Chapter 28Y-a - Black Squadron Business

[JustinB]

Looking up at my polished viper, you could swear it was brand new. I had a lot on my mind, so no wonder it was almost sparkling.

Exhausted, I made my way back to my office. I received a few weird looks from everyone I passed. It is not often a warrior, let alone a squadron commander is seen wearing overalls. As I rounded a corner I nearly bumped into Randrius.

"Randrius, good to see you. Come with me will you." I asked.

"Yeh, no problem Major." he replied.

"Randrius, when it's just you and me it's JustinB ok."

"Yes Maj, JustinB."

We entered my office and Randrius sat down as I took off my overalls.

"Randrius, it has occurred to me that we haven't had a Squadron meeting for quite a while. At the start of the second shift, I want all available Black Squadron warriors in the briefing room. No excuses. Make sure it happens.'

"What's up JustinB? Is there something I should know about?"

"No, I just want a word with our men and try and get a feeling of how they are reacting to the outcome of the tribunal. Plus, I have a feeling that we might have a mission coming up soon and I want my warriors in the right frame of mind if we do go on one."

"JustinB, if I may ask a personal question. It seems you took the verdict at Brie's tribunal quite personally. I heard through some contacts of mine that you went to see Brie before the verdict was handed down. Then afterwards you seemed, how can I put it, not yourself. Is there something I need to know?"

"Your information was correct. I did see Brie before the verdict was delivered. As for what is going on, well just say I have seemed to have lost a very close friend. I was told that if I try and make any contact with her again I would be placed on report. That I why I was unfit for the patrol to the Galactica. I had one to many ales. Enough of that subject, lets get that meeting organised."

"Yes JustinB, I'll get it done."

"Thanks Randrius." With that he left my office, leaving me to ponder once again about Brie and her attitude towards me.

[JustinB]

Once again I was left alone to my own devices. I sat back and stared at the bulkhead. My mind just wondered back and forth and eventually like usual went back to Brie. Pick up a pen I wrote her a little note, well knowing she would have me put on report. I didn't care.

******

Brie,
Put me on report for contacting you if you want but I want you to know something. What happened on the Galactica shouldn't have happened, but it did. I am not sorry it did either. What has happened to you is criminal itself. Whatever happens, I will be a loyal friend to you and should you ever need my help all you have to do is ask.
You wont receive any further contact from me until you ask fo it.

JustinB

*********

I grabbed a copy of the Black Squardron Roster and placed it under my arm. Making sure everything was secure I then locked my office. With the note in one hand and the roster under my arm I thenwalked towards my quarters. Along the way I saw Lieutenant RaycerX.

"Lieutenant, have you heard about the Squadron Meeting?"

"No Major I haven't."

"It is to be held at the start of the second shift. Attendance is compulsory," Looking at the note I asked and handing it to RaycerX with a few cubits, "By the way, could you drop this note of for Brie. The cubits are to make sure it gets to her unopened."

"No problem Major,"he said, "and I will be at the meeting." With that he walked off and I continued towards my quarters. I was in a daze all the way. I needed an assignment, hell the Squadron needed an assignment.

I placed the roster on my bed as soon as I was in my quarters. I undid my combat uniform and made my way to the turbowash. After a good soaking, I toweled myself of and jumped into some civillian clothing which Rose had given me. I didn't think much about it, but it had been a very long time since I had worn clothing other than my uniform.

I layed on my bed and glanced over the roster. It had been a while since we had someone new transfer into the Squadron. Hopefully we would soon. Next thing I knew I was fast asleep.

[Amy81]

Cadet Dolet didn't stay too long in medlab after meeting Amy's mom. It was awkward to say the least, and she obviously hadn't been informed at that point about Amy's condition. Dolet wanted to stay, to be there for Amy, even if she wasn't aware that he was there, but it was time for Amy's family to be with her.

So he shuffled out, intending to return soon enough. Maybe even talk more with Amy's mom, if she wished. Dolet had gotten to know Amy pretty well, and it might cheer her mom up some to hear some of the times they had shared.

Had shared.

Past tense. It was so hard to accept that Amy was gone... Dolet shook his head. They'd been about the same age, with so much in common... And just like that, she was gone. He tried to put it into the back of his mind, and think about other things.

Dolet walked back to the Cadet's barracks. Though he'd struggled, Dolet had finally completed the academy training and was still awaiting word on the scores of his final tests. He wasn't expecting much, but he took pride in having seen the training through, and if it resulted in his being recommended for fleet security, or anything else less than becoming a warrior, then so be it. At least he'd seen it through.

In the barracks he checked his slot for messages like he always did, but this time it was different. An envelope stuck out from the slot, and he grabbed it eagerly.

This was it!! The word he'd been waiting for! Dolet shredded the envelope and got to the single sheet of paper inside. His heart racing, his eyes grew bigger and wider as he read...

"Wooooo!" he screamed out. "WOOOOOOO!" he threw the paper up into the air, then reached out to grab it again as it fluttered toward the ground. Other cadets in the barracks looked over at him.

"Hey 'Doh'" one of them said, "you spazing like normal or is there a reason this time?"

Dolet looked at them with a huge smile. "I made it! Ha! I MADE IT!"

"Garbage skow pilot?" one of them asked.

"Laundry attendant?" another speculated.

"Frack all you guys!" Dolet said, grinning from ear to ear. "I'll have you know you are looking at the newest ensign... for BLACK SQUADRON!"

And off he went down the hall, his cries of 'Wooo!' fading off into the distance...

[JustinB]

I woke with a jolt. Like someone had just walked over my grave. I was covered in sweat and was now wide awake. As I sat on the edge of my bed, noticed the roster has fallen on the floor.
I picked it up and walked over to my desk. I punched in my authorisation code on my computer terminal. Hoping to find we had an assignment, I found instead a message. I opened it and was surprised to find that a Ensign Dolet had been tranferred to Black Squadron from the Academy.

'Well' I thought to myself, 'we finally have someone new.'

I tossed up whether to talk to Ensign Dolet before or after the meeting. I left a message in the Black Squadron Barracks for someone to chase up our new Ensign, to let him know of the upcoming meeting and if possible to meet me in my office before the meeting.

After a quick Turbowash and change, I made my way to the Officers Mess for a quick meal. I couldn't remember how long it had been since I had last eaten.

[Amy81]

When Dolet returned to the cadet barracks, the other cadets were still there.

"Where in hades did you run off too?" one of them asked.

Dolet shrugged. "Nowhere in particular" he replied. "There's not many people here to share my good news with, but I didn't think of that right away."

"Well, someone from Black squadron was here looking for you. He wants you to report to the squad leader before a meeting they are holding." The cadet held up a paper. "Here's the information."

Dolet walked over and took the paper. The cadet held out his hand to Dolet. "And congrats, 'Doh'. You didn't have to run off to celebrate the good news, you know..."

Dolet shook hands and nodded, his mind on finding the quarters of Major JustinB...

[JustinB]

I sat alone in the Officers Mess as I usaually did. After I had a quick feed, I made my way to the Briefing Room to prepare for the meeting. I had only taken about five steps, when I realised that I had left the roster plus some information on my bed. I double timed it back to my quarters so I could prepare and think of what I had to say.
In no time at all I was at my quarters. I found what I needed then headed out the door. To my surprise someone was waiting there.

[Amy81]

Dolet was just about to knock when the Major's door slid open, surprising him. He took a step back. "Ah... Major! Uh, Ensign Dolet reporting as requested. I mean ordered."

Major JustinB smiled at the jumpy ensign. "Come in" he said, and closed the door behind them. "Welcome to Black Squadron, and congratulations. You'll find no finer squadron in the fleet."

"No sir" Dolet replied. "I mean yes, sir. Thank you sir."

JustinB sat down behind his desk, and motioned for Dolet to sit as well. He looked at the file he had on Dolet, then looked up at him. "There isn't much here on your background. Tell me about yourself." The file held everything on Dolet, but the kid needed to relax. Getting him to talk might loosen him up.

"Well sir" Dolet began, "I was born on the Colonial Mover's ship, about a yahren before it broke down for good. When we were relocated, my mom disappeared. It was easy to do back then, I guess. A lot of people still hadn't been registered, and well, I was abandoned. The genetic tracer managed to find a distant relative, and she was the one who raised me until she passed away four yahrens ago. Other then that, there isn't much else to say. I was educated on the Galactica, and joined the academy after my mom, well she was like a mom to me. Actually she was a great great great aunt, or something like that..."

He sat back slightly, his heart going like crazy. I'm with my commanding officer! I'm in a squadron!

[JustinB]

"...I was educated on the Galactica, and joined the academy after my mum, well she was like a mum to me. Actually she was a great great great aunt or something like that..."

"Well Ensign, I am sure you will enjoy life in Black Squadron cause we I expect we treat one another as family. I'm sure you know about the inter squadron rivalry we have on the Callisto. It is fun to a point but remember someone from the other squadrons just might save your butt one day."

Looking over Ensign Dolet's test scores, they were about on par with what is expected. One comment caught my eye though in his records.

'Cadet Dolet is an accomplished warrior. One trait he will have to master is his ability to control his excitement when he succeeds at a task. This may prove costly when he makes his first few kills. Other than that I would recommend him to any Squadron.'

"Ensign, you are going to be my shadow for the time being. When we are out there in combat, I want you to learn from my experience and be on my wing. This will help in the transition to a squadron plus I will keep your emotions in check. On top of that, I haven't had the chance lately to pass knowledge onto someone new for a while. Now come with me to the meeting and you can tell me more about yourself."

I saw the eagerness in his expressions. He seemed to have a good heart and brains. He even seemed honoured when I handed him my files for him to hang on to. We walked together and talked.

"Sir, what is it like to live on a planet?" Dolet asked.

I forgot for a moment that the new breed of cadets were born in space.

"Well Dolet, it was like this.." we talked about living on a planet all the way to the briefing room.

On arrival, almost all the Black Squadron Warriors were present. Dolet sat himself at the front. I was organising my paperwork when Major Lucian walked in. 'What in the Lords name is Lucian doing here?' I thought to myself.

[LucianG]

Major Lucian shook hands and spoke to a number of Black Squadron Warriors as he made his way forward. Then, he approached Major JustinB who appeared surprised at his presence. “Hi JustinB, sorry for the unannounced visit and disruption of your meeting. I just got out of a meeting with the Commander, and when I heard you were holding a Black Squadron meeting, I decided to kill two birds with one stone. You get the latest info, and I got to see some of my old mates from Black Squadron,” he said with a smile as he shook JustinB’s hand. “Unfortunately, I can’t stay but for a few centons, so, if you don’t mind, I wanted to go over your new assignment so you can pass it along to your Squadron.”

Lucian quickly explained that due to the fuel situation, the Fleet would be in the Darjeelene system for an extra cycle while some of the ships were refueled. Commander Apollo had requested that the Callisto provide a long-range rear guard, while scouting for any Cylon vessels that might arrive in the system. According to the experts, if the Cylons had been able to track the Fleet as was felt probable, it was possible that the Cylons could arrive in the Darjeelene system anytime within the next cycle.

“Commander Sheba wants Black Squadron to take the duty. You’ll want one flight of four Vipers positioned about here,” said Lucian pointing to an area of the system map he had opened. “Another flight of four will be on standby aboard the Callisto. The standby flight will launch and relieve the first flight on station after six centars, and at the same time, another flight of four Vipers will go on standby.”

“No problem. I’ll make the assignments,” said JustinB. “What is the encounter protocol?”

“If the patrol runs into anything, first priority is to get word to the Fleet. We have to know so we have more time to respond. Then, patrol members are to do whatever is needed to delay the opposition.” He paused, lowering his voice even more, “We’re so close to being able to lose the Cylons, but if they catch us now, it will mean that we’ve wasted a lot of good people, energy, and effort recently, and will probably mean some major losses of our people since some of our ships can’t even speed up to try to get away. We can’t let that happen….”

[JustinB]

"...but if they catch us now, it will mean that we’ve wasted a lot of good people, energy, and effort recently, and will probably mean some major losses of our people since some of our ships can’t even speed up to try to get away. We can’t let that happen….”

What Lucian had just told me made me smile and my morale rise. Finally an assignment and one where we might run into some cylons.

"I'll make sure the assignments are handed to Core Command before launch. This will hopefully get my warriors minds off the tribunal findings and back in focus." I shook Lucian’s hand and he turned to leave. On the way out he spoke to Anubis then left. I jotted down a few names then looked to my warriors who were all now seated. Rose had positioned herself down the back with Kris.

"The reason I have called this meeting is because there has been many things that have happened of late. I have noticed that morale is at an all time low. This is because of the findings of the tribunal in reference to Major Brie and also the lack of assignments. The tribunal findings have hit us all hard. One now wonders what length we can go without having charges laid against us and the possible consequences. I say to you this. This does not affect you unless you are placed in a position of command. Only then will you be judged on your decisions. You will only be put in command only if I think you can handle the responsibility of command. If I do so, you can refuse but it will be noted in your file. It is business as usual." This seemed to cause quite a stir.

"Secondly, the lack of active assignments has been another cause of discontent. I can tell you now, moments ago I received a very important assignment for Black Squadron to carry out. It involves the safety of the fleet in general and the risk of cylon confrontation is high. So at the end of this brief meeting assignments for immediate departure will be given then posted for all others involved."

"The Fleet will be in the Darjeelene system for an extra cycle while some of the ships are refuelled. Commander Sheba on orders from Commander Apollo has ordered Black Squadron to provide a long-range rear guard, while scouting for any Cylon vessels that might arrive in the system. According to the experts, if the Cylons had been able to track the Fleet as was felt probable, it was possible that the Cylons could arrive in the Darjeelene system anytime within the next cycle. This rearguard will consist of three flights of four vipers. The first flight will launch about fifteen centons after this meeting has concluded. They will be at the specified patrol points for six centars. At this time the second flight will be on immediate standby and will relieve the first. Following the second flight launch the third flight will be on standby. The encounter protocol if the patrol runs into anything is as follows. First priority is to get word to the Fleet. We have to know so we have more time to respond. Then, patrol members are to do whatever is needed to delay the opposition and I mean whatever."
This itself shocked some of the warriors. I looked over at Ensign Dolet and he had the biggest smile I had seen for a while. Straight into a Squadron and into an assignment. I used this time to compose myself and get the rest of my notes in order.

When all was quiet I continued. "As of now, whenever we are not on assignment we will be allotted time in the Sims. It will be done on a rotation basis. Also periodically we will be having firearms training with the infantry. Before I forget we have a new warrior in our midsts. He has just graduated from the Academy. Stand up and be recognised Ensign Dolet." Ensign Dolet stood up very slowly and went all red faced. "Now we have concluded this meeting the assignments will be placed on the monitor for all to see."