Chapter 28AA - The Plan

[Brie]

The plan was perfect.

Comeek tried to not admit to himself that he was jealous of Chip. Even though Chip was chosen to accompany Master Pierce to the bridge, Comeek’s job was important as well. They all were. Alone or in pairs everyone from the shuttle was to wander around the Agro Ship, supposedly just taking in the wonder of it all. They were actually taking up their positions. Then, when it was time, they would capture the workers and the ship would be theirs. Perfect.

Comeek’s station was near the bridge. Master Pierce had asked him personally to stay close, just in case his computer skills were needed. He thought that they probably would be. He had already done so much to help out the New Secret Survival Society. He had paid close attention to the feed of the Widow while she was in the brig. He had figured out Major Skyler’s security codes and set the whole “escape” scenario in motion, he had received clearance for the shuttle’s phony passenger list, he had even arranged Lieutenant Logan some unscheduled R & R, so that she could be a part of the plan. Comeek really liked Lieutenant Logan, and planned on requesting that Master Pierce allow her to become his wife. That was if Master Pierce didn’t want her for himself.

“Yes,” Comeek thought as he took in a deep breath of the Agro Ship’s clean air, “the plan is perfect.”

[Brie]

“Kari,” Pierce said to Kyla, “take his weapon.” Captain Suttir was the only one who was armed, and Kyla took his sidearm away from him, making it her own.

“I told you he was a madman,” Brie mumbled.

“You shut the frack up,” Pierce told her, “or I’ll kill you here and now.”

“That’s felgercarb, and you know it,” Brie said. “You’ve already admitted that you need me for the time being.”

“Fine,” Pierce spit out. “Just to show everyone that I’m serious in all of this...” Pierce pointed his laser at the Agro Ship’s navigator and fired once. The man slid to the floor, instantly dead. Brie felt a pang of guilt, if she hadn’t instigated maybe Pierce wouldn’t have felt the need to kill the man. But Brie immediately rethought it, it was Pierce’s fault and no one else’s.

“Chip, take his seat,” Pierce ordered.

“Yes, Master,” Chip replied. He pushed the dead man out of his way and sat down.

“What do you want for me to do, Major Pierce?” Captain Suttir asked, his voice shaking.

“That’s MASTER Pierce from now on. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master Pierce,” Suttir replied.

“Good,” Pierce said cheerfully. “In time I’ll need to contact both the Galactica and the Callisto. But not yet.”

Trying to remain calm, the pilot nonchalantly started to reach towards the automatic distress button. Millie noticed and soon the pilot was also dead.

“Holy frack,” Brie mumbled. She couldn’t believe that at one time she had actually liked the young woman.

“Logan,” Pierce said, pointing with his laser, “you’re the new pilot. Take over.”

Logan started to protest. “But I never...”

“If you can handle a shuttle you can handle this,” Brie said. “It’s just slower, and on a much, much larger scale. You’ll need a lot more reaction time.”

“I’ll have the autopilot programmed soon,” Chip informed them.

“Suttir,” Pierce said, “take a seat. You and your co-pilot both need to keep your hands where I can see them. You too, Brie.” He forced her into a chair. She was actually glad to sit down, she felt weak, probably a combination of the reaction to the anaesthesine vapor and the loss of blood. “And now, we wait.”

[Brie]

Pierce kept checking his chrono, a little more agitated each time he looked. He was apparently waiting for something. He looked at the co-pilot. “What’s your name?”

“Dorn,” the man replied nervously.

“Dorn,” Pierce said again. “There are other Dorn’s in the fleet, but you’re the most important. At least right now.”

Kyla’s heart stopped for several beats. She had finally remembered Pierce calling her by name. It was less than a centar after they had first met. She could hear his voice echoing in her head, “There are other Kyla’s in the fleet, but you’re the most important.”

Pierce checked his chrono again. “Frack,” he said at last, “when are they going to contact us?”

Neither Captain Suttir nor Dorn said a word. Brie had realized a long time ago that she had nothing to lose, she was going to be executed anyway. “Who is supposed to contact you?”

“The Livestock Ship,” Pierce said. He seemed almost glad that Brie had asked.

Understanding, Brie nodded her head. “I get it. You take over the Agro Ship and the Livestock Ship, and the fleet has to bow to you or starve to death.”

“You’re not nearly as dumb as I thought you were,” Pierce said to Brie.

“That makes one of us,” Brie said back.

“Excuse me, um, Master Pierce,” Dorn said, his voice quivering. “Did you say the Livestock Ship?”

“Yes, why?”

“Well, um, a few centons ago, um, while I was on break, um, I saw a report on the IFB that there had been a distress signal from the Livestock Ship.” Dorn was so nervous that his voice kept cracking.

“A distress signal?” Pierce repeated. “Thank you. That information just might have spared your life.”

“Thank you, Master Pierce.”

“That’s very good, you’re a quick learner, Dorn,” Pierce said. He stared directly at Brie. “Very soon EVERYONE will be calling me Master.”

Brie chuckled and shook her head. “Not even in your dreams.”

Pierce placed his hand on Brie’s shoulder. “Believe me, my dear, my dreams about you are MUCH more exciting than that.” He removed his hand and checked his chrono one more time.

[Amy81]

Ange made his way to the back corridor that led to, among several other destinations, the Agro ship's security office. After he'd reached the corridor and shut the door to the main hallway, he drew his weapon, unsure of what to expect or find.

His heart raced, and his breathing became heavy. For a micron he was back on the Aggie when she'd been boarded by cylons. He was doing the very same thing: on his own, pistol drawn, creeping down corridors not knowing what was around the next corner.

He instinctively reached down to his left knee, remembering the blast and the searing pain as he'd been hit...

The Aggie. So long ago.

But in some ways not long enough.

Security aboard the Agro ship wasn't like it was aboard the more military vessels of the fleet. He'd taken this job because of that. Although food was important and needed to be protected, the truth was most of the time security sat around, stared at the fields, made their rounds, then sat some more, talking to the farmers.

Like a certain teenaged girl dreaming of being a pilot.

Ange stopped at the next corner, wiping an eye. He needed to concentrate. Now wasn't the time to be thinking of what happened to that poor kid Amy.

He gave a quick look around the corner, then crept slowly to the next one. He knew that if he was caught with his gun drawn, he'd have trouble trying to explain. But that was if he was wrong about their being trouble aboard. And his gut told him that there was trouble. His knee might be shot, but his instincts still worked fine.

He just couldn't get caught. Right or wrong.

He double checked the pistol, making sure it held a full round. Gripping the pistol tighter, he checked the corner, then crept up until he found himself just outside the back entrance to security. He paused there, trying to pick up on the conversation inside, wondering if he was just being foolish...

"Other than that" one voice was saying, "we're solid on this. We'll make our move when we get the word. As we speak the bridge has already fallen."

"Good" said the other voice. "What about our own personnel?"

Was that Trolane?, Ange thought. His heart sunk. It is. Chief of ship's security Trolane.

"The few who aren't with us won't matter", the other voice said. Sounds like Kelvine. I roomed with that daggit!

"And Ange?" Trolane asked.

"If he gets in the way, it won't be a problem", Kelvine replied flatly.

Ange heard movement. After a moment, the conversation continued. "What about that viper patrol?" Trolane asked.

"Still out there. They won't be a problem. They aren't getting on board. We'll see to it. They won't know any more than we wish to tell them. Relax, Chief. This is solid. Real solid. Good as done."

Ange remained leaning against the wall for a few microns, but when nothing more useful was said, he crept back down the way he came. Vipers. How could he alert them?

[Brie]

Pierce seemed to be running over possibilities in his head. What if something HAD gone wrong on the Livestock Ship? He was pacing, and waving his laser a little too much in the air for Brie’s liking. He kept mumbling to himself.

There was a loud crack of static, and everyone on the bride jumped. “This is Major Buellah on the Battlestar Callisto to Captain Suttir of the Agro Ship. Come in, please.”

Pierce walked next to Dorn and held his laser to his head. “You say EXACTLY what I tell you, Captain, or your friend here joins your other crew members.”

“Come on, Pierce,” Brie said, “if you’re going to threaten to kill someone, threaten me. Logan’s admitted that she’s not comfortable flying this thing, killing the co-pilot is just plain stupid.”

“As you wish, my dear.” Pierce held the laser to her head instead. “Answer him.”

“This is Captain Suttir, Major,” Suttir stuttered.

Buellah didn’t seem to notice Suttir’s nerves. “Captain, did you have a shuttle land there from the Callisto not too long ago?”

“Tell him yes,” Pierce informed the Captain, “and that we broke down on our way to the Galactica.”

Suttir swallowed hard. “Affirmative, Major. They were headed to the Galactica, but had some technical problems. They stopped here for repairs.”

“Captain, how good is the security on your ship?” Major Buellah asked.

“Let him know that you have some security,” Pierce instructed.

“We’re a peaceful ship, Major,” Suttir answered, “but we do have our own security forces.”

“Good,” Buellah said. “Captain, I need for you to have them search the shuttle, every inch of it. And then continue to search the your ship.”

Suttir answered quickly, without waiting for Pierce. “Why, Major? What are we looking for?” Pierce glared at him, but didn’t say a word.

“Former Major Brie escaped from the Callisto brig a couple of centars ago. We have reason to believe that she was on that shuttle.”

“Is she armed?” It seemed a logical question, so Pierce allowed it as well.

“I have no way of knowing,” Major Buellah told him, “but she’s not the type of person who would take another’s life. Have your forces set for stun.”

“Tell him that you will, and ask if there’s anything else,” Pierce instructed Suttir.

“Yes, Sir, Major,” Suttir said. “Anything else?”

Buellah answered immediately. “Place your ship on alert. Allow no ships to takeoff or land until the search has been completed, and you’ve checked back with me.”

“But what about our shipments?” Suttir asked quickly. He saw his small amount of hope slipping away because of the Major’s orders. “We have deliveries that need to be made...”

Buellah’s voice was stern. “No takeoffs or landings, Captain. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Major.”

“Good. Major Buellah out.”

The connection was broken, and everyone, including Pierce, breathed a sigh of relief. He removed the laser from Brie’s temple. “They’ll know what’s going on soon enough,” he said. “But it will be in MY time, not theirs.”

[Amy81]

Ange crept back down the corridor, his heart pumping madly. There's a mutiny, he thought. What in hades can I do about it? I don't even know who I can trust!

Randy. He knew he could trust Randy. They went way back. Though Randy could have been lying to him. But no, if Randy was in on this, they would have been waiting for him at the security office.

Ange fingered his comm, but held back. Though he wanted to call Randy, he knew the comm calls might be monitored. He had to assume that they were.

He wiped sweat from his forehead with his free hand, the other feeling moist and clammy as it squeezed the handle of his pistol. He crept back until he was at the doorway leading to the main hallway. He stopped, kneeling down, extending his bad leg outward. It ached and felt like it was going to cramp up.

Yeah. You're the one who's going to save the ship...

Communications.

Eventually the hijackers were going to send out a message to the vipers. He'd have to piggyback it. Let the pilots know what's going on. He'd have to be in position for that. Be ready for it.

It might be too late already!

Ange got to his feet, bending his bad knee to limber it up. Then he began creeping again. Instead of going back into the main corridor, he went the other way down the hall, in the opposite direction of the security office.

There was an access panel not far from here. Inside he could make his way inside to the main communications relays. If he made it in time, he could piggyback the transmission to the vipers. Or the Callisto if a call was made there. The vipers would be better though, for the longer the distance of the call, the better the chance that his piggyback would be discovered.

But he just had to get there in time, or it'd all be for nothing...

[Logan]

Logan sat at the Agro ship's controls, starting to get the hang of it. She wasn't used to flying anything this large, but her piloting skills were like second nature and she adapted to the size quickly. She seemed to be relaxed to the others, but no one was really paying that much attention to her at the moment. Everyone was enthralled by the show Pierce was putting on, waving his weapon around and threatening Major Brie. Logan had a momentary twinge of guilt as she caught Brie eyeing her occassionally. She knew what Brie was thinking..that she was another of Pierce's devotees, but it was too dangerous to let Brie know otherwise right now.
After their meeting in the corridor on the Callisto, Logan had returned to her quarters to avoid the other members of Gold Squadron. She knew they would call her crazy if they knew her plans. She also knew that Wraith would tie her up and throw her in a supply closet if he had known what she intended, so she had hidden from him basically. He would have read it in her eyes if she'd seen him. He was probably frantic by now, not knowing where she was and not answering his comm calls, but one crazy person trying to save the Major's life was enough. He would have insisted on coming along, but her plans to get in with Pierce worked better without her lover in the picture. Pierce wanted devotion from his females and only to him it seemed.
Logan could remember the feel of Comeek's greasy stare on her back as he had escorted her to her meeting with Pierce back on the Callisto. Now she sat at the controls and inwardly envisioned making him unable to ever think about having a physical relationship with a woman again. Pierce was bad enough with his attention but Comeek was utterly repugnant to her.
It had been Comeek who had come to find her and exclaim that Master Pierce needed her help for the good of the Fleet. It seemed that Pierce had bought her song and dance about the other Warriors being ovine and Brie deserving of her punishment. So Comeek had oogled her the whole way to Pierce's quarters and then left on some other mission for the Opposer.
Pierce had informed Logan that he had checked into her file thoroughly and understood her dislike for Brie. Logan remembered his smug smile as he had said,"Now Logan, it must be very uncomfortable for you to serve here under Captain...I mean, Major Skyler considering how he has betrayed you with his obvious dalliance with Brie. Its like a smack in the face. And I'm sure your memories from that time are painful enough without him showing you how little the past meant to him. Yes, I know about your history, so I'm sure you felt somewhat vindicated when Brie was convicted. But there's a larger picture here. This Fleet has been taken over by the liers and betrayers."
He had a good spiel, she'd give him that. And his manipulations had obviously worked on the weakminded and vulnerable. So Logan had played along and cried on his shoulder. He had embraced her at one point and the only thing that kept her from becoming ill at his touch was her dedication to the Fleet and Gold Squadron. Thank the Gods he had received a message on the comm at that point or she would have been hard pressed to get out of the room without further physical contact. She had seen in his eyes where his "comforting" was leading and she knew there was no way she could have gone through with it no matter what. She would have killed him. So, Pierce had answered his call and returned to tell her that he needed her to come to the launch bay and pilot a shuttle for him.
Now, the journey had led here...a seat piloting the Agro ship, Brie with a gun to her head, a bunch of rejects worshipping a weasel, her friends on the Callisto no doubt thinking she had lost her mind, and Logan desperately trying to figure out a way to let Brie know she was an ally. And to complicate matters even further Buellah had just given the no landing or departure order which left them effectively isolated. Logan was beginning to feel that adrenaline rush she always felt in battle situations, especially when she saw that a Viper patrol was heading towards the Agro ship.

[Amy81]

Ange reached the access panel, thankful that he still hadn't run into anyone. The back corridor didn't usually see much activity, but with what's going on, he couldn't be sure, and that had slowed him down.

Yeah, go ahead and blame something besides the bad knee...

Ange holstered his pistol and set about removing the panel. It was nearly a door in itself, but wasn't on hinges. Ange lifted the panel, stepped inside the opening, and fingered the holding clamps from the inside to rehang the panel.

It was dark, with only slits from the panel to provide any light. Ange was suddenly conscious of his heavy breathing. It also seemed a lot warmer inside than it was in the corridor. All around him machinery hummed and clicked with activity.

He gently probed ahead with his hands, feeling the huge units that provided various functions for the ship. When he reached those with lighted panels, he used their pale glow to see by as he squeezed his way through to the communications panels.

The first thing he did was grab a set of headphones from the maintenance store box and tap into the main communications grid. It was safe, for he was merely listening to any transmissions that might be ongoing.

Felgercarb! There's one going out right now!

Ange scrambled to rig the piggyback call as he listened to the conversation.

“....Yes, Sir, Major,” Captain Suttir was saying. “Anything else?”

A voice at the other end answered immediately. “Place your ship on alert. Allow no ships to takeoff or land until the search has been completed, and you’ve checked back with me.”

Sounds like it might be Buellah! I've heard that voice on IFB! Come on! Ange moved faster, trying to hook in his tap.

“But what about our shipments?” Suttir was asking. “We have deliveries that need to be made...”

Buellah’s voice was stern. “No takeoffs or landings, Captain. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Major.”

“Good. Major Buellah out.”

No!

"Frack!" Ange hissed with disgust. Too late! "I'll be ready for the next one. Got to be!" He wiped sweat from his brow with his sleeve, and got back to work. This time everything would be ready. All he needed was another call...

[Brie]

“Contact Captain Dimitri of the Livestock Ship,” Pierce ordered. Apparently he had waited long enough.

“Yes, Master Pierce,” Captain Suttir replied.

“He’s not your Master,” Brie said but was ignored.

“What do you want me to say?” Suttir asked.

“I’ll tell you as we go along,” Pierce informed him.

“This is Captain Suttir of the Agro Ship, calling Captain Dimitri of the Livestock Ship. Come in, Captain.”

There were several microns of static. “Try again,” Pierce said forcefully.

“This is Captain Suttir of the Agro Ship, calling Captain Dimitri of the Livestock Ship,” Suttir repeated. “Come in, Captain.” He frantically tried a third time. "This is Captain Suttir of the Agro Ship, calling Captain Dimitri of the Livestock Ship. Come in, Captain."

A weak voice broke through. “No time...communications down...later...” The signal was broken.

Captain Suttir looked nervous. Pierce didn’t seem to mind. He grinned. “Sounds like there’s some turmoil over there, that’s a good thing.” He looked directly at Captain Suttir. “Is this ship set up with an internal comm system?”

“Yes, Master Pierce,” he replied. Brie was slightly surprised, he should have lied.

“Patch me through,” Pierce commanded. “Everyone should be in place by now. It’s time.”

[Brie]

"One last thing before we go public," Pierce said. "Does this ship have an automated response system that can be used during alerts?"

"Yes, Master Pierce," Suttir replied. Brie cringed every time she heard someone say that.

"Turn it on," Pierce instructed. "We'll turn it off again once I'm done. I don't want any interruptions. I've waited a long time for this moment, a moment that I would have had several yahrens ago if it weren't for someone's traitorous husband."

"Go to hades," Brie suggested.

Pierce smiled. "Only with you by my side, my pet." He turned towards Suttir. "Turn on the internal comm. I'm ready."