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Post by LucianG on Mar 14, 2007 5:06:34 GMT -6
Lucian This happened just a bit earlier…. The bridge was flooded with red light, and officers and other bridge personnel scurried around as the red alert went into effect.
"Red Alert" Sheba had commanded. "Get me the squadron leaders on screen!"
In a moment, the images of Major Batgal, Major Brie, and Major Jorlan had appeared on the small screens near Sheba's station.
"Majors BatGal and Brie", Sheba barked out, "Black and Gold, get this message to all your flight captains and warriors. Your orders are to launch all vipers to the planet Outer. The shuttle carrying Artus, Marcus and Captain Amy is under attack by Cylons. At least 16 trios of raiders have been reported in their distress call. Your orders are to blow those Cylons out of the sky! Try to locate the shuttle and bring her home. But hurry- we jump in one centar. If any vipers aren't back by then, they will be left behind. Majors, I'm not going to give that shuttle up without a fight. Now, LAUNCH ALL VIPERS!"
"Major Jorlan, Silver Spar is to be on standby for launch for protection of the Callisto and the CQ. There are five to seven Base-ships nearby. With our enhanced scanners, we’ve succeeded in avoiding them so far, but if they locate us, we will not be left undefended against them."
“Understood, Commander,” said Jorlan, with a hint of disappointment on his face. He really wanted to lead his Warriors into the fray, but under the circumstances, he had to hope that they would not have to launch.
* * *
A short distance away, at the same time Sheba was giving the order, Major Lucian was reviewing the progress on the plan proposed by Captain JustinB just a few centars earlier. Captain JustinB, Lieutenant Ursiaon, Lieutenant Randrius, Science Officer Solon, his assistant Fallel, and two Tech’s whose names Lucian didn’t know or couldn’t remember were going through the plan.
“Taking what we’ve received from the intercepted messages between the Base-ships, we know they’ve developed the capability to scan in this soup, though it sounds like they haven’t got the range that we do—yet. The way these scanners work, we’ve modified one of our signal devices so it can broadcast a signal that will make the Cylon’s receivers ‘think’ they are picking up something else,” said Fallel. “With enough power, it should even look something like a big blob the size of the Callisto, though it won’t really look like it.”
Captain JustinB said, “We’d like to outfit one of the shuttles with this thing. That won’t take but twenty centons. Then, if we have enough time, we can put together a remote control system to fly it. That shouldn’t take more than a few more centars.”
“Do it,” said Lucian. “Get on that remote sys—”As he was about to continue, the red alert was sounded. He changed his command in mid-stride. “Captain, it appears we are out of time. Get to Beta Bay and launch with your Warriors as ordered. We’ll figure out a way to lead them away from us.”
“Let’s go, Warriors,” said JustinB as he headed toward the exit.
“I’ll be there shortly, Sir,” said Ursiaon. “My knee is hurting today, so I can’t run.”
“Soon as you can. Black Squadron may need all the Warriors we can get in this fight,” said JustinB, and he was gone, running down the corridor.
Major Lucian turned to check on flight launch status, so Fallel nodded toward Solon, and then began to run to Beta Bay to the shuttle where the projection equipment was stashed. Ursiaon, making surprisingly good speed on his injured knee, followed him, though Lucian did not notice. The elderly scientist picked up his cane with the gold ball and started the long walk to Beta Bay. Before actually deciding how many warriors she might need, Brie realized that she needed to know how many vipers would be available. She made a quick stop at the launch bay. She was hoping that at least 8 vipers would already be equipped with the “red dot” transmitter. She stopped to talk to Stern, one of the viper techs. “How are we doing on the transmitters?” Brie asked.
“Pretty well so far,” was Stern’s reply. “We’ve got them installed in 7 Gold Squadron vipers, including yours and Captain Skyler’s. Six each so far for Black Squadron and Silver Spar. And we’ve also finished the new viper that has been assigned to Colonel Charybdis. His old viper was good only for scrap metal.”
Brie knew that sometimes the warriors who had moved to the bridge would still have vipers assigned to them, but with the viper shortage they had been experiencing she hadn’t realized that a new viper had been assigned to Charybdis. It made sense, he was one of the best viper pilots the Callisto had ever seen. She thanked Stern and returned to her quarters. Before assembling her team Brie made a quick call to the bridge. “Colonel Charybdis,” she said to one of her closest friends, “I’ve just been informed that your new viper has already been outfitted with one of the new transmitters. I'm putting together a team just in case we need to go out and help the Gold Shuttle. Not knowing what to expect because of this new Cylon technology, I could use all the experience possible. Interested?” She waited for Charybdis’ response. * * * Brie There hadn’t been enough time to debrief everyone, so for the safety of her squadron Brie broke communications silence. “Listen up, everyone,” she said. “The Cylons have a new technology. They can mimic a viper on our scanners. They seem to be flying in groups of three, so we’ll stay in formations of four. Only about a quarter of our vipers have the ‘red dot transmitters’ so we’ll have one in each group. We should also be able to tell the Cylons by their flight patterns, so keep your eyes open. Maintain radio silence unless absolutely necessary. Any questions?” These were several microns of silence. “Good. Major Brie out.”
“May the Lord of Kobol help us again,” Brie said silently as she turned off her comm. * * * Randrius Randrius sat bolt upright in his bed at the first sound of the red alert siren and was instantly away. He literally was still getting dressed as he flew down the corridors to the launch bay. He found he was one of the first ones there, along with Justin, Raycer, and Killjoy. He snatch his war-battered helm ,threw it on and vaulted into the cockpit. He saw the other performing the same action with similar urgency. "Lt. Randrius here, launch premission requested." "Granted. Get out there, Lt." He punched the burn buttons and his fighter rocketed out, his squadmates ships following seconds later. "Form up," said JustinB, "and let kicks some Cylon tail." As one, they punched the burn and rocketed towards the battle. The Callisto, behind them, continued to disgorge fighters like hornets from a hive. * * * JustinB I hadn't been asleep for long when I was being tapped on the shoulder.
"Go away will ya," I said, "Can't you see I am trying to get some sleep." Next thing I know is that a bright light is shining in my face.
"Wake up Captain," it was Lt.Ursiaon, "Major Lucian wants to see you ASAP."
"Ok, give me a centon." I said still half asleep. After placing on my uniform and placing on my laser, I walked to bridge with Ursiaon. He was limping a little but I didn't ask him what was wrong with it.
Fallel started the briefing, then it was my turn to have my say. “We’d like to outfit one of the shuttles with this thing. That won’t take but twenty centons. Then, if we have enough time, we can put together a remote control system to fly it. That shouldn’t take more than a few more centars.”
“Do it,” Lucian said. “Get on that remote sys—”As he was about to continue, the red alert was sounded. He changed his command in mid-stride. “Captain, it appears we are out of time. Get to Beta Bay and launch with your Warriors as ordered. We’ll figure out a way to lead them away from us.”
“Let’s go, Warriors,” I said as I headed toward the exit.
“I’ll be there shortly, Sir,” said Ursiaon. “My knee is hurting today, so I can’t run.”
“Soon as you can. Black Squadron may need all the Warriors we can get in this fight,” said JustinB, and he was gone, running down the corridor.
Talking to my Flight crew, I found out that only six of Black Squadrons vipers were equipped with the “red dot” transmitters. Once launched, I relayed the information to Major BatGal who was extremely happy to be in her Viper once more.
Major BatGal then came over the comm with hero orders. "Black Squadron, form into three groups. Make sure you’re in contact with someone who has a “red dot” transmitter. Myself and Lieutenant Anubis will be in flight one. Captain JustinB and Lieutenant Phlandor in group two. Lieutenant's Rose and Randrius in flight three. JustinB's flight will take up point position. Good Luck too you all."
Never before had I been in a situation where the whole of Black Squadron was launched as one. I loved it. As everyone assigned themselves to one of the flights, I realised that Lieutenant Ursiaon wasn't with us. ***************** Back on the Callisto Lieutenant Ursiaon made his way to his viper as fast as he could. Just as he entered the landing bay, he tripped over a piece of equipment and went flying. As he got up and put weight on his leg he yelled out in pain. The fall had damaged his leg even further. As he tried to prop himself up he saw Solon, Fallel, and the two Tech’s make there way to the shuttle. Ursiaon knowing he wouldn't make it to his viper, made his way to the shuttle as fast as he could. He knew a little about electronics and engineering, so if he couldn't fly he would help as much as he could.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 14, 2007 5:07:10 GMT -6
Lucian Solon pressed the button, and moments later, asked, "Is Fenny available? It's an emergency."
The Tech on the other end could be seen to turn her head, looking, before she turned back and said, "Sorry, Doc, but Fenmarnis is tied up with the Gold Squadron launch. She'll be unavailable for a while."
"First, it's not Doc, just Solon," said the elderly man. "Tell her I need to talk with her immediately. I'm in the shuttle area of Beta Bay, and need to talk with her about remote control equipment. We've got about twenty centons to outfit this thing, and I need to know what we have with which to work. GET HER!"
"Sorry, Doc! I'll let her know right now!" The screen went dark.
Solon walked over to the shuttle as quickly as he could to see how installation of the broadcast device was going. Fallel and the two Techs were busy installing the device, while Lieutenant Ursiaon, nursing his sore knee, looked on and passed them the tools they requested. At the same time, he was asking questions about how it would function. Fallel, the Frodarian Outlander who had become Solon's chief assistant, seemed to be mildly annoyed by the questions since he was busy, but he was not objecting since he was tracing over the operation of the entire system in his mind in response to the questions.
Solon picked up on his young friend's difficulties, so he got Ursiaon's attention by asking, "Lieutenant, what can you tell me about flying this thing by remote control from long distance?"
"As far as I know, it's never been done, but that doesn't mean we can't invent a way...if we have time," replied Ursiaon. "There is an auto-pilot, of course. We might be able to modify that to operate by remote, but it will probably take a lot more time than we have.
"Time," said Solon sardonically, pulling up the circuitry on the screen, "that's always the crux of the problem, isn't it. I'm going on eighty-two yahrens, and it's always been the problem. Well, actually, time and the fracking Cylons."
* * *
In Alpha Bay, the Tech was suddenly called upon to assist with one of the Vipers. Chief Mission Specialist Fenmarnis, busy with the final touches on the last of the Gold Squadron Vipers, never got the message. * * * Amy More explosions rocked the shuttle, sending Artus and I scurring for our seats. Once more we lurched violently as I struggled to strap myself in.
"What's happening?" I shouted out.
"We've got some help, I think" Marcus shouted back. "Hard to tell since all the blips show viper, but it's got to be Najinn, and maybe Stadia is out there too."
"Any help or response from the Callisto?" I asked.
"None that I can see on screen. And nothing over the com. Maybe the message didn't get through."
"Ehm" Artus interrupted. "Let's stay on the bright side here. Vipers will be coming. They're just not here yet. The alternative isn't a pleasant thing to think about."
He was right. Just then the shuttle lurched again, and the engines went into a high pitched whine.
"Now what?" I called out, though I knew what had happened.
"We've been hit!" Marcus shouted. "I'm losing thrust!"
We all could feel the shuttle vibrating, the engines protesting as the whine increased.
"I've got to back off the power" Marcus called out. "We'll never make it without help! Where is that support?"
* * *
On the lead Cylon attack raider, the Gold Command Cylon surveyed the damage to his attack fleet.
"What is happening?" he asked.
A silver Cylon replied, "We are picking up more radio signals. Another colonial craft has broken silence."
"On speaker" the Gold Cylon commanded. In a moment, he listened as the signals were repeated. "Stadia take the 6 I'll take the 12, keep route one clear and I'll plough our way out of here."
Then, after a moment, another message: "Amy, sweetheart, put your foot down hun, blow those engines if you have to."
"Vipers", the Gold Cylon said. "Call to the secondary forces. Tell them to join us in capturing the shuttle." The secondary forces were searching for signs of the battlestar Callisto. It was a certainty it was in the area, but it had eluded the search so far.
"Another 16 groups of raiders responding" the silver centurian reported. "The colonial vipers are but two, and their fuel will be exhausted soon. With an additional 48 raiders from the secondary forces, capturing the shuttle is a certainty."
"Sir" another Cylon reported in, "a raider is reporting a hit on the shuttle. It appears disabled though it is still moving at reduced speed."
"Then the shuttle will soon be ours. And a favorable report to the Imperious Leader for the raiders that destroy those two vipers." * * * I got up and made my way to Marcus, who was doing the best he could under the circumstances. He'd backed off the power to ease the strain on the engines, but in doing so had made it easier for the Cylons to move into surrounding positions.
"Status?" I asked him.
"No good, Captain" Marcus replied. "Without the power we need, we've no chance."
Artus had moved up to the front of the shuttle as well. He glanced at the scanner. "Hey guys", he observed, "check this out! Some of these viper blips have a red dot!"
I looked at the scanner in disbelief. Some of the blips did have the red dot! And some were flying in groups of four! Cylons generally flew in attack groups of three! The Callisto had sent help!
"By the lords" I said, "We have a chance!" I turned to Marcus. "Give it as much power as you can, Marcus! Buy us some time! If Najinn and Stadia can hold the tinheads off a little while longer, we'll have the help we need!" * * * JustinB Major BatGal then came over the comm with her orders. "Black Squadron, form into three groups. Make sure you’re in contact with someone who has a “red dot” transmitter. Myself and Lieutenant Anubis will be in flight one. Captain JustinB and Lieutenant Phlandor in group two. Lieutenant's Rose and Randrius in flight three. JustinB's flight will take up point position. Good Luck too you all."
"Ma'am," Lieutenant Phlandor said, "My viper hasn't got the red dot transmitter."
"If you haven't got it, who in Hades Hole does?" came BatGal’s reply.
"I do Major," replied Captain Kris.
"Kris, you take up Randrius's position and Randrius you take Phlandor's in Flight two. Kris, its good to see you back in action once again."
After receiving two "Copies" Black Squadron made their way to the shuttles co-ordinates.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 14, 2007 5:07:39 GMT -6
Amy The shuttle strained to keep some distance between us and the pursuing Cylon fighters. The engines, having taken a hit from a Cylon torpedo, were making all sorts of strange noises as Marcus did the best he could to keep up our evasive course. On the scanner, we were filled with hope upon seeing some of the vipers contained the 'red dot' beacon, something Cylon technology hadn't yet been able to duplicate.
Over the com, we could hear the chatter of viper pilots!
"Ma'am, my viper hasn't got the red dot transmitter", a voice over the com spoke out.
"That's Lieutenant Phlandor!" Marcus exclaimed.
"If you haven't got it, who in Hades Hole does?" another voice cackled over the speakers.
"Major Batgal!" I observed, smiling. "We've got the heavy reinforcements coming!
"I do Major", a third voice replied on the com.
"Captain Kris!" Artus chimed in, smiling as well. "Told you vipers were on the way!"
"Kris, you take up Randrius's position and Randrius you take Phlandor's in Flight two. Kris, its good to see you back in action once again." It was the last communication we picked up. It sounded like entire squadrons were on the way!
Wow, I thought, we actually might have a chance! I looked out the window, and through the murky space a viper whizzed by right over the top of us. I recognized the manuever and the razzledazzle flair of Najinn's piloting skills.
"Najinn!" I called out after grabbing the comlink, "Keep 'em busy a while longer! We've got support coming!" It was frustrating to be playing the mouse to an attack fleet of cats. Putting down the comlink, I muttered, "Whoever the genius was that designed shuttles without a defense system..."
The shuttle shook again. We hadn't been hit, but it was close. "They're trying to herd us back toward the planet!" Marcus called out.
"Try to keep up in open space" I shouted back. My hand was on Marcus's shoulder, as I tried to convey my confidence in him. I turned as Artus grabbed onto my arm.
"Maybe I can pull off a third miracle" he said. "Come on, let's take a look at those engines!" Hand in hand, we made out way through the shaking shuttle, back through the cargo hold to the engine access panels. * * * Randrius Several minutes of flying at full throttle and Black squad was finally in the fray. The flight groups broke and move to track individual targets. "Hey Gold's, Randrius here, looks like you people could use some help." With that, he finally got a lock on an unsuspecting Raider and let a missile fly. The warhead drilled the ships fuselage and the craft shattered into a million pieces before exploding seconds later. He wheeled his ship around, there were plenty more that needed killing. * * * Najinn "Well it's about time, here's us having all the fun and you guys take your time!"
"Good too see you everyone, now lets kick some metal butt"
Najinn blew thru a Raider and continued his circular clearing pattern around the shuttle.
He targetted Raider after Raider as they tried to get near the shuttle, but as they tried he blew them away. He hadnt had this much fun in a long while.
"Now that is just not polite surely you should be invited, not just turn up unannounced." As he locked onto another Raider.
His scanner bleeped, missle away.... "nuts, Amy bank right"
The shuttle banked right, as a Cylon missle homed in, Najinn put his Viper between it and Amy, and her crew. The canner bleeped as the missle got confused, which was its target...
"Come on you little bugger!"
"GOTCHA"
The missle locked onto Najinn, and it began to close...
"Coming thru guys, clear a path"
Najinn punched his turbo's as the missle veered away from the Shuttle.
"Randrius, I could use some help!" * * * Randrius "I'm coming, Najinn," Randrius banked to starboard and hit the turbos, rocketing his ship towards Najinn. He let fly with a missile that shot past Najinn's Viper and hulled the Raider that was pursuing him, turning the enemy ship into a rapidly expanding cloud of fire. Randrius veered in close to the shuttle and his groups missile steadily picked off the Raiders that were trying to get in close to the shuttle, he saw other of Black squad doing the same. * * * JustinB Spearheading Black Squadrons approach, I couldn’t believe what I saw. The cylons that were attacking the shuttle and its two escorts were like a swarm of crawlons. Seeing a raider score a hit on the shuttle, that was the main priority for my flight.
“Flight Black two, let’s clear up the cylons behind the shuttle. From there we will try and clear a path for the shuttle to escape. If you get separated, make sure you hook up with the nearest flight.”
As I let loose with two missiles, I saw Randrius peel off. He made his way over too one of the shuttles escorts and destroyed the Raider that was pursuing him, turning the enemy ship into a rapidly expanding cloud of fire.
As soon as my flight made a hole for the shuttle to escape, I contacted Randrius. “Randrius, seeing as you have the red dot transmitter you orders are to escort the shuttle back to the Callisto and keep any cylons of their tail.” After pausing for a micron I contacted the Shuttle. “Gold shuttle this is Captain JustinB. Head for the Callisto at maximum velocity. Lieutenant Randrius has the equipment to make sure you land safely and will be watching your rear.”
A trio of raiders tried to get in behind us but with a half loop and roll we went head to head. Firing our lasers we scored direct hits with no casualties. ********************** Back on the Callisto, work on the shuttle was almost complete. Fallel connected the final wires between the shuttle and the device.
“Now let’s see if we have enough time to get the remote device connected,” Solon said to Lieutenant Ursiaon. * * * Amy In the front of the shuttle, Marcus heard the message from JustinB. "Gold shuttle this is Captain JustinB. Head for the Callisto at maximum velocity. Lieutenant Randrius has the equipment to make sure you land safely and will be watching your rear."
Grabbing the comlink, he answered back. "Read you JustinB. Our engines have taken a hit. We have no maximum velocity at the moment!" Just then another torpedo hit close by. He had all he could do to maintain the evasive course.
Back in the rear of the shuttle, Artus and Amy were looking at the engines through the access panels.
"Well Artus?" Amy asked. "Any shot at a third miracle?" The whine of the straining engines was almost unbearable in the cramped compartment. Sparks flew from one of the panels.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 14, 2007 5:08:09 GMT -6
Artus Back in the rear of the shuttle, Artus and Amy were looking at the engines through the access panels.
"Well Artus?" Amy asked. "Any shot at a third miracle?" The whine of the straining engines was almost unbearable in the cramped compartment. Sparks flew from one of the panels.
Artus carefully eased over to the engine. He knelt next to the one that was spitting sparks. "Well ma'am, it would appear to me that this here's where the problem is at, so I'm very glad you came to me at this time. Wouldn't wan't a pretty missy like you gettin' stranded in space" Artus said in the best immitation of one of the Callisto's chief mechanics that Amy had heard so far. That certainly lifted her tension a little.
Just at that moment one of the Cylon raiders fired another shot at the shuttle. It was a hit, but only a glancing one.
It did however cause some trouble in the engine compartment. The whinning increased in pitch and the compartment Artus was investigating exploded, with debris hitting him in the face and chest.
"Artus!" Amy cried out. * * * Back in the rear of the shuttle, Artus and Amy were looking at the engines through the access panels.
"Well Artus?" Amy asked. "Any shot at a third miracle?" The whine of the straining engines was almost unbearable in the cramped compartment. Sparks flew from one of the panels.
Artus carefully eased over to the engine. He knelt next to the one that was spitting sparks. "Well ma'am, it would appear to me that this here's where the problem is at, so I'm very glad you came to me at this time. Wouldn't wan't a pretty missy like you gettin' stranded in space" Artus said in the best immitation of one of the Callisto's chief mechanics that Amy had heard so far. That certainly lifted her tension a little.
Just at that moment one of the Cylon raiders fired another shot at the shuttle. It was a hit, but only a glancing one.
It did however cause some trouble in the engine compartment. The whinning increased in pitch and the compartment Artus was investigating exploded, with debris hitting him in the face and chest.
"Artus!" Amy cried out. * * * As amy dregged Artus back away from the panel she noticed the front of his uniform jacket was on fire. She quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher from near the door and sprayed Artus with it.
Artus was looking somewhat dazed, but the spray seemed to bring him back to his senses. He was however, looking an absolute mess, with his jacket singed and covered in foam, and blood pooring down his face from a headwound.
"You know Amy, " Artus said, his voice sounding a little higher than usual; "I don't claim to know everything about engines, but I sure as hell know they're not supposed to do that!"
Amy looked concerned at Artus' headwound; "It looks like you're hurt pretty bad, let me take a look at that wound..."
"No thanks, captain, " Artus replied, his voice sounding normal again; " but I think that can wait. We have a more serious problem with the engine here. I think I can probably fix it, but Marcus will have to do some fancy flying to get us home. You better go back to the cockpit and tell him taht I will have top speed for him in a few milicentons. The only problem will be that I will have the shuttle flying at top speed only. So no slowing down."
"Won't that make landing a problem?" Amy asked.
"We'll worry about that when we get to the Callisto. You just go and tell Marcus about this, because he may be a good pilot but any time now this baby will kick like a pregnant Raithraser."
Amy still looked concerned at the bleeding Artus.
"Are you sure you are going to be allright?" she asked, with a soft voice.
"I'll be fine. Just one little thing captain. How come this Najin character keeps calling you sweethart?"
This took Amy by surprise.
"Well, ..." she started to say, but Artus interrupted her.
"Look, just tell me later, go and inform Marcus now!" * * * Brie Brie couldn’t remember ever seeing that many Cylons in such a small area. Some of the raiders appeared as normal on her scanner, others were mimicking a viper. Brie felt as if her heart was about to stop every time she fired at what appeared to be a viper, even though she knew they were Cylons. One thing that hadn’t changed was the way that the Cylons flew. Even the greenest cadet just out of the academy flew with more style than the Cylons.
Gold Squadron stayed around the perimeters, while Black advanced towards the shuttle. It was obvious that the Cylons wanted to disable the shuttle and capture it. Knowing how he felt about Amy, Brie was glad that Colonel Charybdis had stayed back on the Callisto. This wouldn't have been easy for him to watch close up. It was Brie’s objective for Gold Squadron to clear a path that the shuttle would be able to pass through. Black Squadron would have to be their protection. Gold would clear as many Cylons out of their way as possible. * * * Amy The shuttle rumbled from somewhere deep inside it as I made my way back to the front, and a sudden dip slammed me hard against the door frame. I was thankful the snowram was gone. Under these conditions it probably would have come loose, and it's shifting weight would have made things that much worse. I got through the doorway, rubbing a shoulder that felt like it would be sore for a long time.
"Marcus" I said as I got near him. His face was screwed up in concentration, trying to avoid Cylons, torpedoes, and keep the straining shuttle from capture. "Plot a clear course ahead! Artus is going to try something with the engines. If it works, we'll be stuck on full throttle!"
"Great!" he replied with a hint of sarcasm. "Just got a call from JustinB- he wanted us at maximum speed."
"Well, he'll have it, anytime now" I replied. I glanced back toward the rear of the shuttle, trying to picture Artus valiantly rigging up whatever it was he was going to...
The power kicked in violently, snapping the controls right out of Marcus's hands. Caught unaware, I was tossed across the floor like a stuffed toy daggit. The shuttle screamed and groaned, sounding like it was coming apart. I held onto the nearest thing to me, expecting it along with the floor I was sitting on to disolve into pieces any second.
When that didn't happen, I got to my feet, the floor of the shuttle vibrating wildly. "Marcus?" I asked.
"We've got it!" He called out. "Full power!" As I looked on, he piloted the shuttle on a runaway course, gradually easing in course corrections. The shuttle pulled a wide loop, sending a trio of Cylons scattering as it ran straight at them on a suicide course. "Bet they've never seen that move before!" he laughed through his determination to maintain control. "In fact, I'm sure they haven't, cause I haven't either!"
I was aware of Artus standing next to me. "How's that?" he asked with a grin.
"Fine" I replied with understatement. The scanner indicated that the Cylons weren't expecting the burst of speed we had shown them, and they were looping around themselves, in a temporary state of confusion.
"Only trouble is going to be stopping at the other end" Artus observed.
"We go in hot" I replied, remembering my history. "Shut down at the outer markers. Assuming we make it back that far, back to the Callisto."
"Ah yes" Artus replied. "Starbuck's classic manuever. Only thing was, he had a viper. I don't think it's been done with a shuttle."
"If we make it, we'll call it 'Artus's classic manuever'", I said, looking at him, eyeing the blood that ran down his face. "If we don't", I added softly, "we call it 'Amy's first command... and last."
"Better prepare whatever you are going to do" Marcus informed us. "I have a fix on the Callisto. ETA 20 microns, assuming we don't shake apart first." Looking at the scanner, I noticed the Cylons had regrouped, and were now attempting a hot pursuit, with red dot vipers moving to head them off.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 14, 2007 5:08:42 GMT -6
Randrius Randrius saw the shuttle seem to sprout wings and take off. The Cylon sure as hell weren't expecting that one, in fact, two Cylons were so baffled that they ended running into each other while trying to bring there Raiders around to get a shot at the shuttle. Both ship disappeared into a ball of flames. Randrius hit the turbos to catch up with the shuttle, his stomach tied in a knot. If Artus had done what he thought he had, it was one of the craziest stunt he had ever witnessed. They would have to go in hot and shuttles were most certainly not designed with such a maneuver in mind. He did feel the knot of his stomach loosen a bit. The situation had looked quite dire just a few seconds ago. He had been flying his Viper with a desperate zeal, flying better and more boldly than ever. He had nailed six kills by himself, and from what he had seen of Najinn and Justin, they were right up there with him. 'Seven,'he thought as his missile arced in and hulled yet another false Viper. He was catchng up to the shuttle, but so were the Cylons, and the clock was ticking. * * * Skyler Skyler, Brik, Thunderhawk and Logan had been engaged with the Cylons on the outer edge of the battle. They had sucessfully stoped several runs on the shuttle. As the shuttle picked up a burst of speed and headed for the Callisto, a series of blips entered the edge of Skyler's screen. It was Cylons, and on their present course, they would intercept the shuttle before it reached the Callisto.
Talking on a secured short range channel Skyler issued orders to his flight "We gotta stop them, everyone full turbos, pick a target and lock on to it. When you have a solid lock, let em fire. We should be able to take four of them out before they pick us up. Understood?"
Everyone signaled that they understood. In less than a micron the missle targeting system signaled a lock, and Skyler let a missle loose, with three more from his flight fast on its heels. Off in the distance a flash that was four Cylon Raiders being blown to bits lit the blackness. A micron after that the remaining raiders came into view. Seeing the charging Vipers, they broke from thier flight path, but it was pointless and another was flamed by a missle from Brik's Viper. Thunderhawk's turbo lasers finished off another one. Logan answered her squadron mates victories with one of her own as a missle smashed into the engine compartment of another Raider. The last two Raiders, in a desperate attempt to flee ran right into Skyler's line of fire, and also became a expanding fire ball.
"Capt. this sector is clear for now." came Brik's voice over the speakers in his helmet.
A quick check of his scanner told him the same thing. The shuttle and the rest of the Vipers and a few Raiders were making their way to towards the Callisto. As each micron passed, another dot that was a raider disappeared from his scanner. * * * Hawke I'm standing in back of Commander Sheba.. She's talking to someone. "Um,Commander?" I ask & snap off a salute despite my being in civillian clothes. "Yes, what is it?" she asks still having her back to me. She turns around and looks at me. "Lieutenant Hawke?" she asks. "Yes Ma'am." "Lords, I thought you'd gone into permanant self-imposed exile! Where in Hades have you been?"She returns the salute. "That's not important at the moment,Ma'am. What is,is that I'd like to re-activate my commission. With your permission of course!" * * * JustinB Geenie and Aegina were talking to each other when something on the scanners caught their attention. Five Cylon Baseships appeared on their rear scanners.
Straight away they called Colonel Charybdis over. "Sir, we have just picked up five Cylon Baseships on our rear scanners."
"Commander Sheba," he reported, "Five Baseships have been scanned at out rear quadrant."
"Colonel," Sheba ordered, "Get the shuttle and our vipers back ASAP."
"Yes Ma'am," he replied. Turning to Aegina he said, "Inform the pilots we need them here with the Shuttle ASAP."
Nodding, Aegina went about doing so. *************** Down in Beta Launch Bay, Lieutenant Ursiaon decided to switch on the communicator to see if he could hear what was going on. No sooner had he done so that he heard some startling news.
"Squadron Leaders, this is the Callisto. Make your way back with the shuttle as soon as possible. Five cylon baseships have entered scanner range and we need you aboard before we jump."
"Frack," he said. "We haven't hooked up the remote control yet." Knowing they were out of time he shut the shuttle door and prepared the shuttle for launch. * * * Amy Somehow, against all the laws of the universe I figured, the shuttle was holding together. The vibrating and shaking seemed to actually be steadying down, though maybe I was just getting used to it by now. My heart pounded nearly in time with the rattling going on.
"ETA Marcus?" I asked.
"10 microns" he replied. He was still the picture of concentration. I was discovering that he was one of our most amazing and talented pilots. "Hold on" he continued, "message from the Callisto coming in."
On the com, the message came through. "Squadron Leaders, this is the Callisto. Make your way back with the shuttle as soon as possible. Five cylon baseships have entered scanner range and we need you aboard before we jump."
"Let's go over the procedure" I told Marcus. "What can we expect from a landing like this?" I knew my history and what was involved, but I wanted to hear it anyway, to be sure we were on the same page.
"We shut down at the outer markers" Marcus began. "It has to be done just right. Too soon, and we'll lose too much momentum, and could drift off the landing heading. Too late, and we could barrel in with enough force to pancake at the far end of the bay. Either way, this thing is going to handle like a garbage hauler once we cut power."
"Ehm" Artus cleared his throat. "One more thing. Once we cut the power, the engines are finished. We won't be able to fire them up again at full throttle. They're ready to overheat as it is right now."
"Okay" I said, "we have just one shot at this. How do we know the best time to shut down?"
"We don't" replied Marcus. "If this were a viper, we could use Starbuck's numbers. Noone's ever had to do this with a shuttle. I can give you a best guess, that's about it."
"I trust you Marcus" I said. "After the flying I've seen you do today, I have all the faith of the lords in you."
"Too soon and we could splatter all over the side of the entrance, too late and we splatter at the end of the bay. I love our chances" Artus said with sarcasm, as he weighed the two extremes.
"Anyone not up to this, you know where the door is" I said with a smile. We had to laugh. The alternative wouldn't do us much good.
"I've come along this far" Artus said, "Think I'll stick it out." He looked at me, and I looked back at him. If nothing else, I'd gotten to know him for a small time. If that was all we'd ever have, at least I had that.
"ETA 6 microns" Marcus observed. I looked at the scanner. The vipers were holding off the Cylons, doing an amazing job. False viper blips were disappearing even as I watched. Keep it up, you guys, we're almost home! * * * "Gold shuttle 2 to Callisto" I said into the comlink, "We are on final approach, ETA 6 microns. We're disabled and coming in hot. We are going to attempt a landing by shutting down at the outer markers. We are on course for landing bay Alpha. Clear the deck!"
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Post by LucianG on Mar 14, 2007 5:09:11 GMT -6
JustinB "DEDICATED TO OUR LATE FRIEND, DON, AKA LIEUTENANT URSIAON." ******************* ******************* "Frack," he said. "We haven't hooked up the remote control yet." Knowing they were out of time, Lieutenant Ursiaon shut the shuttle door and prepared the shuttle for launch.
Strapping himself in, he looked around the Launch Bay. Once he heard that Amy's shuttle was inbound he initiated the pre-launch sequence. ******************* "We have an un-authorised launch," Colonel Charybdis heard someone yell. "Scan and identify the ship launched," he said. "Sir, it’s the modified shuttle Solon was working on," the reply came. ******************* Ursiaon set a course, ninety five degrees from the Callisto's current course. He applied full power to the shuttles engines. He would have to wait another five centons before he could turn on the device Solon and Fallel had installed. What he did now though was that he would never see the Callisto and his friends again.
He sent the Callisto a final farewell, "Callisto this is Lieutenant Ursiaon. I am in the shuttle which has launched. Hopefully doing what I have done and what I am about to do, will draw the cylons to me. To my Black Squadron family I say Goodbye and thankyou. To the rest farewell, Good Luck and I will miss you all. Lieutenant Ursiaon Out."
He then turned on the electronic device and set it on the maximum setting. 'By now the base ships will be picking me up on their scanners and be getting readings that the Callisto has altered course. Then the cylons will send their ships after me' he thought to himself.
Looking at his scanner he couldn't yet see any raiders launching from the quadrant where the baseships where supposed of been. He altered course towards them.
"C'mon you piles of scrap metal, why won't you send anyone to intercept me?" he yelled. No sooner had he yelled his scanner finally picked up intercept raiders. "About time" he said.
He turned the shuttle onto the original heading. All he had to do was to keep them out of visual range and the deception will work. ****************** Back on the Callisto, everyone who had access to a scanner looked with horror. All the baseships had sent out at least a hundred raiders each to intercept what they thought was the Battlestar Callisto. As Commander Sheba exited the War Room and entered the Bridge, everyone of the bridge officers looked to her to see what she planned to do. * * * Brie "Squadron Leaders, this is the Callisto. Make your way back with the shuttle as soon as possible. Five cylon baseships have entered scanner range and we need you aboard before we jump."
It wasn’t hard to realize that the shuttle was going to be coming in hot. “Gold Squadron, this is Major Brie. Keep the Cylons away from the shuttle, they don’t need any more complications. We need to get ourselves back as well, Commander Sheba wants to make the jump.” She paused for a moment, hoping that Amy and the shuttle crew wouldn’t take her next statement the wrong way. “Whichever bay the shuttle lands in, use the other one. It might take a few microns for the techs to stabilize the shuttle. Major Brie out.” As she turned off her comm it dawned on Brie that she had never officially met either Marcus or Artus. She hoped that she would have the chance. * * * Randrius Randrius shook his head, the chances of that shuttle making this landing were one in a million, the chances of them surviving the landing was even less. He hoped to the lords that Marcus was the pilot he had seen in the sims. "We can't let those tinheads even breathe on that shuttle or it could go off-course." He spotter three Raider who had slipped through the defenses and were making a run at the shuttle. "Oh, no you don't," Randrius punched the turbos until he was almost in front of them. He cut the engines and whipped his Viper around to face the Raiders as inertia caused him to drift at almost full-speed. The Raiders were focused on the shuttle so intently that they didn't even notice his craft arrival. Randrius targeted the lead craft and fired a warhead, before the missile hit he had already fired at the next ship. He hit his engines and pulled himself out of the slide and went for the last enemy. But, as he watched, the Cylon bounced upward to evade him and ended up running directly into the wreckage of the second Raider. He saw the Cylon cockpit bow inward before flames consumed the ship. He brought his craft around for another run. * * * Amy I could see out the window a viper taking on three raiders and taking them out with some incredible flying skills. Over the comlink, I could hear his voice. Randrius! I'd have so many people to thank for saving our butts, if we could get down safely.
The Callisto was looming ahead closer and closer, and my instincts were crying out for us to slow down. But with the engines the way they were, we'd have to keep up at full speed until Marcus gave the word to shut them down. After that, it would be up to the good graces of the lords of Kobol.
Over the com I heard Major Brie commanding Gold Squadron to head for the other landing bay, and rightly so. If we broke up and disabled the bay, it was best if the squadrons were already on a contingency plan. Good idea. I always respected Major Brie, and I wondered if I had ever told her so. So many thoughts, like final thoughts, were running through my mind. What ifs, should haves, I felt like I was out of time.
I remembered giving Charybdis a kiss goodbye before I left. It was comforting to know I had done that. Sort of like getting my affairs in order. Now I stood in a runaway shuttle, holding hands tightly with Artus, thankful for having had the chance to know him.
"Three microns" Marcus called out. "Prepare to shut down at two microns out. I've got it lined up and on course. It feels right. By the lords lets hope it is!"
"Okay" I answered. We'd spent the last few microns making sure things were tied down good and tight. Last thing we needed was to land safely only to be injured by cargo not secured properly. Now it was just us that needed to be secured. "Let's strap in good. It's showtime!"
At two microns out Marcus killed the power. The shuttle went from a noisy, rattling wreck to a silent, coasting hulk. Out the window the Callisto was still getting larger and larger as we drew closer, but we could see we were starting to slow. Two microns were going to seem like an eternity...
At one micron out we could feel something wasn't right. The landing bay loomed ahead of us, but it was starting to tilt slightly. "Frack!" Marcus yelled out. "We're starting to roll!"
"Can you stabilize it?" I called out to him, already feeling foolish, because I knew we had no power and no control. Great that my last moments as Captain were being spent being dumb.
"No way Captain!" Marcus replied, resignedly. I could see him tipping his head, as if to try to give the shuttle some body english to help straighten it out. "Contact in ten millicentons. It's been good serving with you guys. Nine, eight, seven..."
I squeezed Artus's hand tighter.
The landing bay opening was all we could see ahead now, tipped at a funny angle as we continued a slow roll. We entered the bay scraping the roof, then slamming to the deck, shearing off the landing gear on contact. The shuttle shook, and the sounds of tearing and bending metals was deafening as we skidded along the bay out of control. The shaking was increasing to violent extremes, and it was the last thing I was aware of as I blacked out.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 14, 2007 5:09:39 GMT -6
Najinn Najinn flew close in behind the shuttle on its final approach, he looked on with a real sense of worry in his face! There was his dear Amy and there was nothing he could do to save her, but she was one of hell of pilot and he knew she'd keep it together!
He positioned his ship to follow her in, he was low on fuel as it was, but he would fly in on vapours if he had to!
The shuttle landed and flew thru the bay at a worrying speed.
"Baby, hit those brakes!! come on pull it up Amy!"
He saw the shuttle crash to halt as it hit the deck, he flew around to the far side of the bay and set down his Viper. He popped the cockpit and ran to the shuttle across the flight deck. He ran past the ground crew rushing to put out the small fires around the shuttle. He ran to the main hatch, it was jammed, he couldn't get it open.
"You bugger, come on open." he pulled, pushed and finally lost it.
He drew his blaster and blew the lock, a couple of shots was good enough get a handle and pull the hatch open, he climbed inside.
The smoke, crackling of electric, and the smell of static and fire filled his lungs, he coughed.
"AMY!"
No reply
"ARTUS!"
no reply
He crwled inside and climbed to the cockpit and saw Amy and Artus unconscious, he pulled Artus out of his chair, he pulled him carefully, slowly towards the hatch, he got him outside and laid him down on the deck.
"MEDIC!"
Two medics came running over.
Najinn climbed back inside the shuttle. He took Amy in his arms and pulled her towards the hatch.
"It's ok hunny, your ok."
He carefully took her thru the hatch and laid her on the deck.
"Come on sweetheart, come on, your ok."
He looked pensive as she lay unconscious on the deck!
"Amy?" * * * Randrius Randrius watched the shuttle barrel into the landing bay and skid to a stop. He saw Najinn and medic pulling the occupants out of the shuttle. Randrius shook his head, "I'll be damned, he did it." He set his Viper down gently on the deck and climbed out, he dropped to the deck, his prosthetic making an odd crack he had grown used to, as it hit the floor. He eyed his viper, a piece of shrapnel was wedged into the tip of his port wing, that was going to be nasty getting out. He suddenly shook his head, as if awakening, and ran over to the shuttle wreckage to see if he could help. * * * Skyler The shuttle had made it in. Comm chatter confirmed they had made a landing, a hard one, but they were down, and for the most part in one peice.
"Thunderhawk, Brik and Logan, you heard the Major, you go on in. I will hang back and come in last."
"But Capt." Thunderhawk had started...
"But nothing, I have a red marker beacon, less chance of me being mistaken for a Raider. Get going..."
Skyler watched the three vipers make there way in. He took up formation towards the end of the remaining Vipers waiting to go in.
They were alive, and it looked like they were going to make the jump without the Cylons having an exact fix on them, but at what cost.
It was going to be a somber celebration in the O-Club tonight... * * * Artus Najinn climbed back inside the shuttle. He took Amy in his arms and pulled her towards the hatch.
"It's ok hunny, your ok."
He carefully took her thru the hatch and laid her on the deck.
"Come on sweetheart, come on, your ok."
He looked pensive as she lay unconscious on the deck!
"Amy?"
One of the medics gave Amy a quick pulse check; "She's going to be all right. That's nothing short of a miracle."
"This one has lost a lot of blood. He has to be moved to Medbay straight away!" the other medic sitting near Artus replied.
Several other ground crew members were at the same time getting Marcus out of the shuttle.
"We can really thank the Lords of Kobol for this one, because by all rights, they should be splattered all over the bay." one of them commented. * * * JustinB As Commander Sheba exited the War Room and entered the Bridge, everyone of the bridge officers looked to her to see what she planned to do. Before anyone spoke she said, “What Lieutenant Ursiaon has done today, is and act of bravery. He took a shuttle be it though unauthorised and taken it upon himself, with no regards to his own life and sacrificed it with all of ours in mind. He knew that we would not be able to rescue him. He also knew in doing so, that all aboard the Callisto and the Caprican Questar would be safe to make the jump out of this system. ******************* Ursiaon heard the communication that Lieutenant Amy and her shuttle was about to land. His course was now erratic as he tried to keep the cylons out of visual range. But due to the enormous amount of raiders they finally boxed him in and it was then they realised it was a deception. ‘Job now complete’ he thought to himself. ******************* On the bridge of the Callisto, every eye was on a scanner. There was complete silence. Officers were almost holding their breath in vain hope a miracle would happen. It didn’t come, as two pairs of raiders position themselves behind the shuttle and in a blink of an eye the symbol representing the shuttle disappeared. Crying could be heard from different parts of the bridge. * * * Gold Squadron had just landed, so Black Squadron was cleared to land. Major BatGal's and Captain Kris's flight went in first. Reaching the outer marker, it was still hard to come to terms with what Ursiaon had done. We hadn't socialised much and come to think of it the mission on Axces Gamma was the only mission they were on together.
Once I got out of the cockpit, I was met by Major BatGal. "JustinB, I guess you've heard the news?"
"No Ma'am, but I have an idea," I replied.
"Lieutenant Ursiaon and the shuttle he was in were destroyed. His bravery made possible the escape of the Callisto and the CQ."
"Major, I know that citations on the Callisto are far and few between, but I would like to put it to Core Command to award Ursiaon the Gold Cluster for his bravery and sacrifice." I said.
"Sounds like a very good idea JustinB. You can write the request and I will counter sign it. There is no de-brief planed just yet so inform the troops to relax. I will see you very soon with you request. Until then, try and relax yourself." she said placing her hand on my shoulder.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 14, 2007 5:10:09 GMT -6
JustinB I didn't want to turbo wash straight away. I needed to get the request to Core Command as soon as I could. Sitting at my desk I cleared my mind and began to write.
To Core Command From Captain JustinB Black Squadron Third Officer
RE: Lieutenant Ursiaon
In regards to the actions taken by late Lieutenant Ursiaon, taking into account his bravery and self sacrifice for the safety of the Battlestar Callisto and the Caprican Questar, I would like to nominate Lieutenant Ursiaon for the Gold Cluster Citation. Without his sacrifice, the outcome of what happened in this system would have been different.
Once I signed it I went to Major BatGals office. "Well put JustinB, I will sign it now and take it up the chain of command," she said.
With that done I saluted her, exited the office and headed straight towards the Turbo wash. * * * Amy The Alpha Bay was in chaos, as vipers did the best they could to land around the smoldering wreck of the shuttle. In spite of Major Brie's orders, some vipers couldn't reach the Beta Bay in time and had to risk the approach behind the hot-running shuttle. I stood by briefly, watching the fire crews smother the twisted metal with boraton, then turned to see how my crew had fared.
Marcus had emerged pretty much unscathed, amazing since he had been in the nose of the craft. I gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Good work, Marcus" I said. "I knew you could do it."
He simply shook his head. "I didn't do a thing. Only by the lords are we here talking about it."
Just then the medics wheeled Artus past. He looked like hades, but I knew some of his injuries had come from his attempt to get at the damaged engines before our final approach. I walked quickly alongside him. "You'll be fine Artus. I'll be down to check on you soon."
He gave a weak smile in response. "With a wreck like that, maybe they won't notice the snowram is missing."
I stopped walking, watching him go with a big smile on my face. Even now, he was still trying to keep me at ease with his sense of humor.
"Prepare to jump" a voice came over the comlink. "Five microns." I looked around, and realized there were things I could do.
Through the buzz around the bay I picked up on the sacrifice Lieutenant Ursiaon had made. Though there originally was some hope, it was soon confirmed that he was gone. The relief that warriors had felt upon learning that my shuttle had returned with all hands turned to sadness, and I felt it too. There never seemed to be a totally happy day aboard the Callisto.
With work still to do, I pitched in to make sure Ursiaon's sacrifice wasn't made in vain. I ran as fast as could to the Beta bay to help Gold Squadron secure things before the jump. Just before I left the bay, I literally ran into Randrius. I gave the surprised warrior a big hug before he knew what was happening. As I ran off I looked back, calling out "Thank you!" as I disappeared from view. * * * Marcus I am surprised we made it to the callisto in one piece, even though we were upside down. I hope they don’t take it out of my pay. The medics were wheeling Artus past us to med bay.
A voice came over the comlink "Prepare to jump in five microns." I realized there were things I needed to go do. I headed after Amy to beta bay to check to see if Stadia was on board along with the rest of gold squadron.
Amy had stopped to hug Randrius, Amy I will meat you there. She was shortly behind me. * * * Amy In Beta bay things were much more under control, mainly because there wasn't a smoldering wreck clogging up the middle of it. Viper activity was heavier than usual due to all the pilots that had managed to change course and land on this side as Major Brie had ordered.
With Marcus we pitched in and made the bay as ready as we could before the jump commenced. Marcus seemed preoccupied, and I remembered that more than once he had asked about Stadia during our mission. His concern seemed to go beyond that of Stadia's status as our viper escort.
"I'm sure she's here" I said suddenly while we secured one of the remaining vipers.
"Who?" Marcus replied.
"Stadia" I said, stopping to look at him and see his expression of concern. "She's probably already tipping back a few" I added. Many pilots couldn't wait for the chance to unwind after a mission. But with Stadia's recent problems, maybe that wasn't where she'd be.
Just then, on the far side of the bay, I thought I recognized her. I nudged Marcus, and he noticed her too. I nodded, indicating that our work was done, and he began to make his way across the huge bay floor to where she was.
'Guess things are all set' I thought, noticing that the jump was well underway. I had something else to do myself, and as I left the bay rubbing a very sore shoulder I pulled from my jacket pocket a deck of pyramid cards. Artus and I never did get the chance to finish that game. I wondered if he was well enough to play as I made my way to the medical level. * * * Charybdis I watched with baited breath to see if everyone made it out of the shuttle alright. The techs sent word back that Amy and the rest were OK, a little banged up, but OK.
I breathed a sigh of relief. Now if only we could get all our Warriors back before we make the jump... * * * Marcus As we were getting one of the remaining vipers secured. Amy suddenly said “I'm sure she's here”
I replied. “who?” Knowing quite well who she was talking about.
”Stadia” she said. “She's probably already tipping back a few” she added. “Many pilots couldn't wait for the chance to unwind after a mission.”
Amy nudged me, and I noticed Stadia across the bay my heart filled with joy at seeing her ok. Amy said “our work is done” I began to make my way across the huge bay floor to where Stadia was at. She looked ok.
“Hey Stadia are you ok? I heard you came back for us. I got a little worried about you back there. Did not know if you were ok or not. Would you like to go and get a cold one? * * * Stadia Stadia looked up and watched Amy and Marcus talking then she took a deep breath and turned back to finish storing her gear. She knew she was in deep.
“Hey Stadia are you ok? I heard you came back for us. I got a little worried about you back there. Did not know if you were ok or not. Would you like to go and get a cold one?
Raised her head to look at Marcus, "I am fine. Just a little sore." She placed the last of her gear in the storage bin. "If you dont mind, I think I will pass on the drink. I have a feeling that I am going to have a lot of paperwork to do."
Marcus nodded. "ok. next time." He turned away from her pausing to look back a moment and then he exited out the door. Stadia looks up at Marcus. " I am fine. Just a little sore is all." * * * Stadia thinks to herself, "I have to get over the major. He can never return the affection I give him. I cant go on living in the hope that he would."
Stadia pauses a moment staring at her equipment. She drops it where it gies and runs to the door to catch up to Marcus.
Amy looks up in time to see Capt. Stadia run for the door. She smiles and returns to her work.
Stadia steps throught the door and hollars at Marcus. "Marcus wait up!" Marcus turns at the sound of her voice. A smile creeps across his face. Stadia walks upto him and says, "I think, if its ok with you, I will take you up on your offer."
Marcus offers his arm to her as he says, "Sure." Stadia takes his arm and they head off toward the officers club.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 14, 2007 5:10:39 GMT -6
Randrius Randrius sipped a drink at a table in the O-club. The big warriors gaze was unfocused and he stared thoughtfully into his drink, deep in thought. His thought were scattered, he allowed them to sort themselves out in there own way, in there own time. He had found it a neccessary part of his life, neccessary in keeping himself relatively sane. He noticed that nobody tried to join him. It was nice to know that he had enough respect on this ship that when he obviously wanted some time alone, he got it. Although, he noted, that perhaps he was getting too much time alone these days. It often seemed that he was apart from the squadron. Sure, he had many friend on the ship, but he always felt as if he was an outcast. 'Perhaps it was better that way,' he thought, 'When my number finally comes up and I kick off, there would be noone left behind to suffer.' 'Is that what Ursiaon thought?' his mind said. He nodded thoughtfully to himself, Ursiaon, who had sacrificed himself to save the Callisto, had he thought nobody would miss him? He thought about Ursiaon, could he have done what he did? Sure, he had gone into countless situation before where his survival was in doubt, but to go into a situation where there was absolutely no hope of coming back? Randrius sighed, he wasn't sure he was that good of a man, he could only hope. * * * Stadia They entered the Officers Club and made their way to an empty table. Marcus went to get the drinks. Stadia watched him make his way through the crowd of officers and others. Why was she thinking of someone else when she had the attention of Marcus. She had to be realistic. Major Lucien would never return her affection.
She jumped as Marcus sets a glass of ambrosia down in front of her. “Lost in thought?” he ask. “Yeah, I was thinking of the mission.” She said hoping it was enough for him. Marcus slides his behind onto the seat across from her. “So what made you change your mind about joining me?”
Stadia gives him a sly smile as she says, “I was getting tired of being known as the Ice Queen.” Marcus winced as he heard the words spill from her mouth. “ Actually since that mess with Selgin and Major Lucien, I have been feeling a little lonely so I thought getting out might help.”
Marcus paused before asking, “If you don’t want to tell me, I will understand but I am curious to know what the connection there was with you and what happen with the Selgin incident.”
Stadia took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. She wasn’t sure she wanted to talk about it. It only served to bring up bad memories. Her thoughts drifted back to the time when life was so much simpler. A life when she wasn’t losing her friends at a pace that seemed so regular in its timing. A time when Selgin and her thought of having a family but then circumstances changed.
Marcus taps stadia on the shoulder bringing her back to reality. Stadia smiles, “Sorry thinking of times past. It was so long ago. It was a time filled with great joy. Selgin and I had just completed academy training. We had discussed taking the seal and were making plans. I had even moved in with him but one day I was making our bed when I found these books and disks. I looked in the books and found listings of crystal sales and who to get it from. I was utterly devastated to find out that the man I loved was selling this stuff.
I knew I couldn’t let him keep selling the stuff and my decision was made all the harder by the fact I loved him so. I ended up turning him in. He cursed and swore at me saying he never loved me and promised to exact his revenge. It took him awhile but he did. I almost died. I still don’t know how the crystal affected me.
I really don’t want to talk about it. I intend to leave it right where it is…the past.”
Marcus, seeing that it made her uncomfortable, changed the subject, “So what do you like to do when you’re not out blowing up Cylons and crashing vipers on planetoids?” Stadia laughed grimacing slightly as she was painfully reminded of her broken ribs.
“Oh, nothing much. I listen to music, draw a little bit and write.”
Marcus smiled as he listened.
“ I have been hogging the conversation. What about you?” she asked as a waitperson refilled their drinks. * * * JustinB After spending quite a considerable time in the turbowash, I decided to get out. Once dressed I made my way to the O'Club. Upon entering the O'Club I could see it was full of pilots. Not that should of surprised me, but what did was that I was hoping Rose was here. Seeing she wasn't, I saw Randrius all by himself. I had noticed that he liked to spend time alone, so I thought I would intrude as little as possible. I gabbed three mugs of Ale and walked over to him.
Arriving at his table, I slid one mug in front of him and said, "Randrius, you did good out there today. You did Black Squadron proud."
"Thanks JustinB," came his reply. I raised my mug to him and went off to find a nice private booth so I could just sit back and take in some well earned relaxation by myself. I hoped that I will not be needed by Major BatGal for a centar or two. I also hoped that Rose would come in and find me. Foremost on my mind was Ursiaon and what he had done. After the second ale I started to forget what had happened only centars earlier. So to relax more I grabbed another. * * * Stadia Stadia looks him in the eye as he is talking and finds her thoughts trailing back to the time when Selgin and her were happy and in love. How Selgin would surprise her with picnics in the public gardens.
“….not much more to tell. I have been aboard the Callisto doing my part to protect the ship from the Cylons.” Marcus paused. He looked at Stadia and noticed she was quiet,. “Would you like to take a walk? I mean get away from the crowd.”
Stadia smiled, “Sure but do you mind if we stop by the gold barracks so I can change out of my uniform?”
Marcus smiled and nodded. They made their way out of the Officers club stopping to say hello and chat a bit with JustinB. “Hi JustinB. Great job today.”
“Thanks. You guys did a good job out there. Nice to see you survived the landing.”
“We were lucky to have a pilot like Marcus around” Marcus shuffled on his feet. “ Well good night JustinB” Stadia and Marcus exited the club and walked down the corridor toward the Gold Barracks.
Stadia and Marcus slip through the gold barracks door. Marcus sits on her bunk as she grabs her clothes and slips out of his view to dress. “Marcus, are you really alright?” She asked as she slipped on her pants.
“Yes. The med techs said there was no indication of anything more serious then a b ump or bruise.” He smiled as Stadia slipped back into the room wearing silky outfit that did her wonders. He slowly stares from her toes up to her face. Stadia, noticing him stare, teasing him by bending over to grab her shoes from the bottom of her locker. * * * Artus As Amy made her way up to the medical level she kept fingering her Pyramid deck. Just inside medbay she nearly bumped into Holodoc.
"Is Artus..." Amy started with concern in her voice.
"He's over there in the middle bed, " Holodoc replied, and then whispered; "don't worry, he'll be fine."
She walked over to Artus' bed. He was looking quite a mess with several tubes sticking into his arm, but at least his head was free of all the blood.
"So how are you doing soldier?" Amy asked him.
"Not too well I'm afraid." Artus said in his best attempt to sound weak; "Doc said I'm not going to make it."
Amy looked up to Holodoc with worried eyes, but Holodoc just smiled and mouthed the words "He'll be fine" to Amy.
"So I wonder captain, " Artus continued; "if it would be inapropriate, if I, by ways of a dying man's last request, would ask a superior officer if she would kiss me?"
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Post by LucianG on Mar 14, 2007 5:11:04 GMT -6
Amy Artus was keeping up the dying man act even as I was being told he was going to be fine. That Artus!
"So I wonder captain, " Artus continued; "if it would be inapropriate, if I, by ways of a dying man's last request, would ask a superior officer if she would kiss me?"
"Do you mean Captain Holodoc?" I replied sweetly. "She just walked out. I could go--"
"Ahm" Artus squirmed, "that wasn't who I was thinking of."
I smiled brightly. "I know I shouldn't be snowed by this act you are putting on..."
"Please" he interrupted with a pained look, "let's not bring up snow, for a long time?"
I laughed, drawing nearer to him, looking him in the eyes. I leaned over the bed, drawing up nose to nose with him. Then I quickly rose up and planted a quick kiss on his forehead. I laughed again as I stood up.
"Guess what I brought" I asked him as I pulled the deck of cards from my jacket pocket. "With all that duty getting in the way, we never did finish our game!" * * * Marcus As I sat on Stadia’s bunk she grabbed her clothes and slipped out of my view to dress. Stadia said “Marcus, are you really alright?”
I replied “Yes. The med techs said there was no indication of anything more serious then a bump or bruise.” I smiled as Stadia slipped back into the room wearing a silky outfit that did her wonders. I slowly took in her wondrous figure. Stadia, noticed my stare, she teased me by bending over to grab her shoes from the bottom of her locker. How lovely she looked. “Wow you look gorgeous Stadia!” “I love that outfit on you.”
I took Stadia’s arm as we headed out of the barracks. As we were walking I started to think that I was a lucky guy to be with such a beautiful woman like Stadia. I would have to remember to check in on Artus in the morning but for tonight Stadia hade my undivided attention. * * * Artus Amy laughed, drawing nearer to Artus, looking him in the eyes. Amy leaned over the bed, drawing up nose to nose with him. Then she quickly rose up and planted a quick kiss on his forehead. She laughed again as she stood up.
"Guess what I brought" Amy asked him as I pulled the deck of cards from my jacket pocket. "With all that duty getting in the way, we never did finish our game!"
Artus sat up, looking somewhat dissapointed, but cheerfull nevertheless.
"Naturally I remember us not finishing our game." under his breath he added; "It's like all I was thinking about."
"What was that lieutenant?" Amy asked looking Artus straight in the eye.
"Ehm, nothing captain. It's just that I feel suddenly aware of the fact that I'm hardly wearing any clothes at the moment."
"Indeed. lieutenant, " Amy smirked; "and just at the point that I was going to suggest we play strip-pyramid. Too bad we can't do that now because I would have such an unfair advantage."
"No wait, ehm..." Artus stammered.
"Yes lieutenant?" Amy stil said with an extremely 'business as usual' tone to her voice.
"Nevermind captain. Shall we continue along the rules that we had originally agreed upon or would you like to set different stakes?"
Amy thought about it.
"Oh, and one more thing," Artus continued; "we've been through all this trouble and have gotten back in one piece, but I just can't seem to figure out what a guy needs to do to get a kiss from you. A real kiss, that is..." * * * Amy "Shall we continue along the rules that we had originally agreed upon or would you like to set different stakes?" Artus was asking.
I thought about it. I was thinking about a lot of things actually. Where did this attractive warrior fit into my life, if he did at all?
"Oh, and one more thing," Artus continued; "we've been through all this trouble and have gotten back in one piece, but I just can't seem to figure out what a guy needs to do to get a kiss from you. A real kiss, that is..."
I sighed, sat on the edge of his bed, and set the cards down for a moment. "It's a little complicated, Artus. Things for me personally are a bit of a mess." I laughed at what an understatement that was. "It's not that I'm not attracted to you. That's not the problem. Does any of that make any sense to you?" I looked at him, and honestly wanted nothing more than to be close to him. He's handsome, easy to be with, and makes me laugh. I hadn't done a whole lot of laughing lately. It felt good. I wished I could express that to him. Instead I picked up the cards.
"Now, about those stakes..." I began.
Artus reached out and put his hand on mine. I looked up and gazed into his eyes. I felt myself drawn to him, and I moved closer, wanting nothing more than to be near him. Again I was inches from his face, and could feel the desire to give in. Instead, we just gazed at each other. Artus seemed content to let me make the first move, and how I wanted to!
I started to smile. Being this close for too long would start to look silly if a medtech walked by and saw us. I smiled wider and rested my forehead on his. After a moment, I sat up. "Are we going to play cards, or do I just yank this sheet off you and declare myself the winner?" * * * Artus Amy started to smile. Being this close for too long would start to look silly if a medtech walked by and saw us. I smiled wider and rested my forehead on his. After a moment, Amy sat up. "Are we going to play cards, or do I just yank this sheet off you and declare myself the winner?"
"Yank away if you must, it's hot enough in here already" was the reply that left Artus mouth before he even realised it.
Artus smiled at Amy and wanted to put his arm around her, but then found he couldn't because of all the cables attached to it. A look of embarrasment flashed over his face for just a micron.
Amy smiled again.
Artus decided to give up that idea and simply put his other arm around her, pressing her against his chest.
"Look Amy, " he said; "and I hope you don't mind me calling you Amy, because calling you captain seems a tad inapropriate right now. Besides I couldn't salute you even if I wanted to, since my right arm is stuck to those cables and my left, well, let's just say I like my left arm where it is right now."
"Artus..." Amy started saying.
"No, please let me finish," Artus continued; "if you have personal problems that need sorting out, I would be glad to give any kind of assistance that I can give you. And if it is time you need, take all the time you want. I'm sure that whatever it is, it's nothing that the two of us can't overcome given the right amount of time and effort. So having said that, I think there is only one final argument that I would like to add..."
And with that he first softly, but then firmly, pressed his lips against hers.
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