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Post by LucianG on Jun 29, 2005 5:05:30 GMT -6
Charybdis
The small party of Callisto ships (Skyler's shuttle, the rescue shuttle and my and Lt. Bishop's two vipers) settled onto the surface of the landing port. There was a hustle and bustle of activity all around as various ships were being made ready for launch. They sure looked antiquated. I remember seeing things like that in my history scans!
A couple of official looking people were standing to one side as we climbed down from our ships.
One came forward, "I am Sedon, an aide to Commander Tolar. Please follow me and i will take you to your fellow Warriors." He motioned with his hand.
"I am Lt. Col. Charybdis of the Battlestar Callisto. We must act with all expeditiousness to get ready for the worst possible scenario--if those Cylons get through." I really didn't want to think about that, since if the Cylons did get through then that meant that they got through the Warriors of the Callisto. But for now, we had a task at hand.
"Nurse Jarrynn, follow me!! Infantry troops stay outside and guard the shuttles. Prepare them for launch! Bishop and Boomerang, come with me"
We followed Sedon into the building and were on our way to the command center to meet with someone named Tolar and hopefully, Brie and Najinn. I hope we weren't too late. I hoped for the best...
* * *
LucianG
Returning to Frodar Epsilon from their annihilation of the Cylon attack force, Lieutenant Cain’s Viper force picked up two shuttles and Vipers landing at the human colony in a short time period. Cain set his comm to an encrypted frequency and attempted to contact any of the Callisto’s ships.
“Go ahead, Gold One,” came the reply.
“Who is this?” demanded Cain, when he did not receive the appropriate response.
“It’s Sergeant Brinfort, Colonial Infantry, Sir. We’re guarding Lieutenant Colonel C’s shuttle.”
Charybdis was on the planet? Captain/Field Colonel Brie’s mission must have gone without a slip…or else….
“Can you patch in the big Bird, Sergeant?”
Charybdis’ voice came through less than a centon later, although it was not nearly as clear as Brinfort’s had been. He gave Cain a proper code, and instructions to land at the colony. “I’m switching you over to the local flight control officer for landing instructions. See you in a few, my friend.”
The Flight Controller gave Cain the information required, and when she finished, she said, “Sir, I understand you saved us from an attack we didn’t even see coming. Thank you. Ground Control, out.”
About fifteen centons later, four Vipers entered the colony through the lowered forceshield-dome. They landed next to the shuttles. Again stretching their muscles under the gravitational pull that was slightly heavier than the artificial gravity of the Callisto, the Warriors climbed from their cockpits, and were met by enthusiastic colonists. Cain ordered that the Vipers be refueled from the store aboard Skyler’s shuttle. There was no telling how soon the Vipers would be needed again, and for what. Cain went to find Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis and Colonel Brie.
* * *
Six Black Squadron Vipers broke over the small ridge at the side of the Cylon colony and immediately started firing. Their scanners were set to home in on the Cylons’ laser batteries. Unfortunately, the Cylons had to be firing for this to work, so within seconds, laser fire was being exchanged in earnest. Lieutenant Randrius continued to encourage his wing to do their best as they darted about and fired. Everyone knew that the incoming Silver Spar bombers would not be able to avoid the Cylon fire nearly as well as the Vipers and still accomplish their mission.
Randarius3473
"OK, Black's, let's give em' something to think about. Black Squadron is beginning attack run," Randrius rolled to starboard and dived towards the Cylon base. "Get down low, people." The Vipers skimmed the surface of the moon, as he neared the base he noted Colonial fire in the midst. Several LandRams were in a firefight with four Cylon ground cars. He targeted one and blew it to oblivion with a stream of shots. Another ground car fell victim to Viper fire, he didn't see who it was. Silver Spar squad had come in from the other side and were already pounding the base when the Black's arrived. Ground-based weaponry lit up the sky with defensive fire. He found the largest structure and pounced on it, cannons blazing.
LucianG
Anubis had homed in another shot to take out a second Cylon ground car when it suddenly exploded into flames and a scattering of debris. Merak stopped suddenly on the agreed upon count, when their Cylon ground car was also rocked by a blast, but not from fire from the Cylons. Fallel was thrown across the car into the side, and Anubis felt a sharp wrenching pain in his side. Based on his recent experience, he figured he’d cracked at least one, if not two, ribs in the process, but this wasn't nearly that bad. He could still move without too much pain, so he immediately started to line up for another shot.
Merak had leaned into the side of the car, so the blast had little effect on him but he knew immediately that the already damaged ground car was finished. He was shouting into the comm, as he scrambled to the rear to help Fallel up and out of the vehicle.
“This is Black Ball One! Hold your fire, repeat, hold your fire! One of the Cylon cars contains Colonial Warriors with no IFF transponder!”
Grendyl’s voice came over the comm, asking, “Merak, is that you? Sorry about that buddy. Do you need help with the other ones?”
“Negative. Complete your primary mission,” Merak said. “We’ll wrap this up here. Anubis, let's get out of here before it blows!”
About 100 meters away, Kris and Wendy were preparing to make their attack on one of the Cylon ground cars, while Lusitan continued to do his best from the top of the LandRam. As Merak and company fled the car, the explosion threw them forward to the ground. Merak grabbed a handful of his envirosuit in as he heard the hiss indicating a tear.
"Anubis, I could use some help here," he said weakly, as the air slipped from his suit.
Walksallroads
Anubis was rocked by the explosion, but otherwise alright. He'd barely managed to avoid getting skewered by shrapnel from the explosion.
"Anubis. I could use some help over here." Merak's voice was getting weaker as air was slipping out. Anubis quickly makes his way to Merak.
"Exhale. You can survive the extreams of space for up to three minutes." He looks to the LandRam. "Plenty of time." He supports Lt. Merak on his good side as they race for the Ram, hopefully dragging in a living Merak.
EnsignWendy
Kris was situated to the right of the cylon ground-car Wendy was to the left, they gave one another the sign to say lets go for it, Wendy lifted the cannon took aim and let the Tin cans have it, at the same time Kris also fired her cannon, the ground car was hit on both sides at the same time, the metal buckled and disintegrated in front of thier eyes.
One down only a few more to take out shouted Kris, Wendy cried out a victory yeehaar, at the same time another ground car was taking aim in her direction Frack it's not time to be jubilant just yet she thought to herself as the ground car began to fire at the rock outcropping she was hiding behind, the rocks began to melt, time to get back to the Land Ram before she started to melt as well,
Kris took aim and fired from her vantage point taking out the cannon on top of the ground car, giving Wendy a chance to escape.
MedievalSong
One down only a few more to take out shouted Kris, Wendy cried out a victory yeehaar, at the same time another ground car was taking aim in her direction Frack it's not time to be jubilant just yet she thought to herself as the ground car began to fire at the rock outcropping she was hiding behind, the rocks began to melt, time to get back to the Land Ram before she started to melt as well,
Kris took aim and fired from her vantage point taking out the cannon on top of the ground car, giving Wendy a chance to escape. ************** As I saw her get to the Land Ram safely, I took one more shot and hit a car and with where it was damaged the others could not move around it yet. I took off running to the land ram and once there I stopped outside it with Wendy. We both were trying to catch our breath as we both we winded from our sprint. I looked at her and busted up laughing. Wendy joined in the laughter. "Just had to start celebrating early huh?" I couldn't help but laughing. Wendy was leaned over laughing. "Well it felt good!" "Yeah it did." "Hey Kris you think they are ready to leave yet?" "I hope so, I really am deciding that any thoughts of coming here for my honeymoon should I ever get sealed! I swear I am going to write a letter of distaste to the owner the vallets and bell hops were not friendly!" I busted up laughing as I watched Wendy crack up again. "Lt Kris are you ever serious?" "Yeah but...I have to keep a light humor about it all or I will cry. I can't lose my head right now." Wendy and I headed on the top of the land ram to make sure we weren't being followed. I just hope we can leave this depressing place.
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Post by LucianG on Jun 29, 2005 5:06:03 GMT -6
LucianG
Commander Sheba’s voice was heard around the ship. “Our ship remains at medium alert. All pilots are to report for pre-flight briefings immediately. We launch in 2.5 centars.”
In the new spirit of cooperation that had seemed to have developed between the Colonial Warriors and the Fleet Security Forces, numerous Warriors were wished well as they headed to the mission briefings before heading to their Vipers.
“Good luck, Warriors! Go blast some Cylon metal butt for us!” said another of the Black Shirts. “I’ll buy you a drink after this is over,” said another, giving a genuine smile to the Warriors.
Lieutenant Conan gave a “thumbs up” to the Officers, who sent up a cheer. One cheer was half-hearted, however, but no one noticed in the din.
In Beta Bay, Major Lucian, Lieutenant BatGal, and the wing leaders for the battle were was completing their plans and assignments. The first Black Squadron Warriors began to file into the room.
LucianG
Once again, Major Lucian felt as if he was on the verge of helplessness. His squadron mates were stuck on the blasted moon, with an unknown chance of coming out alive. Every Cylon on the planet was probably gunning for them, and there was absolutely nothing he could do to help them. He had another wing blasting the Cylon colony, possibly being decimated by fire from the surface. Again, no help was possible. The training that Major Joey had led, and Lucian had continued to advance would get them through, if they were lucky. He was getting ready to lead the remaining two thirds of his squadron into battle against hopefully one, but possibly even two, Cylon Base-Stars. Twenty-three Warriors sat in the assembly in front of him. He called out the names for each of the four wings that would be flying from the Callisto:
Black Ice Wing:
Major Lucian, Squadron and Flight Leader Lieutenant BatGal, Squadron and Flight Second-in-Command Lieutenant Ghazban Lieutenant Kuroiryu Ensign Nightscape Ensign Trekkies
Primary Target: Cylon Launch Bay One Secondary Target: Laser batteries along midsection of Base-Star Additional Responsibility: Eliminate Raiders as necessary as encountered to complete primary and secondary missions.
The good thing about this was that there was now plenty of experience in the Squadron, so he didn’t feel bad about having Lieutenant BatGal be his wing rather than leading another Flight. He’d heard that then-Captain Apollo and then-Lieutenant Starbuck had frequently done that many yahrens ago, so he felt the precedent was set and he’d live with it.
Black Adder Wing:
Lieutenant Titon, Flight Leader Lieutenant Osh, Flight Second-in-Command Lieutenant Emjay Lieutenant Dragonfire Lieutenant Jumberdawg Lieutenant SDavis
Primary Target: Cylon Launch Bay One (with Black Ice Wing) Additional Responsibility: Eliminate Raiders as necessary as encountered to complete primary mission.
Lucian continued, with Lieutenant Eridani serving as Flight Leader for the Black Onyx Wing, and Lieutenant Regis leading the Black Night Wing. He named each of the other team members and their responsibilities. Then, with the diagrams on the screen in front of him, he began in-depth instruction to point out the areas of attack for each of the wings. The initial attack would be on the Cylon launch bays. Any ships that were emerging were to be considered fair game, but laser batteries would be ignored for the most part, since it was considered just as likely that they would be trained primarily on the Callisto as on the smaller, more difficult to hit Vipers. Assuming the launch bays could be destroyed prior to very many Raiders escaping, then the Black Ice and Black Onyx Vipers would turn to pick off laser batteries, while Black Adder and Black Night dealt with Raiders. If large numbers of Raiders succeeded in escaping from the launch bays prior to their destruction, or in the event that the Vipers could not destroy the launch bays, then all Vipers would engage the Raiders instead of the laser batteries, picking off laser batteries when they could.
“This one’s going to be tough, everyone,” Lucian continued, “especially since our Squadron is significantly undermanned with all these missions occurring at once. It’s our responsibility to beat these guys though, since if we don’t, our fellow Warriors’ missions can be successful but they won’t have a home to come “home” to! Let’s do it for our fellow Warriors and for the Callisto!”
A cheer went up for “For our Warriors and for the Callisto!” The Squadron broke up into Flight Wings to discuss their assignments and wing pairs. Lucian looked at his chrono. The countdown showed 1:96:00. In less than two centars, the battle would begin.
LucianG
Nurse Jarrynn set down the portable MedKit she’d brought with her to the planet. She’d just introduced herself to the colony’s Chief Medical Officer, a middle-aged woman named Dr. Vaneke, who was looking at her curiously, along with the remainder of her mostly female staff.
“Nurse and an eye care specialist you are? Why your commanding officer would not have a doctor brought?” Vaneke asked. “Badly injured your Warrior is, yet you and your shipmates do not do all you can to save him?”
“When we left the Callisto, we had no idea Najinn was injured,” replied Jarrynn defensively. “Besides, our ship is probably going into battle in the not too distant future, so our more advanced and more senior medical officers will probably be needed there anyway. I did bring some equipment with me, though, and I’ve had some training on it, but not enough to use it on my own. Maybe….”
“Show us, Nurse Jarrynn. Perhaps between our more advanced medical knowledge, and your more advanced technology, your Warrior we might save.”
* * *
The Black Squadron Vipers were concentrating their fire on the multiple laser batteries that seemed to be scattered all over the Cylon town. They were succeeding in taking out some, but there were still numerous batteries still firing.
Captain Buellah’s bomber was the first Silver Spar craft over the ridge. The plan was for each bomber to make four initial passes, dropping one of their four 500 kilogram “crustbuster” precision guided bombs on each pass. These would open up much of the Cylon colony to the atmosphere and allow greater damage when the bombers made their fifth and sixth runs to deliver their nuclear presents to the Cylons below.
“On target number one…steady…steady…weapon One is armed…release One!” said Buellah, as he maneuvered the bomber as carefully as possible to avoid the Cylon anti-aircraft fire but still allow the bomb to find its way ‘home.’
“Guidance is positive,” replied Ensign Xerek, Buellah’s copilot and bombardier. “She’s going in…Yeah! WOO HOO!”
“There will be time to celebrate later, Ensign. I’m bringing us around. Now, switch to Number Two. Stay on it, and I’ll try to avoid the…THAT was close! Locking on target number two….”
Randius3473
Black squad was steadily hacking away at the numbers of laser emplacements. They were the only real threat at the moment. Randrius went in low with Grendyl on his wing towards a group of three emplacement. "Hold....hold....ho-let er' rip!!!" both he and Grendyl fired at the same instant, slagging two cannons. Randrius continued firing as he moved to hit the last emplacement. "HAHA! Payback suck don't it, tin-head!" Grendyl hooted and seperated to hammer another battery. Randrius spiraled upward and leveled off to search for another target.
Jarrynn
Jarrynn tried to keep a level head. But this person questioning Charybdis' decision to drag her along was only allowed for her to do she thought. Then again with the Callisto on its way to meet some basestars, Jarrynn knew that Doc and Holodoc might have their hands full and with not knowing what is on the moon... Jarrynn walked over to Najinn and placed her hand on his cheek. "Hey you! You hanging in there? Come on Najinn, I know you are tougher than this. Don't give up on me ok?" They briefed her on how much blood he lost. Jarrynn ran a diagnostic on him and then did one on her own. It was compatible and she knew he would feel much better knowing that she gave him blood compared to the ones who shot him. Jarrynn let them hook her up as she talked them thru on how to use the equipment. It was hard to see someone you know laying there so helpless and you can't do much to help them. Jarrynn just prayed to the Lords of Kobol that Najinn would be ok as well as the others. After getting his internal bleeding under control it was time to work on repairing the damage. It was ok to give him the tranfusion and we worked side by side to save my friend. "Please Najinn don't you dare go on me."
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Post by LucianG on Jun 29, 2005 5:06:30 GMT -6
Najinn
Nurse Jarrynn had given Najin a blood transfusion. She was a little tired now because of it, but at least she had stabilised his blood levels. What was a real worry was the internal injuries. They had been patched up but to see them shocked Jarrynn. She was worried about infection and blood poisoning despite her transfusion.
The doctors peeled back the wounds dressing and stitches to allow Jarrynn to see the damage. She looked on an open and gaping wound deep into Najin's midrift. She could see how he had taken the full blast. To be honest it was a miracle he was still alive at all. His wounds had stopped bleeding as badly as they had been earlier, the doctors work had seemed to have worked, but that didn't take away from the damage inflicted on his organs and muscles around his midrift. His kidney, his spline etc....
Jarrynn wondered what she could do if anything to keep him alive. She had to keep him alive.
He came too as she was stitching the wound and redressing it.
Najin looked at her and smiled, "You're either an angel or my guardian saviour..." He coughed slightly, "It's good to see you Jarrynn. Atleast I'll die with a friend near me and not alone."
Jarrynn snapped back; "YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DIE NAJIN! you can stop that now."
She dressed his wound, and sat beside him. Najin kept closing his eyes and drifting between consciousness. He was in a lot of pain, he was scared. But he knew he was in good hands.....
Jarrynn
Najin looked at her and smiled, "You're either an angel or my guardian saviour..." He coughed slightly, "It's good to see you Jarrynn. Atleast I'll die with a friend near me and not alone." Jarrynn snapped back; "YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DIE NAJIN! you can stop that now."
She wiped her brow as she looked at his face as he slipped back into that blackness she knew right now was his refuge from the pain. She took her hand and lightly touched his cheek. "Oh Najinn, if you only knew. But I promise I will not let you die! You mean too much ... to us all." It was hard for Jarrynn to see him like this. She remembered when she thought more of him than a friend, but he had Amy and well she knew she had to just be his friend. Jarrynn turned and looked at the injuries. Talking to their doctor, Jarrynn proposed an idea to them. "Ok, I know that he can live on one kidney so that needs to go. The spleen we can probably work with what is healthy and left. We may need to do a graph later to repair the damamged walls, perhaps with part of the small intestine. To close the wound we need to get skin graphs from his uhm well..." Jarrynn turned red at the thought of going there, feeling the doctors gaze on her, she straigtened back up. "The skin on the rump *blushing* has the most elasticity to it and we can get a good graph and stretch it to keep infection out. I have antibiotics and anticeptic in my bag, so that should help till I can get him home." The whole time I was talking about the proceedure, I just watched Najinn. The doctor placed a hand on my shoulder. "He mean much to you?" Jarrynn turned and smiled sadly. "Once, but he never saw me standing there. His heart belongs to someone else. It was never mine to hold. But he is a good friend so he means a lot to us all." Jarrynn knew she had to be more careful on her feelings. They got the equipment ready for Najinn's surgery. Jarrynn woke him up slightly. "Najinn, I am going to assist on a surgery to help cut the pain. I won't let you go but you got to be strong for me ok? You need to think of something or someone to keep you going. I am here and will be when you wake back up ok?" He just nodded as the sleeping agent started to work. Together Jarrynn and the doctor started to work on Najinn so he could feel better.
Najinn
Jarrynn worked on Najinn with the colonies doctor, trying to repair what she could. Their working conditions were less than good, but they made the best of the situation. Najinn didn't need a field medic he needed Jarrynn's skills, a trained nurse with skills for a full medical centre, she was worried about losing Najinn, this was a difficult and dangerous procedure at the best of times.
As they worked to repair what they could of his spleen, and remove his damaged kidney, they cut away the tissue and muscle in the way. As Jarrynn worked to clear a region to work on the damaged organs, Najinn clenched his fists.
She stopped;
"Najinn!"
Their was no reply, but the heart monitor flickered. A long deep bleepppppp!
The doctor reacted immediately;
"He's going into cardiac arrest."
They rushed around him, pumping his chest.
Jarrynn at first panicked, but regained her composure quickly and she applied her training. She gave Najin the kiss of life while pumping his chest, while the doctors got the crash equipment on stand by.
Najin didn't respond, the long dull beep of the heart machine was deafening and scary;
"Ok, the paddles, charge, stand clear!"
As the doctor applied the charge Najin's body arched with the shot of electricity. The monitor continued its long beep.
"Up the charge!"
Again the charge went through Najin's body, followed by a beep, beep, beep, as his heart started again.
Their were sighs of relief all around, especially from Jarrynn.
"You aren't dying on me, I told you that!"
The doctor turned to Jarrynn; "I realise that he is your patient, your friend, but he won't survive the surgery here. We need to simply stablise him and get him back to your ship."
Jarrynn knew the was right, but it was one hell of a risk.
They stablised Najin again, giving him something for the pain. As Charybdis and Brie walked into the room. Jarrynn walked over to talk to them.
LucianG
Randrius fired one last blast then said, “I’m clear,” as his Viper left the space over the burning Cylon town. The other five agreed.
“This is delivery pass. See you on the planet in a little while,” came the reply from Captain Buellah over the comm. He flipped the switches lined up the target and fired. Four missiles shot away from his bomber, then he pulled hard into a vertical ascent. From other vectors around the Cylon town, but well outside of the town’s perimeter, sixteen other missiles came shooting in a pattern that had been determined by the linked computers database from previous passes. The absence of Bomber Four, which had been destroyed by one of the hidden Cylon laser batteries on the second pass, was keenly felt by the Silver Spar Warriors, but they knew that the Vipers had dealt revenge only microns later when they blasted the entire area. Fortunately, Buellah had calculated his initial attack based on only 12 nukes being available, so there was still plenty of overkill in the bombs being delivered by the missiles.
The bombers were several kilometers above the surface of the moon, and speeding away quickly when the blasts were initiated simultaneously. The bright light was still painful through the blast shields, even though it was coming from behind.
Buellah said, “That’s that folks. Let’s head to the planet.”
From a short distance away, Randrius said, “We want to swing back by the ground force position to see if they need any help. Two, come with me. We’ll rejoin this group in a little while.”
* * *
As Wendy and Kris climbed to the top of the LandRam, they heard Stadia’s shout, “Great shot, Lusitan!” come over their comms. When they reached the top, they saw that he had just dispatched the last Cylon ground car. Inside the jam-packed car, the former slaves whooped in relief for the first time.
Lieutenant Merak sat in the back with a cinch tape tightly sealing his torn suit. It had been close, but he’d not even lost enough oxygen to pass out. Anubis had gripped it tight enough to stop most of the loss, and now he was putting on the final touches.
“That should hold in the event of an emergency, at least until we can return to the shuttle,” said Anubis.
“That can’t be quick enough for me,” said Merak. “Stadia, are we sure we are clear?”
“Yes, Lieutenant. There are no active Cylon vehicles within scanning rang—”
A brilliant flash in the distance lit the area around them. From their distance of approximately 20 kilometers, they were well outside the area of the blast, but the light was painful to the eyes, especially since they had not had warning to protect themselves. Without their tinted faceplates in place, Lusitan, Kris, and Wendy, who were still on the roof of the LandRam, would most likely have been permanently blinded. As it was, they all blinked repeatedly trying to clear the spots that seemed to swim in the backs of their eyes. All three climbed down carefully, keeping their eyes squeezed tightly closed, and they entered the LandRam.
As the interior atmosphere and a light pressure was restored, Anubis gave each of the three a blindfold to cover their eyes. “You must relax your eyes. Do not squeeze them shut. More blood vessels will be damaged due to the pressure. I will get cold compresses as well. From this distance, I estimate that your normal vision should be restored shortly, at least by the time we return to our shuttle.”
“Don’t be so sure about that,” said Merak, with a slight grin on his face, having pulled his helmet off his head. “Stadia, enter code Alpha Seven Nine Beta Two Zero.”
She turned her head to look back at him, somewhere quizzically, but she did as he instructed. As she did this, Merak opened a case and put on a visor. He flipped a switch on the panel, and a small stick popped up. Operating a small touchpad on the other end of the panel, Merak laughed and said, “It shouldn’t be long now. I suspect our taxi should be arriving in just a few centons.”
True to his word, within ten centons, the shuttle settled gently on the ground less than one hundred meters from their position. Stadia drove the LandRam into the bottom bay. Merak piloted the shuttle off the moon using the remote setup even as Anubis moved up to take over the controls on the flight. Within a centon, they were exiting the atmosphere heading to the planet. As they cleared, Lieutenant Randrius’ voice was heard on the comm, “Would you guys like an escort?”
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Post by LucianG on Jun 29, 2005 5:07:01 GMT -6
MedievalSong
Lt Kris sat in the land ram with the blindfold still on. I listened to Lt Anubis who said not to squeeze them shut. I felt helpless all of a sudden and I didn't like that feeling. "Lt Merak, what was that light?" I was getting curious. Mostly deep inside I was scared now. What if Anubis wasn't right? What if we stayed like this forever? "Are you sure this will go away? Please I want an honest answer." I hoped the fear wouldn't show in my voice.
Walksallroads
"Judging by that flash, it was a small tactical nuclear explosion. Low yield, your eyes should start clearing in a senton or two. Be glad there was little atmosphere. If it had been breathable, we would all have gone permanantly blind. Relax, and you should be fine."
EnsignWendy
Relax you say, Wendy stammered. "your not the one who cannot see" Kris reached out towards Wendy. Lusitan was also shivering, The three only had each other at that time, they were the ones that were blinded, "Lets get off this rock it doesn't seem like fun anymore" said Wendy trying to be brave.
MedievalSong
I sat there, still huddled with Lusitan and Wendy. We all tried to relax but we felt so alone all of a sudden. We tried to take comfort in knowing this was temporary but for now it was all that we could think about. I for one, felt like each centon felt like an eternity. Only a few sentars of this? I can't stand this. "Hey Wendy, Lusitan? You guys seeing colors and patterns yet?" "Uhm not yet wait I think so." Wendy said with excitement in her voice. "Me too!" chimed in Lusitan. We clung to the hope that soon it would be over. "I don't know about you but I intend not to take that for granted again, being able to see." The others agreed.
Walksallroads
"No, I can still see. But this is the second operation I have been on where I have been injured. I am operating on one broken rib that has been partially healed, most likely rebroken, and two cracked ribs. I have been there before, Wendy. That is how I know."
Brie
Brie waited for Lt. Colonel Charybdis to come in and meet Commander Tolar. She couldn't help but think about Amy. She had thought very little about Amy until Najinn was shot, but she had been on Brie's mind a lot since. Part of Brie felt like she had failed her new best friend. Najinn had been trusted to her command and was now floating between life and death. She knew that Amy loved Najinn, whether or not she was "in love" with him didn't matter. Najinn had been the one person that Amy could count on during all the felgercarb that she had been through. If he were to die...
The question that Brie kept asking herself was whether or not she should tell Charybdis what she had told Najinn. She hadn't meant it, and she had no idea how much of it Najinn had actually heard. She wasn't sure if the two of them seeing each other was really a good idea, but it might give Najinn some of his fight back. It didn't matter what she thought, Charybdis would want to see Najinn and since he outranked her there wasn't anything she could do about it. It needn't come down to rank, though. Charybdis was a dear friend, he would understand what Brie had said, wouldn't he?
Charybdis
We were shown into the command center where Commander Tolar and Brie were waiting.
I saw them and moved over to them. "I am Lt. Col. Charybdis of the Battlestar Callisto," I introduced myself to Tolar.
"Colonel, it is a pleasure to meet you. I'm sorry for the confusion when your people arrived on our planet. I hope you can understand our position, what with the Cylon treachery," Tolar effused.
"It's alright, Commander, I'm sure we would have reacted in the same way. The important thing now is that we work together to free all our people." He nodded and turned to direct some of his people in the evacuation.
Brie walked over. She looked pretty bad. She was covered in splotches of dried blood and looked very tired. It looked as if she hadn't had any sleep in several cycles. She seemed troubled, but who wouldn't be in her situation?
"Don't worry, Brie, we'll all get out of this," I tried to reassure her. She replied, "I'm not so sure," as she looked toward another area of the command center.
I think I knew what she was referring to. "How is Najinn?" I responded, hoping that Jarrynn could do something for him.
"We haven't heard anything since Jarrynn went in to see him. They just don't have the medical facilities here. Their systems are just outdated from what we have aboard the Callisto. I think everyone realizes that if he doesn't get back soon, he's not..." she stopped herself. She didn't want to bring herself to say that Najinn was not going to make it.
My mind raced. How could we get him back to the ship? and fast?
"Brie, I have an idea. Come with me!" She followed me into the corridor as we went to find Nurse Jarrynn...
Brie
Brie followed Charybdis down the corridor, not knowing what his plan might be. She fought off the fatigue and the thoughts that plagued her. Part of her almost envied Najin, at least he had a chance to rest. That didn't sit well with her, it SHOULD have been her. She stopped for a moment, which alarmed Charybdis. "Are you okay?" His question was not as a superior officer, but a concerned friend.
"The shot that Najin took," she said softly, "was meant for me. He saved my life."
"Oh." There wasn't a whole lot that Charybdis could say, but he didn't need to. He had known Brie for so long that he knew she didn't need some phony comfort.
"I would have done OR SAID anything to get him to hang on a little bit longer," Brie continued. She wondered if Charybdis had noticed the words that she had slightly emphasized. Brie shook her head to snap out of the state she was in, her whole life she had been an expert at turning off her emotions. "I'll tell you the whole story later." They started back down the corridor. "So, what's your plan?"
Charybdis
Brie was acting very strangely with what she told me in the corridor, I didn't really make sense of any of it. I chalked it up to the immense pressure she was under and the fact that she should probably be dead.
We marched into the medical area where Nurse Jarrynn was working on Lt. Najinn. She hardly noticed us come in.
He was hooked up to some wiring and mechanical contraptions. It didn't look good.
Jarrynn then noticed us and came over. Getting a bit away from Najinn so he couldn't hear she said, "He's very weak. I can't do anything here but stabilize him. Their equipment is too outdated compared to anything we have onboard the Callisto." She was worried and I could tell it in her eyes.
"Jarrynn," I said, "could Najinn be moved and survive a trip, say, about two centars long?"
She began to think. The question caught her unprepared. I'm sure she was thinking about a short trip into the atmosphere and onto the Callisto, but something that long? "I wouldn't recommend it, Colonel, in his condition, I'm amazed he has lasted this long. But I will tell you one thing, if he stays here any longer, he won't make it back to the Callisto." That was it. The decision was made...
Brie
"I'll notify Skyler," Brie said. "You give him the coordinates, he'll take the shuttle we came in and fly Najin and Jarrynn back to the Callisto."
"What are you going to do?" Charybdis asked. Brie had noticed that there was something different about him, a light happiness added to his soul. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, she decided that she was imagining things due to her exhaustion.
"My mission was to aid in the evacuation of these people," Brie said. "Unless that's changed, sir, I'm staying. They're finally listening to me, don't make me leave now." She realized since she was no longer the senior officer, it was no longer her mission. Charybdis could order her to return to the Callisto with Skyler. She hoped he wouldn't.
Lt_Skyler
Skyler had just finished refueling the escort Vipers including the ones that came in with the Lt. Col. from his onboard storage tanks. This would reduce his load, and make the Drop Shuttle handle even better. The speed increase would only be marginal at best since the huge engines were already overpowered for the ship. Climbing into the troop area of the Drop Shuttle he rechecked the weapon systems. The turbo-laser cannons were fully charged, and everything checked green. If she were needed for battle, she would preform well. The addition of Infantry Troops was a blessing. Skyler knew Sgt Brinfort very well. He and his men could operate the defensive systems on this ship in their sleep. There were also enough of them to crew the weapon systems on the Lt. Col.'s Drop Shuttle also.
Skyler radioed Brie.
" Captain, er Colonel umh Brie, all Vipers are refueled. Drop Shuttle Weapon systems charged and ready for action. awaiting your orders. Lt Skyler clear."
Skyler thought to himself for a few microns... They had a Lieutenant Colonel, and now a Captain Colonel. What was next, a Corporeal Captain? (M*A*S*H joke, sorry) He let a small chuckle escape before returning to the serious Warrior attitude.
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Post by LucianG on Jun 29, 2005 5:07:30 GMT -6
Charybdis
I thought a micron about what Brie had said about taking the shuttle back to the Callisto, but it wouldn't work.
"Brie, it's no good." I said. "The Callisto has moved out to engage the baseships. Traveling at that rate, the shuttle would take at least 6 centars to get there and that's way too long." Brie's spirits seemed to drop even further. "Then what can we do?" she asked.
"It's risky and Najinn might die, but he will anyway if we don't try it." I responded.
"We get Najinn stabilized and well-protected in one of these med beds. Then, we load him into the cargo area behind the viper pilot's seat." When I said this, Jarrynn and Brie's eyebrows hit the ceiling! They seemed a bit incredulous at the thought of stuffing Najinn into a small cargo hold in a viper in his condition. But...
I continued, "If we can do that, a flight at full turbo should get us back to the Callisto in just under 2 centars. We might fly right into one of the biggest fights yet with the Cylons, but we'll take one other Viper to fly escort just in case. I'll fly escort, Brie..." she lifted her eyes to look at me. "You decide who will fly the viper with Najinn in it."
There, it was said and out in the open. Jarrynn began to protest and Brie didn't like the sound of it, but they knew that they had no other chance to save Najinn.
Strange thoughts permeated Brie's head; why was she here? why was Charybdis doing this for the man he was competing with for Amy's affections? it almost seemed to not make sense, but then, after a split micron, she returned to herself. Of course it made sense, it didn't matter who was dying there on that table. All of us would have done the same for anyone else. Even Charybdis doing this for Najinn... funny how it all turned out.
"Time is of the essence, Brie," I said to prod her on. I was already expecting her answer. I wondered if she would change her mind about staying on the planet or if she would still assign someone else to fly Najinn back.
I turned to Jarrynn, "Nurse, start getting him ready to be moved. I want him in that Viper in less than 10 centons."
I looked back at Brie who had been contemplating her decision. She had already told me that she wanted to stay on the ground, but after this turn of events, I awaited her assignment orders...
Brie
More than anything at that moment, Brie wanted to be the one to fly Najin back to the Callisto. "Skyler will fly him," she said, hiding her real feelings. "He's ready, he's been thinking that he would be flying Najin back all along. I'll stay here and help with the evacuation."
"Are you sure?" Charybdis asked, giving her one last chance.
Brie lowered her voice. "I'm not leaving Skyler behind. I still don't totally trust these people, especially Captain Jorlan. To change things now after all the mistakes I've already made......my orders came directly from Commander Sheba, and since I've been on her bad side lately I'm going to follow them to the end. Besides, Skyler is one of the best pilots that we have. He'll get the job done."
Charybdis accepted the decision, although Brie wasn't sure if he agreed with her. He went to radio Skyler and inform him what was going on. "Tell him nothing fancy," Brie said. "Straight and steady flying."
Jarrynn
Jarrynn got Najinn ready and as they loaded him she looked at Charybdis and Skyler. "I am going along too! You can not expect me to stay here when he is in this bad of condition. I need to go along just in case something goes wrong on the way there and also so I can relay the proceedures and problems to Doc and Holodoc. I will not stand by and let my patient leave with out me. Plus I made him a promise that I would not let him die and that is one promise I intend to keep. I don't take up much space and can squeeze in behind the chair. I am not going to take no as an answer. If you want to draw me up on charges fine, after I get Najinn safely to the others and make sure he will live!" Jarrynn stood there with her hands on her hips with a defiant look on her face just waiting for someone to tell her differently.
Brie
Brie wondered how they would fit three people into a machine made for one, but Jarrynn was right. She needed to tend to Najin on this long and dangerous journey. "I agree with Jarrynn," Brie told Charybdis. "I don't know how we'll do it, but she needs to stay with Najin."
Charybdis didn't say anything for a moment. It was obvious that he was trying to figure something out. "You'll probably be the most uncomfortable that you've ever been in your life," he told Jarrynn, "and you'll be that way for centars, but I won't try to stop you."
The time for talking had ended. There were plans to be made, and vipers to be launched.
Charybdis
After rethinking it for a micron, I decided that it would never work.
"Jarrynn, I'm sorry, but this one you're gonna have to sit out."
I immediately came under a barrage of verbal attacks, but once they calmed down, they could see that i was right.
"The first thing is, there is absolutely no way to stuff two people into that cargo hold. Najinn in his protected state will barely fit in there, to have another person on top of him? No way.
And besides, the extra weight of Najinn himself already has the viper in grave danger of not making it back to the Callisto. Adding even more weight will doom the flight before it begins."
Jarrynn's eyes began to tear up. She didn't want to leave her patient, but in his best interest, in his best interest to live, she had to. Circumstances were beyond her control.
"Besides, Jarrynn, you were assigned to the team that is staying here on the ground. As Med Tech, you need to stay with the ground personnel and take care of any more injured that you may have onboard the shuttles once they launch."
She almost started to protest but I had to act fast, "Time is wasting, Nurse Jarrynn. That is an order!"
I sprinted out to the flight launch area where they were already stuffing Najinn into the viper. Skyler was told about his mission and we prepared to launch in a centon's notice.
LucianG
Commander Sheba looked at her chrono. Unless there was a change, the Callisto was scheduled to drop the “cloak” and begin firing on Base-Star number One in thirty-six centons. All of the preparations were in place, and Warriors were on standby in the ready rooms.
“Commander Sheba, our buoy just went out. It detected the launch of about thirty Cylon Raiders from each Base-Star. They were on a direct course for Frodar Epsilon. They have most likely picked up our attack on the Cylon colony,” said Dr. CureMode. The buoy picked up the signal from a returning flight of three Raiders, which altered course and blew it up. We’re down to visual observation now unless we want to take a chance of giving away our position by performing scans.”
“No. Stay on visual only now. As we get closer, it will be more evident as to what they are doing.”
“What do we do about those ships? They will attack our forces on the moon and the planet.”
“Nothing for now, Major. Send word of this by tight beam pulse message to the planet by FTL uplink. The satellite in orbit will relay it to Charybdis’ shuttle. No reply will possible, but at least they’ll know to fight or take cover. Let’s just hope that our forces can group together and come up with a plan before the Cylons arrive. I just wonder if our “friends” on the planet will be of any help. Thank you, Major.”
Sheba looked at the system grid on the map screen. The Callisto had a total of 12 Vipers on the planet or in its vicinity, plus six bombers. She didn’t know what the human colonists had, but she hoped it would be enough. The only good news was that there wouldn't be quite as many Raiders in the upcoming battle as there would have been a short time before.
The chrono showed thirty-two centons remaining to decloaking.
LucianG
On the bridge, Major-Dr. CureMode, filling in for Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis, who was away with seemingly half of the Callisto's Warriors on or near the fifth planet, relayed Commander Sheba's order.
"All Warriors proceed to their Vipers immediately and prepare to launch. Decloaking occurs in ten centons. Vipers will launch immediately thereafter. Report ready status as soon as ready. I repeat: All Warriors proceed...."
ThunderHawk
"Well, this is it", the newly commissioned Ensign thought to himself. Nervous as he was, the thought of finally engaging in battle as a Warrior filled Hawk with pride. After checking over his Viper, Hawk climbed in and was handed his flight helmet. Looking into the launch tube, he reported "Ensign ThunderHawk, ready for launch."
LucianG
Officer Hawke [not to be confused with Ensign ThunderHawk] stopped by the Security Office with a number of the others who had seen the Warriors go into the Briefing Rooms in Alpha Bay a short time earlier. He wanted to make sure he’d heard correctly. When he’d heard that all Viper certified pilots had been ordered to report, he’d checked in but been told that his certification had been pulled as part of his sentence to Security. He’d even sent a message to the bridge, but the response from Major Joey, at the direction of Commander Sheba had been short: “Not a chance.” He crumpled the message and threw it into the recycle container.
Sergeant Whitcher laughed at Hawke for doubting his word. “If nothing else, Hawke, you’ll find I’m honest as the cycle is long. We need pilots out there today, but I suspect we need pilots we can trust. Now, get back to work.”
Hawke was not happy with his situation. He wasn't trusted by the Warriors, and he sure wasn't trusted by the Security Force members. He had to do something, though.
Several other officers in the Security Office noted the exchange. Most wondered why they had had to be saddled with such a troublemaker, especially now that they’d started to develop at least a semi-friendly working relationship with the Colonial Warriors. Most of those Warriors weren’t all that bad, other than having heads that seemed to expand to fit their helmets. One in particular didn’t like this, and had already decided to see if he could take advantage of that situation in the not too distant future. He watched as Hawke, seeming to make up his mind abruptly, bolted out the door, heading in the general direction on Alpha Bay.
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Post by LucianG on Jun 29, 2005 5:07:59 GMT -6
Charybdis
Lt. Skyler had been checking the systems on the two Callisto shuttles when the comm link went crazy. As he checked what message could be coming in, he realized that it was a downlink from one of the orbiting satellites. Origination: Battlestar Callisto!
He read the message and his heart sank into his boots. Reports of at least 60 Cylon Raiders heading in our direction!
Skyler quickly radioed into the command center and reported the news. They were in trouble now.
When the message was relayed in the war room to all, Tolar decided to launch all remaining fighters that he had on Frodar Epsilon.
My comm link buzzed and reported the message, I was still talking to Brie about the mission to get Najinn back. We had to buy time and protect the colony.
I sent a report to Lt. Cain to launch his flight of 4 Vipers to help deal with the incoming Raiders. The shuttles would stay on the ground until the Callisto came back into range and the other two vipers were to be used by myself and the other pilot that Brie selected for Najinn's rescue mission.
As if things weren't bad enought already, I thought, they just keep getting worse...
Brie
At the launch pad there were no microns to spare. As Najin was loaded into the back of the viper that Skyler would be flying Brie tried to say goodbye. He wasn't conscious, but he had heard her before so maybe he could now. "Hang on," she told him. "Soon you'll be back on the Callisto, and with Amy. You've got to keep fighting...for her." She glanced around and was grateful that Charybdis wasn't close enough to hear. She noticed Jarrynn standing nearby, visibly upset. Brie's respect for Jarrynn had grown considerably, she had put her fears aside and done everything possible for Najin. She knew that if they ever made it back to the Callisto, she would tell Doc Bkj what a commendable job Jarrynn had done.
As Skyler waited to climb into the borrowed viper Brie approached him. "Skyler...um...I..." After all they had been through there were no right words to say.
"Yeah, me too," Skyler said. "And don't worry about Najin, I'll get him back safely."
"If I didn't think that you would you, I'd be flying him back and YOU'D be stuck here on this hade's hole of a planet," Brie told him. She held out her hand for a warrior's handshake. "Give Mara a hug from me."
Brie approached Charybdis, who was running checks on his viper. "Are you sure you remember how to fly this old thing?" Brie teased. "It's almost as old as the stuff they have around here."
"It hasn't been THAT long," he replied. He paused for a moment. "You can still change you mind."
"No," Brie said. "I need to see this through. Try to send word when you get back." She stopped, not wanting to say the words but then added, "Either way."
"We'll do our best, Brie, you know that."
Brie nodded. "You'd better get going. An extra micron could make a big difference. And Charybdis...thanks."
It was Charybdis' turn to nod. Brie turned and walked away. Charybdis and Skyler needed to leave, and she needed to stay out of the way.
Watching the two vipers leave was one of the hardest things that Brie had ever done. She hadn't felt so helpless and alone since the night she found out that her husband had disappeared. She wasn't alone then, though, and she wasn't alone now. Brie said a not-so-silent prayer for Najin, as well as for Charybdis and Skyler. Riding for a couple of centars like that would be pure torture for the brave nurse. Brie tried hard to shake off the feeling that she would never see them again, that she would never be leaving Gastonovia.
"Colonel Brie." Commander Tolar's voice interupted her thoughts. "I thought that maybe you could use some rest. I've had quarters prepared for you. We're ready for this evacuation, I'll send for you when we need your assistance, or if there's any news from your party."
Brie had to admit that she was exhausted. "Thank you," she said.
Tolar led Brie to an empty room and closed the door behind him. Brie counted off two centons, then tried the door. She was surprised to find that it wasn't locked. She closed it again, and lied down on the bed. She was too tired to even take off her boots. She closed her eyes, only to open them immediately. She tried again, but it was impossible. All she could see with her eyes closed was Najin falling and the face of the guard, Dexter, right before he died. Through her exhaustion Brie did something that she hardly ever did, she cried. She felt as though she would never stop. The tears were still falling when her body finally turned itself off and forced her to rest.
Lt_Skyler
Skyler hated leaving Brie on that planet. He knew she could take care of herself. It just felt bad to leave your own behind. The incoming Raiders were also a problem. The older pod fighters would be out gunned. Their only chance would be to out fly them. The rest of the Vipers would be out numbered, but that was odds they were used too. The Drop Shuttles, while an excellent Infantry support ship and did have some external firing weapons, was a long way from being a fighter (think of a ISSACP from Space Above and Beyond, or a Armored Personnel Carrier that flys). If attacked it could shot back, and that was about it.
Lt. Skyler flipped over to long range scanners to track the incoming Cylon Raiders. He cross checked the cousre laid into the navi computers, and did some last minute calculations on his knee board.
"Lt. Col, I have double checked the course, and we will be well out of range of those Raiders. I will be ok here if you want to turn back. When those Raiders reach the planets, they will need all the Vipers they can get."
Skyler took a deep breath waiting for the reply. He knew Charybdis wouldn't leave him, but he felt better making the offer. He knew the only problems he faced were Raiders once he got close to the Callisto, and by then, there would be enough Vipers to get an escort to the landing bays.
LucianG
“Did we have enough Vipers?” asked Sheba.
“Our shortage of parts for assembling more has really hurt us, but we’re covered. By temporarily reassigning those of our forces on Frodar Epsilon and its moon, plus the two spares, plus a couple that have been rebuilt from parts, we’ve got 117 that can fly. With what is left of our squadrons and Silver Spar, plus the Academy Wing, and bridge personnel, we’ve got 115 pilots who will be launching. The only spares we’ll have are Lieutenant MaraJade’s and your Vipers, Commander.”
“Is there anyone else who can be assigned to them?” she asked.
“We’re already short of bridge personnel, Lieutenant MaraJade is still on medical disability, Lieutenant Amy is still on leave, and then there’s Officer Hawke…well, you’ve already denied his request to be reinstated to flight status.”
“Then that’s all we can do,” she said, upon hearing that the preliminary report was unchanged. As CureMode walked away to check on other preparation, Sheba reconsidered the attack. If the Callisto was able to surprise the damaged Base-Star as expected AND destroy it, plus damage the launch facilities of the second as planned, there was a good chance that this could be a major victory. If not, or if the “cloak” wasn’t effective due to observation angle, proximity, or Cylon observation from the rear, then it would be a very short battle indeed.
* * *
Captain Lazant sat in his Viper. He watched the scurry of activity in the launch bay and tried to have hope that everyone who was about to launch would do their job plus some. Most would do just that, but some just wouldn’t have it, and some just wouldn’t be lucky. Some of those launching through those tubes in a few centons wouldn’t be coming back. That was a real shame, since each Warrior was not only a person but a real investment in time and effort. For each that didn’t make it back, he’d have to train two to take his or her place, which would put the Callisto at a real disadvantage in the long run.
He and Lieutenant Resonat would be flying with four of the newly promoted Ensigns in Dasher Wing. The difference this time was that he was relatively sure these Ensigns, despite the condensed and abbreviated nature of their training, were well enough trained that they might have a chance of survival. At least he hoped they would.
He and Nat had been working what seemed to be almost non-stop lately trying to turn out pilots as fast as they could. Fortunately, they had had lots of help from a number of Warriors in the two main squadrons and scaled-down portion of Silver Spar Squadron that was aboard the Callisto.
Altogether, they had promoted twenty cadets to Ensign in the last few centars, in addition to the few in the past few cycles. Four would be flying with the Dashers, along with a couple of the bridge officers who had requalified for flight status since the Battle of Shonada. In addition, ten would be with Silver Spar, four with Gold, and two were going to Black. Lazant feared for the lives of those going to Black Squadron, for he still didn’t trust the Major’s training, leadership ability, or common sense. The sooner that Commander Sheba saw through Lucian and took action against him the better, thought Lazant. He was also a little concerned about Gold Squadron, since both Brie and Cain were away from the ship, but only a little, since he knew Lieutenant Siress Eden would do a good job leading the remainder of the group. Looking at his chrono, he saw that the attack was supposed to begin in about three centons.
* * *
Lieutenant Nat sat in his Viper, too, but as he looked out over the launch bay, he saw a different story than Lazant. Whereas Lazant saw the situation from a command perspective, Nat saw it as friends who might be taken away, never to come back. Nat had accepted the fact that he had given up his right to higher command long ago, so friends could be just that.
What disturbed Nat the most, however, was that he’d heard nothing on the status of Operation Black Ball, and particularly, nothing on the status of one pretty young Lieutenant. Now, everyone had made a big deal out of the fact that a major Cylon attack force had left the area, making the odds of success in the upcoming attack even better, but what had been unsaid in his briefing was that those Raiders would be after the Callisto’s forces in the vicinity of Epsilon and its moon. Nat closed his eyes briefly and said a prayer for the safe return of Kris and her fellow Warriors. WHEN she returned safely, he’d have to come up with a way of convincing her that he could explain. As the microns until launch ticked away, he said another brief prayer for the safety of Sharla, the other special girl in his life.
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Post by LucianG on Jun 29, 2005 5:08:39 GMT -6
MaraJadeJedi
Lt MaraJade walked on the bridge in full combat uniform. She still looked like she suffered from the crash but she had her helmet in her hands. Walking over to Commander Sheba, Mara cleared her throat.
"Excuse me Commander Sheba." "Lt MaraJade you look like you are planning on flying?" "With your permission Commander. I may be a mess walking but last time I checked you sat to fly. Plus it sounds like you can use all the help you can get. I may not be completely healed and I still get dizzy but unless you got something here on board for me to do to help, I am requesting you allow me to fly. Then again I am not sure if my viper was ever fixed or if it was scrapped."
MaraJade waited to see what the Commander would do for her. Would she be assigned something on board or would she be able to fly. Mara didn't even know if her viper was ever fixed or not. In all honesty with the way she was feeling she hoped they would just give her something on board to do, but she had to make it known her intent was there and that she wasn't hiding behind her disability.
* * *
LucianG
Sheba sized up her condition, looked over at the tactical consoles, and said, "Mara, we're very short on bridge officers, since many of them are flying. We could use some help on targeting in the tactical branch. You'll be in charge of forward missile batteries, which will free up Lieutenant Swensson to concentrate only on the pulsar cannon. Oh, by the way, they pieced together your Viper from parts," she said, smiling.
Like most relatively new technology, the Callisto’s cloak had a number of inherent weaknesses. From a distance, its capacity to “bend” light made it basically invisible from the front, sides, and part of the rear; however, in an area encompassing about a 60 degree cone centered on the longitudinal axis of the ship, the Callisto’s exhausts effectively negated the cloak, so the engine exhausts would be visible to observers in that direction, or to scans originating from the rear. In addition, even from the front and sides, the visual effect was less accurate due to both perspective and parallax.
To minimize the cloak’s inherent weaknesses, the plan was to have the Callisto decloak to the side and rear of the damaged Base-Star, using it as a shield against direct attacks by the other until it was destroyed. If it was destroyed quickly as planned, the Callisto would take as many “free” shots at the second Base-Star while it was sorting out the situation. As the microns were counted down, the Callisto moved ever closer to Base-Star Two, which was dubbed as such solely on the basis that it had arrived in the Frodar system after the first, creatively code named One.
“Ninety microns…eighty-five…eighty microns….”
“So far,” thought Commander Sheba, “things are going well. May the Lords help keep it that way!”
Luck or no luck, with the Callisto this close, there was no backing out now. Even if they tried, their course of escape would be so close to the two Base-Stars that battle would be a certainty anyway. Sheba continued to listen as the countdown hit sixty-five microns.
* * *
Having swung out from behind the small moon in its orbit about Frodar Nu, the flight of three Raiders on the patrol had continued their spherical scans. They had already destroyed some type of Colonial spy satellite in the area, so they were on maximum alert. From a distance of about 4.8 million kilometers, it had taken almost 54 microns for the scan signal to reach the Base-Stars and bounce back. On receiving the first reply, the command Centurion looked at the readout, accessed a database, and within six microns, sent a message in Cylon machine code:
{Detect anomalous reading immediately behind Base-Star JF^FSA>KG<M. Consistent with Colonial fusion reactor drive engines. Wing Centurion Commander Vsashin reporting.}
The signal arrived on Base-Star Two, known to the Cylons as JF^FSA>KG<M about 27 microns later.
* * *
As the signal reached Two, the count reached “fifteen microns.” Sheba ordered the pulsar cannon, Commander Cain’s special addition to the Callisto, to full power. While it had been test fired on a couple of occasions, it had never been fired in anger, and many of the bridge personnel who were familiar with its theory and function were somewhat concerned about how it would function.
At ten microns, Sheba ordered the beginning of cloak power dissipation. With the huge capacitor type cells, the Callisto would still be almost fully cloaked when the attack began.
* * *
The Cylon IL robot in command of JF^FSA>KG<M received the news in its command center just as Sheba issued the order to power down the cloak.
“Has the Galactica been located?” it asked.
“No, your Eminence,” replied his Praetorian series assistant.
“It has now. Course Zero Mark Ninety relative, now.”
On board the Callisto, the countdown chrono reached two microns.
* * *
“Three, Two—”
“TWO COURSE CHANGE!”
“TRACK AND FIRE!!!” shouted Sheba in reply. “Launch Vipers!”
* * *
At their relatively slow speed of travel due to Two’s ongoing repairs, the course change was very minor. Lieutenant Swennson, with the help of the tracking computers, homed in on the target and fired within a micron. The center of the pulsar beam was still off target by about twenty meters when it struck the Base-Star. The incredible burst of energy ripped into the lower saucer section vaporizing whole sections and systems, shutting down power to vital weapons and launch facilities, but at the same time, leading to an energy surge in those that remained, blowing out countless power couplings and their associated surge protectors. The series of explosions in the lower part of the ship escalated within microns, as the ship began to veer unsteadily due to its sudden change in propulsion. The twelve forward laser cannons began to cut into the central connector and the upper part of the ship, and every laser turret capable of being trained on the Base-Star opened fire as well. A series of even larger explosions erupted in the lower saucer, blowing huge chunks of the ship away, leaving the rest of the ship to begin “rolling” unsteadily due to the sudden loss of propulsion and inertia.
* * *
Flight Specialist Geenie relayed Sheba’s second order, “Vipers launch when ready!”
According to the original mission priority schedule, Vipers leapt from their launch tubes. From Beta Bay, Black Ice wing, Black Adder Wing, and the rest exited in short order and entered the maelstrom that ensued. As they pulled away from the ship, several Warriors noticed that the Callisto was now fully visible in the blackness of space.
* * *
A number of Raiders attempted to launch from the upper saucer section of ship Two, but only a couple were successful. The uncontrolled roll led two to crash into the ship just after impact, while several others crashed in the launch bay.
On seeing Raiders escaping, and fearing that more would be just behind, Sheba ordered MaraJade to fire a total of twenty Solonite missiles from two of the forward banks at the two upper launch bays. With a little luck, those would be out of action.
“Lieutenant Swensson, how long before you can hit it with another pulse?” Sheba asked. “Fire at priority target immediately when ready.”
Punching buttons furiously on his control panel, Swensson said, “There’s a fire in the pulsar generator room! Safety crews converge and extinguish it immediately,” he said.
Turning back toward Commander Sheba, he said, “Ma’am, the pulsar’s most likely out for the rest of this battle.”
* * *
On One, IL-4 Smedelac was just learning that something was wrong. The purple sensor cape of the Praetorian Cylon glistened in a scintillating array as it told Smedelac that something was wrong with the other Base-Star. There had been a series of explosions, including some that were ongoing, and a report of an anomaly near JF^FSA>KG<M.
“What sort of anomaly?” Smedelac asked. On seeing the projection on the screen, he became as excited as an IL-4 series robot can get, saying, “Launch all Raiders immediately, and change course to bearing 110 mark 35 relative. We will double back a little and bring all weapons to bear on the Galactica from well above that monstrosity.”
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Post by LucianG on Jun 29, 2005 5:09:10 GMT -6
Amy81
I entered the launch bay pretty much unnoticed. People were coming and going everywhere, warriors, techs, all in an organized yet mad scramble to launch every possible viper into another deadly battle. Well, this was one warrior that wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines on a technicality!
Ever since I had accepted Charybdis’s proposal to be sealed, I had found stability in the core of my life that hadn’t been there before. If it really was there, or if I was just kidding myself I wasn’t sure, but it sure felt real. Everything else, my doubts about my abilities, my resignation, my attraction to Najinn, the missing fleet (and my parents), the attempts on my life, all swirled around that center of stability. Was I just riding a wave of euphoria over my engagement? Who knew? But right now, I wanted to be a warrior again.
I walked purposefully up to my usual flight attendant, and tapped his shoulder for attention. He whirled around, ready to snap at whoever it was that interrupted his duties, but his face softened as I watched him.
“Lieutenant Amy! What brings you down here?” His voice was raised to be heard over the commotion around us.
“I’m ready to fly” I replied, then continued to cut off his objections. “Just hold on. We need everyone out there. One more viper might not make the difference, but then it just might at that.”
“Aw, Lieutenant, don’t do this to me. I can’t clear you. Your name’s not on the list.”
“How do you know? You didn’t check for it.”
He blushed a little. “I did check. Before. I always check. We…” he began sheepishly, “I’ve missed you down here.”
I smiled at him. “Where’s my viper?” He gestured to a corner. There it sat, old faithful. The dice still hung from the interior of the cockpit. “Is it ready to fly?” I asked.
“Not sure. Fleet security’s been over it for a while now, looking for some evidence, I think.” My face fell, and I shuddered uncontrollably. “What fleet security?” I asked.
“Urdea and his main boys” he replied. I relaxed immediately. Urdea would have been all over it after what I had told him about possible sabotage. “Yes, Lieutenant” he continued, checking his papers. “It is cleared to fly. Urdea’s been done with it for a while now.”
“Then wheel it up”.
“Uh uh, no can do. I’d have to call core command first.” He looked at me for reaction, and I just shrugged my shoulders. “Go ahead”, I said.
He wandered away a short distance, talking into his headset. I looked around, and up, taking in the whole bay. It had been a while. I really had missed not being a warrior. Out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw movement near my viper. I got a cold feeling as I searched the shadows with my eyes, but saw nothing. My flight attendant returned, and broke my concentration.
“I can’t believe it, but”, he stuck out his hand, “welcome back, Lieutenant!” I shook his hand with a smile. He smiled back, then turned to call out to some techs. In moments my viper was being positioned in front of a launch tube. A stairway was wheeled up, and I leaped up the stairs. I took the offered helmet, and swung a foot over and into the cockpit. A voice froze me in my tracks.
“Godspeed, dear Lieutenant”. Lords, that sounded like Adrian’s voice!
I spun around, feeling the color drain from my face. I looked in all directions, but the only one close by was my attendant, and he looked up at me with a puzzled look. I looked back at him. “Did you say something?” I asked intently.
“No, m’am.” He looked very concerned. “Are you feeling alright? Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”
“I’m fine.” I really wasn’t fine. What was with me? My nerves have been frazzled ever since my brush with death at the hands of the black shirts. It was all very unexpected, my reactions to them since. I ice up, get all tense, and… NO. I can beat this. I forced myself to climb all the way in, and I settled into the familiar cockpit. I thought I heard a thump, like something falling, but everything looked okay. I sighed. Once in space I’d be fine. I was in position-- I just needed clearance from core command.
The attendant patted the window, a usual tap for good luck. I didn’t look up, concentrating instead on punching the three turbo buttons and getting systems up to speed for launch. Again there was a thump on the window, but insistent this time. I looked over to see the attendant with a horrified look on his face. Though muffled, I could make out his words.
“Get out Lieutenant! For God’s sake!”
And then I heard it. A low whine, getting louder. My blood turned to ice as I remembered where I had heard the sound before. In the moments before the explosion that nearly killed me and claimed Adrian’s life, I heard this exact sound as I lay helpless on the engine room floor. It was an explosive, and I was sitting right on it!
“Pop the canopy!” the attendant was screaming at me.
“No” I screamed back. “An explosion would take out the whole bay! Get back!” I revved the engines and the attendant leaped back, understanding what I was going to try and do. I had to try it, had to get this viper out of the launch tube and safely away from the Callisto. Then I could eject. If only there was enough time.
“Noooooo!” The attendant yelled, apparently changing his mind about my plan, but it was too late. I gunned the turbos, and the viper hurtled down the tube. The noise grew louder, the whine higher, and the whole cockpit began to glow.
OhmygodohmygodohmygodgodgodgodGOD!!
White light now. I could barely see. Was I out of the tube yet? I looked down at the gauges, just as I heard a deafening roar begin. I felt the ship begin to come apart. I looked down from the control panel to my hand on the stick, but saw only bone. The flesh had been burned away…. I screamed as loud as I could…
And kept on screaming as I woke up on my cot in gold barracks. I sucked in full breaths, gasping for air, trying to calm myself back down. Over the loudspeakers I could hear sound of the red alert. Geezus fracking lords of fracking Kobol!
SiressEden
"Okay Gold Squadron, lets join this battle!", Lt. Eden shouted into her com to the rest of Gold Squadron. The vipers launched flawlessly from the Callisto. Lt. Eden took the lead and headed toward the basestar the Callisto had just hit with her pulsar. She could see the extensive damage that had bee inflicted from the pulsar hit, but she had a feeling there was still a lot of fight left in it. Just then she saw a small group of raiders approaching the vipers. She ordered 2 vipers to the left to try to come up from the raiders from behind as the rest took the head on approach. As the raiders approached, Lt. Eden quickly took down one while her 2 other vipers were able to destroy another 2 raiders. That left at lest one raider unaccounted for. Quickly scanning she found that the raider had reveresed and had now turned and was approaching them from the side, she was not going to be able to manuver in time! Then the two vipers she had sent left appeared and quickly took care of that raider with one deadly laser blast. Lt. Eden sighed with relief, "Good team work" she shouted into com link. She then checked her scanner, she didn't like what she saw, "but this battle is just beginning"
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