Final Flight
"Attention on deck!" the deck crew snapped to attention as Adama's Raptor opened its hatch. "Commander, Galactica, arriving" Sharpe saluted Adama as he stepped aboard Dauntless. With the surrender of the Cylons to the Colonials and the Rebel Cylons, efforts had been made to begin repairs of the badly wounded Battlestar. So much had been put into restoring the vessel to operation, that they had been able to receive incoming craft within half an hour. The entire structure of the ship was so badly damaged that the Dauntless could only take another two jumps before a third would snap her back like a twig. Casualties aboard her and from her increased Air Wing size had been set at over 2,500 dead with another 735 missing. They kept finding bodies as they cut away the wreckage and worked to bring the ship back to some sort of order for a jump to a dock.
"As you were" Adama said as he returned the salute.
"Would you care to talk in my quarters?" asked Sharpe, and the other officer nodded.
#
"Basically, the Cylons had a little revolution and a new group has surrendered to our side" Adama sipped the brandy he had in his hands. "A Cylon Heavy Raider has jumped back to the station to collect the President so she can sign the surrender documents. As they have said already, the Cylons will accept any and all terms given to them by us and the Rebels"
"What about reparations?" asked Sharpe.
"Their version of a High Command has ordered their forces on the Colonies to start repairing the damage that they have done. I sent a couple of Raptors ahead to retake them as a symbolic gesture rather than anything else" Adama looked around at the damaged quarters they sat in. Three quarters of the ceiling was heavily damaged or had otherwise collapsed.
"I hope they have a large enough bank balance to pay for everything" Sharpe chuckled. "Where will the ceremony take place?" he asked Adama.
"Here" Adama noted the raised eyebrows of the younger officer.
"You what?" Sharpe spluttered.
"The Cylons noted that you were the 'Battlestar that was most annoying to us during the war' I think is what they said. Besides, you took on what had to be most of their fleet for hours and still stood tall and held the line"
"It got mighty thin towards the end" Sharpe said. "How did you even get here?" he asked.
"We attached Galactica to a Cylon Basestar and jumped here"
"I thought two ships jumping close together would cause issues"
"Our jump drive is still under repair as we speak"
"Oh!" Sharpe figured it out. "How the Raiders do it" to which Adama just nodded.
"You don't have to accept the request of the Cylons" he said. "I know how you and nearly all of your crew feel after everything that has happened – I wouldn't blame you at all"
"Sir, we'd be more than delighted to host the surrendering Cylons aboard our Battlestar" Sharpe said – draining the last of his brandy as he spoke. "I would enjoy it very much. Anyways… would you like a tour of the ruined CIC?"
#
As each Cylon party arrived, it was followed by two Vipers with locked on missiles – ready to blow them out of the stars if they tried anything suicidal. The President had been transported aboard a few hours before to a full guard detail on the Hanger Deck. The last one to arrive would be the Heavy Raider bringing the models that would actually be signing the articles of surrender to end the war.
"Attention, Dauntless" the voice of the LSO sounded over the lone working speaker on the Hanger Deck. "Cylon Commanders, arriving" and they watched on screens as the Heavy Raider made a landing on the lift and was taken down below. The massive door lowered and allowed it to enter the bay itself.
"Detail!" Sharpe said. "You will stand ready to shoot if the Cylons so much as twitch" and the Marines nodded as they checked their weapons once more before clicking off the safety locks. The Heavy Raider lowered its landing gear and settled on the deck with a dying hum as the power was switched off. The starboard hatch opened seconds later and out popped three Centurions before they stepped to one side and were followed by a number of human form Cylons.
"Commander Sharpe, You may call me Anita. Permission to come aboard?" asked a Six. She seemed to be the one in charge of the others.
"Permission granted" Sharpe said. "You will go with the Marines and wait in the Wardroom until you are called for"
"Understood" the Six nodded, explained what was going on to her fellow Cylons before allowing the Marines to take them to the Wardroom.
"Was that so hard?" asked Imlay.
"I think I liked you better when you lay unconscious on the deck of CIC" Sharpe smiled. Imlay had survived after being operated on aboard the Galactica. His injuries had not been too serious compared to other members of the crew, but he did have some issues with a few things which would require a month of retraining. He would have been evacuated back to the station except that he had pinched a Raptor and come back to Dauntless.
#
"ATTENTION ON DECK!" the Sergeant of the Guard called out and the assembled officers and crew snapped to attention. "Ship's Commanding Officer, Senior Officer of the Fleet, President of the Colonies – arriving" and Sharpe, Adama and Roslin walked into the largest of the Air Wing's briefing rooms. The lectern at the front was replaced with a long table and the screen behind was displaying the flags of the 12 Colonies of Kobol with the Dauntless flying over the Colonial Government crest. Three trio stood and looked at the officers, crew and journalists who would witness the surrender of a war that had lasted for over 40 years. While he had been getting into his dress uniform, he had remembered that the Cylons had signed only an Armistice and not a formal peace treaty.
"Bring in the Cylon delegation" Roslin said, and the Cylons appeared after a minute or so. "We are gathered here today, in the sight of the Gods, to put an end to the war that has plagued us for years. The war was started because of mistakes and misunderstandings to name but a few things. However, we stood tall, we did what we had to do and we survived despite the most darkest of dark situations. In a short while, I will invite the representatives of the Cylon Government to sign the Articles of Surrender in the spaces allocated to them. Let this paper bring us peace in our lifetime and in that of all our children to come after us" and at that moment the Colonial Anthem played over the PA system.
"Nice speech" Adama said.
"Brought a tear to my eye" Sharpe agreed with equal dead pan.
"The representative of the Model Ones will now sign the Articles" Roslin spoke, and cameras hummed, clicked and flashed and the wireless reporters spoke quietly into microphones as a Number One signed on the line. This went on until all the Models had signed the surrender. "Commander William Adama will now sign on behalf of the Colonial Armed Forces" Adama took then pen and signed his name – adding his unit number for good measure. "I will now sign for the Colonial Government and the people it serves" Roslin signed her name as President of the 12 Colonies.
"The war is over" spoke an Eight.
"It is" Sharpe said. "Marines, you will escort the Cylons to the Brig until removal to Prison facilities to await War Crimes trials" and the Marines gently, but firmly, escorted the Human form Cylons to the Brig until a shuttle could be arranged to transport them to more secured facilities.
#
As part of the reparations payable to the Colonials, the Cylons were forbidden to build or develop new ships without the express permission of the Colonials. They also had to hand over all ships which they had captured over the years which had 'vanished without trace'. The repair ship was so busy in dealing with repairing Vipers and Raptors that it couldn't deal with the Dauntless, so it was decided to dock it at a Cylon orbital facility in order to drive the point home. It would also serve as a base for the Occupation Forces now taking over Cylonia. Teams scoured the wrecks for parts for the Dauntless to be totally repaired to operational status. The Battlestar would not, however, be rejoining the fleet. It would be put into permanent drydock over Caprica City and serve as a museum vessel for future generations. Upon decommissioning, the crew would transfer directly over to a new Mercury class Battlestar named Dauntless. It had been captured during the Cylon attack, but it had been given no name to serve with. Sharpe had been told that 100% of the civilians that had been protected by the Dauntless had asked for it to be named after the ship and for him to be placed in command.
"When will you be leaving?" asked Jennifer.
"A few more days" said Sharpe. The pair sat in the Officer's Mess aboard the Dauntless having a few drinks together. Jennifer had been appointed to be one of the members of the Cylon committee which reported to the Occupation Authorities, and she would be taking up her appointment in a week's time. "I've been with this bucket for over a year and a half now, and I'm going to be in tears as I go off her decks" he shook his head sadly.
"She has earned her retirement" said Jennifer.
"I know, but it doesn't make it any easier"
"I noticed that most of your crew quarters are still under repair" Jennifer drained her tea and set the cup back on the table. "Where are your crew living?"
"Trying to get intel for another attack?" asked Sharpe with a smile. "Most of them are living on the Flimsie Whimsie" he explained. "She's brought the Vipers from Leonis Station that are going to be on the Hanger Decks. All the craft that took part in operations with or from us are going to form part of the exhibits"
"Along with a few Cylon Raiders and Heavy Raiders" Jennifer smiled.
"Hell…" Sharpe laughed, "The Dauntless cruises, where the rest of the fleet snoozes. We thought that we'd pick up a few keep sakes on our way home"
"So what is that plan?" asked the Cylon.
"Once we've finished here, we'll jump back to the Colonies and do a victory tour around the planets before returning to Caprica for decommissioning. While we do that, we're going to be dropping off shuttles and Raptors filled with supplies to restart life on the surface of the planets"
"Attention Dauntless. Incoming aircraft landing on. Both pods in use for landing operations"
"Won't be hearing that much longer" Sharpe shook his head.
"Well I better be going" the Cylon said. "I have a number of meetings to go to" and the pair parted on a good note.
#
The day came when the Dauntless would make the leap home, and Sharpe stood in the CIC as was his custom when docking or undocking from a station.
"Sit Rep" he ordered.
"We're all set to go" Imlay said. "All supplies loaded and stored. All aircraft are secured"
"Lets get this other with" Sharpe said sadly. "Departure stations. All hands rig for departure" and the level of activity increased throughout the ship.
"All decks and divisions report ready" Gates said.
"Close fore and aft locks" Sharpe said, watching the lights go from red to green as the airlocks were closed.
"Forward lock closed" said a voice.
"Aft lock closed" said another.
"Locks closed and secured, Commander" Imlay said. Sharpe wanted everything to go by the book on Dauntless's last departure.
"Very well" he nodded. "Disengage capture latches fore and aft"
"Aye, Sir" the Engineering officer said, and a slight vibration was felt through the plates as the latches holding the Battlestar to the Cylon station were released and retracted. "Both sets of capture latches are secured, Sir"
"Understood. Power up manoeuvring thrusters"
"Thrusters ready" Gates called from her Operations console.
"Forward thrusters, Helm. Ease us out nice and gently" Sharpe felt Dauntless moving away from her berth and into open space.
"Dauntless from Graystone Station. Have a safe trip" Jennifer's voice came over the speakers. The Battlestar pulled out of the dock slowly, but surely, and carefully turned round to face deep space.
"We are clear and free to navigate" Helm reported.
"Steer 337 carom 91 – ahead one half" Sharpe said. The only damage not able to be repaired was the damage to her skeleton and back. With the ship destine for a museum, it was decided not to fix it as it would be a waste of resources.
"Aye, Sir" and the young woman steered the ship away from the gravity put out by the Cylon homeworld. In order to ease the strain on jumping back to the Colonies, Dauntless would head into space before plotting a solution and jumping away.
Beep Beep
"DRADIS Contact. Hermes has jumped in-system, Commander" Imlay said.
"Have all running lights, signals and pennants to Starboard, Colonel"
"Aye, Aye, Sir" Imlay said. As the two Battlestars passed each other, Dauntless's side lit up with light which dimmed to nothing as Hermes did the same in reverse. The two ships had passed the torch, and Hermes would now be the Battlestar officially on station to oversee activities concerning the surrender.
"Get me the Chief Engineer" Sharpe said.
"You're on" Bell said.
"Engineering"
"Stand by on FTL drives 1 and 2"
"Aye"
"Navigation. Please plot a hyperlight jump to Picon" Sharpe watched as the Navigation officer worked everything out to gain the correct set of jump coordinates.
"FTL drives are spooled up and awaiting your orders" said Gates.
"Attention all hands. Three minutes to jump" Bell announced throughout the ship.
"Retract flight pods" Imlay ordered. Gates flicked some switches, and the flight pods retracted into the main body of the Battlestar. The process took a minute to complete, and Sharpe looked around to see his command working at optimal efficiency. You would never have known that the CIC was virtually demolished and vented to space by the end of the battle if one was to look at it now.
"Coordinates computed, Commander"
"Very well. Pass to Jump"
"Aye, Sir" the Navigation Officer said. "Numbers passed to Jump"
"Coordinates entered" the Specialist said as he put them into the Jump computer.
"Prepare to extend flight pods the moment we arrive in orbit" Imlay said. "Stand by to launch shuttles and Raptors" he added. Apart from bringing the last of her museum aircraft to the Dauntless, the Flimsie Whimsie's last round trip had brought the Raptors and Shuttles that would go to each of the 12 Colonies to take Cylon units into custody and also to re-establish a military presence on the surface. Even using the vast stock piles created by the Cylons, fuel was at a temporary shortage. As Dauntless was going on a victory and farewell tour around the systems, it made sense to have them hitch a ride on her.
"And five… four… three… two…one – Jump!" and Dauntless jumped away in a flash of light and returned to her own space.
#
"Raptor 963 to Dauntless"
"This is Actual, go ahead"
"Sir, we've boarded the Basestar and assumed control"
"Very well. Jump to Cylonia and report there for orders"
"Aye, Aye, Sir" the pilot said. One of Dauntless's other tasks apart from what was well known, was that small teams of Marines and Engineers would board Baseships and Basestars and take them as prizes – along with a staff officer. All Cylon vessels had been ordered to remain where they were and broadcast their location on an open channel and in the clear as part of the surrender terms.
"Navigation, plot a course for Libran" Sharpe ordered.
"Aye, Sir" the young officer on duty did some numbers and passed the numbers to Helm. "Steer 261 carom 98"
"Very well" Sharpe said. "Helm, bring us to that heading – ahead full" and Sharpe watched as his crew responded to his orders. Without anybody noticing, he picked up a handset and dialled the intraship channel. "Action Stations! Set condition one throughout the ship. This is not a drill! Repeat: Action Stations! Action Stations! Set condition one throughout the ship. Stand by to launch aircraft" the alarms sounded all over the ship – making people wonder if the Cylon surrender was really a ploy to get the fleet into few places to destroy.
"Both pods report ready to launch aircraft" said the comm specialist on duty.
"All guns manned and ready" the duty gunnery officer said.
"Missile tubes ready for loading"
"All decks and divisions report battle readiness" the officer of the watch said. Imlay came running in so fast that he slipped and went skidding out of the opposite CIC hatch.
"Time?" Sharpe asked.
"One minute thirty seconds" said the OotW.
"All hands, this is the Commander. Stand down from Action Stations. Resume cruising stations. Thank you for participating in one last drill in which you will be pleased to know you all beat the fleet record. Officer of the Watch, you have the deck" and Sharpe left with a spring in his step and whistling an old Caprican tune.
"Do you think the Gods would mind if we killed him?" asked a grumpy crewman whom had been in the middle of a delightful dream involving identical Model 8's.
"Get in line" Imlay grumbled as he staggered back into CIC, crossed the compartment and left the way he had come in.
#
"Last call for liberty returnees" the Marine officer said. He was going through the standard procedure even though he knew everybody had boarded a half hour ago. "CIC, Forward lock. All crew members present and accounted for" he waited for a reply and then hung up and went to finish his packing.
#
"Attention all hands, this is the Commander. In a few moments time, we shall be heading to our home port for the last time. I just want to say that with everything that we have been through, I couldn't have asked for a finer crew to serve alongside me on this ship. I know that you will be sad to leave her once we dock, but the proud name will carry on the history of this Battlestar" Sharpe glanced around the CIC. "Prepare for departure" and the Battlestar gently slipped her moorings, eased into space and powered her way home for the final time. "Colonel Imlay has the deck" and Sharpe left CIC for the port Hanger Decks where Faith had been patched up from the damage sustained at the final battle. Her armour was gleaming with freshness, and he had to admit that the crews had really done their jobs. Once everybody had departed the Dauntless and gone over to the new ship, he would take one last walk around the Battlestar before taking the last Viper out and flipping over to the new Dauntless. "Nearly there, old girl" he patted the bulkhead affectionately before going into his quarters to finish packing. Most personal effects had already been transported to the new ship, and only uniforms and a few wanted items remained in each of the quarters and bunk rooms.
"Attention crew" Imlay was speaking over the intership. "Dress rehearsal for decommissioning ceremonies will take place on the Port Hanger Deck at 14:35. Participation by crew members is strongly advised"
"Commanding Officer, CIC"
"Imlay"
"Wes, short of a resumption of hostilities with the Cylons, and the Lords of Kobol requesting permission to land on, I don't want to be disturbed for the rest of the day"
"Aye, Aye, Sir" Imlay said. "Give Alex my best" and he went off.
"Cheeky bugger…" Sharpe laughed.
"What did he say?" asked Bell from the bedroom.
"Nothing of importance" Sharpe said. He closed the hatch to his quarters and started to dress down one of his crew.
# # # # #
"Commanding Officer, CIC"
"CIC" the reply was quick. "Major Summers"
"Time to arrival?"
"Three hours and fifteen minutes at current speed"
"What is that?"
"Three quarters"
"Increase to flank" Sharpe ordered. "And launch the alert Vipers"
"Sir?"
"We're not decommissioned yet, Mister" and Sharpe would have sworn he heard the smile.
"Aye, Commander. Anything else?"
"Yeah, have the galley send a platter of toasted cheese sandwiches do to repair bay 1. CO, out" Sharpe pulled on an old and well worn jacket on with different unit patches on the front before heading down to spend some time with his old Viper. He was personally checking her out for launching after the rest of the crew had disembarked and gone over to the other Dauntless.
#
"DRADIS contacts" said the duty officer. "Colonial Fleet ID"
"Codes read as Victorious, Retribution and Ark Royal" Gates said.
"Understood" said Sharpe. "Signal the ships to assume point on Flagship and follow father" Bell raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she complied with the order.
"Colonel Cadbury sends his regards and has sent a reply" she said.
"Which is…?"
"'Yes, Daddy'" Bell said with an unsuppressed giggle. "Incoming message from Victorious"
"Live?"
"No, Sir. Text only. Message begins: Colonial Fleet is pleased to announce that Commander Sharpe, Battlestar Dauntless, is hereby promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral with all the rights and privileges so entitled"
"Admiral on the deck" Imlay said. The CIC snapped to attention and saluted Sharpe who shook his head before returning the gesture.
"Admiral Tolan has agreed to your request" Bell said as she read another message off her screen. Sharpe nodded and turned to his Helm and Navigation officers.
"Helm, adjust course to 138 carom 000" he said. "Navigation. Plot a hyperlight jump to the Sun. CIC to Engineering. Please spool up FTL drives 1 and 2"
"Sir?" a voice called back.
"You have your orders" Sharpe said. "Attention all hands, this is the Commander. We will shortly be making a jump close to the local sun. Once there, funeral services will be conducted on the Starboard Hanger Deck. Dress Greys are order of the day. That is all"
"FTL drives ready on your command" Gates said from her station.
"Start the clock" Imlay said.
"Clock is running. Three… two… one… JUMP!" and Gates twisted the key and the Dauntless jumped in company with three other Battlestars.
#
Almost the entire crew of the Dauntless packed into the Hanger Deck and stood in immaculate formation as three priests carried out services for the dead. A number of the crew lost in the final action over Cylonia had made informal wills, and Sharpe had done everything in his power to carry out the instructions. Twelve of them had been pilots, and their bodies had been recovered and kept in the ship's morgue for burial in space. However, being the pilots they were, each of them had specified how they wanted to be placed into space. Each coffin had a piece of magnetic metal on the bottom and carefully placed into a launch tube by an honour guard of their fellow pilots.
"CIC, Hanger Deck"
"Hanger Deck" Sharpe spoke into the nearby sound phone.
"Helm reports manoeuvring completed"
"Very well" Sharpe said. "Standby on weapons"
"Aye. CIC, out"
"… and we therefore return these bodies to the stars from which we came. Hoping that, on the day of reckoning, you will turn their bodies from corruption into glory and forgive the sins they may have committed in this life. So say we all" the senior most priest finished the formal words of the service and nodded to Sharpe. He stepped to the front of the rows and looked at the people he had served under fire with. The front two rows were made up of the families of those lost – they had come aboard from the escorting Battlestars which kept a respectable distance away from Dauntless.
"These pilots… our crewmates… our friends made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. They gave their lives freely and willingly so that we may live. It is traditional in the service to honour the chosen funeral method of the deceased where possible. We therefore carry out the wishes of our dearly beloved and deeply missed brothers and sisters" Sharpe nodded at the Marine bugler who played the Retreat and then the Last Post. As he did so, Sharpe checked that the microphone was still rigged to the wireless network broadcasting on all channels. "Detail! Detail will render salute. Detail! Salute" and the crew saluted the twelve closed launch tubes. "Vipers and Raptors are cleared to launch" and Sharpe pressed the rigged button that was on the podium. A slight vibration could be felt through the deck plates as the coffins had one last launch from their ship. Seconds later, and the crew heard the guns on the Starboard side fire three times each in tribute before falling silent for the last time. The Dauntless had, once it had jumped, come around so it faced side on to the local sun. The coffins sped in a squadron formation into the flaming hot star and were consumed by the stars that they loved so much.
#
There was one last duty to perform, and the crew readied their ship for the final homecoming. The plan was for the Dauntless to sail home, dock and decommission and crew transfer to the new Dauntless. This did not sit well with the officers and crew, and so they inspected the ship one last time and found her capable of the plan they hatched.
"Coordinates checked and re-verified" Navigation said.
"FTL drives 1, 2 and 3 standing by" Gates reported.
"Jump!" Sharpe said. Dauntless blinked away from the site of the committal and winked into normal space dead centre of the dock assigned to the ship for all time. It was a remarkable action, and worthy of a ship's final arrival – a spectacular piece of seamanship. The sudden appearance of a ship so close to the shipyards had set off every alarm on the station and caused seven people to have heart attacks.
"Petty Officer Bell, you will signal the Admiral Commanding of our arrival" Sharpe said.
"Aye, Aye"
#
The Battlestar was devoid of all life except for him, and Sharpe trod the decks as he toured his command for the final time before walking to the waiting Viper tube. Faith sat in prime condition and waiting for her pilot. He looked at the Vipers and Raptors that once formed her Air Wing – now they formed a museum exhibit. He faced aft, rendered a saluted before walking into the tube and closing it manually and letting the air out as he climbed into the cockpit. He carried out the normal checks and then pressed the thrusters and flew the last Viper off the ship. The ship fell silent before a soft voice could be heard – if anybody had remained aboard to hear it.
"Goodbye" Dauntless spoke for the first and only time, and then the ship settled down to her long awaited and long deserved slumber.
A/N
And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is how we do that.
Best moments of the entire story and of this last chapter in reviews, please.
Regards,
Pixel and Stephanie