Reaper
Viper Pilot
Extreme Warrior
Posts: 412
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Post by Reaper on Nov 13, 2009 22:03:01 GMT -6
Edan walked out of the Range and shuffled the extra Cubits he now had. He was proud of himself, mostly for not shooting the Black Squadron officer during the contest. It was the little things sometimes.
"Nice shooting there. It definately shows that you're not completely out of the Academy. Or do you have an academy in your fleet?" I twas Ensign Guinevere. She had some how been caught up in the excitement and watched the end of the contest.
"yeah, I do enjoy shooting. It actually relaxes me. Always has." Edan smiled but he was distracted. Well, more then distracted.
"What's Wrong Edan? you're distracted, I don't think you have been this distractedsince I met you." She seemed to actually be concerned.
"Well, it's just that...I'm out there somewhere. Right now. With my father. On a ship." Edan was being honest. but not completely.
"That really gets one thinking. How old are you? and what ship are you on?"
"The Ship's name is the Astral Queen. It's an old ship, converted to a prison barge. My father is a Secruity officer. Yes a Blackshirt. Actually he is both here at this time and where we come from. It's why I went into security myself for so long."
"The family business. I understand. So, you were a security officer then?" Guinevere and Edan had taken up walking shoulder to shoulder. Neither of them thoguht about where they were heading.
"No, I wasn't an officer. Tech Sgt. Master Tech Sgt, but still NCO, My Father was less the pleased I didn't try for a commission. the greatest disaapointment. I think that's why I didn't either. A little rebellion. I should have been with my mother when the Cylons attacked. but my father wanted to take me on a ride along transporting some Military prisoners. Sounds exciting to a 5 yahren old. But then that kid looses his mother. Now, he finds himself back in time 30 yahrens, a cycle before the holocaust."
"And what do you think you can do now? Do we really think we can change what's coming?"
"Well, all I know is you're here, and we are here. You now know what will happen out at Cimtar. And I'm willing to die trying to save that mother, sitting at home, waiting for her little boy to come home after a star cruise with his father."
Just at that same moment, their communicators chirped. "Gold Squadron. Report to Alpha Bay" From his and "Green Squadron. Report to Alpha Bay" from her's.
"Looks like you'll have to chance to do your best now. Let's get down to the bay and ready for launch. I'll tell you this. I'm glad I've been assigned as your wingman. Now, let's go blow some Cylons from the sky."
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Post by Logan on Nov 18, 2009 9:03:06 GMT -6
Stepping from the lift, Logan noted the hustle in the bay. She spotted Commander Sheba with a group of Warriors surrounding her.
Taking her place in the mass of pilots, she listened to Sheba's pre-flight words.
"We've entered the system and have Cylon Raiders on long range sensors. The baseship hasn't shown up yet, but it will. Commander Apollo has returned to the Galactica during your rest period. He has by now probably intercepted this time period's Galactica."
She paused to let the ramifications sink in.
"We are within range of Caprica. As soon as you're launched I want all flight leaders to broadcast the prepared warnings for the planetary defense systems. Warn them. Let them know what's coming. And blow those Cylons out of the sky."
Warriors scurried to their Vipers, Logan included. She glanced around the bay and watched her fellow squadron mates and Green Squadron climb into their cockpits and ready for launch. She spotted Plwel and nodded to him as she lowered herself into her seat and did pre-flight checks.
The canopy lowered and she said a silent prayer to the Lords of Kobol.
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BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
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Post by BRIK on Nov 19, 2009 1:30:12 GMT -6
Gold Squadron. Report to Alpha Bay. Brik froze, not in fear but in complete awareness of this moment. The message itself was not special, he had read and responded to it many times and may do so many more times for yahren to come, gladly coming to the defense of Humanity again and again. Had things gone differently he might be saying what needed to be said to one other person, a woman who still lay defenseless on a medical barge many years from the Callisto. Had things gone differently he might be exchanging clever remarks and bravado with Wraith and Ike as well as beloved Logan. But that's what this particular battle was all about, wasn't it? All about "if things had gone differently". For the first, and most likely only, time in his life he was part of a great effort to actually make past things go differently! Thinking fondly of Logan and Persephone, he quietly wished them only well in that big dumb heart of his, while respectfully acknowledging a pang of regret on behalf of his brother-like friend and commanding officer, Skyler. And to be honest, himself as well. The regret was for loves that had never matured, never blossomed. The regret was not for being who and where he was right now. Right now he was in his perfect place, a mighty and righteous Colonial Warrior surrounded by the only family that truly mattered to him doing the job he felt born to do. He caught Logan's eye as he crossed the deck and smiled knowing that he had said what needed to be said to the person that needed to be told. He also smiled because he was already speaking in mute prayer to the Lords of Kobol asking them to grant some form of his fervent request: That he would climb into his Colonial Viper (the scourge of the Cylon skies) and launch into the heavens so that he and his indomitable Human kin might descend as a terrible and most vengeful host upon the cursed masses of Cylons, blasting their foul and unliving presence from the universe once and for all. It was a small request, really.
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Reaper
Viper Pilot
Extreme Warrior
Posts: 412
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Post by Reaper on Nov 19, 2009 21:06:05 GMT -6
Edan heard the briefing and jumped up the access steps to his Viper. He jumped into the cockpit and was immediately handed his helmet and Flight computer. Afixing the computer to his leg, he then grabbed the helmet. and placed it on his head. The light strips, indicating the personal force field sealing his helmet light up at once. and the Onboard computer began communicating his his flight computer and the helmet. The information crawl began appearing in front of his eyes. a Few switches and he configured the information the way he liked it. Most pilots had personal preferences on where the information was displayed in the Helm Holo. Some even personalized it based on the mission. Edan made sure his Targeting feed would be right up front and in line with his eyes. This was going to be a FIGHT! With a salute to the Bay Crew Edan began lowering his canopy. That's when his comm opened up.
"Ensign Edan, there are a few New Warriors in Both Gree Squadron and Gold Squadron. You are being assigned as Flight Leader. The More Experienced Warriors will Make the initial run at the Cylons. You'll follow up and Will be tasked with contacting Caprica Planetary Guard directly. But don't Wast time Ensign. Enage immidiately."
Edan didn't recognize the Bridge officer updating him. But acknowledged right away. Second line. But he was being given a command. Of sorts. His Monitor showed that his formation would be made up of Ensign Guinevere, and four other Warriors, All ensignes. 3 Green Squadron Warriors who had just arrived as replacement pilots and one Gold Squadron Warrior. Edan recognized your young Warrior as someone who had gone through training with him.
"Frack it!" Edan said to himself as Launch Clearence weas given to the 6 Viper formation. All 6 Vipers launched and took up oposition a few Microns behind the main formation. Edan's scanner was already showing the Cylon attack force. "By the Lords, there are so many of them!" Edan let himself say before addressing the Little Formation he was given.
"Ok people form up and begin transmissions. I want All Colonial forces in the sector lite up right now!" Putting actions to words, Edan began broadcasting the authorized transmission. But then selected another Channel for his next transmission.
"Caprica Planetray Guard Control. I am transmissting my Scanner data to you now. There is a HUGE Cylon Force heading to attack the planet while we speak. Your'e planetary systems have been comprimised! Switch to Manual control Immediately! SCRAMBLE PLANETARY VIPERS!"
"This Caprica Guard outpost 321. Identify yourself. Where are these transmissions coming from?"
"This If Viper 30 Of Gold Squadron. These Transmissions are from Just outside Caprica Space. These Raiders are inbound RIGHT NOW! I have your day code. it is......Zeta 2, 9 Echo. SCRAMBLE!"
"Viper 30, Your Code Checks out. But I can't authorize a Scramble. I'm a Corporal. All the Officers are on Furlon. The Viper Jocks are all in the Chancelary"
"Corporal, this is a DIRECT ORDER. You get them to their Vipers and man all systems, I don't care if you have to pull cooks and Janitors. Yuo get all systems up. You get every Warrior not too drunk to stand into those Viper and launch! We have 3 Squadrons of Vipers taking on at least 3 Baseships in Colonial Space!"
As if to prove his warnings, Edan's group had closed with several Raiders who had made it through the first engagement with the rest of the Squadrons. Edan Fired, Full loads from his Improved Viper, Engaging the Cylons.
The battle was joined!
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bouriplwel
Viper Pilot
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All I Do"
Posts: 354
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Post by bouriplwel on Nov 20, 2009 7:00:13 GMT -6
Warriors scurried to their Vipers, Logan included. She glanced around the bay and watched her fellow squadron mates and Green Squadron climb into their cockpits and ready for launch. She spotted Plwel and nodded to him as she lowered herself into her seat and did pre-flight checks........
Bouri nodded back to Logan and continued to watch her for a brief moment as she ran her pre-flight checklist until he flet a pat on his back....."Plwel....are you coming or are we just going to watch the battle from here?" Lt Elorian, Plwel's Green Squadron wingman said. "No Elorian....I am ready to go." With that, the two warriors climbed up into their Vipers and went through their pre-flight as well assisted by the ground crews. This was it....Plwel's first hostile engagement with the Cylon Empire since his assignment to the Callisto. He was nervous, but excited all at the same time. As he put on his helmet and the canopy closed and sealed. he did what he suspected many had done before launch. He closed his eyes and offered a silent prayer to the Lords of Kobol for victory and a safe return for himself, his shipmates, and his beloved Anya Logan...who had just launched herself from the ship.
Plwel and Elorian powered up their turbo engines and looked at each other with a thumbs up. "Lets go kick some metal can Plwel!!" Elorian said with extreme excitement. "Now don't you got get all crazy out there and get yourself hurt or killed." Plwel responded back with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. After receiveing clearance for launch, Plwel and Elorian pressed their turbo buttons and thrusted themselves out into the heavens...now overtaken with Colonial Vipers....it was a magnificant sight to see, but very disturbing at the same time that such a force would be needed to save humanity.
Plwel had not been assigned to command a wing of his own, so he and Elorian were to joing Capt Logan and Capt Nero's wing. As they flew up into position, Plwel contacted Logan, his wing lead over the comm link...."Gold Leader this is Gold 3 and Green 3 coming into postition on your left side...standing by......
The time had come....they were ready to engage the Cylons.........
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Post by Logan on Nov 20, 2009 10:03:44 GMT -6
"Gold Leader this is Gold 3 and Green 3 coming into postition on your left side...standing by......
"Acknowledged Gold 3. Gold 2, stick close. Raiders on approach." Slipping into that trancelike state that so often occupies Warriors in battle, Logan's hands flew over her controls without conscious thought.
"Viper 30, Your Code Checks out. But I can't authorize a Scramble. I'm a Corporal. All the Officers are on Furlon. The Viper Jocks are all in the Chancelary"
"Corporal, this is a DIRECT ORDER. You get them to their Vipers and man all systems, I don't care if you have to pull cooks and Janitors. Yuo get all systems up. You get every Warrior not too drunk to stand into those Viper and launch! We have 3 Squadrons of Vipers taking on at least 3 Baseships in Colonial Space!"
Hearing the exchange between Edan and Caprica Control, Logan checked the automated transmission and keyed the comm. "Corporal, this is Captain Logan of Gold Squadron. this is not a drill. Repeat, Cylon forces within range. Alert all planetary defenses active."
The Corporal muttered and cursed as he finally doublechecked the sensor data. "Affirmative, Captain!" he said, the panic in his voice evident.
"Gold 1 to all squadrons, look sharp! Here they come." She pulled back on her stick and veered right, missing the first shot from a Cylon Raider. Nero matched her moves and took out the Cylon ship.
"Good work, Gold 2, " she yelled at Nero. Scanning the void, she saw the numbers of the force they were facing. And the baseships aren't even here yet. Momentary doubts pushed aside, she focused on the battle at hand and prayed that the harried corporal would have those birds launched immediately. They were going to need them.
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Nov 23, 2009 12:51:18 GMT -6
The bridge of the Callisto was going crazy with the first reports of the Cylon task force and how our vipers began to engage the enemy.
I was holding Amy looking at the screens. "This is where the fun beguns. Darling, you'd better get changed into your uniform. Before this is over, we might need you."
Amy didn't want to leave my side but she knew there was a job to do. "Alright, but I'm coming back here as soon as I'm ready." She leaned up and pecked me on the lips. She smiled as our hands slowly parted as she moved away.
She left the bridge as I turned my attention back to the task at hand. We were engaging the gaul-monging Cylons that started this whole nightmare thirty yahrens ago.
"Engage all battlestar turbolasers! We want them ready just in case..." I barked. Several technicians began flipping on the switches to each of the automated turbolasers that were found all over the Callisto. We would be ready, that's for sure...this time it was going to be different...
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Reaper
Viper Pilot
Extreme Warrior
Posts: 412
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Post by Reaper on Nov 27, 2009 10:57:00 GMT -6
SO far the Colonials had been holding their own. But barely. Edan had done a good job of keeping the inexperienced Warriors togetehr and fighting as a group, but the odds were stacking up against him. Not to mention this was his first real combat with Cylons. Even Guinevere had seen combat before.
Edan's only advantage was that these Cylons were using 30 yahren old tactics. Exactly what was concidered Textbook Cylon attacks for his training cycles.
"ok, Listen up Warriors, New Tactics. Guinevere, you take two of the Green Squadron Pilots and when I give the Signal split from me and my 2 Wings. We'll start to engage on our own, then on a second mark, we'll close in on each other. Each group will target the trailing Raiders on the group closing with you. Basically shooting the Cylons off the tails of your friends. You will have to be sure of your targets and remember you are closing with each other, firing windows will be open for a short time."
Edan worried that this might be too much for the Rookies, but he knew he had practiced this a few times in training. Both in simulators and real Vipers.
"MARK!" As he said this, he threw the control stick all the way to the right, to the stops and flipped the viper on it's side. Hitting his turbos, He excellerated away from his former course. a quick look behind him confirmed the other 2 Vipers had followed suit. Edan found himself going head on into another formation of Raiders. "where did these guys come from?" Edan exclaimed as he hi the fire button, targeting the Raiders as fast as he could/ Obviously the Cylons had been setting a trap for the larger Viper Formation, having another formation come in on their flank. It was this change of tactics that saved the 6 Vipers. barely.
"FRACK!" Edan exclaimed as one of his wings exploded to his left side. a Warrior under his command had just died. Too much to do to check who had bought it, The Cylons were everywhere. He had to do somethign orboth remaining Vipers in his flight would be destroyed.
"Formation MARK 2" Edan screams and pulled up and back on the Stick. The Viper climbed and rotated at the same time. Turbos filling the space behind him. He saw the nose of his remaining wing pull up so he knew that the Warrior had kept up. Good. And then saw that the other formation had much better time of it as the groups closed. Guinevere had turned away from the ambush and only had to deal with the Raider to the rear of them. And it seemed her flight of 3 Vipers knew what they were going to run into. The didn't hesitate firing at all. Edan had to admit, seeing incoming friendly fire was unnerving, even if it was his idea. Here, under real guns, was nothing like training. For a split micron, Edan Regretted the move. But he snapped out of it and targeted the Raider in front behind the friendly Vipers. And he began firing, picking targets and destorying them as the distance ran down.
The formations flashed past each other, Exploding Raiders makred the paths. Knowing what Guinevere was flying into, Edan hit reverse Turbos, and spun the Viper as fast as the advanced systems would allow him to. He knew his wing wouldn't be able to anticipate this. And sure enough, a check of the scanner showed the Green Squadron Warrior (it was a Gold Squadron Ensign who was killed) fly past and slowly try to turn to catch up to Edan. But Edan didn't wait. The Ensign was in relatively clear space, and the Raiders were now grouping on Gunievere's flight. Edan noticed they were gettnig closer to Caprica. If the fight continued like this, they might take the fight into the athmosphere. Edan fired again. Taking out a Raider. His Wingman seemed to have picked up a few trick himself, since he was back on Edan's Port faster then Edan thought possible. The 5 Vipers reformed to find themselves completely cut off from the rest of Gold and Green Squadrons. Way out to a Flank. And coming around the Planet was the worst possible site a Viper Pilot could see. It was a Green Squadron Warrior who verbalized it first.
"Cylon Basestar. And it's coming right at us!" This had to be the Imperious Leader's Ship.
On an open Colonial Military Channel, that Edan knew the Callisto was monitoring, Edan made what he thought would be his final report. "Callisto, I have Made contact with Cylon Basestar. It's establishing orbit around Caprica. Suspect it's primary Target. I have 5 Vipers.....Make that 4 Vipers in formation," Another grene Squadron Warrior, this time one of Guinevere's Group winked out of existance with a brilliant flash, "I'm going to try to slow it down before it takes out the Capital city. No Sign of Planetary defenses."
He knew there was nothing left to do, perhaps if the Warriors, himself included, were more experienced. But they weren't. And no way for help to get here in time. Gold and Green Squadrons were too far out. And Black Squadron was engaged evern further out.
A wave of Raiders, Fresh from the Baseship formed up in front of the 4 Vipers. Taking a deep breath, and looking at the Warriors on either side of him, Edan set himself for what was to come. The Glorious battle Edan dreamt of all through training. Time to make a difference in Human history. All 4 Vipers fired together. thinning the 100 or more Raiders in their way. But not enough.
Not enough until Edan noticed even more firing being poured onto the raiders. This extra frie was coming from the planet.
"Hope you don't mind Ensign, but I think my Warriors want to join the party. This is Major Antony of the Caprican Home Guard. Bring your Vipers to 110.38 and we'll cover you. And Ensign, Good job."
"Copy Major Antony. Bringing my formation around. It's good to see you guys!"
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Post by Col. Charybdis on Dec 2, 2009 10:44:33 GMT -6
The sounds of battle were glorious! Vipers and Raiders engaged in a struggle for life and death, well, at least the death of robots, if you could call it that, but what was more important was to save as many human lives as possible.
Ens. Edan's report came in to the bridge that he was taking on an entire baseship. "Ens Edan, go for the landing bays, if you can cripple them there, they can't land or take off any of thier raiders!"
From the sounds of it, planetary defense vipers had showed up to help at the last micron. I only hoped that Lords of Kobol were with them as they returned to their deadly task...
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BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
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Post by BRIK on Dec 11, 2009 7:22:12 GMT -6
AMAZING.
Of all the reactions that he'd expected to have; Of all the emotions that were the most anticipated; Of all the words that one would imagine being exclaimed;
NONE of them turned out to be the reality.
All of his memories, such as they were, were of a young man (still a child in any real way) trapped in the midst of catastrophic and life-altering (civilization-altering!) events that defied explanation. This means that the focus of his recollections had always gravitated to things largely intangible. The smell of his Mother's perfume. His father's business cloak and the one hem that seemed to always be loose, no matter how much attention it received. The feel of the family home on holidays. The sudden loss of all of that and so much more.
Brik remembered a great number of things from the Colonies.
Not one included a view of ANY of the Colonies from space as its moon came around the far side of the world, and the primary hanging solemn and impassive in the sky, providing more light than he was used to during his lifetime and career in deep space.
To see such a sight as a grown man and Colonial Warrior who has just recently traveled through TIME, looking upon intact cities that he had ONLY seen as sad and burning rubble, and fighting against Cylon ships removed from service long before his first training cycle . . .
Regardless of the outcome of today's battle, he counted himself a very lucky man, for everything that he's seen in the last several cycles was nothing short of AMAZING!
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