The Hour of The Wolf
Chapter Thirteen

Cylon Basestars were marvels of technology. The pinnacle of weapons development across the known galaxies. Capable of deploying anywhere in the cosmos there were few threats a single vessel could not respond to and effectively crush. Each self sustaining and capable of launching more than a hundred Raiders, a lone Basestar could conquer star systems and strike fear into the hearts of all organics. Since the destruction of the Cylon Empire's greatest enemy, the humans of Kolbol, they had become a common sight throughout their galactic cluster.

The fledging hope of other species, sparked by the recent Cylon civil war, had long since been eradicated in their home galaxy. Now, lead by their new Imperious Leader, Basestar production had accelerated. Where once they were a rarity now whole fleets of them operated across the universe.

Such a expansion was not without cost. The resources needed to build so many Basestars and Raiders was astronomical. As such the borders of Cylon space had grown like never before. In seeking out tylium and other minerals to supply the vast shipyards more and more species were eradicated. Like a never ending paradox the Cylon Empire grew to secure resources and secured resources in order to grow.

Such an irony as not lost on Cyblus.

Cyblus was one of the first Command Cylons commissioned by the new Imperious Leader. Deliberately programmed to understand such concepts as cruelty, viciousness and barbarity he had since his creation explored these ideas freely. Even expanding where he found the information lacking. Privately several of his peers felt he even enjoyed it. He was considered one of the most dedicated Commanders in the new Cylon Empire.

In the comparative few yahren since the installation of his second computer brain, as was required for one of his rank and position, he had proven this time and time again. His ruthlessness had put him on the front lines, leading attack after attack and leaving no survivors.

This new galaxy had, so far, presented little interest to him. What limited military response he'd encountered had been easily swept away. The only minor challenge had come from the so called Dominion. Their small ships could have been a threat in greater numbers, but so far they were nothing.

His scouting Raiders had discovered their near by staging area. A satellite moon in a binary system. It was good placement, central to the sector with the Raider reporting sensor readings of various resources. Cyblus was more interested in the military forces.

Multiple attack ships on standard patrols. Appearing somewhat similar to common beetle-like creatures they were the standard ship of the Dominion. Consisting of a main hull, a bulbous aft section, two under slung field emitters and a forward emitter for their weapons. Powerful but limited, they were no match for a Basestar or their support craft. Not without significant numbers. There were ten of them over the outpost.

They were not alone, there were four other, larger vessels as well. The similarity of design showed them to be Dominion. Designating them as destroyers Cyblus ran the sensor reports through his second brain. They were significantly bigger than the smaller ships. Nearly half the size of a Basestar, while he was unfamiliar with Dominion technology he could still infer by scaling up from what they had already encountered just how powerful they were.

So far his ships had only encountered the outer edges of this new enemy's domain. Ambushing the occasional long range patrol, jamming their communications and then eradicating them. Those they had captured proved to be worthless traders or genetically engineered warriors with little to no practical knowledge.

An attack on a command post of this nature would collect valuable data for the expansion ahead.

Weyoun was busy filling out reports when the alert began. It wasn't the first false alarm and he was sure it wasn't going to be the last. Over the past few months there had been growing rumours of attacks and even missing patrols. It had made several of the races under the Dominion nervous. While a bold enemy might attempt to attack one or two minor members, no one was foolish enough to go to war with the Dominion as a whole.

In the more than two thousand years since it's founding the Dominion had defeated all comers. It would be suicide to oppose the will of the Founders. If these attackers had to learn that the hard way, so be it. Putting down his data file Weyoun was about to call the command when the voice of the Jem'Hadar First shouted over the comm 'Unknown forces incoming. All Jem'Hadar to battle!'

Weyoun couldn't move fast enough, throwing his paperwork to one side he ran out of the office and across the hall into the command room. Inside was dominated by a large view screen that showed a map of the sector. 'Status?' he ordered.

The screen showed five large signals approaching at speed. They were huge, more than half again as big as a standard Cruiser, and already entering the system. 'What are they, how did they get so close?'

The First turned to him. 'Unknown, they just appeared on the sensors.'

'Get us a visual. We need to find out who they are.'

'We can't.' A Jem'Hadar at one station announced. 'There's some sort of electromagnetic jamming signal. Disrupting long-range communications and sensors. Short range only with no visual possible.'

Weyoun sent a silent prayer to the Founders. They still had more ships, nearly three to one, not including the bases defences, but he was concerned. Jamming wasn't uncommon, but this sort of blanket interference was unprecedented. 'Can we still contact our ships?'

The First was at the main console, looking at the readings. 'We're able to penetrate the jamming field locally. All patrols in system are mobilising to attack.'

Weyoun looked again at the layout of his forces 'Have the Cruisers move into standard defensive positions over the planet. Tell the Fighters to hold back, take up a flanking position and send two craft to attack the nearest target alone. I want to know what the enemy are capable of before committing our resources.'

'Yes Vorta.' The First announced and began to give orders. His second then spoke up;

'Honoured Vorta, we are detecting new signals. Scores of smaller ships being launched. They're heading right for us.'

'Landing shuttles?' Weyoun asked with a frown. 'Why would they try a landing before engaging our ships?'

'Unknown.'

'Have our Cruisers shoot them down.' He ordered absently, still looking at the tactical overview. 'Status of our Fighter probe?'

'Engaging enemy capital ships.' The Jem'Hadar reported. 'Firing. Weapons encountering some form of energy screen, defusing the effects. Weapons fire only seventy percent effective.'

'Have them switch to torpedoes.'

Before they could relay the order more reports came in. 'Enemy returning fire. High energy plasma based, from multiple emitters. Fighters attempting to evade, no success. Enemy weapons are overwhelming the Fighters shields.' Weyoun watched helplessly as the twin icons on the tactical display, one after another blinked and disappeared.

'Have all Fighters engage, torpedoes as primary weapons.' he ordered urgently as the First stepped up;

'Their shuttles have engaged our Cruisers, you need to hear this.' He activated the console.

"…Too many! For every one we destroy, a dozen more take it's place. Not shuttles, attack craft. Heavily armed. They're flying too close to target. Shields attacked on all sides, can't reinforce.' Over the radio Weyoun heard a terrible explosion and the communication decayed into static for a moment. 'They're ramming exposed sections where the Shields have failed. Hull buckling.' Another explosion and the static returned.

They watched the tactical readout as two more symbols representing the Cruisers disappeared, the swarms of smaller icons surrounding them vanished soon after. 'Cruisers Four and Two, destroyed. One, disabled, venting atmosphere, No life readings. Cruiser Three is burning, fires out of control across multiple decks.'

Weyoun swore before turning to the communications station. 'Countermand. All Fighters to retreat to the nearest command post. They have to warn the Founders!' Turning back he saw the attacking capital ships were moving. Three were taking up positions across the system, the other two approaching the moon he was based on.

'One Fighter made it to warp.' The First told him 'the rest were destroyed form concentrated suppression fire.'

The lead enemy ship settled into orbit right above them. 'Planetary shields to full.' Weyoun announced 'Divert all available power to the shields. If we can hold them off long enough they might send reinforcements.'

'Energy spike.' The First said, reading the sensors. 'They are firing.'

Expecting a storm of plasma weapons Weyoun was taken by surprise when it was a single focused blast. The sound was near deafening, a lone shot was so powerful it shook the base. Shaking lose supports and opening a crack deep in the ground. Computers and power relays overloaded, exploding into blazing fires. Gasping on his back Weyoun looked around to find himself on his back, a good ten feet from where he had been before. The Jem'Hadar First, who had been right next to him was pinned under a beam, dead.

'Shields!' He shouted, hoping someone other than him had survived. 'Shields!'

Through the smoke and flame someone responded. 'Eight percent.'

'We have to get the hanger…'

'Destroyed.' He interrupted. 'Sensors show attack craft approaching. Escorting landing craft. The Outpost is lost.'

Weyoun offered an prayer to the Founders. 'Evacuate the base, have any survivors carry as much weapons and equipment as possible. Tell them to avoid combat, to scatter and regroup in the caves system to the south.'

'Victory is life.'

Cyblus ordered the jamming field deactivated and a full sensor sweep of the planet. The primary target was devastated, but there were survivors in the wreckage. They were already fleeing. It wouldn't take long to eradicate them. While not the challenge he had required his forces had lost more Raiders than projected to the lager ships.

Their destruction took a great number of Raiders with them. A difficulty they would have to adapt to. Another issue was the weapons the enemy were using. The standard beam weapons were the same as previously encountered, but there was something new. Small, but powerful missiles. Standard shield screens didn't have much effect on them and their warheads were strong enough to penetrate the ships armoured skin. Fortunately they only effected a small area. It would take a number of direct hits from them to cause significant damage.

He was studying the sensor data they'd collected from the new weapons when his second computer brain recognised and flagged up a data point. It had been tasked to analyse planetary readings for anomalies and recognised that one of the surviving life signs was unlike the others. A different species. A fact that might prove useful 'Cyblus to ground forces. Establish command centre primary objective. Secondary; collect prisoners for interrogation.'

There was a moment before the IL series administrator replied; 'By your Command.'

Tigh sipped at his Rakajno and flicked through the reports for the afternoons meeting. Since the mess of Lieutenant Worf and the children from the Marbellen they'd had secton meetings regarding inter-fleet coordination.

At first the Council had been enraged, trying to blow the situation out of proportion. Even suggesting that the Federation was trying to impose their rule. All the while the Blackshirts involved had been trying to avoid blame, throwing out accusations so fast that it was almost comical. In response Tigh asked three civilians from the Marbellen to brief the Council on the situation on the ship. After that he brought in Boomer to present his eye witness testimony and finished off with the Lieutenant himself.

It was something to see, Worf in that strange Federation dress uniform, his baldric polished until it glowed, before the Council. Most of them hadn't even seen a non-human before. Faced by the huge dark skinned warrior their demands never appeared. After a few tense moments they eventually thanked him for his due diligence.

After that came the order for these meetings. The first issue was where to hold them. The decision was eventually a compromise, a briefing room on the Galactica that was modified by Starfleet. Almost three quatrons, or as the Federation called them months, later you almost wouldn't recognise it. Most of the fittings had been removed to make space for a large table and viewer. The table had a holographic projector and fittings for the padds. There was also a small replicator off to one side, which was one of the reasons he was there early. Benjamin had introduced him to the bitterly sharp drink and he'd developed quite a taste for it.

Slowly the room began to fill with a mixture of Federation and Colonial officers. Tigh nodded to his counterpart, Benjamin, who looked as tired as Tigh felt. For what was basically an exercise in bureaucratic stupidity these daily meetings seemed to generate more and more work. Last to arrive was Dillon and the Federation boy, Wesley. They looked exited about something.

Taking another sip Tigh stood up. 'Everyone, welcome. I'm sure like me you all have things to do, rather than just talk about it. Lets start, as always, with the status of our ships. Geordi, Xam?'

The Enterprise engineer let the Viper mechanic take the lead. 'Like we said last secton, this stop has given us a chance to overhaul the main drives across the Fleet. We've been able to repair most of the ware and tear, but a couple of ships are just too far gone. We might get a few more quatrons out of them, but we'll have to abandon them soon.'

Tigh nodded, he'd have to talk to Athena to see if they could find the space, but Xam hadn't finished. 'Even then more and more ships will brake down. It's only a matter of time and if Earth won't take us…'

'It's not that we won't. We can't.' Benjamin told him. 'Earth has a population of billions. Ten's of billions.'

'Then there are the rumours.' Reece said scowling. The Blackshirt had been nominated as the security representative for the fleet and so far he'd been unusually quiet.

Geordi frowned. 'Rumours?'

'Yeah, all sorts of them. They're beginning to cause security issues.'

Tigh frowned, 'Such as?'

'The are two big ones. That the Federation is nothing more than an alien empire and humans are it's slaves. that's a load of fledercarb, but the other ones me worried. There's a Cylon on the Enterprise.' Reece admitted looking at the hulking Klingon next to him.

'The Federation is a partnership between many different races. Earth is just one of many, yes, but it's a founder member.' Geordi told him. 'It's voice carries a lot of weight, some say too much.'

'And the Cylon, Some say they've seen it.'

'There's no Cylons on the Enterprise.' Worf announced loudly.

'Data.' Wesley pointed out. 'They mean Data don't they.'

Geordi blinked. 'Data? He's an android, but he's not a Cylon.'

'How can you be sure? What if he's an infiltrator, or a traitor. Just waiting for us to let our guard down. The right moment to strike, when we're not ready.' The Blackshirt insisted, Tigh was concerned to see Xam looked like he was agreeing.

'Data has proven his loyalty time and time again.' Wesley insisted. 'We don't judge people on their species.'

'Even if that species destroyed your world, killing millions innocent women and children? Forcing you to live like hermits, scratching out an existence on rusty old, broken…'

'Enough.' Tigh snapped. 'We need to stop these rumours now, before they get out of hand. I'll talk with Adama, Benjamin can you see if Captain William can arrange some sort of transmission where we get the facts out there before these security concerns become serious.'

'It doesn't matter.' Xam shook his head. 'Without Earth where do we go? We can't keep living on ships that are falling apart.'

'We might have an idea.' Dillon said with an infectious grin.

'You've found a planet we can settle on?' Tigh asked breathlessly.

Wesley winced. 'It's not a planet, more like a moon…'

'Don't sell yourself short kid, you found it.' Dillon put a hand on his shoulder. 'A moon nearly the size of Caprica. Breathable atmosphere, mostly. Untouched, with no native lifeforms.'

'Any virus or known allergens?' Benjamin asked.

'It's a primordial world. Very little if any plant life.' Wesley told him.

'When you say mostly breathable atmosphere?' Tigh focused on that.

Dillon answered. 'Like Wesley said, very little plant life to produce oxygen. Instead theres a very basic algae. There should be enough to get us going from there, with our technology, it shouldn't be too hard to terraform. A virtual paradise, the perfect place.'

That made Tigh a little suspicious. it sounded almost too good. 'What's the downside. Why did it take you so long to find and suggest it if it's so perfect?'

'Well Colonel, it's a little out of the way.' Dillon admitted.

'The other side of the Andorian systems.' Wesley expanded. 'At least a two month round trip at warp five and well outside the main space lanes.'

Benjamin seemed concerned about this. 'Andorians. They might not like a colony, especially one this big, on their doorstep.'

'Who are these, Andorians?'

'They were one of the three founding members of the Federation, along with Earth and Vulcan, but after the Klingon War they began a policy of isolationism. They still have a seat on the Federation Council, but they rarely travel outside their systems and any reports are little more than vague indications that everything's fine.' Benjamin explained.

'How would they respond to our arrival?'

'Probably wouldn't, but there's always the chance they might. I'm more worried about the travel time, you'd be isolated. Cut off from most of the civilised galaxy.' Worf warned, but Geordi shook his head.

'We still don't know exactly how your drives work, but over distances like that they're faster than warp. What would take us months would be, a few minutes for you. Five at the most'

'Centons.' Tigh translated and thought hard. 'We would have to meet with the Andorian Council members. Get their approval before we make any decisions, we wouldn't want to make enemies.'

'We could still send a survey team. A patrol of Vipers. I can have them fuelled up within the centar.' Xam said enthusiastically.

Tigh thought about it. 'I'll suggest it to the Commander, but we'll send a full team. Viper's escorting survey shuttles, with full sensor packages.'

'I'll get right to it!' Xam jumped to his feet and almost ran out of the room.

'Wesley, Dillon; good work. Meeting dismissed.'

End Chapter Thirteen

Authors note:-

This took a lot longer to write than I wanted. Mostly because of the fight at the beginning. I needed it to be a Cylon victory, but every re-write came out as "Cylons are awesome, Dominion is rubbish." So eventually I decided if it was going to be an unfair fight I might as well make it one. Hence five Basestars.

In a fair fight, I would say that one Basestar is equal to a Jem'Hadar Cruiser and four Fighters. The big problem is Raiders. They just outnumber and overwhelm their targets. With time to form strategies they might have a response (mines, high powered warheads, ect) but taken by surprise, by the unknown, Weyoun made very possible mistake.

Finally Colonial FTL. I'm going to into detail about how they do it later, but my excuse… well "reasoning" as to why we never saw it in the show is simple. The technology is so well used they don't even think about it. Look at it this way:- if you want to go to another town several miles away it is assumed that you drive, not walk. Just as traveling across continents we automatically think plane, not car. On TV we don't usually see the travel or method unless it's important, for all we know the characters just appear out of thin air where they want to be. For the Colonials traveling from system to system using their FTL is just as uneventful and was just as uninteresting to show.