A/N: I want to once gain thank everyone for their reviews. Getting feedback has become more important to me than I realized. I really value what all of you have had to say.

Chapter 8: Flight of the Valkyrie

"All squadrons this is Alpha leader. All squadrons are to land immediately. I repeat all squadrons are to land immediately and prepare for jump," Starbuck shouted into her headset just before she landed into the hangar bay on the Capricorn. As her canopy slid open she yanked her helmet off and threw it to the crew member standing at the top of the ladder.

"Captain, Admiral Thrace and Commodore Cain are waiting for you in the war room," Cally yelled at her as soon as her feet hit the deck.

"Thanks. Get him refueled and ready to go. Same with all the other birds coming in," Starbuck said as she ran towards the exit. Cally shook her head as she watched the Captain racing out of the hanger bay. She began shouting orders out as the rest of the squadron came roaring in. It was going to be a long day.

Kara was running as fast as she could, shouting for people to get out of the way or make room as she barreled past them. She had to get to the war room and find out what INTEL had come in while she had been in the air. Claxons were sounding all over the ship and they were beginning to give her a headache. She almost ran an ensign over as she went barreling into the war room; not even bothering to apologize to the unfortunate young man.

"Admiral, it's them" she said coming into the room and making eye contact with her mother.

"How can you be sure?" Admiral Thrace asked her daughter. Kara knew that they did not have a whole lot of time for this conversation. If Lee's people were as antsy as he made them sound, they would be getting the hell out of dodge as soon as possible. She decided to go for honesty and prayed it worked.

"I know it's them. I have no direct proof and I could be setting us all up, but I don't think so. Either way it is a chance we need to take, cause we made CONTACT," she replied. Mother and daughter faced each other, wearing identical expressions. Just as she was about to answer another ensign ran into the room and thrust several sheets of paper into her hands.

Cassandra quickly looked over the papers and then looked at the ensign. "Are they sure?" She asked him.

"Yes sir," he replied. She quickly shoved the papers into the Commodore's hands and then turned her attention to her daughter.

"Captain prepare your squadrons, we have located them. We jump in 2 minutes," the Admiral said. "Kara it is going to take two jumps to reach them, you have 5 minutes to get all the pilots briefed. And Kara, be careful."

Kara's breath caught in her throat as she looked at her mother's face. Behind the determination to keep her emotions under control, Kara saw the worry that only a mother could have for her child. She nodded her head once and flew from the room.

&&&&

"We have DRADIS contact," Dualla announced into the already tense situation in CIC. Everyone's eyes flew to the screen as raiders became visible.

"Galactica we have enemy confirmation," Apollo said as he saw the raiders jump into the space around the fleet.

"Scramble the alert fighters," Bill said to his XO. "How long before the fleet can jump Mr Gaeta?"

"About 3 minutes sir."

"Apollo this is Galactica Actual."

"Go ahead Galactica," Apollo responded.

"We are going to need you to hold them for about 3 minutes until the fleet is away," Bill informed his son.

"Will do Galactica," Apollo replied.

"Sir I am showing well over 30 raiders," Dualla informed the Admiral.

"Galactica a basestar has just jumped into the fray," Apollo called out. "FRAK!! MAKE THAT 2 BASESTARS!!!"

"Sir we can't hold off 2 basestars," his XO said.

Bill shook his head; he was well aware that they would have been hard pressed to hold off the one basestar but 2 was pushing the envelop for them. They were seriously frakked.

&&&&

"Pisces and Sagittarius can your hear me?" Kara said out loud. She was in the hangar bay surrounded by all of her pilots. The deck crew was running everywhere getting jets ready to be launched.

"Yes Starbuck, we read you loud and clear," both CAGs replied. They too were on their respective hangar decks waiting to hear the plan after they completed the second jump. The first jump had already been made and everyone was just waiting on Starbuck.

Up in the war room thing had gone from bad to worse with the last reports that had been brought in to the Admiral. They were closer than they thought and what they were finding out was not good.

"Explain this rapidly," she told the lieutenant turning the charts around on the table so that they could see.

"If these are the people we are looking for," the lieutenant said pointing to a set of charts that were printed before the first jump. "Then this large force is out for blood," he said indicating what looked like a large amount of aircrafts that had not shown up on their initial scans.

"This would not bode well for them I take it," the Admiral said thinking out loud.

"Sir it would have cataclysmic effects for them; but this is all speculation. They could be friends and not opposing forces."

"That would probably be too much to ask for right now," the Admiral replied dismissing the lieutenant. Cassandra knew she would have to inform her daughter that she needed to prepare for combat and that all 3 deep space carriers would be joining in the fight.

Everybody in the hanger bay heard the alerts go off that they could expect enemy fire. They all looked around to each other and although they were nervous, they were also a little excited. They had been trained to be fighter pilots but they had not seen any kind of action since they had rescued the Sagittarius and civilian ships. It looked like they were going to get chance to fight.

"Alright people I need to you to pay attention because I am only going to get to say this once," Starbuck yelled to the room. She knew that the crews on both of their sister ships were also waiting for her instructions.

"Once we jump to the next set of co-ordinates all squadrons are to launch. We will be flying in 6 V-shape attack formations. Eleven jets to a formation with team leaders in front. The reserve fighters are to fan out behind the attack groups, protect our rear and flanks. We don't know what kind of resistance we may come against. Wait for clear instructions before engaging. Everybody mount up, be careful and happy hunting.

With the end of the briefing, the pilots broke off and ran to their jets. Starbuck sprinted up the ladder and dropped into her cockpit. Cally reached over and handed her helmet to her and checked her harness straps.

"Did they get it loaded up?" Starbuck asked the specialist.

"Yes and it will be on a continuos loop," Cally replied.

"Thanks," Starbuck replied. She saw Cally step back as her canopy was lowered. She gave the specialist a thumbs up as her bird was moved into the launch tube. She saw that all around her the rest of the squadrons were also being readied for launch. As soon as their jump was complete they would go tearing into space. Kara was too excited to be nervous, this could finally be the end and she would see Lee Adama face to face.

"Everyone brace for JUMP!!" Was announced over the comm.

&&&&

Apollo looked on in stunned horror as yet a third basestar popped into existence. He knew this large force was aimed directly at him. He just could not believe that they would invest this much fire power into bringing down just one man. He guessed they were really serious about keeping him and Kara apart. What he did not understand was, WHY?

"Galactica we have more trouble. Another basestar has appeared. The fleet needs to jump NOW!!!!" Apollo said.

Bill exchanged a look with Mr. Gaeta. The fleet was still not ready to jump. The President who had been staying on Galactica since the incident with the Simon model looked over at Bill. He shook his head. They both knew the situation was dire, but there was little they could do about it. They would just have to hold these frakkers off and hope it was long enough to allow some of the civilian ships to complete their jumps.

"Apollo this is Galactica Actual."

"Go ahead Galactica."

"Hold them off as long as you can. We are going to buy this fleet as much time as we can."

Apollo heard the under lying tone in his father's voice and knew that he did not expect either of them to come back from this fight. Their goal was to simply place themselves between the fleet and the cylons and pray that enough ships could jump away.

"Galactic maybe if I gave myself up to them, they would back off. You know this is about me?"

Apollo replied.

"Major that is not an option," Bill said forcefully. "There is no guarantee that this is what all this is about." Bill looked at the President and knew that she felt the same as Lee. This WAS about Apollo. "He could give himself up and they could still destroy us."

"But it might buy us some very much needed time," Roslin said to him in a quiet voice.

"Don't even think about asking me to sacrifice him," Bill replied staring at her. She placed her hand on his arm. He knew she was right but he would not; no could not sacrifice his last surviving son to those toasters.

&&&&

"Galactica we now have 4 basestars and the Gods know how many raiders," Lee called out in a weary voice. All around his pilots were engaged in a losing battle and they would not be able to continue to divert the cylons attention from the rest of the fleet.

"Do you hear that?" Kat called out over her headset.

"Hear what?" Hotdog replied dodging fire from the raider on his tail.

"I swore I heard..."

"Hey I hear it to," Jumper replied taking care of the raider that had been hounding Hotdog. "It sounds like music.

Just as Lee was about to tell his pilots to refocus on the task at hand his DRADIS lit up with several more enemy vessels.

"FRAK!! We have more enemy fire coming from behind Galactica," he yelled into his headset. "Red squadron to me," he instructed as he turned his viper to face this new on coming threat.

"HOLY SHIT!! What the hell is that?" Hotdog asked as he also turned to face this new threat.

Looming from above Galactica were three large ships and what looked like a small army of fighter jets. There was no way the viper pilots could get to Galactica in time to stop a total annihilation; and that was when Lee heard it; the music that both Kat and Jumper had referred to.

When it get's cold

And it feels like the end

There's no place to go you know I won't give in

No I won't give in

Keep holding on

Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Just stay strong

Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you

"We got an invitation to this party, but we are not sure who all the dancers are," came over the comm frequency.

"Who the hell is that?" Bill barked.

"Kara?" Lee questioned. He'd know her voice anywhere but he was not sure he wasn't dreaming. Or dead.

"Apollo!! How about some help here. I have a whole lot of guys who would like to join this little fight you have going on, but we are not 100 sure who we should be shooting at."

"Well ma'am I can sure help you out with that," Apollo replied. It seemed the Gods were looking out for them afterall. "You have Galactica under you at 4 o'clock. Directly in front of you is Red squadron and if you follow us we can lead you right to the enemy."

"WOO HOO!!!" Was heard over the comm from about a hundred different voices.

"Galactica Actual this is Apollo."

"Go ahead Apollo," Bill replied tensely.

"I would like to introduce you to the cavalry. The UAG Capricorn, Pisces and Sagittarius. We are going to take care of these raiders if you would be so kind as to show the big guys the basestars they would greatly appreciate it," Lee said. The tone of his voice was almost jubilant and Bill was certain that it had everything to do with a certain young female fighter pilot.

"Copy that Apollo. Mr. Gaeta has the fleet begun to jump?"

"Yes sir."

Bill looked at Roslin and tried to fight back a smile. It would seem that today was not their day to die. It also meant that Earth was no longer on the list of destinations. They would have to deal with that after they dealt with this group of cylons.

"How about we go take care of some cylons," The Admiral said to his crew. A loud cheer went up through CIC as the crew realized they were back in the fight.

"Admiral Adama, this is UAG Fleet Admiral Cassandra Thrace. I was told by my pilot Artemis that you would be our point of contact; as well as the person in charge of the Colonial Fleet Military," a female voice announced over the comm frequency.

Bill exchanged a incredulous look with Roslin. "They have a pilot named Artemis?" She asked in surprise.

"Apollo never mentioned it," he replied also sounding stunned. "The young lady from his journal is also a Thrace."

I don't think that is a coincident," Roslin said looking at Bill pointedly.

"I agree," he said. "Admiral Thrace I wish we were meeting under much different circumstances," Bill said turning his attention back to the conversation.

"So do I," she agreed. "So tell us what we can do to help, and when we're done here, we can get acquainted over a cup of coffee."

Bill laughed and shook his head slightly. The gesture was noted by quite a few people, including Roslin, Dualla and his XO.

"Well ma'am if you follow us, once we get these cylons cleared out; I would love to take you up on that offer," he said with a smile.

As Galactica moved forward to join the battle, the 3 UAG deep space carriers also surged ahead cannons roaring into the silent vacuum of space. One basestar went down before it was even able to return fire. Within minutes the battle shifted to the Colonial Fleet and their UAG allies. For the first time since the worlds ended the fleet had the cylons on the run.

&&&&

"Admiral the fleet has jumped," Gaeta reported.

Bill nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Lt. Dualla, call our birds in and prepare for jump."

"All vipers combat landings. Repeat all vipers combat landings and prepare to jump," Dee announced over the comm.

Apollo watched as all of his pilots turned and made for Galactica. He also saw the UAG fighter jets turning towards their own ships for landings. All except one. He hit his thrusters to bring his viper closer to the lone fighter jet. He could not see her face because her helmet shield plate was completely black, but he had no doubt it was Kara.

"Apollo you need to land immediately," he heard his father tell him.

"I can't leave her here," he replied. He knew that he was on a private frequency with his father. He switched to the frequency that he knew Kara was tuned to and asked her to change her channel so that she could listen to what his father had to say.

"Major we can't leave the fleet unprotected for long. We need to jump immediately," his father told him again. "And no Lee, I'll not leave you here."

"Captain Thrace you need to return to the Capricorn," came over Kara's private frequency. Kara was thinking fast. She had no desire to miss this opportunity to see Lee in person. She knew that it could be days maybe weeks before these two groups of people were willing to sit down and talk. She was unwilling to let that much time pass before she could see him, be with him and not just dream about him. And that was if they were even willing to listen to each other. An idea struck her that would get her what she wanted and would force the UAG to at least be willing to listen to anything these people had to say.

So she jumped into the argument that was rapidly getting out of control between Lee and the man she presumed to be his father. "Admiral Adama, how about I willingly give myself up into your custody as a hostage of good faith?" She asked.

"Captain Thrace that is not acceptable," came from her mother. She should have known that Admiral Thrace would not want to be in the position to possibly have to bargain for her top pilot's release.

"We all have issues that are going to need to be resolved. I put my trust and faith in your hands that I would be treated with respect and no harm will befall me. Also since I will be in your care my own people will not take any action that would give you reason to do me harm," Kara said.

"Captain Thrace I am willing to accept your offer," Adama replied. He liked her spunk and quick thinking. She got what she wanted and she was forcing both sides to cooperate.

"Admiral Thrace I will have our next set of jump co-ordinates sent to you along this frequency in a few moments. I also will personally guarantee that your pilot will be treated well until she is released back to you. Apollo bring in our guest; we will meet you on the hangar deck. Galactica Actual out."

Roslin looked at Bill and nodded her head approvingly. "Should we go down and meet this ambassador from Earth?" She asks him. He nods and takes her arm leading them both out of CIC.

&&&&

"Artemis?" Lee queried.

"I am here Apollo. A little nervous but still with you."

"Just follow my lead and it will be ok. I don't know how much different landing your jet on our hangar bay will be, but I have faith that you can do it." Lee said hoping to allay her fears.

"Ok let's get this over with," she replied still sounding nervous.

Kara followed Lee on his approach to Galactica mimicking every move he made. When he slowed to make his approach she did as well. They made a smooth touch down and taxied on to the hangar deck floor.

Lee was pulling off his helmet almost before he had come to a complete halt. A deck hand was there to take the helmet and was barely able to get out of the Major's way as he jumped from the cockpit. Lee slid down the ladder and hit the deck running. He went straight to where her bird was sitting surrounded by a group of marines. He saw his father and the President standing behind the marines and the Chief slowly going up the ladder. He glanced to his father for permission and when his dad nodded in approval he called out to the Chief.

"I got it Chief. She is less likely to deck me than you," Lee said putting a restraining hand on the Chief's arm.

"That is one pretty bird she has there Apollo," the Chief said to him, reluctantly letting Lee go pass him up the ladder.

"I'll talk her into letting you get a good look at it later," Lee promised the man. He cautiously approached the top of the ladder. She has not popped her canopy and he was sure that she was more nervous than they were.

Even though Kara was a combat trained fighter pilot, a captain in the UAG military and CAG on the Capricorn she was scared shitless. She was surrounded by people she didn't know and she was not completely sure they wouldn't shoot first then ask questions later. They had her surrounded by a group of guys with big guns and she was sure she was headed to some sort of holding cell. Maybe she should have thought this through a little more before she offered herself up to them. Not too mention she heard the food here really sucked.

Lee knelt down on one knee to bring himself closer to her level. She had still not popped her canopy and he didn't want to do it for her. He knew she was trying to calm her nerves and quell any fears she had. After several long moments he heard the slight hiss that signaled the release of oxygen from the air tight compartment. As he watched, the canopy slid back and her hands came up to take the helmet from her head. Beautiful green eyes filled with tears met his. He felt his heart melt; she was more beautiful sitting there in that cockpit fresh from battle that any time he had seen her in his dreams.

"Hey gorgeous," he said taking her hand.

"Hey yourself mister," she replied reaching for him.