The remainder of the time before the rendezvous went uneventfully. After the PEGASUS had made it's jump to point 'Horizon' - which was the deepest penetration made so far by the PEGASUS in the largely uncharted vastness of the Promar Sector- subsequent patrol probes reported no further hostile contacts and the P.V.S. training program resumed.
Syke and Voight were impressed with the way that Hayes and Mannix were handling their charges. The success of TOUCHSTONE - confirmed by a remote probe that had eavesdropped in on Cylon communications - was an acid test for Hayes' command ability, and his squadron had performed ably supporting Hunter's peregrine. Now, Hayes was making good use of the time with weapons training missions - having his pilots fire on remote drones - as well as simulated patrol formation and fuel conservation exercises.
While Hayes kept his squadron busy and Syke and Voight kept their wing patrols functioning, Cain was conferring with Tolen and Sanders in the command conference room while Lieutenant Annan took up the watch on CIC.
"If the GALACTICA is indeed in this sector, they're doing a great job of not leaving any traces", Cain commented.
"All of the intercepted Cylon intel, plus the information provided to us by Commander Hawke indicates that the GALACTICA and the other civilian ships that were at Ragnar did indeed come here", Sanders replied, "so I'm wondering if either they moved on beyond Promar, or if we have overshot them when we jumped to 'Horizon.
"Well, Commander", Tolen added, "perhaps there will be further information for us at the 'Polaris' rendezvous".
By unspoken agreement, none of them elaborated further on this. Apart from Syke and Voight, only those in the conference room knew about the precise details of the rendezvous with the fleet tender WARLOCK. Cain hoped that there would be some additional information that the WARLOCK could provide when they met. Given the immensity of the Promar Sector, additional leads were going to be needed.
Pointing at the wall chronometer, Cain quietly reminded them that the rendezvous time was fast approaching. Nodding, Sanders asked, "It's about time for us to go. Shall I have Core Command issue a recall to Hayes and our remaining patrols?".
"Do so, Comms",Cain confirmed, Aand once they're back down, get 'em all refueled. Send Chunks up to me once he lands and I'll give him the low-down", he ordered.
"Will do, Commander", Sanders acknowledged. He left the conference room in order to head to CIC.
"You have anything else, Geoff?", Cain asked his X.O.
"Just curious as to why our original expected guest is going to be away elsewhere", Tolen replied, referring to the GOLIATH.
"Well, at this moment, your guess is as good as mine. I expect that we'll soon find out at 'Polaris'", Cain replied. Tolen nodded.
The recall order for the P.V.S. was given and Hayes acknowledged it. Telling his pilots, "Okay, let's make it look good, this is a simulated combat landing", Hayes led his squadron back to the PEGASUS at full throttle. Hayes' viper was the first one to thud down on the expanse of the starboard-side landing deck. The other fighters quickly did likewise. Lt. Dutch - who was piloting the P.V.S.' raptor - was tailing behind the formation timing the combat landing simulation. As the last viper landed, Dutch keyed his communicator.
"Chunks, this is Razor. Your squadron just cleaved twenty seconds off the previous best time. I'm heading in now".
"Thanks, Razor. Once you're in, then we'll go over the data", Hayes replied.
"Core Command to Chunks", a new voice came over the communicator: "you are directed to report to Commander Cain as soon as possible. Your squadron is being directed for immediate refueling and rearming. Acknowledge".
"Acknowledged, Core Command", Hayes replied. He waited for the Landing Officer to direct the grounded vipers to the elevators so that they could get back into the pressurized part of the landing bay. It seemed an eternity, but in a few minutes, all of the vipers and Dutchs raptor were brought down into the hangar decks.
Tricia Cain had walked into CIC and had noticed Core Command's directing of the P.V.S. to land back on board the PEGASUS. She also noticed that the patrols had all been recalled.
"What's happening?", Tricia asked the duty operator. The operator looked back at her and shrugged.
"You know as much as I do, Lieutenant", the operator replied, "The Commander wants not only the P.V.S., but our other patrols back ASAP. I wasn't told why".
Tricia considered asking her father about this, but figured that if he wanted her to know, then he would have informed her. Still, it didn't take a genius to figure out that a general recall usually meant making another FTL-jump. She decided to head back down to Silver Spar Admin, in case the wing needed to be called to alert status.
After his viper was brought down into the bay and was repressurized, Hayes jumped out of the cockpit. He walked over to Mannix, who was waiting for him just off from the bay.
"I've got to go see the Old Man, Axeman", Hayes said, "So I'll need you to run the debrief until I get back, okay?"
"No prob, Chunks", Mannix acknowledged, "They all performed pretty well, so the debrief won't take long. Maybe Cain wants to get an update from you on this", he ventured.
"With the order for immediate refueling and arming, it's probably going to be more than just that. But I'll soon find out, Axeman", Hayes replied, "but I'd best not keep him waiting. Chat to you soon". With that, Hayes quickly left the scene and jumped onto a transport. As he had mentioned to Mannix: Cain didn't like to be kept waiting.
As Hayes made the trip to the lift that would take him to CIC, Chief Brubaker started his maintenance crews on getting Hayes' squadron ready to launch again. And while this was going on, the pilots were assembling in a lounge waiting for Mannix to quickly run the debrief. However, as they had heard the refueling order, none of them were removing their flight gear...
"Lieutenant Hayes reporting as ordered, Commander", Hayes said crisply to Cain up in CIC.
"Actually, it's not", Cain replied, "It's actually CAPTAIN Hayes as of this moment". The crewmen in CIC applauded as Cain removed Hayes' lieutenant's rank insignia and pinned on gleaming new captain's rank insignia in it's place. Cain then shook Hayes' hand.
After the applause died down, Cain said, "please accompany me to the conference room, Captain", gesturing to the room just offset from CIC.
Hayes nodded and accompanied Cain to the conference room. After Hayes entered it, Cain closed and locked the door. He gestured for Hayes to sit. Over the next five minutes, Cain quickly briefed him on the change of plans for the fighter rendezvous.
"So instead of a ship-to-ship transfer, it's going to be a deep space deployment awaiting pickup", Hayes stated, "that is an interesting turn of events. I wonder why the GOLIATH didn't delay the 'Polaris' rendezvous until they were ready to make the trip. After all, it seems like doing things the hard way".
"Unfortunately, Captain", Cain replied, "I don't have all of the information on what is happening, but they have said that they want you and your squadron, and that they would receive you at point 'Xanadu', AFTER the PEGASUS has been refueled by the WARLOCK".
"Do you want me to inform the squadron on this change of plan, Commander?", Hayes asked next.
"Let your X.O. know, but as far as the others are concerned, not until we reach 'Xanadu', Captain", Cain answered, "If the WARLOCK informs me of any change in plans, I'll let you know".
"Understood, Commander", Hayes answered.
"We're just about to make the jump to 'Polaris', hence the importance of getting your squadron ready to go. I've ordered personnel to pack your pilots' personal effects into Lieutenant Dutch's raptor. You've trained your pilots well. Get them ready to depart at a moments notice", Cain ordered.
"Very well, Commander", Hayes said. Cain stood. Hayes followed suit. Extending his hand, Cain said, "The best of luck to you and your squadron, Captain Hayes, and by the way, give this lieutenant's insignia to Mannix. His promotion to full lieutenant is effective as of this moment".
Nodding, Hayes took the offered insignia, then saluted Cain. Cain returned the salute and nodded his dismissal. Hayes then turned and exited the conference room. He had to rejoin his squadron. Cain watched him leave, then he headed back into CIC.
"Comms", Cain ordered, "warm up the FTL drive. Stand by to make the jump to 'Polaris' at my command", Cain ordered, looking at the chronometer.
"Yes, Commander", Sanders said, "Core Command reports all of our patrols are back on board.
As CIC was preparing to make the jump, Hayes quickly made his way down to where his squadron was being debriefed. As he entered, Ensign Talat exclaimed, "Frakk, it's Captain Chunks!".
The assembled pilots stood and applauded as they took in his new rank insignia. Raising his hand for silence, Hayes said, "That's not the only promotion. Axeman, front and center!" Mannix stood and walked up to Hayes.
Unpinning Mannix's Lieutenant JG insignia, he quickly pinned on the full lieutenant's insignia that Cain had given him, saying formally, "Under the authority given to me by Commander Cain of the Battlestar PEGASUS, you are hereby appointed to the grade of full lieutenant in the Colonial Military". With that the pilots applauded again.
"Unfortunately, it also means that we are about to be deployed. Your packed belongings are already being loaded into Razor's raptor. So get to your fighters and await your orders", Hayes ordered. With that, the pilots filed out of the room. Some grumbled about not being able to have some time to have a proper good-bye to their comrades, but the necessities of security had a higher priority than personal preference.
"Axeman, a moment", Hayes said. Mannix stayed back. When the rest of the pilots had left, Hayes quickly informed him of the change in plan.
"Well, I only hope that we won't be forgotten by the GOLIATH when it's finished with whatever it's doing", Mannix said.
"I've been told that the WARLOCK will be with us at 'Xanadu', so we should be okay, but until we are ordered to launch, we don't tell the others", Hayes reminded him. Mannix nodded.
"Okay, then let's get going", Hayes said. Both of them headed out to rejoin their colleagues. As they did so, they heard the P.A. announce, "Set Condition One throughout the ship. Stand by for FTL-jump!".
"Well, we're about to make our trip", Hayes said, "let's hope whoever we meet won't have tin-heads breathing down their necks". They both raced out of the room in order to man their vipers.
"Hey, Chunks!, Axeman!", a voice called. They turned around. It was Syke.
"I just heard from the Old Man", he said, "Sorry we cant give you and the rest of your squadron a proper send-off. But all the best, anyway". He shook both Hayes' and Mannix's hands.
"Thanks, CAG", Hayes replied.
"You're a captain now, Keith", Syke admonished Hayes with a smile, "so I think you can start addressing me by my first name".
"Thanks, Gene", Hayes replied with a smile, "It still seems weird with the new rank and all".
"You'll do fine, Keith", Syke assured him, "but we'd better man our ships. Let's go and I wish you the best of luck".
"Condition One set throughout the ship, Commander", Tolen reported, "Both CAG's and Captain Hayes are reporting that their fighters are manned and ready for launch, and Comms reports the FTL is on-line and the co-ordinates for POLARIS are punched in and ready".
"Very good, Colonel", Cain ordered, "Activate the FTL- jump in eight... seven... six... five... four... three... two... one... execute!". At his command, the PEGASUS flashed out of existence.
The PEGASUS flashed back into existence again in the sparseness that was the Eskedron System - location known as point 'Polaris'. The PEGASUS immediately powered down it's electromagnetic emissions. Using the passive sensors only, Sanders started a check of the surrounding space. He didn't have long to detect something on one of his screens.
"We have a contact closing with us", Comscan reported, "Warbook classifies it as a PROVIDER-class colonial fleet tender. IFF query is confirmed". At that moment, a new voice sounded over the speakers in CIC.
"Home Plate, this is Tender calling you on short-range wireless. Good to see you", Cain heard over the speaker. Applause broke out in CIC. After raising his hand to quiet down the clapping, Cain picked up a headset and spoke.
"This is Home Plate Actual", he said, "Good to see you too. Please switch to secure laser communications".
"Will do, Actual", the voice replied. After a couple of seconds, the voice spoke again, AI think we can speak securely now, PEGASUS. This is Colonel Lennox of the Fleet Tender WARLOCK".
"Lennox?", Cain said, "The commander of the Battlestar ITHACA?".
"One and the same, Commander", Lennox replied, Athough the ITHACA no longer exists. The WARLOCK isn't exactly like a battlestar, but she's pretty well-armed, and rest assured that the ITHACA gave the tin-heads a good dose of grief in her final battle".
Cain quickly flipped a switch turning off the CIC speakers, making him the only person who could hear Lennox speak.
"So I understand, Colonel", Cain replied, "but it's good to see you have found another ship to command".
"That's for sure, Commander", Lennox answered, "We've been here for a little while already and we're pretty sure that there are no bad guys here. But since we don't want to be stuck out here too long, I'd like permission to dock on your port-side hatch so that we can start transferring fuel and supplies to you".
"The sooner, the better", Cain replied, "I don't want us to remain here too long either in case the tin-heads do get wind of where we are and what were doing".
"I don't think we'll need to be worrying too much about that, Commander", Lennox said, "because around about now, I think that they will be having something of a distraction to deal with first".
Cain smiled. He suddenly understood what Hawke had meant when he said that the GOLIATH would be indisposed.
The WARLOCK was expertly maneuvered to the port side of the PEGASUS. A docking tube was extended from the WARLOCK. It smoothly connected to the PEGASUS' primary docking port.
"We have contact, Colonel", the helmsman informed Lennox, "pressurization is just about complete".
"Maintain your station, Helm", Lennox ordered as he unstrapped himself from his seat, "I'm heading down to pay my respects to the PEGASUS. Contact Captain Marro and have her join me at the airlock". With that, he left the bridge. The helm officer kept a close watch on his controls while the scanning technicians monitored their screens for evidence of any visitors.
As Lennox headed down to the airlock, he nodded at his crew members getting ready to move pallets of foodstuffs and parts over to the airlock. Others were readying large hoses for transferring refined tylium from their holding tanks into the PEGASUS (the PEGASUS' port-side hatch had receptor sockets for the fuel pipes).
"Open the hatch, please", Lennox said to a technician at the airlock control panel. Nodding, the tech operated a control. The door hissed open, showing the access way to the still-closed hatch of the PEGASUS. At that moment, Marro joined him.
"Ready to go?", Lennox asked her.
"Absolutely, Colonel", Marro replied, "AI happen to know the Chief Engineer of the PEGASUS, by the way".
"It isn't exactly supposed to be a social call, you know", Lennox gently admonished with a smile.
"Well, I have to get certain stats from the Chief Engineer in order to help facilitate the transference of the fuel and supplies, you know...", she replied somewhat lamely.
As he and Marro walked down the access way, followed by a couple of armed guards, the airlock on the PEGASUS' end of the docking tunnel slowly hissed open. Standing in front of the hatch was an officer wearing the insignia of a colonel.
Lennox and Marro walked up to the officer, then saluted the Colonial seal emblazoned on the open hatch before saluting him.
"Permission to come aboard, Sir?", Lennox asked formally.
"Permission granted", was the reply, "My name is Tolen. I'm the Executive Officer of the Battlestar PEGASUS". He offered his hand to Lennox, who shook it.
"I'm Colonel Lennox, erstwhile commander of the Battlestar ITHACA, now commander of the Fleet Tender WARLOCK. This is my acting Engineering Officer, Captain Marro", Lennox said, gesturing to his companion.
"Marro?", another voice sounded just beyond Tolen, "Is that you, Chyna?".
"Wyatt!", Marro replied, recognizing the voice. Chief Engineer Thyssen stepped into view. Both of them hugged for a few seconds, until Tolen lightly coughed. They broke the embrace.
"Perhaps you two should come aboard and discuss engineering matters while the others start the fueling and supply transfer", Tolen suggested with a smile. Both Marro and Thyssen nodded - both slightly blushing - and stepped through the hatchway. Thyssen gestured for Marro to follow him to engineering. Both Tolen and Lennox quietly chuckled as they watched Thyssen and Marro depart, then Tolen turned to face Lennox.
"Commander Cain would like to speak with you up in CIC, Colonel", Tolen said next, "I suppose your people can carry on here. We've got folk here to help out", he said gesturing to several crew members behind him.
Nodding, Tolen turned to one of his crewmen and said, "Start getting the pallets aboard the PEGASUS and have the fueling techs connect up the fuel hoses".
"Yes, Sir", the tech replied. Tolen and Lennox let the WARLOCK and PEGASUS crewmen get to the task at hand as they headed over to a transport.
"Commander Cain runs a really tight ship, doesn't he?", Lennox commented as the transporter conveyed them to an express elevator. Lennox saw how clean and efficient-looking the interior of the PEGASUS and the crew looked.
"The Old Man allows no-one to forget that this is a warship", Tolen replied, "As far as hes concerned, we're fleet personnel, not refugees. We're on a mission and we have to keep ourselves at a constant state of readiness just in case the tin-heads make another unwelcome appearance".
"Well, I'm glad that we can assist", Lennox replied, "hearing about your survival has been a great boost to our contingent of colonial fleet assets".
Tolen nodded, hearing the unspoken meaning behind the comment. Tolen knew that there were a lot of civilians being protected by the GOLIATH and the few colonial fleet assets that were with that particular ship, but from what Lennox had intimated, the existence of the PEGASUS was only being made privy to the fleet personnel. Given the ever-present threat of Cylon humanoids, that was an eminently sensible precaution.
The transporter dropped both colonels off at the elevator. The elevator quickly conveyed them both up to CIC.
"Welcome aboard the PEGASUS, Colonel Lennox", Commander Cain said formally as Tolen escorted Lennox onto CIC. He extended his hand.
As Lennox shook Cain's hand, the other personnel in CIC cheered.
"The folk here have just been told about all of the goodies that you're delivering to us", Cain explained when the cheering and applause had died down, and I'm sure that the goodies we're sending you in return will meet with Commander Hawke's approval".
"Sorry to interrupt, I just received word from the WARLOCK", Captain Sanders reported, "They are commencing fueling now. They are estimating thirty minutes to completion of the fueling operation. All pallets will have been transferred by then".
"Thank you, Captain", Lennox replied. Cain nodded, then said, "We need to chat, so would you accompany me please, Colonel?".
As Cain led Lennox over to the adjoining conference room, Tolen turned to Sanders and said, "Make sure that Mr. Thyssen is kept informed on the progress of the loading and that the WARLOCK's loading officer is given the complete manifest of the items we're sending to them"
"Yes, X.O.", Sanders replied. The pallets going to the WARLOCK from the PEGASUS contained spare parts for the P.V.S. vipers and extra scarab type III and longbow missiles. Sanders went to Core Command to instruct one of the technicians there to continue monitoring of the loading procedure while the Comscan console personnel maintained their watch of the local space through the PEGASUS' passive sensor array. This would not be an ideal moment to risk being discovered by Cylons by using their active sensors...
After spending the first five minutes quickly filling Lennox in on recent events - namely the success of Captain Masters' TOUCHSTONE op-plan - Cain got down to the business of the squadron transfer.
"All of the pilots are in their ships ready to launch, but I'm not sure that I'm entirely happy about just leaving the squadron by itself in the Tairac Sector, Colonel", Cain said to Lennox in the conference room. Both were seated. Cain had poured his guest a drink and were discussing the upcoming deployment of the P.V.S.
"Speaking personally, Commander", Lennox replied, "I can't say that I'm overly comfortable by it either, but my orders were clear on this; you needed the supplies and fuel and we need what you can give us, hence the necessity of keeping this rendezvous at the appointed time, but the GOLIATH has had to go off on its mission and it's unclear when she will be finished".
"The uncertainties of war, in other words", Cain commented.
"True, Commander", Lennox assented, "but since the WARLOCK will be with the squadron at Tairac, then it will be a reassurance to those pilots. I will be able to support them with additional fuel if necessary and if worst comes to worst, I will be able to take the pilots on board the WARLOCK if the GOLIATH doesn't turn up".
"How's the security issue?", Cain asked next. Lennox knew precisely what Cain meant.
"We're hunting down more of those tin-head human simulants", Lennox replied, "and until we do, we're keeping knowledge of the PEGASUS' existence quiet from the civilians back at our base. While the Cylons are still unsure about who you are, it gives us an extra advantage".
"I hope that whatever the GOLIATH is up to, it keeps the tin-heads distracted for long enough", Cain commented next, "because being caught by base stars in the middle of fueling is not the most advantageous tactical situation for us", he concluded dryly.
"We'll be finished with the transfer of supplies and fuel very soon, Commander", Lennox assured him, "but if we are detected, it would take them some time to send base stars here, given what the GOLIATH will be doing. By then, we'll be at the new rendezvous. We were so sure that the tin-heads were expecting this rendezvous, Commander Hawke had been sending out bogus transmissions to lead them to another location, along the lines of what he had mentioned to you in an earlier message. But if despite this, they do detect us here, by then they would have already sent out their ready-alert task forces to the other location, leaving them very few assets to come here. In fact, we'll shortly be sending an 'accidental' transmission to that effect on a code that we're sure that the tin-heads have broken. Anything that will confuse them further and keep their eyes away from Tairac and the GOLIATH will be of help".
"Deliberate bait amidst a deception plan?", Cain asked. He thought about this angle for a bit, then nodded. "When.
"If neither of our sensors detect any presence of active tin-head reconnaissance probes or raider patrols, then we'll make the 'accidental' transmission as soon as the cargo loading is complete", Lennox replied, "here is the transcript of the transmission, courtesy of Captain Masters".
Cain took the sheet of paper and looked it over. After a couple of minutes, he nodded his assent, saying, "Very well. Captain Masters helped us out with his CORONA and TOUCHSTONE op-plans, so I suppose we're in good hands, but it still all boils down to timing".
The message read: RENDEZVOUS WITH BATTLESTAR AT POLARIS SUCCESSFUL. LOGISTICAL AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION EXCHANGES UNDER WAY. PROCEEDING AS DIRECTED.
"I've also been ordered to give you these discs on the latest intelligence assessments of Cylon ship dispositions, communications intercepts, and other data that Commander Hawke thinks that you'll find useful", Lennox said, handing over a large envelope.
"That reminds me", Cain said as he took the offered envelope, "I have this to give to you to pass on to Commander Hawke". He took out a small envelope containing two disks. He continued, "One is a copy of the manifest of the spares and armaments packages and the other is an encrypted commander-to-commander communication. Please ensure that Commander Hawke gets the disk when you next see him".
Nodding, Lennox took the small envelope and placed it in his satchel. Cain then gestured to Lennox's glass. Lennox shook his head, saying, "I'd better not have too much to drink you know. Have to set a good example for the crew". Both of them had a laugh at that. Eventually, Lennox looked at his chronometer and stood.
"I'd better get back and finish the loading, Commander. It was good to meet up with you, and I'm sure that the new squadron will be of great benefit to Commander Hawke", Lennox said. He stood to attention and saluted. Cain returned the salute, then offered his hand. Lennox shook it.
"Take care, Colonel", Cain said. Cain went to the door and opened it. He said to one of the guards outside, "Escort Colonel Lennox back to the loading bay, please". The guard nodded, saluted, then gestured to Lennox to follow him. As they both left to head back down to the loading bay, Cain went back to CIC.
"Anything on scan, Comms?", he asked Sanders.
"Comscan's passive sensors reports negative, Commander", Sanders replied, "Unless there are dormant probes, we're in a quiet place for our loading. Active sensors are still powered down".
The threat of dormant probes was what made the PEGASUS go passive the instant the battlestar had emerged from it's FTL-jump. And while Lennox had mentioned that they didn't pick up any probes on their sensors, it didn't mean that there weren't any out there, and use of the active sensors would be like broadcasting a beacon. Cain knew that the Cylons would be methodical in their probe deployments, particularly as the Eskedron System was closer to Cyrannus than Promar.
"Well, we won't be quiet for much longer", Cain replied quietly, "because as soon as the transfer of pallets and fuel is completed, we're going to be 'letting slip' to the tin-heads of our presence". He smiled at Sanders' eyes widening.
"Don't worry, Captain", Cain replied with a smile, "It's all part of the plan".
