version of the experimental Mk. V Viper which had forward swept wings unlike the other versions of the fighter.  These new Mk IX fighters and this ships would be very effective counters against the small operations that the Sagittaron rebels used a knife in an environment where a Battlestar was a sledge hammer

Kelly led Adama through the corridors of the small ship which were similar to those on a Mercury-class Battlestar with clean lines, automated sliding doors and with computer terminals built into the walls.  Because of the small size of the ship they were soon at the equally compact CIC where his son Lee stood near the centre of the room overseeing operations.  “Permission to enter the CIC” Adama called out before he entered Lee turned around as Adama saluted Captain Kelly allowing him to return to his duties.

“Granted” Lee said stepping back into the situation/planning room at the rear of the CIC “welcome aboard Commander.”

“Thank you Commander, an impressive little ship, although I've seen a couple of problems I'm sure you've already seen them too.”

“Combat landings will take place on the Galactica.”  Lee agreed following his father's train of thought.

“Just as well we got the Starboard bay operational.”  Adama said his son nodded in reply “President Rosln has an idea that we need to discuss.”  He said Lee could tell from his father's expression he didn't like the 'idea.'

Ten

The two weeks that followed Kobol's discoveries say a rebirth in the Colonial spirit as the fleet began to see a purpose to their journey and an end to some of the suffering their people had endured.  The change in direction towards the Lagoon Nebula had brought the Fleet back on a course that would take it closer to the Colonies increasing the likelyhood of attack as a result they had become creative with the fleet's deployment.  In the event of an attack the Phoenix and Icarus ready to jump away with a portion of the fleet giving the Galactica less to defend and the Colonial Civilization with a chance of survival.  At the same time the Galactica had been able to continue training further pilots that could pilot the increased amount of Vipers the fleet now had due to the arrival of the Phoenix and Icarus.  On the Galactica Chief Tyrol and several members of the Battlestar's crew including members from almost every department on the ship had successfully constructed a new type of fighter.  Similar to the Viper in design the ship was built more as a recon vessel than a combat ship with its own jump drive and only a small missile payload for armament.  The crew had christened the vessel “Laura” after the President of the Colonies although its official name was the Blackbird.

In deep space the fleet was preparing for its next set of jumps that would take it closer to the Lagoon Nebula when the DRADIS alarms sounded “DRADIS contact!”  Gaeta called out over the alarms “receiving Colonial ID for the Battlestar Pegasus.”  He said

“Dee, contact Phoenix and Icarus on scrambler, the command is Poseidon.”  He ordered the young petty officer looking at Colonel Tigh who nodded his agreement “then give me the Pegasus on Fleet Comm. Alpha.  Put their reply through the speakers.”  With his commands the Icarus and Phoenix led twenty-eight ships, with nearly a third of the fleet's population, away from the fleet in the pre-planned jump.

“This is the Battlestar Pegasus to the ship claiming to be the Battlestar Galactica please respond.”  The foreign voice called out Adama raised his table phone to his mouth nodding towards Dee to give him communications.

“This is Galactica Actual requesting to speak with Pegasus Actual.”  Adama replied

“Bill is that you?”  The female voice asked surprised

“Admiral Cain” Adama replied confirming that the officer had survived along with her rogue Battlestar.

“Bill it's a miracle to see you.”  She said Adama could hear the relief in his superior's voice he knew that she likely thought she had been the only commanding officer remaining in the fleet.  “Call the ships that jumped back, requesting permission for Pegasus landing party to come aboard.”

“Granted, we will be waiting” Adama confirmed.

“It's really good to see you, Bill” Cain said finally before cutting the link.

“Colonel, inform the crew have the CAP return to the fleet and have Captain Vansen prepare our welcome for the Pegasus party.”  He ordered he, Tigh and Vansen had already discussed this everything was ready.

He, Roslin and Tigh made their way through the Galactica towards the port landing bay where the Pegasus Raptor would be directed.  Many crewmen were making their way through the ship towards the flight deck to prepare for the new arrivals.  “You sure doing this so publicly is a good idea?”  Tigh asked in his usual gruff voice.

“It's the only way to get Cain's attention and to put the odds in our favour Pegasus is a beast she has far too many guns for us to even think about countering.  This is the only way.”  Adama admitted, this strategy didn't mean they wouldn't have to fight the Pegasus but hopefully it minimized the risk of an armed conflict.

As the Raptor from Pegasus was lowered from the flight pod into the hanger Colonel Tigh and Captain Shane Vansen readied the crewmen into orderly lines.  Moments later the lift came to a rest and the door on the side of the Raptor popped open first two fully armed and armoured marines, were followed by two men in Viper flight suits and finally two officers.  One an older man with grey hair while the last was Admiral Helena Cain she was in her late forties, her dark hair was straight bracketing her face, her expression serious.  She approached Commander Adama who saluted which she returned.  “Admiral Cain” he greeted her his own face stern.

“Commander Adama, it's a pleasure to see you.”

“Allow me to introduce you to President of the Colonies Laura Roslin.”  Adama said turning to the President beside him.  She recognized her as the Secretary of Education, a big step up to be President of all the Colonies survivors.

“It's a long story” Roslin said

“Doctor Baltar?”  Cain asked seeing Doctor Gais Baltar at the end “it's good to see you.”  She said genuinely he was one of the smartest men in all the Colonies.

“Colonel, put your men at ease.” Cain ordered taking command over Colonel Tigh.  As he stood down the men and women of Galactica she raised her voice “on behalf of the men and women of the Battlestar Pegasus welcome back to the Colonial Fleet!”  She called out she had expected mass jubilation from the crew however not a member of the crew moved.

“Captain, if you will please.”  Adama spoke firmly a young woman wearing a uniform adorned with a flag she did not recognize stepped forward.

“Fifty-Eighth Squadron Attention!”  Shane Vansen shouted through the ranks past Adama, Roslin and Tigh members of the Fifty-Eighth stepped forward each was dressed in full Battle Dress Uniform and armed with a auto-rifle with connected bayonet.  Cain did not recognize their uniforms or the designation for a Fifty-Eighth Squadron however she allowed this show to continue.  “Present Arms!”  Vansen shouted moments later all seven remaining members of the Fifty-Eighth Squadron instead of showing their weapons for inspection lowered their guns at the Pegasus party.  “KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!  NO SUDDEN MOVEMENTS OR YOUR DEAD!”  Each of the members of the squadron shouted each member of the Pegasus party was too surprised to move in their own defence even the two marines.  Through it all Cain's eyes did not move off of Adama nor did her hands move towards her side arm.

“Commander Adama” she said emphasizing his rank “what the hell is this!”

“This is the Fifty-Eighth Squadron of the United States Marine Corp.  Originating from the world of Earth.”

“Earth!”  Cain shouted her anger raising “that world is a myth!”

“Trust me it is a very real place” Cooper Hawke snapped his weapon levelled at her head while Nathan West's rifle was aimed at the Colonel beside her.

“Commander, regardless of who these people are I am an Admiral of the Colonial Fleet, this is a Colonial Battlestar I am in command her.”  She stated Adama did not immediately reply instead he stepped forward.

“There you are wrong, Admiral” Adama snarled “you are under arrest.”  He said “For a violation of  Article Sixteen, Section Eight of Colonial Fleet Code and Conduct.”  He stated seeing she didn't recognize the rule immediately.  He raised his voice reciting the rule “During a Situation where One or all of the Colonies is threatened with immediate destruction or is cut off from the other Colonies all military objectives are to be considered void and the survival of any and all Civilian vessels is an officer's primary concern.”  He stated “I almost forgot that, Admiral, following the destruction of our colonies rage consumed me I was ready to take this Battlestar into the jaws of the enemy until we had not one shot left.  The President and the civilians of this fleet showed me otherwise.”  Adama explained “you however even when shown that there was nothing left consigned fifteen civilian ships to cold slow deaths in your need for revenge.”  He stated seeing Cain's eyes widen with anger “you lost perspective, Admiral, and that I will not allow in this fleet.”

“You will not allow?” Cain said angrily “I am the Flag Officer, I say what is allowed and what is not.”

“Incorrect Admiral” President Roslin stated stepping forward carefully. “After the destruction of the Battlestar Atlantia Commander Adama took command of the fleet broadcasting that fact throughout Colonial space.  He is by my Presidential order the Commander of this Fleet and by extension of all Colonial assets.”

“You cannot be serious?”  Cain asked looking at Adama “she is the Secretary of Education.”

“She is the only elected person in this room.”  Adama stated

“What say we?”  Colonel Tigh called out

“SO SAY WE ALL!”  The assembled Galactica crew called out as one.

“The military is not a democracy.”  Cain said ignoring the crew's call.

“No but this fleet is.”  Adama said “and the military has rules and codes which we are to follow or the Civilian Authority is to remove us from our positions of power.  Today Admiral that has happened, I am truly sorry that it has to be me who does this, Captain take them to the brig.”  Adama ordered from behind the Raptor further marines arrived supporting the Fifty-Eighth.  The Pegasus party was quickly relieved of their weapons and began to move surrounded by marines.

“You will never get away with this, Commander!”  Cain shouted as she was led away “Pegasus will resist all attempts to control her.”

“Colonel Tigh, Phase Two please”  Adama said turning to the Colonel several Colonial Marines followed Tigh into the Raptor along with Starbuck and Racetrack.  Adama marched over to the wall phone “CIC this is the Commander, have the ready Raptor jump to the pre-planned coordinates and order Icarus and Phoenix to jump into Positions Red and Blue, activate defence grid and have all nuclear weapons loaded into their firing tubes.”  He said replacing the phone “Captain Vansen, all pilots to their planes.”

“What are you doing Commander?”  Roslin demanded

“Ending this” Adama stated “if Pegasus resists like Cain suggested they may we will destroy that Battlestar.”  He said as the Raptor raised out of the Hanger into the flight pod  “I'm needed in the CIC.”  Glancing at the raising Raptor the Commander marched from the deck towards the Battlestar's command centre he prayed that the Pegasus did not fight but his Battlestar needed to be ready for the worse if it came to it.

End of Book Two

I hope you enjoyed

More (life permitting) soon

Very nice.

Glad you've enjoyed it so far, this is part three of the story.  I've restarted the numbering for each part when I've been positing it on FanFiction.net it was easier to keep track that way.

So far this has been mostly nBSG with a couple of extra characters from Space Above and Beyond - this part I'm hoping to readdress some of that...  but first over the end of the last chapter.

Part III

One

Adama entered the CIC and saw a hive of activity walking through the upper levels of the room her approached the centre table glancing up at the DRADIS console showing the position of the fleet and of the Pegasus in relation to Galactica.

“Sir, Pegasus has not reacted to the Raptor's approach nor has it sent any messages.”  Gaeta reported “ready Raptor has jumped away.”

“Dee, give me contact with Pegasus time to break the news.”  He said ordering the Petty Officer at communications moments later she nodded “This is Galactica Actual to the Battlestar Pegasus, please respond.”

“Galactica go ahead this is Captain Kendra Shaw commanding” a young female voice replied.  Adama recognized the family name thinking she may have been related to a former Quorum delegate Marta Shaw “where is Admiral Cain?”

“Admiral Cain has been arrested and placed in custody.”  Adama said watching the Raptor carrying Saul Tigh merge with the Pegasus.  “Colonel Tigh will be taking interm command of the Pegasus by my and the President's order.”

“Sir, why has the Admiral been arrested?”

“She has violated Colonial Law” Adama said

“Sir, Pegasus defence grid just went active, we have Vipers in the air!”  Gaeta called out Adama lowered his table phone.

“Launch Vipers and Hammerheads defensive pattern” Adama ordered Gaeta before raising the phone again “Pegasus, this is Galacica Actual, Admiral Cain put military objectives above the survival of our Civilization that neither I or the President can accept.  Recall your fighters.”

“Commander Adama, return our Admiral to her ship or we will open fire.”  Shaw replied ignoring what Adama had said

“Captain, that will not be happening” Adama said seeing President Roslin had entered the CIC.  “Pegasus, I have no wish to see your ship destroyed but if required I will destroy your ship.  To anyone within the CIC we are on the same side, we wish the same thing.”  Adama pleaded with the crew of the Battlestar the last thing he wanted to do was engage the warship in combat.

Within the CIC of the Pegasus crewmen all around Kendra Shaw were looking at the dark haired Captain for their next move none wanted an armed conflict with Colonial forces.  Opposite her stood the dark haired Junior Lieutenant Louis Hoshi and blonde Ensign Abel Thornton both men looked to her for orders “sir, our fighters are asking for orders when they meet with Galactica's.”  Hoshi replied “they also report an unknown type of fighter among the Galactica air group.”

“DRADIS CONTACT!”  Abel Thornton reported “Cylon contacts jumping in!”  He warned “three Basestars, they are deploying Raiders!”

“Order our fighters to turn and engage” Shaw ordered “turn defence grid on the Cylons” she said forgetting about their disagreement with Galactica for now, the Cylons were their true enemy.

“More contacts, the Galactica civilian ships have jumped back as have two other contacts both are deploying Vipers of unknown configuration!”  Thornton called out

“Send word the Cylons have joined the party and all Colonial assets are to engage” Colonel Saul Tigh said stepping into Pegasus CIC which featured clean surfaces, and touch sensitive controls far different from Galactica's but the older Colonel fit in like a glove.  “Do it now Lieutenant!”  Tigh snapped raising the table phone to his lips “Galactica Actual this is Pegasus Actual, ship secured turning on Cylon ships.”

“Confirmed Colonel” Adama replied as the fighters from the two Battlestars and the two patrol ships turned on the Cylons “all Civilian ships have been ordered to make an immediate jump away we need to hold until they are clear.”

“Understood, we'll turn their attention away from the fleet and onto the defence, permission to recruit Icarus and Phoenix and play a little offence?”  Tigh said with a wicked smile he didn't want a permanent command of a Battlestar, he never had, but with the power of a Mercury-class Battlestar it was time to turn up the hurt on the Cylons for the first time in too long and Saul Tigh knew exactly how to use the ship.

“Granted, good hunting Pegasus” Adama replied Galactica was designed to be a fleet escort ship like all the original Battlestars they were designed as a Carrier first and a Battleship second.  Her weapons were placed along the length of her hull and were designed around defence which could be used in offence when combined with other ships.  Pegasus on the other hand was designed as a hunter-killer, her main armament was faced forward under the 'head' of her forward hull while other weapons protected the ship's flanks.

“Helm bring us on course with that Basestar have Icarus and Phoenix assume defence positions Four and Five” he called out.  The Pegasus turned away from her engagement with Galactica towards the furtherest left Basestar while the Icarus and Phoenix assumed positions under the Mercury-class Battlestar's flight pods defending the larger ships weaker belly.  “Once in range main armament fire-at-will” Tigh said looking across at Kendra Shaw, the young woman looked determined but at the same time surprised by Tigh's arrival and instant command.

The Pegasus charged down the Cylon Basestar's volley firing its forward main guns as Vipers fought all around the Battlestar fighting and killing the Cylon Raiders who were trying desperately to slow the Battlestar down.  Beside the ship Icarus and Phoenix assumed positions they would have been designed to, unlike the larger Galactica or Pegasus, the two smaller ships fit perfectly into positions around a Battlestar that Tigh had long thought needed more protection.

As the Battlestar closed on the Cylons the first volleys slammed into the Basestar's central hull lighting the entire ship up with fire as the ship took several hits.  A cheer rang out as the Pegasus' second volley of fire tore the Basestar to pieces “Belay that!” Tigh shouted silencing the crew's cheers “turn us towards the second target”

“Radiological alarm!” Thornton called out

“Too late” Tigh whispered “volley fire on second target, have Icarus and Phoenix break from positions and return to Galactica, all Vipers are to follow.”  The Colonel ordered raising the table phone to his lips “all crew brace for nuclear weapon contact.”  Even as the smaller ships turned away from the Pegasus firing their weapons in defence the first two nuclear weapons struck high on Pegasus hull.  All Battlestars were designed to survive nuclear weapon strikes but they could still cause massive destruction to the warships as the blast ripped across the hull the crew could feel its force in every section.

“Hull Breaches sections seventeen, eighteen and nineteen.  Fire in sections twenty through into twenty four, secondary battery six offline, communications to upper levels severed.  We can't take many more like that!”  Thornton called out

“Neither can they!”  Shaw called back seeing the Pegasus forward armament strike the second Basestar in succession.

“We won't have to either” Tigh said seeing the last of the civilian ships disappear “our job is not to be a hammer” he said addressing all the CIC crewmen “we're the distraction that allows our people to live, that gives our civilization a chance.”  He finished looking at Shaw “we don't need to kill them all, just kill enough to get away.”

“Recall all Vipers, turn us away from the last Basestar, all weapons to defence fire” Shaw said picking up on Tigh's line of thinking.  Quickly the Phoenix and then the Icarus finished recalling their Vipers before jumping away.  The Galactica was next once the last Hammerhead was aboard.

“Just us left, Captain, what are we going to do?”  Tigh challenged the young woman seeing the conflict within her as she thought about what to do.

“Orders Colonel” Shaw said bringing herself to attention moments later.  Quickly Hoshi and Thornton followed suit.

“Better” Tigh admitted “spool up the FTL and jump to the coordinates Galactica transmitted before her jump.”  The Colonel ordered soon after the Battlestar jumped joining the rest of the fleet in a distant system leaving the remnants of the Cylon fleet behind.  “Now I want the records on everything that this ship has been up to since the destruction of the Colonies.”  Tigh ordered looking at each of the members of the CIC crewmen for several moments none moved “let me explain one thing.”  He said his voice utterly calm “when I give a frakking order, you follow it out!”  He suddenly snapped bringing all three officers into action.

An hour later Tigh stood in Cain's office looking over the Admiral's files hitting one of the controls on the desk he typed in CIC's number.  “CIC this is Tigh, get me Galactica Actual.”  He ordered soon after Adama answered the communication “Bill, you need to get over to this ship.”  He said looking at the monitor image which displayed a woman inside Pegasus brig “I think you need to see this mess for yourself.  I'd bring over Doc Cottle and Dr Baltar as well.”  He suggested shaking his head barely believing some of the things he'd read and seen.