CHAPTER SEVEN
VICINITY OF BATTLESTAR PEGASUS – RIM WORLDS SECTOR
Mal looked at the impressive leviathan that was the Battlestar Pegasus as the raptor jumped back to its start point. Inara looked very impressed at the size and sleek beauty of the battlestar, but it was Mal who made the first statement of the two:
"Looks like your ship has been in a number of scrapes", he said, commenting on the repaired exterior battle damage. Both he and Inara were sitting up in the cockpit of the raptor, so they were both getting a very good view of the battlestar.
"Well, since the Cylons destroyed our home planets, we've been rather short of dry docks, Captain Reynolds", Tricia replied, "but don't let the exterior fool you: we're fully operational, with a strike wing of four squadrons, and the Pegasus herself carries an impressive array of defensive and offensive weaponry".
"We could have used the Pegasus in the last war", Mal stated as they closed in on the battlestar's port landing bay.
Tricia had already communicated with Core Command, informing them of their guests. Commander Cain had expressed 'an urgent desire' to meet her guests, and would be waiting in the debriefing room after she landed.
"Commander Cain", Inara commented, "Any relation, Captain?" she asked Tricia.
"My father", Tricia replied.
Mal looked forward to seeing more of the Pegasus up close… as well as Tricia's father.
"What are those?" Inara asked, seeing two tri-winged spacecraft take formation up beside the raptor for its final approach to the landing bay.
"Those are Mark 7 Vipers", Tricia replied, "Our strike wing's first line fighter".
Mal looked at the sleek viper out the side of the cockpit window with a professional eye. He could see that it was both suited for space and atmospheric travel, and seemed to be well-armed, not to mention well-powered. Mal thought that these fighters would give the pursuit ships of the Alliance Navy a very good run for their money.
"Core Command to Raptor Recon One", a voice over the wireless announced, "You're clear to land on port bay five. Please convey your passengers to the Silver Spar briefing room as soon as you alight".
After acknowledging the signal, Tricia maneuvered the raptor into its approach vector for landing. Mal and Inara just watched quietly as the maw of the landing bay got larger and larger at their approach…
SILVER SPAR BRIEFING ROOM – FOUR HOURS LATER
Garris Cain sat back in his chair, his mind racing from the information that both Mal and Inara had given them. A planetary setup not dissimilar to how the Twelve colonies were governed, but the recent Civil War that Mal had mentioned, plus this information pertaining to intrusive brain surgery of a healthy teen-aged girl showed a sinister side to things.
"Captain Reynolds", Cain said at last, "I thank you for your briefing. You and your companion" – Inara smiled at Cain's use of that word – "have given me a lot of food for thought".
"It seemed proper to let you know a few things before making contact with the Alliance, Commander Cain", Mel replied.
"Commander", Inara said next, "are you planning to make contact?"
"I don't see how it can be avoided", Cain answered, "The Galactica's goal is here, so it makes sense to wait for them, but not knowing how far we actually jumped, I can't guarantee that the Cylons won't someday find your worlds. Your brief indicated a highly digitized computerized society" he said, holding up a newspaper showing flowing text that Mal gave him, "and the Cylons can close down such a society pretty effectively. Also, from what one of our scouts had reported as to the disposition of one of the Alliance warships: the Dortmunder, they may not be able to militarily face a Cylon attack".
"I know about the Dortmunder", Mal answered, "She is one of the older capital vessels of the Alliance Navy. She only carries missiles and a squadron of pursuit ships for armament. Ample for maintaining Alliance control out here in the black. However, other – newer capital ships of the Alliance Navy - have pulse weaponry and laser based weaponry.
Cain and Tolen looked at each other. Given that the Cylons could circumvent such weapons – which were not unknown to the Colonials – development of them had been dropped in favor of projectile weapons such as torpedoes and missiles, which were a lot harder to remotely circumvent. How such weapons would fare against the Pegasus though was an open question…
"The Dortmunder is awaiting an emissary from us in the White Sun System – Thanks for the map as well as this newspaper, by the way", Cain said, "so the question would be whether to send a scout vessel, or the Pegasus herself".
"I would suggest the Pegasus, Commander", Inara answered, surprising Mal, "If the Dortmunder is indeed getting reinforced – as is likely – then a scout vessel like a raptor is more likely to make an easier target for the advanced weapons Mal alluded to. With an impressive ship like your battlestar, plus your FTL drive to quickly get out of trouble, they are far less likely to try anything overt".
"I'll take what you have both said under advisement", Cain stated, "and I will ensure that you are both returned to Miranda, once the initial contact is done with. We owe you both some hospitality for what you have said here, and if we do get to speaking with someone from the Alliance government, I'd like you to listen in and get your opinions on what they say".
Turning to Tricia, Cain said, "Please convey our guests to the Officers Club, and find them berths".
Nodding, Tricia gestured to both Mal and Inara to follow her. As they left, Cain turned to Tolen.
"What do you think, Geoff?" Cain asked.
"Captain Reynolds and this Miss Inara have given us a lot of information, but remember that they are showing us their perspective on the Alliance. The fact that Reynolds fought against them in a civil war speaks to a definite bias against a central government".
"Don't forget that some of the Colonies once had the same sentiments to decentralization too, Geoff", Cain reminded his X.O., "and even though their stories about intrusive brain surgeries and operatives makes me wonder about the Alliance, we mustn't forget that there were secret projects that the Colonial Government and Fleet did that the public would not have cared for".
"You know, Garris", Tolen said, "The Alliance and the Colonies almost sound like twins. The only thing that worries me therefore is how we would fit in to the Alliance. Our F-T-L technology is a definite asset, but what would become of all of us afterwards?"
"Before I can answer that question, we'd better see about how the follow-up contact with the Dortmunder goes", Garris replied, "Also, the fact that the Pegasus needs not just fuel, but a total refit, plus our crew deserves the chance to live normal lives. The Alliance may be able to provide that".
"And if the Cylons come?" Tolen asked.
"Then hopefully, our technology and military know-how will be made proper use of by the Alliance", Cain answered, "Oh, and by the way, what is being done about ferreting out this saboteur?"
"We are concentrating on the manifests of the transferees from the Hyperion fleet", Tolen replied, "after all, the sabotage didn't start until after the personnel transfers were made".
"None of the images of the transferees matched the images of what Admiral Tillman said were the Cylon humanoids", Cain pointed out.
"KNOWN Cylon humanoids", Tolen corrected, "besides, cosmetic surgery to disguise appearances is hardly unknown".
"Point taken. In any case, I want this person found. If this saboteur isn't found, it could make our dealings with the Alliance difficult at best", Cain stated.
Nodding, Tolen stood. Cain then picked up his commlink and called Major Syke, who was in his office conferring with Lieutenant Vansen.
"CAG, Issue the recall to our CAP. I'm going to be taking the Pegasus to the rendezvous", Cain ordered.
"Very well, Commander", Syke replied.
BATTLESTAR PEGASUS – MAIN GALLEY
The Cylon agent had indeed undergone cosmetic surgery to disguise it's features. It had realized that the Pegasus had been thrown far away in its FTL jump, so if it was discovered and executed, there would not be a resurrection ship nearby for it to regenerate.
With the engineering division being placed on a stronger security watch, repeating the earlier sabotage was no longer an option. Other strategic areas of the battlestar were also under increased scrutiny.
Still, the news that there was a strong possibility of the Pegasus stumbling onto the Thirteenth Colony as a result meant that there were possibilities for it to acquire information… and possibly throw a spanner or two into the works. It would be a waiting game for now, but as its sabotage had been discovered, it also knew that it was being hunted by the humans on board. Would it be able to stay hidden for long enough?
BATTLESTAR PEGASUS – OFFICER'S CLUB
After guiding them through various parts of the Pegasus – Mal was impressed with how clean and efficient the interior of the battlestar was – Tricia had guided them into the large furnished lounge that was the Officers Club.
Inara had noticed that the crew were very professional in attitude and demeanor, and silently nodded at how Tricia's father was running a tight ship. For Mal, it reminded him somewhat of the last time he had been on board an Alliance capital ship. Only the uniforms were different. That, plus the fact that he was being treated as a guest instead of a prisoner…
Now an hour later, Mal and Inara were sitting at a table beside a large viewport looking out into space. Both were enjoying drinking a sparkling alcoholic beverage and nibbling on appetizers – which made a welcome change from protein bars in Serenity's galley. Tricia and Pickell were sitting with them, talking a little bit more about the Cylons and what had happened to the colonies.
"Machines turning against their creators", Mal commented with a shudder, "It's a good thing that we don't have automatons like that in the Alliance".
For her part, Inara was getting a number of greetings from off-duty male crew members in the club. Inara was in her prime, smiling and being polite. Tricia smiled and shook her head.
"You are very much becoming the center of attention, Inara", Tricia playfully commented, "It's not often that we get such beautiful guests on board the Pegasus".
"Companions generally are always the center of attention, Tricia", Inara replied. Both of the women had gotten on first-name-terms.
Just then, Gene Syke and Glen Sanders walked in.
"Inara, Mal", Tricia said, "I'd like to introduce Major Gene Syke, the CAG of the Pegasus, and Major Glen Sanders of CIC".
"What is a CAG?" Mal asked as he shook hands with Syke.
"It means, Commander, Air Group", Syke replied, "I am the officer in overall charge of the squadrons that make up the Strike Wing on board the Pegasus".
Inara stood to shake hands with Glen. Mal noticed that Inara's expression had changed some. It was not the professional demeanor of a companion; this was showing some genuine warmth!
"And what would CIC refer to, Major Sanders?" Inara asked in her very pleasant voice.
"It-it-it is the Combat Information Center, Miss", Sanders stuttered out.
"Major Sanders – otherwise known as 'Comms' - is the third most senior officer on the Pegasus", Syke explained, quietly amused at seeing Glen blush, "Only Commander Cain, and the X.O. are senior".
"Care to join us?" Inara asked. Sanders shook his head.
"We are here to let you know that Commander Cain has decided to take the Pegasus to the rendezvous with the Dortmunder", Sanders said, regaining some of his composure, "and that we'll need you both to accompany me to CIC while the Pegasus is on Condition One alert".
"Sheba", Syke said next, "I'll need you to man your viper. The commander wants at least two squadrons deployed after the rendezvous, and I'd like to have you out there leading one of them".
"When is the jump going to be made, Bojay?" Tricia asked.
"As soon as the last CAP lands, all vipers will be refueled, armed, and placed in the launch tubes. As soon as I let the Commander know that has been done, then he'll put the Pegasus to Condition One, then we'll make the jump".
"Bojay?" Mal asked, "Let me guess: your call-sign?" Syke nodded.
"If both of you will follow me", Sanders said to both Mal and Inara, "We'll get you up to CIC".
At that, both Mal and Inara stood. Inara and Glen looked at each other silently for a few seconds, then – with Sanders leading, the three of them headed out of the Officer's Club.
Tricia followed Syke out of the club and down to the landing bay.
"I never thought I'd see the day when Glen Sanders would blush at the sight of another woman", Gene joked as they walked.
"Inara's job: companion. A courtesan, prostitute, and diplomat all rolled into one", Tricia replied, "kind of like the Socialators of Geminon", Tricia replied, "yet the look she gave Comms was more than just professional…"
IAV DORTMUNDER – WHITE SUN SYSTEM, ONE HOUR LATER.
Commandant Ruger was trying hard not to pace the bridge back and forth. Doing so would show the bridge crew that he was tense and worried, and that was not the impression that a commander of a capital ship would want to convey. The fact that the Sumter had effected rendezvous an hour previously had only slightly militated things. It would have been better if the Dominion had been here as well, but that vessel was still a day and a half away…
"I hope we're not going to be waiting in vain" Vice-Commandant Rayker opined quietly, "this could be a ruse to divert us from an attack on one or more of our worlds, or even our bases".
"I'm well aware of that, Rayker!" Ruger hissed back, "but the rest of the fleet is being deployed to meet that possibility, and both Fleet Headquarters and Scapa Flow are on full defensive alert. Besides, the decision to retire is out of my hands", he added, gesturing to the viewport where the bulk of the Sumter could be seen.
Just then, the viewports lit up with a bright flash. Ruger blinked, and then he saw what wasn't there a moment before…
"My God", Ruger said as he looked at the visage of the Battlestar Pegasus, "Will you look at that?"
