Operation Red Line

Cylon Search

60 days before the Fall.

The Battlestar Victory moved very cautiously through the system they had just jumped into. The need for caution was simple. The Surveillance ship Silent Seeker had detected massive energy readings in this system. Currently the Victory and her sister Battlestar the Independence were moving deeper into the system to check the energy readings out. The Battlestars Shadow Star, Dark Search, and the Surveillance ship Silent Seeker were holding their positions one point two light years away.

Both Battlestars were at Condition One with vipers and raptors ready to launch if needed. Because of the necessity of avoiding detection, there was no CAP out and both Battlestars were prepared to activate their FTL drives at a moments notice.

"Anything?" Commander Stramm asked as he watched the Dradis screen above the operations table intently, which was operating in passive mode.

"No sir," Captain Grisold replied from his position at the main Dradis consul, as he adjusted the Dradis scans trying to make sure nothing got past him.

"Captain Simms?" Commander Stramm asked turning his attention to the young woman who was operating the ship's special scanners, which they hoped the Cylons would not be able to detect. So far in the previous six Cylon systems they had found, they had worked flawlessly.

"Astrometrics scans are complete sir," she replied as the data finally began flowing across her screens. "Four planets, six moons and one small asteroid field between the third and fourth planets."

"What about the energy readings the Silent Seeker detected?" the Commander asked.

"I believe they are coming from the asteroid field sir," Captain Simms replied as she studied her data more carefully. Her fingers ran quickly over the touch screen as she studied additional data from her sensor scans. "There are two rather large asteroids in the field and my sensor arrays show a lot of static whenever I try to scan in that direction. It could be interference from a large power source."

Commander Stramm turned and looked inquiringly at Admiral Reed across the operations table. "Guess the two asteroids are our target sir."

"Take us in and prepare to launch the stealth raptors, let's see just what we have," Admiral Reed ordered. He felt slightly disappointed again. There was no doubt in his mind they had found another Cylon mining operation. They still had not encountered a single Cylon warship!

For the last four months, the five Colonial ships had been surveying the stars across the Red Line searching for the elusive Cylons. So far, they had found six Cylon mining operations but no sign of a Cylon base or their military forces. The Surveillance ship, the Silent Seeker could detect energy reading from a distance of 1.5 light years. There were hundreds of stars to search; it was almost like looking for a needle in a haystack. The Cylon main bases were out here, they just had to find them!

Commander Stramm gave the necessary orders and soon four of the special stealth raptors were on their way. A special black coating and material on their hull made them undetectable to Dradis, and their engines were carefully baffled to help avoid detection. They could still be detected but a Cylon ship would have to be in a perfect position to do that.

"Looks like another mining operation," Commander Stramm muttered shaking his head in aggravation. "Where are the Cylons? They must have some heavy bases somewhere!"

"Be patient," Admiral Reed replied looking over at the communications consul where Lt. Billings was listening intently to see if she could detect any Cylon communications in the system. The young red head was supposedly a gifted communications officer with a brilliant career ahead of her. She had graduated number one in her class at Picon Fleet Academy in communications.

"I wish we could track a ship out of the system," Commander Stramm commented placing his hands on the operations table and leaning forward slightly. "It would sure make things easier. If we could attach a tracer to one of these Cylon freighters or tankers, we could follow them back to their base or home system."

"Unfortunately once a ship activates its FTL drive the tracers we have become worthless because of the distance," Admiral Reed replied agreeing with Commander Stramm. "If we attach a tracer powerful enough that we can detect, the Cylons will probably be able to detect it also, and we don't want that. We will just have to do this the hard way."

"Sir I have a narrow beam transmission from the lead raptor," Lt. Billings reported. "They have found two large mining operations; both seem to be Tylium sir. There are also a number of tankers waiting to be loaded lying off to the sides of both asteroids."

"Tempting targets," Commander Stramm commented wishfully. "If we took them out and destroyed these two mining operations the Cylons are bound to respond by sending one or two of their warships to investigate. At least then we could see what type of ships we are dealing with."

"True," Admiral Reed agreed, even he hated passing up all these tempting targets. However, the Cylons and Colonies were not currently at war and he was not going to be the one to instigate an armed conflict between the two.

"Very well Lt., recall the raptors," Admiral Reed ordered his eyes becoming lost in thought. "That gives us seven mining operations, when we get back to the Surveillance ship let's plot the seven and see if we can find a pattern. Perhaps all these mining operations will tell us where we need to look next. A major Cylon base has to be close by!"

Andrea Nagala skimmed through her daily reports from her subordinates. Operations Manager Anderson had already summarized them so it was relatively easy for her to go through them quickly. Two Tylium deposits were playing out and would become non-profitable in another two weeks. Already two new Tylium asteroids were being readied for mining and as soon as operations were completed on the other two asteroids, the expensive mining equipment would be moved to the new mining sites.

The planet Virgon had placed an unusually large order for copper and platinum. Checking her computer screen Andrea called up their current reserves of the two metals. She was pleased to see that sufficient quantities of both metals were currently in the storage areas on Helos to satisfy the order.

The Keller Corporation operated a large number of huge refineries and smelting operations on several large asteroids as well as on Helos. There were many large storage areas carved out of the asteroid to hold all the metals and other minerals that were mined, smelted down, refined, and then molded into shippable sizes that could be easily handled. The majority of all shipments were made from these storage warehouses and then the warehouses were simply refilled from the ongoing mining operations.

Aquaria wanted nearly two thousands tons of liquid Mercury for use in their deep underwater cities. Frowning, Andrea checked on their liquid Mercury stockpiles and saw they didn't quite have enough to cover the order. She made a quick notation to talk to Don about that. The Keller Corporation had a reputation of always being on time with their commitments.

After another hour, she had completed going over all the summarized reports. Andrea leaned back in her chair and glanced casually about her spacious office. On the far wall was a large painting of an ocean scene from Aquaria. The painting depicted one of the planet's deep blue oceans with the sitting sun just vanishing over the horizon. On the right hand wall, was a picture of a large snow capped mountain over looking a frozen lake from one of the World Parks on Caprica. Perhaps her favorite painting was on the left hand wall. It was a painting of the lush orchards of Aerilon just before harvest, with the trees laden in a variety of multicolored fruit. These paintings helped to relax her and remind her of the other worlds outside of Helos. Even though after so many years she now considered Helos to be her home.

Rising to her feet, she sighed knowing she had a heavy schedule for the day. First, she would go over to Main Operations and check on a few things, and then she was supposed to meet Colonel Marshall for lunch in Helos City. Idly she wondered just what the Colonel wanted. Very seldom did they meet for lunch and when they did, it always pertained to business or her father.

Main Operations as usual was a beehive of frenzied activity. The room was nearly one hundred meters across and centered around the four massive operation tables. On the walls, huge high definition screens showed views of the mining operations on the various asteroids. Technicians and project managers sat before the huge screens manning consuls that followed everything that was going on with the individual mining operations.

While most of the operations were primarily automated, they still required some crews on site. Some required more then others depending on the complexity of the operation. All views and information that was being looked at was from a few minutes to several hours old. This was due to the tremendous distance from Helos that some of the mining operations were. Sub space communication could be used in case of an emergency, and each operations manager was authorized to use it if needed, particularly if lives were in danger.

Project managers could view the entire operation of any mining project from their consuls and monitor the operation on the screens. Only when extreme problems developed was it necessary for a project manager to travel to the mine site. When that did occur, special high-speed shuttles were kept prepped and pilots on standby as needed. There were hundreds of different mining operations going on continuously and occasionally major problems did crop up.

"Don what about this liquid Mercury order from Aquaria?" Andrea asked as she walked up to Don Anderson who was sitting at his desk close to the four operations tables. His desk was stacked high with papers, notes, and schedules that he was almost always updating and changing as the situation or order warranted. "We don't normally get this size of an order for liquid Mercury."

"It's for some type of under water lighting system," Don replied looking up at Andrea, he had wondered about that himself. "I contacted our representative on Aquaria to check on just what they needed it for."

"Underwater lighting," Andrea replied surprised, sitting down in one of the chairs directly in front of Don's large cluttered desk. She had never figured out why he insisted on keeping his notes in such an old fashion way. Putting everything on the computer would be so much easier. She thought about what Don had just said. She knew liquid Mercury used to be used quite commonly in lighting, but the Colonies had been getting away from that use for the last several decades.

"We have several mines that are currently mining Mercury," Don continued picking up a note he had written earlier and glancing at it. "But they have been operating on the lower rate of their production capacity. I have already contacted the operation managers for those two mines and we will speed up production. We should have no trouble meeting the schedule."

"Good," Andrea replied, pleased that Don had already taken the necessary action. That was why she paid him the big cubits. "I also saw that our survey shuttles have finished their mineral mapping of sector 112 of the asteroid field. Have their survey reports sent to my personal terminal once they are down loaded."

Later Andrea made her way through a number of long interconnecting corridors deep beneath the Helos asteroid. The corridors were crowded with people going to work or to Helos City for relaxation. With so many people needed to operate the massive mining operation, it had become necessary to blast living quarters out of the depths of the massive asteroid. Nearly one hundred and forty thousand people lived inside the asteroid and another sixty thousand who were at the mining operations, also made their permanent homes here when they were not at the mines.

Andrea took one of the many transit elevators down another forty levels and when the door opened, she stepped out onto a large flat platform that was full of people. Numerous chairs and benches filled the area. Walking over to the edge of the platform, she looked out over Helos city. Her breath caught in the back of her throat as it always did as she looked out over the city.

It had cost nearly twenty five billion cubits to build the city below her. An area of the asteroid nearly four kilometers long, half a kilometer high, and a little over one kilometer wide had been hollowed out. Busy streets full of businesses, restaurants, entertainment centers, and everything else that might be needed to make life more pleasant so far away from home was available. A large central park nearly three hundred meters across and eight hundred meters long was covered in trees, grass, with a small a small blue lake in the center. Even from Andrea's current position she could see people walking in the park along its many walkways and paths.

Andrea made her way down into the city and toward one of her favorite restaurants. The streets were very wide and small electric commuter shuttles ferried people to where they needed to go. There were also numerous small electric cars that served as a taxi service. Finally reaching the Blue Grotto restaurant Andrea stepped inside. She was escorted quickly to her table where Colonel Marshall was patiently waiting. He was already sipping on a glass of what looked like an amber Ambrosia.

Colonel Marshall stood up smiling as Andrea reached the table; he waited until she sat down before he took his own seat. "Hello Andrea," he said in a pleasant voice. "I took the liberty of ordering you a glass of Ambrosia," he said gesturing to the partially filled crystal glass sitting before her.

"That you Colonel," Andrea replied surprised, reaching for her glass she took a small sip. She was surprised at the taste; this was vintage Ambrosia not the cheap stuff! The Colonel definitely knew his Ambrosia. This was a side of him that surprised her, choosing a good Ambrosia was not easy.

A server made an appearance and after studying the menu for a moment both placed their orders. The restaurant was filled with numerous people enjoying a pleasant meal and conversation. Gentle music played in the background and the smell of various foods made the restaurant extremely enticing. Andrea was really starting to feel hungry. She hadn't eaten much that morning. She had a tendency sometimes to skip breakfast completely.

"So Colonel," Andrea began relaxing in her chair. "Just what did you want to talk to me about and why couldn't it have been done in my office or yours? Not that I don't mind a good meal here at the Blue Grotto."

"I received a message from your father yesterday," Colonel Marshall replied his eyes focusing unwaveringly on hers as his face took on a serious look. "He believes that the Cylons are infiltrating the Colonies."

"Infiltrating the Colonies," Andrea spoke in surprise leaning forward slightly feeling confused and not wanting any one else to over hear their conversation. "How, I mean their machines, surely they would be spotted!"

"He doesn't know," Colonel Marshall replied. "But several suspicious programs have been found in the defense mainframes on Gemenon and Virgon, programs that should not have been there."

"And my father thinks the Cylons are responsible," Andrea spoke not feeling surprised; her father was paranoid about the Cylons sometimes. "Couldn't it have been some hacker wanting to make a name for himself by cracking the code to a mainframe? It wouldn't be the first time that's happened."

"No, this was way too thorough," Colonel Marshall replied shaking his head worriedly. "The programs were set up to be activated simultaneously when they received a specific signal. They would not have been found except a high level programmer was loading a new firewall into the mainframe on Virgon. He found the program hidden in a seldom used maintenance file in the defense mainframe. If it was a hacker, he would have wanted the program found more easily so he could brag about it. They found the same program in Gemenon's defense mainframe."

"Is that all, just the mainframes on Virgon and Gemenon?" Andrea asked perplexed. She still didn't see how it could possibly be the Cylons. Surely in this instance her father was wrong.

"Andrea, these are defense mainframes that are responsible for the entire defense grid surrounding the planets!" Colonel Marshal reiterated wanting Andrea to understand just how serious this was. "Unfortunately they were not the only problems. We have been experiencing a lot of computer problems throughout the Colonies, only our fleet so far seems to be unaffected."

"What does my father want?" Andrea asked. If she knew her father there would be more to this then just a warning about possible Cylon infiltration.

Colonel Marshall was quiet for several moments a troubled look crossing his face. "Your father is sending six more ships to the special fleet we have hidden in the asteroids. I think they are some type of Gunstars that were taken out of service several years ago and have been secretly upgraded. We won't know until they get here."

"More warships," Andrea echoed surprised. Her father must really be worried.

"I believe your father is becoming very concerned about the current situation with the Cylons," Colonel Marshal replied keeping his voice low. "Even though no one has actually seen a Cylon in forty years, all the evidence seems to indicate they're behind these computer problems. The programming that we have uncovered is just to complex for it to be humans!"

Andrea was silent as she though about the ramifications. Six more warships that no one knew about. Her father was taking a giant risk. His career would be on the line if anyone ever found out. Just how much longer could he keep these ships a secret anyway? If he was willing to take this much of a risk then things were much worse then she had imagined.

"He is also stationing a Valkyrie class Battlestar in our system. It will act as the command ship for our three Gunstars," Colonel Marshall informed Andrea. "He hopes that will give us enough firepower to hold off a Cylon attack until the fleet can respond with heavier units without resorting to our special fleet.

"Colonel Marshal, if I know my father he must believe a Cylon attack is imminent," Andrea said slowly weighing all the possibilities. This situation may be much worse then she had originally thought.

"I agree, and from the information your father has sent me about the situation he may very well be right," Colonel Marshall replied somberly.

"Then we need to begin making preparations to defend the Caspian system, Helos, and the mining operations," Andrea spoke realizing just how difficult it would be to protect everything. There were trillions worth of cubits invested in the mining operations in the Caspian system. It was the biggest investment this side of Caprica itself.

"I currently have two Defender Class Gunstars at my disposal and one Assault Class Gunstar," Colonel Marshall replied. "At the base we have nearly three hundred vipers and forty raptors. We have plenty of munitions and missiles for all of them stored in the deep bunkers. The Valkyrie class Battlestar Shrike will be here in two more days."

"Anything else Colonel?" Andrea asked knowing there was from the look on the Colonel's face.

"As you know we installed twenty defensive turrets and four medium KEW batteries around the base during the last few months," What you don't know is that Admiral Nagala also sent us six 100-meter defense satellites. The satellites carry small interceptor missiles primarily for shooting down opposing fighters and enemy missiles."

"I assume you are going to place them around Helos," Andrea replied amazed at what her father was trying to do.

"Yes, however they came with special boosters that can be used to place them into orbit around Helos rather quickly," Colonel Marshal replied. "We won't launch them until they are needed. We are also going to start flying an armed CAP around Helos besides our regular practice patrols."

"Then that's all we can do for now, we just wait and see what happens," Andrea replied settling back in her chair seeing the server was headed their way with their food orders. For some reason Andrea's appetite had faded considerably.

"One other thing Andrea," Colonel Marshall said more quietly, almost in a whisper. "Your father suggests you make plans to evacuate the Caspian system if needed."

"Evacuate!" Andrea gasped not believing what she had just heard. Did her father expect her to give up the family's massive mining operation without a fight? It would bankrupt the Keller Corporation over night. Not only that, but the Colonial Fleet could be in the system in just two jumps!

"Just make the plans Andrea," Colonel Marshall said quietly. "Hopefully they will not be needed, but I think we will all feel better if we are ready to evacuate if the situation here becomes untenable."

The server arrived with their food and the two sat silently as they ate their meal. Both were deep in thought wondering what the future might hold. Andrea was concerned, she had over two hundred thousand people to be worried about. That total didn't include all the ship crews that were continuously going back and forth between the Caspian system and the Colonies. Their safety and survival might very well depend on how she handled this possible Cylon situation. Sometimes she wished she was not Admiral Nagala's daughter.

Colonel Marshall ate his food slowly, wondering just what Admiral Nagala expected him to do. If the Admiral was correct, he might very well have infiltrators or Cylon sympathizers in his own base. There was no doubt that there were probably some here on Helos and scattered throughout the system. The huge Keller mining operation was just too big a target to bypass. He just hoped the special fleet hidden in the deep asteroid fields would be sufficient if all else failed!

45 days before the Fall

Admiral Corman was ushered into the Vice President of the Colonies office on Caprica. Corman wondered just what Vice President Gerent Urie wanted; his summons had been very elusive as to the purpose of this meeting.

Vice President Urie stood up as the Admiral entered. "Admiral Corman, it's good to see you," he spoke gesturing for the Admiral to take the lone large cushioned chair sitting in front of his desk.

"It's good to see that you are looking so healthy," Admiral Corman replied. "I heard that you have been thorough a lengthy bout of the flu."

"Yes the flu," Vice President Urie replied with a slight nod. "You would think that with our science and technology we could find a cure for the flu, but every year a new variant seems to pop up."

The two sat silently for a minute then the Vice President spoke with a very serious look on his face, "Peter just what the frak are you and Nagala up to? There are rumors of secret bases, secret missions, money being funneled to special projects the government did not approve, and other worrisome reports."

Admiral Corman was silent for a moment wondering just how much the Vice President really knew. He also wondered if both he and Nagala might not be sitting in front of firing squads very shortly. The Vice President had always been a staunch supporter of the military.

"I guess your silence is evidence enough," Vice President Urie replied with a trace of anger in his voice. Why did the military always have to make things so difficult?

"We only did what we thought was necessary to protect the Colonies," Admiral Corman began defensively, still not sure what the Vice President knew.

"Enough Peter," Vice President Urie interrupted him coldly. "If you were going to take these steps why didn't you come to me first, it would have made everything so much easier. Building a secret military base, sending a fleet into Cylon space, what the frak were you and Nagala thinking. You two could start a war!"

"We didn't want to get you involved sir," Admiral Corman replied defensively. "You have always been a stalwart defender of the military and we didn't want to risk you being associated with this if everything blew up in our faces."

"It's a good thing I am a firm believer in our military," Vice President Urie replied looking Admiral Corman directly in the eyes. "I have managed to squelch all the information about secret bases, secret missions, and the other things you and Nagala have been allegedly involved in."

"Thank you sir," Admiral Corman replied feeling a little relieved but still wondering where the Vice President was going with all of this.

"The trouble is Admiral, I can only keep it squelched for so long and then it's going to come out into the open," the Vice President continued with a warning look. "How much more time do you need?"

Admiral Corman took a deep breath. "Two to three more months' sir, if we don't have the evidence we need by then to convince the President that the Cylons are going to attack, then we won't be able to get it until it's to late!"

The Vice President was silent for a long moment as he weighed his options, if Corman and Nagala failed it would probably end in their court-martials and his impeachment. "Very well," he said with a deep sigh. "I can cover everything up for three months, but that's all. After that everything is going to come out, I won't be able to stop it. Right now only a few very special agents of the government know what's going on, fortunately they report only to me."

"Thank you sir," Admiral Corman replied relieved, rising from his chair. "If Admiral Nagala and I are right in what we believe the Cylons are preparing to do then our actions will be vindicated."

"I hope you are wrong about the Cylons," Vice President Urie spoke standing up. "But my gut feeling says you might be correct, that's why I'm doing this. Just be more careful from now on!"

32 days before the Fall

Admiral Corman was aboard the Battlestar Atlantia meeting with Admiral Nagala, only on the Atlantia did they both feel totally secure. The Atlantia and her fleet were in orbit high above Picon. Several ships in the Atlantia's fleet were going through a quick refit at the large fleet shipyard above Picon.

"Everything seems so fracked up Peter," Admiral Nagala commented from his plush chair behind his massive desk.

His office walls were covered with photographs of various ships and paintings of actions in the Cylon war of 40 years past. Some of the first Battlestars were in the large photographs, the Columbia, the Pegasus, the Galactica, the Solaria and even the Ricon. Only the Galactica and Pegasus were still in active service. The Galactica was due to be retired and turned into a museum in another month. The old Pegasus was being used as a viper-training vessel. It to would be retired in another year. Especially since Admiral Helena Cain was in command of the new Mercury Class Battlestar Pegasus.

"It always seems darkest before the storm Robert," Admiral Corman replied from his comfortable seat in front of Admiral Nagala's desk.

"We are still detecting those fraken sensor ghosts along the Red Line, I wish we would hear back from BSGS One," Admiral Nagala spoke looking in Admiral Corman's direction with a little frustration edging into his voice. "The Cylons have to be up to something!"

"Admiral Reed has his orders, they are not to report back for six months or until they find the Cylon home world," Admiral Corman replied, he had been very explicit in the sealed orders he had sent to Admiral Kronus to forward on to Admiral Reed. "They have a big area to search and we don't know how many worlds the Cylons may now inhabit."

"It's this waiting that gets me," Admiral Nagala spoke taking a deep breath. "They could attack tomorrow, next week, or next year, we just don't know."

"I am afraid it will be sooner then later," Admiral Corman replied with a grim look on his face. "We are finding more problems with our computer systems all the time, someone is really screwing us around. It has to be the Cylons! Our analysts are predicting an attack within the next four months based on the amount of computer manipulation that is going on. It's rapidly increasing!"

"The fleet and all the major bases are still free of these computer problems," Admiral Nagala commented allowing a little relief to creep into his voice. "We are running diagnostic scans routinely and have set up numerous firewalls. My computer people tell me it is virtually impossible for the Cylons to plant any type of virus in our ships or major bases with the precautions we have taken. If they attack we will be ready!"

"What about Caprica Station?" Admiral Corman asked. "Does Admiral Clements feel his station is still secure?"

"I talked to him yesterday and he reported everything was normal," Admiral Nagala replied. "They have some very good firewalls set up in their new computer system on the station. They have also initiated additional scans and diagnostics. He has a very talented computer staff."

"What about your daughter and the Keller mining operation in the Caspian system?" Admiral Corman inquired. Admiral Corman knew that Admiral Nagala was worried about his only daughter and her safety. Due to its minerals and heavy mining operations it would be a prime target in a Cylon attack. The Cylons instead of destroying the system might be more inclined to send in troops and capture it, preserving the Keller Corporation's vast infrastructure throughout the system.

"We've done everything we can to be ready," Admiral Nagala replied. "We have increased the size of the defense fleet we have hidden out in the asteroids. We have increased the size of the fleet base, and I have been arranging to have several extra Gunstars in system when ever possible."

"Why not assign a Battlestar or two?" Admiral Corman asked. "The politicians would go along with it considering how valuable the Caspian system is."

"I though about it, but if the Cylons have us infiltrated as much as we believe, it would only bring about a heavier attack on the Caspian system when the time comes," Admiral Nagala replied closing his eyes briefly.

"They won't pass up the system Robert," Admiral Corman stated worriedly. "It's just too big a target and to important to the Colonies, the Cylons know that without the Caspian system the Twelve Words economies would grind to a halt very quickly."

"I know, I have taken the additional risk of assigning a Valkyrie class Battlestar to the system," Admiral Nagala replied. "I don't think I dare add more then that."

"Which Battlestar?" Admiral Corman asked.

"The Shrike," Admiral Nagala replied.

Admiral Corman pursed his lips in thought. The Shrike was an older Valkyrie with an experienced Commander and crew.

"This way the Cylons will be expecting only the Shrike, a few Gunstars, and the old Mark 2 vipers at the fleet base." Admiral Nagala stated. "That should allow our special fleet to be able to handle the attackers if our own forces can't respond quickly enough."

"Then what?" Admiral Corman asked already suspecting what Admiral Nagala had planned if everything went down the tubes.

"Then we evacuate the Caspian system personnel to Shadow base and hope the Titania has returned by then with the coordinates for the new colony," Admiral Nagala replied looking Admiral Corman in the eyes unblinking.

"Yes, the new colony," Admiral Corman replied ignoring Nagala's comment about evacuating the Caspian system to Shadow base. It was something he had been prepared to suggest anyway. "The Titania should be back in forty more days."

"Hopefully things will hold together until then," Admiral Nagala replied leaning forwards slightly. "Perhaps by then Admiral Reed will be back and we will know the Cylons true intentions."

"We both know that if the Cylons are planning an attack it will be in overwhelming force," Admiral Corman replied. "They won't attack unless they feel they can win!"

"I know and that's what scares me," Admiral Nagala replied nodding slowly. "We have one hundred and twenty Battlestars plus support ships. I just don't see how they can take on our entire fleet. I just feel that we are over looking something, but for the life of me I can't figure it out!"

For the next several hours the two discussed fleet dispositions and the state of readiness of all Colonial ships in case of a Cylon attack. Fleet defense posture was to be raised to Condition four effective immediately. All ships would continue normal patrols and refit schedules. The new CNP was being installed as part of the refit program. The new CNP would give them a decisive edge in making quick FTL jumps and coordinating Colonial ship movements. It might be just what they needed to stop the Cylon attack dead in its tracks.

The President would be informed that the heightened state of alert was for drill purposes only and would only last for a few weeks; hopefully by then they would know one war or another.

24 days before the Fall

Admiral Reed was watching the Dradis intently. They had finally found a major Cylon base. By plotting all the mining operations they had been running across the past several months, they had narrowed the search area considerably and today it had paid off. The Silent Seeker had detected massive energy signatures in this system. Not just a few like in the mining systems, but nearly one hundred!

The Victory and Independence were moving in system very slowly. The ships were at Condition One and viper pilots were at the ready. They could launch at a moments notice if need be. Already Admiral Reed had authorized the launch of six specially shielded sensor probes deeper into the system. The probes were targeted toward the area where the energy emissions were being generated.

"Probe data coming in," Captain Simms reported almost quietly as she poured over the information now coming across her screens. The probes were very small and contained just a few sensors, but what they were reporting was startling.

"We have what looks like two types of Cylon warships," Captain Simms commented as she put up a sensor reading of a very large star shaped craft on the main view screen. This ship out masses a Mercury Class Battlestar, we can't tell from the probes what type of weapons it posses or its capabilities."

"That's one fraken big ship!" Commander Stramm commented scrutinizing the main view screen. He didn't like the looks of the Cylon ship at all.

"What about the other ship?" Admiral Reed asked as he also studied the worrisome image on the screen.

"It smaller and more similar to the old Hades Class Basestars the Cylons used in the war. Two large saucers connected by a short pylon," Captain Simms replied projecting this image up on the screen. "The biggest difference is that the saucer sections are twenty per cent larger and the pylon is three times thicker."

"Anything else?" Admiral Reed asked wondering just what they had found.

"The probes are picking up numerous small craft, perhaps raiders, and some type of larger raider perhaps a heavy raider," Captain Simms reported calling up more data on her screens, she spoke briefly to her assistant who was operating the consul next to her. "There are also numerous Cylon freighters and tankers in the area."

"What about the planet?" Commander Stramm asked his eyes open wide still staring at the screen. "Is it their home planet, can you tell anything from the probes?"

"Not a lot sir," Captain Simms replied apologetically. "All we can tell about the planet is that there are some major energy readings coming from it and three of the large moons in orbit."

"Then we have to get closer," Admiral Reed said looking meaningfully at Commander Stramm.

Commander Stramm looked back at the Admiral then nodded in agreement. "It's the only way. Just like back in the Colonies."

"Yes," Admiral Reed replied. "Just like back in the Colonies." Only this time, the Admiral knew if they were caught, they would ignite a war. From the number of Cylon warships the remote probes were detecting, they would also probably be destroyed!

The Victory and Independence continued their slow approach to the system's forth planet. Hour after hour, they slowly crept nearer. Shielded raptors had been launched and their passive Dradis systems were greatly enhancing the range of the Dradis screens on the two Battlestars. Viper crews were now being rotated so fresh crews were always at the ready. However if they were detected it would mean they had failed in their mission.

The two Battlestars closed on their intended target adjusting their course constantly as they threaded their way around Cylon patrols. Information was flowing rapidly from the Dradis screens and the ship's special sensors. They were now within sensor range of the Cylon ships and the planet.

"Report," Admiral Reed demanded turning to look at Captain Simms expectantly.

"We show seventeen Cylon Basestars and fourteen support ships," Captain Simms replied looking at the information on her main screen. "That's assuming the big star shaped ships are Basestars and the dual saucer ships are being used for support ships."

"What about the planet and the moons?" Admiral Reed asked looking worriedly at Commander Stramm. That's 31 warships they had detected, what if this was only a base? Just how large a fleet did the Cylons have?

"The planet seems to be the site of three massive industrial complexes," Captain Simms reported adjusting several sensors to get a better reading of the targeted areas of the planet in detail.

"Not their home world then," Commander Stramm commented his voice coated in disappointment.

"I don't believe so sir," Captain Simms replied. "There is just not enough activity on the surface."

"What about the moons?" Commander Stramm asked.

"Same thing there, several large industrial areas and a lot of mining operations," Captain Simms reported trying to stay on top of everything. There was so much data coming in now that much of it would have to be looked at and analyzed later.

"There is also what appears to be a major shipyard in orbit around the planet," she continued as their sensors began to look on the far side of the planet.

"Very well Captain," Admiral Reed commented looking at all the Cylon vessels now showing up on the Dradis. "Commander Stramm let's start putting some distance between us and the Cylons. I believe we have enough information on this system."

Admiral Reed was very worried as they slowly departed the system taking care not to be detected. They would return to the location where they had left the rest of BSGS One, then put some distance between them and the Cylons. They needed to take some time to study the data they had collected before they continued their search. Somewhere close by was the Cylon home world, Admiral Reed was sure of that!

Author's note: The Cylons have not discoverd Shadow base due to the fact the Nebula the base is located in has a radiation that is deadly to the Cylons but harmless to humans. A few mysterious deaths have occured at Shadow base but the Doctors who have examined the dead have not realilzed that they are human form Cylons. All the Cylons know is that a few of their infiltrators have died and not been resurrected. The radiation also prevents resurrections.

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