Chapter 6
George Hammond
The people on the bridge of the Hammond watched as the Colonial fleet disappeared, one ship at a time. The technology was unlike any known to Earth, and both Carter and McKay realised that it could prove useful in the future if trading talks were opened with the Colonials.
Admiral Adama's voice once again filled the room. "General O'Neill, it's done. The fleet's gone. So, are you going to tell me what we're up against?"
Jack was about to reply when he saw more flashed of light in the distance, six to be exact. Whoever it was, they had arrived.
Galactica CIC
Felix Gaeta looked on in shock as the information came through. "Sir… we're picking up six new ships on DRADIS… The General's ship is moving to intercept. They're... They're Baseships!."
Adama became incredibly anxious. He prayed to the gods that the George Hammond was up to the challenge. "I want us battle ready now. Bring the nukes online and target those new ships. Launch all Vipers."
"Admiral, what the hell is going on?" Laura Roslin walked into Galactica's CIC, desperate to know what was happening after being interrupted from her sleep.
"It's the Cylons, Laura."
George Hammond
"We should try and open a line to the new ships. There's still a chance they could be friendly." Daniel was trying to be optimistic, but the idea didn't appeal this time.
"I don't think so..." Replied Major Ross. "They've powered weapons, and they're ready to fire..."
"Do the same!" Ordered Carter. "Plasma weapons online, target the closest ship. Whatever you do, don't let them take out the Battlestar Galactica!"
"Ma'am, the Galactic is launching fighters and bringing it's own nukes online."
"Good." Replied Sam.
O'Neill grimaced. "Let's just hope this isn't some elaborate ploy..."
The Cylon Baseships and their fighters all of a sudden loosed hundred of nukes at the Hammond and the Galactica, taking the Hammond at least off guard. By the time rail guns had begun firing to counter, the ship had already taken dozens of hits.
"Shields down to seventy-one percent!"
Crew members ran around the bridge doing their jobs to the best of their ability, as the ship was rocked by the sheer amount of warheads that were being taken by the shields. Eventually, the rail gun fire and the fire from the Galactica began countering the stream of nukes and only the odd one was impacting the shields.
"Fire plasma weapons, now!" Carter commanded, but it was no use, the ship had taken damage and they'd been knocked off line, along with other systems.
"We can't Colonel, they're off line!"
"Then fire our nukes, let's give them a taste of their own medicine!" With that, Major Ross fired a volley of nukes at the closest Baseship, most of which were destroyed before impact, but two of which hit their intended target, turning it into a burning hulk of wreckage. "Continue firing rail guns, and launch all F-302s! Colonel Mitchell, Colonel Sheppard, get down there!"
"Yes Ma'am!" With that, the two Colonels ran for the hangars, the ship shaking as the Cylon attack increased in intensity. Within moments, the 16 F-302s carried by the George Hammond were launched, flying at great speed towards the Cylon Raiders. The Raiders were fully intending to have to take the human ships on, but the less agile craft flew straight past them, releasing their own nuclear missiles at the next Baseship. The majority of the missiles hit, causing another of the enemy vessels to explode in brilliant light, just as the Hammond released it's final volley causing another of the ships severe damage. The fighters turned to face their Cylon rivals, and a huge dogfight began, with F-302's attacking the Raiders from one side and Vipers attacking them from the other.
Galactica CIC
"Sir, the Hammond has taken out two of the Cylon Baseships, and crippled another, but they're out of nukes" Felix fed the information through to the Admiral as soon as he got it.
"Lets see if we can give them a little more help. Bring us in range of the crippled Baseship, let's see if we can dispatch it for good."
"Aye sir."
With that order, the Galactica launched a stream of it's own warheads, many being intercepted before they could do their damage. One nuke slipped through, reaching and obliterating the already damaged Baseship.
George Hammond
Major Ross looked worried as he looked at the console in front of him. "Shields down to sixteen percent. We can't take much more of this!"
Sam turned from the brilliant flash of light in front of her as another Hive was destroyed. "I agree, tell the Galactica to prepare to leave and recall our fighter…" Before the Colonel could finish, another hyperspace window opened and the Daedalus came into the fray.
"Colonel Carter this is Colonel Caldwell, what's the situation?"
Sam allowed herself a sigh of relief. "We have three ships still fully functional, our shields are down to less than sixteen percent."
The Daedalus moved to intercept the fire from the enemy ships, taking the brunt of their wrath and sparing the Hammond.
"Launch F-302s and target the closest ship with the plasma weapons, target the others with rail guns and missiles for now."
The team on the bridge of the Hammond watched as the Daedalus came into the battle, all guns blazing and taking out another one of the Cylon ships with ease using the plasma weapons. All enemy ships focussed their attention on the newcomer, unleashing everything they had in an attempt to stop it dealing more damage.
Galactica's CIC
Laura looked on as the CIC buzzed with activity, so far the Galactica hadn't taken any major hits which was good news considering her armour was virtually non-existent at this point. She stood in the loud, busy room thinking only of what was going on outside.
"Admiral, another ship just jumped into the battle!" Gaeta called out to both the Admiral and the room.
"What?"
"It's attacking the enemy fleet and launching fighters." A smile grew on both Adama and Roslin's faces at the good news. "It's just taken another Baseship sir!"
"Get us closer, give them all the help they need!"
Daedalus
The Daedalus took up position between the Galactica and the now unshielded Hammond. All three ships fired in unison, sending nukes, missiles, and plasma beams down the Cylon's throats. By the time they had reached the enemy position, the last two capital ships were dealt with.
"It's a hit! The enemy ships are gone sir. Just the smaller ones to deal with." The Major Marks worked away at his console while he gave Colonel Caldwell an update.
"Get us between the dogfight and the Hammond, I don't want to lose that ship!"
Hammond
"The Daedalus has taken out the last of the enemy ships sir. We're receiving a transmission from the Galactica." Carter breathed a sigh of relief and watched as the Daedalus focussed its efforts on the cruisers.
"Thanks Major, put it through."
The crew waited until Admiral Adama began speaking. "U.S.S George Hammond, this is Galactica. Thank you for your help. We're very..."
All of a sudden a klaxon begun blaring throughout the Hammond.
O'Neill looked around. "What the hell happened?"
Major Ross turned to the others on the bridge. "We've been boarded, sir..."
A look of shock washed over the faces of those on the bridge. General O'Neill addressed Galactica. "Admiral, this is O'Neill. Do you know who it was that attacked?"
"We do, General." Adama replied. "We call them the Cylons."
Galactica's CIC
In a flash of light, O'Neill beamed onto the bridge of the Battlestar Galactica, appearing opposite Adama and Roslin. Straight away O'Neill walked up to Admiral Adama, only to find Colonial weapons pointed at him, causing him some surprise. He extended his hand to Adama, and after some hesitation the Admiral took it. "There. That wasn't so bad. Now, about those Cylons..."
Daedalus
"Sir, the Hammond is sending us a transmission... They're been boarded."
"What?" Caldwell turned, staring out at the other BC-304. "How did that happen?"
"We're receiving more information from the ship…" the Major paused for a moment as he looked over the data. "Apparently two small ships landed in the hangar bay undetected during the battle. They were carrying a number of... Cylons..."
"What the hell is a Cylon?"
"I think they're what we were just blowing up, sir."
George Hammond
Shortly after beaming over to the Galactica, O'Neill returned, with Kara Thrace, Lee Adama, and Karl and Sharon Agathon with him. "Got some help!" O'Niell stated, a smile on his face. Kara Thrace immediately noticed Teyla standing on the other side of the bridge. She wanted to talk to her, but now wasn't the time.
"Woah..." Apollo exclaimed, causing his friends to turn their heads. They were amazed by the sight of the Hammond's large viewing screen. "That is amazing..."
"Now, now, there's plenty of time for exclamations of shock later, right now you've got some Cylons to kill." Jack drew his own gun. "Teyla, Ronon, Vala, you're with us."
"I'll tell Colonel Mitchell and Colonel Sheppard to land in the other hanger and join you when they get here." Sam said, before wishing the others good luck.
Soon the group led by general O'Neill were marching along the corridors of the Hammond, ready to stop the Cylon incursion at all costs. "So, what are we facing here exactly?"
Lee frowned. "That's a long story, General..."
"I'm sure it is. Give me the gist."
"They're robots, sir." Kara explained. "They come in both metal and flesh models. They're intent on wiping us out." She glanced at Athena. "Or at least most of them are, anyway..."
"Robots, you say? And ones that can look human to boot... Sounds scarily like..." O'Neill jumped for cover as a hail of bullets shot towards him, two Cylon Centurions standing at the other end of the corridor.
"Definitely not replicators!" Shouted Ronon, taking position and blasting off the head of one of the Centurions with his own weapon. Kara and Athena took aim aim and fired on the second, soon followed by O'Neill and Vala, their combined fire taking it down.
"OK, big scary metal men with guns for hands... That's all I needed to know" proclaimed Vala.
"If they're this far into the ship already, then they could be anywhere. We'll split into two teams, Starbuck, Athena and Ronon, you're with me. Teyla, Vala, Apollo and Helo, you work your way down to the hanger the other way. We'll force them back and hopefully take them all out before we meet up."
Galactica CIC
"How do you think they're doing over there?" Laura stood facing Bill Adama, impatiently.
"We've faced similar things before and come out of it alright, and I'm sure they're equipped to do the same." The Admiral replied, trying to comfort his lover.
"We've waited so long for this... Too long for the Cylons to ruin it now."
"They won't. Don't worry."
All of a sudden, all heads turned as Tom Zarek entered the CIC. A marine came running up behind him. "I'm sorry Admiral, I couldn't stop him..."
Adama faced the other man, stern faced. "What are you doing here, Zarek?"
The Vice President smiled, the smile that both Adama and the President wanted to wipe off his face so often. "I've been informed that our friends vessels have been compromised."
"Who the frak told you that?"
Zarek and Gaeta shared a quick, unnoticed look. "That's none of your concern, Admiral. Right now, the fact that the Cylons are infiltrating that ship over there should be taking priority. Tell me. What exactly do you intend to do if they succeed in taking that vessel?"
"They won't."
"You have no way of knowing that. The Cylons are a new threat to these people, correct?"
There was a brief pause. "Correct."
"Then they won't know what they are up against."
"We have people over there, helping them." Adama shot back.
"Perhaps, but they're fighting in a completely new environment. We need to be prepared for the worst case scenario. We can't allow that vessel to fall into Cylon hands."
"Just what are you proposing, Mr. Zarek?" Laura asked, wishing he would cut to the point.
"Arm all warheads, and keep them locked on that ship... At the first sign that the Cylons have control, we need to take them out."