Note: This takes place around the time of season 1.
"Tell the Vipers to fire," said Commander Adama calmly.
Colonel Tigh and Apollo looked at him askance but said nothing. This was a city that posed no immediate threat to the fleet and who had given no signs of animosity towards their presence. In fact, the city was on a planet that had an atmosphere similar to Caprica, and the current inhabitants lived on maybe ¼ of the land of the planet—if they played their cards right and made friendly motions towards the city, they would probably be able to stay there comfortably for some time.
However, Adama was looking impatient at the others' inaction, so Dualla adjusted her headset and said, "Open fire." Over the intercom the crew could hear the sounds of explosions. Dualla cringed—there were no ships defending the city, and they could hear the fighters detailing the havoc they were wreaking upon this defenseless city. After a few excruciating minutes, the Vipers began making their way back to the Galactica, their work completed.
As they were beginning to dock, Dualla suddenly called out, "There's an incoming transmission from an unidentified ship. It's 7 clicks away and maintaining its position."
"I'll speak to it," Adama said, smiling and reaching for the phone.
"Thanks for getting rid of Robotron's city for us, Commander!" a juvenile voice squeaked over the phone.
"Anytime, Nitro. Hey, how's Admiral Spaceship doing?"
Dualla and Apollo exchanged confused glances, and Apollo mouthed the words Admiral Spaceship? in confusion to Dualla. Who was Adama talking to, and why did he sound so…happy? He never sounded this delighted.
"He's given up laser cats, Adama. I don't know what to do, man," said the person on the phone.
"Let me talk to him, I'm sure I can talk some sense into him."
"Sweet! Hey dude, why don't you and your friends come down to Neu Jorck and help us find a plan to beat Dr. Scientist? I bet that hot Asian chick can help change Admiral Spaceship's mind."
"Will do. I'll see you shortly." Adama hung up the phone, smiling, but when he looked up at the bemused crew he was sporting his traditional harried look once more. "Are all the Vipers back?" he asked.
"Yes sir," said Apollo. "If you don't mind my asking, who…was that who you were talking to just now?"
"An old friend. We're going to visit him now, and if we can help him, we may be able to stay in Neu Jorck for some time," Adama replied. "Now let's get a move on: we're following that ship you identified earlier."
Once the command was spread across the fleet, they began following the small cruiser Adama had been communicating with. As they turned and began heading for the planet, Apollo went to the loading dock to tell Starbuck about the strange things Adama had been saying, but when he looked around he didn't see her.
"Where's Starbuck?" Apollo asked Boomer, pulling her aside.
"She's still out flying," she said. "She was having fun flying that captured Cylon raider and wanted to work on some more maneuvers. Why?"
"Why?" cried Apollo incredulously. "Because we're landing on that planet out there and we need to have everyone together! We can't have Starbuck wandering around out there in a ship she can't even completely control yet!" With that, he stormed off in a huff.
Meanwhile, on Starbuck's captured raider…
Starbuck gulped as she saw the fleet beginning descent onto the planet they had just attacked. What was going on? She tried to contact the Galactica, but apparently the communication systems were not properly functioning yet, because she was getting no response. She had no choice but to follow the fleet and hope her ship was up to the challenge. It was necessary to keep a safe distance from the rest of the fleet as she began her descent, so as to not risk hurting any other ships if something went wrong with her own.
Everything was going smoothly, until she entered the thicker part of the atmosphere of the planet. Her controls switched off with no warning. She began frantically pressing any button she thought would help, but it was to no avail. As she tumbled to the planet, out her window she could see a vast ocean below her, but as she got closer she saw two tiny islands next to each other surrounded by water. She began desperately steering for those, and prayed to the gods she would make it.
Author's note: As you can tell, parts of this are a bit tongue in cheek, but I hope you enjoy the way my mind makes up stories! Reviews would be lovely.