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Post by LucianG on Apr 24, 2005 14:49:23 GMT -6
Rose Rose sat through the briefing listening to what JustinB had to say about the up coming mission. She knew that it was going to be a rough mission for everyone involved and wonder how she was going to make it through this mission. The last one that she had just returned from wasn't an easy mission for her or the others that had just returned. Rose was glad she going to get some down time to get some sleep before having to get prepared for the mission. She couldn't remember the last time she had gotten any sleep it seemed like or even gotten to spend some time with JustinB in private for any length of time.
When the briefing ended finally, Rose smiles to herself as she heads out of the briefing room and down the corridor a little so that she could wait for JustinB to finish up a couple things and then join her. She hoped things would not keep JustinB long, for she wanted to spend some of her downtime with him alone. Rose stopped a short ways down the corridor and leaned against the wall there in the corridor to wait for JustinB. While she waited, Rose thought about the brief alone time she had with JustinB in his office before heading to the briefing. She smiles to herself as she thought about that short amount of time and hoped for more time with him like that. * * * After I had wrapped up the briefing, Stargazor approached me. Stargazor; "Sir, I looked at the technical plans from our vipers and found a grave danger at high speed turns"! "In the Omega circuit there's a data analysis cable, which can overheat when we do pro-longed high speed turns.
"When this cable breaks, our viper engines overhead and explodes"
"With the missions at hand that could mean our downfall" I replied
"But there's also good news's"! "I maybe found a way to correct it"! "But I need a viper and clearance for flight to test it"! "There's nobody better on board, I can fly as good as any and make the necessary corrections if needed"!
"Sir if I make a mistake, you only loose one warrior"! "If we don't do this now, you could loose a whole squadron"
"Ok Stargazor, report to Major Lucian and alert him to the problem. As long as he agrees you can do your test flight. But you have only three centars to have he problem solved and a further centar to have all the Squadrons vipers fixed. Dismissed."
He quickly sent the following message: Major Brie Gold Squadron Commanding Officer.
Major, With regards to your request, I hereby transfer Lieutenant Killjoy to you for the duration of your mission. Be advised he is a little reluctant to work with you but will serve you to the best of his abilities and dedication.
Major JustinB Black Squadron Commanding Officer
P.S Try and make sure he gets back in one peace and God Hunting. * * * I made my way to my quarters. Sure enough, there was Rose waiting impatiently. "Where you been lover," she said. "I was beginning to worry about you not turning up. We have so much catching up to do."
I opened the door and motioned for her to enter. As soon as she was in, I locked the door. I felt the passion flow through my veins. In the little time we had before we had to sleep, I was going to make it up too her big time. I pulled her close and pinned her to the wall. I planted my lips on hers and I could feel all tension disappear. We embraced and all the unspent feelings we had towards each other let itself loose.
Never before had I loved so much. The death of my parents early on and my decision to become a warrior had stifled my need for love. But here in this beautiful woman I had found love and I began to feel human. For a short time I was able to not think of cylons and death.
As Rose pulled me towards the bed, I could do nothing but look at her. Whatever happened after the next few centars, I didn't just as long as I remembered this moment. * * * Rose Rose didn't want to waste any of her time that she had right then with JustinB. She was going to make full use of their alone time with one another. The moment his lips touched hers and his hands on her at the same time, set Rose on fire with need for JustinB. All of her tension seemed to disappear the moment she was in JustinB's arms. He had this effect on her, that when alone with him, she couldn't think of anything but him and only him.
Rose didn't let go of JustinB for one moment as she pulled him towards his bed. She wasn't about to let him out of her reach and have him disappear on her without warning at all. Rose fell backwards onto JustinB's bed and since she was pulling him along with her as she headed towards his bed, JustinB fell right on top of her. JustinB lifted himself up off of Rose some so that she could reposition herself some on the bed. As soon as she was in the position she wanted on JustinB's bed, she pulled him back towards her and reclaimed his lips with her own in another passion filled kiss. * * * Stargazor Stargazor sent the following message to Major Lucian: "Sir, i found a great error in ur technical data specs". "I talked to Justinb and he ok'ed it if you do also"! "Then i can make a test run to correct the problem"! * * * Agelastus The major's notification that I was on the mission caught up with me as I sat sprawled on a chair in the pilots ready room, leaning back against the wall, idly turning a card over and over from the top of the deck of the Pyramid hand that had been being played centars ago before the first launch into the depths of the Pangara system. A Pyramid hand that looked as if it would never be finished, given the continued absence of Lieutenant Hawke.
Somehow, I’d managed to lose both wingmen on my first mission in yahrens with the “A” team of pilots – the pilots on any battlestar who always seem to be just that little bit better, or simply more notorious, than the mass of warriors surrounding them. Not that I knew that Hawke was dead, of course. His Viper had just disappeared in the trackless reaches of the Pangara system, unlike Lieutenant Artus’ that had disintegrated only just out of my visual range.
I should have been resting, of course. One could argue that I was, in a way. However, I was too keyed up by the wait for assignments to even contemplate sleeping. I was almost certain that I would be picked. No real ties, no family to mourn me, and just the right amount of motivation supplied by recent events. Most importantly, though, I had the most vital quality of anyone when volunteering for a suicide mission, even if the mission planners only ever considered this fact subconsciously.
I was expendable. Colonels, Majors, Captains are all hard to replace, but even in our straitened circumstances ensigns, even very experienced ensigns, are fairly easy to replace.
The beeping of the com interrupted my reverie and idle planning. I reached over and flicked up the message. I was on the mission good........
“What the Frack – infantry!” I exclaimed. Reading on “Hmm, Brinfort, I see.”
I knew Brinfort a little, but only in terms of a few passing words and his glowing fitness reports. The one impression I had of him was that he would be a good man to have behind or beside you in a fight. Then I read further down.
“A volunteer from Black Squadron as well. Interesting,” I murmured. Then I had a sudden thought.
No! Not him! The Chooser couldn’t play that trick on me, surely.
I sighed. Of course he could. I had no idea how Black’s meeting would go, I had no notification of who Black Squadron’s representative would be, but I had a horrible feeling that it could only be one person. Killjoy.
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Post by LucianG on Apr 24, 2005 14:50:27 GMT -6
Lucian Since he had been in Science and Engineering, Stargazor's message took a little while to track him down. When Lucian received the message, he said to Lt. Finky by comm, "Find Stargazor and tell him to send me the data so one of the engineering folks can double check it for him. If it's as bad as it sounds, we've got to get it fixed fast!" * * * Stargazor Stargazor was sending his findings over to Lucian. And then went back to the bay area. He climbed into a viper and switched the systems on. Everything looked ok, the data analysis program showded all systems within parameters. Whithout shutting of Stargazer climbed back out of the viper and opend the panel where the cable was. He meassured the heat amount from the cable and it was within the spec's.
Sins it was a problem that only would show inflight there wasn't much he could do on the ground.
He flipped some small switches inside so he could correct problems inflight with his cockpit instruments.
Stargazor new what the viper was capable off and could easely change anything of it. Only a few people new that he was already working on a new kind of viper, it would be a two-seat'er for all the systems but more advanced then anything in the fleet. But that was for later, now the only thing he needed to do was test flight this viper and fix the problem inflight. Or all the warriors would be in trouble. He needed an ok from lucian to test flight it and time was running out fast. * * * Lucian Taking a brief break from the design effort, Lucian looked over Stargazor's data. Nothing seemed to be out of order, but he had to agree that, in the end, it was inconclusive. Running an indepth computer analysis with the parameter Stargazor suggested might prove the problem or disprove it entirely, but that would take resources that were currently unavailable. He did a quick check on the Callisto's Viper inventory and found that over half had been given the upgrade that contained the wiring and circuit that Stargazor was questioning. He contacted Commander Sheba on the Bridge.
"Commander, I recommend that we allow Ensign Stargazor to test his theory," Lucian said. "He should have a wingmate with him, but that Warrior should not perform the maneuvers Stargazor does. Also, I recommend having a C.O.R.A. on standby, just in case there is an uncorrectable problem."
"Major, please contact Major JustinB and have him assign the wingmate. If we have a problem, we must know immediately and get it fixed at once. Our attack groups leave in just a few centons, and our Viper squadrons launch just a few centar after that. Keep me informed."
At once, Lucian called Major JustinB to order the test flight, and then sent word to Stargazor to prepare for the test flight. His wingmate would report to Beta Bay shortly… * * * Stargazor Stargazor got the clearance from the Bridge to go ahead with the test run, he would get his wingman in flight.
Stargazor Climbed into the cockpit and closed it. He switched various instruments and said: "Ensign Stargazor Ready, request launch control"!
On the com a voice sounded "Ensign Stargazor, you have launch control to vector Alpha 397"!
The engines from Stargazor winded up, and he zoomed into the launch tube.
Stargazor made his way into space and kept a lookout for his wingman.
After a few microns he still dind't see a wingman launched, so he decided to start the testrun by himself.
He made sharp manouvres and made a simulated prolonged dogfight.
While he was doing this he could see the technical data from the cable comming in on one of his insruments screen panel.
He could see the temputure rise and the viper started to become out of control.
The Viper Started to spinn in every direction but Stargazor kept cool he openend a panel and Started to switch various switches as a warning licht light up with caution-danger on it.
On the Bridge section they could see what was happening, Commander Sheba was angry and worried "God dammid i ordered to have a wingman as support"! "Come on Ensign get control over that viper"!
Meanwhile Stargazor was still making corrections to the panel functions, his breath started to go very heavy and he was having trouble controling his hand movements.
*Back on the bridge tings realy got tense* They all new that Stargazor had little chance to get out of that spinn.
Commander Sheba said on the com channel "Common ensign, you are better then this"! "Fix the problem, we need this solved"!
******************************
Stargazor kept his mind on the job and tought (alpha connection switched to zebra 5 connection, that schould work)
He made the changes and he could see the cable couling off.
He Started somehow to get back control over the viper and soon was flooting in space in a controled pattern
Commander Sheba's voice came on the com. channel "Ensign Stargazor, are you alright" pause "Ensign Stargazor, are you alright"!
Silence "only heavy breathing"
Stargazor "Ensign Stargazor here, everything back under control"!
pause
"Problem solved sir"!
A smile Stared to come on Commander Sheba's face and she said "Ensign Stargazor, you had us worried"! "Well done"!
"Where is you're wingman"?
on the com channel Stargazor "Sir, i didn't get one"! , "Because of the time limit i started the testflight on my own"! "Tell the engineers to switch all viper cerquits from alpha connection switched to zebra 5 connection"!
Commander Sheba looked at Col. Charybdis and reply'ed "You did well Ensign, return to home base", "I will find out what happend to you're wingman"!
(The Wingman is a fiction character and doesn't want to fly with Stargazor because of the changes he went true on axcess gamma)
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Post by LucianG on Apr 24, 2005 14:51:23 GMT -6
Brie Major Brie was sitting in her office, rewriting her will. She realized after a centon or two that she was actually humming as she did it. She smiled again, knowing how strange it would seem to almost anyone. She was heading on what would probably be her last mission, and she was as excited as the first time she had flown a viper. There was something about this mission, something special, that Brie couldn’t put into words. She felt as if her whole life had been leading up to this, and even with the bleak outlook she couldn’t wait to get started.
Just as she was about to check her messages her door buzzed. Figuring that it was probably either Skyler or Stadia, she said, “Come in, Captain.” She had the right rank but definitely the wrong person. In walked Killjoy.
The history between Killjoy and Brie was different, to say the least. He had helped her and Skyler with an internal problem when he had first joined Black Squadron. Sectars later Brie had found him passed out and rushed him to the sick bay, where it was discovered that he had a disease that was more common in children. After he had recovered he tried to break into Brie’s file, as did someone else, and when Killjoy confessed Brie “talked” him into helping her find out who the other person was. The whole thing resulted in Killjoy almost getting himself killed, which obviously wasn’t part of the original plan. Brie had tried (but not too hard) to find Killjoy afterwards to thank him, but he didn’t seem to want for her to find him. With him standing before her, she could tell that he was uncomfortable. She couldn’t help but wonder what the frack he was doing there. “Captain Killjoy, reporting for duty. Ma’am.”
Brie stared at Killjoy. She had no idea what he was talking about. “Duty for what?”
“Major Justin asked me to report to you for the upcoming mission,” Killjoy explained. “He said something about the infantry.”
So that’s what was happening. Brie had asked Justin if he could spare someone from Black Squadron, and Justin had sent her Killjoy. This mission was getting more interesting. “We’re meeting in the Science Lab in half a centar. You’ll actually be working with Sergeant Brinfort, not me, although I’m in charge of the overall mission. Brinfort will also be in the Science Lab, you can meet him then. What did Justin tell you about the mission?”
“Not much,” Killjoy said. “Something about a base inside a moon, a Cylon tanker and getting the fleet out of the system.”
“Oh,” Brie replied. “Well, to put it simply, we’re going inside the Cylon base and doing as much as we can to disable it. We’ll be keeping the Cylons busy while the fleet makes the jump.”
“Then what about us?” Killjoy asked.
“That’s a good question,” Brie said. “The plan is for us to try and nab another tanker and fly out with the rest of the fleet. It’s a pretty flimsy plan, and quite honestly Commander Apollo doesn’t expect it to work. He seems to think that this mission is the last one for anyone of us who go. At the very best we’ll end up stuck on that moon, at the worst none of us will survive. This was totally on a volunteer basis in Gold Squadron, if you don’t want to go I understand.” She paused for only a micron or two. “So, are you in?” * * * Killjoy “Then what about us?” Killjoy asked.
“That’s a good question,” Brie said. “The plan is for us to try and nab another tanker and fly out with the rest of the fleet. It’s a pretty flimsy plan, and quite honestly Commander Apollo doesn’t expect it to work. He seems to think that this mission is the last one for anyone of us who go. At the very best we’ll end up stuck on that moon, at the worst none of us will survive. This was totally on a volunteer basis in Gold Squadron, if you don’t want to go I understand.” She paused for only a micron or two. “So, are you in?”
Killjoy fidgeted in place a little and looked at his feet. He thought to himself, it seems like every time he gets around this woman…its always bad news. Seems like they had some kind of karmic influence that dictated she was to get him killed. And this mission may just be the one to get the job done. He drew in a deep breath and looked at Brie.
"Look Major… You and I just have this way of getting in each others way that seems to always get me on the business end of the blasters on this tub. I have been involved in two of you crazy schemes already. Both times I was shot at and in one my own friends tried to kill me. But….they worked. I know Commander Apollo doesn't think this idea will work, but then again he doesn't know you like I do. If anyone can pull this of…..well, I think you know where I'm going with this."
"Well Captain.....I take it to mean you're in?”
"Yes Ma'am…..I'll go along. At least this time it will be Cylons shooting at me rather than my own people."
Brie stood up and extended her hand across the desk. Killjoy took it and they half smiled at each other. Killjoy spoke first.
"But ah ...Major..just for future reference...When briefing an officer on a mission that he may not come home from…It may not be such a good idea to let him see your Will laying on the desk like that….might just give the poor guy the willies."
Brie shoved the documents into the drawer and gave a lil chuckel...
"Point taken Captian....now report to the Science Lab."
Killjoy laughed again and turned to leave the room. Then a rush of uneasiness hit him and he stopped in his tracks. Some of the same thoughts he had Brie had resurfaced and he realized that he still had feeling for her…..he was very careful with what he said next. He turned and spoke trying to sound like a Macho hotshot pilot….
"Brie...be careful on this one...You really scare me sometimes...but I'd kinda like to keep you around a while....so, don’t get dead.... * * * Brie "Dead?" Brie repeated. "Me? Nah, they haven't been able to kill me yet. Besides, I've been meaning to update my will for a long time now."
As Killjoy left Brie got the feeling that this mission had just become more interesting. * * * Skyler Brie’s announcement had taken Skyler by surprise. He had left the briefing to clear his mind before speaking with her. It hadn’t worked at all. He waited until Killjoy had left her office, then he knocked. He could tell she had been expecting him as he entered.
"Brie, you have got to put me on this mission..."
"Skyler" she cut him off " you will be more valuable here to me than on this mission."
"Are you forgetting I started as a Rifle carrying grunt in the Infantry and worked my way up to the Armored Cavalry before transferring here. I trained to do these kinds of things, and have on a smaller scale. How can you say I am more valuable here baby-sitting the Squadron then on the most dangerous mission to come down the pipe in Sagan knows how long."
"I know all to well your qualifications Skyler. I also know you are the best choice to lead the squadron while I am gone. I have to have someone I trust here, and I trust no one more than you."
"I am honored you place so much trust in me. I can even understand why you feel you need to go on this mission. Given time I might even understand your choice to leave me here, but at this moment I do not. I belong out there with you."
"No, you belong here, in command of the Squadron. Your career has been leading up to it for a long time. Just as mine has been leading up to this mission. You...." "Don’t hand me that you have to much to live for felgercarb Brie" he cut her off "While I am a Warrior, and I have a sworn duty to the fleet, you are my reason for living. Now you are going off on a mission with only the slightest chance of coming back, and you are leaving me behind." there was a long pause as Brie looked into his eyes and saw the hurt he was feeling. "You had better come back Brie, or it will be the end of my career when I steal a ship and go back to save you." * * * Brie “Skyler,” Brie said with a serious tone in her voice, “I’m not your reason for living, just part of it. I know that we have this...” she searched for the right word but couldn’t even come close “...thing between us. And believe me, I know how hard this is for you. I wish I had been able to tell you before the meeting, but there just wasn’t time. Now I’ll tell you the same thing I told Charybdis, don’t count me out. Just because Commander Apollo doesn’t think we’ll make it back doesn’t mean we won’t.”
“I know,” Skyler said. “If anybody can pull this off, it will be you. I just wish I was going with you.”
“As I said before, I need you here. And it’s not just a babysitting job, with Cylons in the area you’re going to have it just as rough as I will. Over the past few yarhens, the whole time I’ve been on the Callisto, I’ve put everything I am into Gold Squadron. So leaving it to you...it’s like I’m trusting you with my heart and soul. And I know you won’t let me down.”
“I’ll make you proud,” Skyler promised.
“I know you will,” Brie agreed. “Oh, and just so you know, Stadia’s been looking for me. Since she’s not going on the mission, she’ll need to talk to you. If it’s what I think it is tell her she’d better put in a request for larger quarters immediately, these things can take sectars.”
Skyler wasn’t sure when the conversation had changed to something as trivial so the size of someone’s living space, but he knew it was probably time to go. “I guess I’ll let you finish getting ready,” he said.
“Thanks.” Brie walked with Skyler towards her door. “I’ll see you before we launch, I promise.” As she watched Skyler walk down the hall, Brie realized that for the first time since she had accepted this assignment, she wasn’t smiling.
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Post by LucianG on Apr 24, 2005 14:52:32 GMT -6
Brie Not long after Skyler left there was another knock on Brie’s door. She was glad that she had just about finished everything that she wanted to do, there was one last thing to take care of but it would have to wait a few more centons. “It’s open,” she called. Ensign Agelastus, who had been assigned to the infantry for the mission, entered with a very young woman that Brie didn’t know. “What can I do for you?” she asked.
Agelastus spoke first. “This is Corporal Briseis, Ma’am. She would like to volunteer for the infantry in the upcoming mission.”
“Corporal Briseis,” Brie repeated. “It’s nice to meet you." The woman before her looked so young. "Do you know what this mission entails, what the outcome is expected to be?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Briseis said. “I know that it’s dangerous, and that we’re not supposed to make it back.”
“Then why do you want to volunteer?” Brie asked as she typed the young woman’s name into her computer.
“Because I’m willing to die so that the human race can survive.”
That was quite a statement for someone so young. It sounded exactly like the type of thing Brie would have said when she was younger. She turned towards the computer screen before her. “It says here that you don’t have any experience. I’m sorry, but if this mission is to succeed...”
“Excuse me, Ma’am,” Corporal Briseis interrupted, which was pretty bold for her to do. “I may not have any field experience, but I have a lot of valuable knowledge. I know all about the Cylons, more than most warriors.”
“That might be true,” Brie said, “but Major Curemode is coming along. He’s the director of technology, and I’m sure he knows PLENTY about the Cylons.”
“But...” Briseis objected.
“Listen, I’m sure your knowledge would be a wonderful thing to have along, but we’re full-up. We’ve got room for 26 people, and we already have our 26 volunteers. If that changes, I’ll let you know. Now, is there anything else?” * * * Agelastus “Can you wait outside please, Corporal,” I asked Briseis.
She left the room, moving in a distinctly slump-shouldered fashion. I wondered if she’d ever really considered that the Major might, effectively, say no. I turned slightly to face the Major squarely, straightening almost to full attention.
“You have something to add, ensign?” Brie asked. A little abruptly, I thought. Perhaps she felt that I was wasting her time.
“Yes sir,” I replied, strongly. “I admit I haven’t been privy to all the briefings among the Command staff for this mission, but the organization into two teams can only mean that we have two slightly differing objectives. Your team’s job is to destroy the Cylon Central control, whereas the infantry’s job is to make sure you get there and cover you while you do it.
As such, there is no guarantee that our teams will stay together, in part or in whole. The infantry could do with someone who knows more than the basics of Cylon technology as well. Besides,” I looked directly at the major, “to be blunt, sir, there’s no guarantee that Major Curemode will survive to reach the Control Centre. We don’t know that any of us will. The mission could use some more redundancy, and she wants to go.
Also.....” I trailed off. That tickle in my subconscious was getting louder. Something I’d heard once? No, maybe something I’d seen….
Brie waited for me to continue, but I’d lapsed into thought. Very, very rude when standing before a senior officer, and most unlike me. I was normally much more alert. Maybe something I’d heard........
“Ensign,” Brie broke in sharply. “Regardless of her qualifications, she has no combat training.”
“A couple of hours on the range will give her a basic arms certification,” I argued. “Hand to hand can wait,” I added, almost facetiously. The major hadn’t thrown me out yet.
The beeping of the com interrupted the major’s reply. With a brief gesture for me to wait, the major leaned over slightly and activated it. Low as the volume was set, I only caught snatches of the report.
“Ankle shattered.....crutches........cycles.”
Brie thanked the unknown voice for the report and then looked up at me.
“That was Life Centre,” she said, using the old-fashioned term for some reason. Surprise? “Captain Hector won’t be on the mission with us.”
I waited in silence for her to continue, for the decision to come. * * * Brie Brie took a deep breath and slowly let it out. For some reason she was really enjoying making Agelastus wait. “Okay, she can come. I’ll inform Sergeant Brinfort about the change. She’ll need to report to the Science Lab like the rest of us at the top of the centar. There’s not much time after that until we launch, but I want you personally, ensign, to see that she at least learns how to fire a sidearm.”
“Yes sir,” Agelastus replied. “Thank you.”
“You’d better go and let Corporal Briseis know,” Brie told him. Agelastus headed towards the door. “And ensign, in the future you might want to remember that I’ve been doing this for a while, I do know a thing or two about how to plan a mission." * * * Agelastus The Major's words bothered me a little. She was right, after all, and my long service hadn't really left me with much mission plannig experience. Well, not since the early yahrens following the Holocaust anyway, the yahrens before the Prison Barge. Maybe I was making a mistake. I'd got Briseis included on the mission, now it was squarely on my shoulders to get her back alive.
On the other hand, I did know a lot about coming back alive. You could say I had a talent for it.
And there was that niggle..........
That made me think of another niggle, causing me to pause at the door and turn.
"By the way, sir. Which member of Black Squadron will be accompanying us, if you don't mind me asking?" * * * Brie Brie, who had returned to the last of her paperwork, glanced up at Agelastus. "Killjoy," she said simply. From the look on his face it was obvious that they knew each other. "Dismissed, ensign." * * * Agelastus My face was a tad rigid as I walked out of the door, Brie's response ringing in my ears.
Killjoy.
Given the fsct that the number of our meetings could be counted off without using all the fingers of a man's two hands, he was perhaps the one person on the Callisto who truly worried me, whose connections and goals I wasn't sure of. Who knew of parts of my past without having any apparent reason to keep silent.
In the corridor Briseis was waiting according to my orders. My facial expression revealed nothing, to her anyway, and her face remained downcast.
"You're in," I said, simply and directly.
"Sir?" Her face was a picture of incredulity, hope and a trace of suspicion chasing each other across her features. Interesting that. Just who had she been speaking to, or was that just a result of Caledon's words, whatever they might have been?
"Captain Hector's had an accident," I answered. "Come."
She followed me down the corridor, listening as I explained the plan for the next few centars. First any last minute preparations, final letters, wills etc. that she might have to make. Then the briefing in the Science lab. Then basic training, at least of the "how to shoot" variety. Her step sounded light, the few glances I made towards revealing that her face showed eagerness and anticipation, barely any trace of fear and trepidation.
No regrets at all? I wondered in passing if I would have time to check her record.
She still seemed so young.............
I realised that I couldn't really remember what that felt like anymore.
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Post by LucianG on Apr 24, 2005 14:53:42 GMT -6
Agelastus I left the Pyramid game undisturbed. Something to come back to, as I'd thought last time. And maybe this would work for Hawke to.
The notification had said that the mission and technical briefing would be in two centars. After that, everyone would be busy with the official preparations, so that left me with just these two centars to make some preparations of my own.
I strode off in the direction of the main hull.
* * * The terminal was in a small storage room near Gold Squadron’s quarters, and was rarely used for anything except inventory checks. However, it did offer surprisingly full access to the ship’s network. I often used it when I needed to study things in comparative private.
At the moment I was studying the public portion of the records of the volunteers from the Colonial infantry. I was surprised to see Captain Hector’s name on the list, given Sergeant Brinfort was supposed to be in charge. That looked likely to give problems – what if Hector disagreed with a command Brinfort gave, for example?
I ran my eyes down the list again. Straves, Janneche, Hecate, mostly names that meant nothing to me. I’d rarely mixed with the infantry.
I regretted that now. Soon I’d be relying on these names to keep me alive, just as they’d be relying on me.
I don’t go on suicide missions. I fully intended to come back alive, to share a bottle of ambrosa with my fellow warriors.
* * * The panel was in another storage room, this one nearer Energizer One. Normally it sat amid a number of other unremarkable panels forming a wall, beyond which lay nothing but conduits and control runs, and then the wall of the next room. Now it sat leaned against the wall that it was part of.
The space revealed would have surprised every maintenance team on the Callisto with its existence. I was checking some of the contents now.
“Well, well,” I muttered to myself. “Only two gel packs gone.”
I turned the bolt I’d been examining over and over in my hand. Although it needed charging, along with the half dozen others still to be attached to the portable generator humming in the corner, it was in perfect condition. Despite the fact that I hadn’t opened this cubbyhole since I’d first boarded the Callisto. Off to one side lay other bolts, awaiting my attentions to load their heads with the explosive compound I’d mixed a few centons earlier. Already in a black carry-bag were the pieces of the small but powerful crossbow that had been hidden here.
I thought that I could take along thirty bolts without weighing me down to much – all twenty gel packs and ten explosive. Now I had two spaces. Considering, I reached into the cubbyhole and pulled out two more bolts. One had an unusually thick shaft and an eyelet near the base of the head. I flicked it slightly and grunted with satisfaction as metal barbs shot out, designed to hold it securely in place in whatever target it had been aimed at. The other bolt was the smallest, although it’s head had the same barb arrangement. Along with it I’d pulled out a small tracker unit. As I moved it near the bolt it beeped satisfactorily.
As I waited for the remaining gel packs to charge, I examined the remaining items in my little hiding place. Reaching a decision, I pulled out a pair of monofilament blades. No one in their right mind wants to fight hand to hand with a Cylon, but I had no idea just how close-quarters the fighting in the base might become. And Cylon armour, like all armours, had its weak points at the joints.
Then I paused. Would that be useful? With an almost jerky movement I reached in, picked up a small item, and pocketed it.
I’d have to hurry. I didn’t want to be late for the briefing. * * * Like many in the Colonial infantry, Kale was a young man who had joined up after the Cylon holocaust. Unusually enough for such a young man, he was also a sergeant, even if newly promoted. Following the loss of the Colonies, the Colonial infantry had found its’ ranks, diminished as they were, plumped out with veterans either on the verge of retirement or actually retired, and green youths who had joined up for reasons of revenge or simply because they had no other place to go. Kale had been one of the latter.
Now he was reading the mission roster posted in the corridor outside his company’s quarters. Some of the names surprised him.
Sergeant Brinfort and the Captain had announced the mission at a mass meeting in the Quad (the gym/training room that was the largest open space on the Callisto outside of alpha and Beta bays.) Volunteers had been plenty, Kale was sure, although he knew the selection criteria might have caused problems. By now, most people on the Callisto had things and people to live for.
Turning, he spoke to the private standing beside him.
“Well, Isis, what do you think?” he said.
“Sir?” Private Isis responded. She was a rarity in the Colonial infantry, a line-trooper from before the Holocaust. A veteran of the fighting on Piscera, she had been on the last transport to get away from that doomed world, a transport that had somehow slipped the Cylon web to follow the Galactica’s route through the Nova Madagon and join the fleet during its’ sojourn in the skies of Carrillon.
“The list,” Kale elaborated. “There’s some, erm, surprising names on it.”
At that moment, with preposterously exact timing, the whoosh of a door opening caused both Kale and Isis to glance down the hitherto empty corridor. Coming out of their bunkroom were privates Ophis and Talls. Talls jerked slightly as he straightened the collar of his uniform.
“I mean,” Kale continued, “Why are they on this trip? I thought both Brinfort and the Captain said that family ties would be taken into account. They’re sealed to each other.”
Isis shrugged. “Maybe because they both volunteered?” she ventured. She was more concerned that she was going on this trip. Although at the time she had had no qualms, now that the reality was before her the level of fear she was feeling surprised her. Suddenly, she really didn’t want to go.
“Maybe you’re right,” Kale mused, oblivious to the private torment of his colleague. “Still, it doesn’t feel right. Not right at all……..” * * * The shower area felt a lot like a steam room at the moment. From somewhere within the obscuring haze of water droplets came a female voice.
“So, why did you volunteer Hecate?” Corporal Janneche’s surprisingly deep voice inquired.
“For the chance to blow things up, of course!” came the breathy and almost girlish voice of Corporal Hecate.
“You don’t change, do you,” was Janneche’s retort. The two had known each other since their childhood on Caprica, growing up in the capital itself. Together they had survived the night of fire when the Cylons came; together they’d joined the Colonial infantry. Janneche was the senior Corporal, but only by centars.
Now they’d volunteered to probably die together.
Hecate’s response hadn’t been entirely joking. She was a demolitions expert, perhaps the best on the Callisto, and some of her colleagues were a little disturbed by the intensity with which she approached her work when around explosives. It was such a contrast to her normal, almost ditzy, demeanour.
Together they moved out of the showers in the direction of the sonics and the towels. Today both chose to dry the slow, traditional way.
After all, one is allowed a little luxury for your last time.
Hecate paused in her vigorous toweling of her hair. “I see that Straves has volunteered as well,” she said, almost archly.
Janneche didn’t bother to reply verbally. She just threw a towel at her comrade.
* * *
Corporal Straves, forty-yahren veteran of the Colonial infantry, paused in the action of swapping the charger of his hand laser. He was on the range, relaxing in the way he knew best before the big meeting. As one of the longest serving members of the Colonial infantry on the ship he had developed a reputation for almost superhuman calm. His “been there, done that” attitude was the envy of many.
Like many, he had no family. He had no ties. In some ways perhaps he felt that he didn’t deserve them.
He would not have believed anyone who told him that the fact that he was certain to volunteer had been the deciding point in the decision of two of his fellow corporals to throw their names into the hat as well.
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Post by LucianG on Apr 24, 2005 14:54:48 GMT -6
Agelastus “Do you have to smoke that now, Corporal?” Sergeant Brinfort asked the man across the table from him testily. The fleet issue Ambrosa was bad enough without that, that smell to contend with.
“You wouldn’t begrudge a man a last Fumarello, would you sergeant?” Corporal Lannis replied calmly, taking a long drag.
Brinfort shrugged. Lannis always had some excuse, no matter how lame. And in this case it was a very valid point. After all, Brinfort was feeling the same way about the Ambrosa he was drinking almost ceremonially.
Despite Brinfort’s hatred of Fumarellos, the two men had been friends for years. Ever since their first meeting on the Galactica in the secton following the Cylon Holocaust. They had been on many missions together, so many that the pre-mission drink and Fumarello had become something of a tradition. Admittedly, none of the missions had looked quite as suicidal as this.
“You do seem distracted, Brin,” Lannis observed quietly. Between the two of them the protocols of rank had never been that set in stone.
Brinfort shook his head slightly. “Not really, Lan. Just going over some things that need to be done in the next few centars.”
“You always did have a problem with relaxation, didn’t you?” Lannis chuckled, taking any possible sting out of his words. “Remember that evening back on the Rising Star?”
“The one with the Councilor from Piscera and the socialator?”
“That’s right.” Lannis grinned. “And those two young techs…”
“Hey,” Brinfort exclaimed, another memory surfacing. “You still owe me that meal in the Star lounge!”
“Then I guess we’ll both have to come back alive so that you can claim it now we’re back with the Fleet.”
Brinfort smiled. Lannis was always good for lightening the mood. Around him the rest room located off the main mess hall was mostly empty, it’s walls plastered with landscapes from the various lost Colonies. The infantry tended to this sort of sentimentality more than the pilots.
Through the open door into the mess hall Brinfort caught sight of Captain Hector, talking in low tones to another sergeant. Hastily, he finished the last dregs of his Ambrosa, and stood up. There was much work to be done, and it was likely that the Captain was looking for him.
“Time to go,” he said.
“You don’t mind if I finish my Fumarello first,” Lannis drawled, but only to Brinfort’s departing back.
* * *
In the mess hall, Hector saw Brinfort stand to approach him. Mentally noting this, he continued to talk to the sergeant before him, discussing the medical assessments he had just received.
“So both Peterson and Nel have been cleared for the mission,” he stated.
“Yes sir,” the sergeant, whose markings included the bars indicating that he had a medical specialty, stated. “They’ve both fully recovered from that bout of Tauran summer-fever.”
“I see we still need a med-tech for the mission itself, though, Sergeant Castor.”
“In that case sir, I’d like to volunteer.” Castor had missed the meeting. Given the opportunity now, he didn’t hesitate. He nervously stroked his light beard as he waited for Hector’s response.
Of course, there was only one answer the captain could give.
“You’ll be most welcome Sergeant.” * * * As I walked along the corridor I was reflectively hefting the black carry-bag in my hand up and down. Not too bad at all. It shouldn’t weigh me down to much when added to the official mission kit. It was still early for the meeting, as fixing the explosive bolts had taken less time than I’d allowed for. Maybe I should find some Ambrosa for one last drink.
Just for luck of course.
“Sir!” the over-eager voice served to snap me out of my reverie. I could hear the patter of running feet behind me. Sliding my hand into my pocket I turned.
“Sir!” came again, slightly more breathlessly, from the young tech approaching me from down the corridor. As she came to a slightly skidding stop in front of me, I recognized her.
“You gave me the report on my Viper, didn’t you?” I said. “You have something more to report?” I was more than half-certain that she was going to confirm that the damage had been sabotage rather than accidental. She surprised me, however.
“No sir. I’d like to volunteer for the mission.” Taking my hesitation as incomprehension she added. “The mission to take out the Cylon base sir.”
I was, to put it bluntly, stunned. I couldn’t think of any reason for her to go, or any reason for her to approach me rather than the Major. We’d only spoken once, after all.
“This isn’t a case of hero-syndrome, is it corporal?” I asked sternly.
“No sir. I think I could be useful. I was in the accelerated program, and I spent a lot of time in Sciences during training. I’ve worked with a lot of Cylon equipment and files sir, and I gave some help to Fallel and....” She trailed off as she saw the continued hostility on my face.
“Why me, Corporal? You should approach the Major or Sergeant Brinfort.”
“Caledon suggested I approach you sir. He said that....” She stopped again as I held up my hand. I could guess what Caledon had said, something along the lines of rule breaking and willingness to listen to wild ideas. But the fact was she lacked the combat training needed.
“I’m sorry,” I said, almost meaning it. “But it’s impossible.”
I left her standing in the corridor, looking almost on the verge of tears at my abrupt dismissal. Frack, she still looked to young to even be in the military. After three strides though I stopped, abruptly, as a thought hit me. I turned and glanced back.
“Corporal! Did your training include work on Cylon computer architecture and file systems?”
“Sir?” she said.
“I said,” I repeated testily, “did your training include work on Cylon computer architecture and file systems. Their protocols, for example.”
“Ah, yes. Yes sir.”
“Come on then, we need to see the Major.” I gestured to her to follow and moved off. I could hear her footsteps behind me as she hurried to keep up with my long strides. I’d suddenly realized that we were effectively going to be operating as two teams, and the infantry didn’t seem to have anyone with them who knew more than the “that is a gun” basics of Cylon technology, barring the possible expertise of whoever the Black Squadron volunteer was. I still didn’t know if it would be Killjoy or not. My own knowledge of Cylon technology was sadly incomplete, as I acknowledged privately to myself.
Besides, I could feel the germ of an idea tickling to get out of my subconscious as we strode in the direction of Brie’s quarters. I guessed the Major would still be there, working on last minute points.
“By the way, Corporal – what’s your name?”
“Briseis.” I could feel her smiling even with my back to her. “My name is Briseis sir.” * * * As Captain Hector hurried along the corridor, he was running over in his mind seemingly endless lists of "things to do". Reaching the lift, he pressed the summons button when the doors did not automatically open.
Fifteen microns later he pressed again, puzzled. It was a rare occurence that a car was not waiting, let alone take longer than ten microns to arrive.
I don't have time for this, he thought as the realisation hit him that the lift must be faulty. Below the standard hum he could hear a faint crackle, possibly that of arcing electricity. Looking along the corridor, he saw one of the auxiliary access shafts used in situations just like this.
Normally he would have gone along to the next lift - today he was in a hurry.
As a youth, Hector had visited a mine, where he had seen some of the more experienced miners go down ladders forward, as if they were nothing but very steep stairs. Sometimes, he did this himself. He did this now as he hurtled down the narrow, steep access shaft.
Three rungs from the bottom, he slipped. There was a sickening crack as his ankle twisted unnaturally, followed by a dull thud as his head impacted with the deck plate.
Hector was a very tough man; he was also a veteran. His mind dragged itself back to consciousness after less than half a centon, only to nearly lapse back again as a shattering pain registered.
"Felgercarb."
Hector was furious, mainly at himself. As he dragged himself painfully along towards the nearest com he repeatedly shook his head in disbelief at the timing. There was no way that he would be fit for the mission now. No way at all.
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Post by LucianG on Apr 24, 2005 14:55:42 GMT -6
Droidarr “Roll out damnit!” Masonic cried as Buck flew his viper straight into a Cylon Pinwheel. He quickly banked hard over, feeling more than seeing Droidarr form on his wing as they tried to help Buck. “Frak!” Buck said out loud, suddenly noticing the situation he was in, “Well, if I’m going down, I’m going down swinging!” He put his viper into a 3 axis spin to make himself a harder target and just held the trigger, trying to take as many with him as he could. “I’m high” Droidarr said calmly as he swung his viper across Masonic’s nose, laser cannons firing. “I’m low” Masonic said with a smile, trying to clear out the bottom hub of the Cylon pinwheel. “YEEEHAW!” Buck shouted as the Cylon attackers disappeared one after the other in balls of flame and debris. “The power of three rules!” “He’s been watching to many vids again” Masonic laughed. “You know, that witch show with the three girls.” “Ahh, no” Droidarr replied. “Not into soap operas.” “Not a soap” Buck said, climbing back into formation. “They like fight daemons and stuff.” “I like the red head” Masonic told them. “Um, guys, we are in the middle of a battle.” “Just a simulator” Buck informed him. “Dude, you shot me down twice.” “Frak Droid, stop charging into the fight, just sit back and snipe.” “When has he ever sat back and sniped?” Masonic asked Buck. “Well, a recon mission is to go out and scout, while trying to avoid contact. But someone things scouting means flying out and making sure everyone in the galaxy knows we are here.” “And the problem is?” “You’re going to get us all killed” Buck told Droidarr. “There is now way I can keep up with you two.” “End simulation” Droidarr said, causing the three cockpits to light up. “Dude, you have to stop fighting the simulator on easy. “Fight other humans, fight the sim on the hardest level, it the only way your going to get better. Spending hours playing with this thing set on cadet level is going to get you killed.” “Now we are using hours?” Masonic asked. “Yeah, and metric too so…..” “Hey, we have a briefing in a micron haus.” * * * Thunderhawk Thunderhawk decided to grab a snack before the training meeting at the Science Lab. As he was eating, he overheard other Gold squadron warriors talking about the upcoming "suicide mission." Thunderhawk didn't really feel all that wound up about the whole thing. "Hey, it's just another difficult mission that we WILL be coming back from," was what he replied, in his own mind, time and time again. After a few minutes, Thunderhawk decided to go down and look for his friend, Skyler, before he had to head down to that meeting.
As Thunderhawk rounded a turn in the corridor, Skyler just so happened to be right there, right at the same moment. Thunderhawk, at 6' 8," was just too similar to a brick wall in both size and weight. Skyler stumbled back a bit, but caught himself before he fell. Skyler was obviously upset and had something big on his mind.
Thunderhawk was a bit worried about his friend and said, "Hey Skyler, sorry about that. You o.k. ?" * * * Logan Lt_Logan leaned against the corridor wall with her legs and arms crossed, thinking. She was so still that several Warriors were not aware of her presence until they were nearly parallel to her position. I still have the knack of blending in to the scenery when I feel like it, she thought ruefully. Not a bad trait right now. Logan felt out of place, something she didn't like admitting to herself. Of course she had anticipated a certain adjustment to her new posting would be unpreventable, but she hadn't counted on coming into the middle of a suicide mission. Nerves were on edge here. As they should be, from what Major Brie outlined in the briefing and bits and pieces she had heard over on the Galactica before leaving. Logan sighed, from one tense situation to another. My timing stinks. And of all people to stumble across, Skyler. It had been yahrens since she'd last seen him. And now he'll be in charge of my squadron. But the past was the past and she'd been determined to overcome the frustrations of that dark time. And what was the matter with Skyler anyway? During the briefing, his jaw muscles just seemed to get tighter and tighter. It must be a woman. She'd seen that look in his eyes before, long ago. He wasn't answering his comm. Not a good sign. It meant he was brooding about something, or at least that's what it would have meant back then.I hope its not me, she thought uncomfortably. I don't want to dredge up any bad feelings in Skyler. But that didn't seem to be his initial reaction to seeing me. Someone approached down the corridor. He was hard to miss. And I thought I was tall, Logan slightly shifted her position as the almost 7' Warrior trudged past, lost in thought. He turned the corner and she immediately heard an exclamation of surprise and the shuffling of boots. Logan shook her head in pity for whoever had just walked into the tall Warrior, but became alert when she heard Skyler's name and then his voice. Aha, she mused, I knew if I stayed here long enough I'd catch up with him! Logan eased her 6' frame casually away from the wall, pushed her hair out of her eyes and started around the corner of the corridor. * * * Thunderhawk Skyler stumbled back a bit, but caught himself before he fell. Skyler was obviously upset and had something big on his mind.
Thunderhawk was a bit worried about his friend and said, "Hey Skyler, sorry about that. You o.k. ?"
Skyler blinked a few times to clear his head. He himself was 6'1" and maintain a very athletic build but when he was next to his friend, he felt like a dwarf.
"Yeah Thunderhawk, I am fine. Glad its you, I thought they had moved the bulkheads without telling me." Skyler smiled at his large friend. No matter how many times he saw him do it, he still wondered how he fit in the cockpit of a Viper.
"Whats on your mind Skyler?" Thundehawk asked.. "Looks like something big."
"Its just this mission, being left behind and all. I know why, and trust me, I am honored to be picked by the Major to command, but.." he paused for a micron. "I am the reckless one in the group, the one who rushes in head first, she is the stable one who bails me out. Looks like I have rubbed off on her a little to much."
Thunderhawk laughs and slaps his hand on Skyler's shoulder causing him to stumble forward an extra step. "Skyler, you just have to much grunt left in you. You can not stand to know we are going on this mission, and we are going to get to play with the big guns, and blow lots of stuff up, and you are going to miss it. Of course, you still get to face 50 to 1 odds when the Raiders come out to play, but we still have the big guns..."
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Post by LucianG on Apr 24, 2005 14:56:30 GMT -6
Lucian Preparations were continuing in Science and Engineering. The assembled team looked at the schematics for the Cylon tanker. It consisted of six globes, each six meters in diameter, connected by a two double bands each way. Similar to a ladder, one pair of bands were placed on each the horizontal and vertical axes of the ship, encircling and separating the globes. Another pair of bands connected to each of the longitudinal bands was placed around each globe The bands, constructed of a durasteel alloy, were rectangular, 0.5 meters wide by 1.5 meters deep, and were placed approximately 1.75 meters each side of the central axis in each direction. At the front of the vessel, a very small control room was attached to each of the four bands at each of the intersections. Lines of pipes were placed along the sides and top of the ship, placed between the bands. There were numerous valves compartmentalizing the pipes and the globes, since the Cylons often shipped different compressed gases in each chamber. Pumps and compressors were nestled in the spaces between the globes, attached to and somewhat protected by the bands.
The ship was designed for in-system use only. Behind the sixth globe, which actually held the refined fuel, was a large propulsion unit consisting of three parallel engines. Maneuvering nozzles were placed at the corners of the bands. Docking equipment was shown along the side and top bands. Since the ship was designed for use in space only, there was no provision for landing on a planet. Along the “bottom” bands, four small fixed landing pads were placed near each band intersection. These could be used for landing on Cylon base ship.
“Or a battlestar?” asked Fallel.
“Right, my boy,” said Solon with a cracked cackle, “OR a battlestar.”
“Based on these engine specs, it will take almost a cycle for this tub to get from the platform to the moon,” said Lucian. “The controls, assuming they are the same, can be spliced, so when it comes time to escape, we can take control of the ship.” He assigned an electronics expert and an engineer to beginning designing a mechanism to do so.
“The control room is physically too small for more than two of our people in envirosuits, which will be required since there is no life support system in there, and since there’s not enough room to fit it in there anyway.”
“Hope no one has claustrophobia,” joked someone in the back.
“Actually, any Warrior or Trooper who’s been in space as long as we have shouldn’t have a problem with it,” said Lucian, “or at least we should hope. Make a note for Major Brie, just in case. Now, let’s look at how we turn these tanks into something fit for short-term human habitation. There will be no gravity on this ship, so let’s make sure that anyone susceptible to zero gravity sickness takes the proper medication with them.” Lucian nodded to the guy in the back, “Make another note for Brie on that. Considering we live in artificial gravity, I’m far more concerned about that than possible claustrophobia.”
They started making notes on what would be required…. * * * Lucian looked at the schematic. Something wasn't adding up. The dimension showed the tanker to be about 100 meters, cut by his quick mental math, he was only coming up with about half that. "This doesn't look right. I'm only getting about 50 meters, but that says approximately 100."
"You've fallen for the Cylon diameter problem. The symbol we use for diameter is what the Cylons use for radius. Our conversion didn't change it, so the tanks are twice as large in diameter as you thought."
"And a heck of a lot larger in volume, too," Lucian agreed. "We'll want to outfit two of them with life support for some redundancy. Are they heated, and how are they loaded and unloaded?"
"According to this text, the tanks are heated enough to keep the gases from freezing; however, that's still well below what our people can tolerate. Unless we do a lot, they'll need to be in envirosuits."
"We'll see about that in a few centons. What about the loading and unloading?"
"Sorry. These ships were to be automated, shuttling back and forth between the refinery platform and the base. There may be a couple of maintenance type Cylons that can travel on the bands to service engines, valves, pipes, and such, but there shouldn't be any Centurions," said Fallel.
"Yeah, the docks at both ends may be crawling with them," said Solon.
Fallel continued, "From my experience, the maintenance types can be just as scary as the Centurions. Don't underestimate them. If they're still active when the teams get in the tanks, I seriously doubt that the teams would ever make it to the moon."
"Note to attack teams," said Lucian. "Also, this spec is well over 150 yahrens old. Who's to say the tinheads in this system haven't made changes."
"That's quite true. Now, loading and unloading operations are automated; when the ship docks, this triggers the process. Pipes appear to extend from the docks at each end and connect to the tanker's connector pipes. At the loading end, the gases are pumped in from the holding tanks, and at the unloading end, the high pressure and the pumps on the dock will pull it out of there pretty fast. There's some type of solenoid device that triggers multiple valve openings on the tanker to allow all this to work. We've got to make sure we disable those for the tanks with our people."
Solon agreed, "Otherwise, when that suction kicks in, it would be much worse than an Aquarian hurricane. Much, much worse!"
"Now, let's look at what we need to turn this thing into a first class pleasure craft, or at least, life raft, for our folks," said Lucian. * * * Amy Lt. Deke walked slowly to the trunk that held his stowed combat gear. Nicknamed “Big” Deke, first for his weight, then later in the spirit of locker room humor, he’d taken it all in good fun. That was the thing with Deke: he was enjoyable to be around, always in good spirits to those around him. Yet inside, noone knew the real Deke.
Orphaned in the attacks on the 12 worlds, Deke early on learned how to put up walls, keeping a happy face on the outside so people wouldn’t pry too much for what lie underneath.
He’d joined the warriors, yet struggled with his weight. With a shortage of manpower the service couldn’t afford to reject him, but neither could he stay fit enough for regular combat duties. He’d trained well, developed good skills, but was always in the reserve unit. It was always the weight that did him in. For every pound he shed, he always put it back on. And so he put in his time and ‘retired’, even though he was only listed as inactive. From time to time his non-combat skills were required, and he was more than happy to see the warriors again and help where he could.
He saw this upcoming mission as a way to finally see the action he was otherwise qualified to see. He’d hit it lucky: his weight cycle was on a downward trend at the moment, and he showed to be fit as ever, though still above regulations for a man his size. But with his charm and good humor he’d pulled some strings and got the green light from medlab, knowing full well that if he didn’t have a strong heart and good conditioning all the charm in the world wouldn’t have made any difference. For once his weight was borderline, and so he passed.
And now he stood looking over his combat uniform. He pulled out the belt with the holster, and looked forward to being issued a blaster. He wrapped the belt around his waist, just to check to see if he needed to pop in any new holes. It had been a while, after all. He smiled, seeing that it would fit fine.
He reached down and grabbed the rest of the items, eager to put them on a join the other warriors. For this time, he wasn’t a non-combat reservist. He was their equal at last. Come what may, that alone would make it all worthwhile. But he had no illusions: he knew he was going because there wasn’t any concern about him possibly being a slow moving target. No one was expected to return from this mission, and in that regard, he truly was equal. A few extra pounds wouldn’t make him any less expendable than the fittest warrior in the fleet.
He thought about his commander for this mission, the hot Major Brie. He blushed at the very thought of her. For as outgoing as he was he still was intimidated by a pretty woman, and Brie was all of that. He noticed too that Captain Amy was to be in his unit, but he never much cared for her. She struck him as a little very *friendly* personty for his tastes. She seemed to have a different warrior on her arm every time he saw her. He let out a sigh, and shrugged his shoulders. Maybe he felt that way because HE had never been on her arm? No matter.
“As long as she can shoot straight”, he said to himself as he closed the lid on the trunk.
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Post by LucianG on Apr 24, 2005 14:57:17 GMT -6
JustinB I didn't get much sleep, but the time spent with Rose was marvelous. Now as I climb out of bed, I look at her and wished we had more time. Grabbing a towel I head to the turbo wash. After a few centons of refreshing myself I step out and begin to dry myself. I walk over to Rose who is still in bed and kiss her on the cheek. She slowly wakes and rubs her eyes.
"Rose, I have to go and organize the Squadron assignments for the mission. At your leisure feel free to use the turbo wash. I will be in my office if you need me."
"No problems lover, its just I hope you are not going to the office looking like that," she said pointing to me standing with just a towel on.
As I head over to grab a fresh uniform I replied, "Actually, I think I might just do that."
While I was placing on my uniform, Rose did the same. When I kissed her goodbye, she said "Bye JustinB, I will be at the barracks getting a fresh uniform and a turbo wash there."
I made my way to the office and all the way all I could think about was cylons and the mission. Once in the office I looked at the roster and contacted Captain Kris.
"Kris, JustinB here. Can you come to my office now please?"
"I will be about ten centons Major" Kris replied.
Ten centons before she arrives, I thought to myself. Enough time to dash down to the O'Club and grab a quick snack and a drink.
When I arrived back at the office, Kris had just come around the corner. I let her in and we proceeded to go over the roster. * * * Lucian "Justin, Stargazor has discovered a potential problem with the Vipers that underwent the latest upgrade."
"That's more than half our Vipers!" said Justin in surprise.
"Exactly," said Lucian. "Commander Sheba has authorized the test flight to check out the theory since everything appears to check out as within tolerance. Can you get a wingmate assigned to him for an immediate launch? Stargazor is prepping now. His wing will only fly cover and must not attempt the maneuver in question." * * * JustinB "Commander Sheba has authorized the test flight to check out the theory since everything appears to check out as within tolerance. Can you get a wingmate assigned to him for an immediate launch? Stargazor is prepping now. His wing will only fly cover and must not attempt the maneuver in question."
"Copy Major, I have just the person." Going over what Major Lucian had said, I had to act fast. "Kris, make your way down to the launch bay right now. But DO NOT use your viper. Use my Scarlet Class Viper but I want it back in one piece." Kris nodded and made her way out of the office. Now I had to get back to the assignments. * * * Looking over the Roster I drew up the Mission Assignments. Once it was completed I posted them In the Black Squadron Barracks and fired a copy to Major Lucian.
******************** BLACK SQUADRON Refinery/Tanker Mission Assignments.
FLIGHT ONE
Major JustinB, Mission Commander Ens. Droidarr; Major JustinB's Wingman.
Lt. RaycerX , Ens. Stargazor; Lt. RaycerX's Wingman.
Lt. Anubis, Ens. Masonic; Lt. Anubis's Wingman.
Lt. Brotherjoe and Ens. Iberia Lt. Brotherjoe's Wingman.
FLIGHT TWO
Captain Kris, Mission 2IC Ens. Buck Stanza; Captain Kris's Wingman.
Lt. Rose, Ens. Jaz; Lt. Rose's Wingman
Lt. Vexis, Ens. Spacecityman Lt. Vexis's Wingman
Lt. Phlandor Lt. Starbuck Lt. Phlandor's Wingman.
Captain Randrius Will Remain Onboard In Charge of All Remaining Black Squadron Warriors For Duration Of Mission.
ALL ASSIGNED WARRIORS TO ATTEND BRIEFING ROOM THIRTY CENTONS BEFORE LAUNCH. * * * Droidarr I turned into berth, ready to take a hot turbo-wash and get a cold drink after a long, long day in the simulators. As tempting as it was to just grab some quick rack time, I just pulled a fresh towel out of the locker, and turned, seeing a posting on the board. For some unknown reason I actually read this one. "Wow, I'm the Major's wingman" I mussed with a wiry smile, which turned into terror before I realized I did not even own a red shirt and breathed a sigh of relief.
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Post by LucianG on Apr 24, 2005 14:58:08 GMT -6
Brie After Agelastus left Brie finished up the last few things she needed to take care of in her office. She opened her safe and took out the two pictures that she had. She stared at them for a few microns. She wasn't really sure what to do with them. There was a picture taken with her parents when she was a little girl, just before they were killed by the Cylons. The other picture was of the day she and Turner took the seal. After giving it some thought, she placed them in an envelope, wrote "Charybdis" on the outside, and placed them back in the safe on top of her new will. Leaving the pictures to Charybdis made sense, sort of, he was not only the person she had been friends with the longest but he was also one of the few people who even remembered Brie’s dead husband. As she opened her door she looked around her office one last time. Her head told her that she wouldn’t live to see it again, but somehow in her heart she knew that she was going to return. Slowly, she stepped into the hall and closed the door behind her.
Brie had one last stop that she wanted to make before the meeting in the science lab. Having grabbed a handful of cubits when she was in her office, she headed for the Officers' Club. Lieutenant Osh, who was an old friend, a member of Black Squadron, and part-time bartender, was one of the few people in there. "Major," he called. "I heard about the mission. Good luck."
Brie's smile returned. “Thanks. I’m going to need it. Listen, Osh, I need for you to do me a favor.”
“Anything.”
“I need the very best bottle of ambrosia that you have,” Brie said. “Not for me,” she added quickly, noticing the look on Osh’s face. “I want you to wait until about a centar after we launch, and then deliver it to Captain Skyler’s quarters. Make sure you tell him it’s from me. But it has to be after we launch. And don’t tell anyone else. Okay?”
“You got it,” Osh replied. Brie tried to hand him the cubits but Osh refused. “With the mission that you’re going on, this one is on the house.”
“No way,” Brie said, placing the cubits on the bar. “Where I’m headed, I certainly won’t need them. But I’ll let you buy me a drink when I get back.”
“I might even spring for two,” Osh said.
“Nah, two would go right to my head.” Brie held out a hand and Osh took it. “Take care of yourself, my friend.”
“You too. Don’t be such a stranger when you get back. And I’ll deliver that bottle to Skyler myself.”
“Thanks.” As Brie turned to go she thought she saw a tear in the corner of Osh’s eye. She felt slightly guilty. Even with the odds against her she couldn’t wait for this mission, she hadn’t been so excited in a long time. But her friends were taking it hard. She knew that they didn’t realize that she was serious when she said she would be back. She couldn’t explain it, but she knew that it wasn’t yet her time to die. * * * Lucian The sound of the electro-shaver had faded and the pressure from her fingertips and the slight smell of the oil on his head was putting Brinfort in a very good mood. Checking his chrono, he found that the combined briefing would begin in about fifteen centons. His hands shot upward, grasping his wife’s hands as he tilted his head back against her. She leaned forward and kissed him, multiple times, on top of his now shaved head. Her dark hair, with touches of gray fell gently around his face.
“Umm, keep that up, and there won’t be any oil left,” he said.
“Then, I’ll have an excuse to not let you go again,” Karinna said lovingly, “and again, and again. Brin, why do you always have to go? Isn’t there someone else who can do it this time?”
It was always the same, all these yahrens later. There had been countless missions, always questioned by his soulmate, but still, the answer was always the same. “Because I’m damned good at killing Cylons, and because they’re really, really lousy at killing me,” he said with a grin.
“When you get back, will you accept the promotion this time?” she asked, continuing the near litany.
“I doubt it, Kary. You know how I hate authority.”
“Yeah, right, Mr. Drill Sergeant! Well, I’m pulling rank right now. According to your sneak look at your chrono a moment ago, we still have at least 13 centons.”
“I guess we do have a few centons….”
* * *
At the appointed time, the combined teams gathered in the Science and Engineering Conference Room for the technical briefing. Sergeant Brinfort stood sharply erect in the back of the room, with a slight smile in place of his usual scowl. He’d arrived just in time to assemble the C.I. troopers into rows and order complete silence and complete intensity on the task at hand. “If you miss anything, it might be the one piece of info you need to keep us all from getting killed. If you have questions, raise your hand and wait to be recognized. You're on attention, Troopers!”
Major Lucian stood in front of the group and said, “Thank you all for being here so we only have to do this once.” He nodded to both Brie and JustinB. “There is a lot of information to go over, so if you have questions, ask.”
He turned to a screen. “This is Pangara Major Zeta. It’s a large gas giant with numerous moons, but no known Cylon bases. Our target here is a Cylon gas refining platform that should be in an equatorial orbit. Notice that I’ll be saying ‘should’ or something similar more than I’d like in this briefing. Much of our info is derived from captured Cylon records that are approximately 150 yahrens of age. The plans we have predate the actual construction of the platform, so we really don’t know if they are exactly accurate. The team will have to be ready to respond to anything.”
He pointed to a new image on the board. “Before we get to the platform, our first objective is to knock out the sensors and relay transmitter that will be some distance from the orbital platform. I’d suggest using EM pulse torpedoes to make this appear like a natural phenomenon. Once they’re out of order, a laser blast can take them out permanently.”
“The platform orbits just below the top of the outer gas layer. There are numerous long tubes that drop into the layers below to pick up various gases. Don’t try to fly directly under this thing, because your Viper will be turned into garbage if you hit one of these collection tubes. They’re quite large, quite strong, and very long. In addition, while they're 'rigid,' they're somewhat flexible since they're so long and move around in the breezes below. Just because there's a gap one micron, doesn't mean that it will necessarily be there the next micron.” * * * A double tap on the floor took everyone’s attention to Science Officer Solon, who caught his gold knobbed cane in his hands and waved it around in a small, vertical, cone-shaped circle in front of him. “Major, if I might interject,” he said as he stopped the circling. “I’m a little bit older than most of you in this room,” which was followed by a round of laughter since Solon was almost 83 yahrens of age, “and I still remember things that happened to me as a youth. However, I don’t recall much of my youth because so much of it was ordinary, cycle-to-cycle type ‘stuff.’ We remember important things and events. The Cylon database is similar to that. It’s got information from 150 or so yahrens ago up to the point where we took it off out of their little metal mitts a little more than a yahren ago. While there’s lots of information on it, they kept the really important things and overwrote much that would be, let’s say, typical. The Major’s giving you folks the best information we have, but you have to remember that it’s 150 yahrens old, may be out of date, and is most likely incomplete to begin with. That is all.” The tip of the cane “thunked” on the deck again.
“Thank you, Solon,” continued Lucian. “Good point, especially at this point, since there is no information on defenses for the platform. The platform itself is about 350 meters in length, about 100 meters wide, and about 60 meters deep. There are docks along the two long sides for up to four of the tankers, two to a side. There’s a walkway between the docking equipment and the row of tanks that lines each side of the platform. These tanks are for the various gases refined by the platform. The gases are collected by the long ‘hoses’ suspended below, they’re refined in the central area of the platform, and then pumped through a labyrinth of pipes to the tanks and eventually the loading docks. There are 12 large vertical tanks on each side, each about 20 meters in diameter and about 30 meters tall. There are several smaller tanks for lesser gases that might be combined in some of the larger tanks. It appears that the thickness of all the larger tanks is such that small arms fire will have no effect unless you’re putting repeated shots into them. Since these are filled with highly compressed gases, holing them in this manner wouldn’t destroy the platform, but it could change the orbit and eventually lead to the platform falling out of orbit. The demo team is looking at this to see if this might be a way of getting rid of this thing after we’re out of the neighborhood.”
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