Chapter Nine – Second Contact
"Stand by for space fold," Tigh ordered.
Adama nodded. Consolidating the fleet to 31 ships had taken longer than expected. Almost four days. As much as they may hate them, many people were reluctant to leave the ships that had become their homes. Even tighter living spaces than before were not making things easier. The Galactica had been forced to bring almost 200 hundred additional civilians aboard to ease the burden on the other ships.
Tensions ran high in the fleet. There had been some minor outbreaks of violence. If there was no Earth base in the approaching system the fleet could come apart at the seams.
It was nearly nine days since their encounter with the Firebird. They were now about to make the final jump to a point on the outskirts of the system that hopefully contained an outpost for Earth.
"Initiating space fold."
---
"Tracking alert," came the report for the sensor station. "Multiple hyper-jumps. 31 ships. Silhouettes match the Galactica and her fleet. They came in from the expected vector. They're holding just outside the orbit of the seven planet."
"It's only been nine days," Captain Tetesomi said in amazement. "Their hyper-drives are even better than we thought. They bypassed Bicknell's group completely."
"Whose closest?" Admiral Sane inquired.
"One of the system pickets," Captain Tetesomi replied. "The Lancer, Commander Utema."
"Tell them to make contact," Admiral Sane ordered. "Signal our escorts to stand-by for hyper-jump."
"There are only 31 ships out there," Tetesomi noted. "Where are the rest?"
----
"Anything yet?" Adama asked.
"Nothing so far," Tigh responded. It had only been a few minutes since they jumped.
"Space fold," one the duty officers reported. "One thousand kilometers ahead of the fleet."
"We're receiving a transmission sir," Dualla reported. "It's coming through the same way as the Firebird's."
"On speaker," Adama ordered.
A burst of static came over the speaker, followed by a woman's voice, "… Galactica this is TSC Lancer, please respond."
Adama picked up the microphone. "Lancer, this is the Galactica. We were provided these coordinates by one of your ships. The Firebird."
"Understood Galactica," came the reply. "We received a signal from the Firebird. Hold station here. Admiral Sane will be making transit in a few minutes."
"Understood Lancer," Adama responded. He lowered the microphone. "Order the fleet to hold position. No one is make any movement into the system or try to signal the Earth ship."
"Do we launch the recon fighters?" Tigh asked.
"No," Adama replied. "This is their system."
Tigh nodded and turned to tell the duty officer to have the alert fighters stand down.
----
"Escorts are signaling ready for hyper-jump," the communications officer reported.
"Go," Admiral Sane ordered.
---
"Additional space folds ahead of the fleet."
"How many ships?" Tigh asked.
"Seven ships sir," came the reply. There was a long pause. "Sir, this can't be right."
"What is it?" Tigh demanded.
"According to the sensors, four of the ships are about the same size as the Firebird. Two of the vessels are roughly the same size as the Galacitca. But the seventh."
"What?"
"Sir, if I'm reading this right the seventh ship is at least 3 ½ to 4 times the size of Galactica."
Tigh's eyes went wide. "That's impossible."
Adama was equally shocked. A vessel that size. The firepower it must possess.
"Receiving transmission sir," Dualla reported.
Another voice came over the speaker. "Galactica, this is Admiral Jonathan Sane, Terran Space Navy, Eighth Fleet commander. Welcome to Trowley station."
---
Admiral Sane waited calmly for the response.
"Admiral Sane," Adama replied. "This is Commander Adama, Colonial Battlestar Galactica. On behalf of the survivors of the Twelve Colonies I am formally requesting refugee status for our fleet."
Admiral Sane nodded. "Galactica, the Terran League has already agreed to honor Captain Seino's request that your fleet be granted refugee status," Admiral Sane paused in thought. "Commander Adama the initial report from the Firebird indicated that there were 43 ships in your fleet. We currently scan only 31 vessels. What happened to the others?"
"In order to reach this system faster we consolidated to our fastest and most capable ships," Adama answered.
Captain Tetesomi looked over at the Admiral. "Gutsy move," she said. "I'd bet their pretty low on supplies. Cutting the number of hulls down. They're probably pushing their limits."
"Unfortunately we have other concerns," Admiral Sane noted and turned back to the comm. panel. "Commander Adama. I need to know if there is any indication that the Cylons followed you to this system."
---
"… Cylons followed you to this system."
"Not an unexpected question," Tigh said.
"No its not," Adama replied. He raised the microphone. "Admiral, we have no way to know the status of the Cylons. The Firebird destroyed one the baseships that attacked us. We believe she may have damaged a second. I believe the Cylons are tracking the fleet in the hopes that we lead them to Earth. The last colony of Kobol."
---
"… colony of Kobol."
"There's that Kobol is a colony of Earth thing," Lt Toray said.
"We can deal with history lessons at another time," Admiral Sane said. "Understood Galactica. We will escort your fleet to Trowley station under normal drive. Adama I need to meet with you and your senior staff immediately. I need to know everything there is to know about these Cylons and their capabilities."
The reply came quickly. "Understood Admiral. I can take a shuttle to your ship at any time."
Admiral Sane nodded. "I look forward to welcoming you aboard the Agamemnon. Commander, Trowley station is not equipped to handle a large refugee population. I do have ships standing by with food and medical personnel. What are your immediate needs?"
---
Adama almost wanted to smirk at that question. The better question was what they didn't need.
"Admiral we are desperately short of all supplies," Adama said. "Any assistance you can provide would be welcome."
"Roger Galactica," came the reply. "I will signal Admiral Nyguen to bring his ships forward. Additional transport craft are already in route from the League and schedule to arrive in five days."
"Thank you Admiral," Adama replied. "President Elosha and her staff can coordinate relief efforts with your people. I will make arrangements to meet with you within the hour."
"Sir an additional eight ships just folded near the Earth's ships positions," the duty officer reported. "Five of the smaller ships, I think there are a couple of different designs out there. Two more of the ships of our size and another vessel, roughly twice our size, she's launching what appear to be shuttles."
"Commander Adama, Admiral Nyguen just arrived with his carrier group," Admiral Sane's voice came over the speaker. "If you can put him in communication with your President Elosha and her staff he can begin relief operations immediately."
"Tigh get President Elosha, Secretary Bradon and representative Keikeya up here," Adama ordered. "They can coordinate the relief effort."
"Yes sir," Tigh replied. "Sir, who is going to accompany you to meet with this Admiral Sane?"
"I haven't decided yet," Adama replied.
"President Elosha is going to want a member of her staff there," he said. "And she did order that us not to tell the Earth people that we built the Cylons."
Adama bristled at the reminder. One of Bradon's ideas. He didn't want to risk the Earth people turning them away. Adama shook his head.
"We'll deal that when the time comes," Adama replied.