Battlestar Galactica

Chains of Tartarus

Chapter I

Standing over a holographic array scanning of our immediate surroundings I remained alert despite having urges to sleep. It'd been several days of avoiding cylon patrols, or any signs of their fleet as I looked around frowning in seeing a bridge full of half awake personnel. We were all exhausted yet our work hadn't ended due to constant influxes of civilian ships from all over the twelve colonies had been responding to our pinging transmissions. So far despite my own ship which was a rarity among the fleet at its height, we weren't doing so well. Running three hour shifts of sleep and occasionally pumping ourselves with adrenaline stimulants to keep up with updated events took a toll.

"Confirmed positive recognition of three new vessels appearing out of jump at vector one eight zero, sir." An ensign reported happily tired while wearing newly minted blackish headphones with a communications line in confirming ship to ship communications with yet more survivors to which I sighed out tiredly, "Thank Gods." Glancing upwards to see newly tested monitors of a partially modified ship proved our engineers had down good, "Have our new arrivals be escorted into fleet formation by the Cerberus and Odessa."

Despite being attacked by cylon strikes my ship and crew had been fortunate enough to be in the process of unloading for shore leave. We'd just pulled into dock before sensors went ballistic as nuclear thermal warheads were sending alerts, I'd just reached an end to a twelve hour shift and I somehow at the time got all hands to brace. Doing shakedown runs on this newest vessel proved to be a boon as we got our fraking asses out of firing range, I also managed to get extra hands who had barely little time to get aboard and as a result we had an overcapacity of crewmen. Not that I wasn't thankful saving some yet it still was bitter trying to get them settled.

Among other small miracles two smaller class military vessels also jumped in coordination with our vessel to safety. Both were of a smaller variety to be designed as mere escorts, a light sense of shielding our larger guns and screening enemy weaponry to hit their smaller silhouettes. Two Orion-class frigates, or recon ships were fully manned to our relief and both captains of those vessels had immediately placed themselves underneath a command structure. I was still struggling with anxiety to understand in all likelihood I was possibly the only leadership left in this sector space! I didn't want to lead thousands and I sure as frak hated being placed in said spot!

Just three vessels of command fleet survived, I fraking hate this shit! Pursuing my lips I walked over to lightly clasp an ensign maintaining his station, "What's the updated count?" He immediately marked down several names on a hastily scribbled piece of paper, "Nineteen vessels numbered capacity of seven thousand lives, sir. Including the Cerberus and Odessa they have about six hundred in total with Tatarus at just over two thousand plus an extra two hundred..." He paused mid sentence calculating a few extra factors of prediction to smile tiredly, "...so, we're currently situated at exactly ten thousand four hundred lives admiral."

I ignored his relieved expression thinking I'd be able to solve all our problems yet I managed to give his shoulder a firm squeeze. Moving away I told him, "Excellent work son! Keep on it." Moving about I checked in on various ensigns, crew members and those stationed on this bridge before settling down as the routine rounds kept morale upwards. Exhaling tiredly I managed to return to my original spot at the head of the holographic display on a table surrounded by various people updating, or checking systems as time went on. It proved to be a long day coming as I heard someone report back, "Sir I've got live incoming transmission, Captain of Cerberus is hailing us!"

Nodding I reached upwards to grasp a phone like communications unit speaking firmly into a receiver, "Servius, here!" I heard a clear elder man gruffly speak up laughing, "Keeping you on your toes, kid! Cerberus reporting in as per status, we've just got our new pups locked and safe inside mother's den, over!" I laughed in response knowing the man since he was just busting my balls for fun, I told him ever so diligently, "Roger that Marcus! It's this young man's duty to tell you to don't forgot to take your sleeping pills, Servius over and out!"

Radio chatter among our vessels kept technicians in check as they reported status of various systems. It also served to keep them awake, aware and sound of mind knowing they weren't alone out here. Grasping both sides of my holographic display table I leaned over trying to keep calm yet I knew we weren't even close to establishing a safety zone. Cylon fleets were honing on our position soon enough as I waited for others to get to us before jumping out of this sector. Too many were scattered, if we couldn't get them to safety then we'd have failed in our duty as soldiers of fleet to protect our people from cylon threats. Inhaling deeply I gestured for ensign to come over as I asked a younger woman who looked nervous, "What's the clock say?"

She looked down to a piece of hardware monitoring said clock, "An hour and five, sir!" I'd been paranoid ever since cylon raiders kept pinging for our signatures, "Give it another fifteen and inform the fleet for jump to designated sector. We'll wait for hold outs, or do it in another area so they can follow some bread crumbs." She saluted me by sharply saying, "Aye, aye sir!" And with that she returned sending out my updated orders to all channels as chatter increased briefly to maintain command in essence.

Another ensign called up from his station informing me about a particular task I'd been damned to get done. I wasn't pleased to be center of attention yet I heard it, "Sir! Commander Quintus is requesting you on internal-line two, he's got an update!" Flicking several switches I pulled the phone from its resting place speaking clearly, "Give me some good news!" I prayed to the Gods themselves to figure out what we had, what we'd need and certainly make sure it all fraking lasted long enough before Hades came calling.

"Fraking crap!" I heard a gruff angry voice of an elder officer who served since the first Cylon war exclaim, "It's a fraking gods damned mess down here, Julius!" I nodded absently in agreement by stating rather grimly, "Beats being radiated pieces of metal and dust, Adrian. So what's our supply list checking out to be?" The sooner we figured out food, medical, water and ammunition amounts I'd rest easier knowing what we were capable of doing. Without those numbers I risked a Zeus sized problem of maintaining living people on-board ships.

Adrian who was one of my two executive officers presently aboard gave me the sit-rep. I cringed hearing him berate some idiot for slacking off, "Supply guy tells me we got about full tanks of water, so we're not drinking our own piss...thank the gods!" I laughed in response awaiting him to continue much to that crass image, "Rations are fairly stocked up, but I wouldn't bet on them lasting if we don't find alternatives for food and we're lacking a bit of bullets for small arms. Overall we were a hell of a lot better not being vaporized, so we're somewhat decent."

I tapped my hip trying to avoid frowning, "Any recommendations? No bullshit, please." I requested much to my senior officer's chortle, "Tighten your belts if you want food to last a lot longer and shit less often. Won't know anymore until these supply jockeys do their jobs better, I'll keep you updated and if anything comes up, I'll send a call." Adrian wasn't a man who joked, or lied about anything save for what little liquor remained in his home made crafting skills. The man had been around for so long, I'd have pegged him to be more yet it was his crass habits that kept him at senior commander despite rumors claimed.

"Keep me posted, over and out!" I ended the call feeling slightly better knowing we had ample food supplies and plenty of water. What else am I forgetting here? Oh, right! Switching several frequencies I dialed towards our medical wards intent on getting updates from those less fortunate. Not a moment later I heard a woman pick up, "Matthias, here!"

Gesturing for an ensign to quickly shove paperwork into my hands I signed off on authorizing security teams to start patrols. Speaking while writing down my signature I requested my second executive officer who'd been assigned to me from fleet academy, "What's the butcher's bill so far? Don't sugar coat it either, Irene." The woman whose youthful slightly overshadowed my own replied rather grim as though seeing people being cut apart weren't gruesome, "Sixty dead from radiation exposure, another thirty I think in a few hours, if they can't resist it plus Doc's recommending we use morphine to ease them up."

Frowning I reluctantly refused to sign off on that in fear of wasting supply, "Negative on that request. We don't know when, or where we'll need that in place. Tell Doc it's admiral's priority, so keep me updated Irene, confirm?" I heard her softly intone sadly, "Roger that, sir! Mathias over and out." And with a small click our communication ended in static.

Overall we weren't too banged up considering we'd almost gotten nuclear warheads implanted in our asses days ago. All things considering we maintained an established zone of defense, a manageable casualty collection point and had surplus of supplies given we had numbers in place. Plus this wasn't considering the civilian vessels who had their own stores of said resources, if anything plating turtle in these gods forsaken times would see us another day. But still being prepared wasn't a boon until I knew everything about our capability to repel said attacks. Zeus alone I knew cylon patrols were actively hunting stragglers into our midst.

Battlestar Tartarus, Orion class vessels Cerberus and Odessa are all that's left to stand against a whole fraking Cylon fleet. I scoffed trying to not guess those odds considering we were left with our asses hanging out to dry. And somehow I had to manage an additional seven, or more thousand civilians who'd probably piss their pants with me leading them into certain doom? What was not to love about this fraking situation? I was just a green admiral candidate who was in war time regulation promoted to a Rear Admiral by default, if no other Admirals were found I'd have defacto-command of all surviving colonial fleet!

Coming to stand over a pair of ensign crewmen attending internal communications aboard Tartarus I told them briefly, "Get me the chief on Raptor and Valkyrie flight status's. Give me numbers on which birds are good, crap or absolute crap on the double!" The man and woman nodded together before getting to work as I overlooked a bridge teeming with activity. I wasn't being a hard ass by design as I did clasp their shoulders giving them solid motivation to ease themselves. It was the least I could do besides barking out orders.

It didn't take too long for a report from our experience mechanical officer who ran every deck on the vessel. If there wasn't one thing she couldn't fix outright, it'd be scrapped and retrofitted like Zeus knew who to destroy anything. Smiling lightly I heard the man speak up a bit nervous, "Uh, sir? Chief Harris respectfully tells you to frak off about numbers. Says she's got her hands full trying to scrap together and salvage some old birds in order to make them worthwhile...uh, yeah I got it Chief!" I smiled while laughing loudly telling to carry on as it certainly made up an interesting group of people. I had faith in them doing their jobs yet they weren't polite about it.

So many were angry in being attacked as many lost family, friends and significant others. I looked down to reach up for a bronze cast locket and flipped it open out of habit. I hope you're alive, I pray to the Gods we'll see each other again. Until then, I'll do what I can! Clasping it shut I returned to my original position preparing for all scenarios. It certainly got my blood flowing, I stared ahead in order to anxiously await the clock's timer running closer to zero and as such know enemy contact would be inevitable.

For a bit everything seemingly settled back into routine as civilian vessels were organized in defensive formations to get them out first. None of the civilian captain reported any unrest, or possibly encouraging mutineers much to my internal relief because risking internal division spelled out death. That was another myriad of problems once these initial dangers passed, if any sort of conflict erupted over resources or power alone it'd have to be clamped down hard. A choice I wasn't going to dare to humor because I didn't think I'd have a gut to stomach it entirely. Gunning down that last of our people because someone wanted more food, or water?

Rubbing my face tiredly I looked up to see alerts of an incoming ship at the very edge of our range. Frowning intently unsure I heard the ensign report alertly, "Friendly civilian vessel tagged underneath designation, 'Hera'! Please confirm your identity, or risk..." Every standard procedure was met with relief yet a panicked voice over the communications array cried out, "Thank the gods! Please we just jumped away from cylon vessels! Frak man! We made a blind jump and I don't think we have much time...thank gods you're military too!"

Without warning alarms began blazing in sheer earnest as a more cold feeling churned inside my stomach. Cylon signatures, frak me! I watched slightly uneasy knowing we'd been found out as a series of red lights blared to life sounding off as an ensign monitoring radar called out, "Cylon vessels detected! In bound just south of Hera at vector two seven zero, range twenty five hundred kilometers and fraking hades sir, I got a lot of them on screen!" That wasn't even going to help me sleep better at night as I watched said numbers pop up.

My eyes were wide once it was clear that one civilian vessel had just attracted an entire battle group worth of cylon ships. You fraking idiots! You made so much noise, now you've got a Zeus sized bolt up your asses and we're paying for it! Scowling angrily I sharply barked out, "Give me identifications and numbers on those fraking gods damned ships ensign! What in Zeus's name are we dealing with right here?"

Quickly pings where sent out as I got a report which I wished I'd never heard. It wasn't going to be a nice day for sure, "I got one confirmed Surtur class confirmed, sir! No heavy armaments detected, but plenty of fighters and bombers in stock." I saw one blip marked into smaller blips as a capital class to which the Tartarus could take on head to head, if not for half a dozen other ships. Another ensign called out, "Six Fenrir's confirmed! They're marking their lines, I'm getting read outs of anti-capital weaponry in place and they're angling for broad-sides, sir!"

I did every single piece of math and I found myself gnashing teeth hard together. We're outnumbered two to one, three per escort Orion class and one capital class against Tartarus! Frak, if we can't maintain our position then civilians are compromised, if we move they get hit and they're dead but so are...shit, Gods damn it! If we fled all our people were dead, if stayed we'd possibly die and better yet they also die if they couldn't leave in time either! I was utterly fraked to hades and back, it wasn't even a week yet also.

Bracing myself I sent out an emergency wide broadcast, "Attention civilian vessels prep for blind jump into established sector. Do not break away from our backs, if you do you're dead." I didn't bother mince meeting their fates if I lied, "Gods be with you all as we'll give you time to coordinate your jumps. Tartarus out!" Sighing loudly I bit my tongue to reestablish command with both Orion class vessels which had begun establishing our secured flanks, I wasn't under any disbelief to know we were both outgunned, outnumbered and out-flanked with our backs to a wall. We were fraked, either way and I was oddly happy to know it was true!

I want to flee, I want to run and call it a day! I thought terribly trying to fight against instinct and willful ignorance to think the civilians would last. Wiping away sweat I set up lines directly to both ships outside my own, "Cerberus, Odessa how copy?" I asked reflexively as I got two replies of confirmed clearance as I gave them a low down, "Be advised gentleman and ladies! We're not dying here today, so avoid desperation unless you're burning! Maintain maximum distance from enemy lines, do not play hero and once civilian fleet is gone, we're gone!"

Playing chicken with cylon vessels which were sleeker and faster than us defined madness, but we had firepower to take them down. As long as we played pot shots, I'd say we'd leave with minor damage and casualties! Risky whether I get in close, or play keep away yet at least we have time to react against enemy fire at best. Going to have to pray after once this is over, I swear it! Clutching the speaker I gave them my final orders, "Screen them as much as you can, if unable too then allow Tartarus to absorb heavier fire if necessary. Be advised as well Raptors and Valkyries will maintain friendly sectors of space, Servius out!"

Stomping over to the holographic displays I tapped several signatures as plans were set via-network linked battle commands. Each ship in a fleet could send up to date plans, or at least send signals to other ships giving them a live fed map of intent. Hopefully playing keep away get us the job done, I don't want to risk us slugging it out with this battle group. I don't have the manpower, or firepower to outright blow them from space. Cerberus and Odessa will have to be up for some work, if they want us all to get out alive.

Pinging Odessa and Cerberus by dragging their blips across the holographic display I created a defensive line. They'd cut half way between us and the cylon group intent on avoiding any fire trying to get Tartarus's engines. If they hit us in our ass end, we'd be helpless and the bulkhead wasn't meant to take hits from behind at all. As long as we fronted hits our reinforced plating would hold, if not it'd be a lower death at least. More so displays of active Raptors and Valkyries came on display to number out at an even fifty, or so pilots.

On screen seven cylon vessels arranged systems into a diamond like formation as their lesser vessels could absorb hits from our guns. Despite being so far out, if any slight prediction of flight path could be tracked and shot ahead? Frowning I knew this was just an electronic game of chess in which machines had an edge over human minds, if anything I'd grant them to be shrewd if playing with numerical values over human unpredictability. But I had little choice save for playing into their game with surviving an additional day, or two. Clasping a bronze locket I gave myself one final push before everything took off into chaos.

"All vessels weapons free!" I shouted as muted tremors of massive rail guns began firing away as our pilots maneuvered to angle themselves. Blips on screen indicated our trajectory of rounds yet few got even close to scattered the cylon group. Raiders inbound, I don't think our pilots are trained vets...son of a bitch, I forgot a lot of them are green from flight school! Ugh gods help us all, I can't believe trained vets were swapped out due to our shakedown runs.

Anti-fighter flak batteries from both us and the Orion-class vessels shot down several raiders in formation long be engaging our own. I prayed to Zeus hearing chatter of pilots shouting in anxious adrenaline rushing dogfights, or were requesting support. Checking their life signs I issued standing orders, "Have port side batteries giving our pilots some cover! Starboard gun batteries retain their primary goal of taking out cylon ships, I want continuous fire on that battle group and keep them off our civilian populace!"

Jaw clenching tremors rocked Tartarus's entire command bridge as I steadied myself feeling momentum of my ship avoiding enemy volleys. Even at so long a distance it was difficult to maneuver quickly, or react in time to not play dangerously as technicians struggled to predict and accurately give out vectors to avoid being hit. On the display I saw two of our raptors go down as screams of dying men twisted my guts coldly, "I'm hit! Mayday, mayday I'm..." A screeching noise of static and human screech mixed together to indicate another raptor going down due to cylon raiders. I blocked out those kinds of events desperate to avoid tearing up.

Good news came next with a woman whooping, "Odessa confirms scoring hit on cylon vessel!" That cheerful boast made me smile as I replied over the communications channel, "Zeus bless you! Keep at it!" Breathing out a sigh of relief I saw one blip confirming a cylon vessel veering dangerously below their group as it had lost engines at best. Five escorts against our two, one to one for capital ships and yet they're not slowing down. We humans get sloppy after thirty second engagements, if anything we're asking for trouble soon enough.

On and on our pot shooting game of chicken went onward with fighter squadrons battling for supremacy between us. Sweat went down my neck once it was clear it'd be an attrition to have us lose soundly. In a bid to force off anger I sharply demanded, "Status report on civilian fleet jumps! They had all this time to fraking get out!" I witnessed another two raptors getting shot out of space itself and they had performed splendidly to take out sixty percent of invading cylon raiders. Some of those green kids would get their wings as aces today I'd wager.

Explosive concussions rocked the ship suddenly as it lurched over to port! Gnashing my teeth struggling to remain upright I yelled out, "Status report!" Simultaneous people spoke up at once as I separated all residual background noise to focus in a haze of adrenaline, "Port side board side hit with cylon torpedoes! No internal damage reported but our trajectory is knocked right into...wait, brace!" An ensign cried out as more extensive shocks hit us fully! I found myself knocking back to slam face first into a console as I felt blood leaking from lips.

Spitting out reddish liquid I snarled getting up to start immediately counter acting this game of chicken and fraking shit! Projecting commands to both Odessa and Cerberus I gave an order, "Close the distance and start giving them hade's on demand!" Tartarus readjusted itself accordingly following suit as we dived in closer to start making some punches in! I'd be damned before taking on more hits without giving those cylon frakers a taste of their medicine, "Someone give me a report on those civilian vessels!"

The head ensign who lead communication got the numbers I wanted to hear, "Seventy five percent jumped and accounted! Remaining fleet will be jumping within thirty seconds, sir!" I swore finding their response far too slow and it certainly showed when I snarled, "Tell them to hurry their asses up! We're wasting blood and lives for their shit preparation." Ballistic batteries started to hit their marks as cylon vessels began weaving in formation yet their own speed became their downfall. Technicians began plotting ahead of them as one aimed a pistol towards moving targets, I found twisted satisfaction to hear reports of two more cylon vessels breaking apart.

"Sir! Engineering deck is on the line!" I got called out when reaching upwards to growl out, "Tell me something good down there." The response I got was a gruff yet clearly panting head mechanical lead who told me a no bullshit report, "Our coolant tanks are being stressed with all this constant maneuvering admiral! You push this ship and yourself any further, I'm going to get a serious radiation tan when it's all over, sir." Another unfortunate downside was that Tartarus's engineering components were mixed together with older sturdier parts yet with newer mechanisms meant to improve performance. But they were all simply prone to glitches as it was clear I'd have an exploded engine room soon.

Anxiously tapping my foot I gave them a time table for us to pull out, "Thirty more seconds! Thirty seconds and we're jumping out, alright?" The chief of engineering agreed to my request by simply saying, "If Zeus isn't looking out of us now, I'd say you kissed his ass long enough. We'll be alive then, engineering deck out!" And I returned my attention to the battle display seeing that reports were coming about civilians finally out of our immediate area. I thanked the gods we could get out next, so it became easier with less things to worry about.

"All civilian vessels jumped, sir! We're clear!" I got the update I wanted to hear since this engagement kicked off as I happily voiced over our communications channels, "All fleet elements we're green to jump and see another day! Pull back, get clear and take off!" Zeus answered my prayers finally as all across our boards all pilots returned to their bays. Aligning ourselves to an adjacent sector I got the confirmation to punch it to jump. Sighing loudly I looked around as a signal was given for us to jump and with one lurch we did so.

The first active engagement against cylon forces and we lost maybe half a dozen pilots to raiders who flew circles on them. Barely making a dent on their battle group I could pray we'd escape with light casualties in every encounter, I could only pray and hope for such a delusional thing. Yet we got our people out, we got them out and safe for another day. As my ship jumped I stared at the holographic display seeing something odd about a certain blip. If didn't believe what I was seeing I thought I had seen the Hera of all things drift towards the cylon group. And that was the last thing I saw before everything went black.


I sat against the tree waiting anxiously as I fiddled with my newly minted uniforms tie. Dressing for formality certainly itched given how fresh the material seemed. It was another beautiful day on Caprica to enjoy a spring climate, I kept my mouth from being too dry since I was waiting for someone. It'd been late to say yet I waited at our meeting point. My heart raced so quickly I thought I was doing a jump to light speed, or something of that Zeus forsaken extent. This was all too new for me to accept at first.

Looking away I messed with my tie until someone playfully grabbed me from behind, "Hey there stranger!" I startled while leaping away as laughter enjoyed what it had done intentionally. Seething absolutely infuriated I bit out, "Cheap trick! You were watching me, weren't you?" The person raised their hand playful in response having no shame in admitting such a thing, I found it cruel and utterly fun because it was harmless.

Standing upright to avoid any further embarrassment I felt my cheeks flush when seeing someone who I'd been admiring lately. She smiled patiently pleased while reaching forward adjusting an incredibly terrible attire, "Oh look at you, Julius! Newly minted officer my ass, I can't believe regulations let you pass inspection with this...this mess!" I shrugged trying to avoid smelling fruity scents off her person as I retorted in defense, "They made an exception for someone who got top marks! By Zeus I mean you told me if you're the best, then you get the best!"

Her condescending look of disbelief told me I had lied like fraking crap. I chuckled a bit generously playing it off, "No need to get me in front of a firing squad! It's not like I wasn't late to a meeting between two people...right?" I stated staring a bit annoyed as she reprimanded me ever so impishly, "And it's not like a newly minted officer of fleet wasn't privy to an Admiral's meeting, right? Not like an admiral tells her subordinate to suck it up, or leave it." I rolled my eyes not even daring to question her commitment to being promoted to said rank, I swore to Zeus alone she'd have the gods graces to push it easily.

After several moments of seeming being pleased with her work we began our walk in earnest. I launched myself by talking about potential suitors of working underneath to gain a commission as a captain of fleet, I also talked mainly to personal matters and seeking advice from my friend who took it all in rather patiently. I felt out of place talking to my senior superior in a sense, I didn't know how to broach casual conversation without sticking to regulation while in uniform and I had a hunch she wasn't finding it boring. I caught her on occasional smiling playfully when I forgot to include, sir or mam at sentences end.

"You can speak freely, Julius." She told me finally after fifteen awkward minutes that I held against her with flushed cheeks. She'd been playing me so hard that pity, or boredom eased our conversation into something sort of legible as friends. We reached our usual spot to sit in peace, a bench of Caprica Park where memorials were erected from the first Cylon War. Birds sang merrily where I stared at a particular marker wistfully thinking I'd have earned some forgiveness for childishly blaming the dead for a man's problems.

I didn't need to even say to her what I was feeling, "I hope they can smile at me, finally." I heard her reply by firmly placing a hand on my shoulder, "They'd be proud and happy for you, Julius. You damn well know you've defied expectations, you've studied hard and worked harder to achieve top of your class when others have hated you being...a commoner." I snorted merely of disgust for finding feuds of upper echelons of classes and commoners being shit upon, "Don't remind me! Your folks knew mine, they sponsored me and I met you, so it's a win in my book."

I witnessed her sly look being framed by a hand propping underneath said face, "A win?" Her playful question turned my gaze to see a blue body of water, "Yeah! What of it?" I asked looking away to hear her sigh in disappointment, "Julius you really need to compliment a woman of my standing, a bit more elegantly. Being brutally honest is good and all, but we women love to be pampered because it's a flattering image."

I snorted shaking my head to look over with a deadpan stare of amusement, "You? Pampered?" I questioned simply and starting laughing finding that absolute fraking funny, "This is the same person whose father told me to avoid that sappy fraking shit, or get punched in the jaw? That kind of pampering is what you want?" She smiled innocently trying to play off such actions which defied her character yet failed miserably, "It was worth a shot."

I leaned back not even daring to stop laughing, "Yeah, a shot I'd bet!" Her humming simply forced me to shut it, or I'd risk punishment given our casual friendship. This woman knew how to torture me without resorting to corporeal punishment. I almost got a look because she was satisfied I submitted myself to her whims, "Good boy." Rolling both eyes I wanted to pretend everything was normal yet it wasn't so, I'd say things were progressing daringly too fast. Yet I couldn't resist natural impulses to say it wasn't unwelcoming.

We sat there for a few more minutes in silence as I relaxed finally after days of tense studying. It worked out finally, I got my marks and I was top pick for whoever to wing underneath to learn as an admiral of fleet. Potentially in two years, I'd be able to command groups or earn my rank through seniority when developing peace time strategies against our potential enemy. Forty years of peace certainly made up for all that insanity in the first war, or so I was lead to believe. Too many unusual signs of subtle encouragement of our forces and cylon silences had gotten me uneasy.

"Worried?" I heard her ask simply as I didn't deny it by replying, "Yeah, I am." We both had our suspicions which was only magnified by those becoming incredibly paranoid, "I haven't forgotten you pointed it out to me, Julius. I don't forget those who've come across information that's credible, or accurate when it comes to our safety." She stated factually looking ahead as I nodded in agreement taking solace in her confidence, "Never said I wanted anything in return."

She shifted next to me speak my full name, "Julius Servius." I gulped down to stare over to see her looking at me affectionately. I lost all composure to feel her lean against a shoulder which had gone numb, "You're a terrible liar." She had pulled my arm to wrap it around herself and I lost all motor control to simply support us together. I felt butterflies inside my stomach flapping earnestly and without any sort of instinct I felt my hand being grasped tightly.

"It's not wrong, right?" I stated unsure knowing it was questionable for us to grow closer as I did look up to her a lot. Yet she found it endearingly adorable, "It's only wrong if you're scared of me, Julius. You've been star struck ever since I schooled your ass when I was in the last year of our academy, I think you tried to beat my score in that simulator." I recalled that memory to cheekily remind her I indeed did win, "I won because you tried to get my fleet's position in an asteroid belt and I used your overconfidence of skill to simply sneak up for a dogfight."

An overly strong fist hit my ribs as I coughed aloud finding it a solid blow! She warned me playfully, "Careful of that mouth of yours, or I might rectify that blemish." I gave a hasty mock frightened salute, "Aye, aye mam!" Our laughter lasted for several minutes as we sat together in peace seeing people seeming paying their respects to dead ancestors. I watched several leave flowers on a grave marker where it had my own surname, I could only watch bitterly I was in the shadow of someone who'd done so much more.

Being the son of martyrs only lasted as long as people remembered their sacrifice in times of war. In peace they were frowned up, to be criticized and ultimately used as examples of desperation to inflict damage at your own people's expense! Being human always had good, bad and ugly sides much to my experiences of dealing with upper echelons of military family's who dedicated themselves to fighting off cylon influences. I was just a commoner by blood, a low class Zeus induced son of martyrs who did their duty and got lucky to be heroes at least. I wasn't anyone, I had nothing except a bit of hope and maybe some skill to get my future set.

"Hey." I heard her whisper gently to break me away from glaring hatefully at that tomb, I felt her lips pressing gently against a cheek. I looked over unable to stop one tear racing down, "You'll be better than they'll ever be, Julius. Do you hear me?" I nodded silently unable to speak in favor of focusing on warmth supporting me, "You've already accomplished so much despite odds stacked against you. I believe you'll do things few men will do, if you're willing to stand upright and never back down regardless of what's thrown at you."

Those words were what I needed to hear as I leaned back upward to know I had done things already. It only mattered if I continued to press those limits, if anything I had something of a future. Fondly looking down I saw a pair of eyes stare right back with a smile gently inspiring fire within me. If there was a future, I'd make one and nothing in the past would hold me back. Shifting slightly I brought my arm to bring her close to me and I leaned against her solidifying I would fight for something more than childish grudges. I wanted something that had been denied to me for almost years, for I wanted to have a family again.


I groaned blindly reaching outward as someone voiced out their concern to my well being. I heard my senior executive officer gruffly chortle, "Ah and princess awakens to the kiss of a handsome prince." Despite being groggy I retorted blandly tasting phlegm inside a numbed mouth, "I'd rather piss glass then get your lips on mine, Adrian. Fraking sick bastard!" He was laughing as I blinked away darkness to see light hanging above me.

We were inside my private quarters as I asked a bit tiredly, "What happened to me?" Adrian shifted into view closing an old book which was good with home made moonshine, I'd need several if any plausible explanation got me to sleep well. He told me straight out, "Cylon raider got a lucky shot off apparently and fraking bastard sent half the bridge to meet a bulwark. You got knocked right out face first onto a metal floor, so in all fairness to the gods themselves I'd say despite everything that's happened you did fairly good, kid."

Slowly getting up I found his answer somewhat encouraging in most sensible fashions. Focusing on his wrinkled face I saw scarring from the first war, "How many killed in action?" The old man took my question in stride saying it rather admirably, "Six raptor pilots, maybe seven if one doesn't get his head cleared up. You did good kid, so I won't say it again." I enjoyed how brutally crass he seemed as it balanced me out to know I wasn't an exception. More so Adrian was far more experienced to handle stress then I'd ever imagine.

"Irene on the bridge?" He nodded once quite dismissive of the younger officer finding her too cheerful for his tastes, "Yeah, I left her in charge of managing those civilians. Better a secretary then being a combat leader." I ignored him mainly because it was nothing new, I found them both equally practical and they balanced everything out. Reaching over I pulled open a cupboards door to an almost full bottle of liquor clear as day.

Adrian perked up seeing I'd never cracked this bottle yet I was feeling particularly inclined given how situation. Smiling tiredly I told him, "Get those glasses out old man. We're having a shot, or two together of several year old aged shine." He chuckled deeply slapping me roughly finding this attitude a pleasant change of pace, "Aye, sir! Should get your head knocked around more often, or else I might get you in on the business, boy."

Sitting up on my bunk I looked over a hastily covered series of photographs and half thrown clothing due to being unable to organize anything. Soon, I'll have some down time to get it all set. Vowing internally I heard clinking glasses as Adrian was simply eager to test out a brew I got off from an old friend during graduation. Years of aging plus my own reluctance made this particular taste a godly gift as my senior commander stated, "Zeus bless us with this day! Can't believe we pulled a victory against those machine frakers, I say the gods were with us for vengeance."

I tipped my full glass to clack with his own nodding in agreement, "So say we all." I intoned making him whisper in turn, "So say we all." And both of us downed our drinks as I coughed violently finding it so potent! Adrian shook his jaw whistling absolutely in appreciation for that round, "Hot damn! Fraking good stuff son, good fraking stuff!" I poured us both another round knowing I'd at least get some experience to stomach this stuff for future times. Least I could do for him putting up with myself, or rewarding said attitude.

I settled on relaxing again staring upward to allow alcohol to do its magical treatment of a human psyche. For a few moments I mused openly trying to get some kind of hope, "What's our next move Adrian? What is it?" I questioned trying to put pieces together to seek out an end game besides being in uncharted waters, "Cylons lose a few ships, we run and they pursue to get us back with even more of their ships. I don't think our fleet can trade loses like in the old days, or am I not wrong to say we're beyond normal expectations."

Adrian hummed in thought basking due to our shine's ability to influence the mind. He scratched his gray and white beard before sighing, "Go with the flow, kid." He knew I wouldn't let these thoughts go because it was what mattered most, "Just keep up with supply and demand for ammo. If we're lucky, I'd say we encounter some old shipyards intact and raid them, or go after cylon supply posts where we'd kick them in their machine balls." I chuckled due to imaging said machine falling to its knees squealing in painful clarity.

If only the universe provided such ample hope as I nodded regardless to an unspoken question. We had to play defense until information gave us chance, "We stick to jumping to scout out water, food or maybe anything really. Try to find more people, ships and once it's all said to be sure? We'll get them back ten fold for our colonies, Adrian." It was a sound plan in hindsight and it didn't tempt fate except pretending we weren't powerless. I had no intentions of losing people in vast numbers because we're too stubborn to remain passive.

We sat in comfortable silence trying to ease ourselves away from stressful days which had finally died down. We won today, if only in spirit and taking more of them down then us. Six pilots for three ships, I'd say it's a damn gods blessing. My first naval victory, a victory bitter considering we lost our homes and most of our people to nuclear holocaust. Yet I had to look forward for a future that may no longer exist but I hoped for it still.

Resting against pillows fresh as they hadn't been used I found myself gaining desire to sleep. I heard my senior get up quietly yet saying rather smugly, "If you don't mind, sir I'll be catching some shut eye. You're off for two days, it's the Doc's order so enjoy the vacation and if you don't mind I'll be borrowing this book." I had both eyes closed taking all that information to reply thankful, "If you return it I'll let you get all the shine in the fleet, if you keep it under wraps. Is that understood commander?"

An old man's chortling signified a sign of trust as I was left alone in blissful silence. I wanted to be alone once my hand clasped a bronze locket, "I miss you." Looking down I flipped open its content to see two smiling faces staring back at myself. I wonder if you're even alive, I don't want to have false hope yet it's all I can go on. So say we all, so say we all. Clasping it shut I leaned back sighing deeply to gain some sleep and worry about tomorrow. I had done a lot today, my crew had done great things and everyone deserved to have some peace.

In the end darkness claimed me far more pleasantly. I inhaled feeling myself slip into an unseen sense of surreal floating and I thought I heard laughter distantly. I thought I heard birds singing merrily, I felt hands caressing my face and lips pressing against my own in this dream slowly encouraging upon me consciously. Only when I allowed myself to envelop in feelings of future past and present did I ease myself to sleep alas. As the sweet sensation of feeling happy carried away all troubles and weight into blissful nothingness.

End Chapter I

Author's Note: This is what I call a writing rush, or basically an addiction that isn't quenched until I stop writing altogether. In two days of having free time I've pumped out this chapter, a prologue and next chapter in the books. By the time this is posted, I'm hoping to be about four or five ahead since I'm unable stop and for once, I love this glorious feeling. It's a drug, a good drug of mind and soul melding to kick ass, I'll keep going until I figure out where I'm heading next for this entire story. Eventually I'm going to shift characters, if not attempt too because writing ship to ship combat from the command bridge is fun in its own way yet it's not entirely there.

Regarding Julius's foundations as a character? I'm fairly certain in a society as enriched or deep as Caprica there would be stigma of certain military lines over those who have nothing. It's plausible to see internal strife of commoners, upper nobility and those who are influencing the behind the scenes power vacuum whenever political intrigue is used in human society. For the record, I'm not a huge fan of democracy as you'll see the chaos of its systematic process, but really moving on to that dream sequence. What is there to say? Oh, I'll get some will put the hints together.

Ironically enough I tend to avoid changing canon story lines of most things, I'd certainly will not tamper too much with such a great story as in the show. But there is a small loop I can exploit to put our protagonist into it, to influence later seasons (because I really, really screamed at what happened after a certain point) in order to feel far more happier with plot itself. Now, I'm not an expert or genius when it comes to foresight of making a character try to be stand on his, or her own feet without making them too Gary/Sue-ish. Julius isn't exactly perfect considering this is parallel to what Battlestar offered in their arsenal of experienced commanders, I mean he seems competent and is very laid back.

Ultimately challenges shall arisen whether the mere idea of justice over survival will trump another. Whether you'll see if men have to choose hard choices, or risk their entirety is not debatable. Choices are critical in this kind of situation, but unlike most who shy or outright step away from the after effects, I say we have a person who is going to shoulder it. Now whether it's truly good, or bad is entirely up in the air. Until then I say I'll post this chapter to at least get an idea out for people to make an opinion of what they see, feel and guess.