CHAPTER 23--WHEN DRIFTING STARS COLLIDE

[LucianG]

Agelastus
Pangara Major Delta lay invitingly close.

And if I wanted to get to Artus' side as his wingman, bulling through a dozen Raiders was almost guaranteed to get me killed. On the other hand, Artus might not last long enough in a fight like this without a wingman if I tried something else.

Then my scanner cleared enough to register a new set of signals. Although they were out of my visual range, my computer thought they were friendly, tagging them with the label that meant "Gold Squadron Friendlies". And Artus seemed to be closer to them than any of us.

The far-too-close detonation of a Cylon missile decided me. It was risky, but a fair chance. I veered towards the atmosphere, increasing power to my turbos and running a diagnostic sequence to check my hull for damage. The plan was simple.

Delta had a fairly violent atmosphere, even in its' upper reaches. Vipers can enter atmosphere either slowly at a steep angle, or fast at a shallow. Delta's relatively large gravity well could possibly allow a slingshot effect.

And the atmosphere, with both sides encased in their heat halos, would occlude the Cylon scanners almost totally.

Worth a try, as I thought.

As I began a skip-entry of the planet's atmosphere, the temperature in my cockpit already up almost three degrees, I was surprised to see that I'd taken eleven Raiders with me - twice as many as I'd expected. The momentary pause in combat gave me a moment to think as well. Something had been niggling the back of my mind throughout the fight. Something about the Cylons' relative acceleration curves.

Reaching forward, I thumb-activated the warbook and fed it my combat data. After a few microns, it beeped. No match! Frowning, I expanded the search parameters beyond "current" designs. As I'd suspected...............

The sudden blare of the proximity alarm stunned me. By the time I'd really registered it, I was past it, little more than a red tinged glimpse of metal fading from my eyes. The size of the Callisto, at least. I almost forgot the Cylons in my haste to look at what my scanners had seen, blinded as they were by atmosphere.

A ship. Circular shape to the hull. Almost certainly Cylon. So that's why so many followed me, they were protecting their base ship.................

Wait a centon. No power. No weapons fire. Amazingly, my navi-computer had been able to calculate a rough orbital path. A decaying orbit, in fact. I rechecked the final reading. The computer confirmed it again. That Cylon ship was almost at the terminal phase. Another Secton or two and it would plunge down through the atmosphere to the planetary surface and certain destruction.

Then another fact registered, confirmed by my own brief sighting. A single hull structure, not the familiar double hull form well known from both before and after Cimtar.

I was right, I thought.........................

But now I was out of communication with anyone. My vector was good though. Another three or four centons and I would be able to talk to the rest of Gold Squadron, and discover whether or not the Cylons had been able to follow me.

Any centon now....
* * *
Lucian
"Major, we've launched all the Gold Squadron Vipers that are currently functional. We've got several that are out of order due to lack of parts," reported Fenmarnis. "The Techs are trying to cannibalize a couple of Vipers to see if we can get two or three more ready. Flight ready Warriors are on standby."

"Hold them there until those ships are ready," said Lucian. "Get me a list of who's still on standby."

Lucian quickly checked in with Captain Kris in Beta Bay. "Kris, we've launched almost all of Gold, but we're holding on Black until we know more about what's happening in Delta Sector. For all we know, they could be dealing with another group of Cylons there."

"Have we heard anything, Major?" she asked.

"Nothing intelligible," he replied, "but we're working on cleaning up the garble. I've got Solon up here helping on it."

"We're ready when we're needed, Sir," she said as they ended the connection.

Lucian approached Solon and Fallel who were working with Geenie and another communications officer. The elderly man was leaning on the gold tipped cane with his left hand, and was pointing to something with his right. Fallel, the young Outlander assistant, was racing his fingers across the pad, trying to eliminate as much of the clutter as possible. He asked, "What's causing this anyway?"

Lucian looked at Fallel in surprise, "We've got two pulsing gas giants in that sector. Didn't the Science Lab assemble the briefing on this system?"

"Yes, Sir, but we were tied up on that Cylon computer drive. We've got all the code, but we just can't seem to break the rest of it. It seems to be about establishment of a Cylon manufacturing base before their ship started chasing the Gastonov and long before it crashed on Frodar Epsilon Alpha, but we can't verify that or where the base is."

"Concentrate on this for now, son," said Solon. "Major, here, you can look at it, but he's got work to do now, so please, SCRAM!"

Lucian smiled at the old man as he picked up the data pad and walked a few meters away from him. He glanced over the data, then screened through it. There was just too much information for it to mean much to him, so he paused midway through. Just as he was about to hand it back, something jumped out at him. "Solon, take a look at this. I'm probably mistaken, but I think we may know where this is after all!"
* * *
Amy
While I stood by the vid-com waiting for orders, I heard Charybdis howl something about 75 Cylons. Where'd he get that information? Not from me. Stupid Brie's orders. I knew I wasn't needed back here.

Somebody gave command to launch, and moments later the rest of Gold Squadron launched. I turned to watch them go. Guess they knew where they were going. Even my viper was gone. I wondered if anyone was even in it.

I hadn't been dismissed, but nobody could be seen through the vid-window anymore. If I just left, I wondered if it would be disobeying orders. Hard to disobey what you haven't been given. Now that was something to mull over while slugging an ambrosia or two!

I left the vid-com, and looked around for Marcus. He wasn't anywhere around. Yeah, I've really got to get back to ignoring orders. Next time I get some, anyway.
* * *
Lucian
"Solon, take a look at this. I'm probably mistaken, but I think we may know where this is after all!" Lucian quickly showed him a few lines of the code that he'd noticed as he scanned the data. Solon looked, scratched his chin a little, and then rubbed his temple in, what was to Lucian, an irritating sort of way.

"Noooo," he drawled slowly. "I don't think so...Major...since we already tried that, but, you may have given me another idea on something else." Solon looked directly at Lucian and said, "And sorry, sir, but Fallel actually wrote most of that report and knows all about those gas giants. I think he was just irritated that someone was asking such a stoo-pid question. I'll try this other thing though. You may have put me on something. Thanks."

Yes, Solon's blunt, thought Lucian, and he couldn't believe that he'd fallen for the brushoff so easily. He stepped back over to Fallel's side. "Sorry about that, Fallel. I didn't realize you had done so much of the research on this system."

"You ought to come over to the Science Lab sometime, Major. You'd be surprised what we do," said the young man with a grin. "Now, the reason I was asking the question about the cause of this interference is that I don't think those pulsing gas G's are responsible for this. No, I believe the source is artificial. Considering we've got Cylons in the system, it's quite possible they may be behind it."

[LucianG]

Agelastus
Bursting loose of Delta at the end of my atmosphere-skip was exhilarating, the last tendrils of fiery atmosphere streaming back from my Viper in a halo of almost surreal beauty.

Even better, as my scans somehow managed to register, my pursuers hadn't gone as low as I had, avoiding the atmosphere virtually entirely. Clearly hoping that I would mistake my vector and allow atmospheric drag to slow me enough for them to keep up with their longer flight path. With a compliment of modern Raiders, they might have done it - fighting drag had burned up a good chunk of my carefully hoarded fuel reserves, and I was rusty. I had flown a fraction low.

Unfortunately, bar one Raider that had chosen to remain in formation with the rest rather than risk a potentially disastrous one-on-one engagement, all the Cylon vessels pursuing me were designs at least a centuron out-of-date. Perhaps even older.

Just like the larger ship I'd detected in my transit around Delta. The derelict. That class hadn't been seen in action around the Colonies in perhaps two centurons, not just one.

However, this was immaterial in a way. Whether or not they were part of the same group that the Gastronov and its' crew had struggled so long and valiantly against, or some other cut-off group of Cylons, clearly the presence of modern fighters indicated that contact had been restored with the Alliance, even if only recently.

Trouble.

Then my own problems started.

Problem one I discovered soon after I broke back into open space away from Delta, when my onboard systems resolutely failed to show which ships in the vastly expanded fight were friends, and which were foes. Glancing out at my fins, I saw sections of the upper surface that were still glowing cherry red. Best guess? The atmosphere had been thicker than I thought, and the added friction had caused some of the more exposed systems to malfunction.

Problem two reared its' head when I tried to report - with no way to tell friend or foe, I didn't even know who was in command out there, let alone identify their Viper to open a private channel for my report. I'd only been absent from the battle for a few centons, but that was enough to leave me uncertain as to who was still alive.

I really hoped Artus was - losing him would probably give command an excuse to look a little more closely at my history. My flight status was one thing I didn't want to lose.

I opened a general channel.

"This is Gold backup two, Ensign Agelastus reporting," just in case anyone had forgotten my name. It happened. "I've detected what appears to be a baseship of obsolete type in low orbit around Delta. It appears to be completely derelict, and as such is unlikely to be the source of the Cylons attacking us. I'm transmitting data now.

"Lieutenant Artus, please advise your location. I have several minor system failures, but................"

Problem three suddenly reared its' ugly head. A Cylon Raider, modern type, attacking from ahead. I'd been so busy transmitting and checking my rear scans, that I'd missed the twelfth ship from my earlier predicament waiting for me in a Cylon-textbook ambush position.

Oops....
* * *
Artus
I opened a channel.
Artus was looking feverously through his canopy for any signs of his wingman, when suddenly his comm crackled;

"....nant Artus, this is Ensign ..tus," It said; "The major's assigned me ..... wing. Got a little trouble over here....... Will try and shake them and ......."

Great, just what Artus needed. And judging from his scanner that transmission seemed to come from a viper on the other side of the melee. Major Brie and her orders.

The suddenly his comm sounded again;

"Sorry."

And that was all. Now Artus was really getting worried about this guy. He sighed and made a quick descision. Wingmen were supposed to look after each other weren't they. He just had no hope in Hades to get through this felgercarb. While quickly banking left to avoid another of these Cylon raiders he pressed his turbos. Sure they would cost him a lot of fuel, but it sounded like his wingman out there really needed help. And well, if the Lords won't come to Kobol.......
* * *
Amy
Obviously not needed, I left the deck in search of the ladies room. I found the room, and I walked in, and closed the door behind me.

"Oh frack, this isn't the ladies room" I said. I read the big bold red writing which said 'Airlock'. "Frack!" I pressed the red button labeled 'door release', and knew as I heard the air hissing that it wasn't the door I intended to release. It was the last thing I remembered before my skin stretched tight and my body exploded from the decompression.

What a way to go.
* * *
Artus
Just as Artus was moving through the frack at maximum power he saw the blip on the screen signifying his wingman's viper dissapear into the atmosphere.

Oh no, Artus thought, he's been hit!

Willing his Viper to go even faster Artus started to take more and more chances just to be able to get to the other side. He noticed his fuel consumption was outrageous, but a man's life was at stake here.

And all the time the only thing Artus was thinking was hang in there buddy, I'm coming to get you.

This went on for a while until Artus was nearly at the position where he had seen te guy go down, and then suddenly a message came though on the general channel;

"This is Gold backup two, Ensign .....tus reporting, I've detected what appears to be a baseship ..... low orbit around Delta. It appears to be .......the source of the Cylons attacking us. I'm transmitting data now.

"Lieutenant Artus, please advise your location. I have several minor system failures, but................"

Great, who was this guy? Some kind of magician? Now Artus was really sick of this felgercarb. However the new guy's message had brought him one good bit of news. He had found the Cylon's base ship. Unfortunately he had neglected to do something about it. Then again, one of Artus teachers had once told him the odds of one Viper taking on a Base ship and surviving. Frack the odds. Artus life was mostly a mess after all, and checking his fuel monitors he also noticed that his little maneuver had cost him too much.

But there was still enough for one last attack run, though.

And then suddenly he thought of Amy again. And his descision was made. If giving up his life would mean new hope for Amy and the rest of the Callisto, he would gladly do it.

Artus veered away from the Cylons and dove into the atmosphere....

[LucianG]

Lucian
Fenny’s voice was hoarse as she yelled over the noise. Still, Lucian could barely make out her message.

“We’ve got two Vipers ready to go, with five Warriors on standby. The other Vipers are basically shot due to some duplicate problems and no parts. Who do you want to send?”

He said, “Get Captain Amy out there with another Warrior of her choosing. I think she’s on her way down there now. Geenie," he called, "Get Captain Amy to Alpha Bay for immediate launch if she's not already there."
* * *
Agelastus
The Cylon's shots never quite connected, as a Gold Squadron Viper swooped down and turned it into yet another expanding ball of plasma and debris. Then it was gone, before I could even say thanks.

At least he gave me a couple of microns to assess the situation. Particularly my fuel.

Enough to get back to the Callisto, with a little reserve too. Well, I thought, with no way other than visual identification to tell friend from foe it's time to head for home. Now where was Artus - my new wingman's fuel must be in almost as bad a way.

Then, with a suddeness that in more superstitious times would be called a miracle, my diagnostic systems managed to reroute around some of the damaged areas, and my scanners started showing beautiful little friend or foe symbols again. Hastily. I checked the situation, seeing that Gold Squadron appeared to be getting the upper hand.

One Viper though seemed to be shaping a vector for the planet. I queried my computer as to the pilot's identity.

Frak! Artus. What was he doing?

Frak! The communications interference! Suddenly I realised how stupid I'd been in risking a general transmission - what if some of my words hadn't got through!

Instinctively, I reached for my Turbos to follow. Then his probable fuel situation hit me. What did he think he was doing.............then I hit my own Turbos. What did I think I was doing?

I could not afford to lose a wingman, not on my first mission back with the big boys. Not even if it put my own life at risk. His vector into the atmosphere looked as deep as mine, and was angled more to the southern hemisphere. There was a good chance he would miss the ship he was looking for, even! It had been right on the atmospheric interface, actually above me as I'd flown near it.

I opened a direct channel to his Viper, transferring some power from life support and other systems to try and boost it.

"Lieutenant Artus, come in. This is Ensign Agelastus. It's a derelict! I repeat it's a derelict!" Over and over again. He had to hear me................

Even if we lacked the fuel to get back to the Callisto, as long as we made it back into space we should have enough to sustain life support and communications long enough for us to be rescued.

Felgercarb - there was my own fuel margin gone...........
* * *
Charybdis
"Colonel," came the cry from one of the systems techs below the bridge. "An airlock from section Alpha has engaged in the open position. Before anything happened, I overrode the system and shut it down before loss of atmosphere occurred. I think it's alright now."

I found that odd. Something like that ordinarily did not happen by itself. "Good work, Sgt. Get someone over there to check it out. Last thing we need is malfunctioning equipment."
* * *
Artus
Artus was going to make his final attack run count, so he dove straight for the planet. He immediately noticed several of the Cylon ships following him in pursuit.

"Think you can protect your base ship, do you?"

Artus heard himself yelling out loud. He felt a little strange talking to himself. But as the comm wasn't open, who would know. He rolled left, evading fire from the lead ship in pursuit.

"Oh you want to play do you? " Artus yelled; "Well come on, let's play then!"

After uttering those words he fired his turbos. He knew he was dangerously low on fuel, but he didn't plan on coming back anyway. If all his life would amount to was buying Amy and the rest of the Callisto crew some more valuable time, than it was a life well spent, he figured.

Then suddenly, as he entered the atmosphere, his comm unit cracked; "Lieutenant Artus, come in. This is Ensign Agelastus. It's a derelict! I repeat it's a derelict!" Over and over again.

"Oh for Sagan's sake" Artus caught himself exclamating; "You've just got to be kidding me!"

He banged his console with as much force as he could muster.

"Felgercarb"

Unfortunately Viper consoles aren't designed for banging on, and his systems hampered for just a micron.

And that was all the lead Cylon ship needed.

Artus saw the shot coming as he found his lateral boosters unresponsive. His last thoughts were plain and simple.

"Mom's going to be upset. And if only Amy would have...."

At that moment Artus' viper exploded into a ball of sparks that could be seen all the way to where the rest of Gold squadron was slugging it out.

What a way to go.
* * *
JustinB
As the incoming ships came closer, a sense of readiness came to the survey team.

"Black Flight, on my mark we peel off in opposite directions and engage the incoming ships," Captain Randrius ordered.

"Sir, I now have the readings as, I don't believe it. Sir, they register as vipers with human life forms," said Lieutenant Anubis in disbelief.

"It's a cylon trick, similar to the one the cylons used at Blassanic. Prepare to peel off and engage," said Randrius nervously.

At that moment the incoming ships came into visual range.

Meanwhile, not far from Pangara Major Zeta, Stargazor was in trouble and there was nothing I could do about it. The CORA drone unit was doing all it could to save him. I could only hope the thing saved him. Even though I had an eviro-suit in case I had to ever EVA, I knew Stargazor didn't. I channelled all my will towards the drone ship and willed it to succeed in its job.

"Stargazor, you are to hang in there and that’s an order. I have never lost anyone under my command and I am not going to have you ruin my record." Only time would tell.

On the far side of Pangara Major Gamma, the four vipers of the survey team were about to commence battle when, "Black Flight, this is Black One. Hold your fire. I don't believe what I am seeing, but they're vipers piloted by humans but they are not from the Callisto. Their markings suggest they are from the ...."

[LucianG]

Killjoy
Killjoy continued his slow orbit of Stagazor'z disabled Viper, and watched intently as the CORA continued its attempt to stabilize the life-support systems. He could see the vapors as oxygen continued to vent from the system as well as the smoke that came from the electronics as the CORA tried to reroute power. Killjoy was only vaguely aware of the comm traffic from the others in his flight. Then JustinB yelled into his mic to get Killjoy's attention.

"Black Bravo, status?!" Killjoy did not respond. "Black Bravo, this is Black Alpha, Killjoy answer me!"

"Sorry Alpha, situation unchanged. Charlie is still venting O2 and appears to be unconscious. CORA is still working to stabilize his systems. It doesn't look good Major."

"Understood Bravo. Rejoin the group we have incoming ships and I need everyone together on this"

Killjoy didn’t want to abandon Stargazor.

"Alpha request permission to continue to cover Char….."

"Denied Captain! Can't risk the whole flight over one ship now get your tail up here! That’s an order!...Killjoy...I know how you feel ...I don’t like it either."

"Affirmative Alpha. Bravo breaking off to rejoin flight."

Killjoy took one last look at the ailing Viper and it's distressed pilot. He shook his head and set a course for the last known position of the group. "Frack" he said as he hit his turbos, nosed his ship over and pulled into a tight turn.

A couple of centons later something popped up on his scanners. Two ships where were closing on Stargazor's position.

Shutting down his turbos he again pulled hard on the controls, the stress of the high speed turn cause the port side wing to buckle slightly. He ignored the damage and returned to Stargazor at top speed and called to JustinB.

"Alpha, I have two unknowns closing on our disabled Viper. I'm returning to assist."

"Understood Bravo. Killjoy you're on you own, I can't spare anyone to help. Do what you can."

"Affirmative Alpha, there is only two of them, way I see it the odds are in my favor."


Killjoy got close enough to get a visual on the two ships that now orbited Stargazor's position. They were Vipers, but not Callisto ships. Understanding the recent deceptions of the Cylons he didn't take any chances and took up a defensive posture. He locked his weapons on the lead ship and fired a warning shot across her nose. Then broadcast a signal on all frequencies in hope that JustinB would also hear. He had no idea Justin was having a similar conversation with other mysterious Vipers.

"Unidentified Vipers, This is Captain Killjoy, Black Squadron Battlestar Callisto. I have a weapons lock and I'm prepared to fire! Identify and state your intentions."

He wasn't sure who it was but they sounded human enough. Not to be decived Killjoy again placed his thumb on the firing button as a vaguely familiar voice responded to his warning.

"Callisto Viper, stand down your weapons. This is...."
* * *
Stargazor
While the two vipers wore buzzing around Stargazor and Killjoy trying to identify them, the drone was still trying to lock on to Stargazor's ship and trying to re activate the ships life support.
Stargazor's time was running out fast, yet somehow his vital signs kept stable on the border between death and life.
Something inside him was fighting back.
HE was fighting back trough sheer will power.

Finaly the drone got a firm lock on Stargazor's Viper and now pulled the fighter as fast as it could back towards the Callisto.

The two vipers went in a formation pattern next to the drone as Killjoy Came on their six.
They din'd seem to be Hostile but who wore they?
And how long could Stargazor hold out before his will would give up.
* * *
Randrius
"Unidentified Vipers, this is Capt. Randrius of Black Squadron, please explain who you are and what the frack you're doing way out here?"
Randrius and the survey team held there position, their weapons locked on the unknown Viper, awaiting a reply.
* * *
Lucian
"Unidentified Vipers, this is Capt. Randrius of Black Squadron, please explain who you are and what the frack you're doing way out here?"

Randrius and the survey team held there position, their weapons locked on the unknown Viper, awaiting a reply.

The nearby gas giants were broadcasting their intermittent pulse, interfering with communications. Randrius's comm crackled badly as he received his reply...

Randrius and his team were able to hear the message, but no one beyond the immediate vicinity could.
* * *
JustinB
If Stargazor was going to survive, he would have to get back to the Callisto A.S.A.P. I switched on my ship-to-ship scrambler.

"Killjoy this is JustinB. Listen closely to what I have to say. You are to escort Stargazor and the CORA ship back to the Callisto. It's the only hope he has."

"I copy JustinB, but what are you going to do?" Killjoy asked.

"I still have to locate that missing survey team. I have picked up some anomalous readings coming from the direction of Pangara Major Gamma. Ensign Jaz and I are going to check it out." I replied.

"With all respect sir, shouldn't we all go back to the Callisto?"

"Under normal circumstances I would say yes, but I won't give up on the survey team. You have your orders, make sure Killjoy makes it."

"Copy orders to return to the Callisto. Good luck." Killjoy said reluctantly.

Forming up with Ensign Jaz, I gave him a nod and pointed towards Major Gamma. Kicking in our turbos we accelerated towards the unknown, but hopefully towards the survey team.
It had been a while since I had last thought about Rose. But I suppressed her from my mind. I was starting to realise how hard it was to separate personal and my military relationship. I looked down at my scanner; the readings were not getting any better.

Looking over at Jaz, I realised how I might have looked back on my first mission. "Ensign Jaz, how are you over?"

A micron or two passed when his nervous voice come over, "I am doing alright Sir. I just never thought my first mission would be such an important one."

"They all important missions, they just vary. Would get some answers soon Ensign."

[LucianG]

Stargazor
The Cora drone tracktored the damaged viper back towards the Callisto as Capt. Killjoy escorted it back.
Slowly the drone managed to gide the viper in the landing bay.
When the viper was in the drone si:ply shut down.
Medical team and groundcrewmembers came rushing towards the viper.
* * *
JustinB
Ensign Jaz and I were about two centons out from Major Gamma and the previous anomalous readings were gone.

"FRACK!!" I yelled. We had come all this way to no avail. I was ready to give up hope, but something inside me told me I had to go on.

Jaz's voice then broke the loud silence. "Sir, Ensign Jaz here. Those readings we picked up earlier must have been some kind of echo or something. But I could have sworn I scanned at least thirty ships."

"I thought I did as well. All we can do is press on and hope Killjoy made it back alright with Stargazor. If everything goes to plan, the Callisto will not be far behind." I replied.

We pressed on too find our fellow warriors.
* * *
"Sir, Ensign Jaz here. I have only about a centars worth of fuel left. We have to turn back now if we are going to make it back to the Callisto." Jaz said.

We had been looking for the survey team for which seemed liked two centars. I knew we were low on fuel, but my gut instinct told me to press on. I felt totally helpless not knowing where to look. At least if we had found some debris, we could take some back to the Callisto.

"That's a negative Ensign. When we are down to thirty centons of fuel left then we switch over to the ram scoops. I refuse to give up at this stage. Whatever caused those readings cannot be to far away. It is just a matter of time before we find them." was my reply.

I couldn't blame Jaz for wanting back on the Callisto, but this was my call.

"Ensign Jaz I have an idea. I am sending you a new co-ordinate vector. Once on that vector we will kick in our turbos for fifteen microns, then cut off the engines and we will let the inertia carry us.

We plotted the new course and followed the plan. Once the engines were off, I placed the scanner on full scan. After about five centons, I saw on the edge of my scanner that made my jaw drop. Thirty ships appeared out of nowhere.
* * *
Charybdis
Core Command wishes to announce that Starbuck is hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Colonial Military.

Congratulations!
<chorus of voices>
CONGRATULATIONS!
* * *
Artus
“You can open your eyes now.”

Artus slowly lifted his eyelids, but then squinted against the bright light.

“What the frack?!”

“Very colourfull, “ the other man in the room said; “they usually begin with where am I?”

“What? Where? How?” Artus was searching for a meaning behind all of this. The last thing he remembered was sitting in his cockpit and being shot at by Cylon Raiders. But now all he could see were bright lights all around him and a man in a white suit who stood smiling before him.

Artus mustered up all his courage to deal with the situation at hand.

“All right then, where am I?”

“There.” The man simply answered.

“What? Where?” Artus struggled for understanding.

“There.” The man simply repeated; “All your life you have been here, but now you are finally there.”

Artus had to admit defeat.

“I don’t get it.”

“You see, “ siad the man; “I told you he wasn’t very bright.”
* * *
Amy
Burger. At least a hundred pounds or more lay on the white slab, staining it a gruesome red. It sat at the other end of the room from where Artus was slowly gaining his senses.

"What is this?" asked the man in white, who seemed to be in charge for the most part, as he walked over.

The man poking at the beef with a spatula sighed. "This, I'm afraid, is the other one".

"What happened?" the man in charge said, shocked as it dawned on him what he was looking at.

The man with the spatula shook his head. "I've no idea. Looking for the ladies room isn't supposed to be a life or death thing." He smiled slightly. "Though I suppose it does feel that way sometimes!"

The man in charge was not amused. "Can something be done?"

"We're not sure. But we'll try." They stood there looking forlornly at the great mound of red burger, the only thing of color in an otherwise pure white room.

"And stop poking it with that spatula", the man in charge commanded.

"Sorry sir. It just reminds me of days long past. Picnics, cook outs..."

The man in charge glared at the other man, who after a moment put down the burger flipper. "I'll see what can be done", he said without much hope in his voice.

[LucianG]

Stargazor
The Cora drone tracktored the damaged viper back towards the Callisto as Capt. Killjoy escorted it back.
Slowly the drone managed to gide the viper in the landing bay.
When the viper was in the drone si:ply shut down.
Medical team and groundcrewmembers came rushing towards the viper.
* * *
JustinB
Ensign Jaz and I were about two centons out from Major Gamma and the previous anomalous readings were gone.

"FRACK!!" I yelled. We had come all this way to no avail. I was ready to give up hope, but something inside me told me I had to go on.

Jaz's voice then broke the loud silence. "Sir, Ensign Jaz here. Those readings we picked up earlier must have been some kind of echo or something. But I could have sworn I scanned at least thirty ships."

"I thought I did as well. All we can do is press on and hope Killjoy made it back alright with Stargazor. If everything goes to plan, the Callisto will not be far behind." I replied.

We pressed on too find our fellow warriors.
* * *
"Sir, Ensign Jaz here. I have only about a centars worth of fuel left. We have to turn back now if we are going to make it back to the Callisto." Jaz said.

We had been looking for the survey team for which seemed liked two centars. I knew we were low on fuel, but my gut instinct told me to press on. I felt totally helpless not knowing where to look. At least if we had found some debris, we could take some back to the Callisto.

"That's a negative Ensign. When we are down to thirty centons of fuel left then we switch over to the ram scoops. I refuse to give up at this stage. Whatever caused those readings cannot be to far away. It is just a matter of time before we find them." was my reply.

I couldn't blame Jaz for wanting back on the Callisto, but this was my call.

"Ensign Jaz I have an idea. I am sending you a new co-ordinate vector. Once on that vector we will kick in our turbos for fifteen microns, then cut off the engines and we will let the inertia carry us.

We plotted the new course and followed the plan. Once the engines were off, I placed the scanner on full scan. After about five centons, I saw on the edge of my scanner that made my jaw drop. Thirty ships appeared out of nowhere.
* * *
Charybdis
Core Command wishes to announce that Starbuck is hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Colonial Military.

Congratulations!
<chorus of voices>
CONGRATULATIONS!
* * *
Artus
“You can open your eyes now.”

Artus slowly lifted his eyelids, but then squinted against the bright light.

“What the frack?!”

“Very colourfull, “ the other man in the room said; “they usually begin with where am I?”

“What? Where? How?” Artus was searching for a meaning behind all of this. The last thing he remembered was sitting in his cockpit and being shot at by Cylon Raiders. But now all he could see were bright lights all around him and a man in a white suit who stood smiling before him.

Artus mustered up all his courage to deal with the situation at hand.

“All right then, where am I?”

“There.” The man simply answered.

“What? Where?” Artus struggled for understanding.

“There.” The man simply repeated; “All your life you have been here, but now you are finally there.”

Artus had to admit defeat.

“I don’t get it.”

“You see, “ siad the man; “I told you he wasn’t very bright.”
* * *
Amy
Burger. At least a hundred pounds or more lay on the white slab, staining it a gruesome red. It sat at the other end of the room from where Artus was slowly gaining his senses.

"What is this?" asked the man in white, who seemed to be in charge for the most part, as he walked over.

The man poking at the beef with a spatula sighed. "This, I'm afraid, is the other one".

"What happened?" the man in charge said, shocked as it dawned on him what he was looking at.

The man with the spatula shook his head. "I've no idea. Looking for the ladies room isn't supposed to be a life or death thing." He smiled slightly. "Though I suppose it does feel that way sometimes!"

The man in charge was not amused. "Can something be done?"

"We're not sure. But we'll try." They stood there looking forlornly at the great mound of red burger, the only thing of color in an otherwise pure white room.

"And stop poking it with that spatula", the man in charge commanded.

"Sorry sir. It just reminds me of days long past. Picnics, cook outs..."

The man in charge glared at the other man, who after a moment put down the burger flipper. "I'll see what can be done", he said without much hope in his voice.
* * *
Artus
The man in white walked back to where Artus was sitting.

The latter was slowly coming to the realisation that he really didn't know what was going on.

He pointed at the slab of meat behind the man in white.

"What is that? " he asked, with severe interest in his voice.

"Oh, that, " the man in white fidgeted; " that is uhm, shall we say a complication."

"A complication? " Artus asked; "What kind of a complication?"

"That is nothing that should concern you now." the man in white said sternly.

"But it will have to wait, we have important matters to take care of..."

Subconsciously Artus caught himself sitting to attention. It also occured to him that it was a rather strange sensation to sit to attention, wher maybe he should have been standing. He considered standing up when the man in white suddenly spoke again;

"Tell me what you think about Amy?"

"Oh, I love her."

The answer came out so quickly that Artus wasn't sure if he had actually said that himself. Even more surprised that he had sain it out loud.

"I see, " said the man in white; "another complication."
* * *
Amy
The man sighed again has he looked at the slab of meat before him. It would be much easier to just 'chuck' the whole thing, he thought, starting to smile at the play on words.

No. It was time to get serious. It was do or don't time. If there was a chance of reversing this calamity, it would have to be done now. He began to summon powers, both light and dark, for this went beyond normal boundries. Somewhere, sometime down the road there might be a price to be paid for what was being done here today, but that was another matter, to be settled at another time.

His eyes widened as he directed the energy toward the lifeless meat on the table. "By the Lords of Kobol..." he hissed under his breath.
* * *
Artus
Artus had simply come to the realisation that all this wasn't real. It simply couldn't be real. It just didn't make any sense.

The eyes of the man in white widened as he directed the energy toward the lifeless meat on the table. "By the Lords of Kobol..." he hissed under his breath.

"What are you doing?" Artus asked.

Trying not to lose his concentration, the man in white groaned a response;

"Re-creating the body of Amy...."

Artus looked unbelieveing at the pile of meat.

"That's Amy?"

Now he was sure that this wasn't true. It just couldn't be.

"Yes, " the man in white replied; "and if you would please let me concentrate, I'm reconstructing her body right now...."

"Oh, really," said Artus, unconvinced; "Well as long as your 'reconstructing' her body from that, do you think you could make her boobs just a little bigger?"
* * *
Amy
"Yes, " the man in white replied; "and if you would please let me concentrate, I'm reconstructing her body right now...."

"Oh, really," said Artus, unconvinced; "Well as long as your 'reconstructing' her body from that, do you think you could make her boobs just a little bigger?"

"Sure, if there's any leftover burger-NO!!" the man sputtered as he realized what he was saying. "Now let me concentrate, please!"

The energy releasing from his hands intensified, a curious mixture of light and darkness flickering and dancing from his fingertips, stretching out to wrap around the burger and hide it from view from sheer brilliance. "By the Lords of Kobol..." the man said again, then louder, "BY THE LORDS OF KOBOL!!", as if he was insisting that it was so. He seemed to be fighting it, not just the task at hand, but with something else, something unseen. His body convulsed like he was in the midst of a life and death struggle.

The light show stopped suddenly, and the glow around the slab of meat began to fade gradually. The man stepped back, staring at the table, silently hoping...

He sighed with relief as the light faded away, revealing the body of Captain Amy. She lay there, peacefully, breathing so softly that it almost seemed that she... No, her eyes began to flicker, and then open. She looked straight up, trying to focus, then she looked down....

"Hey, some clothes please!!!" she shouted in alarm.

The man waved a hand and suddenly Amy was in her warrior's uniform, identical in every way except that it was pure white. Amy blinked at the surprise of having clothes so quickly. The man walked up, and lay a hand on hers.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

Amy thought for a moment. "Starved" she said finally, her brain working in slow-motion.

"Food is something we no longer have a need for here, but we can arrange some for you." He smiled. "What is it that you would like?"

Amy thought for a moment. "A burger. I have a strange craving for a burger".
* * *

[LucianG]

Amy
I couldn’t see much in the room. It all seemed pretty bright and white, even my uniform was white! I tried to see around the man, but he was blocking my vision pretty well.

“A burger, huh?” he said. “It’s not as strange a craving as you would think. I’ll be right back with your order.”

As he turned to walk away, I lay back and closed my eyes. I tried to think. Order. ‘Right back with your order’ he had said. Order. Order…

Orders! I seemed to remember now. Something about orders. I had been waiting for orders… I remembered the vid-com, and speaking to the bridge. Charybdis was there. But not too much else came to me. What had happened, and what was I doing…?

I suddenly sat up. Someone else was in here. Who…?

I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing! Artus! Artus?

I found my voice again. “Artus, what in the name of the 12 colonies is going on?”

Then I noticed that he too was all dressed in white. I shook my head slightly. “I can’t help noticing”, I said, “that we are both dressed in white. If this is some sort of sealing ceremony, I’m afraid I don’t remember saying yes.” Feeling a little like I’d just been through a meat grinder, I lay back down, but my eyes stayed on Artus.
* * *
Artus
Artus was quite sure he was dreaming now. There was Amy lying naked befor him.

Allright, she suddenly had clothes on very quickly, but Artus was quick to remember what he had seen.

But he had also seen a whole lot of exposed meat. And the man in white had said that that was Amy.

No, it just couldn't have been.

But there she was lying in front of him.

She suddenly sat up.

Artus felt the need to say something. Anything. Even if this was only a dream he could at least enjoy the conversation.

So Artus had better say something. Now!

Amy found her voice again. “Artus, what in the name of the 12 colonies is going on?”

Some dream this was. Here he was dreaming about a romantic encounter with Amy, and the first thing she says is, ....

Oh, well, the subconscious is overrated anyway.

She shook her head slightly. “I can’t help noticing”, she said, “that we are both dressed in white. If this is some sort of sealing ceremony, I’m afraid I don’t remember saying yes.”

Okay, that was it. Maybe this wasn't a dream. It was probably a nightmare.

Amy lay back down, but her eyes stayed on Artus.

Artus had finally had it. He didn't care if this was a dream or a nightmare. If this was real or imagination. He just suddenly realised that he had had enough.

"Okay, that's it!" Artus cried out; "I have had it with this. I just know this can't be happening. This is just freaking me out and I want to leave. Now!"

The man in white, who had just returned with Amy's burger, looked startled at Artus reaction.

"Oh dear boy, why don't you sit down. You look positively upset."

"Upset?" Artus yelled; "Upset? You haven't seen me upset! This is....this is...."

Artus calmed down a bit.

"this is just me being 'mildly' irritated. At you people taking me away from reality. Or at me having a nightmare."

The man in white smiled as reassuringly as he could.

"But dear boy, this is real."

"No, " said Artus; "this can't be real."

"Why not?" said the man in white.

"Because I was just in my viper getting shot at, and besides....."

"Besides?" the man in white inquired.

"Besides, " Artus said with a cocky grin on his face; "in reality Amy would never object to a sealing with me."
* * *
Amy
I watched Artus intently as he threw his mini tantrum. I had to admit he was asking some of the things I too was wondering about, but he was more than welcome to take the lead in asking. Besides, is a dream really a dream if two of the people in it are asking the same thing- 'is it a dream?'

Artus finished up with is little tirade. "Besides, "he said with a cocky grin on his face; "in reality Amy would never object to a sealing with me."

I sat back up. "Ah ah ah" I scolded in a mock tone. "I never said I would object. I just said I didn't remember saying yes. Not remembering implies the use of ambrosia or plant vapor during the asking. Also implying that I can't be held accountable for any answer I may have given." I gave Artus a sly look. "You wouldn't think of using plant vapor, now would you?"

I then turned to the man in white. "Can I have that burger now? It smells heavenly."

"As well it should my dear", the man replied without further explanation.

I took it eagerly, then frowned. "I don't suppose you have any Caprican Ketchup?"

"I'm sorry" the man in white replied. "Condiments tend to stain the uniform. I'm afraid it will have to be a plain burger. It is so hard to keep those clothes spotless."

I took a big chomp of the burger. "So, like Artus was asking, what is this all about? Where are we?"

[LucianG]

Artus
I took it eagerly, then frowned. "I don't suppose you have any Caprican Ketchup?"

"I'm sorry" the man in white replied. "Condiments tend to stain the uniform. I'm afraid it will have to be a plain burger. It is so hard to keep those clothes spotless."

I took a big chomp of the burger. "So, like Artus was asking, what is this all about? Where are we?"

"Ah, yes, like I already explained to your friend, you are here."

Amy directed a quizzical look at Artus, who for some reason had stopped grinning like an idiot.

"Do you know what he's talking about?" she asked him.

"Ehm, You're right!" was his abrupt answer.

Amy looked at Artus, wondering what he was up to; "Right? What do you mean right?"

"Oh, " Artus explained; "you're right about the fact that I would never use plant vapor."

"What?" Amy was feeling confused again; "I was talking about where we are, just like you."

"Oh, right." Artus continued; "Apparently we made it. We are there, as in opposed to being here all our lives."

Amy was starting to wonder if Artus was allright.

"You see, " he continued; "the way I understand it, there is a point that each of us is going in their lives. And I seem to have reached it now. So it can't really be all bad."

Now Amy was getting really worried

"So tell me, Artus, why is that?"

"Because I am where I am supposed to be. And you are here too. So it can't be all bad. Especially since I know that I don't need ambrosia or plant vapor to win you over. All I need for that is my natural charm!"
* * *
Amy
"You see", Artus continued; "the way I understand it, there is a point that each of us is going in their lives. And I seem to have reached it now. So it can't really be all bad."

"So tell me, Artus, why is that?" I asked, getting a little worried.

"Because I am where I am supposed to be. And you are here too. So it can't be all bad. Especially since I know that I don't need ambrosia or plant vapor to win you over. All I need for that is my natural charm!"

I shook my head. "That doesn't explain a thing", I said. "It doesn't tell me where we are." I looked at the man in white as I polished off the last of the burger. "Before waking up here, the last thing I remember is... is..." I felt a chill though the place seemed warm enough. I remembered the airlock now. "But I just ate a burger, didn't I?"

The man in white nodded.

"Dead people don't eat burgers, do they?" I asked, staring now at nothing.

"Not normally in my experience", the man in white replied.

"But I remember now, the airlock", I said softly.

"What airlock?" Artus asked.

"If I'm not dead, then what...?" I asked.

The man in white scratched his head. "This is a bit difficult to explain. I'm afraid most of it would go over your head. Heads, that is". He was talking to both of us now. "You are dead, in a sense." He struggled for words. "But in different... degrees, I suppose you'd call it."

"How so?" I asked.

"Artus here", he pointed to Artus as he spoke, "most assuredly would be dead. His viper was breaking apart, and in the micron it would have taken him to die, we brought him here, where he would have ended up eventually."

Artus and I gave him blank faces.

"So in his case, he's not dead. He's needed still. He can be returned when he's done what we... well, he's not dead, though this is where he'd be if he was."

More silence.

"And you, my dear" he continued, "are a little more complicated. You were not in combat. You were looking for the bathroom for lord's sake!" His arms shot out in exasperation as I sat embarrassed. Yup, I'd off'ed myself looking for the ladies room. Artus was just looking at me, trying to figure it all out I guess.

The man in white sighed. "Your being here is a little more... fatal."
* * *
"I can't help but be concerned that you are using fatal in a discussion about death. MY death to be exact." I looked at the man in white, hoping for clarification.

He sighed. It was beginning to get on my nerves just how much sighing goes on around here.

"It was at great expense and much compromising that we were able to reform your body", he said at last, his expression a pained one.

"Meaning...?" I prodded.

"Meaning" he replied, "you exist here, in this place, just as you once did out there..."

"Once did?" I interrupted. He went on without missing a beat.

"...but out there, you don't exist at all".

"Then it's true. Fatal. With a big frackin' Eef just like you said." I was glad I was sitting down. As it was I felt floored.

"Now, we're working on it. There is hope. But the price, unfortunately..." he paused before finishing, "...is very high".

"Price? Am I just some piece of meat up for auction or something?" He looked at me funny as I said 'piece of meat'.
"What? What did I say?" I asked. I looked at Artus, and saw a little of the same look on his face, but it disappeared quickly.

"Strange that you would say that" the man in white observed.

"Say what?" I asked. "What part of what I said was so strange?"

"Please", the man in white said in a calming tone, "just bear with us. This is all new ground, even for us. I'm afraid you seek answers that I cannot give at the moment."

Artus chimed in. "Well, just what answers CAN you give us?"

[LucianG]

Brie
Although Gold Squadron seemed to be holding their own, possibly even winning in the battle against the Cylons, there were several things that were worrying Brie. She didn’t know where Lieutenant Artus or Ensign Agelastus had disappeared to, she hoped that they had returned to the Callisto to refuel but somehow doubted it. With them missing and Hawke and Najinn supposedly leaving to look for a base star, she needed yet again to assign someone as leader for the current battle. She gave the job to Lieutenant SiressEden, someone who had been a member of Gold Squadron from the beginning, just like Brie.

On a more personal level, Brie knew that she and Skyler needed to get back. Her viper was no longer responding the way it should, even though the readings were still normal. Her fuel was low, she knew that Skyler’s would be the same. “Captain,” she said, “it’s time we leave this party.”

“How’s your high engine?” Skyler asked her.

“Readings are still normal,” Brie replied. It wasn’t a lie, she just wasn’t telling him everything.

“Major...” Skyler said in an unbelieving tone. He knew her too well.

“My viper’s sluggish,” Brie told him. “Nothing drastic, but we need to get back. How’s your fuel?”

“Low, but I’ve got enough to make it.”

“Okay, let’s go,” Brie said. “Lieutenant SiressEden, command is yours.” Brie swung her viper wide, with Skyler’s close by.
* * *
Skyler
Skyler adjusted his scanners to the max. range possible in this system. The battle raged on the edge for a few microns before they moved out of range and he lost it.

"Major, how is the engine doing now?"

"It is really screaming, but she is not as bad as before. I think the stress of combat maneuvers was a little much for it."

"Great, if we don't run into problems we should be back home in..."

Skyler was cut off by his scanner beeping. 3 raiders had just showed up on the outer edge.

"Major, I have a small problem to deal with, be back in a flash."

Before Brie could respond, Skyler rolled his viper to the left, and engaged his turbos and was gone. Brie could only watch on her screen as Skyler engaged the raiders. She thanked the Lords of Kobol that there was only three of them. She knew Skyler could handle twice that many alone. In a matter of centons it was over. The three blips that had been raiders were gone. The only thing the scanners picked up was Skyler's viper returning to her.

In a few centons he was back at her wing, holding a tighter position than any demonstration flight team could dream of. Brie was the first to break the silence...
* * *
Lucian
“Lieutenant SiressEden, command is yours.”

And Brie was gone. "Let's keep any of these tinheads from following them," SiressEden had said. She didn't want any of the Cylons using them to locate the Callisto.

Moments later, though, a Warrior's voice on the command channel had said, "Lieutenant, looks like a few of those old style Raiders slipped through, but I'm too far away to catch them."

"Stay on station, and let's take the rest of them out before any more decide to slip away. Anyone else tracking them on that side of this fight?" The only responses were negative. It looked like Brie and Skyler would have to take care of those few before returning to the Callisto.

* * *

Moments later, at the edge of the fray close to planet Delta, Lieutenant Mossycat's scanner began to sound. She checked again before putting in the call to SiressEden.

"Lieutenant, we've got more company incoming, and it looks like lots of it. Multiple ships coming from behind the planet. It's a mass group, no count available, but they are starting to spread out--Yiaaah! Take that...Gotcha! Got two more on my tail, RA! Could use some help over here!"

ResidentAlien whipped and loosed off four shots. None hit, but the effect was to scatter Mossy's pursuers. Moments later, she called again. "SiressEden, there are still more coming!"

SiressEden heard another voice, probably Brik from the sound, though the static prevented positive ID. "There's anoth...roup comin...round t....er side of the planet. Huge num...If we sta...ere, we're goi...be surrounded."

They were starting to register on her scanner. From the numbers, there were far too many Raiders for them to have a chance. If the squadron moved toward the Callisto, the Raiders could follow to attack, but if Gold moved in the general direction but at some direction a few degrees away from the ship...

On a scrambled direct channel to the Callisto, SiressEden said, "Gold Squadron is badly outnumbered and they're still coming. We're going to withdraw, taking out all of them that we can to keep them from following us. We're moving at vector 267 mark 12. A welcoming committee would be helpful."
* * *
Charybdis
"Vipers?" I asked the Commander.

She thought pensively. "There's only two reasons why we would see other vipers in this sytem, Colonel."

I caught up with her line of thinking. "They got left behind...or" she cut me off. "Or, the fleet and the Galactica are still in this system!"

She turned to Lt. Aegina, "Get those pilots up here NOW!" she barked...

[LucianG]

Agelastus
Outside my Viper, a million stars glowed, slightly more faintly than usual, against the omnipresent light of the twin stars. Behind me, Delta was a shrinking ball, her shroud wrapped skies giving off what to me seemed an almost malevolent light.

Seeing Artus' Viper disappear off my scanner, imagining the last embers of his Viper flickering and going dull, or turning into temporary shooting stars as they fell into the planet, had been a very sobering moment.

Strange flutter in the scanners though - less than a micron's duration though. Probably nothing.

Rather than push on to get his killer, I'd soared up and away from the planet, taking advantage of my momentarily clear skies to break off the fight. My fuel was too low to waste on a "death or glory" charge to avenge my wingman.

I made sure that my scanners recorded every detail of the Raider that had got him though. Hopefully enough to allow my computer to tag him as a target for next time...........and there wouldbe a next time!

I'd definitely burnt up to much fuel in Delta's atmosphere. If the Callisto hadn't made too radical a set of course changes, I ought to be alright though, despite the communications interference.

My Viper was silent as it drifted across the starfield.

I was making use of the first thing zero-gee training taught us in order to get back, while still having enough fuel for landing or an emergency. Although travelling across a system with a confirmed Cylon presence with engines powered down to a standby mode was not particularly safe....
* * *
Brie
“Thanks for that,” Brie said to Skyler. “Hopefully that will be the last of them. But if we do see any more, my viper is still capable of...” Just as she was about to finish her sentence something from the inside shook her viper. “Frack!”

“Brie, what is it?” Skyler asked.

“High engine just blew,” Brie replied. “Don’t worry, I’m fine, just a little bit shorter on power than I would like. On the bright side my readings have actually indicated this, so my instruments seem to be working again.”

“Let’s just hope no more Cylons broke off from the main group,” Skyler said.

“Yeah,” Brie agreed. There was silence for just a few microns when a familiar sight showed yet again on her scanner. “Frack.”
* * *
Lucian
As they continued their effort to move away from Delta, Lieutenant SiressEden was trying to remember just what the Frodarian leader, Major Jorlan, had said about the old-style Raiders. Though he often acted like a complete boor, he did know some things about those old ships and had far more experience fighting them than anyone else. He'd shared some of those facts and experiences in an optional lecture some sectars ago. Unfortunately, he seemed to forget, or ignore the fact, that the Callisto's Warriors had faced the same ships in the Battle of Frodar Epsilon. The result was a really boring lecture.

"Mossy, didn't Major Jorlan say those old-style Raiders used fuel like crazy? Seems like their range was more limited than the new ones."

"SiressEden, I seem to remember something about that. Mostly, I think the few of us there basically slept through it since it was so boring," Mossy said, somewhat reluctantly. That had been the truth though. Between Jorlan's usual dry, overbearing style and the fact that no one expected the Callisto to ever run into any more of those old ships, not many people had attended.

Another voice broke in, "Some of them are turning back, but it looks like there are still a number of the modern models still after us."

"I'm not sure, but I believe that those that slipped through after the Major and Captain were the new ones, too...."
* * *
Agelastus
It seemed to be taking forever to get within scan range of where the Callisto should be.

An illusion, of course. My Viper was travelling at the same velocity as it had been when I switched my turbos to standby. Still, something was making me uneasy.

I checked my course. Still true, allowing for the slight curvature caused by the multiple gravity fields of this system - a very minor deviation I'd already calculated for before my final boost.

My Viper's systems seemed fine; in patticular both my life support systems and scans seemed to be fully functional.

Maybe Artus' death was what was bothering me.

Then I noticed the readout on my instruments that wasn't acting normally.

"What the............" I murmured aloud, as I watched my fuel continue to drop. I knew I should still be using some, my engines were effectively "idling" rather than fully shut down, but this was way to much.

I began to wonder whether I'd have enough fuel left to land by the time I arrived home.
* * *
Charybdis
I remember that Cpt. Amy had made her report to the bridge once she had landed. The orders had been for all Gold squadron pilots to launch. Something was nagging at me. Something about Amy.

I quickly went back to the war room behind the bridge and put in a message to Amy.

"Amy, this is Charybdis. Please see me at first convenience. We need to talk..."

I knew she was probably out in space already and that she would not get the message until after the mission, but the time had come. She and I had to settle this once and for all...
* * *
Lucian
Fenmarnis's image was back on the screen. "Major, she never showed up, so I've got a couple of the others who were here ready to launch right now, with your permission."

Lucian nodded to Geenie as he said, "Do it."

Microns later, Geenie issued the command, and two more Gold Squadron Vipers shot into space.