AN: I agonised for ages how I was going to write this part so I hope you enjoy it!! Thank you all again for your lovely reviews x
Chapter Nine
The CIC came alive with activity when the cylons came. It had been late in the evening so they were running on the minimal night-shift crew. It did not take long for Adama to arrive after throwing on his uniform.
"Where the frak did they come from" he growled.
"They just jumped right on top of us sir" said Gaeta who was frantically spooling up the FTL drive.
"Send word throughout the fleet for an emergency jump."
"The word has already been sent sir, all vessels are spooling up."
"Good now bring in the CAP and have the Galactica provide covering fire for the fleet."
Adama looked up at the dradis with concern. He knew that if they did not jump out of there as soon as possible then their losses would be high, too high. There were at least 15 raiders showing up on dradis, enough to cause a lot of destruction.
"This is weird sir, we're not getting any reports of any ships being fired upon" called out a petty officer manning the comm system.
"Well I don't plan to wait around to find out if they will" said Tigh who had just run into the CIC.
"First ships are away sir" said Gaeta as he spun around from the dradis consol.
The CIC watched as each ship jumped away one by one until it was only the Galactica left.
"All ships have jumped sir" said Gaeta.
"Then get us the frak out of here" Tigh said sternly.
They felt the pull of the FTL drive clench at their stomachs as the Galactica jumped away and joined the rest of the fleet.
"Sitrep" demanded Adama.
"All ships accounted for sir, no reports of any damage" said Petty Officer Callun.
"Thank the Gods" said Tigh "we got lucky this time."
Adama was about to nod in agreement when Gaeta informed them that they had a call coming through from Tyrol.
"Put him through" said Adama.
"Sir," came Tyrol's panicked voice over the comm. "Captain Adama left on a raptor shortly before the attack. He was headed for Colonial One. I've just done an inventory of the ships that came in; his ship wasn't one of them."
Adama's heart lurched in his chest and began to beat faster; he had known that something did not feel right about the attack.
"Gaeta, contact all ships I want to know where he landed, now" he said, attempting to keep the concern out of his voice.
Gaeta spoke into his headset.
"All ships do you have Captain Adama aboard, I repeat do you have Captain Adama aboard, we are missing a raptor do you have her?" In his head Gaeta knew that it was a fruitless task, there had been no raptor on dradis when they set condition one throughout the ship. The captain was already lost. He hoped in his heart that he was wrong.
The few minutes it took to contact all of the ships were the longest of Adama's life. He waited in agony as ship after ship stated that they had not picked up a raptor.
His world ended when the captain of Colonial One called in.
"Galactica this is Colonial One, we've been having communication problems, or we would have called in straight away. Some of our passengers have reported seeing one of your ships taking a hit and spinning out of control."
The CIC was eerily silent. No-one daring or wanting to speak. The look on Adama's face was unreadable, which concerned the dumbstruck Tigh. After a minute the sound of small sobs could be heard from various people around the room.
"Tyrol we have a raptor missing" said Tigh breaking the silence. "I want all remaining raptors out there. Take it in turns to jump back until Apollo is found. We're not moving until we have full confirmation. Gaeta have the fleet ready to jump without us if the cylons come back."
"Yes sir" responded Gaeta and Tyrol.
"Chief?" asked Tigh after a moment. "Apollo wouldn't be out their in a raptor on his own, which pilot did we lose?"
After a small pause Tyrol answered in a solemn voice, "Starbuck sir."
The last of Adama's resolve crumbled, his knees gave way from underneath him and he fell to the deck in a heap.
"Get the frakking medics down here, now!" Tigh shouted as he ran to his friend's side. "Bill, stay with me, we'll find them."
But Adama couldn't respond as his arm gripped his chest.
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As Adama was taken away by the medics the first raptors were being made ready to jump back. The whole ship was now awake despite the late hour as whisperings of their lost comrades echoed through the corridors.
Helo had been down in the brig with Sharon when he found out about his best friend. He ran to the deck and commandeered the nearest raptor along with Duck who had had just landed his viper. Their raptor was launched within minutes, meeting with Racetrack and Skulls.
It was only twenty minutes after Kara and Lee's disappearance that the first raptors jumped back to their previous co-ordinates.
It was only after another ten minutes when the raptors jumped back.
"Galactica, this is Duck do you copy?"
The question echoed throughout the CIC where the crew looked on at the dradis in trepidation. There were silent prayers to the Gods being said around the room for Starbuck to pull one of her retina-detaching moves and bring the raptor back home.
"We copy you Duck" said Tigh "What did you find?"
"Nothing sir, no cylons and no raptor."
"Any debris?"
"There were a few shards floating about but not enough to be a whole raptor."
"Come back to the Galactica to refuel. Helo I want you to co-ordinate multiple jumps back. I want that whole system searched, all nearby planets and moons, everything."
Tigh knew it was a risk to keep sending raptors back but it was what the old man would have ordered. Adama had once told him that he would never stop looking for Lee.
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Colonial One was a bustle of activity as normal. They had heard news that the Galactica had lost a ship, but no details had been released yet. Roslin had been told by some of her passengers that they had seen a ship taking a nasty hit.
The order had come through for all ships to be ready to jump without the Galactica. Their current goal was to reach what was known as the Omega Sector within two weeks and Roslin knew that Adama would never deviate from this plan unless something was seriously wrong.
"Madam President?" Billy asked softly.
"Sorry?" Roslin said as she turned her towards him.
"You were a million miles away."
"I was thinking. Have we been able to get any news from the Galactica yet?"
"No, the Captain keeps calling them but everyone is getting the same response."
"Which is?"
"We are currently searching for a missing raptor, all Captains are to have there ships ready for an immediate jump without the Galactica."
Roslin turned her head away again in thought. There was definitely something wrong and she wanted to find out what it was.
"Billy, ask the Captain how long it will take to dock with the Galactica."
Roslin lost herself in deep thought as Billy left to go to the cockpit of the ship. She knew that the Galactica would raise hell if her ship docked during a crisis, but in her soul she knew she needed to be there.
A call on her internal phone broke through her reverie.
"Hello, Laura Roslin here" she said politely.
"Madam President this is the Captain. Do I understand correctly that you wish to dock with the Galactica?"
"That is correct. If they refuse tell them it is an order from the President of the Colonies."
"Will do Madam President."
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"Their doing what!?!" Shouted Tigh angrily across the CIC.
"Colonial One is requesting to dock sir, on the orders of the President of the Colonies" answered Dualla who had now arrived in the CIC. She heard Tigh muttering under his breath as he thought of what to do.
"Tell the Chief to guide them in" he finally said in a gruff voice. "Gaeta where is the team of raptors?"
"Four raptors have jumped back sir. They've been gone fifteen minutes now. The Chief reports that we have two more raptors ready to launch."
"Have them launched asap. I'm going down to meet the President and check on the old man."
Tigh turned and stormed out of the CIC. It was now about 2300 hours but the corridors were full of people rushing everywhere. Deckhands were running down to the hangar to get more raptors ready and pilots were heading to the ready room for an emergency meeting. A number of other people were just slumped against the walls, looking lost and upset.
It was during his walk down to the hangar when Tigh realised how much Kara and Lee had meant to the ship. He remembered well when Kara had crashed on the moon; the crew was solemn then and determined to find her. Now over half the crew was frantic to find them and the other half of the crew was despairing.
When he reached the docking entrance Roslin was already climbing down the ladder.
"Madam President for what do we owe the pleasure of your company?"
Roslin was not aloof to the sarcasm in Tigh's voice but decided not to give rise to it. What she really wanted to do was talk to Adama.
"Colonel Tigh, may I begin by extending my deepest sympathies for the loss of one of your ships" she began sincerely.
"We're sending search parties out for the raptor now, so far no success but we are optimistic."
Tigh didn't know why he said that they were optimistic. In his mind he knew that there was no hope of finding them alive. If they were alive Starbuck would have brought them back by now.
"I see" replied Roslin. She had a feeling that she had played out this scenario before. Of course the Galactica would search for any member of its crew, but she had not seen frantic searches like this one since Lieutenant Thrace had disappeared.
"Who was on the raptor Colonel?" Roslin asked, noticing straight away the solemn expression suddenly cross Tigh's face.
"Colonel?" She asked again, her voice turning to one of concern.
"Captain Adama and Lieutenant Thrace."
Roslin couldn't help the small gasp that escaped her lips. She remembered that Apollo had meant to be on Colonial One when the cylons attacked. He must have been on his way to see her.
"I'm so sorry to hear that" she said at last "if you require any assistance I will personally make sure that you have the full facilities of the fleet available."
"Thank you. At the moment we are searching their last known co-ordinates. We haven't found anything yet. They may have been able to jump away, in which case they may be trying to jump back."
"How is Bill?"
"He's in life-station. He… he collapsed in the CIC."
"Oh my gods" said Roslin as she put her hand to her mouth "can I see him please?"
Tigh gestured for Roslin to follow him down the corridor. As they walked Roslin was also taken aback by the atmosphere throughout the ship. If Captain Adama and Lieutenant Thrace were indeed dead then their loss would be felt for a long time.
When they entered the life-station they saw Adama straight away in one of the beds opposite the entrance. He looked ashen and there were wires and heart monitors surrounding him. Doc Cottle was standing by his bed studying a print-out of his heart rhythm and shaking his head. He looked up as Roslin approached the bed.
"Madam President" he said surprised "if you've come to talk to the Commander, forget it. I've knocked him out for the next few hours."
"What is wrong with him?"
"I'm still running tests but it looks like a mild heart attack. He's stable but needs to rest."
"Oh my gods."
"He should be fine as he's fairly fit and healthy even though he drinks a bit too much, he may have to give that up. I believe the attack was brought on by the stress of his son's death."
"Alleged death" added Tigh.
Cottle didn't respond, he knew better than to hope for a miracle.
Roslin sat on the edge of Adama's bed and took his hand in hers. She then looked up at Tigh. "I will address the fleet about the situation and ask everyone for their assistance."
"I would rather not alert the fleet yet" said Tigh gruffly.
"Whether you like it or not, Colonel, the news will spread through this fleet like a plague. The knock-on effects of this will last a long time. We need to be open and honest with the fleet."
Roslin briefly stroked the top of Adama's head and then stood up.
"If you will excuse me gentlemen I will return to my ship and prepare to address the fleet first thing in the morning." Roslin smiled gently and then walked out of the life-station.
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D'Anna Biers listened intently to the talk wireless from the confines of her quarters. The attack by her people the day before had been a complete success. She had managed to send the footage over a secure line to one of the raiders before her ship had jumped.
"Good morning everyone" she heard Roslin say over the wireless. "As you are no doubt aware there was another cylon attack late last evening. What is not widely known is that we are currently missing a ship containing two pilots."
This was news that D'Anna had not heard. She knew that if the ship was considered "missing" then it had not just been blown up. If it had blown up, Roslin would be sending out her condolences.
D'Anna knew that her people must have taken them for some reason.
"The Galactica would appreciate as much help from the fleet as possible" continued Roslin "are there any questions?"
"Yes Madam President" said an eager sounding male reporter. "How sure are we that these pilots are simply missing?"
"The pilots were left behind during the jump. No trace of them was found when another ship jumped back."
D'Anna could hear lots of mumblings over the wireless as the questions continued.
"Madam President" said another female reporter "there seems to be more to this then just missing pilots, who did we lose?"
"Unfortunately we're missing two of the most experienced viper pilots from Galactica. The Commander of the Air Group, Captain Adama and Galactica's top gun and flight instructor Lieutenant Thrace."
D'Anna smiled as she took in the news. She remembered well the private footage she had taken of the two pilots on the Galactica. Her people would easily break them she thought. Even though they were tough soldiers, their downfall would be each other. D'Anna knew that her people would use the obvious feelings they had for each other against them.
"Let us take a moment to be silent and hope that our lost pilots are found" said Roslin over the wireless.
D'Anna did take a moment…
She imagined the woman chained up with the man looking on in despair as she was tortured.
The man was shouting out for them to stop, to torture him instead, under the false delusion that there was an "instead of." The onslaught of the woman continued, the lashes across her back would endure until she was unconscious.
The man was tied to chair in front of the woman's cage. He was being asked constant questions about the fleet. Whenever he would refuse to answer or made no answer at all the woman took the punishment. The woman's cries echoed around the room as each lash tore her back apart. She would scream out for him not to answer, which would only bring on more punishment to herself.
When the woman was too weak and beaten down to survive any more she would trade places with the man. Then it would be her turn to watch…
D'Anna found herself wishing for a moment that she could take her own life so that she could be there. How she would enjoy taking the joy out of their lives.
"Thank you for coming everyone" she heard Roslin say over the wireless as the moment of silence finished.
D'Anna had no idea that the "death" of two pilots could have such an effect. The fleet was weak as long as they stayed dormant in space. She would make sure this weakness and despair continued until her people could come and finished them all off.
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The fleet had been searching for eleven nights and twelve days without a break, the pilots were exhausted, but they still powered on in the hope of finding their comrades. The fleet had stayed in the same place with raptors jumping back and forth. Fortunately they had not seen or heard from the cylons since the last attack.
Karl had taken on the role of temporary CAG as no-one else seemed to be in the state of mind to do the job yet.
He spared a moment to stand in the memorial corridor to look at the gap where, up to a few months ago, his photo had been. Kara had told him that she had put a picture of him up on the wall the day after the initial attacks. It was a photograph Kara had taken at basic training, of him lying down on his bunk with a lollipop sticking out of his mouth.
It had touched Karl that Kara had gone to the trouble to do that for him. Now it was his job to return the gesture. Adama still refused to believe that they were dead; he was convinced that they had crashed on a planet or jumped to another system. As much as it saddened him, Karl knew this could not be true. The fact that they could not communicate with Galactica indicated a total loss of power in the raptor, so they could not have jumped away. If they had crashed, there were no planets nearby with a breathable atmosphere, so they would have run out of oxygen eight days ago.
Karl knew they had either been killed or captured. He hoped for the former, even though it meant the loss of his best friend. After what had happened to Kara on Caprica he dreaded what would happen if she was captured again.
He sniffed as he wiped a wayward tear from his cheek, unable to remember the last time he had cried.
He took out a large photograph from his jacket, which he had found in the ready room amongst a pile of paper. The picture had obviously been taken during the Colonial Day celebration that he had heard so much about. When else would Kara have worn a dress?
It had struck Karl immediately how beautiful Kara looked in the arms of Lee, wearing the stunning blue dress. He had to admit to being shocked when Kara confessed that she was frakking Lee. But what he saw in from the picture was not just a frak between pilots; he saw love in their eyes.
Karl sighed and then gently placed the photograph on the wall, pinning it in place.
"Goodbye Kara" he said quietly to himself. "Let him look after you."
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In another part of the galaxy the Battlestar Pegasus suddenly flashed into existence in a distant system.
"Anything on dradis Mr Hoshi?" Cain asked sharply.
"I'm afraid not Admiral. According to the old star maps this sector is known as Omega but there is not much here Sir, just a few planets, no real resources."
"Then prepare to jump to a sector where there are resources" she snapped.
Cain was annoyed. The cylon's trail had gone cold in the past two weeks; it was like they had just disappeared. Cain wondered if the cylons had found what they were chasing after so vehemently.
Part of her had felt this jump would bring results, that they would find what the cylons were chasing. But as ever there was nothing, it was a bitter and disappointing blow. She found herself hoping that their luck would change soon. She knew they could not just jump forever, one day their fuel reserves would run out.
If only she knew how close they had come to finding their goal, to finding their fleet.