Battlestar Pegasus
Core Control

"Commander, the Basestars are opening fire on the asteroids. Scans show they are using thermo solium warheads with over eighty megon loads." The scanner officer reported.

"They're trying to strip our cover." Sheba realized.

"If they clear a path through the asteroid field they'll have a direct path towards us and New Caprica." Bojay said, slightly sweating.

"Keep us moving through the asteroids towards the Baseships. We need to get in close and charge the forward laser cannons. The micron the nearest baseship is in range we'll open fire." Sheba stated. "Keep our Vipers and gunships close to us. They'll try to swarm us with their fighters to stop us."

The strategy of the Colonial Fleet was to use the asteroid field only long enough to get into position to fire. The Battlestars, making more obvious targets, would draw the majority of the Cylons' fire while the smaller vessels and gunships armed with larger yield missiles would spread out along the flanks and unleash a devastating barrage at the Cylon Fleet. Several Raider squadrons attempted to intercept these groups only to contend with Vipers, defensive artillery and the asteroids themselves. The Colonial pilots were able to remain close to their charges and allow them to pick off any Raiders that got too close, and usually managed to fire off a shot of their own that would force Raiders to evade only to crash into random debris or outright lose any possible firing solution due to the asteroids blocking their line of sight.

Other Raiders encountered decoy signals for cruisers and gunships, caused by formations of drones that managed to maintain their course while diverting to avoid collisions. The Colonial Fleet had developed these during the earlier stages of colonizing New Caprica to take advantage of the asteroid field masking their ships from view. The Cylons were unable to verify which was real or fake except by seeing for themselves at close range, all the while having to carefully navigate the asteroid field where Vipers harassed them or ships fired off their defensive batteries the moment they came into range.

While they had been against the colonization of New Caprica, Apollo and Sheba had spared no expense at developing strategies in the event of an invasion from possibly the Cylons or any other hostile force they might encounter. Both Battlestars had been given various improvements and upgrades over the yarhens that were similar but different to make it difficult to predict their attack patterns. The Galactica had been given increased fighter capacity and defenses including additional turrets and armor while the Pegasus had been given increased fire power, including two additional forward laser cannons that were designed to destroy Basestars in a few hits. With four forward cannons the Pegasus had been nicknamed 'the Beast'. The Colonial Fleet was making up for its lack of numbers in the same way it had continuously defied the Cylons for countless yahren: through improvisation and strategies the logical Cylons would not consider.

Raiders were being picked off, and for every Viper or gunship they destroyed several of their own were lost, sometimes up to a dozen being ambushed across the area of battle in different engagements as the Colonial Fleet finally settled into position. The Battlestars were moving into the open, firing their primary weapons at the Basestars while the separate groups began to fire off barrages of missiles. The Raiders not devoted to attacking the Colonial ships in the asteroid belt began to move to intercept these waves of missiles, managing to hit most of them due to the distance between the Basestars and Colonial vessels, however some of the Raiders had to use themselves to intercept the missiles in a kamikaze rush to keep them from striking the Basestars. Despite their best efforts, more and more of these projectiles began to strike the Basestars while the Battlestars continued to hammer away at them.


Cylon Basestar
Core Command

The Imperious Leader's eyes narrowed as the Basestar shook from the missile attack. "Centurions, deploy the force shield."

"By your command." The Command Centurion obeyed. "Activating Cradle Unit."


From the upper spindle of the Basestars launched a disc shaped ship that hovered above the Cylon capital ships and released a green stream of energy that covered the Basestars, forming a spherical shield that instantly blocked all the missiles still being fired by the Colonial ships.

"What's happening?" Sheba demanded, seeing the Basestars being protected.

"It's some kind of…Force shield." The sensor officer said, shocked by the readouts of the scanner. "The Basestar's launched a smaller ship that's projecting the force shield around them. It's easily blocking the missiles."

"Cease firing the missiles." Sheba said, not willing to risk any missiles being used pointlessly. "Target forward lasers and fire."

The Pegasus was the first to clear the asteroid field and fired two giant beams of orange energy at the center Basestar but the force shield absorbed the lasers, withstanding all of their might.

"No effect on their shields." Bojay said, gripping the sensor officer's chair.

"That's impossible." Sheba whispered before the Basestars opened fired, their lasers passing through the force shields and hitting the two Battlestars. "Pull back! Back into the asteroid field!"

The Galactica and the Pegasus hastily turned and headed back into the asteroid field as Cylon laser fire scorched their hulls. Cylon Raiders chased after them, harassing them as they retreated as Vipers and Gunships rushed to defend the two massive flagships of the Colonial Fleet.

"Colonel Boomer on alpha channel." The comm officer reported and quickly opened the channel to the head console were Sheba was waiting.

"Sheba, we have a serious problem." Boomer said, his face sporting a serious grim look.

"I know, Boomer. I didn't expect this. I don't believe even Apollo would have expected this." Sheba ran a hand through her hair. "Is there any word on them?"

"No and our scans confirmed the Gemini Freighter was destroyed at the far edge of the asteroid field." Boomer answered, a hint of sadness heard in his professional voice. "We don't know if it was evacuated in time."

Sheba closed her eyes in silent mourning. "What about Apollo?"

"No word from him."

"Then…Then we must assume he was killed. Give the evacuation code signal to New Caprica, they must know what's happening by now." Sheba quickly putting her feelings side for the centon. "Get any ships that's not damaged or being used in the battle down onto the surface."

"Right, but Sheba if we can't stop those Basestars neither the fleet nor New Caprica will last very long." Boomer pointed out.

"We'll find a way Boomer…We always do." Sheba replied, whispering the last part.


Cylon Basestar
Core Command

"It is done, Imperious Leader. Our ships are in range to attack the colony." The Command Centurion reported.

"Good. Attack the space-drome first and see to it that there no ships for the humans to escape in. There will not be a second exodus." The Imperious Leader said.

"By your command."


New Caprica
Far Edge of Asteroid Ring

The Cylons had caught the humans completely by surprise by hiding their capital ships in the asteroid field of New Caprica but that was only the beginning of their plan. The humans had yet to learn just how much the Cylons had truly evolved over the yarhens since they had last fought and soon they would learn the hard way. On the other side of the system appeared what looked like giant freighters approaching New Caprica from the opposite side of where the battle was being waged. Onboard these ships, Cylon pilots, modified with a different appearance than the Centurions scrambled and boarded their fighters as the ship's klaxons rang, signaling them that the time to launch was near.

In the past the Cylons would have simply launched an overwhelming assault, simply using their numbers to overwhelm their enemies and destroy them once they had achieved air superiority. However that tactic had failed against the humans countless times, only succeeding at the end of the war. Following the end of the Cylon Civil War the Cylons had worked to adapt the unpredictability of organics to their cold calculating minds, looking for ways to improve themselves by matching their enemies. The result was the Cylons could now effectively plan out their invasions rather than the slow and stilted tactics that they had used in the past.

"By order of the Imperious Leader, we are to attack the human colony. All fighters will slip from behind as their fleet engages ours and we will route the humans." The Cylon Flight Leader stated, its voice heard by all Cylon pilots through their data link. "Launch."

The top of the Cylon freighters opened up, allowing their fighters to launch towards New Caprica, assuming attack formation and arming their weapons.

"New Caprica Strike Squadron, attack." The Flight Leader Centurion said, his fighter leading the squadron towards the planet.

War had not come to New Caprica, it had been here all along.


New Caprica City
Colonial Hall

"Tigh, I demand an explanation!" President Mara said once former President Tigh was escorted into the Council Chamber by Council Security.

"An explanation, Madam President? I was about to ask one from you since your security came to my door and demanded that I answer a summons from you and the Council despite that I am now retired." Tigh stated. "What could you possibly need from me?"

"The explanation for the Colonial Fleet causing a ruckus in orbit, former President." A Council member spoke up. "They have ignored all communications from us and are seemingly blasting asteroids while saying that the Cylons are here!"

Tigh stiffened. "And…Are the Cylons here?"

"Of course not! This is a blatant act by Commanders Apollo and Sheba to delay decommissioning the Colonial Fleet!"

Tigh shook his head. "Councillors, Madam President, with all due respect Commanders Apollo and Sheba would not resort to such drastic tactics to simply change your minds about decommissioning the Galactica and the Pegasus."

"He is right, Madame President. They are too honorable." Siress Tinia spoke up, much to Tigh's relief.

Siress Tinia had been a member of the Council during Commander Adama's time and at one point a representative of the Council when they had tried to take the emergency powers that had been granted to Adama when the Cylons destroyed the Colonies and though they disagreed much Tinia had recognized the Council's folly when they had been taken hostage and were rescued by the very warriors they antagonized which led to full command being restored to Adama. Since then Tinia had been perhaps the only friend Adama and the warriors had on the Council and was quick to speak in their defence when people like President Mara believed that the warriors were relics of a darker time with ideals that had no place in times of peace.

"And with all due respect, former President, I say otherwise. Commander Sheba outright refused our order to decommission the Pegasus and attempting to terrify us would be in her character." Mara stated.

"Madam President, Commander Sheba is a warrior who swore an oath to serve the civil government that had been established since it had been established by the articles of colonization. I do not believe you are giving them a fair chance to explain themselves and finding proof of them trying to lie to you." Tigh stated.

"She and Commander Apollo will have one, at their trial." Mara said, leaning forward. "As will you if evidence is found that you supported this mutiny."

Tigh's eyes narrowed as he realized that Council and the President may have allowed themselves to become corrupted with power after living so long on New Caprica, believing they were safe from any threat. Not for the first time Tigh wished that Adama was here to set them straight as he had back in old days. Adama was not only a skilled warrior he was a skilled diplomat and it was through his strength and charisma that kept the fleet together as they fled the Colonies. Without him, the Council, a bunch of worn down, tired elders decided that the fleet could no longer keep moving and decided to colonize a planet that was found to be habitable despite the danger of settling down with the Cylons still out there, somewhere in the universe searching for them.

It had become apparent that the President was blind to everything but the vision she and the Council shared.

"Madam President, Council of Twelve, if you see fit to judge our warriors even before a trial is even considered, going against the laws founded by our forefathers and the Lords of Kobol…You do so with my utter contempt." Tigh stated, glaring at the Council and the President. "And the contempt of those who died fighting to ensure our people had a future and have been dishonored by you and your actions. You who speak down on people who bled for you, struggling to across the stars to find the home of our brothers and sisters only for you to seize power when Adama passes away and simply land a new planet, bring about an era of self pleasure and interest, forgetting what united us before and what kept us strong as a united front. Commander Adama would be saddened would he be able to see this and what you have allowed to happen."

Mara glared and was about to retort when the room shook and an explosion was heard.

Tigh looked up at the roof window and saw fighters swarming down from the sky, recognizing them instantly. "Cylons."

The Council and the President looked up, their eyes widening with fear, horror, and denial as the Cylons fell upon the city like a swarm of locusts, firing off bolts of high energy plasma bolts that burned and blasted anything they touched with the intensity of a fifty megon blast. On the ground people started screaming and running in all directions, their fear overwhelming their sense of reason as they looked for any place to hide or escape. Tigh was suddenly reminded of the night the Cylons attacked Caprica, remembering the screams of the people who died under the relentless Cylon assault that continued until the people were left to wander the hills in the night, terrified of the great death that had swept across their world like a plague. Tigh remembered how helpless he had felt, listening to the screams but he wouldn't let it happen here.

Never again

"This is impossible…It's impossible." One of the Councillors whispered. "This has to be a dream…It has to be a dream!"

"It's not, Councillors. Madam President, the Cylons are attacking which means the fleet is already engaging them in orbit." Tigh said darkly. "We need to start getting people down into the emergency shelters."

Mara looked at Tigh, her face now consorting with shock and she seemed unable to speak as she only nodded at Tigh's suggestion.

Tigh looked back up at the window as Cylon fighters continued to fall towards the city, moving in formation to conduct strafing runs on New Caprica. 'Apollo, we need you here now.'


New Caprica

The Cylons moved their classic attack formation as they targeted the multiple cities on New Caprica, firing their high powered lasers at the space-dromes, fuel-distribution centers, and then began attacking the cities. Buildings went up in flames while people on the streets screamed and ran in all directions, taking cover as the Cylons flew over them, shooting down flying civilian vehicles that frantically tried to escape but ended up crashing into buildings or other vehicles due to the fear and the disorganization. Once the primary targets were destroyed the Cylons switched to their neutron-based laser torpedoes as they targeted the farm lands, breaking down the cellular structure in food and human tissue. New Caprica had no military bases at the insistence of the Council of Twelve which had left the planet defenceless against the Cylons that had the slipped past the Colonial fleet as it was occupied with the attack Cylon fleet in the asteroid field of the planet.

The Cylons had spent yarhens planning out how they would finally defeat the human race, waiting for the right time to strike. There were no ships or land based defenses to stop the Cylons as they continued their strafing runs on the last known colony of humanity. History had repeated itself because the humans had not learned from their mistakes but the Cylons had not only learned from their defeats but changed and evolved through their obsession with the human race and this time the Cylons had no interest in allowing a second exodus to happen. The human race would join the Empire at gunpoint or they would finish the extermination of the rebels that had defied them.


Cylon Basestar
Core Command

"Report Centurion." The Imperious Leader demanded.

"Our fighters have successfully attacked New Caprica. Our flight leader reports that the spaceports have been destroyed." The Command Centurion reported.

"Excellent. Recall all fighters and prepare a transmission on a broad beam frequency." The Imperious Leader said, its eyes glowing with satisfaction. "It is time to issue the humans their final choice."

"By your command."


Battlestar Pegasus
Core Control

"Commander, the Cylon fighters are pulling back."

Sheba watched as the Cylon Raiders returned to their Baseships, passing through the force shields somehow which made the Cylons even more dangerous. However something wasn't right as the Cylons shouldn't have retreated so soon, especially since they were actually winning despite her pride.

Something was wrong.

"Status of New Caprica."

"We lost contact with-" The comm officer stated to report but his console beeped. "Commander, a transmission is being sent from the lead Basestar."

That was when every human in the Colonial Fleet and down on New Caprica heard for the very first time, the voice of their enemy's leader. "To all humans who can hear me, I am the Cylon Imperious Leader and ruler of the New Cylon Empire. For many generations our two people have waged war which ended in great losses for both sides. You have defied Cylon rule time and again and yet is through you we have evolved, becoming stronger and greater as we take our place as the caretakers of the universe. Now we have returned and though our mission has been the extermination of the human race for the last thousand yarhens we now offer you the hand of truce."

Sheba shared a look with Bojay while the rest of the bridge crew looked each other in confusion and whispered warily about what they had heard. Sheba then realized she remembered that voice from long ago when a man had come aboard the Fleet, promising them safety in exchange for following him. The same man that had nearly killed Apollo who saved her from following.

"Count Iblis." Sheba whispered.

This was his voice speaking to them which meant…

Sheba's eyes widened in horror as she realized that Count Iblis was perhaps the reason the Cylons existed as brutal killing machines that sought the extermination of all life in the universe. That meant the people of the fleet had nearly turned their free will over to the man who was responsible for all their suffering.

"Oh Apollo…I was such a fool." Sheba whispered as her hands closed into fists.

She had nearly given her soul away to a devil in disguise that had probed her weaknesses and used them to turn her against her friends.

But not anymore.

She had changed since that time and she would never let Iblis or the Cylons deceive her again.

"In the past the Empire was incapable of tolerating organic species being anything but subjects but now that we have evolved we now seek not to eliminate you but to have you join us, incorporating you into our order of beings who have been transformed, becoming Cylons themselves whose importance have increased since the former human Baltar allowed himself to be changed and help us understand you in ways we never had before."

Sheba narrowed her eyes at the mention of Baltar. Of course he would have something to do with the Cylons becoming stronger after all these yarhens. If the universe had any compassion Baltar would be long gone but it seemed that the universe had no compassion for the human race.

"Now we extend our hand to you, join us to end the war between us and allow Cylon and Man to walk together side by side. If you wish to live the Colonial fleet will disarm itself while the colonists board their ships to return with us to Cylon to be formally welcomed into the Empire and allowed to return to their former homes."

The entire bridge of the Pegasus was silent as they thought over the message sent by the Cylon Leader until Sheba straightened herself. "Open a channel."

The comm officer quietly opened a channel. "Channel open."

"This is Commander Sheba of the Battlestar Pegasus speaking to the Cylon Imperious Leader. This war began when we came to the aid of the Hasaris and take back their nation when you took it by force. They and so many of our neighbors were destroyed early in the Thousand Yarhen War and your kind attacked us without end because we would now bow our head and submit like you demanded. And when an offer of peace was finally made it was made through lies and deception. You destroyed over a thousand lives on our home worlds who eagerly awaited the dawn of a new era of peace." Sheba took a step forward. "If that wasn't enough you pursued us across the stars, the remains of our once civilized race since your mandate was our extinction. You destroyed our ships, your poisoned our food, you cornered our fleet, and you hounded us without remorse. And now when we have finally found a home you attack us again and then offer us a hand of peace after you have slaughtered a dozen lives again?!" Sheba's voice became livid with a tear falling from her left eye. "Well I can only say to you, Cylon Imperious Leader, is that we reject your offer of peace. We reject your offer to join you. We…Reject…You!"

The entire bridge let out cheers of agreement that was shared by the crew of the Galactica and its support ships.

"Commander Sheba." The voice of the Imperious Leader spoke, silencing the cheering. "If you refuse our offer we will continue our mandate to exterminate you and the last remnants of the human race. Surely you do not speak on behalf of the rest of your kind?"

"I am the Commander of this fleet, I speak for the warriors who are fighting and dying to defend our people from you. I not only speak for my people I speak for the souls who have died defending us from you, including my father and Commander Adama. We will now bow down as slaves to you or any of your kind." Sheba declared.

"Very well, Commander Sheba. We will continue our mandate to eliminate you and once your fleet is finished and the colony is without the ability to fight against us we will renew our offer." The Imperious Leader answered, not giving away any feelings of satisfaction or disappointment in its voice. "Remember, we offered you a way out."

The channel was closed by the Cylons, leaving the crew of the bridge in silence until Sheba faced Bojay. "Gather our ships and get Dr. Wilker on the channel. If there is a weakness in those force shields he can find it."

"Yes Commander." Bojay nodded.

Sheba faced the view port, watching as the Cylons prepared to renew their attack.