BATTLESTAR KALI – JOURNEY OF THE GODESS
Prologue
The Cylons were created by Man.
They were created to make life easier on the Twelve Colonies.
And then the day came when the Cylons decided to kill their masters.
After a long and bloody struggle, an armistice was declared.
The Cylons left for another world to call their own.
A remote space station was built...
...where Cylon and Human could meet and maintain diplomatic relations.
Every year, the Colonials send an officer.
The Cylons send no one.
No one has seen or heard from the Cylons in over forty years...
Until Now.
Chapter 1: Birth Of Godess
SCORPIA FLEET SHIPYARD – 2 weeks before the fall
In the massive shipyard over Scorpia one large Battlestar, larger than any other, sat in its pier waiting to finally start its journey; it was the Battlestar Kali. Kali was the first of her class, and after the Nova class she was the second of the heavy Battlestar classes. Even with the reduction of the fleet thanks to President Adar's policies about fleet cuts, she moved from the design deck into reality. Unfortunately, only three ships were built; Kali, Ganesha and Novalis, all belong to the first batch, while the remaining three ships are still under construction.
Kali's CIC was the same size as that of the Mercury class, but much more modern in design. It had multiple main monitors linked with a new holographic system in the middle of CIC. The ship itself was a marvel of new technologies, and put together the technologies that were developed and tested on other ships like the Nova and Fenris classes. Her armor was state of the art, stronger even than that carried by the Nova; her weapon systems were the most advanced in the fleet; and her engines allowed her to jump 5% further then what the current Battlestars could. But all those upgrades and innovations came with a price; only six were ordered as command Battlestars.
Admiral Caldwell entered Kali's CIC and for a moment watched and smiled; he had one of best ships in the fleet and would finally teach Cain a lesson in the next fleet war games. After observing for a moment he moved closer to the middle part of the CIC to a man that was standing near one monitor and watching it.
"Ah, I thought I would find you here Francis," Admiral Caldwell said.
"Oh, sorry, sir, I didn't see you," Commander Francis responded and saluted, "Well sir, I was reposted here by Admiral Nagala to help bring this ship to full operational status before her first voyage."
"I see. Damn, it's really weird to see the first ship of her class actually put into active service third, after Ganesha and Novalis," Caldwell added.
"I know, sir, but there were some small problems and errors during the last part of Kali's construction. That delayed her completion almost 3 months, sir."
"Can we expect more of these problems? You know what happened to the Titan and Valiant after they broke."
"Yes, sir, I know, but I am assured by the engineering team that everything will work properly now, and we are also scheduled to participate in war games between battle groups 83 and 105."
"Already?" asked the Admiral.
"In 12 days sir... and the ship will be ready by that time," Commander Francis responded.
"Good, I will observe the war games; after that, this ship is fully yours Commander. By the way I have one question; there was report on my desk that this ship still doesn't have the CNP. Can you explain why?" Admiral Caldwell asked.
"There were still few bugs in Kali's computer network; it isn't 100% finished." Commander Francis replied.
"Wait a second; the entire ship is completed but the computers aren't ready?" Admiral Caldwell asked, perturbed.
"They are, sir, just a few more modifications and firewalls and the CNP will be installed in about three weeks; otherwise the ship is 100% functional and it can participate in the war games. And besides, sir is it really necessary to have the CNP on board? Ganesha doesn't have it yet, either." Commander Francis said.
"Yes, that's because her commander is a stubborn man. He's like Adama; he doesn't trust the CNP and frankly I don't trust it, either. If it would be by Nagala's and Torres' rules, no ship in fleet would ever have the CNP but the President demanded it. Lucky for Pierce that Adar doesn't know everything." Admiral Caldwell said smiling.
"He is a pain in the ass; cutting the budget for the fleet and moving over five perfectly good Battlestars into the mothball yards." Commander Francis said angrily.
"That's not our business Commander, it's to prepare this ship... ah pardon, it's your job to get this 100% ready. Launching is in 10 days, Commander, I want everything clear, working, and in its place. Now to other stuff, what is going on with your fighter squadrons, raptors?"
"Right sir." The commander took a piece of paper from the nearest console, "All 180 fighters are on the ship and ready for use but only 65 pilots are boarded and the rest will be here in ten days. We also have 40 raptors and six shuttles."
"Who's the CAG?"
"Major Barry 'Mosquito' Hendricks."
"Mosquito?" Admiral Caldwell asked.
"It's his call sign sir, I don't know why they call him that."
"Very well, carry on Commander. You have the ship."
"Sir, didn't you need to inspect the rest of the ship?" Commander Francis asked.
"I'll leave that to you; I'm finally out for vacation after 2 years"
"Ah, ok, sir, good luck," Commander Francis said as the Admiral left the C.I.C.
"Blast, it's good to be admiral," Commander Francis thought to himself. "Well, almost, except for the paperwork, inspections, participation in war games, and all those admiralty meetings, they don't do anything. Well, now back to job."
"Lieutenant I want the crew manifest and get Major Hendricks"
"Sir the Major isn't on board," the lieutenant responded.
"Ok, then get Colonel Welch."
"He isn't on board either, sir."
"Is there anyone on board this ship?" the Commander asked "What about Chief Linder?"
"He's in the engine room sir"
"Finally, at least someone is here."
CYLON SPACE – CYLON COLONY – 10 days before the fall
All seven models assembled in the large dark room in the heart of the colony.
"Brothers and sisters, in less than two weeks humanity will be extinct and we will fulfill the plan given to us by gods," stated one of them known as Cavil and he continued to speak while watching the others with a glow in his eyes. "The human pests will no longer trouble or threaten us and once we eliminate our parents we will be once step closer to perfection."
"Cavil I do not approve of what you're saying; extermination of an entire race will not lead us anywhere. Now you plan to destroy the humans, but what if we find another race? Do you plan to destroy them too?" asked the one known as Six.
"Do not question the will of god, my sister; he made this plan for us, and we would follow it"
"Is that really god's plan or your own? I think it is the former and I vote against the attack." Six was very determined and she continued to protect humanity, "Why so much hate for them, they didn't do anything against us in the last 40 years; why Cavil?"
"Our parents made us in the human's image but we are capable of much more. I strongly suggest, Six that you get back there and do your job as told. What about the Colonial fleet?" Cavil asked a number five known as Doral.
"We know positions for 90% of their fleet and almost all their ships have the CNP installed; it won't be a problem," Doral replied.
"90%? Almost all ships have CNP? All ships are supposed to have the CNP except that old Junker, the Galactica," Cavil said angrily. Which ships are without it?"
"From limited information that I have, two of those new Kali class Battlestars. Kali herself is supposed to be launched in a few days and Ganesha... she doesn't have it installed because her commander refused to allow the CNP to be installed. And Galactica, that's all."
"So you're telling me that we won't be able to turn off two of the strongest Battlestars in the fleet when we attack them?"
"That is what I am saying; we need to swarm them. But there is another problem; we know that Kali and Ganesha will participate in war games against Battlegroups 83 and 105. We still don't know what ships will accompany Kali, but we know strength of Ganesha's group; one Valkyrie class Battlestar, Valkyrie itself, the Jupiter class Battlestar Hathor, four Defender class Gunstars, two Titan II class Gunstars and four Cheetah class light cruisers."
"Isn't the Valkyrie supposed to be in Caprica's orbit? A number Two known as Leoben asked.
"It changed place with Battlestar Valhalla," Doral answered.
"It doesn't matter who will be where, and why, we still need to destroy those two ships," Cavil said.
"Cavil those ships are meant to fight against half a dozen Baseships; they have the strongest armor ever created by the Colonials, not to mention all the other systems. These ships are even more resilient then the Nova class command Battlestars," Doral said.
"And that's why these ships must fall first, as soon as we start attacking. What about the third ship?"
"Novalis has the CNP on board and it will be en-route to Virgon from Dalmor Anchorange," Doral responded.
"Can we intercept the ship and destroy it before it gets to Virgon? Cavil asked.
"No. Admiral Strauss never goes in one planned route; it is almost impossible to trace its route. And worse, we don't have anyone on board that ship." Doral explained.
"Frak. Never mind, we proceed as planned."
TAURON – 9 days before the fall
Admiral Caldwell exited his car and started walking to his house. He lived in the outskirts of Tauron City in a small but modern house with his wife, Kelly.
He took the keys and unlocked the doors and stepped inside. Putting his belongings near the entrance, he yelled "Dear are you home?"
From living room he heard, "Of course, it's good to finally see you again!"
Sometime later, after he's eaten, he sat on the couch near his wife. She put down the newspaper she was reading when he sat down next to her and turned to look at him,
"How long you will stay, honey?"
"Only three days, dear. I was supposed to get home a few days ago but some business on Picon kept me from it."
"Three days, but why only three? You work hard for two years, don't you deserve more?"
"As soon as the war games are over and the test on Battlestar Kali are completed I'll take an entire month" Caldwell said.
"Why must you even attend the launch of the ship and those war games?" his wife asked.
"Because I designed the damned Battlestar and HQ wants me to be there. I know, I know I'm working too hard but you know how much it means to me."
SCORPIA FLEET YARDS – 6 days before the fall
BATTLESTAR KALI C.I.C.
"I see you finally got back sir!" Commander Francis said. "How was your leave?"
"Too short!" the admiral said. "Is the crew on board, Commander?"
"All of them."
"Good. Thank god I didn't attend the launching ceremony." Admiral Caldwell said.
"Well, Admiral Nagala was pissed about that, he wanted you to attend; after all this is your ship – you designed it. You know it better than anyone else." Commander Francis said.
"Let's not get cranky, Commander. What about our escorts?"
"Our escorts are here and waiting for us, Battlestars Phoebe and Titan" Commander Francis said.
"Titan? Isn't she supposed to be retired; after those fires that she had?" Admiral Caldwell asked.
"Yes she was, but she was repaired for these war games and she's fully operational."
"So they fixed her?" Admiral Caldwell asked.
"Yes, but as I said, it's only temporary until our real escorts, two Jupiter class ships, Osiris and Andromeda arrives." Commander Francis replied.
"And when will they arrive?" Admiral Caldwell asked.
About week or so, both are in Virgon shipyards for refit sir"
"Ok, we have Phoebe that supposed to be retired in a week, we have Titan, what else?" Admiral Caldwell asked.
"Four Titan II class gunstars; Stiletto, Angelwing, Stormchaser and Avenger, Six Cheetah class light cruisers; Volk, Razor, Kraken, Aura, Python and Pathfinder. And two Trident class Gunstars; Tristar and Blade." Commander Francis said.
"Excellent anti-missile protection," Admiral said. "Good. Ask the station for the green light."
"Station confirmed, we have a green light and are ready to go, sir" Commander Francis said.
"Helm, take us out of the pier slowly" Caldwell ordered.
"Aye, sir"
"The mighty Battlestar starts to move from its place in the yard, slowly moving forward, until finally it exits into the open.
"We are clear, sir," Commander Francis said, "All systems are working normal and our escorts are forming on us."
"Good, wait until they get in place and then start countdown at 10 seconds" the Admiral ordered.
"Course 11- 17- 1, Bynar testing ground," Commander Francis told the helm officer
"11 – 17 – 1, Bynar, aye."
Kali moved out from the shipyards, with Battlestars Titan and Phoebe on her sides and Gunstars and light cruisers arrayed around her in a defensive formation. It was standard procedure in Colonial Navy.
"We are ready, sir" Commander Francis informed Admiral Caldwell.
"Alright, signal to other ships, and start counting... 10 seconds." Admiral Caldwell said.
"Clock started sir, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, jump!" Commander Francis said.
In a flash of light all fifteen ships disappeared...
To be continued...