Chapter One
Colonial Politics
34 Years since the End of the Cylon War
- 0945 hours, Fleet Command Headquarters, Picon; Fleet Admiral's Reception Area -
Colonel Michael Struck sat nervously outside Fleet Admiral Corman's Office. The reception area was well appointed with large leather couches and chairs, expensive looking wooden tables and of course large Colonial flags representing each of the Colonies and the Colonial government. On the walls hung paintings of major colonial battles of the past and important ships of the colonial fleet. No reception area would be completed without a receptionist, and the Fleet Admiral's receptionist was a dosey, 5 foot 5 inch, early 20's blond bombshell of a women. She was dressed as if she was ready for a nice night out on the town. She was just leaning back in her chair chewing gum and buffing her nails, but when you look like she does you are not there for your I.Q. She was as much for the decor of the area as the flags and the paintings on the wall.
Michael was a fairly good looking man at 32 years of age standing at an intimidating 6 foot 2 inch height and weighing about 225 pounds. He had just been promoted to the rank of Colonel two months before and was waiting on his orders for an Executive Officer posting; when the ship he was the Operations Officers on, was assigned a top secret mission.
The Battlestar Valkyrie was to approach the Cylon demilitarized zone; more commonly known as the Red Line; and launch a new stealthstar across the line in order to gather information on any cylon activity on the other side. With the 34th Anniversary of the end of the Cylon war fast approaching and with no contact from the Cylons in that entire time, the Admiralty wanted to stick their noses over the line and see if any information could be gathered.
Unfortunately for all involved it failed miserably, as soon as the stealthstar had crossed the line, what was believed to be several small cylon craft had jumped all over the stealthstar and Commander Adama had to make the hard call and launched a missile in order to stop the cylons from capturing the stealthstar and the pilot. Now everyone was trying to cover their ass; with the Presidential election just over a year away and Adar wanting to ramp up his social programs and downsize the military everyone was on edge and trying to keep their heads down.
Just then the large wooden door to Fleet Admiral Corman's Office opened and his old Commanding Officer, Commander Adama came walking out. Making eye contact with Adama, Michael stood up from the plush brown leather couch to greet him as he walked over.
"Commander Adama, sir." Michael said while rendering a crisp salute.
"Hello Michael, I am sorry that you are getting pulled into this mess as well." Adama said heavily as he returned the gesture and then shook Michael's hand.
Michael relaxed his posture at Adama's cordial reply. Michael responded with "Yes sir, I understand. Any idea on what I am walking into, sir?"
Adama's shoulders slightly slumped causing Michael's tension to rise. If he had not been working with the old warhorse for the last three years he would have easily missed the visual cue of Adama's distress. "Unfortunately, I am not sure what they have in mind for you Michael, but I did try to get you assigned with me and Tye on the Galactica or bar that at least give you a command posting."
Michael's ire raised with that small statement, "They are taking the Valkyrie away from you, sir?" Michael asked with slight heat in his tone.
"At ease, Colonel Struck." Adama said strongly to admonish the young Colonel. "The Valkyrie is due for a six to eight month refit and the brass thought it a gesture of kindness to have my last posting be on the Galactica before my and her retirement, since the Adar Administration just put her on the list for decommissioning in about six years."
Just then the Admiral's cute little receptionist interrupted their conversation, "The Admiral will see you now, Colonel Struck."
"'For whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.', I guess it is time to face the music." Michael then sharply saluted Commander Adama for what maybe the last time and stated "It has been a pleasure and an honor serving under your command, sir."
Adama returned the salute and clearly stated, "The pleasure was all mine, Colonel. If I do not see you again, take care of yourself Mike."
Michael shook Adama's hand and turned to follow the tight ass of Admiral Corman's receptionist into the Admirals Office.
-1005 Hours, Fleet Admiral Corman's Office-
Colonel Struck walked ramrod straight as he entered Admiral Corman's Office and as the Admiral's receptionist closed the door as she exited once Michael was inside without even announcing his presents to the admiral. Michael march with his head held high directly in front of the large modern glass desk, thinking that if he was going to get the shity end of the stick the frak if he was going to allow some politically connected hack intimidate him.
"Admiral Corman, Colonel Struck reporting as ordered, Sir." Michael snap a crisp salute and stated in a clear and strong voice.
The Admiral behind the desk did not even look up from the papers he was reading, he just throw up a lazy salute and kept reading. Michael dropped his hand just as sharply as he had lifted it and observed the Admiral. He knew the Admiral had not fought in the Cylon War and was a peace time Admiral. Michael thought that that was one of the reasons that President Adar had appointed him to the post of Fleet Admiral, more of a yes man, paper pusher type and it showed. The Admiral was a short balding man with almost white hair and had not done anything more physical than sitting up out of bed, and pushing himself away from a table in many years.
Eventually the Admiral began to speak in a soft almost mousey voice, "I am just reviewing your records, Colonel. Top five percent at the Fleet academy, top graduate of both basic flight and advanced flight training course. You were then stationed on Battlestar Atlantia as a Viper Pilot and eventually a Squadron Commander. You then went to the Viper Combat leaders course were you graduated with distinction and was assigned to the Mercury Battlestar Columbia as the Commander Air Group under then Colonel Adama who was the Executive Officer. You then went to the Advanced Combat Officers Leaders Course were you once again graduated in the top five percent of the class and followed Commander Adama to the Battlestar Valkyrie as his operations officer and were just promoted the the rank of Colonel before this fiasco happened."
"Yes, sir, that sounds about right." Michael stated clearly with a little pride in his voice.
The Admiral then finally looked up from the papers he was reading and stated in a voice that almost felt slimy has Michael heard it, "It seems you hitch your wagon to the wrong horse Colonel." was the statement.
"I sorry sir, but I do not understand" Michael asked questionably.
"Let me spell it out for you Colonel. Commander Adama has some old family connection on Caprica and there are those in the Fleet that are willing to back him, hince the bone i gave him of the Galactica. An old worn out ship for an old worn out man, and of course were ever Adama leads Tye follows him around like a lost puppy. So I am limited on what i can do to Adama and therefore Tye as well. Major Flint the Engineering Officer and third in charge of the Valkyrie is good friends with Admiral Dresher at Caprica Station and also has a standing invitation to play golf with his childhood friend Mr. Tony Smithers, CEO of one of the largest government and military contractors, and best buddies and major financial supporter of President Adar. Therefore untouchable and blameless for this mess." The Admiral finally took a slow breath but continued to pick up steam and increase the volume of his voice. "You on the other hand have no one. Orphaned on Sagittaron, raise in the system until you made it into the Fleet Academy and then repeatedly assigned under Adama's command so there are few that even know you. This Promotion to Colonel and an executive officer spot would have been your big chance, but now someone has to take the brunt of the fallout from this situation you find yourself in. Adama Tried to help but he only has room for one colonel and he used any and all political clout to keep him and Tye on a ship."
The admiral leaned back in his chair and looked Michael in the eye for the first time since he entered the office. "Do you understand now what kind of situation you are in, Colonel?"
Michael took a few calming breaths as he thought of the situation and tried to keep his temper in check before answering in an even almost dead tone, " Yes, I believe I do." he pause slightly before adding "sir."
"Good, because I promised both Flint and Adama I would still give you a position of importance that maybe you could rebuild a career from." he paused as a cruel smile began to appear on his face, "I am assigning you as the Commander of a Fleet Yard."
Michael thought about is for a few seconds and thought that that did not sound to bad, after all the reserve fleet was stationed at the main fleet yards and it was also were several Battlestars were stationed for repairs and as security, but he look to the Admiral and saw the smirk on his face and the sliet gleam in his eye and began to get nervous.
The admiral than continued and all hope left Michael's heart that he may be able to rebuild his career. " I am assigning you as Commander of Fleet Reclamation Yard Delta."
"Fleet Reclamation Yard, Delta, Sir?" Michael asked quizzically.
"I am not surprised that you have never heard of it, Yard Delta is located about .2 light years outside Helios Delta near the Hecate cloud." The admiral stated as he looked at another piece of paper to confirm the location.
To say that Michael was shocked was a gross understatement. "But sir, there is nothing out that far but rocks and dust."
"But do not forget that you will have your own command, or as much of one as that old pile of scrap can be considered a command." the Admiral chuckled slightly to himself before handing a piece of paper to Michael and continuing, " Colonel Struck, you hereby ordered to report to Fleet Reclamation Yard Delta no later than 15 days from this date. You are hereby ordered to take command of said yard and insure the operations there are conducted in the highest order as expected of a Colonial post. You are dismissed, Colonel." The Admiral concluded loudly.
Michael barely lifted his hand in a half hearted salute, turned and left the Office. The only thing going through Michael's mind as he walked out of Colonial Fleet Headquarters and made his what to the waiting raptor was, "You have to be Fraking kidding me."
AN: This is my very first story, so please read and review. I am already working on my next chapter and any real reviews will be appreciated.
