CHAPTER TEN
On the lower portion of the CEREBRUS Bridge, Glen Sanders had just finished relaying Cain's instructions to Petty Officer Markesan at Core Command when Tom Sanders came up to him.
"Commander kick you out, Bro?" Glen inquired.
"Major Nix wanted to speak with Commander Cain privately", Tom replied, "So he sent me out here to chat with you until we're both called back in. By the Gods, it's great to see you again!"
"Me too, Tom", Glen replied, "and I hope that you've been giving the tin-heads a world of grief".
"Yeah, we have", Tom, confirmed. "Or to be more accurate at least as well as a guerilla group can".
"Better not mention that to the Old Man"; Glen admonished quietly, "He makes sure that we think of ourselves as a full-and-proper military unit and not a bunch of stellar bushwhackers".
"Unfortunately, the fleet is not up to set-piece battles any more, Glen", Tom pointed out, "so hit-and-run attacks are all that we can do, given the current disposition of forces. The fleet is now just a shadow of its old self".
"And you don't think that we know that?" Glen replied acidly. Tom did not reply.
"Since the colonies got nuked, we've been out in deep space trying to find the GALACTICA and the ships that's she's protecting. Just us", Glen said next, "We've had our fair share of battles, and against pretty stiff odds, but the Old Man kept us fighting - and winning - when logic dictated that we should have been dead many times over. I know that at heart you're a realist, Tom, but if Commander Cain was a realist, we'd all be dead over Caprica".
"I never meant to disrespect Commander Cain, Glen", Tom replied, "and I am so very glad that the PEGASUS and the CEREBRUS are here. That means we can do more to protect the survivors we have, plus be able to fight on better terms, but sometimes, I wonder if it isn't now just a futile gesture".
"Speaking personally, Bro", Glen answered, "I felt the same way as well at times, but we're here, we're military, and we do our job. If nothing else, it passes the time", he finished with a smile.
Tom smiled and chuckled at his brother's last comment. Just then, Sub-Commander Wright leaned over the upper bridge plat railing and hailed them.
"Gentlemen", Wright said, "let's get back up to the conference room".
"Yes, Sir", Gen and Tom said together. In unison, they both climbed the steps to the upper bridge plat and joined Wright and the other officers of Archangel Flight.
Cain had gestured for Nix to sit back down after his informing him about Admiral Cain's disposition. He successfully fought to keep his emotions under control so outwardly, he wore the same stoic façade of command, but Nix's information – and the conformation – had shaken him.
"Okay, people", Cain said to Wright and the others, "Let's get back to business".
After the officers took their seats, Cain spoke to Hunter and Sims, who had been called up from the starboard-landing bay.
"For those of you who do not know, Lieutenant Hunter and Ensign Sims are the primary flight crew of Peregrine Prototype Five, better known as the FLEET AVENGER", Cain introduced.
After Hunter and Sims exchanged introductions with the newcomers – Timmons's introduction with Sims being rather more friendly – Cain told Hunter and Sims the reason for their summons.
"You'll be accompanying Archangel Flight back to their fleet, Lieutenant", Cain informed him, "so as soon as the FLEET AVENGER has those fuel blisters offloaded, refuel from one of them, and get ready to follow Major Nix out".
"Yes, Commander", Hunter acknowledged, "Will we be carrying any passengers with us?" he asked. Cain thought for a few seconds, and then nodded.
"Lieutenant Cain will go with you as my personal emissary", Cain replied.
"I'd like to suggest another person Commander", Sims interjected.
"Who would that be, Ensign?" Cain asked.
"The TRINITY's commander is John Roberts", Sims replied, "His son is a viper pilot in Black Knight Wing".
Cain nodded. He remembered Captain Voight mentioning that fact before the battle at the Cylon 'mining complex'. Commander Roberts would be pleased to know that his son is alive.
"Black Knight Wing was on the PACIFICA, wasn't it?" Lieutenant Addison inquired.
"The PACIFICA's fighter wing managed to get all of their ships and personnel over to the PEGASUS before she was destroyed with the rest of Task Force Five", Glen Sanders replied.
"So you have two strike wings on board the PEGASUS, as well as a peregrine", Nix commented.
"Well, Silver Spar Wing had plenty of room to spare on board for our guests", Cain commented lightly.
The officers chuckled at that comment. After the laughter died down, Wright spoke next.
"I'll send a representative from the CEREBRUS to accompany the other emissaries", he said. He then turned to face Nix.
"Will your ships need refueling, Major?" he asked.
"If the peregrine is going to take some time to prepare, then I won't say no to a top-up", Nix replied. Addison nodded.
"In that case, let's schedule departure for one hour from now", Wright suggested, "That will give us time to get our emissaries ready and the peregrine ready to go".
"Comms", Cain said to Glen Sanders, "Get back to Core Command, and have them send a message to the PEGASUS, directing Lieutenant Cain and Ensign Roberts to get over to the CEREBRUS immediately".
"Yes, Commander", Glen replied, "Will you be sending any personal messages with the peregrine as well?"
"Sub-Commander Wright and I will prepare brief messages. They will be handed to you before departure." Cain answered. He then looked at the other officers.
"Are there any questions?" Cain asked. The other officers looked around, they shook their heads.
"Very well", Cain replied, "We maintain Security Protocol One for this mission until this order is rescinded. Major Nix will provide you with the jump co-ordinates after departure, Lieutenant Hunter".
Hunter looked at Nix, and then nodded. Cain continued.
"As we are still in hostile space, the CEREBRUS and PEGASUS will be ready to jump to emergency co-ordinates should any tin-heads come upon us", Cain said, "Those emergency co-ordinates will be supplied to you before you depart. Hopefully by then the transfer of the fuel we obtained will be completed".
Everyone nodded. Cain looked once more at them, and then said, "Let's do it, gentlemen".
As the officers stood up and left the conference room, Cain called over Wright.
"Dave", Cain said, "I hope you weren't put out when I asked you to leave earlier. Major Nix's information was pretty important".
"Garris", Wright replied, "while both ships are together, you're in overall command. Don't sweat it".
"Thanks, Dave", Cain replied, "Anyway, the information that Major Nix gave me confirmed what information you had salvaged from your probe. Admiral Cain has been declared a hostile combatant by Admiral Tillman… and for good reason".
Wright looked closely at Cain. True, there was little love lost between Garris Cain and his sister Helena, but Wright could detect the undertone of bitterness in Cain's words.
"You thinking about going after her?" Wright inquired.
"If she comes across the GALACTICA, I've got a nasty feeling that she's going to try and railroad Bill Adama", Cain replied, "and the Lords help him and his group of survivors if she pulls the same felgercarb that she did with that first bunch of civilian ships she encountered".
"Assuming that Admiral Tillman allows you to resume your mission", Wright pointed out; "after all, he is the ranking fleet officer now".
Cain nodded, but that didn't mean that he was in agreement. He decided to let things flow at the moment, as the mission now was to get the CEREBRUS back to the HYPERION Task Force.
Over on the PEGASUS, Captain Voight was having a 'chat session' with Ensign Michael Roberts of Knight Two Squadron. 'Cracker' was wincing from Voight's cutting voice.
"When I say maintain wireless discipline, Cracker", Voight said icily, "the word 'frak' does not conjure up – in my mind at least – a disciplined use of communications!"
"Sorry, CAG", Roberts replied, "It just came out – without thinking".
"Not thinking in a viper will get you killed", Voight replied, "or are you telling me you don't think you can think enough to fly vipers any more?"
Before Roberts could reply, Voight's desk phone buzzed. Voight picked it up.
"Black Knight CAG", he blurted into the phone.
"This is Lieutenant Annan in Core Command", the voice on the other end of the line replied, "I've got priority orders for you from Home Plate Actual".
"What is it, Lieutenant?" Voight asked, realizing that the phone call was at Cain's direction.
"Ensign Michael Roberts from Black Knight Squadron Two is to proceed by the fastest possible means over to the starboard landing bay of the CEREBRUS. Security Protocol one is in effect", Annan stated.
Voight's eyebrows raised some at that last comment. Protocol One meant that this order was top priority.
"Acknowledged", Voight replied, "I'll get him moving". He hung up the phone.
"Take a viper and get your butt over to the CEREBRUS' starboard landing bay right now", Voight ordered Roberts, "Security Protocol One is in effect".
Roberts looked briefly surprised, but then he quickly recovered.
"Yes, CAG", he replied, "Permission to leave?"
"Leave", Voight stated, jerking his thumb towards the hatch. Roberts saluted, and then quickly left the office.
Over on the other side of the PEGASUS, Tricia had been given the same orders from Gene Syke. Both were in Silver Spar's HQ annex.
"Probably something to do with our visitors over there", Gene concluded after relaying Core Command's directive, "but they want you over there now. You'd better take a viper, but do have someone over there ferry it back. Okay?"
"No problem, Gene", Tricia replied, "I hope that I'll be back in time for our date tonight".
"Me too", Syke replied. He quickly kissed her, and then said, "You'd better get going. When your father issues a Protocol One, it doesn't mean to be tardy".
Nodding, Tricia grabbed her helmet and headed out of the office toward the first viper sitting in the nearest launch tube…
While Tricia Cain and Michael Roberts were getting catapulted out of the PEGASUS, Major Nix - along with Addison, Timmons, and Tom Sanders – were getting a quick tour of the FLEET AVENGER, courtesy of Lieutenant Hunter. Glen Sanders was also there with them.
After about five minutes of the tour of the peregrine, Nix whistled.
"I must say, Hondo", Nix commented, "this ship of yours is one frakking piece of kick-ass engineering! I wish we had more of these!"
"I wish we had some of your stealth-raptors and stealth-stars, CAG", Hunter replied, "Those are great acquisitions".
"The CEREBRUS, plus her Viper II's and Javelin scouts isn't exactly a bad deal, you know, Hondo", Nix pointed out, "but Commander Wright is correct: the sooner we can add to her defensive armament, the better".
"Yeah, the better for us, and the worse for those tin-headed Cylons", Tom Sanders added.
"Amen to that. Anything extra we have to make those tin-heads sorry they tried to take us on is something for us to rejoice in", Addison commented. The others nodded.
"Hondo", Sims said as he walked up to the party, "Chief informs me that the AVENGER had been fully fueled and the last of the portable fuel blisters have been removed. We're tanking up the Archangel Flight ships now".
"Thanks for the fuel, Coffin", Lieutenant Timmons replied. Sims smiled. Dina Timmons was a close friend of his. Not a serious relationship, but they were good friends from their time at Raptor Transition Training.
"So when did you make JG, Dina?" Sims asked, "As you can see, I'm still a snot-nosed Ensign".
"Just recently", Timmons replied, "though with all the fun you've had with the AVENGER, I would have thought you'd be a frakking Colonel by now!"
The officers laughed at that. It was good to hear the friendly banter of friends who had been parted for so long. Just then, the PA sounded in the cavernous landing bay.
"Incoming vipers from the PEGASUS. Cleared to land. All personnel keep clear", the PA sounded twice. As the stealth-raptor and stealth-star were parked to the side of the flight deck, they were not an impediment to the arrival of the fighters.
"That will be our emissaries", Hunter commented as he saw the vipers pierce the environmental force field and land. He saw the markings on the vipers as they passed and knew who they were.
"Speaking of which, here comes the XO", Nix said, and pointing to where Lieutenant-Colonel Gale was walking over to them. He had a tote bag around his shoulder.
"Sub-Commander Wright has directed me to join you people in the trip over to the HYPERION", Gale said unnecessarily as he walked up to Nix and the others, "I've got messages to Admiral Tillman from Commander Cain and Sub-Commander Wright", he added, patting his tote bag.
"Glad to have you with us, XO", Hunter replied, "I think you'll find the accommodations on board the AVENGER adequate".
Nodding, Gale turned to watch the two arriving vipers' taxi over toward the parked peregrine. Both of them stopped, then powered down their engines. Ground crew headed toward them with equipment, fuel hoses, and egress ladders.
As the ladders were placed against the vipers, the canopies opened up and both pilots egressed. Hunter waved them over. Nix noticed that one of them was female.
"I take it we report to you, Hondo", the female pilot said.
"Yes, Sheba", Hunter replied, "I'd like to introduce you to Major James "Thumper" Nix CAG of the HYPERION Strike Wing", he introduced.
"Lieutenant Tricia Cain, Deputy CAG, Silver Spar Wing", Tricia replied as she saluted Nix.
Nix returned the salute, and then offered his hand. Tricia shook it.
"And I take it that this other person is Roberts?" Nix inquired as the other pilot walked up.
"Yes, Major", Roberts, replied, saluting crisply, "Ensign Michael Roberts, Black Knights Wing, Squadron Two".
Nix looked at the youngster in front of him. He could see the resemblance.
"Ensign Roberts", Nix said, "you'll be coming with us back to my fleet. Someone is there whom you'll probably be wanting to meet".
"Who is that, Major?" Roberts asked.
"The commanding officer of the Battlecruiser TRINITY", Nix replied.
Roberts' eyes widened as he absorbed the information that Nix had given him.
"My father is alive?" Roberts blurted out.
"Alive and well, along with your sister and niece", he replied with a smile.
Roberts tried hard not to cry, but the tears were welling up. His family was alive and well! Hunter coughed.
"I think we'd better get ourselves squared away and get ready for departure", Hunter said, "We've got a rendezvous to make".
"Good point", Gale replied, "let's man our ships people".
"Cain", Nix said, "Why don't you go on board the raptor? That's if you don't mind, Colonel", Nix said to Gale.
"That's fine, Major", Gale agreed. Cain saluted Gale, and then followed Addison over to his stealth-raptor.
With that, the other officers present headed to their respective ships, though not before Glen Sanders giving his brother another hug.
"See you soon, Bro", Glen said, "Please interpret that as an order".
"You can count on it, Glen", Tom replied. He then headed over to follow Nix to the stealth-star. Glen Sanders watched his brother climb into the stealth-star, and then he exited the landing bay. He had to get back up to the bridge to rejoin Commander Cain.
As Nix's and Addison's crews settled into their stealth-ships, Hunter was leading Gale and Ens. Roberts up to the flight deck.
"XO", Hunter said, "why don't you take the co-pilot's seat? Ensign, you can sit next to Coffin".
"Sounds good to me", Gale replied as he sat in the indicated seat.
Roberts sat down next to Sims, then strapped in. Hunter sat down in the pilot's seat, then after strapping in, he started powering up the peregrine's systems.
"Archangel Flight Leader to FLEET AVENGER", Nix communicated over the wireless, "our ships are tanked up and ready to go. Contact Core Command".
"Will do, Archangel Flight Leader", Syke acknowledged. He changed the wireless frequency to Core Command.
"FLEET AVENGER to Core Command", Hunter communicated, "AVENGER and Archangel Flight report ready for departure".
"Stand by, AVENGER", Markesan – up in Core Command – replied, "Home Plate Actual wants to speak to you all first".
On all three ships, the crews listened to what Cain had to say.
"The best of luck to you all, and May the Lords of Kobol bring our task forces together", Cain said, "but take care as we are in tin-head territory. Get back as soon as you can, and in one piece".
"Will do, Commander", Nix communicated back. He then clicked his wireless mike switch twice to indicate his readiness.
"Core Command transferring command of departing vessels to Archangel Flight Leader", Markesan authorized, "launch when ready".
Smoothly, all three ships powered their thrusters up to full power. The flight crews standing a safe distance away saw the peregrine, the stealth-raptor, and the stealth-star lift up off the deck, and then head out toward the environmental force field that covered the massive entry port to the landing bay.
Up on the CEREBRUS' bridge, Cain and Wright looked at the view-screen monitor, which showed the three ships departing from the battlestar. He then activated his wireless.
"Hammerhead Actual to Archangel and AVENGER", he communicated, "We'll be waiting. Don't leave us hanging for too long".
"We'll try not to, Actual", Nix replied, "Archangel Flight Leader out".
As the three ships increased their distance from the CEREBRUS and PEGASUS, Nix activated his secure-laser wireless, aiming it onto the receiver atop the FLEET AVENGER.
"Hondo", Nix communicated, "We're sending over the jump co-ordinates to you now. Is Coffin ready to receive?"
Hunter looked back to see Sims giving him a thumbs-up. Hunter nodded.
"We're ready, Archangel Leader", Hunter communicated back.
Nix turned back to Tom Sanders, saying, "Send it".
Tom transmitted the co-ordinates over to the FLEET AVENGER. Sims quickly downloaded the co-ordinates into the peregrine's FTL-drive. After fifteen seconds. Sims nodded.
"Co-ordinates entered and the FTL is ready to go", Sims reported. Hunter nodded, and then spoke back into the communicator to Nix.
"We're ready to go at your mark, Archangel", Hunter reported.
Down below in the AVENGER Gale was listening to the chatter between the three ships while watching Ensign Roberts, wondering if that grin would ever come of his face. "Probably not" he thought to himself. "If I ever found out that my family was still alive after all these months I'd have that look too"
"Very well", Nix acknowledged, "Archangel Two, are you ready?"
"Ready on your mark, Archangel Leader", Addison replied
"Very well, countdown to jump commencing", Nix communicated to both ships, "in five…four…three…two…one…jump!"
With three near-simultaneous flashes, the stealth-raptor, the stealth-star, and the peregrine FTL-jumped. Cain and Wright on the CEREBRUS observed the departure. As Major Glen Sanders returned to the bridge.
"Well, they're on their way", Wright said.
"And we'd better get ready just in case we get the wrong guests", Cain replied, "We'd best be getting back to the PEGASUS. Maintain Condition Two for the time being", he said to Wright.
"If nothing else", Glen commented, "going from the starboard bay to the bridge, then back down to the port bay keeps one in shape".
Wright chuckled. He watched Cain and Glen Sanders depart the bridge for their shuttle ride back to the PEGASUS, then he issued the orders for Condition Two. It was now in their hands…