Gunstar Titania
The Return
Admiral Jason Stone was in the CIC standing at the operation's table, idly watching the main view screen as the Titania and its small fleet prepared to make their sixtieth jump. For thirty days, they had been jumping back toward the Colonies doing two jumps per day. They had made a wide detour around Ovion space. Each jump brought them closer and closer to home. Ten more jumps and they would be back at the nebula that hid Shadow Base.
"Jump," Major Dyson ordered after hearing over her mini com that all ships were ready. These jumps had gotten to be routine and she watched the crew of the CIC carefully making sure everyone stayed on their toes.
Instantly Jason felt that queasy feeling, which he still hated but knew he had to endure. Then the CIC came back into focus. "Status?" he asked as the Dradis and view screens began to clear.
"All ships present and in their designated post jump positions," Lt. Everson reported as he checked his Dradis screen. "No other Dradis contacts sir." Karl felt relieved; so far they had not detected another ship since they left Demeter.
Jason looked at the large Dradis screen above the operation's table. Nine other contacts surrounded the Titania. There were three other Titan class Gunstars in the fleet formation. The only one missing was the Defiant, which was still back at Demeter. The Defiant was guarding the planet, along with two Kobolan battle cruisers and four Kobolan escort ships until the Titania returned. The other ships in the returning fleet were the two empty Colony ships going back for another load of colonists, one half empty Tylium tanker, the Kobolan battle cruiser Zeus, and two Kobolan escort ships.
"Do you ever get used to these jumps?" Emissary Osiris asked from where he was standing next to science specialist Denise Anthon, feeling his stomach churning. It was the same after every jump.
"You get used to it," Major Dyson spoke with a half smile. It had taken her nearly a year to get used to FTL jumps after she graduated from the academy and was assigned to her first ship posting.
"We have medications on the Zeus Emissary," Denise spoke up. "It diminishes the physical and mental effects of the jumps considerably. I have mentioned this before!"
"I know," Emissary Osiris replied his face a little bland. "But I keep hoping I will get use to these jumps."
Jason smiled listening to the two. If you didn't know better, you would never know that the two were from a very different branch of humanity. This off shoot of humanity had fled Kobol to New Kobol and now resided on the planet Terra.
"Go to condition three Major Dyson," Jason ordered feeling that the fleet was safe. "Inform all ships we will stay at this location for twelve hours while all ships recalibrate their FTL drives. Standard CAP while we are in this system."
"Yes sir," Major Dyson replied as she tapped her mini com to inform Captain Steele about the CAP and how long they would be staying.
Several hours later Jason, Emissary Osiris, Captain Landers, Specialist Anthon, Dr. Graystone, Commander Garrison from the Lodestar, and Captain Steele were enjoying a private meal in a small dining room just off the ship's main cafeteria.
"I can't believe we are almost back home," Sylvia Graystone spoke taking a sip of water from the crystal glass sitting in front of her. "It seems so long ago that we left Shadow Base. They will be amazed at what we have discovered. The news of the Kobolans will excite everyone in the Colonies!"
"Wait until they see the Zeus and what we have done to the Titania," Captain Steele commented with a smile. He knew that just the presence of the Zeus and her escorts were going to shock the Colonials back home.
"I can't wait to visit your worlds," Captain Landers spoke looking at the Colonials who he had become close friends with. "I hope that once we get to this secret base of yours that arrangements can be made for us to tour your Colonies."
"I am sure that will not be a problem," Jason replied with a twinkle in his eyes, imagining the response from Admirals Kronus, Nagala, and Corman when they realized just what he had brought back home with him. In the secure safe in his quarters were the new designs for all the fleet's warships. There was other technology they were bringing back also; yes, he could very well imagine their surprise.
"We are bringing back so much," Sylvia added enthused. "I can just imagine all the scientists and research people who are going to want to return with us when we go back to Demeter."
"We still have nearly ten more jumps to complete before we get back home," Captain Steele reminded her with a slight smile. "It will be good to get back home and catch up on the news from the Colonies."
"They are really going to be shocked when we show up with the Zeus and the other two Kobolan ships," Commander Garrison commented looking over at Emissary Osiris and Specialist Anthon. "This is going to be a huge deal for the Colonies. A lot is going to change over the next few years. Especially with all the new technology, we are bringing back. It may allow us to actually look to a future without fear of the Cylons, and for your people Emissary Osiris, without fear of the Ovions."
"I am sure that Demeter will grow rapidly with an influx of new colonists," Denise replied with some excitement in her voice. "A lot of people are going to want to travel to Demeter and then on to Terra. It will be hugely beneficial to both of our worlds!"
"I'm just glad we got so much accomplished before we left," Jason replied with a smile at the younger woman's enthusiasm. He too expected many Colonials would want to settle on Demeter or at least to visit.
Jason's last view of Demeter was still fresh in his mind. There was so much that had been accomplished, the new shipyard, the orbiting automated factories, the massive Kobolan defense grid, which by now would be nearly complete. The two finished Colonial cities sitting on the surface waiting for the new colonists. With assistance from the Kobolans, a lot had been accomplished in a very short time.
Six more city sites had already been laid out, and with aid from Terra would be completed in record time. Everyone expected the Colony to grow exponentially the next few years, once word of the Kobolans and Terra got out to the Colonies. The six new city sites would be ready for the influx of new Colonists that were sure to come.
Their meal was interrupted by an emergency klaxon going off and Major Dyson's concerned voice coming over the room's com unit. "Admiral to the CIC, Admiral to the CIC." Then a red light in the room began flashing indicating that the ship was going to Condition One.
"What the frak now?" Captain Steele said rising to his feet looking at the Admiral.
Jason stood quickly up and walked over to the com unit on the wall pressing the send button. "This is the Admiral, what do we have, and why have we gone to Condition One?"
"Admiral we are picking up an automated distress call from the Battlestar Aries on the fleet sub space channel. It's coming in on fleet line Alpha," Major Dyson reported. Fleet line Alpha was used only by fleet Capital ships and was highly encrypted. It was also used primarily for sub space communications.
"The Aires," Jason replied surprised. "She is a Mercury class; I wonder what she is doing so far out from the Colonies?"
"The distress call says they are under attack," Major Dyson replied. They are three light years away in a star system off to our starboard."
"By who?" Jason asked. Who would dare attack a Mercury class Battlestar? He wondered worriedly if it could be the Ovions. Had the Ovions found the Colonies?
"The Cylons," Major Dyson replied in a flat and worried voice. "They are asking for help from any surviving Colonial units, they also say they are protecting a civilian fleet."
"Surviving Colonial units," Captain Steele uttered in worried surprise looking at the other Colonials in the room.
"Prepare the fleet to jump Major," Jason ordered wondering just what the frak was going on. "Jump us just outside of Dradis detection range of that signal; we will jump raptors in closer to make sure this is not some type of trap."
Captain Landers stood up and looking over at Jason. "I will return to the Zeus and prepare, just tell us what to do."
Ten minutes later Jason felt the normal queasiness that always came with an FTL jump, only this time it was accompanied by extreme worry. Why was the Aires escorting a civilian fleet, and why were there Cylons way out here past the Colonies? Even more so what had the Aires meant by that cryptic comment about any surviving Colonial units!
"Jump complete," Major Dyson reported as everything returned to normal.
"Send the raptors!" Jason ordered as the view screens and Dradis cleared up.
"My long range sensors are picking up ships twenty two million kilometers off of our starboard bow," Lt. Grimm reported as her eyes scanned her computer screen. "Can't tell make up or identity from here sir."
"Raptors have jumped," Major Dyson reported listening to her mini com.
"Sir there is a small gaseous nebula at the location where I am detecting the ships," Lt. Grimm added adjusting her scans. The Kobolans had updated the sensor array she was using, but at this range the detailed data was very sketchy.
Moments later she began getting a camera feed from the lead raptor, which she switched to the main view screen, everyone in the CIC became ghastly quiet.
On the screen appeared a ship, a ship that resembled a star, as the camera zoomed out they saw two other such ships appear. There were also two ships that resembled the twin saucer ships the Cylons had used during the first Cylon war.
The camera then zoomed in to show the Aires. The Mercury class Battlestar was under heavy attack from missiles and Cylon raiders, numerous fires could be seen burning through ruptures in the ship's hull. Its port landing bay had a massive hole in its center, probably from a nuke strike. Under this concentrated attack from the Cylons, she wouldn't last much longer.
"Dradis on line," Lt. Everson reported as Lt. Grimm fed him the Dradis data from the raptors. "Two Battlestars identified," he reported. "The Aires and the Jupiter class Battlestar Zander. I am also detecting sixteen civilian ships, mostly freighters and what appear to be several passenger liners, all are under heavy attack by Cylon raiders."
"What about vipers, how many of them are there?" Jason demanded as one of the icons representing a civilian freighter suddenly vanished.
"Less then a squadron sir," Lt. Everson replied counting the green icons on his Dradis screen.
"Frak," Major Dyson uttered. "Without viper support those civilian ships are doomed!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Jason replied. Flipping on the fleet com, he addressed the Commanders of all his ships. "We have what looks like three Cylon Basestars and two other Cylon Support ships attacking two Colonial Battlestars and a civilian fleet. Gunstar Lodestar and the two Kobolan escort ships will jump into position directly above the civilian fleet and assist. I want those Cylon raiders destroyed! The Titania, Zeus, Gunstars Searcher and Nebula will jump in directly behind the Cylon ships and engage. Searcher you will assist the Zeus, Nebula you will be with us. All ships prepare to jump in two minutes!"
The FTL drives on all the indicated ships quickly spun up. The two Colony ships and the Tylium freighter would remain behind. All three were armed and could handle a few Cylon raiders if necessary.
"Jump," Jason ordered as all the indicated ships FTL drives came on line.
Aboard the Battlestar Aires Commander Davis watched in horror as one of the passenger liners exploded in nuclear fire as another Cylon missile penetrated his meager defenses.
"Status," he barked as the Aires shuddered from another missile hit, which was becoming all too common. The damage control board was covered with red lights. Over twenty percent of the ship was currently open to vacuum. The port landing bay was also open to space after taking a direct hit from a large megaton nuke. Casualties were heavy and mounting.
"The Zander is almost done for," Major Strickland replied from his position on the opposite side of the operation's table. "I would order them to evacuate but there is no where for them to go!"
"What about our vipers?" Commander Davis asked knowing they had met the end of their journey. Their attempt to flee the Colonies had failed. The Cylons had caught them and penned them next to this nebula where they couldn't jump. His ships were dying one by one.
"Only fourteen left sir," Major Strickland replied as he checked the Dradis and the few green icons that remained amidst a host of red. "We lost most of them at Virgon."
"I have more contacts jumping in," the Dradis operator suddenly spoke loudly, her voice filled with concern and growing fright.
"More Cylons coming in to finish us off," Major Strickland stated feeling doomed. They wouldn't last long now, not with more Cylon ships.
"No sir," the Dradis operator exclaimed excitedly her voice suddenly jubilant. "They are transmitting Colonial IDs!"
"What the frak," Commander Davis said surprised. "Put them on the view screen!"
On the main view screen three Titan class Gunstars appeared, and one other ship of an unidentifiable class behind the Cylon fleet.
"Those are Titans!" Major Strickland exclaimed his eyes opening wide. "Those ships were never supposed to be built; where the frak did they come from?"
"I don't know Major," Commander Davis replied feeling hope at the sight of the new ships. "Get everyone off the Zander; we may just survive this yet."
On board the Titania, Jason watched intently as his ships maneuvered quickly to bring the Cylon ships into target lock.
"I have lock," Captain Edison reported from his tactical station.
"Nuclear ordinance authorized," Jason replied staring at the Cylon ships on the view screens. "Fire!"
"Vipers launching," Major Dyson reported as green icons suddenly began appearing on the Dradis moving away from all three Titans.
From the Titania four Hades missiles erupted from the bow missile tubes, all four targeted on the nearest Cylon Basestar.
"Turn 180 degrees to port," Jason ordered wanting to bring his Starboard missile tubes to bear. These could be ripple fired. They had caught the Cylons by surprise and he wanted to take full advantage of that before they could respond to the Colonial attack.
The four missiles flashed toward the Cylon Basestar powered by Kobolan boosters. In the distance the Zeus was firing also, she also fired their own versions of a Hades missile, but unlike the Titania her bow tubes could be ripple fired and already fourteen deadly nuclear missiles were accelerating toward the Cylon ship.
"Impact in six seconds," Captain Edison reported as he watched the missiles close on his Dradis screen, willing them to go on.
Jason watched the main view screen, which was fixed on the targeted Basestar. The Cylon Basestar managed to shoot down two of the missiles with her defensive batteries but the other two struck home. Two massive nuclear detonations smashed their way deep into the heart of the Cylon Basestar vaporizing everything they came into contact with. Moments later the Cylon Basestar blew up in a massive flaming explosion. It was quickly followed by the second Cylon Basestar targeted by the Zeus.
"Inbound Cylon raiders," Lt. Everson reported as red icons began closing on the Titans and the Zeus. "They are coming from the two saucer shaped Cylon ships. Estimate forty inbound and more still launching."
"Prepare to activate flak field," Major Dyson ordered as she watched the inbound raiders.
"Admiral use the defensive lasers," Specialist Anthon suggested from her position next to Lt. Grimm. "They can handle this, trust me!"
Jason hesitated only for a moment. "Very well, Major Dyson use the laser batteries, let's see what they are capable of, and keep the flak batteries on standby just in case."
Above the civilian fleet, the Lodestar was rapidly launching her vipers. The two Kobolan escort ships had already moved in and were using their laser batteries to blast Cylon raider after raider from space. The vipers soon joined in and the raiders began to die even faster.
"Holy frak did you see that," Major Strickland spoke stunned, looking at the remains of the two destroyed Cylon Basestars.
"Those small ships helping our civilians are using some type of laser!" Commander Davis added hardly believing what he was seeing. "Those nukes used by that Titan were clear off the board. The fleet didn't have those. There is something going on here!"
A huge explosion rocked the Aires, literally shoving her over on her side igniting even more fires and further damaging her port landing bay.
"That was the Zander," Major Strickland spoke with anger in his voice. "Those fraken Cylons managed to hit her with another nuke, she's gone!"
"What about the crew?" Commander Davis asked fearing the worst.
"We got some off, but not all," Major Strickland replied shaking his head knowing that a lot of good people had just died.
Aboard the Titania Jason grimaced as he watched the Zander explode in a cloud of fire and spreading debris.
In space, Captain Steele pressed the trigger on his twin cannons and another Cylon raider exploded under his fire.
"I got another," Emily's excited voice came over the com. "This is too easy!"
"Stay focused Emily," Aaron cautioned. "There are a lot of raiders out here; all it takes is one with a lucky shot."
Aaron looked at his small Dradis screen, quickly analyzing the situation. Between the three Gunstars, they had eighty four vipers engaged against nearly two hundred Cylon raiders. Almost two to one odds. The raiders had quit trying to attack the Titania after learning that her laser defense was nearly unpenetratable. Instead, they were focusing on defending the surviving Cylon Basestar and the two Support ships.
The last Cylon Basestar had pulled back to the two Cylon Support ships and was firing missiles non stop at the attacking Colonials. Heavy Cylon raiders were now exiting all three ships and Aaron was certain they were all armed with missiles. Some would definitely be nuclear.
Jason watched from the Titania as the Cylon raiders were now knocking down almost every missile he fired at the Cylon ships. Even ripple firing the Starboard missile tubes hadn't worked. Too many raiders were in the way.
"Frak, they're fast," Major Dyson muttered as two more Hades missiles failed to penetrate the raider screen.
Jason hesitated for a moment. "Specialist Anthon, will our energy screen hold if we move closer?" he asked thinking of a plan to take out the last Cylon Basestar.
"Depends on the nukes sir," she replied glancing over her shoulders at Jason. "It will stop most regular missiles and KEW rounds, but repeated strikes on the same location on the screen might penetrate. Also repeated nuke strikes could knock the screen down completely and even some of the energy from multiple nuke strikes might bleed through the screen even if it stays up."
"Activate energy screen and move us in," Jason ordered deciding on what they needed to do. The screen used a lot of energy and Jason preferred not to use it unless absolutely necessary. "Standby bow KEW batteries."
The Titania slowly moved toward the Cylon ships. The Gunstar Nebula trailed behind the Titania using her flak field to knock down the occasional Cylon missile. The Cylons were now targeting the Titania heavily and her energy screen was exploding in blue shrouds of energy as Cylon missiles struck. The Zeus had adapted the same tactic and was also advancing on the three Cylon ships with the Gunstar Searcher following at a safe distance. Vipers were still heavily engaged against the Cylon raiders.
"Energy screens!" Major Strickland exclaimed shocked, watching the combat on the main view screen of the Aires. "Where did they get energy screens?"
"More importantly where did those ships come from?" Commander Davis spoke softly. "Somehow I don't think they're from the Colonies."
"Then where?" Major Strickland asked looking confused.
"I would guess some type of secret secluded military research base," Commander Davis suggested. "It's the only thing that makes any sense."
Jason felt the Titania shudder slightly as a Cylon missile finally penetrated their energy screen and impacted on the ship's heavily armored hull. The new Kobolan armor shrugged off the strike with the hull barely blemished.
"The Nebula's been hit by a nuke!" Major Dyson reported as the report came across her mini com. "Starboard landing bay, it's a total wreck, they are also reporting heavy casualties, and several fires burning out of control."
"Frak," Jason replied. "Order her to fall back and designate a squadron of vipers to give her cover."
"The Zeus has been hit by a nuke!" Major Dyson continued with concern in her voice as she listened to the reports over her mini com. She paused for a moment as she listened. "Minor damage only, her fighting abilities are unimpaired.
"Optimum firing range for the KEW batteries," Captain Edison reported as his targeting computer showed confirmed target lock.
"Fire KEW batteries," Jason ordered as they entered critical firing range.
"Batteries locked and firing," Captain Edison replied activating the KEW batteries.
The ship shuddered slightly as the heavy rounds left the barrels of the huge bow KEW batteries. Round after round was fired. At twelve percent the speed of light, they impacted the Cylon Basestar.
On the main screen, they watched as the heavy KEW rounds impacted the Cylon Basestar. Huge explosions began appearing on her hull as the heavy rounds penetrated the Cylon ship's light armor. A series of explosions suddenly raced up one of the ship's arms and it exploded taking another arm with it. A heavy KEW round penetrated one of the Basestar's Tylium bunkers and a massive explosion blew out the center of the ship. Instantly secondary explosions raced through the Basestar's hull hurling huge pieces of metal into space. A second KEW round struck another Tylium bunker and the Basestar disappeared in a massive fireball.
In space, Aaron heard Emily scream for help. Frantically he looked over his right shoulder to where she was supposed to be, she wasn't there! Looking further down, he saw she was out of position with a Cylon raider closing on her tail.
"I'm coming Emily, just hold on," Aaron spoke gritting his teeth and hitting his turbos, he pushed his viper down in a tight dive and turn trying desperately to get there in time.
He could see the raider firing on Emily as she twisted and turned trying to shake him. Suddenly Emily's viper exploded and Aaron felt as if a knife had penetrated his heart. "No!" he screamed as he found the raider and filled it with rounds from his twin cannons causing the Cylon raider to explode in a ball of fire. He continued to fire venting his rage and frustration on the scattered pieces of the Cylon raider. Then realizing what he was doing, he stopped firing.
Aaron slowed his Viper and checked his Dradis hoping to see the blinking blue signal of an emergency ejection seat. "Please," he begged, his eyes glued to the screen, "not Emily!"
As he was about to give up hope a faint blue signal appeared. He quickly located it and nudged his viper forward to the indicated area on the screen. He finally saw the ejection seat floating in space in front of him. Moving his viper closer he saw Emily. A slight wave of her hand and Aaron knew she was all right. He signaled a SAR raptor on his com and then held his position protectively next to Emily.
On the Titania Jason watched the Dradis screen above the operation's table, as Cylon heavy raiders were now firing their missile in droves at the Colonial ship. The Zeus and Searcher were finishing off the two Cylon Support ships.
"Energy screen penetrated," Specialist Anthon warned suddenly, as three nukes went off against the screen in the same area. The screen glowed a bright blue and then faded.
Inside the Titania Jason gripped the operation's table, as he felt the ship shudder and vibrate as a Cylon nuke penetrated the weakened energy shield and impacted the ship's port armor.
Jason held tightly to the operation's table until the shaking stopped. "Ship status," he demanded shaken slightly.
"Minor damage only," Major Dyson replied with relief in her voice. "We have a couple of bent frames on the outer hull and several small internal fires. Nothing serious. Damage control reports they will have the fires under control shortly."
The view screen then switched to a view of the two Support ships just in time to see the Zeus wipe both of them from space with multiple nuke strikes. Moments later only a slowly expanding debris cloud surrounded by glowing burning gases remained.
The Gunstars, vipers, and the Zeus then turned on the surviving raiders and heavy raiders methodically blasting them from space. A few minutes later and the last Cylon raider was destroyed.
"All ships rendezvous with the Aires," Jason ordered over the fleet com, then turning toward Lt. Johnson. "Contact the Aries; I need to talk to their Commander." Also get a complete damage and casualty report from the Nebula."
Major Dyson check on our vipers, I want to know how many we lost and how many pilots," Jason continued feeling the adrenaline from the battle beginning to vanish from his body.
"What the frak is going on sir?" Major Dyson asked looking across the operation's table at Jason. "What are civilians and Cylons doing way out here?"
As they made rendezvous with the Aires, Jason received the damage report from the Nebula. The damaged landing bay was not repairable without a shipyard. The ship had lost one hundred and forty crewmen. Major Dyson also reported that the fleet had lost eighteen vipers and twelve pilots.
Jason had the two Colony ships and the Tylium tanker jump in, ordering the Gunstars to take up defensive positions around the surviving civilian fleet. He wanted to jump to another system as soon as it was safe to do so.
Two hours later, Jason sat stunned, feeling disbelief after listening to Commander Davis explain the disaster that had struck the Colonies. All twelve Colonies pretty much destroyed, all bases and shipyards either destroyed or heavily damaged, and the Colonial fleet wiped out.
"You were at the battle of Virgon with Admiral Nagala," Jason said quietly breaking the shocked silence in the conference room where Emissary Osiris, Commander Garrison, Commander Addison, and Captain Landers sat listening to Commander Davis explain the disaster that had over whelmed the Colonies.
"Yes," Commander Davis replied recalling the horrifying events of that battle. "We had gathered what remained of the fleet and purged our systems of the CNP program, which the Cylons were using to shut down our ships and vipers."
"This program was designed by Gaius Baltar the scientist," Commander Garrison said, he had met Gaius Baltar on several occasions when he had been attending fleet defense meetings on Caprica. Gaius Baltar had been the guest speaker at several of those meetings, giving insight into his new CNP program he was developing and why the fleet should use it.
"Yes, it was in wide use across the Colonies, every ship had the upgrade," Commander Davis replied. "We lost over thirty Battlestars and fifty Gunstars before we even realized that the CNP was the problem. By the time the High Command realized the CNP was the culprit and ordered all fleet ships to purge it from their systems, we had lost nearly sixty percent of the fleet. Many of the rest were heavily damaged and had lost the majority of their viper and raptor squadrons!"
"You say that Fleet Headquarters on Picon was destroyed early on," Jason spoke recalling his meeting with Admiral Corman. He couldn't believe that both Corman and Nagala were gone.
"Yes," Commander Davis replied his eyes taking on a haunted look. "All that remains is a giant hole in the ground, no one from the base survived."
"What about Virgon, what happened there?" Commander Addison asked. He had family on the planet. His brother's family lived on Virgon. His brother Jacob was in the Colonial marines.
We formed the fleet into a line between Virgon and her first moon," Commander Davis began, recalling Admiral Nagala's strategy. "We managed to get a lot of vipers from the Virgon defense forces to fill some of the depleted squadrons in our Battlestars. When the Cylons finally attacked nearly thirty percent of Virgon's defense grid was back on line."
"How many Cylon ships were at Virgon?" Jason asked wondering how large the Cylon fleet was that had attacked the Colonies.
"It was difficult to get an accurate count due to all the fighting and nukes going off," Commander Davis replied shuddering at the memory. "But the Atlantia reported that we were facing at least one hundred and thirty Basestars and seventy Support ships at the height of the battle."
"Why didn't Nagala withdraw?" Commander Garrison asked perplexed. "Surely he knew he couldn't beat those odds, not with the ships he had left to fight with!"
"He was defending some type of massive evacuation fleet that was assembling behind one of the moons," Commander Davis replied wondering what had happened to that fleet. "There were refugee ships from Leonis, Picon, and Virgon gathering behind the moon."
"Did they escape, where did they go?" Commander Addison asked. If they knew where they went perhaps they could find them and take them back to Demeter where they would be safe. He wondered if his brother's family might be on one of the ships.
"I don't know, I believe they jumped out at the last minute," Commander Davis replied. "We managed to hold back the Cylons for nearly six hours at Virgon before they finally over ran our line with massive raider attacks. Our vipers were out numbered a hundred to one, but they fought to the very end. In the last ten minutes of the battle, we had fewer then one hundred vipers still defending the fleet. When Admiral Nagala realized it was over, he ordered all ships that could still jump to get out. Only a few did, most were too heavily damaged, we were lucky."
"What about Virgon and the defense grid, did it hold?" Jason asked wondering if Virgon might still be resisting the Cylons.
"No," Commander Davis replied closing his eyes briefly remembering the sight on the Aires main view screen of massive nuclear explosion marching across the surface of the Colony. "The Cylons over whelmed the defense grid with an assault of over ten thousand raiders. Once the defense grid was down, their heavy raiders jumped into low orbit and began launching missiles at the planet."
"So you found these civilian ships and fled the Colonies," Jason continued realizing the horror the Commander had been through. To see Virgon nuked, the fleet wiped out, so many good men and women killed; it was hard to imagine going through something like that. Jason felt numb just from hearing about it.
"Yes, we started out with twenty eight civilian ships," Commander Davis replied. "The Cylons kept finding us, they finally pinned us up next to this nebula where we couldn't jump. If you hadn't shown up when you did, they would have finished us off. As it is only fourteen of the civilian ships we originally jumped with are still with us, and they are heavily overcrowded."
"I think we can alleviate that," Jason replied knowing they could transfer some of the civilians to the two Colony ships.
"Where did you come from Admiral?" Commander Davis asked wondering about the Titans and the battle cruiser that was accompanying them. "To the best of my knowledge no Titans were ever built, but you show up with three plus that unknown battle cruiser. What the frak is going on?"
"For the next hour Jason and the others explained to Commander Davis about Shadow Base, the Titania's mission, setting up the Demeter colony, and finally the existence of the Kobolans.
"Holy frak," Commander Davis replied amazed and relieved at the news. "If we can get these civilians to Demeter they will be safe, at least we have someplace to go."
"A low beeping in Jason's ear indicated that someone wanted to speak with him over his mini com. Jason reached up and tapped it turning it on.
"This is Specialist Anthon," the young woman's voice came over his com. "I have detected a sub space tracking signal coming from one of the civilian ships. That is how the Cylons were able to track the Aires and her fleet."
"Thank you Specialist Anthon," Jason spoke quietly, disturbed at the information. Then tapping his com again, he spoke to Major Dyson. "Major, send a squad of marines to the civilian ship that Specialist Anthon has detected the sub space tracking device on. I want that device neutralized ASAP."
Captain Steele was outside the ship's infirmary waiting for Emily to be released. Other then a few bumps and bruises the doctor said she was fine, he did recommend that she should be restricted from flying for the next forty hours.
Emily finally appeared looking sheepish when she saw Aaron waiting for her. "I guess I screwed up," she said with a tear in her eye. She felt as if she had let Aaron down.
Jason hugged her and then stepped back holding her at arm's length. "We all make mistakes Emily," he replied trying to smile. "We just have to learn from them; don't ever scare me like that again!"
Cynthia, Denise, Susan, and Karl were all still in the CIC at their duty posts talking to each other over a private com line.
"I heard that the Colonies have been destroyed!" Cynthia said sounding almost panicky.
"It was the Cylons," Karl replied, wondering what had happened to his family, what had happened to all their families for that matter?
"I wonder what we are going to do next?" Susan asked looking over at Denise who sat next to her.
"Demeter and Terra are still safe," Denise replied looking across the CIC at the others. "Perhaps we should return."
"I think the Admiral will want to continue on to Shadow Base," Karl spoke. "If the Cylons don't know about it, then the main Colonization fleet is still there waiting for us. We have to find out."
"Karl's right," Susan replied wondering if her family on Aquaria was still alive. "We need to rescue who ever we can, and those still at Shadow Base may be the only ones we can safely get out."
At Shadow Base Admiral Kronus stared worriedly at the main view screens in Shadow One's CIC. Everywhere was a frenzy of intense work being preformed. Ships being repaired, supplies being loaded, and the massive arming effort being done to Shadow One herself. Shadow One had always been heavily armed defensively but now work crews were installing medium twin KEW turrets all over the fifteen hundred meter hull as well as numerous missile tubes. He intended on turning the former shipyard into a massive Cylon killing machine.
"Admiral," Colonel Welling spoke interrupting the Admiral thoughts.
"Yes," Admiral Kronus replied turning to face his second in command.
"I just received a report from the Valkyrie," Colonel Welling continued grim faced. "The Cylons have found us; there are three Basestars and two Support ships that have taken up station twenty thousand kilometers in front of the Transit Corridor."
"I was afraid that would happen," Admiral Kronus replied with a heavy sigh. "We have been sending raptors out everywhere searching for survivors, it was only a matter of time before they traced one back to us."
"What do you want to do Admiral?" Colonel Welling asked, the Cylons now had them penned in.
"Order Admiral Muray to move his task group up to reinforce the Valkyrie." Admiral Kronus ordered thinking about the fleet ships he had at his disposal. The Cylons could not possibly know just how large a force he had, or how many civilians had actually made it to Shadow Base.
"What if the Cylons manage to break in, should we position some other ships on our side of the Transit Corridor?" Colonel Welling asked hoping the Titania made it back on time. The Cylons wouldn't wait forever.
"Have Admiral Reed move his four Valkyrie's, and the Battlestars Olympia, Dathym, and Holden to our side of the transit corridor to serve as a blocking force if the Cylons do attack and manage to break in," Admiral Kronus said walking over to the large operation's table and contemplating the ship deployments he was making. "I don't think the Cylons will try anything just yet, let's just wait and see what happens. The Titania should be returning in five more days."
Jason looked anxiously at the latest scans that raptors had taken of the nebula protecting Shadow Base. He felt concerned at what the scans were showing. The camouflage barrier was down! Sitting in the center of the Transit Corridor were two Warstars, two Firestars, the Valkyrie and another Valkyrie class Battlestar, two Assault Gunstars, two Defender class Gunstars, and three old Escort Gunstars. These were surrounded by eighty of the one hundred meter defense satellites.
"Where the frak did they get those old ships?" Major Dyson asked looking at a close up of one of the heavily armed and armored Warstars.
"From the Boneyards," Jason replied knowing that was the only place they could have come from. "All the old Firestars and Warstars were sent to the Boneyards for decommissioning years ago."
What concerned Jason were the ten Cylon Basestars and six Cylon Support ships that were stationed twenty thousand kilometers in front of the Transit Corridor. At least six squadrons of raiders were on patrol between the Cylons and the nebula. They were just outside the range of the defending Colonial fleet and the defense satellites. There was also no doubt that the Cylons had detected the raptors Jason had sent in to scan the area, there were just too many raiders for the raptors not to have been detected. That would reduce the element of surprise. Fortunately, the raptors had jumped far enough away from the Cylon ships so they could take their scans and then jump safely back.
"I'm glad to see those old Warstars," Jason replied, turning to face Major Dyson. "They were designed to kill Cylon Basestars."
He was also relieved that the heavily damaged Nebula and the two Kobolan escort ships had stayed behind to escort the Aires and her civilian fleet back to Demeter. The two Colony ships as well as the now empty Tylium tanker had also remained behind. The Colony ships had been filled with civilians from the over crowded freighter, and the Tylium tanker had been emptied refilling all the fuel bunkers in the fleet.
"Now the next question," Major Dyson spoke turning her attention back to the view screen, which now had a view of a Firestar displayed. "How do we get in?"
Admiral Kronus was on board the Warstar Nichen standing next to Admiral Muray. "Something's happening," he said as he saw two more Cylon Basestars jump into formation with the other ten.
"The Cylons have launched four more squadrons of raiders," the Dradis officer reported as more red icons appeared on his screen. "They have also deployed a squadron of heavy raiders that have taken up a position directly in front of the Cylon Basestars."
"It's the Titania," Admiral Kronus stated with conviction, examining the operation's table closely. "The Cylons know they're coming, they must have detected something."
"We thought we detected a raptor on the Dradis earlier," Admiral Muray stated thoughtfully as he also gazed at the operation's table, which showed the disposition of the Colonial and Cylon forces. "If it is the Titania, they will have to jump into this area here," he said pointing to an area approximately two thousand kilometers in front of the Corridor. It was an area full of Cylon raiders.
"Those heavy raiders, I bet they're armed with nukes," Admiral Kronus spoke worriedly. "Those heavy raiders will jump into the space around the Titania and her other ships and try to take them out with their missiles."
"I don't see what we can do Admiral," Admiral Muray said shaking his head aggravated at the helpless position they were in. "If we move the fleet out of the Transit Corridor we lose the protection of the defense satellites. We can't stand up to those Basestars and all their raiders for long without them!"
"Put all ships at Condition One," Admiral Kronus commanded his eyes taking on the look of steel. "As soon as we detect the Titania, launch all vipers and raptors. The fleet will also advance at full sub light speed. The survival of the Titania is a priority, even if it means the destruction of this fleet!"
"Yes sir," Admiral Muray replied as he began passing the orders. He had been briefed on the Titania's mission, and he well understood what was at stake. He was prepared to follow the Admiral's orders.
On board the Cylon Command Basestar, Darien Cavil stared with open contempt at the human ships guarding the entrance to the nebula in front of the Cylon fleet. He recognized the ships as the same ones he had faced at the Caspian system. Cavil knew a lot of civilian ships had gone inside. He had them cornered, they could not escape, and he would have his revenge for the resurrection procedure they had forced him to endure.
They had detected two raptors earlier, there was no doubt in his mind that more civilian survivors were on the way. He intended to trap those ships away from the nebula, forcing the human warships to come out to engage his fleet. Turning to one of the Simon models he said, "I want the fleet ready to advance when the human war fleet comes out. We will destroy them and end this farce once and for all."
The Simon model had his hands in the information stream listening to the fleet and the information being picked up by Cylon sensors. "We will be ready," he replied.
It was at that moment that the Titania, the Zeus, and the other two Titan class Gunstars appeared in the midst of the Cylon raiders.
"Frak, those are warships," Darien Cavil exclaimed surprised. He had been expecting civilians. Then he remembered the report that described these very ships wiping out the Cylon fleet that had been pursuing the Aires. "Order the heavy raiders to jump. Move the fleet forward, they must not escape!"
"Those ships are rumored to contain technology not currently associated with Colonial fleet ships," an eight spoke up, gazing at a large view screen that was focused on the area where the small Colonial fleet had jumped.
"I don't care," Darien roared in anger glaring at her. "I want them destroyed!"
Jason looked at the Dradis screen as it cleared, seeing they had jumped into a mass of raiders. "Launch vipers now," he ordered as he calculated how close the raiders were. "Searcher and Lodestar full sub light after vipers are clear, get to the Transit Corridor, we will cover you," Jason commanded over the fleet com.
Admiral Muray saw the four ships appear in flashes of white light. "All vipers launch," he roared over the com channel to the Firestars, Valkyrie's, and Defender class Gunstars. "I want those ships protected, take those raiders out!"
"Activate laser batteries," Jason ordered grimly. Frak there are a lot of raiders out there, he thought. Some were really close.
"Colonial fleet is launching vipers," Lt. Emerson reported as his Dradis screen began lighting up with green icons as vipers began exiting the Transit Corridor.
"That fourth ship, what is it?" Admiral Muray asked looking over at Admiral Kronus who was watching the view screen intently. The view screen showed a large heavily armed ship that he was not familiar with.
"I don't know," Admiral Kronus replied confused. "It's not one of ours, but she is obviously with the Titania."
It was at that moment that numerous beams of red light suddenly began flashing from the Titania and the other mysterious ship wiping Cylon raiders from the space around the four ships.
"What the frak!" Major Ash exclaimed in amazement. "Those are high intensity laser batteries. They're blasting the Cylons raiders."
"I thought effective lasers were outside our current technology level," Admiral Muray spoke looking at Admiral Kronus wondering if the Admiral had been leaving out sensitive information about these Titans.
"They didn't have lasers when they left here!" Admiral Kronus replied, amazed at what he was seeing on the screen. On the screen, all the vipers from the Titans had formed up and were protecting the Gunstar's Searcher and Lodestar, while the Titania and the mysterious ship trailed behind using their lasers to clear the space around them of Cylon raiders.
Suddenly Cylon heavy raiders began appearing in flashes of white light around the Titania and the mysterious ship. Numerous missiles launched, angling toward the two ships. Most were shot down by the lasers, but eight impacted the two ships. Three on the Titania and five on the Zeus. Both ships vanished from sight from the horrendous energy produced by the eight massive nuclear explosions.
"Frak, they got both of them," Admiral Muray said with anger in his voice. "There is no way those two ships survived those nuclear blasts!"
Everyone was surprised when both ships emerged from the explosions with a flickering blue glow surrounding them both.
"Great gods of Kobol!' Major Ash uttered in awe. "Both of those ships are protected by some type of energy screen."
"Hold the fleet," Admiral Kronus ordered. On the screens the Cylons were hesitating, not sure how to attack these two ships. Now the fleet vipers were arriving giving their added support to the Titans. Admiral Kronus relaxed as he realized that the four ships were gong to make it. The Cylons had missed their opportunity.
On board the Cylon Command Basestar, Darien Cavil raged about the Cylon Command Center. None of the other models would meet his eyes. "Lasers and energy screens," he screamed in anger and frustration. "Will somebody please tell me what the frak is going on?"
"I told you earlier they had advanced technology," the eight who had spoken earlier said meeting Darien's glare. "Those Titans either come from a secret military base we know nothing about or they have found some very powerful allies."
Darien turned back around staring at the large view screen. He would have to contact his brother's John and James about this. They had dismissed the earlier report about advanced weapons, evidently they had been mistaken. This was a new threat they would have to take very seriously and deal with appropriately.
On board the Titania Jason was getting up from the floor where he had been thrown from the nuclear blasts. "Damage report," he demanded catching his breath and looking around the CIC. Several others had been thrown around and were slowly picking themselves up from the floor of the CIC also.
"The shield held but just barely," Specialist Anthon reported from her position next to Lt. Grimm. Both looked a little wide eyed from the near miss of the nukes. "Some of the energy from the nukes still managed to penetrate."
"We have several fires in section twelve near frames eight through fourteen," Major Dyson reported scanning the damage control board where the damage control officer was busy sending damage control teams to different areas of the fleet. "We lost two of the laser turrets, three flak turrets, and the bow missile tubes are non functional. We also have a lot of minor injuries, broken arms, cuts, bruises, but no deaths!"
"The Zeus took two nuke strikes to her armor," Lt. Johnson reported as she monitored fleet communication. "They suffered several casualties and minor damage to some areas of the ship. Their fighting ability is unimpaired."
Two minutes later the fleet of four ships entered the Transit Corridor where the Colonial fleet now awaited.
"Message from Admiral Kronus sir," Lt. Johnson spoke up. "He says welcome home!"
Jason felt the tension flow out of him. They were safe for the time being, they had made it to Shadow Base. "Inform the Admiral, mission accomplished!" Now they just had to figure out how to get back to Demeter and safety.
Author's note: One chapter left! I promise it will have several interesting surprises!