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Post by Col. Charybdis on Oct 18, 2005 11:54:26 GMT -6
I manouvered quickly and lined up another raider. Two quick bursts sent him exploding into a million pieces.
The last Cylon that had nicked Ensign Annie was still out there pursuing her. I found a sideways vector on him as he closed in on her six. I could see him getting ready to fire and destroy her. I let out a short burst and just in time, the raider flew right into the laser volley and erupted in a red ball of fire and debris.
"That's the last of them! Ensign Annie, are you OK? We need to get back to the fleet. There might be more of them out here." I flew to her port wing to check on her. I was afraid to hear the result, although the viper didn't look to bad from the outside.
"I'm alright, but I dont' think my viper can make it back," came the reply. She was struggling with the control of her ship and inside her cockpit, her instrument panel was sparking and smoking.
"You go on without me, Colonel. There's no reason you should risk your life for me." She sounded as if all her world was coming to an end.
I shook my head. "Not on your life. Just stick with me. Don't you worry, we'll make it back. You're going to buy me a cold one in the officer's club." I half smiled through the canopy, not that she could see it, but I had to reassure her. Besides, as long as the ship held together, she would be alright. Nothing appeared on the scanners for the time being and we were not too far from the Callisto.
We settled in for the flight and she did an admirable job at controlling the ship. Finally, there she was! We spotted the Callisto and some of the other ships of the fleet. As we angled in toward her, we parted to either side. Annie took Beta bay and I took Alpha.
She eased her ship in like an expert and guided her onto the deck for a perfect landing. She had made it home!
I came in and placed my new ship down as gently as I could. It felt good to get back into the action and to actually destroy a few Cylons as well. Maybe things were looking up for me? Maybe things could actually work out?
My mind drifted to Amy as my viper rolled to a stop. I had to get over to check on her right away. And I also wanted to check on Brie's status. Not that she would talk to me, but I just wanted to get an update now that I was back onboard.
It was good to be back home...
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Post by LucianG on Oct 19, 2005 5:18:40 GMT -6
On receiving word that Colonel Charybdis was approaching the Callisto, Major Urdea sent word to his team, “It’s time to make an arrest. Meet me in Alpha Bay. Five centons.”
* * *
A few centons later, Urdea watched from the observation lounge as a shiny new Viper landed. All these yahrens later, it still thrilled him to see how the little ships moved. After his accident, he’d never thought to be able to pilot a fighter again, but after the events leading up to Kobol, he’d requested and then been given permission to attempt recertification despite his prosthesis. It had not proven to be the issue that some believed, and he was flight ready a short time later. The desperately ill Warriors had recovered during that time, so for the next twenty some yahrens, he had periodically spent time in the SIMs, keeping his certification current but never launching. That finally changed at Pangara, where everyone who could fly a ship was sent out to battle the huge Cylon force. Urdea was glad that he had had the opportunity for that one more flight, but he also felt himself lucky to have survived. Too many good Warriors had not.
With the ship on the deck, Urdea watched the canopy open, then said, “Let’s do it.”
Lieutenant Proteus followed Urdea from the lounge. Lieutenant Wheran, trailing some distance behind, whispered to Lieutenant Atropas and the junior security officers, “Wow! I can’t believe it. It’s not every sectar that you get to arrest an ‘oss-ifer!”
The junior officers laughed and agreed, but Lieutenant Atropas only smiled.
* * *
As Colonel Charybdis climbed from the cockpit and turned to see the Callisto’s Security Chief, Major Urdea, standing a short distance away, surrounded by several of his Security officers.
“Colonel, if we might have a word with you in the matter of the death of Chief Farmer Elmer….”
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Oct 19, 2005 9:40:11 GMT -6
I did a quick double-take at Urdea's statement. "Urdea, I would be glad to help in any way I can" I said as I climbed down the steps on the moveable pilot's platform that the ground crew rolls up after a pilot lands. "But I have more pressing concerns at the moment. We ran into a Cylon tanker and fighters. I have to notify the Commander now! If you'll excuse me." I sidestepped him and began to walk toward the lift...
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Post by LucianG on Oct 20, 2005 6:28:12 GMT -6
A Cylon tanker? It appeared to be worse than Commander Sheba had told him. She needed to know right away. Urdea said without hesitating, “I understand, Colonel. For the good of the Fleet, go. We will speak with you after the emergency.”
It sounded as if Charybdis might have muttered something like, “Right,” as he quickly moved away, but Urdea really wasn’t sure.
Lieutenant Wheran’s mouth literally fell open as Colonel Charybdis disappeared around a corner. “Major, I can’t believe you let him go! Sir, what are you doing? What were you thinking?” Lieutenant Atropas also looked shocked beyond belief.
Urdea’s calm demeanor was remarkable next to Wheran’s angry outburst. He replied, “Protecting the Fleet, Lieutenant. We must always protect the Fleet first. He won’t be going anywhere unless it’s on official business, and his actions may save a lot of people, including, quite possibly, us. So let it go, Wheran. The time will come, very soon mind you, when this will be resolved.”
“Would you like for me to post a couple of guards in the launch bays, just in case he tries to leave without permission?” asked Atropas.
“No, Lieutenant, our forces are needed elsewhere at the moment. I will speak with the Mission Specialists in each launch bay though, just in case, and we will reconvene on the Bridge in just a little while.”
As he prepared to go find Mission Specialist Fenmarnis, he saw another shuttle coming in for a landing….
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Oct 21, 2005 11:10:06 GMT -6
I quickly moved toward the bridge, but as I did, I caught sight of Ensign Annie coming into the corridor that leads from the landing bays to the lifts going up into the main section of the Callisto.
"Ensign, glad to see you landed OK," I told her. She shook her head as I could see she was a bit shaken up.
"Thank you, Colonel. I'm sorry about what happened out there," she said meekly.
"Sorry? That was the most fun I've had in quite awhile!" I said.
She looked at me incredulously. "Sir? We almost got killed!"
"Ensign, you have to put things in perspective. We must be ready to die at a micron's notice. Especially you viper pilots. This is what you wanted. Well, you've got it. You OK?" I asked her again.
She seemed deep in thought. "Yes, sir." she nodded her head.
"Why don't you come up to the bridge with me. I can introduce you to Commander Sheba and then you can receive your living arrangements after you check in with Lazant and the training academy. And besides, you still owe me that cold one!" I smiled at her to try and loosen her up.
We got onto the lift and headed for the bridge...
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Post by LucianG on Oct 26, 2005 15:38:06 GMT -6
Urdea paused for a moment, wondering if this might be Abby's shuttle arriving, but a call suddenly interrupted his thoughts. "Major, it's Whitcher. We've got a little problem, Sir, and need your help."
Sighing, he replied, "I'm on my way, Sergeant." If it was Abby, he hoped he'd see her soon....
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Nov 1, 2005 11:52:12 GMT -6
Ensign Annie and I arrived on the bridge and quickly went to see Commander Sheba. "Charybdis, nice to have you back onboard...where you belong," she added with a smile.
"Thank you, Commander. It's good to be back. May I introduce Ensign Annie. She will be entering the final phase of training in the Academy and then be reassigned to one of our squadrons."
"Ma'am" Ensign Annie quickly saluted and stood at attention.
"Welcome aboard, Ensign. It seems that you had a bit of a rough flight over from the Galactica?" Sheba asked.
"Yes, ma'am." Annie responded.
I jumped in at this point. "We ran into a Cylon tanker and four fighters...right about here," I called up a star chart on the vid screen and showed Sheba the location.
"Hmm, I think that's the area that Major Justin is heading toward. We'll have him run a partol and see what he finds. Cylons...we might want to get the squadrons on call just in case. Where there's a few Cylons, we usually find a lot more."
"Yes, ma'am." I responded and then headed back for the bridge.
I turned to Ensign Annie since we had to part at this time. "Ensign. Good luck with your training. Contact Lazant and get situated. And uh...remember that cold one you owe me."
"Yes, sir." she smiled back. She turned and walked off toward the academy section of the battlestar.
I turned to say hello to Lt. Aegina and the rest of the bridge crew. "Lt., notify squadron commanders to place their squadrons on call, just in case..."
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Nov 16, 2005 9:06:32 GMT -6
I was sitting in one corner of the bridge designated as my "duty" station monitoring the results of the nominations process for Gold squadron elections. As Callisto elections officer, I had to the duty of collecting the nominations and then announcing the results. What an election this yahren!
The squadron leader was in a coma and her closest adjutants were either missing or also in a coma!
It would be very interesting to see how this would play out.
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Nov 18, 2005 8:56:11 GMT -6
The list was complete! The two people who had been nominated for the Gold squadron elections were flashed up on the screen: Brie and Amy!
Well, the word went out to all comm units for the voting to begin. Gold squadron elections were on!
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Nov 21, 2005 8:56:19 GMT -6
The final totals flashed up on the screen. There it was as it had been for so many yahrens now: Major Brie had just won another term as leader of Gold squadron.
I felt a little sad for Amy, but she never even knew about this. That's the irony. Both of these women were in comas in the life station and yet their squadron still nominated them and voted for them!
They were pretty special alright. I walked over to inform Commander Sheba. After that, I had Lt. Aegina send out the message so the whole battlestar would know the results.
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