Reaper
Viper Pilot
Extreme Warrior
Posts: 412
|
Post by Reaper on Aug 21, 2009 22:50:54 GMT -6
"And as for you, Ensign Edan. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but you may want to wait for the actual mission specifications before committing yourself fully." Commander Apollo had singled him out, but what did he expect. Out of Every warrior in this briefing, only Edan had skipped the Questions and volunteered. There was no shame in Edan as he stepped back to the wall he had been leaning against prior to volunteering.
It's just that it was a fluke that he had been visiting his Father at work on board the Astral Queen. The Ship was now better known as the Prison Barge. The Queen was on a Prisoner Transfer cruise. Moving between some of the outer Satelites. And the Administration sections of the ship, those areas that now housed a large portion of the Council Security force, were perfectly safe for children. No matter who was being held aboard.
He had never seen the destruction of the colonies. Never saw the fires, the bodies. He just heard about it. And when his father told him about his mother, all he could think about was that he should have been in that house and dead too.
Detailed be damned, he was still going to be going on this mission. And if he had his way, He'd be on that shuttle.
|
|
|
Post by persephone on Aug 21, 2009 23:56:04 GMT -6
Persephone blinked rapidly for a few microns, unable to believe what she was hearing. She also couldn't understand why Commander Apollo seemed to stare right at her at times during his speech. Perhaps it just seemed that way.
A rift in time? she thought, The past still exists? further thinking.
Flashes of the day of the destruction of the colonies came rushing back to her. She remembered the cylon raiders over Piscon City, buildings and people being fired on, lasor blasts raining down on them, her parents killed in just ten centons....people running and screaming, a couple grabbing her small hand to take her aboard the skybus that she and her parents were suppossed to take to Caprica to join her brother Ganymede. A five yahren old Persephone looking back at her mother and father dead on the street. The tears that flowed down her cheeks, crying as she called out to her parents, but nothing could be done..nothing. She never knew what happened to her sister and if her brother was really still alive. Questions, after questions, after questions bombarded her mind, to the point she felt she was about to go crazy.
Would she volunteer to go back? Save her family? Then she thought of Chiron, might she have never known him? He died only two yahrens ago...is he still on Canceria now? He would be younger too....
Then she felt a gaze upon her....she looked to her side down a few seats, it was Artus.
|
|
bouriplwel
Viper Pilot
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All I Do"
Posts: 354
|
Post by bouriplwel on Aug 22, 2009 9:28:18 GMT -6
Plwel had no choice.....he had to go on this mission......he made the commitment the day he graduated from the academy that he would dedicate his life to the Colonial Service.....in whatever capacity that meant. Lt. Plwel was fairly confident that the majority of his squadron...especially the senior officers to include Capt Logan would be volunteering as well for this mission and he wanted to be with them.....especially if it was to be their "final hour" of service and glory to the original colonies and the fleet.....he wanted to be near her.....even if she never gave him a second thought....
|
|
|
Post by Logan on Aug 22, 2009 10:32:02 GMT -6
Apollo considered his words carefully.
"Now, once Kalten gives us the all clear, I intend to have both battlestars enter the rift and take up stations above the base. While this is happening, the crew of the shuttle and I will have recovered our personnel currently in custody."
He looked at Kroll sitting beside him who nodded grimly. Apollo braced himself for the inevitable. "Lt. Dolet and Ensign Janey of Bronze Squadron will be transported back to the Callisto at this point."
In the pause, Major Jorlan raised his hand to speak. "And Ensign Bulk Up?"
Apollo met the Major's eyes and he could see that Jorlan already knew what came next, just as a Squadron Commander would. "I'm sorry, but Ensign Bulk Up's Viper was destroyed in a skirmish between the base's forces and the patrol sent through the rift. They didn't know who they were and due to the base's classified nature...it saddens me to have to report this, but we want no further miscommunications. "
The pall in the room took on a new cast. Major Jorlan frowned and Lt. Hush, naturely reserved, looked obviously shaken.
Captain Logan dropped her hands to the table and spoke in the lull, "So, what you're saying is the base's defenses may fire on the shuttle."
"We're hoping it won't come to that. That's why Kroll will be on the shuttle." Apollo knew this was the trickiest part of the mission. They had to depend on the elder Kroll's knowledge of the base and memory of events to see them safely on the base. It had been a long time, but Kroll was adamant that he knew the proper security codes to convince his younger self of their identities.
|
|
|
Post by Logan on Aug 22, 2009 15:37:46 GMT -6
Comeek's neck was sweating. He removed a scrap of cloth from his jumpsuit pocket and wiped the drips from his skin, shoving the scrap back in his pocket without paying much attention to his movements.
Shoving the tiny ear bud more securely in place, he bent over the conduit in the empty corridor outside the conference room, and glancing over his shoulder, raised the volume just a few more notches.
Apollo's voice droned on and on, interrupted occasionally by another person in the room. Once or twice he heard Logan's steady tones through the listening device and his pulse quickened.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Something had told him that by the increased activity and the number of high level officers heading towards this area that something important was happening.
He had no idea how important until Apollo had started the briefing. He had been temporarily mesmerized by the idea of the time rift and the technology that it would take to run such an operation. As a self-styled computer genius, Comeek could appreciate the amount of data and machinery such a thing would depend on. No wonder he had never heard of the experiment. They had been fools to think that such energy wouldn't call the Cylons to them and warp the fabric of space itself. If it had been a different time, Comeek himself would have given much to work on such a project. Perhaps, in some way, he still could.
Now how to position himself in such a way that he could be a part of this mission and not be revealed for his true identity. The Callisto was large and he had escaped detection so far with a little planning and disguise work. With so many members of Gold Squadron out of the picture while traipsing along after Apollo like daggits, for Comeek knew that every bloody one of those arrogant Warriors would jump to volunteer for this mission,
After that shuttle went through and cleared a path, the battlestars would follow. And with them, tech crews to help with the actual time rift machinery. He knew Sheba and Apollo wouldn't pass up an opportunity to have their best techs go over that machinery with a fine toothed comb.
Comeek had to make sure he was positioned to be on that tech crew.
And if it fell into place correctly, he may be able to take Logan captive and disappear into the past before they knew what was happening. If their mission was successful and they stopped the Cylon invasion, there were any number of little colonies where a man and his rightful property could disappear.
Comeek drew in a shallow breath and wiped his sweaty palms on his thighs, already envisioning the new home he would prepare for her and the duties he would have her perform, whether she liked it or not.
|
|
|
Post by Brie on Aug 22, 2009 22:03:35 GMT -6
Brie scanned the faces of those around her. There seemed to be three basic reactions. The first was total confusion. That was understandable, traveling back in time just didn’t make logical sense.
The second were people who, like her, couldn’t believe that the Commander of the Colonial Fleet would even suggest such a thing. They were the ones who had the most to lose, children, friends, relationships that would change or disappear if the past was altered. She knew that she wasn’t the only one thinking that Apollo had suddenly developed a God-complex; she was just the only one so far to voice it.
The third and largest group was comprised of people like the new ensign, she thought that he had been called Edan, who were gung-ho about the plan. These were the people who had lost the most from the destruction of the Colonies. A good number of them had only each other in the here and now, no offspring in the fleet, but had lost numerous loved ones on that horrible day. They’d want to go back, want to see their families and friends alive again. They would also blindly follow Commander Apollo wherever he asked them to go…no matter what the cost to the innocent of the fleet. Fools she couldn’t help thinking.
Brie’s gaze momentarily stopped on Lieutenant Persephone. Although she had been Gold Squadron CO when Persephone had enlisted, Brie didn’t know her well. For the first she time noticed a slight resemblance to Apollo’s late wife, Serena. Brie had been watching Serena’s broadcast on the Military Orphan Ship where she had grown up the night of the holocaust. Brie was fifteen at the time, and unlike so many other people hadn’t lost anyone in the attacks. She didn’t have anyone to lose, her parents had died twelve yahrens earlier and had no close friends. She had, though, seen first hand the destruction caused by the Cylons as her ship travelled to Taura and aided in the rescue efforts. Why would anyone want to potentially live any of that again?
Suddenly, it struck her. Serena. Was that Apollo’s reason for the mission? Her death hadn’t been in battle or even all that noble, she was killed by a Cylon that no one had noticed. Was Apollo trying to bring back his dead wife, and risking the fleet to do it? The amount of Apollo’s selfishness made Brie sick.
|
|
|
Post by persephone on Aug 24, 2009 1:59:43 GMT -6
It was as if Artus was looking to her, trying to reach her thoughts about the mission that was being presented before them. He must have had memories or someone to go back to, to search for, to save, just as she herself did? She never did get to learn more about where he came from, or how he came to be aboard the Callisto. But now it seemed there was something drawing her to to him. She must be lacking in sleep more than she realized. What in Great Nova of Madagon was she doing feeling this way? Maybe she was just experiencing a classic case of emotional transference. Wouldn't last any longer than a passing meteorite.
She had come so far in the last sectars, since meeting the rugged lieutenant all those hundreds of cycles ago. However, now, she had more than her first solo tucked under her holster, but many patrols she had gone on since, and all of them successful with a safe landing every time. She had grown into a confident warrior more than ever now.
Artus was an experienced pilot, and she wondered if maybe he looked at her in light of his own realization that she was no longer just an ensign anymore, but a contemporary of his own rank, a lieutenant. Perhaps he now considered respecting her for the warrior she is, and not for being just another pretty face to him. He seemed intense in his gaze, as though he would get up any centon and approach her.
Persephone turned away and continued listening to Commander Apollo's briefing. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Major Brie's stare. She seemed just as deep in thought, as most of the personnel in the room did, but there was something else in her eyes, that Persephone couldn't quite interpret. It was almost the same way Apollo seemed to look at her.
Moving her gaze across the room she then saw Captain Troy. He listened to his father's words with an unbroken fixation. There was something entirely different about him to her. Her feelings were perplexing. Something about the way he vexed her earlier on their way to the briefing room, although it was just his attempt at trying to make her smile, just after breaking it off with Triton. The moment reminded her of something, or of someone, or perhaps of another time....by all the Lillium Moons she couldn't put her finger on it.
Triton should have been there with the rest of Gold Squadron hearing all of this. He would for sure go back and want to try saving his parents from being obliterated on the Atlantia. She stopped in her thoughts and felt the emptiness in her heart. How was she going to really get past him? She was already missing him. But he hadn't trusted her. It hurt her deeply that he even for a moment, believed her to be having another guy on the side. There really wasn't any choice but to end the relationship. She would have to find a way to get over him, and maybe this mission was one way to to do that. And she trusted him. Felt she could get closer to him. Today's events had changed everything!
In that split micron of finishing her last thoughts, she decided then and there, she was going to volunteer to go through the rift. For the glory of the colonies, she would do it! Persephone glanced back at Artus, who was listening to the Commander, she waited for him to feel the wavelons from her eyes on him.
Suddenly he looked up at her where she was seated. Engaged in his silent study of her, she returned the same study of him, before he smiled at her, with that same dimple in the left cheek grin, and eyes that always seem to give his inner flaws away, or are they amiable assets? Either way, she had a feeling like an inevitable game of pyramid in a chancery, she was going to find out, planned or not. She would leave some of it to chance.
More importantly, after wandering the wilderness of space for two and half dodecadas, the time had arrived to be able to go back and change the course of history of the colonies, her home, her family and friends. Her heart now warmed from the promise alone of maybe gaining back what she lost. The stars were calling her home, to Piscon, to Nereus and back to her childhood home at Luna Pond!
Persephone glanced around the room at her fellow squadron members once more, having to take a second look at a new ensign who seemed mesmerized with Captain Logan. She then looked over at Logan who was oblivious to the seemingly infactuated interest he had in her. Somewhere she thought she had caught his name today, upon hearing the new ensigns that had just joined her squadron. What was his name again?, she wondered. Boori...Pah- wheel? No that's not it...she took a deep breathe, remembering it was a typical Virgoan name....always a little difficult to pronouce... Then it came back to her, Bouriplwel!...that's it! He looked hansdome, and intense as well, but with a fresh eagerness to serve , obvious in his countenance. She wondered what Logan would think if she knew the Ensign was admiring her? A grin crept over her face as she folded her arms and bent her head down to conceal it.
|
|
|
Post by Logan on Aug 24, 2009 8:17:08 GMT -6
Apollo waited for the murmurings of the room to die down before continuing.
"Now, once Kalten has come back through with the all clear, the Callisto and the Galactica will move through the rift and take their positions. The team on the base, led by me, will have used all the base's resources to track the Cylon's movements. Then, we will move to join the fight."
Pausing only long enough to let that sink it, he said. "I do not intend to leave the Fleet here with no protection. There are many ships with enough firepower to effectively protect the smaller ships from any danger. But after looking at all the sensor data of the area, I don't foressee them to have any problems. There has been no Cylon activity, no acitivity of any kind, in this sector for a long time. Due to the rift, this sector of space has been damaged and vacant."
Looking to Sheba for confirmation, he got it in a simple nod.
"But, I will leave a small number of Vipers and a trusted Warrior in command of the Fleet in my absence. We'll use one of the larger frigates as a base of operations here."
Apollo looked intently at the assembled Warriors before him. "I'm not going to pretend that this isn't dangerous. But we have been given an opportunity to correct a great injustice and save the lives of millions. Not just our own families, but the families of people we have never met. Once we're in the past, we may not make it back. But our true shining hope is to make a difference. To change the course of history and save millions from death, destruction and loss." Remembering the words of the Being of Light, he looked into the distance momentarily. "We are at a crossroads. Our path is not easy. But I have faith in every one of you, in us, to make this right."
The room was silent.
Sheba stood to join Apollo. "Now is the time to decide. I have a few ideas on who I'd like to see in charge of the shuttle mission and the frigate posting, but we'd like volunteers."
Apollo and Sheba looked out on the crowd expectantly, not knowing whether they'd have a team or a mutiny.
|
|
Reaper
Viper Pilot
Extreme Warrior
Posts: 412
|
Post by Reaper on Aug 24, 2009 11:08:00 GMT -6
Sheba stood to join Apollo. "Now is the time to decide. I have a few ideas on who I'd like to see in charge of the shuttle mission and the frigate posting, but we'd like volunteers."
Edan took a Centon to look around. He'd already blurted out that he was going to volunteer. This time, although his decision hadn't changed, who he Volunteered would.
HE stepped forward from the wall again, and Calmly addressed the Assembled warriors.
"Commanders, If Major Skyler has no objections, I'm still interested in volunteering. I have 15 Yahrens Experience with Councuil Security. I know my way around ground operations Sirs." Edan was hoping to be assigned to the shuttle. "And I'm trained to engage using non-Lethal force. As you know, it's standard for Security to have their Lasers on Stun full time. We know the base is full of friendly forces. A non-lethal approach seems the best way. But I'll be happy to fill any role you see fit to assign me. I just want to be a part of the mission."
Fromt he Reactions in the room, Edan had finally figured out which officer was Major Skyler. He knew who he'd have to report to after the briefing.
If nothing else, he could officially be a part of Gold Squadron.
|
|
|
Post by Col. Charybdis on Aug 24, 2009 11:51:09 GMT -6
I stood up seeing as now was the time. "Commander, I just want to make one observation. The 220 ships that we will leave behind...if we are not successful with the attack and both battlestars are destroyed, you know we will also be leaving them to their doom. With no military protection, it would only be a matter of time before they will all be destroyed or run out of food. Which could mean the end of humanity...I also have another question, if we are successful, do I understand that all ships will then come through the rift and join us back on the Colonies? At that point, the search for earth would be pointless."
|
|