Return to Earth: Chapter Two
Commander David Wells gazed at the main HD view screen in the front of the CIC. On the screen, the 1,400-meter Firestar class battle cruiser Destiny floated gracefully in space. In the background, the planet Gemenon seemed to dwarf the powerful battle cruiser. If David squinted his eyes slightly, he thought he could see two Mark Eight vipers flying CAP around the warship.
David let out a deep sigh. The new battle cruisers were so much more powerful than his old Warstar the Olympia. He felt more at ease going on this mission knowing he had four of the heavily armed battle cruisers to support the Galactica if needed. After all, there were still a few renegade Cylon ships out there somewhere, including a dangerous and fully operational Baseship.
"It's amazing how powerful the new warships are," Colonel Hoshi spoke from the other side of the operations table, he too had been watching the screen and admiring the Firestar battle cruiser. "We thought we were the only survivors when we fled the Colonies. It was a shock for all of us when we were told how many people survived."
"We have three worlds with large populations on them," Commander Wells said looking over at his Exec. There are 20 million people now living on Caprica, 23 million on Aquaria, and 6 million on Gemenon according to the latest census figures."
"Plus several million more scattered across the other Colonies," Colonel Hoshi added. "We thought our fifty thousand survivors were it. It's great to see the Colonies recovering from the Cylon attack."
"It will be a long time before all the Colonies are as they were before," Commander Wells commented with a sigh." Hundreds of years from what Admiral Clements has said."
"At least your worlds will recover," Lisa spoke as she walked up to the commander.
The blonde Cylon had arrived earlier and would be accompanying them on their mission. It had been decided to discreetly check the real Earth to see if the Cylon Centurions had survived. If they did, Lisa would serve as an envoy if communications were possible. After 150,000 years, it was hard telling what they might have evolved into.
"I understand the Kobolan research scientists have arrived on your home world," Commander Wells said looking over at the gorgeous female Cylon. She was dressed in a short dark blue dress cut daringly low.
"They have agreed to look into our reproductive problems," Lisa replied with a friendly nod. "Everyone now knows that the thirteenth tribe was Cylon. The Kobolans solved their reproductive problems. Hopefully they can solve ours also."
"All ships have formed up into their FTL positions," Lieutenant Mason Anders spoke from his Dradis and sensor station. He had been watching the ships gradually move into their pre jump positions for the last few minutes.
Commander Wells glanced down at the operations table, which was showing the Galactica, four battle cruisers, two fleet supply ships, and a Tylium tanker. "Signal all ships that we will jump in twenty minutes," he ordered.
It was at that moment that Admiral Adama walked into the CIC. Going over to the operations table, he glanced down seeing that all the ships in the small fleet were nearly ready to jump. He wondered just what they would find on this mission. So much time had passed, would there be anything recognizable as Colonial or Cylon on Earth or the real Earth. He wondered if he would be able to find Laura's burial location.
"Admiral Adama," Lisa spoke courteously nodding at the Admiral.
"We're just about ready to jump," Commander Wells reported.
"Admiral Clements wants us to resupply some Kobolan surveillance cruisers out next to the newly discovered Ovion worlds," Adama spoke looking over at Commander Wells. "I've never encountered any Ovions. From what I have been told, they're pretty tough to beat in combat."
"They have very powerful weapons and decent energy shield technology," Commander Wells replied. "The Kobolans have been keeping a close watch on them to ensure they don't make any type of offensive move our way."
"They also go in for nukes in a big way," Colonel Hoshi added. He had studied several of the battles that had occurred between the Kobolans and the Ovions.
Adama only shook his head. So much had changed since they had been away from the Colonies. "We definitely don't need another war. We need time to rebuild our worlds, particularly our population." He wished that Laura had survived to see the Colonies once more.
"Couldn't agree with you more," Commander Wells responded. "We're tired of war. We need some peace for our people to recover and to heal."
David thought about his younger sister Kathryn and his cousin Constance. Both were still on the Sidon and were currently enrolled in the station's flight school to learn how to fly the station's mining ships and freighters. He didn't want to see either one of them ever fighting in a war. Their imprisonment back on Picon had been bad enough.
"Just how big a threat are these Ovions?" Admiral Adama asked.
"They're over 1,200 light years away from us," Commander Wells replied. "Admiral Reed seems to feel that they will probably leave us alone, but the Kobolans are not so sure. They are still finding occasional Ovion warships in the area of space where New Kobol is located. There has been some fighting between Kobolan forces and the Ovions, several of Admiral Stone's battlestars have even been involved. Admiral Landers isn't sure if these Ovions are survivors from the Ovion world that Admiral Stone destroyed or from this new group that Admiral Reed discovered."
"Admiral Clements briefed me on Admiral Stone's mission to the Delphi Quadrant," Admiral Adama replied. "I even read some of the mission logs. It was all quiet amazing. We have a new, thriving colony on Demeter and of course, there are the Kobolans on Terra. Admiral Stone was very fortunate to find them."
"It was the return of Admiral Stone with his fleet reinforced by some Kobolan battle cruisers that turned the battle at Caprica and defeated our forces," commented Lisa recalling that harrowing day. "This allowed Daniel to take control of the Hall of Knowledge on the Cylon home world and dispose of the old regime."
"One of these days I would like to travel to the Cylon home world and meet this Daniel," Admiral Adama spoke looking over at Lisa.
"Your Colonel Tigh and Ellen are already there," Lisa replied with a smile. "You have no idea how pleased Daniel was to see the two of them again after so long, especially Ellen."
"Jump in one minute," Colonel Hoshi interrupted. "All ships report FTL drives are spun up, and they are awaiting your orders Admiral."
"Initiate jump at your discretion," replied Adama gazing at the main view screen, which was now focused on several of the small fleet's ships.
"Begin jump," Commander Wells ordered.
In space, the ships of the small fleet began to vanish one by one in flashes of blue-white light. The Galactica went last, and soon space was empty.
Aboard Caprica Station, Admiral Clements and Admiral Reynolds had watched the jump from the observation lounge.
"I wonder what they will find?" Admiral Reynolds spoke gazing at the empty area of space where a few moments before eight ships had been.
"Who knows," Admiral Clements commented his eyebrows raised in thought. "After 150,000 years, who knows what might be waiting for them. I just hope they make it back safely."
"So do I," Admiral Reynolds replied with a slight smile. "After all, that's my future flagship they took."
The Galactica flashed back into existence twenty-two light years from the Colonies. The new Kobolan computers, which were interfaced with all the ship's systems, allowed for more exact computation of jump points.
"Status," barked Commander Wells as he looked up at the Dradis screen above the operations table. He knew it would take it a few seconds to clear.
"All ships reporting successful jumps," the communications officer confirmed in her crisp voice.
"Battle cruisers are moving into support positions," Lieutenant Anders reported as his Dradis and sensor screens cleared.
"Just how secure are these new computer systems?" Admiral Adama asked. He didn't like the idea of a ship as powerful as a Nova class being totally networked. The networks had destroyed the fleet when the Cylons had hacked in through the CNP.
"The Kobolan computers are impervious to any type of malware intrusion," Colonel Hoshi replied. He too had been concerned about this and had spent considerable time with the Kobolan computer technicians and programmers discussing this very question.
"We furnished our most recent virus programs to the Kobolans," Lisa replied with a grimace. She still hated what they had done to the Colonies because of the backdoor in the CNP. This had allowed a vicious virus to be downloaded that had disabled the majority of the Colonial fleet.
"The computers also have an automatic fail-safe built in so that upon detection of an invading virus that penetrates any of the main firewalls, the system will automatically disengage the network," continued Commander Wells. It was an option the Colonials had insisted on, particularly after the disaster with the CNP. "The system can also be disengaged manually if needed."
Admiral Adama nodded his head. He just hoped those computers and fail-safes were never put to the test.
"Captain Simms, what is the status of our long range sensors?" Commander Wells asked.
"Coming on line now sir," Captain Angela Simms replied.
Angela had transferred over from the Jupiter class battlestar Rycon at the request of Commander Wells. She was the top rated sensor operator in the fleet, partially because Denise Anthon had trained her on the Kobolan long-range sensors.
"Colonel Hoshi, set a standard CAP," Commander Wells ordered. "We will stay in this system long enough to confirm that there is no presence of renegade Cylon units. Once that has been confirmed, we will jump to our next set of jump coordinates."
"Yes sir," Colonel Hoshi replied.
Adama looked around the CIC and was very impressed with the professionalism being demonstrated by the crew. The CIC was slightly smaller than the old Galactica, but it was set up to be highly efficient. "I understand this is standard operating procedure for outgoing ships."
Commander Wells nodded at Adama, "Yes sir, we know a number of Cylon units escaped from the battle of the Cylon home world. From what Daniel and Lisa have been able to learn, it seems that the last surviving Cylon Baseship, three Basestars, and six support ships are still missing."
"There has been no sign of them since the last battle," Lisa added, her deep blue eyes taking on a serious glint. "We know that there were a large number of the Cylon Model Ones that escaped on the Baseship. Daniel and I both feel that they have fled this area of space to rebuild their forces. It will take them years, but they are a threat and will continue to be a threat until we can find them and eliminate them."
Colonel Hoshi nodded. He had heard about the Cylon ships escaping. "That's one reason for the massive orbital defensive networks around Caprica, Gemenon, and Aquaria."
"That's why we search on all outgoing jumps," Commander Wells commented. "If they come back, we want to know it."
"How long before we can jump again?" Admiral Adama asked.
"How long before your sensors complete their sweep of the system?" asked Commander Wells glancing over at Captain Simms.
Captain Simms checked several readings on her computer screens before replying, "Three hours sir, and scans of the system should be complete."
"Very well," Commander Wells replied. "We have detected no immediate threats in our immediate area, so stand down to condition three."
"Yes sir," Colonel Hoshi replied as he passed on the order.
Adama was still amazed at the technical advances the Kobolans had placed on the new ships. The new Dradis arrays were capable of detecting approaching ships from nearly 10 million kilometers. The Kobolan sensors, while not as sensitive as the new Dradis, could detect ships from nearly 20 million kilometers. Both used Kobolan subspace technology to extend their range and allow for instant detection. The special sensors that Captain Simms was using also used Kobolan subspace technology, and could scan an entire solar system in a matter of a few hours. Not only that, but the ship was equipped with a Kobolan FTL jump detection system. If a ship jumped within 4 billion kilometers of the Galactica, the system would detect it instantly.
Major Aaron Simms banked his Mark Eight viper to get a better view of the Galactica. The ship looked massive against the sea of stars. The ship's hull was covered with weapons emplacements. Even the battle cruisers looked small when compared to the powerful battlestar. Major Simms increased the power to the viper's engine and flew off toward one of the battle cruisers. As he flew, he let his mind wander to his most recent visit to Caprica.
He had managed to spend some quality time with Susan and her parents at their hunting lodge in the mountains. They had even gone camping for a few days next to a quiet mountain lake. It had been some quality down time that he seriously needed. Susan was currently flying raptors between Caprica City and Caprica Station on a regular basis. For the time being, she had requested to be assigned to the fleet base just outside of Caprica City, so she could spend her off time with her parents at their hunting lodge.
Major Simms leaned back in the seat of his viper, as he passed down the port side of the battle cruiser gazing at all the weapon's emplacements. Flak guns, defensive laser clusters, the heavier KEW batteries, missile ports and of course the heavy pulse laser beneath the hull. The battle cruisers were designed for one purpose and one purpose only, to kill enemy capital ships!
Back on the Galactica, Colonel Hoshi was standing slightly behind Captain Angela Simms as the last of the data from her sensor scans of the system came in. Once glance told him the system was clear of other ships. "All clear commander. We can jump at your discretion."
"Very well," replied Commander Wells glancing down at the operations table, which now showed a detailed star map and their next four jump points. They had a long ways to go and a lot of systems to check on the way. "Colonel, order all ships to spin up their FTL drives, it's time for us to move on."
Two weeks later, the Galactica was nearing the rendezvous coordinates for the Kobolan surveillance cruisers. The rendezvous point was thirty-two light years outside of known Ovion space. The Kobolan surveillance cruisers were specially constructed for stealth and speed. While still powerfully armed, their best defense was not being detected.
The Galactica appeared in a flash of blue-white light followed quickly by the rest of the ships in her small fleet.
"Status," barked Commander Wells as the ship's systems stabilized and the Dradis and sensors began furnishing data.
"All ships reporting safe jumps," the communications officer reported. "They are standing by for further orders."
"Where are the Kobolan cruisers?" asked Colonel Hoshi seeing that the Dradis screen was blank. He knew that they should be in this general area.
"Send the coded transmission to the Kobolan cruisers identifying us," ordered Commander Wells looking over at the communications officer. He knew the ships were probably still operating with their stealth systems engaged.
"Sir, I am picking up what appears to be weapons fire deeper in the system," Lieutenant Anders reported excitedly. "I am detecting several nuclear detonations and other ordinance explosions on the sensors."
"Sir, we are receiving a distress message from the Kobolan cruisers," reported the communications officer. "They are under attack from two Ovion dreadnaughts and four Ovion cruisers. Two of their ships have damaged jump drives. They are requesting assistance."
"Frak, we jumped right into a shooting war," muttered Colonel Hoshi looking at the data coming up on the operations table. The Kobolan ships were 14 million miles away from the Galactica's current position.
"Set condition one and prepare for a short in system FTL jump," Commander Wells ordered as he sized up the tactical situation. "Have the battle cruiser Destiny stay behind with our support ships. Viper and raptor crews are to stand by for immediate launch." Flipping a switch on his mini-com he continued, "Admiral Adama, please report to the CIC."
In a flash of light, the Battlestar Galactica and her three escorting battle cruisers appeared slightly above the embattled Kobolan and Ovion ships.
"Launch vipers!" ordered Commander Wells taking a deep breath. He prayed he wasn't about to drag the Colonies into another war.
Colonel Hoshi quickly passed on the order to the two flight pods. Vipers were already in the tubes and ready to go. In moments, vipers began launching and forming up quickly into squadrons.
"What do we have!" demanded Commander Wells as he gazed at the Dradis screen above his head. He was waiting for the tactical data to be downloaded to the operations table.
The door to the CIC opened and Admiral Adama came rushing in. "What's going on?" He knew there had to be some type of a serious threat for Commander Wells to have placed the Galactica at condition one.
"The Ovions have attacked the Kobolan surveillance cruisers," Colonel Hoshi reported quickly as Adama reached the operations table. "Two of the Kobolan cruisers have damaged FTL drives and can't jump."
"What are we facing?" Adama demanded as his face took on a serious look.
Adama knew they had a mutual defense treaty with the Kobolans and had to render assistance. It was also the right thing to do considering everything the Kobolans had done to help restore and rebuild the Colonies and the Colonial fleet.
The Dradis screen cleared, and information began appearing on the operations table. Admiral Adama and Commander Wells both looked down at it.
"Two Ovion dreadnaughts and four of their heavy cruisers," Commander Wells reported uneasily. "That's a lot of firepower. It looks like the Kobolan cruisers are under heavy attack from Ovion fighters."
"Very well," Adama replied. He could see from the data on the operations table that the four Ovion heavy cruisers were positioned slightly above the two dreadnaughts. Occasionally they would fire missiles or KEW rounds at the four Kobolan cruisers. "Commander Wells, I would suggest that we attack the two dreadnaughts, which should pull the fire away from the Kobolan cruisers. The fleet is yours to command. You have more recent combat experience and are more familiar with these new weapon systems."
Commander Wells studied the operations table for a moment then began issuing orders. "Colonel Hoshi, instruct Major Simms to take out the Ovion fighters attacking the Kobolan ships. Major Wells is to place her squadrons between us and the Ovion heavy cruisers to serve as a blocking force. I want one squadron held back in reserve to be used to intercept inbound missiles if need be. Ships are to form up into Gamma diamond attack formation."
The Ovions hesitated in their attack when they saw the appearance of the new ships. From their scans, these were of the same design as those that had been scanned above one of their mining operations. The Ovion dreadnaughts formed quickly into a defensive formation turning their ships to fire a broadside of nuclear missiles at the approaching warships. The four heavy cruisers increased the distance between them and the dreadnaughts to give them a better angle to attack. Missile after missile left their launch tubes on pillars of fire and accelerated away toward the approaching ships.
Major Aaron Simms had five twenty-ship squadrons closing on the Ovion fighters. He knew from previous reports that the average Ovion dreadnaught carried 40 of the deadly craft.
"All squadrons prepare to engage, use missiles when possible and keep your distance, stay with your wingman." Major Wells knew most of his young pilots had never experienced combat before; fortunately, he had enough veterans to pull the younger pilots through this.
"Weapons free, let's go get them!"
Aaron hit his turbos, and he and his wingman arrowed toward four Ovion fighters that were strafing one of the Kobolan cruisers. The cruisers energy screen flashed blue every time it was struck by a round. Even as they watched, a defensive laser beam flicked out from the Kobolan cruiser spearing one of the fighters causing it to explode in a bright ball of red flame.
Aaron heard a smooth tone come from his weapons display indicating he had missile lock on one of the fighters. He quickly squeezed off one of the small Hunter missiles carried under his viper's wings. The viper shook slightly as the rocket blasted away and smashed into its intended target obliterating it. "One down," Aaron murmured as he switched over to the next target. He could feel the adrenaline rush of combat. His senses seemed heightened, and everything seemed unusually clear.
A quick check of his Dradis and he saw that the rest of his pilots were making short work of the Ovion fighters. It was obvious that the Ovions had nothing similar to the Colonial Hunter missiles.
Slightly above Aaron, four Ovion fighters were watching. Their squadron commander had spotted a slightly larger enemy craft that was possibly the command fighter of these new enemies. Signaling his three wing mates, they quickly accelerated and dropped down toward their unsuspecting target.
The first hint Aaron had that he was in trouble was when his wingman's viper exploded and tracer shells made a stitching pattern across his port wing. Frak! he thought as he juked his viper to his left. Looking out his cockpit window, he saw four Ovion fighters closing on him. He kicked in his turbos and accelerated away taking his viper through a series of hard urns and dives trying to lose the Ovions. He was too far away from the rest of his squadrons to call for help. They wouldn't get here in time. There was nowhere he could go. He wished he could tell Susan just how much she meant to him before he died.
It was at that moment that two of the Ovion fighters exploded in flashes of red fire and a Colonial viper flashed between the burning wreckage. "Mind if I join you Major?" Starbuck's vibrant voice came over the com. "I just couldn't stay in the ship with a battle going on!"
Aaron didn't know what to say as Starbuck flipped her viper 180 degrees and fired a short burst from her 30 mm cannons into another of the Ovion fighters blowing off its wing. "Just like fighting fraking toasters," Starbuck spoke gleefully over the com. "Three down and one to go!"
The remaining Ovion fighter pulled up and accelerated away from the fight trying to escape with Starbuck in hot pursuit. Aaron continued to watch and saw Starbuck fire two of her missiles taking out the last Ovion fighter in a ball of flame. Aaron let out a sigh of relief; it wasn't his day to die after all. Starbuck was as good as everyone said, maybe better. He would have to remember to thank her when they got back to the Galactica.
Back on the Galactica, Admiral Adama watched in admiration as a lone viper tore into the remaining Ovion formation shredding it. He didn't have to ask to know who it was. What do you hear Starbuck, he thought in his mind. In answer, he thought he could hear a voice say, nothing but the rain sir.
"Incoming Ovion missiles," Lieutenant Anders reported as a threat warning sounded on his Dradis and sensor console. "Nuclear ordinance detected."
"All ships activate forward flak screens, maximum intensity," Commander Wells ordered. "Laser batteries to take out any missiles that get through our screens."
In between the two closing fleets, explosions started going off creating a barrier of shrapnel between the incoming missiles and the Colonial ships. The Ovions had launched 142 nuclear missiles. Many of them were blown apart or disabled in the flak fields. The Colonial ships defensive missile batteries began picking off the few that managed to penetrate the flak screen. Defensive laser beams flicked out wiping out missiles that had escaped destruction in the flak screen. Only one penetrated all the way impacting on the Athena's energy screen. For a moment, the powerful battle cruiser was covered in nuclear fire then emerged unscathed. The ship's energy screen flickered briefly then stabilized.
"All missiles destroyed," Lieutenant Anders reported as the threat warning on his console became quiet.
"Ovion KEW rounds are impacting the energy screens of all ships, including the Galactica," Colonel Hoshi reported. "The Ovion rate of fire is increasing, and some of the rounds will start to penetrate our screens shortly."
"How is the Athena?" Admiral Adama asked. He had seen the nuclear explosion on the view screen. These new Kobolan energy screens and lasers still amazed him.
"The Athena was hit by one of the nukes, but her energy screen absorbed most of the blast," Colonel Hoshi reported. "She is reporting very minor damage."
"Main KEW batteries locked on," the tactical officer reported.
"Fire," Commander Wells ordered.
From the bow of the Galactica, all six main KEW batteries fired in unison hurling massive shells at one of the Ovion dreadnaughts at nearly one-tenth the speed of light. The shells struck the Ovion's energy screen, two of them failed to penetrate, but the other four struck through the weakened energy shield penetrating deep into the ship's interior. The entire ship seemed to stagger then a large explosion blew out a portion of the ship's hull. Out of control fires could be seen burning through the open wound in the ship.
The Ovion cruisers, seeing the damage to the dreadnaught, began to edge closer to the larger warship to give her some covering fire. They were also firing KEW round after KEW round at the Colonial ships. Bright flashes of blue lit up the Colonial ships as the KEW rounds impacted the ships energy screens.
Major Wells had moved her viper squadrons, and she was using them to shoot down incoming Ovion missiles, but being careful to stay out of the way of any KEW rounds. There were numerous rounds inbound from both fleets.
"Heavy damage to primary target," Colonel Hoshi reported. "It looks like their energy shield is severely weakened. We must have hit some of their power generation systems."
"Our battle cruisers are engaging the Ovion heavy cruisers," Commander Wells spoke as the operations table was continuously being updated with new information. "They are trying to shield the Ovion dreadnaught we damaged."
"Then I suggest that we finish her," Admiral Adama spoke.
"Fire two Conqueror missiles plus a spread of decoys," Commander Wells ordered. "I want to finish this quickly. Keep pounding that dreadnaught with our KEW rounds to give them something to think about besides our inbound missiles." He knew the ten-megaton warheads on the two missiles should finish off the Ovion dreadnaught.
"Missiles fired," the tactical officer reported.
The two deadly missiles blasted away from the Galactica and homed in on their target. A screen of twenty decoy missiles shielded the two Conqueror missiles. The Ovion dreadnaught spotted the incoming missiles and tried to blast them down with their defensive batteries. But too many defensive weapons systems had been compromised from the massive KEW hits and subsequent explosion. More rounds were impacting her weakened screen and some were getting through causing even more damage. One of the missiles and most of the decoys were intercepted, but the remaining Conqueror missile darted into the previous hole from the KEW impacts and exploded deep within the Ovion dreadnaught. A bright light filled the main view screen on the Galactica as the Ovion dreadnaught was destroyed by nuclear fire.
"Target destroyed," reported Colonel Hoshi.
"Remaining Ovion ships are jumping out," Lieutenant Anders reported.
Colonel Hoshi glanced up at the Dradis screen and watched as the last Ovion icon vanished. "They're gone sir," he reported.
"Recall our vipers and leave one squadron out on CAP," Commander Wells ordered. "Contact the Kobolans and see what type of assistance they need. We need to jump away from this system before the Ovions return with reinforcements."
Colonel Hoshi quickly began passing on the orders.
"What are our losses?" Admiral Adama asked. He knew they had lost some pilots.
Commander Wells listened to several reports coming in over his mini-com. "Looks like eight vipers and slight damage to the battle cruiser Athena. She took two KEW rounds on her starboard side right after the nuclear strike to her energy screen. No one was killed, but they do have some minor injuries."
"Good job commander," Adama said approvingly. "Let's get those Kobolan ship's drives repaired so we can get out of here. The sooner the better."
"I whole heartedly agree," Commander Wells replied with a nod.
Two hours later, the Kobolan ships and the Colonial fleet jumped out of the system. Once Captain Simms had verified that there was no trace of Ovions in the new system, Commander Wells gave the order to begin the resupplying of the Kobolan ships. Repair crews from the Galactica were sent over to help repair the battle damage. The commander of the Kobolan ships reported that one of the cruisers stealth fields had malfunctioned, which had allowed the Ovions to detect them.
Admiral Adama watched on the main view screen as several repair raptors hovered around the Kobolan ships. It would take about twenty hours to repair the battle damage and get the damaged ships fully operational again.
"Captain Aileen on the Kobolan cruiser Kobols Hand will send in a report on this encounter with the Ovions when her relief ships show up in a couple of weeks," Commander Wells reported.
"These Ovions bother me," Admiral Adama replied in a quiet voice. "They seem to want to fight so quickly. They never attempt to communicate, they just attack."
"That's how it's always been," Commander Wells replied with a nod. "The Kobolans say it has been like this from the very beginning."
The next day, all repairs to the Kobolan ships were complete, and the two fleets parted ways. The Kobolans returning to their surveillance of Ovion space, and the Galactica returning to her original mission to discover what had happened back on the two Earths. The two fleets vanished in flashes of blue-white light. They were on their way once more.
