|
Post by LucianG on Apr 23, 2005 8:15:40 GMT -6
Lucian The infiltration teams were preparing to board the tanker. Lucian was sitting on a crate that one of the Troopers had placed nearby for him, since his leg and arm were both hurting. He’d taken a painkiller, and was feeling much better, but he was looking forward to returning to the Callisto.
Suddenly, one of the suited figures approached him. It took him a moment to recognize the person, and when he did, it he was somewhat surprised. Captain Lazant stood in front of him and was saying something. Lucian tapped the comm unit, since he’d heard none of Lazant’s comment. Lazant nodded, and then placed a hand on Lucian’s shoulder, accessing one of the control areas. To Lucian, this was a mildly uncomfortable experience, since the depth of Lazant’s hatred toward him was almost legendary in some quarters of the Callisto. If he wished, it wouldn’t take Lazant much in this circumstance—
“Hopefully that helps,” Lucian heard Lazant say. “The outer cover was blown loose, and it looks like you had a bad contact connection.”
“Thank you,” said Lucian. “Sounds much better on this end. No static so far.”
“Good. Major, I know we’ve never gotten along, but I wanted to thank you and your team for your efforts on this tub. Your group has given us at least a shot at succeeding for our people.”
“Thank you, Captain,” said Lucian in surprise. This was the first even remotely nice thing Lazant had ever said to him. He’d heard the Lazant had become a friend of Major Brie, so maybe that relationship was doing him some good. He decided to reply in like kind, saying, “We know your team must succeed, and we want you all to come home safely. I’ll be here through your launch to make sure there are no last centon foul-ups.”
“Very good,” replied Lazant, starting to clasp Lucian’s injured arm, but Lucian held up his other one and touched Lazant’s gloved hand. “Hurts,” he said, and Lazant nodded.
As he started to turn, Lazant effortlessly and possibly unconsciously slipped back into his usual caustic mode, “Now Major, I suppose in all this work, you haven’t forgotten to give us a good way of getting into and out of this thing? I’d hate to travel all that way to the tinhead base only to be killed falling out the access hatch.”
* * *
A few centons later, Gataren had explained how to deploy the folding ladder to allow access out of and back into the outfitted tanks while in the hollow moon. The transformation team had brought a pair of moveable steps for use on the platform, but they would not be going with the infiltration team. As a result, it would be a little harder getting back out of the tank than getting in initially. With the anticipated light gravity in the hollow moon, team members should be able to jump down if necessary, but they’d have to climb back inside when it came time to leave. Gataren also showed Majors Brie and CureMode, and Captain Lazant how to access the front control pod, which Brie would most likely be piloting on the way back to the Callisto.
As Gataren was completing the demonstration, Lucian received a very short coded message from Commander Sheba. “TTT, immediate recall. We’ve now confirmed three base ships on the move. Immediate recall.”
With the exception of one item he needed to handle himself, the tanker transformation team’s job was done. Everything was in order—checked, double checked, and triple checked. The tanker was ready. He ordered his team members back to the shuttles and then started to go find Major JustinB. Chuckling to himself in spite of and partially because of the pain in his leg, he instead activated his comm unit calling to Justin to arrange one more change of orders. * * * Brie Although there were 36 seats in the two compartments, they only needed 31. Brie split the group up so that 15 other people would be riding with her. Among those in her compartment were her entire warrior team and Sergeant Brinfort from the infantry. She allowed Brinfort to divide his men and women as he saw best fit, although she did request that Agelastus and Killjoy would be with her group. Her plan was to talk over strategy for the last part of the journey.
As the groups were being decided Brie noticed that Captain Lazant was talking to Major Lucian. She shook her head in mild disbelief. No matter how hard Brie tried to show Lazant that friendship was better than resentment she knew that he would never change.
It suddenly struck Brie how ridiculously cruel this mission was. All these yarhens, all the work she had done, all the battles she had fought...and she was suddenly expendable. She wasn’t upset, after all she HAD volunteered, but she was in charge of 30 other people as well, people who deserved to live but wouldn’t. Having been given a quick lesson in how to fly the freighter when they were to leave the moon, Brie knew without a doubt that it just wouldn’t be possible. Although she didn’t tell anyone, she knew they would have to find another way if they were to make it back.
Brie glanced around quickly, gave a salute and a smile to those who were staying behind (although in the envirosuit she didn’t know if they would see the smile), and boarded the tanker. * * * Charybdis Sheba was standing over Lt. Aegina as she sent the coded message for the recall to Black squadron.
"Sent, Commander," Aegina said after it went through.
Sheba turned to me and looked at the montor showing three circular objects approaching: Cylon Base Ships!
"Colonel, sound the red alert. Get those pilots to their ships and have them wait for the command to launch."
I turned to Aegina and nodded. Immediately, the bridge and all areas onboard the Callisto turned a glowing red accompanied by the sound of the klaxon signaling a red alert.
I thought briefly of those on the tanker and Brie and Amy, but for a micron, I also thought of all those brave pilots that were going to have to launch into a bad firefight in a just a few centons...
Here we go again... * * * Lucian The red alert had just sounded.
“Commander, there’s an incoming message from the Galactica. Commander Apollo.”
Sheba said, “I’ll take it in the War Room. Colonel Charybdis, Major BatGal, Captain Swensson, and Lieutenant Finky, please join me. Major Joey, you have the Bridge.”
There was little time for small talk when Apollo’s image came on the screen. “Sheba, those three Base Ships are darting in toward us and then back out. We picked them up first since they’re more on our side of the fleet, but we’ve plotted the pattern over the past couple of centars or so since they were first detected.” The screen changed and a map of the Pangara system with the locations of the fleet, the Galactica, and the Callisto displayed. Three red blips representing the Cylon Base Ships were then overlaid on the map. These began to move, tracking their courses through the system. It was quickly evident that the Base Ships had originally skirted the fleet, but they were now positioned in relatively steady relationship to each other, and were slowly moving forward and then, a short time later, back out, but never quite as far as their original position for each cycle. At the end, a fourth blip briefly flared but then faded.
“Our patrols had already revealed there were three or four Base Ships in the system, and it’s possible that we’ve seen as many as seven, but they’ve shifted around so much and have generally tried to herd us this way, since when they’ve exposed themselves briefly, we’ve moved further away. Now they’re being more active in their herding process.”
Another voice, and the view on the screen expanded, revealing Colonel Starbuck who said, “We’re not sure, but we’ve got a good gut feeling that they’re trying a hammer and anvil routine on us. When they have us where they want us, the Base Ships will come slamming into the fleet, we flee past the hollow moon at P.M. Delta, where we’ll be crushed by the onslaught of those Cylons inside that base. We wouldn’t have a chance.”
Apollo nodded and continued, “Fortunately, we know about their base, so we have to make sure that when they bring their ships out, we need to make them do the traveling to us, and not the other way around. Getting those Raiders away will give our team their best chance of getting inside. To do this, we’re going to continue falling back like they want for a little longer, avoiding engagement until our team is close to the objective. Then, we’ll have the Galactica turn their flank, attacking with the Base Ship closest to the base. The Callisto launches two squadrons of Vipers to help in the attack on that Base Ship, holding the third squadron in reserve for your real objective. We expect the Base Ships to begin to converge on the attacked ship. The Callisto will then hit the Base Ship on the opposite end with the third squadron and you onboard weaponry. I believe your pulsar cannon is operational again? Captain Swensson spoke up and said, “Yes, Sir. It’s operational, and it won’t be going down again like last time.”
Apollo looked grim as he said, “The Callisto will escort the fleet to the jump point and enter the jump. We’ll pick up all survivors and follow as soon as we can.” * * *
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Apr 23, 2005 8:17:20 GMT -6
JustinB I had just set the timer so the orbital refinery would blow once the infiltration team was inside the objective when I received a call from Major Lucian. "Major, I need you to arrange a change in some orders. I need Ensign Iberia to pilot the Frodarian Shuttle back to the Callisto, so I can use her Viper and have Brotherjoe as my wing for the return trip which will be a little after everyone else. I cannot tell you why at the moment."
"Major, consider those changes as in effect as of now. I will notify Ensign Iberia, Good Luck."
I walked over to Iberia's Viper and peered in. She was busy running some checks when she finally noticed me. "Anything I can do for you Major?"
"Yes there, you have new orders. You are to fly the Frodarian Shuttle back to the Callisto now. Major Lucian will fly your viper back." I could she was not happy but she nodded and climbed out of the viper and made her way to the shuttle.
I went over to the Black Squadron Vipers and made sure everyone was ready to depart and to inform Brotherjoe of his new orders. Once this was done I prepared to make my way back to the Callisto. * * * Stadia Capt. Stadia keys in the communication system on her environment suit...
"Major Lucian, everything checks out. Heading back to the ship." * * * Charybdis Apollo's words hung in the air. He had said that there was the possibility of seven base ships! Holy Frack!!!
I turned to Commander Sheba, "Commander, we can't hardly put a full squadron out there right now. Half of Gold squadron is on the mission with half of Black squadron still out on their part. With Silver Spar and the remnants of Black and Gold, we barely have two squadrons."
SHeba was thinking hard, "We've faced odds worse than this, not in a long time, but we've come out alright. Our pilots can do the job. Get them to the ships and have them wait for orders to launch when ready."
The message went out to all available pilots to get their equipment and head for their ships... * * * Stargazor Lt. Stargazor was at his viper preparing for launch when he looked over to JustinB. He had a bad feeling in his stomach as if something wasn’t right.
Lt. Stargazor climbed into his viper and put on his helmet and closed his canopy. He switches the various instrument controls and crabs the flight stick.
“Major JustinB, I’m ready”! , “Request clearance to launch and return to base”! * * * Hawke I make my way to the bridge. Commander Sheba, Col. Charybdis and some other people are there. I salute them. "Captain Hawke reporting in as ordered by Commander Apollo sirs." Sheba looks up from what she was doing. "I'll take care of this Colonel" she says to Charybdis. "Come to my ready room Hawke." We walk in. "Please,have a seat." I sit. she sits behind her desk. "First of all,welcome back. I am very glad to see you aren't dead. You were officially declared missing." she said. "I was? Why?" I asked. "Because you never returned from your last mission. What happened on that mission?" Ahhh a debriefing.. "Well,Commander, As you know, I was flying backup for Major Brie. And they got ambushed. There were 75 raiders to their 6 vipers. Gold's backup arrived and we helped wipe out a good portion of the raiders. I asked Major Brie if I could follow the remaining raiders out of their sensor range,to their basestar,to assess their force strength. She said yes after the rest of Gold Squadron and Black Squadron arrive and to take Najinn with me. So, they arive and she had ordered four of the raiders to be left alone. After Najinn & I split off from Gold Squadron, we persue as planned. about ten centons into it, we were ambushed by another Cylon patrol. I lost track of Najinn,and the next thing I know, I'm in the Galactica med center." "When you arrived on the Galactica, your viper was beyond repair, only the life support was barely functioning. You were in Caprican civilian clothes. Why?" she asked. "I don't know,Ma'am." I answered. "Now, the reason I asked you here. You are to report to Captain Skyler for a mission." I bristled. Skyler & I didn't get along too well as it was. But the Turner mission made it even worse. We hadn't seen each other since then. Come to think of it, Brie & I hadn't had a chance to talk about it privately either. I made a mental note to talk to her and a couple of other people. "Yes Ma'am. Is that all?" I asked. "Yes Captain. it is. And by the way,your role here is the same as it always was. Just so you know. And that mess that happened before your last mission it's buried so deep that you won't even find it. I destroyed all record of it. So don't even think about going after Turner again, got it?" she said."Yea,I got it." I replied. I got up and walked out of the ready room. I went to my quarters and unpacked,turbowashed and put a new uniform on. "Well, it's time to face the music.' I said to myself. I walked out & met Skyler. * * * Brie Upon seeing Hawke leaving the bridge Major Joey asked for a micron, caught up with him right outside of Skyler's office. “Captain Hawke,” she called. She was out of breath. “Major Brie asked me to give this to you.” Joey handed Hawke a piece of paper and then returned to her duties.
**
Captain,
I’m sorry that we never had a chance to talk. As you have probably heard by now, I’m not expected to come back from my current mission. I intend to prove them wrong, but that’s beside the point.
I understand what it was that you were trying to do. Things got a bit out of hand, and if I took it out on you I’m sorry. I guess that knowing the truth makes things a bit easier. The problem was that it was a truth that I didn’t yet want to know. Letting go of the hope that Turner might have still been alive was the hardest thing that I’ve ever done. I knew he wasn’t, but I had developed such a nice picture in my mind of the planet that he had crashed on and how he was happily living out the remainder of his life. Hearing that he was shot down by the Cylons, pure and simple, wasn’t part of that picture.
If I actually make it back from this mission maybe I’ll someday fill you in on the whole story. Maybe not. I know that you had my best intentions at heart, so there are no hard feelings. Just next time please respect my wishes instead of going behind my back. No matter what your intentions were, digging into my past when I had asked you not to makes it very hard for me to trust you.
You’re a great warrior and I believe in your abilities, which is why I put your name in for promotion (although I know that rank doesn’t really matter to you). Obviously Commanders Apollo and Sheba agreed, since the promotion went through. But you do need to work a little bit on learning your place. Yes, I’m talking about Captain Skyler. He’s in charge while I’m gone, so please do me a favor and DON’T give him a hard time.
See you soon, Major Brie * * * Skyler Skyler was sitting in his office clearing out some of Brie’s paper work when Capt. Hawke entered. Seeing him again brought all the anger back that he felt when Hawke’s actions had placed Brie in danger. He had understood that Hawke felt he was doing right, and that Brie had found it in her to forgive him, but it didn’t let him off Skyler’s list.
“Hawke, take a seat….” Skyler motioned to the chair across from his desk, “Glad to see you back with us.”
“Captain, I understand you have a mission for me?”
He was glad Hawke had cut the pleasant felgarcarb and went straight for the purpose of this meeting. “I need an acting Second in Command, and I am offering it to you, if you want it.”
The look of surprise washed over Hawke, he had expected missions more along the lines of pluton poison taste tester, chief kitten turbowasher or even being loaned out to the Blackshirts, but this…… “Sir,… I err… am not sure what to say….”
“Well, let me say it for you Hawke, it is not a secret that we dislike each other. Thankfully the incident with the Major ended with out her getting hurt, which kept you from getting hurt. I don’t care what your reasons were, you did not listen to her, went off to prove something, and put her in danger. That’s something that is going to take time for me to forget, and I mean a long time. However, you have the qualifications for the job, and a record that speaks for itself as to you duty and loyalty to the fleet, and your squadron mates. While on a personal level, don’t expect to be shooting the crap in the O-club, knocking back drinks and in general being buddies with you, but on a professional level, I know who the best Warrior for the job is, and I am offering him the job. I can put my differences to the side for the Squadron, and for the safe return of the Major and her team, I trust you to do the job, and trust you to do it well, the personal stuff, well, that will require work on both our parts….” * * * Hawke "I trust you to do the job, and trust you to do it well, the personal stuff, well, that will require work on both our parts….” I must admit I was very surprised when Skyler asked me to be Second In Command of Gold Squadron. I knew we were like oil and water,but I decided to be professional about it. "Alright, I accept the posistion. Now what?"
I awaited his reply. * * *
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Apr 23, 2005 8:18:32 GMT -6
Kiwi As Kiwi walked into the room, followed by Brik and Ike, the pilots briefly looked at them "What? I have a hole in my pants or something?", Kiwi asked. The pilots chuckled and put their attention back to their card games and othe recreational pursuits. Kiwi headed back to his bunk, saying, "Please let me nap some, guys. ok?", then closed his eyes and willed himself to relax. Brik decided to relax the best he could as well. Despite his best efforts, he was beginning to like Lt. Kiwi. That person breathed integrity and he knew that he would be someone to fly by his side into battle... * * * Quartermaster Esias was taking the time to go over the revised manifest of equipment - the issue of equipment to the mission teams meant a complete update of the manifest. So far, Esias saw the the issue list matched the manifest....until he got to one item. The low vision optical goggles were all issued, and he was now checking the next item: low visibility radiation filters for the goggles. He went up to the storage shelf where they were located and suddenly realized that the package count was the same now as before the issue. Frowning, he looked around the other shelves and saw that there was one fewer item of another type of filter. A check of the manifest showed that those filters were for cutting down the intensity of high-intensity light. Don't tell me that the strike team was given the wrong filters, he said to himself. After a few more centons of checking, he knew that a mis-issue had been made. This was something that had to be reported to Core Command. * * * Brik Brik was feeling that his recent decision to be more PRO-ACTIVE in his new/old role of officer in a Viper squadron was working out nicely and figured that he might as well push his luck! He decided to track down Ike while the "iron was hot" (and before everyone went too many seperate ways...things could change quickly, these days). "ENSIGN IKE!" said Brik, loud enough to be heard from a middle distance but not yelling. He approached the "Ensign" who was not a BOY and by no means had the odd smell of a ROOK. "Ensign...I'm Lt. Brik and you and I will be flying together, so I thought that now would be as good a time as any to chat, if you don't mind?" He was trying to look professional but not the brash type of stuffy. "Apparently" he continued,"it has become my lot in life to perpetuate the curse of 'milk before beer, everything clear'...until the alert is gone, anyway. Care to be my next victim? I'm buying and I'll throw in a cookie?" He grinned, awaiting an answer... * * * IkeRapier "Now, that's what I'm talking 'bout! Someone buying me a tall one of... oh, well! Milk is good!" Ike replied to Lt. Brik's offer.
He had heard that Brik was a top-notch flyer, and keen in leading turbo lazers to the kill. Although out of the picture for sometime, Brik was the kind of honorable Warrior that one knew they could count on in the heat of battle and when the odds are stacked against you. He is one not to brag, having confidence in knowing who he is and what he is about. Just the kind of Warrior Ike had hoped to be teamed with.
"I'm your victim, Lt. Brik. After you." Ike responded and gestured, as Brik returned courtesy and they headed down the corridor together towards the o-club. * * * Logan Logan reluctantly backed her lips from Wraith's. He just kept looking at her with a steady gaze, as if he couldn't believe she was in his arms again. "Wraith, I'm sorry. I just didn't think I could take it if my decisions as a Warrior caused you harm," she whispered. "I'm not worried about that and you don't have to be either. All I need is to know that you are right where you belong, in my heart. Don't run from me again, Logan," Wraith responded, stroking her hair softly. Small noises sounded from across the launch bay and they came back to reality then. Techs were coming in on the shift change. Logan stepped away and turned to her Viper. Wraith knew that like any Warrior Logan's ship was a natural extension of herself. He had often sought her out on the Galactica and always found her in the tubes, going over her ship. He was glad she had held true to form this time. He had no intentions of letting her go again. * * * Wraith "Her will is strong as ever." He mused, watching her with more than a touch of affection. It was one of many qualities in her for which he was grateful...it would serve them both well in battle. Still, Wraith just couldn't resist a little good natured fun. "Just one more thing, Sir, if I may," he said to her, having assumed a sort of 'parade-rest' position, trying to sound official. As she turned abruptly to face him, her expression told him that his ruse had worked. "Yes, Ensign?", She replied, mildly caught off-guard by his words and tone...she had not expected military protocol from him. As she waited for his answer, staring at him with curiosity, he softened his expression and began to move toward her. The casual, relaxed gate to his walk, and the sly, lovable grin forming on his face left very little doubt in her mind that she'd just been had, and she smiled ruefully in aknowledgment. When she was within reach, Wraith reached out to gently touch her shoulder. "I just wanted you to know, Logan, that no matter how high they stack against us out there, I've got your back...they tried to do us in once, they'll fair no better next time." He could see his words, along with his touch, were having a soothing effect on her; he could feel her tension drifting away like storm clouds retreating to the horizon. He leaned foward, easing his free hand around to the back of her neck, and kissed her once again..."I'll always have your back."
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Apr 23, 2005 8:19:33 GMT -6
Brie It was uncomfortable inside the tanker. The seats from the old Frodian shuttle were hard, there was no gravity to speak of, the lighting was minimal and it was cold. Although there was breathable air, everyone removed only the hood from their envriosuits so that they would stay warm.
As hard as it was, Brie asked everyone to spend the first part of their trip trying to rest. They could discuss strategy soon enough, it was going to be a long ride. * * * Lucian The shuttles and all the Vipers had departed the platform, escorted by three very wobbly Cylon Raiders. Lucian hoped they had made the right decision to take the Raiders, but to pass up such an opportunity was just too much. One never knew when one might need one of those ships to infiltrate another Cylon installation like Apollo and Starbuck had done many yahrens before.
The infiltration teams were inside, and the tanker doors had been sealed. He had verified that there were no leaks, so then with Lieutenant Brotherjoe’s help, Lucian sprayed the exterior of the tanks around the new doors to disguise the fact that the doors were actually there. One would have to be right on top of the tanks in order to see the outlines…he hoped. At least, it should be good enough that the tanker would get past any visual scans the Cylons might make prior to allowing the tanker to enter the moon.
With all in order, Lucian checked the control console. He gave the activation command, and moments later, the automated tanker began its launch procedure. Within a few microns, the engines were hot, docking clamps released, and the tanker moved away from the platform. Lucian and Brotherjoe watched as the tanker rapidly moved into space, out of the planet’s orbit, and soon disappeared.
A few moments later, the two Warriors climbed into the Vipers, and they took off for the return trip to the Callisto. * * * Amy The inside of this tanker is as close to unbearable as I think I've ever felt about anything. I had the strangest feeling as I left the shuttle and made my way toward this unlordly hunk of alien metal that I was entering a world of no return. It's one thing to know it in your head, to sign up for something like this and know the odds, laugh it off under a thin layer of bravado and commitment to duty and keep moving forward. It's quite another to suddenly feel it in your bones, have it crawl up your spine and settle in the nether-reaches of your mind, and know, really know for sure that all the things that have happened in your life have led you up to this moment, these final moments.
Has my life been a good one? Something I had thought about but never really looked at coldly and with finality suddenly lurched through to the front of my mind. Were all my choices good ones? Was my true destiny the one that lay before me, now seemingly etched in stone? Did I get out of my life all that I desired, or at least did I enjoy fully enough the things I had and the experiences I went through and the people I'd known?
Reaching the doorway of the tanker snapped my mind back to attention. It was dark, and cold. I supposed I should be thankful that there were seats, and I might have been until I sat down and felt the back-breaking stiffness of the chairs. Looking around at all the envirosuits, I had the funny sensation of being in room full of... what was it? That cartoon character for that hover car tire company I'd seen in history class. Oh yeah. We looked like a posse of Michelon men.
Except our suits weren't white.
Though we looked all the same, big and bulky, Lt. Deke still stood out, bigger and bulkier than the rest of us. He was in the row directly in front of me, but might as well been a million parsecs away with us all sealed into our suits.
The door was shut now, and I could feel gravity weaken as we were on our way. It was darker now with the door shut, and the cold that I'd noticed only slightly before now seemed almost frigid and numbing, though I knew it was all in my mind.
It wasn't that bad. None of it was, really. Where we were headed, now that promised to really be bad. And here I was, not being able to wait for this ride to be over. I reached out instinctively, before I was really aware of doing it, and took the hand of the warrior next to me. With our hoods up, I couldn't even tell who it was. * * * Brie There were a couple of people that Captain Lazant didn’t want to get stuck sitting next to on the trip to the Cylon base. Dr. Curemode wouldn’t be any good, anyone who worked on the bridge would possibly be tight with Colonel Charybdis. Lieutenant Deke would be okay, although what they would find to talk about for a cycle escaped him. The same with Lieutenant Thunderhawk. Major Brie would be the best, but he doubted his luck would be that good. The worst would be Captain Amy.
Amy. What it was about that woman, that GIRL he just didn’t understand. She had a close friendship with Brie, although from the looks of things back in the Ready Room maybe that friendship was over. But worse than that was the way that half the men on the Callisto acted around her. She had Charybdis at her beck and call, one micron she let him think that she was madly in love with the man and the next she would be ignoring him again. The way those two would sometimes carry on...and in public! Lazant was still convinced that Charybdis' involvement with Amy led to his bad choices and the death of Lazant’s friend Lieutenant Martinzi. Amy was nothing but a gold digger and a flirt as far as Lazant was concerned...she certainly hadn’t made captain with her skills as a warrior!
As he sat there stewing in his dislike for the girl, Amy took the seat next to him. Suddenly, out of the blue, Amy reached over and took his hand! Although his inclination was to pull his away, and quickly, he decided not to. Maybe Brie would see it as some sort of solidarity for the team. As disgusting as it was, he let Amy continue to hold on to him. She squeezed his hand tighter. “Great,” he thought to himself, “she’s nervous. Just what we need on this mission, a nervous child.”
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Apr 23, 2005 8:21:23 GMT -6
Amy As I sat gripping the hand of the warrior next to me, I began to feel a little better. The human contact felt good. I looked over at the warrior, trying to make out a face through the darkness and the enviro-gear.
Lazant? Lazant!!
Though I continued to hold on to his hand, and in fact maybe I gripped it a little tighter, my mind was freaking! Eww!! Lazant! If there ever was a warrior I'd have liked a free shot at, this guy was it. He was rotten, self-centered, out only for himself at the expense of anyone who got in his way, and a vintictive daggit who nearly ruined the career of Charybdis. Indeed, it was Lazant who exposed the then secret relationship Charybdis and I had going at the time, and sent us on an emotional rollercoaster ride that neither of us has quite recovered from.
At least I haven't yet. And this guy was the cause.
He didn't respect me. I knew that much for sure. By exposing the relationship between me, then just an ensign, and Lt. Colonel Charybdis, he made certain that a lot of other people didn't respect me much either. My blood boiled at the very thought of him sitting next to me. And me holding his hand!!
But I left it there anyway. In a way, he was helping me. Getting my mind off my insecurity and onto the job at hand. It gave me a bit of perverse satisfaction, drawing strength from this fracking daggit. I could only hope that he was uncomfortable seeing me next to him.
Yep. No way was I letting go. * * * Brie Brie couldn’t help but notice how many people seemed to be hiding things. She didn’t care if anyone had unauthorized equipment, whatever it would take to complete their objective.
Putting back her head, Brie closed her eyes. Even for almost no gravity, the old Frodian shuttle seats were hard. Knowing how important it would be to be fully alert once they landed, she relaxed every muscle in her body. She cleared her mind of everything and slowly started to drift... * * * “You’ll know for sure soon enough.” Sitting next to Brie was Turner, her husband, who she had recently allowed to be declared dead instead of missing.
“Know what?” Brie asked.
“If I’m dead or not,” Turner replied. “I know you went through the motions, and I know you’ve moved on with your life, but I also know YOU. You still have the tiniest little doubt in that beautiful head of yours. That doubt will soon be gone.”
It didn’t seem unusual at all to Brie that her dead husband was sitting with her inside a Cylon tanker. He often turned up in her dreams when she had something on her mind, it was a way for her to work things out. “Why, because I’ll be dead too?”
“I didn’t say that. Knowing you, you’ll make it through this without a scratch and be back on the Callisto with that warrior that you’ve grown so fond of.”
“We’re just friends,” Brie pointed out.
“Whatever.”
“Besides, I won’t be going back to the Callisto. Our only way off of the base would be this tanker, and at the speed this thing moves we’ll have been destroyed by raiders before we’re out of the launch bay. So is that when I’ll know?”
“Know what?”
“If you’re really dead or not! Sometimes, Turner, you can really be so...”
Turned held a finger to Brie’s lips and she quieted. “I don’t know how. But you WILL know, soon enough.”
Brie shook her head. “This conversation is a little too cryptic if you ask me.”
“Okay, I’ll make this easy for you,” Turner said. “I don’t know if you’ll make it through this alive or not. I hope you do. But somehow in all of this, you’ll finally know the truth about me.”
“How?”
“That I DON’T know.” Turner smiled. “I’ll tell you one other thing, though. You’re going to have fun explaining to your warrior FRIEND back on the Callisto why you were sleeping with your head on some lieutenant’s shoulder.” * * * Lazant’s skin was crawling as Amy held onto his hand. They weren’t actually touching because they both wore the gloves for the envirosuits, but it still disgusted him. He just didn’t get it when it came to her appeal. It was obvious to him that Amy hadn’t at first realized whose hand she had grabbed, now it seemed to be a battle of wills. He wouldn’t be the first one to let go. He hoped for some sort of distraction, and entire cycle like this would be worse than what they were facing on the Cylon base. * * * Brie awoke with a start. She hadn’t even realized that Lieutenant Deke was sitting next to her. She didn’t know Deke all that well which, considering how long he had been in the squadron, was almost inexcusable. “I’m sorry,” she said, embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you like that.”
Deke grinned from ear to ear. “It’s okay, Major,” he said, letting her off the hook way too easily. “I’m glad that one of us was able to get some sleep.” There was an awkward micron of silence. “I was thrilled to see my name on the list, Ma’am. I was so happy to see that you have faith in me.”
“I do.” Truth be told, Brie had been a bit surprised that she had added Deke to this roster. His missions had been routine for the most part, he had never had command of anything. He would barely pass his physical each yarhen but he would pass and that was all that mattered. While picking her team Brie had promised herself that she would read all of the reasons people wanted for volunteering for before making her final decision. She could still remember what Deke had written:
“Major Brie,
I would like to volunteer. I know that I probably wouldn’t be your first choice, but if I’m assigned I promise I will make you proud. I have no family and few friends who would miss me for more than a secton or two. While you were describing what was required of your team I couldn’t help but thinking that this was what I was born to do. It would be an honor to serve with you. If you choose me I will do my best for the glory of Gold Squadron, the Battlestar Callisto, and the human race.
Lieutenant Deke”
“So,” Brie said, trying to think of something to say, “are you nervous?”
“A little,” Deke admitted. “I’ve never been involved in something this important before.”
Brie wasn’t sure if Deke was saying something about the type of mission to which he was usually assigned. “None of us have.” This conversation wasn’t going well. Brie glanced around. There were several people she would need to talk to before landing. She noted where Curemode was, also Sergeant Brinfort, behind her Amy and Lazant were holding hands...Amy and Lazant were holding hands? Brie wondered for a micron if she was still dreaming. She pinched herself, she was awake. She decided to try to continue the conversation. “The frustrating thing about this trip is that we don’t really know what to expect once we get there. Will be need the suits, or can we dump the fracking things? How much gravity will be inside the moon? What will the air be like? I know that they’ve made educated guesses, but in some ways we’re going in blind.” Brie realized that was a very stupid thing to say to someone who had already admitted that he was nervous about the mission.
“The way I figure it,” Deke said casually, “chances are it can’t be any worse than what we’ve been told it could be like. So anything would be an improvement.”
“I like the way you think,” Brie told him. She knew she had to talk to Amy soon, there were a couple of things that they needed to discuss, but somehow it seemed rude to leave Deke, especially with so much of their journey still ahead of them. Not knowing what else to say, she sat next to Deke in silence.
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Apr 23, 2005 8:24:19 GMT -6
Amy As I sat holding Lazant's hand, it slowly dawned on me that he wasn't responding at all. Anyone else would have done something. Squeezed back maybe? But not him. So! He was uncomfortable! I decided to amp up his discomfort, forgetting I suppose that it was comfort that I'd orginally sought out.
I squeezed his hand harder. I moved my index finger back and forth over his hand while I kept up the grip. Still he did nothing. I tried hard to keep a smile from breaking out as I imagined that he wanted desperately to yank his and loose and scream or something. This was working out great! My mind was off my concerns about the mission.
Then another thought struck me. Could he be enjoying it? My hand froze and I loosened my grip slightly without letting go. The thought that he might not mind holding hands was very repulsive! I had no problem keeping the smile from my face now. Still, I wasn't letting go.
Hey, isn't that Brie up ahead of me, sitting next to Deke? I wondered if she'd gotten an eyeful of Lazant and I holding hands. Maybe she'd take it as a miracle, and have some hope that we might just make it back if something like this were possible!
I half turned to say something to Lazant, but decided not to. I'd hate to have to pop him one while on a mission. I had a mental image of that legendary band of commandos led by Starbuck and Apollo that took out the gun on "Ice Planet Zero". Battled and fought themselves all the way up the mountain. Of course, since we weren't coming back, there'd be no one to write the history of this mission. So I had a free shot if I wanted it!
Why not. Maybe it was fate giving me one last chance at squaring an old score. At the least I could try to make him more uncomfortable. I leaned over toward Lazant, feeling him almost start leaning the other way. "It's alright, Lazant" I said softly. "I'm here." I left it up to him to decide if, in his particular case, it was a good thing or not. I straightened up again and looked forward, my hand still on his. * * * Brie Note: the following is from Captain Lazant’s perspective, not Brie’s.
**
I sat holding Amy’s hand, purposely not responding. Somehow it just seemed easier that way. I did appear to be bothering her, though. She squeezed my hand harder. She moved her index finger back and forth over my hand while she kept up the grip. Still I did nothing. Amy seemed to be enjoying herself. Suddenly, she changed. Her hand froze and she loosened her grip slightly without letting go. Something was going on inside that head of hers! It was good to know, I had always thought that she didn’t have anything in there.
She turned a little and for a micron I thought she was going to speak, but then she didn’t. She was probably trying to decide what to say. How could she explain that she just went around holding hands without even seeing who she was groping? But then, just like a woman, she changed her mind again. As she leaned over towards me I started to lean the other way, but decided against it. We were in a battle of wills, and I wasn’t going to let her win. "It's alright, Lazant" Amy said softly. "I'm here." She straightened up again and looked forward, her hand still on mine.
I’m here? What kind of a stupid thing was that for her to say? “I can see that,” was the only thing I could think of to say. Then, just to see her reaction, I added one word, "Honey." * * * Amy Did this slimey daggit just call me honey? Gag!! I did all I could to keep from pulling away and let out a scream of disgust. Wait a micron! That was the reaction I'd been trying to get out of him! I sat stewing, my hand still on his. I suppose that when up against a lifetime career slimball it wasn't that easy to get under his skin. I'd have to let the 'honey' thing pass. Score one for the slimball.
I looked back over at him, suddenly inspired. "I'm glad you can see me. Eyesight tends to go as one gets older. It's reassuring to know you still have some left. I'd hate to have someone who couldn't tell us from the Cylons running around loose with a weapon." I gave his hand a reassuring pat.
I faced forward again, a little pleased but not as confident as I'd been before. Could it be I'd found a little respect for the slimball? Lords, I hoped not. I'd hate for this to turn out to be some bonding thing. Ewww!!!! * * * Brie Again, this is Lazant, not Brie.
**
Although I could feel her tense up a bit, Amy obviously choose it ignore the “honey,” comment. That was good, I had bothered her. This trip was turning out to be enjoyable after all.
"I'm glad you can see me,” Amy said. “Eyesight tends to go as one gets older. It's reassuring to know you still have some left. I'd hate to have someone who couldn't tell us from the Cylons running around loose with a weapon." She patted my hand.
That was the best that she could do? A joke about my age? “Don’t worry about me, dear,” I said, purposely overemphasizing the word just a tad. “I had a complete physical two sectars ago. My eyesight is just fine. Of course, you would know all about older men, now wouldn’t you?” I squeezed her hand tighter, not letting her go even if she wanted to. Then I couldn't help but add one word, "Honey." * * * Amy "Yeah" I replied. "I also know about a certain creature who follows his own soulless agenda, who is out only for his own gain and likes nothing more than ruining the lives of innocent men and women." It was my turn to squeeze back. * * * Brie “Innocent?” Lazant repeated, his anger growing. “I didn’t think you knew the meaning of the word. But let me tell you something that I know about. I know about a certain high-up bridge member on the Callisto who was too busy fooling around with a girl almost half his age to be doing his job, thereby costing the life of one of the best warriors in the Colonial Service!” He didn’t squeeze any harder, it probably wasn’t possible. * * * JustinB Just before I climbed into my viper, I decided to check my warriors and the pilots of the raiders. One by one I made sure they were ok. As I passed by Rose, I whispered into her ear. What I had to say made her smile like I had never seen her smile before.
When I had finally made way to the cylon raiders I saw we might have a problem. If we were to run into any cylons on the return trip, they might be destroyed accidentally. I ordered Captain Randrius to find some paint and mark raider as to distinguish them apart from other raiders. I also gave him orders, that should we encounter any trouble they were to head to the opposite direction from where the cylons were attacking from.
I strolled back to my viper occasionally looking back towards the raiders. Once in the cockpit, I strapped myself in and contacted my fellow warriors. "Black Flights One and Two, this is Black Lead. I will take the lead with Flight one. The raiders will follow and Flight Two has the rear. See you all back on the Callisto." When I launched I was glad to be back in the cockpit once again.
I sent a scrambled message to the Callisto about our estimated time of arrival and that we had three cylon raiders in tow. Also I mentioned that Major Lucian and Lieutenant Brotherjoe were not far behind.
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Apr 23, 2005 8:25:44 GMT -6
Lucian Though much of his body hurt badly, it felt good to be back in the cockpit of a real Viper. Since he’d moved to the bridge almost two yahrens before to become Senior Flight Officer, Lucian had spent much time in the SIMs working with the Training staff, overseeing Captain Lazant’s program. He’d made some suggestions and improvements, but overall, there was little to fault about Lazant’s relentless drive to turn out the best Warriors possible. If only Lazant was less of an equinii’s rear! That brief moment on the platform was the first time Lucian had ever seen a human side to Lazant, but just as quickly as he’d become human, he’d reverted to his usual pain-in-the-rear self.
Checking the gauges and getting as much out of the ship as possible, Lucian wondered about the wisdom of taking Lazant on the trip. He’d never recovered from the death of his friend Martinzi, and on hearing the awful trick the Cylons had attempted broadcasting a voice that sounded somewhat like Martinzi’s had caused him sectars of pain and misgivings. With his relationship with Brie, Lazant seemed to have recovered and moved forward, but Lucian wondered.
A few other things bothered Lucian about the mission. First, he was glad to have been able to assist with the tanker, but his abrupt removal as Senior Flight Officer, he’d not been able to assist with the assignments for the mission. In the end, Commander Sheba may have made a wise call on that, since the tanker transformation seemed to have been very successful.
Then, there was Captain Hector’s injury. The best infantry assault strategist on the Callisto was injured in a freak accident, requiring some quick reshuffling of personnel and assignments. Sergeant Brinfort was quite experienced, and probably would be a Captain himself by now if he had ever accepted all the proposed officer promotions. He would be a good leader.
The one that bugged him the most was Fenmarnis, Gold Squadron’s Chief Mission Specialist. Fenny had been ill ever since the Callisto arrived in the Pangara system, and he’d heard that she had been confined to the MedLab, undergoing treatment for some illness for several cycles. Unfortunately, this meant that the Callisto’s quartermaster, Esias, had been put in the unfamiliar situation of not only checking out the equipment, but making sure it was assembled for the trip. Esias was an excellent beancounter and filing clerk, able to keep track of everything in the supply and storage system, but unlike Fenny, he’d never been on an away mission in his life! Lucian just hoped that Esias had done well in the unfamiliar situation...
Lucian rechecked the scanner. At the extreme edge of his long range scan, he was just starting to pick up a tight group of Colonial Vipers and shuttles, and three ships Lucian identified as "Colonialized" Cylon Raiders... * * * JustinB When the Callisto appeared on my scanner, I slowed the three flights so Major Lucian and Lieutenant Brotherjoe could catch up. By the time they did so I had made contact with the Callisto. "Callisto, this is Black Lead, request clearance to land."
"Black lead, this is Callisto. Black Flight cleared for landing in Beta Bay. By the way Black Leader, the Cylon Raiders you have captured are to land in Alpha Bay. Callisto Out." came the reply.
As I slipped my viper past the Outer Marker, I started to think how I would spend my time with Rose. I hadn't spent much time with her because things had been so hectic. I was starting to imagine Rose in a tight valcron dress when I heard the Callisto go on Red Alert.
"Black Squadron, land and get your vipers refuelled. Be ready to launch at a moments notice. I lined up the viper and coasted into the landing bay. As soon as I come to a complete stop, I jumped out of my viper and headed to the bridge. I had to find out what was going on and get orders. I pushed over a few engineers on the way but after a long run I made it.
Lined up in line with Alpha Landing Bay, Captain Randrius guided his raider safely in. The second raider had a little more trouble. The pilots could fly the craft in space alright, but their landing was atrocious. The third wasn't so lucky. They had misjudged the landing and had clipped the edge of the bay. Lucky for them the raider’s side crumpled away on contact. Unfortunately that sent the cylon ship into an uncontrollable spin. Around and round they went until they came to a dead stop. The damage control team swarmed all over the raider putting out a fire which had started. Fortunately, the pilots survived with nothing more than bruised ego's. * * * Charybdis Major JustinB arrived on the bridge, harried but nonetheless eager to find out why the Callisto went on Red Alert...
"Colonel" he said as he approached. "Black squadron is all aboard, sir."
"Good, Major. I'm afraid you won't have much time to rest." I replied.
Sheba came up from behind. "Major, scans have picked up several Cylon baseships on the edge of our scanners. Did you pick up anything on your viper's scanners when you were headed back??"
Justin thought a moment before he answered... * * * Stargazor Back to the hangar Stargazor had just finished the reload of his viper. He Walked over to the left side of his viper and looked at the craft.
In his mind he said “Keep me safe baby”!
Then he climbed into his cockpit and put on his helmet!
He switched his com. Unit switches to a direct line to the Callisto bridge.
Stargazor “Lt. Stargazor, armed and ready to launch”!
A voice from Launch control spoke (female): “Lt. Stargazor this is launch control, standby”!
Stargazor forgetting for a moment that he’s on the air: “Frack , the longer we wait the harder its going to get”!
Everybody on the bridge could hear what Lt. Stargazor said … .
The Stargazor remarks that he’s still on the air: Stargazor “ Oepssssss”!
He quickly switches of the button for outgoing com traffic.
In his mind he said “Frack, common send out a recon flight”! “We need hands on intel”! * * * Charybdis Flt. Spec. Geenie turned to address the three officers gathered on the bridge.
"Excuse me, Commander, but Lt. Stargazor is requesting permission to launch in his viper," she said.
"What?" Sheba and Major Justin exclaimed at once.
"Denied" Sheba ordered quickly. She turned to the Major, "well, Major, it seems some of your pilots are getting antsy. No one is to launch until I give the signal. You'd better get control over your men...and quickly," she added... * * * Lucian After landing in Beta Bay, Lucian had shaken hands with BrotherJoe, and then headed to the Med Lab for a checkup. He'd relayed a message to the Bridge, but in the frantic activity, it had been lost between the comm station and the command station.
It had been quite painful removing the enviro-suit, and when he stood in front of the mirror, he could see why. There were large bruises on his legs, particularly near the knee, and on his chest.
Doc BKJ said, "No wonder you said you had shortness of breath! You've got four cracked ribs." She explained the injuries to his legs and told him, more than once, how he was lucky to be alive.
A few centars later, wrapped securely, Lucian had escaped from the Med Lab against Doc's wishes. She'd been able to fuse the bones, but the bruises and swelling were going to be there for days.
"Doc, we're about to go into battle. My place is on the Bridge, whether or not I've got a few little injuries. I'll be needed, but I promise, I'll check back in later." Steadying himself as he stood up, he'd walked out with a grin on his face while BKJ shook her head. When he entered the corridor, the grin turned into a grim look of determination to get through the next few centars then sleep for a secton!
After a quick stop at the commissary to get a walking cane, he reported to the Bridge just in time to hear Sheba in mid sentence saying, "some of your pilots are getting antsy. No one is to launch until I give the signal. You'd better get control over your men...and quickly." Lucian started to move over to get an update from Lieutenant Finky or Major BatGal, but Commander Sheba saw him first and said, "So good of you to FINALLY join us, Major. We're trying to hold off on launching our attack for a couple more centars until the tanker is in position for our attack to do some good, and you decide to go AWOL when you're desperately needed here? We'll talk more after this battle to determine your future aboard this ship...or another ship. For now, CAPTAIN, report to Major BatGal for your orders."
Stunned at the accusation, the rebuke, and the demotion, Lucian had started to interject, but a clipped, "Dismissed!" from the Commander deterred him. He did as ordered.
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Apr 23, 2005 8:26:50 GMT -6
JustinB I was just about to hand Colonel Charybdis the computape of readings taken by my Scarlet Class Viper, when I heard Stargazor's request to launch alone. It had me stunned speechless. Before I could say anything, Commander Sheba yelled out to Flt Spec Geenie, "Denied" Commander Sheba ordered quickly. She then turned to me, "well, Major, it seems some of your pilots are getting antsy. No one is to launch until I give the signal. You'd better get control over your men...and quickly."
"Yes Ma'am" I replied. I tossed the computape in front of the Colonel and left with all haste. Just when I thought nothing else could go wrong, someone decided to become an individual. I was going to detach Stargazor to the Black Shirts for this. I have always tried to give my warriors under my command some latitude, but now that trust had been abused.
I arrived in the launch bay in record time. I headed right for Stargazor's viper. When I got there, I could see he was about to launch despite being denied launch clearance. I stood right in front of the viper and drew my laser pistol and I aimed it at Stargazor.
"Lieutenant Stargazor, Stand down and pop the canopy," I ordered. I couldn't quite make out his face, but I knew I would be dead if he decided to launch. We were in a standoff for what seemed like centars. I could see that everyone was looking at me to see what I would do. "Look Stargazor, I know you are itching for some action, but going of by yourself is not the way to go. You should have..."
"All squadrons launch to intercept." came the call.
"FRACK," I muttered out loud as I holstered my laser and ran to my viper. I jumped into the cockpit, put on my helmet and did a quick pre-flight. In no time at all, I was flying down the launch tube... * * * Stargazor Stargazor Kept his cool when Major JustinB pointed his laser gun at him. Stargazor then heard the call to launch and looked how the Major ran to his viper!
Stargazor switched the controls to launch and grabbed the stick. Then he launched into the tube.
Coming out he made a roll movement and headed straight towards the Cylon raiders who wore coming closer and closer.
The rest of the Callisto’s vipers wore still coming out of the launch tubes when Stargazor was locking on to his first Cylon Raider witch came straight for him followed by to behind him.
Stargazor “Oh, the tin can wants to play chicken”! “Lets see if he has the balls”!
Stargazor increases his thrust to maximum velocity and makes a 180° roll so he is inverted to the Cylon.
Stargazor “Time to say bye bye”!
He lock’s the first raider in his targeting computer and opens fire….
The laser trail heads straight to the cylon raider and it explodes into chunks. Stargazor quickly makes a scissor maneuver followed by a sideways slide, positioning him perfectly to the side of the two cylon raiders that followed the first one.
Stargazor “This is to easy”! He fires hitting the closest cylon raider in his right steering wing, causing it to spiral roll and crashing into the raider next to it .
Stargazor “That’s tree in a row”!
Then he breaks of by rolling left and away flying back towards the Battlestar. Behind him Tree raiders peel of and pursue Stargazor viper.
Stargazor looks at his raider and sees the raiders tailing him on his six.
Stargazor “Tin Can’s taking the bait”!
He punches his slide command and while sliding he rolls his vipers nose to the rear, pointing straight at the raiders.
*Inside the leading raider, the centurion say’s: “Oh ooo”!
Stargazor fires while hitting his booster.
He shoots the middle raider witch explodes, a few seconds later he zooms straight between the middle of the two raiders.
The centurion’s didn’t expect this and look at each other. They then break of and turn to attack him again. But Stargazor already has one in his targeting rectangle and fires.
The raider avoids the first laser shots but is hit with the second salvo and explodes.
*Inside Stargazor’s cockpit : Lt. Stargazor hears on his intercom channel the Major JustinB “Lt. Stargazor quit playing games, return to squadron flight formation immediately that’s an order”!
Stargazor looked on his tactical display where the squadron was, then he remarks something! He sees a group of cylon bomber vectoring in on the Callisto Battlestar.
By the position he is and he can see the bombers, but the Majors Sqaudron doesn’t see them becaus the bombers are on the other side of the Callisto and effectively hidden from their radar scanners!
Lt. Stargazor opens his com channel to major JustinB who’s closer then him to the Battlestar: Lt. Stargazor “Sir, Cylon Bombers vectoring in on the Callisto”! “They are in you’re blind spot”! “I cant get there in time, you are closer”!
On the Bridge Col. Charybdis and Commander Sheba follow the events closely… * * * Kiwi After getting off the communicator with the CALLISTO Quartermaster, Flight Officer Hoxha quickly punched in a program search routine, then walked over from the Core Command console to Colonel Charybdis, who was standing on the upper bridge plat monitoring the operations of the bridge. Hoxha was not too happy at having to give Charybdis this news, and sure enough, when Hoxha started to tell him what Quartermaster had reported, Charybdis turned pale. They've forgotten what??", Charybidis asked Core Command incredulously. 'They' were the infiltration team currently stowed away on the Cylon Tanker. "Accroding to the recheck of the manifest, they did not take the correct filters for their low-vision combat goggles", Hoxha explained. "The filters that they had instead been issued are only for shading adainst high intensity light". As the contants of the filter packages that were issued had for some reason not been double-checked by Quartermaster before launch, The Callisto's X.O. knew that it was an omission that could cost the success of the mission dearly. "Well, they're now sealed in that tanker, so it's too late. They will have to try to fulfil their mission without them", Charybis stated. "Deep Space Scan has revealed heightened rad-levels in the viciity of the tanker's destination, which would affect their visual aid equipment. Any move on their part under those conditions without the right filters would compromise the success of the mission", Flight Officer Hoxha pointed out. "As if the mission had a high hope of succeeding in the first place", Charybdis sourly commented, "Okay, Hoxha. What do you suggest?", he asked "The tanker is following a set trajectory. I suggest that we dispatch one of our inertial stealth drones to latch onto the tanker, using pressure pads instead of magna-clamps. The probe will have to be inertial so that the Cylons won't detect any EM or exhaust residue". "But the team won't know that the probe is there. No EM transmissions means no beacon, and radio silence has to be maintained", Charybdis said. "Then we send one person - a pilot qualified to fly one of these probe types. It will have to be purely instinctive flying. If the pilot brings the probe down onto the tanker quietly enough, and in the right spot to avoid detection, then the pilot will take the filters to the team once the tanker reaches it's destination. It would also help if the pilot has combat experience", Hoxha said. Charybdis thought about it. It was risky, but then so was the entire plan. He nodded. "Run a printout of all available pilots with the necessary qualifiactions. While you're doing that, have a probe readied for launch. I want a pilot ready to go within the hour- understood?", he ordered Hoxha. "I have already run a search of available personnel. There's only one", Hoxha said, smiling and handing to Charybis a printout that he was just given by the Junior Core Command operator. "Lieutenant Kiwi?", Charybdis said, "This wouldn't be anything to do with the run-in you two had earlier, would it?, he asked, noticing the smile on the Flight Officer's face. Hoxha's smile faded under Charybdis' gaze. "Actually Colonel, He's the only qualified one we have available, apart from Captain Skyler - who is needed where he is running Gold Squadron - and the infiltration teams will need those filters", Hoxha replied indirectly. Charybdis sighed. Choices were rather limited. "Contact him and have himreport to me up here. He'll need to be briefed, and I'll need to let the Commander know. That's all, Hoxha". As Hoxha returned to Core Command, Charybdis turned to enter the War Room, where Sheba was sitting and going over the plans once more. He knew that she wouldn't like what he was going to say.......
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Apr 23, 2005 8:27:53 GMT -6
Charybdis I was right, Commander Sheba did not like it one bit. After OK'ing the plan, she didn't even think it would work. Might the Cylons pick up the drone even if it was not relaying a beacon or any exhaust? They would have to find out the hard way. If Gold squadron was on a one-way mission, kiwi's mission had to be one of the most suicidal in Colonial history!
As I turned to head back to the bridge to wait for kiwi and his very quick briefing, Sheba barked out, "Colonel, get Quartermaster Esias up here on the double."
Sheba did not commonly ask to see Warriors personally on the bridge, but I sort of felt sorry for Esias. He had been with the Callisto since we first discovered the ship, originally serving aboard the Pegasus under Commander Cain. He was the Callisto's only quartermaster.
This was a mistake that might have cost us half of Gold squadron and many friends and loved ones... * * * Kiwi Kiwi was in the ready room reading in order to relax when the call came through the P.A. system: "Lieutenant Kiwi, Priority Summons to Core Command". The message repeated once more. Kiwi swung himself off his bunk and quickly made sure that his uniform was in order. Core Command was up on the bridge and the X.O. was a stickler for clean uniforms. "What do they want you for?", one of the other officers asked. Kiwi shrugged, indicating that he didn't know. "Maybe Flight Officer Hoxha found out that you had a piece of lint on your trousers and wants to publically chew you out over it", the officer said with a smile. Kiwi didn't return it. The mention of Hoxha's name started to make his blood boil. "Basically, I rate Hoxha about as high as the soles of my boots - that frakking chair warmer!", he spat out - quietly - but none the less vehemently. Kiwi checked the Core Command duty roster - pasted next to the pilot shift roster so that pilots knew who they would be talking to - and saw that Hoxha was indeed the Duty Officer. Shaking his head in exasperation, Kiwi left the Ready Room and took the lift up to the bridge level. When he got to the bridge, he headed over to Core Command. He saw Hoxha there looking at something on his console intently. Kiwi gritted his teeth, but outwardly looked calm as he walked up to Hoxha and stood to attention. "Lieutenant Kiwi reporting to Core Command as ordered....Sir", he said, marvelling that he could speak clearly with his teeth clenched. He still hated Hoxha for his being stuck for so long in the Training Directorate. "You're late", Hoxha said, not looking at him. Kiwi did not answer - he was quick, but even instant teleportation would not satisfy this chair warmer. At last, Hoxha turned around to face his nemesis. Hoxha had a slight smile on his face. So, he thought. If he couldn't have Kiwi disgraced earlier with the help of those two ensigns, then perhaps a one-way mission would be the next best thing..... "The Executive Officer wants to speak to you, Lieutenant", Hoxha said, "because we have need of your piloting skills". Kiwi looked up at the plat and saw Charybdis walking out of the War Room. Hoxha jerked his thumb towards Charybdis in a gesture that Kiwi understood. Kiwi gave a (barely adequate) salute to Hoxha - who ignored the gesture - and headed over to speak to the X.O. * * * Charybdis I saw kiwi approach the bridge. "Lt. kiwi reporting for duty, sir." he snapped with utmost precision.
"Follow me, kiwi." I led him to the rear of the bridge and into the Commander's War Room.
The door slid shut behind us as I interrupted Commander Sheba, "Commander, Lt. kiwi reporting as ordered." We both saluted her.
"Have a seat, both of you." she said.
The briefing began as kiwi looked very intently at Sheba. He was good at concentrating, he would need it on this mission... * * * Kiwi Commander Sheba looked at Kiwi, then asked, "Did the Duty Officer at the Core Command station tell you anything about this mission?" Kiwi shook his head. Sheba then turned to Charybdis. "Colonel, you'd better tell him what we need him for", she directed. Nodding, Colonel Charybdis turned to face the young officer. "You do know about the infiltration mission that various Gold Squadron members are on, Lieutenant?", he asked. Kiwi nodded. "Well......", Charybdis said, "there is a major snag. Thanks to a snafu in the Quartermaster's Department, the infiltration team were given the wrong support equipment for one of their items". "Which item, Colonel?", Kiwi asked, concerned. Charybdis quickly filled him on on the combat goggles and the wrongly issued filters. Kiwi's eyes widened, realizing how important that would be. "How did Quartermaster mess up so badly?, Kiwi mused. "The 'how' is not important at this stage", Sheba snapped, "I'll be taking up the matter with Esias later. What is important is that the proper filters have to be taken to the infiltration team, and that's where you come in". She nodded to Charybdis, who continued. "You are a qualified test-pilot, and have ground combat experience, which means you're the only available candidate we have", Charybdis said, "So, I want you to fly the filters to the tanker- without being detected, and once the tanker lands at it's destination, to get the filters to the team and to assist them where needed". He paused, letting Kiwi absorb what was needed, then continued. "I have been thinking this problem over, and as this has to be done as stealthily as possible, vipers are out, and so are shuttles. A piloted rescue drone is what you'll be using. The best thing I have been able to come up with for you is a modified CORA drone. As you know, they are small, big enough to carry one man if needed since they are designed to be dispatched to rescue ejected pilots, and they have the clamping technology alreay built in since they are also useful at bringing in disabled vipers. One is being readied right now. The magna-clamps are being replaced with special grip pads, and flight controls to complement the CORA are being fitted, as this is going to take some fancy flying on your part", he said. "That - with all due respect - is an understatement, Colonel", Kiwi replied, "According to the specs of the tanker, the only place that I can lock on and stay unseen is the rear of the sensor array, and the closer to the array that I go, the more likely I'll be detected". "Under the circumstances, I can't order you to go", Sheba said quietly, "but those people are already at a disadvantage and this snafu sould spell the difference between success and failure". Kiwi thought about it for a centon. This mission was as close to suicidal as he could think of. If he managed to get to the tanker in time and if he managed to latch on undetected, and if the non-detection lasted until the tanker landed, and if he manged to get the filters to the team unscathed, then he would have to take a blaster in hand and fight on a strike mission that had a marginal chance for success at best. No wonder Hoxha was looking so smug! "That team are my squadron colleagues, and my comrades", Kiwi said finally, "and under those circumstances, I will do what I can to help". Charybdis nodded, then said, "Then you'll need to get suited up in combat gear. The drone is in the port bay. Flight Officer Hoxha is sending the navigation data down to the support crew. You'd better get going. There's not too much time left". Kiwi nodded his understanding, stood, and after briefly nodding to both Sheba and Charybdis, turned and left the War Room. Sheba turned to her X.O. and asked, "What are his chances, Colonel - honestly?" "I would be generous in saying one chance in eight", Charybdis replied. "It's the one thing I hate about this job", Sheba said with an undertone of bitterness, "sending out our people to almost certain death". Charybdis did not comment. There just did not seem anything else to say.
|
|
|
Post by LucianG on Apr 23, 2005 8:29:50 GMT -6
Kiwi As Kiwi passed by the Core Command Console on his way off the bridge, Hoxa called him over, then said to him, "You'll need to get suited up in combat gear with envirosuit, since the CORA does not have pressurization. The drone is in Alpha bay. I've already sent down the navigation data to the support so that it will already be loaded into CORA's database by the time you get there. You'd better get going, Lieutenant. There's not too much time left if you're going to make the rendezvous with the tanker. And remember, they won't know you're coming". "Permission to speak candidly, Sir", Kiwi asked. After hesitating for a couple of microns, Hoxha nodded. "I suppose you're glad that I'm going on this mission", Kiwi said quietly, "given the odds against my returning". "I would be lying if I said that my motivation for suggesting you to the X.O. was guided solely by your qualifications", Hoxha replied, "And I know that there will never be any love lost between us, but you are the only real chance that the infiltration teams has, and that's the bottom line". "Then I'd better go.....and you're right, Hoxha: This does not change anything between us", Kiwi said as he turned and left the bridge. Hoxha did not reprimand him for not referring to him by his rank. The odds were that he would be dead very soon anyway. * * * The other pilots in the ready room looked at Kiwi, then at each other as Kiwi stripped off his uniform, and starting donning first his combat uniform, then the enviromental support suit over it. It was during this time that a crewman from the Quartermaster department dropped off a satchel to give to him. Kiwi signed off on the receipt, then proceed to check the equipment. There were the replacement filters, but there was also combat equipment including additional weapons. "What's happening?", one of the pilots asked Kiwi. "Brie's team needs help, and I've been asked to assist them", Kiwi explained. "Are you frakking nuts?", the pilot asked incredulously, "Their odds are not high in getting back.....and you're going to try and join them?" "I'm needed", Kiwi repeated, "you know the credo: 'You have to go out.... you don't have to come back'. I may not get back from this one, but I have to do this". The room fell silent as Kiwi finished checking his equipment. Once done, Kiwi picked up the satchel. Nodding to the assembled pilots, Kiwi exited the room. He headed down to Alpha Bay. He was expected, because a Crew Chief waved him over. "There's your ride, Lieutenant", Chief said, pointing to a stripped down rescue drone, "Core Command's flight navigation protocols have all been loaded into the CORA". Kiwi nodded. Dropping the satchel into the improvised cockpit, he quickly pre-flighted the drone. Satisfied, he moved to strap himself in. The maintenance technicians stopped their work to watch Kiwi prepare for launch. Chief snapped Kiwi a salute - which he returned, then he gestured to the techs to clear away from the drone. "CORA", Kiwi said, "everything ok?", he asked. "All systems are functioning within norms, Lieutenant", CORA replied. "Very well, let's get going. Patch me through to Core Command", he directed. As CORA started to manouver the drone for launch, Kiwi communicated with Hoxha up at Core Command. "Drone Ten-Alpha ready for launch", Kiwi said curtly. "Core Command transferring control of drone Ten-alpha to drone commander. Launch when ready", Hoxha acknowledged. "Okay, CORA", Kiwi said, "We've got a rendezvous to make. As soon as we're on course and our speed punched up to max, switch to manual control". "Understood, Lieutenant", CORA responded as the drone smoothly accelerated out of the Alpha Bay exit port and headed out to a rendezvous with an uncertain future. As Kiwi looked back to see the impressive bulk of the CALLISTO receed into the distance, he quietly remembered the final words from his flight instructor before he graduated from the INFINITY: 'When the final flight comes, as it most probably will, don't complain about the hand you've been dealt. Just look the Lords of Kobol in the eye and tell them that it's been a wonderful ride. Then thank them for everything. That's the way it has to be'. Mothing a silent thanks to the Lords, Kiwi now settled in for what would quite probably be his final flight. * * * CORA ceded automatic control once the drone's engines cut off. Kiwi noticed from the navi-comp that the converted rescue drone was right on course. Kiwi quickly tested the three pitches of yaw, pitch, and roll and found the response a little sloppy, but given the urgency of this mission, it was not at all surprising. "CORA", Kiwi said, "The control will have to be set to semi-manual. Full manual control is not as good as I hoped". "Understood, Lieutenant", CORA replied. With CORA now assisting the controling, the response was a lot better. "ETA to rendezvous in thirty centons", CORA reported. "Once the rendezvous is acheived", Kiwi said, "then we will have to get this crate down and latched to the hull. The underside just behind the sensor array is the target location. Understood?", he asked. CORA quickly accessed the warbook and pulled up the stats on the tanker. The A.I. mind quickly noticed the plusses - and the minuses of the selected spot. "I estimate that coming in that close to the array will result in a 50.25% chance of detection by the sensor array itself", CORA reported. "I'm well aware of the mathematics, thank you", Kiwi said, "but I have a little something with me that should improve the odds. Just get me in to within twenty metrons directly above the landing point, and I'll do the rest". "Acknowledged, Lieutenant", CORA replied. As the time for the rendezvous drew nearer, Kiwi thought about the CALLISTO, and the people that he knew. Maybe it was just as well that he had no one to really have to say goodbye to. Nurse Jarynn was the closest thing to a serious relationship that he ever had, but that was a long time ago. The split was unintentional, and it would not have happened if he hadn't told Hoxha what he had thought. The isolation of training and research led to their no longer seeing each other. He had blamed Hoxha for that, even though he knew it was his mouth that had caused his stint in pergatory. He now looked at his sensor screen as the rendezvous co-ordinates drew nearer. Time to get his mind back on the mission.... * * * The ugly bulk of the Cylon tanker was now in full view. Kiwi noted the harsh lines with a strong sense of distaste. Cylons do not go in for asthetics, he noted sourly as CORA brought the drone in toward the target area. It was a rather slow approach. With the engines down - so as to avoid a heat signature which could be detected - short bursts with the reaction thrusters had to be done in a precise sequence, and thanks to CORA, the manouvers had been skillfully done. Now - at last - hovering twenty metres over the landing point, he opened the canopy - a rather easy affair as he was in his pressure suit and the cockpit was thus already unpressurized - and aimed a special pistol taken from his satchel at a point just to the rear of the array. Kiwi pulled the trigger, shooting a sticky-pad on a long line. The sticky-pad hit the aim point softly, but hard enough for the special adhesive to stick to the surface. The drone was now 'tethered' to the tanker. Next, Kiwi attached a small instrument package attached to a set of small wheels which he placed onto the line. He then pushed on the package, which travelled along the line to the end with the sticky-pad. As the instrument pack hit the sticky-pad, it locked into position, then it opened up it's external panels. This device was one of a few items that Kiwi had helped develop in the training and research directorate. It sent out a 'bogus star field' reading which would be picked up by the sensors and would be determined to show no intruders. This move was necessary because as the drone was stealthy, close proximity to a sensor grid - even with the engines off - would still register. Now with the sensors fooled, Kiwi then manouvered his drone with the thrusters down to the surface of the tanker. Keeping it as soft as possible, the drone gently contacted the tanker in the one spot where it would not be easilly seen - directly behind the sensor array antennas. As the drone made contact, CORA activated the docking clamps, which latched it firmly into position. "Okay, CORA", Kiwi said, "I'm going to retrieve the instrument pack. From this point, we are in full silent mode. Acknowledge". "Acknowledged", CORA responded, "power levels now powering down to full passive status. I'll be in standby mode until reactivated by your manual command". "Chat to you later", Kiwi said as the drone's power supply powered down to minimum levels. Kiwi pulled on the line, which popped the sticky-pad off the array - along with the instrument pack. Quickly reeling it in, he returned the instrument pack to his satchel and sealed it. He looked over the rest of the equipment - including some extras he had arranged to be brought to the drone before launch. He then checked his chronometer and saw that he was right on schedule. His pressure suit had ample life support, so there was nothing more to do until the tanker arrived at it's destination. Relaxing the best as he could in his seat - or relaxed the best he could be in a spacesuit, strapped into his seat in zero-gravity conditions in a small drone ship latched onto the underside of a Cylon tanker - he resolved to take maximum advantage of the peace and quiet. He knew that it was probably the last time he would be able to enjoy it... * * *
|
|