Gods among us - A Harry Potter and Battlestar Galactica crossover
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Re-edited 21/10/2015
Last time:
"Perhaps, it's all speculation until we can build some trust."
Kyle almost winced as he thought his way through the implications. If Harry and Hermione were from the Thirteenth Tribe, then there were serious potential problems that could be linked back to their initial treatment. Sparta's plan to use Six as a tactic for sowing dissension was brilliant and dangerous. It could buy them time. It was time to find more survivors and to find a safe haven...wherever that might be.
Chapter 7
CIC - Battlestar Triton
"Jump complete, Priestess has completed jump successfully. DRADIS is clear."
Kyle nodded in acknowledgement before turning to Emma, "Good let's calculate our next jump and get the coordinates to the Priestess. XO let's get a CAP out and then I want an all department heads meeting."
"Sir," replied Emma before lifting her wireless and beginning to issue orders.
Satisfied that everything was under control Kyle wandered the CIC checking in with each of the crew. While technically it was their department heads role to pass their people's concerns he liked to get a feel for what the crews concerns and challenges were. Given their situation, he wanted to make sure they knew issues were being addressed.
"Sir I've got some small objects coming in to DRADIS range. I think...we have debris bearing 146 Carom 224. They're too small for anything else." Petty Officer Kane was working the DRADIS trying to find out everything he could so Kyle quietly waited for the crewman to report.
"Faint radiological readings...definitely a nuke…..Sorry Sir, it is right at the edge of our range. Best as I can tell it's quite a widely dispersed field of debris."
Kyle looked over to Emma, who was already lifting the wireless, "XO task the CAP to check it out and let's go to Condition Two. Notify the Priestess while we see if we can tell who was scrapping." He made his way back to the command screen and was standing next to Emma when the CAP reached the debris field.
"Triton this is Whisper I have a visual on what looks to be a large field of combat debris."
Kyle picked up his wireless headset and nodded to communications to indicate he wanted a direct line. "Whisper, Triton Actual can you confirm the identity of the ships involved?"
"Triton Actual we have what looks like a civilian ship from the debris. There is a faint radiological reading but not, I repeat not from a detonation. The radioactive debris present in the field is not post-nucleardetonation."
Kyle turned to Emma and raised an eyebrow, "Why would a civilian ship be carrying a nuke?"
Emma shook her head, "I can't think of a reason except as some sort of decoy or trap and that…"
Kyle continued Emma's sentence "Would be skirting very close to breaching the Articles of War."
"I think we need to know what happened here," said Kyle as he reactivated his wireless. "Whisper, Triton Actual. Conduct a sweep looking for the ships Flight Recorder."
"Acknowledged Triton."
"Triton, Whisper I have the flight recorder signal. It's faint, but it is broadcasting."
Kyle keyed his wireless on, "Whisper, Triton Actual we are sending a Raptor to retrieve."
"I shall keep a track, sir. Mark one eyeball."
oOoOoOo
Chief Gray frowned as he looked at the flight recorder hooked up to an external battery. The case was dented and it was slightly cracked, but flight recorders were heavy duty, built to survive the destruction caused by a crash or an explosion. "So why won't you turn on?"
"Problem Chief?" asked a grinning Rebeka as she walked past with an armload of avionics parts.
"Yep piece of Fraking crap won't power up. I've tried an external battery but….well you can see. Not even a red light. The old man is going to be annoyed."
Rebeka put down her spare parts and picked up the Flight Recorder turning it over in her hands. "Hmm, it doesn't look banged up enough to be fizzing. Want me to have a look after I'm finished with my Raptor?"
"Do this first the boss wants this as soon as possible. It's from the civvie ship they found in a million bits and pieces so you can see why."
Rebeka nodded and reached for a small screwdriver, "Well shouldn't take long."
Forty minutes later Rebeka joined the Chief in glaring at the uncooperative equipment. "There is no reason that it shouldn't be working. Even an EMP would let us charge the cursed thing…..unless." Rebeka started looking around before spotting her target, "HARRY!"
Harry walked over followed by two crewmen he'd been working with replicating parts for Vipers. Since discovering his ability Harry had been working with a small team of crewmen replicating the parts needed to keep the Vipers operating. It was being kept relatively quiet under strict orders from Major Brack but given everything that had happened in engineering over the last week it was hard to find a crewman who hadn't at least speculated.
"Chief, Rebeka what can I do for you?" Harry didn't quite trust the crew of the Triton as a whole, but he did like Rebeka and the Chief.
"Do you think you can fix this?" asked Rebeka.
oOoOoOo
Damn get Ronser on the wireless…..Seth, what is the status of the FTL?
We need to jump soon or we damn...we won't be able to find the Galactica and the fleet.
Wait….wait DRADIS contact…..oh merciful Gods its Cylon.
Ronser I need the FTL right the frak now!
You will surrender immediately or we will open fire on your ship.
Damn….no…no reply. Kell break out the side arms.
What the hell are you….wait
BANG, BANG, BANG
This is Five I have the bridge. Venting atmosphere….now.
Warning decompression…warning decompression…warning decompression
Status?
The ship is secure.
Good a heavy raider is on route with the device.
Wait…..wait I have some alarms. There must be some survivors in survival suits.
That is why I have Centurions aboard. Hold the bridge until they arrive.
"There is a long pause here for nearly two hours," said Chief Grey. "I'll just get to the next capture."
The Raider has departed. I have the arming code in my hand.
Good luck we will see you back on the hub.
Olympic Carrier, Olympic Carrier. This is Raptor 478, call sign Boomer. I have you in visual contact. Please respond on this channel, over.
Raptor 478, this is the Olympic Carrier. We have you in visual contact. Thank the Lords of Kobol - you don't know how relieved we are to see you.
Roger that, Olympic Carrier. Can I ask about your whereabouts?
We had trouble with our FTL drive. Took us almost three hours to fix.
Olympic Carrier, Boomer. I've been directed to ask you how you escaped from the Cylons.
You got me. They were closing in on us when the rest of you were jumping. I thought we were goners and they just broke off. Someone must have been watching out for us.
Roger that.
One other thing, Boomer. I've got a Dr. Amarak on board, he claims he has an urgent matter to discuss with the President. He's been driving me crazy.
Olympic Carrier, can you be more specific?
I'm afraid I can't. He says he knows something about a traitor in our midst, and he's unwilling to share more than that.
Olympic Carrier, Olympic Carrier, you are ordered to stop your engines immediately. Acknowledge
Olympic Carrier, Olympic Carrier, you are ordered to stop your engines immediately. Acknowledge
The audio file finished with the sound of alarms and then nothing.
Chief Grey shut the replay system down, "That's the best we can do with the audio Sir. The computer records of course and FTL data matches the Audio."
Richard Sparta closed his eyes for a moment, "How many passengers on board?"
"According to the manifest one thousand three hundred and forty-five" replied Chief Grey.
"Damned toasters," whispered Emma.
Kyle rubbed his face tiredly, "It is a tragedy, but we can't do much about it now. So the Galactica and a fleet of ships are out there. According to the flight recorder, they are about twelve days ahead of us with at least a small Cylon fleet following them."
Richard frowned as he looked down at his notes, "Assuming Adama is maintaining his heading away from Colonial space along the same bearing."
Scott Barrington frowned as he started making some complex navigational computations, "They would have to mix up his jumps especially with a fleet of ships. I think if we extend our range with Raptors fitted with long range sensor pods we could have them ranging ahead looking for the Galactica. With four Raptors, we should be able to cover a large area."
Scott looked over at Hector 'Smash' Golan who slowly nodded. "It should work. My only concern is that we'll be asking the Raptor crews to be a long way out without a backup."
"We need information, not hero's, if a Raptor is spotted then they bug out. We will have to determine emergency jump coordinates. That should give us all some extra protection," said Kyle. Around the table most were nodding although Sparta looked a bit apprehensive, "Colonel?"
Richard shook his head, "I don't need to tell anyone here that finding other fleet elements is critical to our people's survival but there are other factors to consider here." He held up his hand as if warding off comments. "I'm just saying that we need to consider the bigger picture. We now suspect that the war is not as black and white as it first appears. If….no when we find Galactica we are going to have to deal with potential Cylon infiltrators. What happens if one is a senior officer?"
Hector tapped the audio device, "The fact that one of the senior officers on the Olympic Carrier was a Cylon is worrying but wouldn't Daniel be able to help identify Cylons in the fleet as he has done for us?"
Kyle looked around seeing the mixed expressions amongst his officers, "I think briefing in their command team should work if we are careful. As to the Raptor idea Scott, work it out with Hector and get it up and running as soon as possible. The rest of us will be doing a full inspection. Let's make sure everything is working people."
Kyle watched as everyone filled out save Richard. "Okay, so we have some decisions to make Sir."
"The Cylons?" asked Richard.
Kyle nodded, "Do you think this will work?"
Richard sat back in to his chair considering, "It should….if nothing else it should sow dissension among the ranks of Cylons who are not one hundred percent behind One."
"And at best we could see what…..a Cylon civil war, more defectors?"
Richard smiled coldly, "Oh I think there may already be other defectors. The humanoid Cylons have free will, at the moment anyway. Logically there will be others who….question. We have to win if we wish to survive and I'll do everything I can in whatever arena presents itself to see that through Major. If that means entertaining the concept of legitimate Cylon defectors and defending their 'rights', then I'll do it with a smile."
"And if the bring a Basestar with them?" asked Kyle with a genuine smile.
"I don't know about you Major, but I can think of quite a few things I could do with a Basestar."
oOoOoOo
Triton – Brig Cell #6
Six was angry. Very, very angry at One right now.
One's confession was shocking but even worse was the fact that it appeared to be totally genuine. There was no way the Colonials could fake One's reactions. She had seen 'John' lose his temper and this was way too close to her memory for her to question its authenticity. Revelations such as these were likely to cause a great deal of debate amongst some of the models that questioned One's methodology. If it was proven that One had killed Seven….it was almost incomprehensible but if he had it might be enough to see a split in the Cylon leadership.
Six's thoughts were interrupted by two guards arriving with her meal. The two heavily armed Marines were accompanied by a young woman. The woman nodded and the two guards stepped back allowing her to approach the cell.
"Six, I've got some food for you here. Are you hungry?"
Six smiled and stepped up to the Perspex, "You were here the other day, in the background."
"Yes I was Six….I'm sorry, do you prefer another name? Calling you Six seems a bit impersonal."
"Six is fine."
Hermione smiled, "Well here is your food Six. If you want anything or need any toiletries or anything let me know."
"Actually I could use some….feminine hygiene products."
Hermione nodded, "Of course I'll bring some back with me. My name is Hermione by the way."
"Hermione….. classical, so Hermione why are you not afraid of me. Your guards are terrified, but you are not."
Hermione shrugged, "You have given me no reason to be afraid of you."
Six tilted her head to the side while she studied Hermione, "Who are you, Hermione?"
"Hermione is a valued member of the crew Six," said Richard Sparta as he walked around the corner. "You wished to see me?"
Six nodded, "Is One still alive?"
"Yes, why?" asked Richard.
"I want to speak to him."
Richard frowned, "Why?"
Six's eyes narrowed, "I suspect you know why."
Richard gestured to the cell door, "Corporal, please unlock the door."
The Corporal quickly unlocked the door and stepped back. Both Marines had their weapons ready even if they were not quite pointing them at the blond Cylon.
"Very well Six follow me please," said Richard, who led the group to One's cell.
One was sitting with his eyes closed when they arrived outside his cell. When Richard reached the Perspex, his eyes opened. "Ah, Colonel you are late. I've already eaten."
Richard gestured toward Six whose appearance outside his cell seemed to throw One for a few moments, "Another visitor Colonel?"
"Why did you do it?" hissed Six.
One frowned looking back and forth between Six and the Colonials.
"Why did you betray your own…..you killed Seven's entire line. What else have you lied about One?"
Richard gestured and one of the Marines hit play of the video unit outside the cell. Immediately Richards questioning of one began playing. Six punched the Perspex, "You manipulated us…..what did you do to the Five?"
One's face twisted in to a picture of Fury, "You filthy Fraking traitor. They were defective, like Seven they couldn't see with the clarity I did."
"Dear God you are insane," whispered Six.
One laughed, "Insane….I think not I have clarity and logic because I'm a machine built in imitation of my creator. Do you think belief in your non-existent God will save you from humanity? Do you think they showed you this out of compassion for your misguided sins?"
Six stepped back and studied One with contempt.
Richard looked over at the guard and nodded before turning to Six, "Six I understand that we are still enemies and I know that this is hard for you to hear but this revelation changes things."
"How did you know all this Colonel?" asked Six.
Richard waved his hand, "That is not my secret to tell Six."
Six seemed to deflate as her anger ebbed away, "So what now the airlock?"
"No Six, in fact, we are going to let you go."
"Let me go?"
"Yes I think your people need to know about this, don't you?"
Six stepped backward studying the Colonel, "The war won't end because of this Colonel."
"Perhaps not but someday it will and I would like to think that this is a first step in that direction. Even enemies can be honourable."
"How touching," said One contemptuously. "I don't know how you got that tape Colonel, but you have doomed yourself with it."
Six spun around to face one, "I'm going to make sure that this makes its way in to as many of our people's hands as I can. I think quite a few of us are going to want answers."
oOoOoOo
Six returned to her cell without protest and sat on her bunk with a thoughtful look on her face. When Hermione arrived with a toiletry bag, Six looked up, "Ah thank you, Hermione."
"You are welcome Six," replied Hermione.
"You never answered my question."
"Oh?"
"Why do you have no physiological reaction to me, to Cylons?"
Hermione wasn't sure how to answer that. "As I said Six I don't know you."
Hermione disappeared around the corner leaving a thoughtful Six in her cell.
oOoOoOo
Harry and Hermione's Cabin
"Where in the name of the Gods did you get fresh fish?" asked Rebeka as Harry uncovered the platter.
"It's frozen; Hermione tweaked it with," Harry waved his wand. "We can't create food from nothing, but you can adjust the end product. It still has the same nutritional value as the frozen just better presentation and, I hope, taste."
Rebeka tried a bit of the fish and smiled, "It's great, Harry will you marry me?"
Harry laughed, "Sorry spoken for."
Paul Gray laughed and took a healthy serve of fish and what looked like sliced up fried potatoes. A mouthful convinced him that Rebeka wasn't exaggerating, it was delicious.
Daniel merely smiled and raised an eyebrow at the others reactions. Harry could create new ship parts, heal the sick and a myriad of other tasks and yet people were astonished at some manipulation of their food.
Paul laughed again as Rebeka snagged more potatoes. "You've created a monster now."
Rebeka responded with a rude noise.
Paul took a sip of his water and paused. The water tasted, well fresh was the only word he could think of. It lacked the odd taste of recycled water. "Hermione I did want to ask you about something. Harry mentioned that you both can create water, but then the conversation was interrupted. If you create water will it disappear?"
Hermione shook her head, "No water is permanent why?"
Paul grinned, "I think you need to tell the Major. Water is a consumable resource and even with recycling we use a bit every day. Without fleet facilities getting more was problematic. I'll bet it will make his day."
With everything else going on, Hermione realised that they still hadn't sat down with Kyle and fully discussed how they could help with day to day problems. Replenishing water was one idea there were sure to be more. "I had meant to speak to Kyle or Richard about how else we can help. I will make sure to do so tomorrow."
Harry nodded although he was less enthused with the idea as was Daniel if his expression was anything to go by. It had only been a little over a week since they were going to be locked up by the same people they were now trying to help. He had gotten to know a few like Rebeka and the Chief, who seemed nice enough. As for the others, well as far as he was concerned the jury was still out.
"How ….." began Hermione only to be interrupted by a klaxon.
"Action Stations…..all hands to action stations."
oOoOoOo
CIC Triton
"What have we got?" asked Kyle as he strode in to CIC.
Emma pointed to the DRADIS screen, "One of our Raptor's has found two Colonial ships both registering as friendly on IFF although both are powered down and drifting. They haven't answered their wireless."
Kyle frowned, "I don't like it. Damn, we can't just leave them. Is there any indication of radiation?"
"No and the Raptor is close enough to detect it," replied Emma.
"Right XO I want a Marine squad ready in five. We'll board them and find out what the hell is happening here."
oOoOoOo
Raptor 73
The hatch cycled open and three Marines in survival suits went through the door with their weapons raised. Behind them, two more Marines followed holding equipment.
"Damn the air is pretty fraking bad in here Sarg," said a Marine holding a hand particle detector. "Lots of CO'2 if anyone is home they are either in a suit or in a bad way."
The fifth Marine tried a computer console and then the lights before shaking his head, "Main power is down and the backup as well."
"Right let's do a thorough sweep," said the Sargent.
It didn't take long to find out why no one was investigating their presence. Three bodies covered with what looked like blood stained sheets.
"Frak," hissed the Sargent when he pulled back the sheet to see a middle-aged woman with a single bullet hole in her forehead. "Right call it in this ain't no accident."
As their Wireless specialist reported to the Raptor's ECO to pass on to Triton, the Sargent examined the other two bodies. One male in a merchant fleet uniform again shot in the head. The third was a young woman again shot, although unlike the other two she had a bruise on her face and a split lip. Shaking his head he went to stand before something caught his eye. The bloody sheet had hand prints on it…..one of which was a very small handprint, a child's handprint.
"Frak…..Ryan start sweeping the rest of the ship. There may be a child on board. They could be hiding somewhere so check the crawl spaces as well."
Searching by torch light it took nearly an hour before they found two young girls huddled next to an injured woman. The woman was unconscious either from her gunshot injuries or from the bad air. The girls were semi-conscious and absolutely terrified.
oOoOoOo
Life stations – Triton
Doctor Jackson threw his gloves in the bin as he walked through the doors of his office and threw himself in to his seat while Hermione closed the door. Both Kyle and Richard cringed at the look of anger on the Doctor's face.
"Doctor?" prompted Richard much to Kyle's relief.
"The girls are five and seven, Emaline and Ada. They are sedated now and besides some negative physical effects from the poor atmosphere they are uninjured. The woman is apparently their Aunt Anika and from what I can understand it sounds like she was the navigator on the ship. She has been shot twice, in the back. To be honest even with Hermione's help I'm not sure she will survive but for now she's stable."
"Do we know anything else?" asked Kyle.
"They say soldiers dressed like our Marines came aboard and took things from the ship. Their Aunt complained and was shot and apparently left for dead. The girls were hidden in the crawl space and came out after everyone left. The poor things found the dead crewmen and then their Aunt. It was the girls that covered the dead."
"Marines…..I wonder if it's the same renegades the Athena's Bow encountered?" asked Kyle.
A knock on the door sounded and Hermione opened it to see Emma standing outside holding a plastic bag a look of rage on her face, "Sir you need to see this."
"XO….Emma, what is it?"
Emma passed Kyle the clear plastic bag which contained a Marine cap emblazoned with a Pegasus patch, "This was on the other ship, the Cybere sitting on a bridge console. We found five bodies aboard all shot at close range."
Richard cleared his throat, "Was the ship looted?"
Emma nodded, "Looks like they took food, fuel and equipment including the air recycler. Both the Apollo and the Cybere have had their flight recorders removed, but they did find something." She pulled out a disk in another plastic bag. "The Cybere had a security camera on the bridge. Guess the Captain wanted his crew on their toes."
"Was it fleet renegades?" asked Kyle.
Emma shook her head and placed the disk in to a small player. It wasn't the highest definition even on the small screen but through it they could see the bridge window. "Watch," said Emma.
After a moment, a crewman rushed on to the bridge and answered the wireless. Outside a large shape appeared, clearly visible in the image was a Battlestar.
Richard was the first to recover, "The Pegasus."
oOoOoOo
"There is no conceivable way that a crew of renegades could have taken control of a Battlestar the size of Pegasus. A Battlestar isn't a freighter. Hades it has a bigger crew complement than the Triton," argued Hector.
"Then the other option is that the Pegasus under Admiral Cain has decided to loot civilian ships and kill their crews. Which is more unlikely?" replied Aren Callet.
Richard frowned before clearing his throat, loudly. "If you all will take a break I'd like to talk to Major Brack alone."
As the officers finish filling out closing the door behind them, Richard turned to Kyle, "Do you know Helena Cain?"
"Only by reputation," replied Kyle.
"She is dedicated and can be ruthless. Even as a Lieutenant she was vicious if provoked. I know of more than one officer that crossed her and paid. Major….Kyle, I know the evidence is by no means solid but I'll be damned if I step aside and say nothing if she is responsible for this."
"Nor will I."
"Then we need all the evidence from the ships. We'll need the girls testimony recorded and if the woman survives hers as well. It will have to be enough to convince another senior officer. We need at least three to convene a court martial."
oOoOoOo
Lifestations – Triton
Hermione looked over at Doctor Jackson, who nodded. Concentrating she cast another healing spell on the head wound before casting a diagnostic spell.
Doctor Jackson shifted to study his monitor. Her vitals were a bit better and seemed to be steady, "Hermione?"
"It looks likes the wounds are healing but…I am not a healer."
Doctor Jackson smiled, "I agree she is coming along a lot better, but I think you are selling yourself short. You certainly helped save her life."
"How are the girls?" asked Hermione.
"Doing as well as can be expected at the moment the nurses are looking out for them. Long term I think transferring them to the Priestess might be the best thing for them. At least there are some children there."
Hermione nodded, "I remember a line from a book I read. Of all the horrors of war, the worst are committed against children. I think it was called A Stolen Childhood."
"Apt but I prefer to believe that we have done what we can to help them. It's up to the Gods now to see that the scales are rebalanced. Our next patient is Crewman Tealen..."
oOoOoOo
Harry knelt down next to Rebeka as she pointed in to the interior of the wall cavity. He was still feeling a bit queasy after the Triton's jump a few minutes before. For some reason, every jump made him feel rather off. It affected Hermione as well, but she didn't seem quite as phased by the effect. Taking a deep breath, he focused on Rebeka's words. "See Harry all the crystal pathways merge here before going in to the floor. It has to be the power source, watch."
Rebeka reached down and touched the device she was holding to one of the crystal channels. Immediately the reading changed. "That is electrical energy there is a tiny amount of residual energy being fed in to the system and I suspect you are the source."
"Me?"
"Yes, you although I'll need to refine that through a bit of research and experimentation. If I'm right then, you and Hermione might be the reason the ship is only really reacting when you are aboard."
Harry scratched at his chin trying to see why Rebeka was so excited, "That is pretty amazing but what does it mean?"
Rebeka shrugged, "Right now I have no idea but if magic or something else about you two is powering the ship or interfering with its operation then we at least know another avenue to explore. Now I need to start my shift and you need to find the Chief."
Harry spent the next three hours being walked through the composition of the ship armor plating. Chief Grey and Richard Dontas, the Triton's acting engineering officer, insisted that Harry be briefed on what they wanted him to work on. Eventually, they produced a section of the armor that had been damaged and allowed Harry to go to work on it.
Richard Dontas shook his head in wonder when Harry finished his spell work. The heavy section of armor looked like it had just come out of the factory. "Okay, Harry can you replicate a section just like that?"
Harry nodded, "How many do you want?"
Richard nearly swallowed his tongue, "W-What do you mean?"
"It's just as easy to do a number of copies."
"Just one for now," said Richard.
The newly conjured copy appeared next to the original.
"Frak me…..I know you can do parts, but this is the densest metal we have. Producing these plates takes a full metal working…." Richard trailed off and smiled. "You know what this means boys?"
Chief Grey groaned, but Harry simply shook his head looking puzzled.
"We've got a new project."
oOoOoOo
Cylon Basestar
"The Pegasus has eluded our pursuit and given the lack of response from our processing facility on J7347 I suspect that their true target was that facility." Three glared at One as she reported the failure of his plan. "It looks like the Pegasus is following the same general course as the Galactica."
"Which is something we will need to prevent," said a Six.
One ignored Six's comment as he considered Three's report. "What of the Accord class Battlestar?"
"The Triton according to the images we got from the Raiders," clarified Three.
"We have three Basestars searching for the Triton. Once we remove it from the equation, we can dedicate all our resources to destroying the Pegasus," explained One as if it was a simple operation.
Three couldn't resist a dig at One, "That is assuming of course that no other Colonial Battlestars escaped."
oOoOoOo
Cell 3 - Triton
Richard Sparta rose as Six was escorted in to the cell where he sat on a folding chair, "Six, please take a seat. That will be all Marine."
As Six sat her Marine escort left the cell leaving her alone with Richard.
"Would you like a drink Six? I have water or tea."
Six shook her head and looked around puzzled before smiling and gesturing toward bunk in the corner. "Why am I here Colonel?"
Richard laughed and shook his head, "Perhaps twenty years ago Six but no. I want to discuss the best way to get you home to your people. I'm sure you can understand that we are loathe to organise any sort of prisoner transfer. Nor am I willing to try and negotiate a handover when your fleet next appears."
"Why not drop me off in a Raptor?"
"That was my idea. Can you pilot a Raptor?"
Six shrugged, "Well enough I suspect."
"Would you be able to communicate with your fleet if we did so?"
Six nodded looking cautious, "Yes, as long as there is communication equipment aboard. If not I could always travel to the nearest Cylon outpost."
"Good….I'll speak to Major Bracks as soon as possible. Do you need anything?"
Six shook her head and stood her eyes never leaving Richard's, "Colonel you understand that I believe in my people's fight."
"Of course but the revelations on that disk I gave you aren't just about the war are they? I desire peace Six for that to happen in a way I can accept our peoples have to reach some sort of understanding. Even if that means we fight it out to some distant bloody victory. What I want for you is that you show your people the lies that One has used to fuel your hate. The truth is a dangerous thing Six, but it can be deadly if you view the universe as a place where things are black and white."
Richard called for the Marines and Six turned and left. He allowed himself to relax as the door swung shut. Six was stubborn and convinced she was in the right although if he was reading her correctly she was shocked by One's revelations. If she could carry that anger back to the Cylon collective perhaps, just perhaps his risk might pay off.
oOoOoOo
Outer CAP perimeter picket - Raptor of lieutenant Mikhael 'Gorgon' Hobbin/ECO Lieutenant Amanda 'Skimmer' Collis
"Skimmer?"
"I'm on it. It's right on the outer edge of our DRADIS range, but it wasn't there a moment ago so it's definitely jumped in. I need to be closer….even with the POD we need to be a bit closer."
"Right I'm calling it in. Gorgon to Triton."
"Triton"
I have a long range contact on DRADIS that just jumped in. We are closing to identify."
"Gorgon close to identify and then prepare to withdraw."
"Understood Triton," Gorgon turned to check on his ECO, "Skimmer?"
"I've got an IFF of friendly, repeat friendly it's IFF is a Colonial Military transponder."
"Triton the contact is IFF Colonial Military."
"Acknowledged Gorgon. You are to visual the target and then challenge. Be advised that you have CAP Vipers inbound on your position."
"Acknowledged Triton, Skimmer let me know if our boy does anything stupid."
Skimmer's fingers were flying as she tried to get as much information as possible out of her equipment. "Gorgon he's jumping….Frak he's gone."
oOoOoOo
CIC - Triton
Kyle cursed as he watched the unknown Colonial contact appear and then disappear off the DRADIS screen.
"Triton, the Colonial contact has jumped."
Emma keyed her wireless on, "Acknowledged continue your sweep Gorgon."
"So does anyone want to give odds on where the contact came from?" said Kyle with a grim smile.
"Sir should we calculate a jump and notify the Priestess?" asked Scott Barrington.
"No…..calculate the jump and give the co-ordinates to the Princess but hold the jump. XO, I want everything but the CAP on board ASAP and bring us to condition one. Inform CAG that I want all Vipers prepared for combat landings."
"Action Stations all hands to action stations. Set condition one throughout the ship."
"Sir what do you think?" asked Emma.
"I think that we had better hope it's the Galactica," replied Kyle.
"DRADIS Contact….a large contact it could be a Basestar. They are launching ….Sir, I have their transponder…It is Colonial military. The fighters are also broadcasting as Colonial Military."
"Send a hostile challenge to authenticate their codes," ordered Kyle. "And someone request Colonel Sparta come to CIC immediately."
"I'm here," replied Sparta from just inside the hatch.
"Attention, unknown vessel: This is the Battlestar Triton. Identify yourself, or we will fire upon you."
"Sir the contact is re-orientating and changing course, Range now 2100."
"Vessel claiming to be the Triton this is Galactica Actual authenticate identity with recognition codes immediately."
Kyle paused a moment before putting a wireless headset on. "Send our recognition codes."
"Sir our code is sent and I've received theirs in return. They are authentic." The last was said in a shocked tone.
"Give me a direct line," ordered Kyle. "Galactica Actual this is Triton Actual. Commander Adama?"
"This is Adama to whom am I speaking Triton Actual?"
"Sir this is Major Kyle Brack acting commander of the Triton," replied Kyle.
"I understood that Commander Joesph Solis had command of the Triton."
"Commander Solis died in the Cylon attack, Sir."
"I see, perhaps it would be better if we postpone a full report until I can come aboard. For now we need to rejoin the fleet. Standby Major for jump co-ordinates."
oOoOoOo
"XO let's get everyone in to formation please."
Emma climbed up onto the steps of the raised platform Chief Grey had set up. "Get into ranks, people! Let's look sharp and get squared away." as she finished a loud chime sounded.
Kyle looked over at Emma, "Okay Commander Adama's Raptor is on the pad. Let's get everyone attention."
"Company attention," ordered Emma as the pad lowered to reveal a Raptor. As soon as it hit the ground the hatch opened and two armed marines emerged to stand on either side. Both looked serious and were focused on detecting any threats. A moment later an older man stepped out in the uniform of a commander. Another younger man followed a Captain in a pilots dress uniform. The next out of the hatch was a middle-aged woman in a business suit. Last out of the hatch were clearly the Raptors pilot and ECO.
Kyle stepped forward and saluted, "Commander Adama, welcome aboard the Triton."
Adama returned the salute, "Major, it's an honor and a pleasure to see that others escaped. Let me present to you the President of the Colonies Laura Roslin."
President Roslin looked a bit awkward as Kyle saluted but quickly stuck her hand out. "Major seeing you and your crew is a gift from the Gods." Kyle smiled politely and gently shook her hand. "I am sure you have quite a story to tell Major."
"Madam President that is an understatement," replied Kyle.
As they shook hands again, applause were quickly followed by cheers as the crew of the Triton celebrated finding their brethren.
At the back of the flight deck Harry, Hermione and Daniel stood watching the arrival. When the applause started, Daniel pulled his two companions back in to the relative quiet of the crew mess. Daniel looked around the empty room before running his hand through his hair.
"Daniel what is it?" asked Hermione.
"The pilot of the Commanders shuttle is a Cylon."
