3 MONTHS LATER
Archangel sat alone in the Gunstar Cryxus' wardroom. Star charts are strewn across all the tables as well as empty mugs of coffee and a half drunk bottle of whiskey. The last few months had been infuriating. He had sent his raptors out as far spread as he could to check as many systems as possible and still nothing. No signs of the NCO and not even any sign of any Cylons. He had found himself getting more short tempered with the crew as well so he had locked himself away to see if he could find anything he was missing. He looked up as he heard a knock at the door and saw Lieutenant Walker standing there.
"Can I come in?" Walker asked.
"Of course, you don't need to ask." Archangel replied.
"Have you found anything new?" Walker asked.
"Plenty but nowhere we can get too before we have to go back and join with the fleet for a refuel and supplies." Archangel replied, "But some good places to start from when we come back."
"The Medlia has been and gone." Walker said.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"They were just here for a few moments with an update before they continued their search. They've rendezvoused with the other Gunstars and they've had about as much luck as we have."
"Frak." Archangel said throwing a mug against the wall smashing it, "Sorry."
"It's okay." Walker replied.
"How long till we start heading back?" Archangel asked.
"The raptors will be back in six hours and then we make our move back to the others."
Archangel ran his hands through his hair, "I'm sorry I've been such an arse over the last couple of months."
Walker let out a little laugh, "You've been a lot more restrained than I thought you would be."
"I have to find her." Archangel said, "I have to find them."
"We will." Walker said, "If you need anything I'll be on the CIC." Walker said.
"Thank you."
As Walker walked out of the room Archangel noticed Grace standing in the doorway.
"Hey." He said with a smile.
Grace smiled back and walked in.
"I haven't seen you in two days." She said.
"I'm sorry I got so engrossed in these star charts looking for places we haven't been yet."
"The whole crew is looking for them you don't have to lock yourself away like this."
"I need to find them." Archangel replied.
"Really because I'm sure a few moments ago I thought I heard you say I need to find her."
"Of course I need to find her just as much as I need to find the President and everyone else."
"Are you in love with her?" Grace asked.
"What? Why would you say that?"
"Because it's the truth, I've known it for a while now, I've known something was different about you since we were reunited." Grace said.
"I love you." Archangel said.
"I know and I love you but you love her as well. If I hadn't come back would you be with her?" Grace asked as a tear fell from her eye.
"No I wouldn't. We were together very briefly, we weren't even really together." Archangel replied.
"Once we find them and we get back to the rest of the fleet I'm going to transfer to the Medstar."
"No there's no reason for you to do that. I love you, I want to be with you that's all I've ever wanted. There is nothing between us, nothing at all you have to believe that."
Grace stood silently.
"When have I ever lied to you or given you reason to believe that I have lied to you?"
"Never." Grace replied.
"Then believe me now. It's you and me against the world. I have to do this though, I have to find them and I have to end what my father started."
Grace nodded her head, "Okay."
Archangel kissed her and hugged her, "I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too."
….
Bojay stood on the CIC drinking his morning tea. It had been a slow moving few months. Repairs to Orion were virtually complete and then he had the tough conversation with the Vice President that he would be taking Orion to join in the search, that wasn't something he was looking forward too.
"Colonel the Vice President is on the line." Lieutenant Phillips said.
Bojay sighed to himself, looks like it was starting early today, "Put her through down here."
"Yes sir."
Bojay took a deep breath before picking up the handset, "Madame Vice President."
He could almost hear her grit her teeth on the other end of the line. Since the day she had been "promoted" to Acting President he had called her by what he thought was her proper title, mainly to remind her that they were still searching for the President and Commander every day.
"Commander." She replied knowing that pissed him off as much as calling her Vice President did.
"What can I do for you today?" Bojay asked.
"I was calling to see if any of the Gunstars had returned yet with any news?" she said on the other end.
"Nothing yet, we're not expecting them till this afternoon."
"Would you let me know if they have any news?"
"Of course." Bojay replied.
"How long will it be before they go back out to continue searching?" Natasha asked.
"As soon as they are resupplied and fuelled. There may be crew members that need to be rotated, we'll have to wait and see." He wanted to tell her he intended on sending Orion out as well but decided against it, "Is there anything else Madame Vice President?" he smiled as he said those words.
"No Commander, I shall look forward to hearing from you." Natasha replied.
Bojay chuckled as he put the handset down. When he saw Mike Campbell walk back into his side room Bojay followed him in.
"Anything to report?" Bojay asked.
"No." Mike replied. Bojay could tell the young genius was getting extremely frustrated, "I thought I would have something by now but nothing."
"You're doing a good job I appreciate everything you're doing I know this must be testing for you."
"This is the most frustrating, infuriating thing I've ever been part of. The only thing that has kept me sane is the thought that I could help find them." Mike replied.
"When we do find them I'll make sure the Commander and President know how much you did to find them." Bojay replied, "Today is going to be a busy day but if you need anything you let me know."
"Strawberry liquorice would be great about now." Mike replied.
"I'll see what I can do." Bojay replied with a chuckle.
….
Haven was bustling with life. The first settlement had come together better than anyone could have imagined over just five months. Galen Hunter walked along the streets greeting people as he passed. While he didn't live on the planet he enjoyed coming down and surveying all "his" land. He was very satisfied with what he had achieved all the lies and deaths in his opinion were well and truly worth it. He stopped and watched children playing with a Pyramid ball in front of him, two little boys and a girl. They reminded him of his children when they were young, when they were still unaffected by the world and the horrors that would befall them.
Commander Garrett sat alone beaten and bloodied. She had no idea of how long she had been in that small room all the days had merged into one long mess of tears and screams. For as long as she could she had lived in hope that Orion would be coming for her, that any time now the door would burst open and Archangel would run in and save her from the nightmare that seemed to be never ending. This mornings beating had been one of the most brutal she had had in what she assumed was weeks. The men had dragged her from her bed by her left arm and the pain she was still feeling from it was some of the worst she had endured. She knew it wasn't broken or dislocated by she was sure there was muscular damage. She dreaded the thought of looking at herself in the mirror, at seeing what they had done to her. She knew there were at least five cuts on her face, she expected that it would be one massive bruise. She looked at her uniform in the corner of the tiny room and reached over for her jacket. She looked at the Commander rank pips on the collar and cried. Being on Orion seemed like such a long time ago now. She looked at her senior office wings and touched them. With her good arm she unclipped them and held them in her hand looking down at them for a moment. She was on the brink and knew she couldn't take another beating, at least it was only beatings she thought for a moment. She had been terrified things would have been much worse when this had all started but she was grateful her worst nightmares hadn't been realised. She took a deep breath and knew what she had to do. She took three quick deep breaths before plunging the sharp edge into her wrist cutting deep enough to do what she wanted. Vanessa tried to do the same with the other wrist but her left arm didn't have the strength to do what needed to be done. She dropped the wings and sat there waiting for the end. Vanessa looked down at the blood as it poured out of her wrist.
"I love you Mark Hunter." She said under her breath, "I'm coming mom."
The door to the tiny room opened and in walked 1.
"Oh my god." He said to himself as he ran the short distance over to her, "What have you done?" he said as he picked up her jacket and put pressure on the nasty wound.
"Just let me go." Vanessa pleaded.
"Somebody get a medic in here now!" John yelled, "I'm sorry Commander, I'm sorry I haven't been able to save you from what they did to you."
He looked down at the broken woman, the only human woman he could say he liked in any way.
….
Two of the four Gunstars had returned. The Serenity had managed to find one of the planets the Olympus had discovered but it hadn't been the right one. Bojay paced back and forwards on the CIC.
"You're giving me a headache." Reynolds said.
"Sorry." Bojay replied standing still, "If only we had those fraking co-ordinates."
"I thought Mike might have been able to piece them together by now." Reynolds replied.
"I had hoped." Bojay replied.
"Dradis contact." Phillips said, "It's the Onyx."
"I knew the Cryxus would be last." Reynolds said.
"So did I." Bojay replied, "Mr Phillips please get Captain Harrowman on the horn."
"He already is Colonel." Phillips replied.
Bojay and Reynolds both picked up their handsets.
"Gunstar Onyx this is Colonel Johnson report." Bojay said.
"Good to hear your voice Colonel," Harrowman said over the COM, "I'm afraid there's no good news we haven't found squat."
"That makes three for three so far." Reynolds replied.
"Very well Captain good to have you back. We'll have a meeting when the Cryxus returns." Bojay said.
"Yes sir." Harrowman replied before the line cut off.
"Come on Archangel it's all on you." Bojay said to himself.
….
Carrie sat listening to the Vice President or Acting President as she liked to be referred to now as she and the Quorum talked. One of the Vice President's aides walked into the room.
"Madame Acting President I've just had Lieutenant Phillips from Orion on the line, the Gunstar Onyx has just returned and they haven't found anything." The young man said.
"Thank you." Natasha said.
Waiting for the Cryxus to return so Carrie could see her brother again was making time drag so slowly.
"We need to discus where we go from here if all the news is bad." Natasha said, "Acting Commander Johnson is going to want to send the Gunstars back out as soon as he can and I get the feeling he is going to keep doing this until he finds them or we run out of fuel completely."
"If the news is bad and they haven't found anything out I suggest we begin colonisation. We may as well as it will mean another five months of just waiting here." Parker Jones said.
Carrie was sick of hearing that mans voice.
"If they come back with no news then I agree." Natasha said, "What do you think Acting Commander Johnson would say Miss Spence?"
"You have the only answer Colonel Johnson is going to give you. With all due respect he's tired of arguing with you." Carrie replied.
"Then we go ahead with it. If the news is bad." Natasha said.
….
Skeeter sat on the hanger deck of the Cryxus waiting for Bria to return. The last five months had been particularly boring for him. He couldn't blame the other marines for not giving him anything to do as they were in the same boat. He had spent a lot of his time either in the gym or getting his head around various parts of the Viper MK7. Unlike last time he had tried his hand at fixing them this time he was having success. He looked up as he heard the hydraulic lift that was about to bring Bria's raptor onto the hanger deck from below. He saw his girlfriend smile as she saw him waiting for her. He waved and she waved back. He wondered if she would be coming back out on any of the Gunstars when they relaunched after being resupplied. As the side hatch opened she walked over and gave him a kiss and hug.
"You seem happy." Skeeter said.
"Seeing you after ten hours in the cockpit always puts a smile on my face." She replied.
"Any joy out there?"
Bria shook her head, "More nothing. But I did get to see a blue sun today so that was something new."
"Sounds spectacular." Skeeter replied.
"It was I took pictures." She replied with a laugh, "I need to head up to the CIC you coming?"
"Sure."
"It should take us eleven jumps to get back." Lieutenant Walker said, "With at least a five minute wait after each jump."
"Okay if all decks are ready lets go home." Archangel replied.
"All hands this is the XO prepare to start jumps back to the fleet. Jumping in 5..4..3..2..1"
Cryxus vanished in a bright flash before reappearing on the other side of its jump.
"Jump complete." Walker said, "Begin jump prep for jump two."
….
As Vanessa began to come around she thought in that moment before she was fully awake that it had all been one long terrifying nightmare. As her eyes adjusted to her surroundings she knew it wasn't. She was still in the same tiny room and John the Cylon sat next to her bed. She looked down at her wrist and saw it was bandaged.
"It's been stitched up, please don't do that again." He said.
"Why the frak do you care?" Garrett replied groggily.
"Honestly, I don't know." He replied handing her a bottle of water. She took it from him and drank down the water making her throat feel a lot better.
"Thank you." She said.
"I've made sure that you have plenty of food and water in here." 1 said.
"Seriously why are you of all people the only one who is ever nice to me?"
"I feel for you Vanessa I really do. I couldn't give a flying frak about 99% of humans but for some reason you get under my skin."
"I want to die. I can't take any more of this. I just wish someone would come, Orion to rescue us or the Cylons to kill us I don't care which." Vanessa replied as she started to cry.
"I'm going to make sure no one comes in here to hurt you again." 1 said.
"Whatever you reasons thank you for being the only person here who is kind to me." Vanessa said.
"I have to go and see Galen and make sure this stops."
Galen had just got back into his office when 1 walked in.
"Have you seen the state of Garrett?" 1 asked.
"No." Galen replied.
"What the men are doing to her has to stop. I only just managed to stop her from killing herself." 1 replied, "She's been beaten to within an inch of her life you have to tell them to stop."
"I do do I?" Galen replied.
"Yes you do. She's no good to anyone if she's dead."
"I've never seen you so passionate about anything before. Okay I'll tell the men to leave her alone." Galen replied.
"Good, otherwise the next person I see beating her is going to get a bullet in the back of the head." 1 said before turning and heading for the door.
"John."
"What?" 1 snapped.
"I'm sorry it got so out of hand."
….
Mike had been joking when he had asked Bojay for strawberry liquorice but somehow from somewhere Bojay had managed to get it for him. He looked at the first piece of it as he held it in his hand. It had been so long since he had any, it was by far his favourite thing in the whole universe and the packet Bojay had found him would last him for at least a month it was huge. As he took the first bite out of it he heard something that caught his ear, something about the planets the Olympus had found. He stuck his head out of the door and heard Captain Reynolds talking about the deleted data from the computers. Suddenly a horrible thought hit the young man, was the missing data the coordinates for the planets? He ran over to a computer and quickly checked for the relevant data. It was gone, that was what had been deleted. Then a worse feeling hit him, he had known the coordinates all along. He put the liquorice down and took a sip from his water before composing himself and walking to the dradis console. He had a horrible feeling this was going to go badly when he told them.
"Erm Colonel Johnson, Captain Reynolds I need to talk to you both." Mike said sounding very nervous.
"Have you recovered the deleted information?" Bojay asked.
"Not exactly." Mike replied.
"What does not exactly mean?" Reynolds replied.
"You see no one told me what had been deleted or what I was looking for so I assumed that whatever it was was top secret so I didn't ask so I didn't know.."
"Get to the point." Bojay replied cutting Mike off.
"I know the coordinates of all the planets, I saw them when I was going through the ships systems and I have an eidetic memory so I never forget anything."
"And you're telling us this NOW?" Bojay said, "Why didn't you tell us this five months ago?" he yelled.
The whole CIC had gone silent, "Because no one told me what had been deleted so I didn't ask as I thought it would be top secret."
"Gods fraking dam it." Bojay yelled.
"Colonel calm down." Reynolds snapped, "It's not his fault. We now have the information so we can act on it. Mike please write down all the data you can remember and bring it back over."
"Yes captain." Mike stammered back in reply. As he walked back to his side room he listened to Captain Reynolds telling Bojay to calm down as this wasn't Mikes fault. The guilt hit him as he began to write down the coordinates of each planet. Then he the thought hit him, if Bojay had reacted like that how was Archangel going to react when he got back and found out. All the air seemed to leave the room. Mike reached into his pocket for his inhaler. He hadn't used it for months but thankfully he had remembered to take it everywhere with him. As Mike turned with the piece of paper in his hand he stopped as he saw Bojay walk into the room.
"Colonel I am so sorry." Mike said.
"Don't be. I'm sorry for how I reacted."
Mike held out the piece of paper, which Bojay took.
"You should have been told from the start, honestly I didn't realise you hadn't been."
"Still colonel I am so sorry, if anything has happened to the Commander and I could have stopped it I will never forgive myself."
"Mike, as soon as the Cryxus is back we'll go get them. It's okay." Bojay patted the young man on the shoulder and went back into the CIC. Mike stood there still shell shocked.
….
"Jump prep complete we're ready for the final jump." Walker said.
"Gods I hope someone has some good news." Archangel replied, "Okay lets go home."
"All hands this is the XO prepare for final jump. Jumping ship in 5..4..3..2..1"
In a flash the Cryxus made its final jump back to the fleet.
"Jump complete. Dradis is full, we're back with the fleet." Walker said.
"Put me through to Orion." Archangel said.
"Channel is open." A voice replied.
"Battlestar Orion this is Gunstar Cryxus please respond." Archangel said into his headset.
"Gunstar Cryxus this is Orion XO good to see you." Bojay replied.
"Good to see you too. I'm afraid it's bad news we didn't find anything." Archangel said.
"Not to worry we have the co-ordinates for the planets." Bojay replied.
Archangel couldn't help but smile, "That is excellent news."
"Come over as soon as you can, now you're back we're having a meeting about what to do next." Bojay replied.
"I'll be there as soon as I can." Archangel replied before taking his headset off.
The rest of the CIC were all looking at Archangel and Walker as they hadn't heard what had been said.
"Please put me through to the ship." Archangel asked.
"Channel open sir." Came the reply.
"All hands this is Major Hunter. We are back with the fleet. I am pleased to inform you that while we haven't found anything Orion has the coordinates for the planets we have been looking for. I am going to Orion to plan our next move, prepare yourselves though, it won't be long before we go and get our people back." Archangel said.
"Lieutenant Walker please ask Bria to meet me in the hanger deck so we can head over to Orion. The deck is yours."
"Yes sir." Walker replied with a smile.
….
As soon as Carrie had heard the Cryxus was back she had flown straight back to Orion. She ran through the corridors till she got to the hanger deck. There were already a large number of people waiting. She pushed her way through the gathering crowd to the front next to Bojay.
"You made it back quickly." Bojay said.
"Yeah I now owe one of the shuttle pilots a favour for bringing me back so quickly." She replied, "Did he sound okay?"
"He sounded really good." Bojay replied, "How did the Vice President react to the news we have the coordinates?"
"She acted as though she was pleased but she's not that good an actress. I think she likes her position of power."
"Well it's nearly time for her to give it up."
Moments later they watched as Bria's raptor made it's way onto the hanger deck. As it came to a halt the side hatch began to open, behind it stood Archangel smiling widely.
"Permission to come aboard please sir." Archangel said.
"Permission granted." Bojay replied.
Archangel quickly got out of the Raptor followed by Grace and Skeeter and then Bria. He walked straight to his sister and hugged her.
"I've missed you." She said.
"I've missed you too." He replied.
Archangel turned to Bojay and hugged his friend.
"Mikes program worked?" Archangel asked.
"Not exactly we need to go talk about that." Bojay replied, "It's good to see you buddy."
"You too."
As everyone greeted their friends the Vice President walked onto the gangway above with two of her aides and watched the reunion below.
"So we halt our plans for colonisation?" Jonathan Fisher asked.
"For now. We don't even know if the President is still alive." Natasha replied.
"I hope he is." Jonathan said.
Natasha turned and looked at him, "So do I." She replied not knowing if she was telling the truth.
Colonel Johnson, Captain Reynolds and the other Gunstar Captains, Archangel, Wedge, Hydra and the marine Major from the troop carrier all sat in Orion's main wardroom.
"So the Medlia will be back this evening we need to get a plan sorted out before then." Bojay said, "Does anyone have any suggestions?"
"I do," Captain Archer replied, "We send ships out to each of the planets to see where they all then we all reconvene and send in everything we've got."
"With all due respect that's going to take far too long." Archangel said.
"I take it you have a plan as well Major?" Archer asked.
"We take the fleet to the most central position we can find from all the planets then we send the Medlia to all the planets, they won't be noticed and they will be able to take detailed dradis readings of their positions etcetera. When we know where they are we send Orion, the Gunstars and raptors loaded with EMP warheads, we hit them and then we storm each ship with teams of marines till everything is secure." Archangel replied.
"Do we really want to hit all those ships with Emps rendering them useless?" Wedge asked.
"Well there's good news on that point," Reynolds said, "Mike Campbell's team have been working on altering the power of the warheads since this all started. We have warheads now that will knock out the ships and keep them off line for approximately three hours."
"Three hours isn't very long to take some of the ships due to the size of them." Major Hannery the marine commander said.
"We send marine squads to the bridge, engine room and hanger bay of all the ships first. Then we take them deck by deck." Archangel replied.
"Do any of you object to this plan?" Bojay asked.
No one said anything.
"Good then that's what we'll do." Bojay added.
"I'd like to remain on the Cryxus till this is over," Archangel said, "I want to lead the marines onto the Caprican Sunrise."
"Any reason that ship in particular?" Archer asked.
"Because that's where my father will be and I would imagine the Commander and President." Archangel replied.
"How do you figure that?" Reynolds asked.
"No matter how well it's going on whichever of the planets they are on he'll want to be on the biggest most luxurious ship they have and he'll want to keep them close to him. He knows when we come his best chance of survival is by using them as a human shield." Archangel replied.
"This isn't going to end without casualties is it?" Bojay asked.
"Fingers crossed, if we all remain on our game none of them will be ours." Archangel said.
They all looked up as the door opened and the Vice President walked in.
"Sorry I wasn't here earlier it would appear your assistant didn't inform me there was a meeting." Natasha said.
"Apologies Madame Vice President I didn't realise you would want to be here while we planned our SAR mission." Bojay replied.
"I should be kept appraised of everything you decide." Natasha replied.
"And you would have been after we had decided on what we were doing." Bojay replied.
"And have you?" she replied.
"Yes we have. We're going to take the fleet to a central position from all the habitable planets and then send the Medlia out to check them all. Then when we have found them we take Orion and the Gunstars disable the ships and retake them." Bojay said.
"What about this planet? You just want to leave it?" Natasha asked.
"We've re supplied and contrary to what you thought it was never going to be a permanent solution. I want everyone off world and back on their ships within the next thirty six hours." Bojay said.
"But.." Natasha said.
Bojay cut her off before she could continue, "Once we have secured the rest of the fleet and have Commander Garrett and President Vents back then you can talk to them about the planet and your plans for it, until then with all due respect I don't want to hear any more about it."
"You don't have the right to order me." Natasha said.
"Madame Vice President you give me no other option, until this SAR mission has been completed and we have everyone back I have no choice but to declare Martial Law." Bojay said.
"There's no need for that Colonel, your suggestions are acceptable." Natasha replied.
"Then I would ask you to go back to your ship and inform everyone we intend on leaving in thirty six hours." Bojay replied before turning back to his chair and sitting back down.
Natasha turned and left the room without another word.
"I've wanted to do that for a long time." Bojay said when the door had closed.
"Has she been that bad?" Archangel asked.
"You have no idea!" Reynolds replied.
….
The morning the fleet was due to launch Archangel and Grace lay in their quarters aboard Orion.
"It feels strange to be back here after five months." Grace said.
"I like being back here. I can't wait till this is all over and we can go back to some kind of normality." Archangel replied.
"It's fraked up what has become normal these days." Grace replied.
"Tell me about it." Archangel laughed.
"Are you going to kill your father when you find him?" Grace asked.
"It's going to take all my strength not too. Honestly I don't know." He replied, "Do you think I shouldn't?"
"That really isn't my place to say," Grace replied, "You and your father have a lot of baggage between you, how you deal with him is up to no one but you."
"You know Carrie asked me the same thing yesterday, am I going to kill him."
"What did you tell her?"
"I told her that I didn't know. Too many good people have died because of his little quest for power. Anyway lets change the subject, this is the calm before the oncoming storm of today, lets not waste it talking about my father."
"Agreed." Grace replied turning over and looking at the clock, "We still have a couple of hours before we have to leave for the Cryxus."
"Hmmm what should we do then?" Archangel said turning and kissing her.
….
The fleet sat and waited for the Medlia to return from its recon mission. Despite the fact morale was higher since they had the co-ordinates nerves and tension could be felt throughout the crews of the ships and the civilians. The Cryxus mess hall was full of marines, Skeeter and Archangel.
"Okay everyone knows which sections they will be hitting. We keep in constant radio contact, if anyone needs back up you'll get it as soon as possible. I don't want anyone taking any unnecessary risks, if you're unsure about a target put them down. Most of the civilians I would assume will be on the planet. In my experience when a civvies sees you running in their direction armed to the fraking teeth the quickly get out of the way. There is one thing I have to ask you all. If any of you find my father Galen Hunter I want you to secure him in a room or something and then contact me. I need to be the one to put him down, after everything he's done. Does anyone have any objections?"
"I think I speak for everyone in the room sir when I say when we find the fraker he's all yours." Sergeant Jennings said.
"Thank you." Archangel replied.
"Archangel to CIC, Archangel to CIC." A voice said over the COM.
As Archangel walked onto the CIC Lieutenant Walker met him.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
"Yes Major, the Medlia has returned and they've found the NCO." Walker said, "All ships have received positions of their fleet in orbit around the planet."
Archangel smiled to himself it was nearly time.
….
"All ships report ready Colonel." Phillips said.
"Excellent," Bojay replied, "Okay give word to the fleet to begin jump sequence. Inform the Medlia that I want them to stay with the fleet before the final jump." Johnson said.
"Yes sir." Phillips said.
"All raptors are ready. They're ready to launch before the final jump," Reynolds said, "The Chief has informed us that they have already started loading vipers into the tubes."
Bojay let out a deep breath, "I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my life." Bojay said.
"All ships report ready to jump." Phillips said.
"Here goes nothing," Bojay said, "Mr Phillips please give the order for the fleet to make the first jump."
"Aye sir. All ships this is the Battlestar Orion stand by to jump in 5..4..3..2..1.. Jump."
The whole fleet blinked away in a series of bright flashes.
"Jump complete," Phillips said, "All ships are logged in and accounted for."
"Very good. Begin jump prep for the second jump." Bojay said.
"Three more to go." Reynolds said.
….
Galen Hunter sat in his office relaxing with a glass of wine as he looked out at the stars. As he took a sip from his glass he noticed the flashes of ships jumping in close by, a lot of ships. He jumped out of his chair to get a closer look and saw the looming shape of the Battlestar Orion.
"Frak." Galen said to himself. He dashed for his phone, "They're here." He said as he watched the ships move in closer.
….
"We're in position." Reynolds said.
"Instruct all ships to fire." Bojay said.
"All ships open fire." Phillips ordered.
Orion, the four Gunstars and twenty raptors all fired their EMP warheads. Blue streaks flew through the dark sky and all hit their targets immobilizing them in an instant.
….
Vanessa felt the impact of the missiles as they hit the Caprican Sunrise. As the power to the room went out Garrett managed to smile, the first smile she had managed in months.
"They're here." She whispered.
….
"All ships are dead in the water." Phillips said.
"Launch the vipers." Bojay ordered, "Give the order for the boarding parties to launch."
"Aye sir." Reynolds replied.
….
Wedge's viper was the first to launch followed moments later by hundreds more. He saw the lost ships from the fleet drifting in their orbit.
"All vipers this is Wedge you all know your positions, lets do this by the book." Wedge said.
It was all going well, as smoothly as they had hoped. Wedge led five other vipers from his squadron towards his assigned sector. A matter of seconds before he saw the gunfire fifteen new dradis blips appeared.
"All vipers break break break." He yelled into the COM.
The other pilots from his squadron had all seen it at the same time and all managed to manoeuvre out of the way. As Wedge levelled out he saw the weapons platforms between the ships that had activated.
"Orion this is Wedge, there are fifteen weapons platforms we need to take them out before the boarding parties can land."
"Wedge this is Orion not a problem, keep us informed." Bojay replied.
"Guys form up on me lets take these things down. Switching to missiles." As soon as Wedge got tone he fired two missiles which were intercepted by fire from the platforms.
"Frak me. Orion we've got a problem, missiles have been intercepted we're going to have a problem getting closer." Wedge said.
"We have a problem if they're that powerful. We'll have to use the Gunstars to get closer and take them out one at a time." Reynolds said.
"Colonel, Poet just informed we lost Nightwing." Phillips said.
"Instruct the Gunstars to take them out." Bojay said.
"Colonel I've got Hydra on the line she wants to speak with both you and Wedge." Phillips said.
"Do it." Bojay replied. He picked up his handset, "Hydra this is Bojay."
"Colonel I have an idea. If the vipers can give those things something to shoot at we can jump in behind them and take them out." Hydra said.
"Wedge what do you think?" Bojay asked.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Wedge replied.
"You're clear to go for it." Bojay said.
"All vipers this is Wedge we have to give those platforms something to shoot at. Try not to get too close and don't give them any easy targets." Wedge ordered, "Hydra you're clear." Wedge and the other vipers began making themselves targets.
"Raptors 2 though 15 we're sending you which weapons platform we want you to go for. Jump in behind them and take them out." Hydra said.
"All raptors report ready." Lieutenant Shane "Misfit" Daniels said from the back of the raptor.
Hydra selected her remaining EMP missiles.
"Give the order to jump." Hydra said.
"All raptors jumping in 5..4..3..2..1"
The fifteen raptors all blinked out of formation. When Hydra and Misfit jumped in warning alarms began to sound as they were so close to two large ships, the upper atmosphere and the weapons platform.
"Frak me we're going too fast!" Misfit shouted.
Without thinking Hydra fired the missiles which hit their target perfectly and pulled her raptor up and over the platform with metres to spare.
"Frak me that was close." Hydra said.
Wedge watched as Hydra's raptor came from behind the now powerless weapons platform like a bullet.
"Good flying Hydra." Wedge said.
"Colonel all weapons platforms have been disabled but we lost four raptors who just ploughed into them." Phillips said.
"Frak. Tell Hydra and the others to retake their defensive position and give the boarding parties clearance to head back to their targets." Bojay replied.
"So much for no casualties." Reynolds said.
"We'll mourn the dead later." Bojay coolly replied.
Archangel sat in the back of the crammed raptor with marines, Skeeter and Grace wearing body armour.
"You okay?" Archangel asked Grace.
She nodded her head and smiled, "Sure am." She replied.
"Just remember to stick behind us."
"You don't have to worry about me." She said.
"I know that." Archangel said with a smile.
"Major we are coming up on the Caprican Sunrise." Lt Shelby "Diva" Carter said.
"Take us into position so we can get a hard seal." Archangel replied.
"Aye sir." Diva replied.
"Sergeant Jennings you ready?" Archangel asked.
"Sure am." He replied taking out a cutting torch, "Goggles everyone." He said.
As the ship achieved hard seal Jennings started to cut through the hull. Moments later they were in.
"Orion this is Diva we're through the hull and everyone is going into the Caprican Sunrise."
Two NCO appeared as soon as Archangel came through the hull and he took them down with headshots. Moments later everyone was out of the raptor. Archangel gave everyone hand signals as everyone engaged night vision to compensate for the dark. Archangel led Sergeant Jennings, Private Jessop, Skeeter and Grace down the long dark corridor.
"All marines this is the Battlestar Orion you are instructed to switch to shock rounds in order to minimize civilian casualties." Lieutenant Phillips said over their earpieces.
"Take all the fun out of it why don't you." Archangel whispered back. They were all carrying two different rifles, one with live rounds and one with shock rounds, they all quickly changed over.
Two people appeared in front in the dark corridor and were promptly taken down by Archangel and Jennings. As they started to reach doors to rooms off the corridor they began to check each and every room.
"Colonel, Major Hannery reports they have taken the Caprican Sunrise bridge with minimal resistance." Phillips said.
"That's a good start." Bojay replied.
You could hear a pin drop on the CIC is was so quiet. Bojay looked up and smiled as he saw Carrie walk in.
"Any news?" she asked.
Bojay shook his head, "Not really it's still early. The boarding parties are still securing each ship."
"Can I wait here?" she asked.
"Of course you can." Bojay replied putting his arm around her.
"Colonel, Wedge reports vipers and raptors have set up a perimeter. He reports a go to launch the raptors to land on the planet." Phillips said.
"Excellent. Inform Bria to let everyone know I don't want them to use force on any of the civilians unless they are attacked first. Tell them if they need to use them it has to be shock rounds. Tell her if she gets the chance to instruct the people what is happening." Bojay said.
"Aye sir."
As emergency lighting kicked in aboard the Caprican Sunrise the element of surprise the boarding parties had was gone. Any lights at all coming on had been a surprise to them, the yield of the warheads must have been lower than expected.
"Orion this is Archangel emergency lighting has just kicked in." Archangel said.
"Archangel Orion you are advised to carry on as planned, the ship is secure." Phillips replied over the COM.
As they rounded the next corner a group of heavily armed NCO opened fire on them. Archangel and Jennings moved back under cover as quickly as they could.
"How many?" Skeeter asked.
"Six." Jennings replied.
The rounds from their machine guns kept coming making it impossible for them to fire back.
"Ideas?" Jennings asked.
Archangel took a flash bang from his belt.
"Cover your ears and close your eyes." Archangel instructed. He activated the grenade, kneeled down and quickly threw it down the corridor. As the grenade went off the gunfire stopped. Archangel moved into the corridor and fired at the six men who were completely disorientated.
Before he could get off a shot another unseen NCO hit him hard in the face. Archangel composed himself quickly and blocked the kick that was heading for his groin. Archangel punched the man hard in the gut. Jennings came up behind the man and hit him hard putting him on the ground. Archangel pointed his rifle at the man.
"Where is Commander Garrett?" he asked.
The man didn't reply. Taking out his sidearm loaded with bullets Archangel shot the man in the kneecap.
"Where is Commander Garrett? The next one will be in a more tender spot." Archangel said pointing it towards his groin.
"Cabin 347." The man replied in agony.
Jennings shot him with a shock round after he had spoken.
"Lets move." Archangel said.
The group moved silently through the corridors as Skeeter was more familiar with the ship he led the way with his rifle raised. As they reached the corridor there were three armed men standing outside the cabin who were caught by surprise and easily taken down by Archangel and Skeeter. Archangel opened the door and rushed in when he saw the Commander sat huddled on the bed.
"Commander." Archangel said.
"Mark." She replied croakily.
He smiled when she looked at him, hiding the horror of what he was feeling seeing all the cuts and bruises on her face.
"I knew you'd come." She said tears rolling down her face.
"Did my father do this to you?" he asked.
"Some of it." She replied.
Grace came over and opened her med bag.
"Commander I need to give you a quick once over is that okay?" she asked.
Garrett nodded in reply.
"Major Hunter this is Corporal Danes we have your father." A voice said over their COMS.
"Where are you?" Archangel replied.
"President Vents office." Danes replied.
"Corporal keep him in there, I'm on my way." Archangel replied.
"Where are you going?" Garrett asked.
"They've found my father, I'm going to have a chat with him." Archangel replied.
"I'm coming with you." Skeeter said.
"No stay here, that goes for you two as well, if anyone you don't recognise comes anywhere near here put them down." Archangel replied.
"Let me come with you." Skeeter said.
"No please stay here."
"Be careful." Grace said.
Archangel took out one of his side arms loaded with live rounds and made sure it was chambered the did the same to the other, "I'll be fine, it's my father who needs to worry. Sergeant Jennings please inform Orion we have the Commander."
"Yes sir." Jennings replied, "Battlestar Orion this is Sergeant Jennings we have the Commander I repeat we have the Commander."
As Archangel walked down the corridors his mind was racing. All the anger and pain caused by the man who he had once called Dad was filling him up. He had so much to ask him and so much to tell him. The two marines guarding the president's office stood down when they saw Archangel approach.
"Is he on his own in there?" Archangel asked.
"Yes sir we also made sure he is unarmed." Danes replied.
"Anyone comes up this corridor that you don't know put a shock round in them. No matter what you hear I don't want you to come in there. If he walks out of here before me put a bullet between his eyes." Archangel said.
"Yes sir." Danes replied.
Archangel took a deep breath before opening the door and walked inside. His father looked up and smiled when he saw his son walk in.
"Hello son." Galen said holding out his arms.
Archangel walked up to his father without saying a word and punched him in the face as hard as he could breaking the mans nose. Galen fell to the ground. Archangel grabbed him by the collar pulled him up and punched him twice more in the face before letting go.
"You son of a bitch." Archangel said taking a step back and taking one of his guns from its holster.
"That's no way to treat your father." Galen replied as he got back to his feet and wiped the blood from his face.
"My father, the father I thought I knew died on Caprica. I don't know you, the monster who stands in front of me."
"That's rich coming from you," Galen replied, "You're more of a monster than anyone I've ever met. How many people have you murdered? You're mother would be so disappointed in you."
"Don't you dare talk about my mother. So how long have you been like this? How long have you been this Mr Caprica?" Archangel asked.
"Honestly, most of my adult life," Galen replied, "How did you think I became so powerful, so rich? Don't be so naive son. I've known about you for a long time as well."
"How?" Archangel replied.
"You can't do what you do and not get noticed. You've taken out a lot of my associates down the years, I've had to stop a lot of people putting out hits on you, I mean it made it easier that you've taken out a lot of my enemies and competitors as well. But what type of monster could I be if I was willing to protect you as much as I did. Son I never wanted to be on opposite sides, we can still make this work. You should be in command of that ship," Galen said pointing out of the window to Orion, "Not some inexperienced coward. How long do you think it will be before she gets you all killed?"
"Don't speak about her, after what you've done, yeah that's right I found her before I came here. How could you do that to someone? How could you allow your men to do that to her?"
"Ah so you're still in love with her," Galen said with a smile, "For what it's worth I think she still loves you even though she killed your unborn child."
"What?" Archangel replied.
"Oh you mean you didn't know? You didn't know that your beloved Vanessa was pregnant by you and she had it terminated and never told you. Your Doctor Hammond told me that little nugget of truth."
"I don't believe you."
"That's up to you. But you still haven't answered my question, come with me and we can be in charge of this fleet together and lead our people to the salvation they deserve."
Archangel laughed, "You're crazy if you think that's going to happen. So now you answer my question, could you have saved my mother and brother or did you just let them die?"
"Yes I could have saved them and no I didn't, why would I it's not like we were married?"
"What?"
"We were divorced for nearly two years before the attack, your mother didn't want you to know until Illum had finished his education."
"Did she find out about you? The scum that you actually were?"
"She never knew anything at all, she bought the public persona of Galen Hunter the same as you and everyone else did. We just fell out of love and that is the truth."
"So because of that you let my mother and brother die?"
"Exactly because of that." Galen replied.
Two gunshots could be heard from outside.
"Don't worry about that," Archangel said, "That's just my men putting down two of yours. I just want you to know that growing up I looked up to you I loved you. I just want you to know that before I put a bullet between your eyes."
As Archangel was about to pull the trigger the door opened behind him and John Cavill walked in with a gun raised at Archangel.
"Lower your weapon Major or I will kill you." 1 said.
"You have got to be kidding me," Archangel said, "Saved by a Cylon."
"Drop your weapon Major." 1 said again.
"I don't take orders from a Cylon." Archangel replied.
"He's not a Cylon." Galen replied.
Archangel laughed, "Tell that to the eight versions of him I've killed."
"I will kill you." 1 said.
"Not before I kill him." Archangel replied.
Grace had seen to the Commander as best she could and now she was heading for Archangel, she hadn't heard anything and she was getting worried. His COM was switched off. She had her sidearm ready for anything.
"Grace this is Bojay are you nearly there?"
"I'm nearly there." Grace replied.
As she turned into the corridor she saw the two marines dead outside.
"Bojay the marines outside are dead," Grace said, "I'm heading in."
"I'm sending marines wait for them." Bojay replied.
"I'm heading in, I have to make sure he's okay. I'll leave my COM open." Grace replied.
She walked with her gun raised ready. As she got to the door she saw 1 with his gun raised at Archangel who had his gun raised at Galen who had been handed a gun by his cylon aide. Grace moved up behind him and pressed her gun to the back of his head.
"Hello 1, it's been a while." Grace said.
"I wondered if you'd find us 6," 1 replied, "You need to lower your weapon or Major Hunter is dead."
"You're in no position to give demands. You must have felt it, the change, you know if I pull this trigger you're dead for real." Grace replied.
"I had felt it." 1 replied.
"What?" Galen asked, "So you are a Cylon?"
1 nodded, "I am but that doesn't change anything. Yes I may have started working with you for personal reasons but our friendship is real. I've never betrayed you surely this is proof of that."
"So looks like we are alike after all son, our closest companion a Cylon." Galen said.
"Well I would kind of hope you're not fraking yours." Archangel replied.
Galen laughed, "Touché."
"Put your weapon down 1, I know you're not prepared to die and not resurrect." Grace said.
"That is where you would be wrong." 1 pulled the trigger as he finished speaking shooting Archangel in the back.
"Nooo." Grace screamed as she pulled the trigger on her gun blowing 1s brains out. Before she could pull the trigger again Galen fired at her shooting her in the head killing her instantly. As Archangel slumped to the ground he reached out to Grace who he could see was clearly dead. Galen let out a sigh and adjusted his tie.
"Well this is certainly a turn of events." He said.
He walked over to his son and kicked him over to his back.
"You still alive down there?" Galen asked.
Archangel coughed blood but managed to speak, "Frak you."
On Orion CIC everyone could hear what was happening, Carrie was beside herself listening to her brother die.
"I don't care how far away they are get them there now." Bojay screamed to Phillips who was talking to marines over the COM.
"You know I had no intention of killing you, I really thought I would be able to persuade you to come over to my side. I'm sorry your Cylon whore is dead but you know what they say about survival of the fittest…" They heard over the COM.
"…The best thing I can do for us both us put you out of your misery. I can't have you come after me."
"Do it," Archangel managed to say, "I'm done with you."
The blood from his wound was beginning to pool under him. He tried to move his arms to get one of his weapons but he simply didn't have the strength.
"You know it's ironic, you save all your friends, you save all these people, risk your life daily but when it comes down to it, in your moment of need who is going to save you?" he asked as he raised his gun, "WHOSE GOING TO SAVE YOU?" he screamed.
"Me." Vanessa said as she pulled the trigger shooting Galen in the stomach. He dropped his gun and slumped to the ground next to his son. Vanessa dropped the gun from her good arm and rushed over to Archangel as quickly as he could.
"She's dead." Skeeter said checking for Grace's pulse before rushing over to his best friend, "Orion this is Skeeter we need medics to the President's office immediately Archangel is hurt bad."
"They're nearly there." Phillips replied over the COM.
"Mark it's me." Garrett said.
Archangel coughed up some more blood before he spoke, "Hey. Skeeter," he said taking hold of his best friends hand, "It's been good buddy."
"Medics are on the way you're going to be okay." Skeeter replied.
"Keep an eye out for Carrie for me. I love you man." Archangel said.
"You'll be okay. If I can make it through something like this then you can." Skeeter replied.
He managed to turn his head to look at Vanessa and smiled at her, "I do love you."
"I love you too." She replied.
"I'm sorry it took so long to find you." Archangel said, "I'm sorry for what he did to you."
"You've nothing to be sorry about." Vanessa replied before kissing him on the forehead.
Moments later medics rushed in, some going to Archangel and some to Galen.
"No." Garrett shouted, "Leave him." She said pointing to Galen.
As the medics started to work on Archangel Skeeter helped Garrett to her feet. Galen was trying to crawl away. Skeeter walked over grabbed him by his arm and dragged him into the adjoining room followed by the commander.
"Sergeant Jennings stand guard by this door. If anyone you don't know tries to come in here kill them."
"Yes ma'am." He replied.
Garrett shut the door behind them both. Skeeter dropped Galen in the middle of the room.
"Do you remember me?" Skeeter asked.
Galen didn't reply he just lay there in extreme pain.
"DO YOU REMEMBER ME?" Skeeter yelled.
"Yes I remember you. You and that simpleton used to hang around my son when we lived on Sagittaron."
"Simpleton?" Skeeter yelled before punching Galen in the face.
"So did you end up a violent drunk like I always suspected you would?" Galen asked as he spat blood.
Skeeter went to punch him again but Garrett stopped him.
"I need medical help." Galen said.
"After what you've done to me why should I give you anything at all? You had me beaten for all this time, five months and the only person to come to my aid, the only person who gave a frak about me was a Cylon. I'm going to make you suffer the way you made me suffer." Garrett said, "For the way you made your son suffer and all those other people you've hurt."
"Whatever you do to me you've lost. Those people down on the surface they're thankful to me for what I've done for them they will never leave that planet." Galen said, "I only did to my son what he was going to do to me."
"You know I heard being shot in the stomach is one of the most painful places a person can be shot." Garrett said.
"Well it certainly doesn't tickle." Galen replied.
"Where is Adam Grayson's daughter?" Garrett asked.
"Why do you care?" Galen replied.
"Because I made a promise, where is she?" Garrett replied.
"On the planet, she's been there from the start. She's a teaching assistant at the school they built."
"I want you to know that you failed, you lost, not me, not us, you. In the last few seconds you have to live I want you to think about what you did to me and how I'm a much kinder person than you." Garrett replied before raising her gun and shooting Galen in the face before dropping to the ground.
"Commander." Skeeter said rushing over to her. He lifted her up and went back into the other room.
….
"Colonel, Lieutenant Thirren reports Raptors have touched down. They are finding the civilians hostile but not aggressive. She is holding ground until others can get there."
"Good." Bojay replied.
The CIC fell into silence again as they waited for any news. The only noise that could be heard came from the dradis monitor as it whooshed backwards and forwards. Carrie wiped tears from her face as she waited for news about her brother.
"Colonel, Deathlock reports they have Archangel and the medics aboard and will be back on Orion within five minutes." Phillips said.
"How is he?" Carrie asked.
"The medics are stabilising him but early reports are it's bad." Phillips replied.
"Make sure the deck is clear for them landing and make sure Doctor Green is waiting with a team on the hanger deck.
"Aye sir."
"And get me an update on the Commander and President."
….
Commander Garrett walked with Skeeter through the corridors of the Caprican Sunrise. Her marines and other crewmembers saluted her as she passed. As they passed civilians they looked horrified to see the damage that had been inflicted upon Garrett. Skeeter was on alert as they walked, scanning every face and every movement. He was ready to put anyone down who may be planning on doing something stupid.
"How have things been with the fleet since I've been here?" she asked.
"Things have been fine ma'am. I was assigned to the Cryxus when it went looking for you so I wasn't there to see things first hand but it's my understanding that everything is fine."
"That's something I suppose." She replied.
They walked onto the hanger where a raptor was waiting for them along with the Caprican Sunrises' captain Andrew Henry stood with his hands cuffed behind his back with two marines standing either side of him.
"My gods Commander what happened to you?" he said.
"Galen Hunter happened to me you fraking traitor." Garrett replied.
"Honestly I had no idea I swear otherwise I would have made him stop." Henry replied.
"So was it worth siding with the NCO?" she asked.
"If you'd seen the planet then you'd know why I thought it was."
"Mr Henry you are hereby relieved of your command pending charges of treason." Garrett said.
"You can't charge me with treason!" he replied.
"We'll see." She replied.
"Skeeter help me onto the raptor please." Garrett said.
"With pleasure commander." He replied.
….
Carrie watched as Dr Green and the medics rushed around her brother in Orion's sickbay. She knew it was bad, now it was a waiting game to see how bad. They had no idea how much internal damage he had but they did know he was loosing a lot of blood.
"Carrie."
She turned around to see Wedge standing behind her. She forced a smile and hugged the man she loved.
"How is he?" Wedge asked.
"They don't know yet."
"Doc Green is excellent at his job your brother is in good hands." Wedge replied.
"I thought you were with your squadron?" she asked.
"Bojay told me to come back to the barn. Streaker has taken over, they can manage without me."
"I'm glad you're here."
Wedge smiled and hugged her again. They both looked up as Commander Garrett walked in with Skeeter and one of the other medics.
"Oh my gods Commander." Carrie said.
"It looks worse than it is." Garrett replied, "Any news?"
Carrie shook her head.
"Where's Grace?" Wedge asked.
"She's dead." Skeeter replied, "Shot in the head."
"We'll have to figure out how we're going to find her and get her back." Garrett said.
"There's no point." Skeeter replied.
"She's one of us we can't just leave her to the Cylons." Wedge replied.
"There's no point because the Cylons have lost their ability to download." Skeeter replied.
"What?" Garrett and Wedge said at the same time.
"Grace and I talked a lot on the Cryxus. She told me that something felt different. She said that she knew their resurrection ability had been destroyed so that from now on when a Cylon dies they die." Skeeter replied.
"Frak me." Wedge said.
"I heard her say it over the COM to the other Cylon before Mark was shot." Carrie said, "Commander sorry to change the subject but my father?"
"He's dead." Vanessa replied.
"Good." Carrie replied coldly, "Did you make him suffer?"
Garrett looked at Skeeter.
"He had a quicker end than he would have given any of us put it that way." Skeeter replied.
"Which of you killed him?" Carrie asked.
"I did." Vanessa replied.
"Thank you Commander I owe you one." Carrie said.
….
Sometime later Commander Garrett, President Vents and Colonel Johnson sat in the Commanders quarters. The commander and president listening to what had been happening during their time with the NCO.
"Sounds like she was getting insistent about that planet." Milo said.
"She was. I have to say that at no point did anyone mention calling off the search she left us to search for you without sticking her oar in." Bojay replied.
"Commander you're being awfully quiet." Milo said.
"I'm tired of all this," she said, "I'm tired of being second guessed. I'm tired of people conspiring against us when all we're doing is trying to keep them safe. If these people want to stay on this planet let them. I don't care anymore. We'll go on with those who want to come with us."
"And if most people want to stay?" Milo asked.
"Then they stay." Vanessa replied, "Even if it's just the battle group that continues then so be it."
"They have a council on the planet and they want to meet with us. I think they think we're going to force them to come with us." Milo said.
"So go see them," Vanessa said, "I wash my hands of it. I'll address the rest of the fleet and give them the option, other than that this situation is all yours."
"Very well," Milo said, "If you'll excuse me then I need to get a shuttle down to the planet. It's been good to see you both again."
"Likewise Milo." Vanessa said.
Moments later he had walked out of her quarters.
"You've done a great job," Vanessa said, "Captain Reynolds filled me in on some of the things that have happened starting with the Cylon attack."
"That was something I could do without ever doing again." Bojay replied with a smile.
"Still you held our fleet together and you acted very well under extreme pressure."
"What about you? The medics tells me you're going to have to go in for surgery on your shoulder."
"Yeah I am. Probably in a couple of days, he has his hands full with Archangel at the moment."
"I hope he'll be okay." Bojay said.
"He's strong, the strongest person I've ever known."
"I heard some of the things his father said to him, I couldn't believe my ears. He really was a son of a bitch."
"That's putting it mildly. He was prepared to execute his own son. We're better off without him."
"Couldn't agree more."
….
Carrie hadn't moved from sickbay since her brother had been brought in. She waited for news that so far hadn't arrived. She looked up and smiled as Jawbreaker walked in holding two cups of coffee which he handed to Carrie and Wedge.
"Any news yet?" he asked.
Carrie shook her head, "Not yet."
"How are you holding up?" Jawbreaker asked.
"As well as I can. I have to be strong for my brother." Carrie replied.
"Well all the squadrons are thinking of him, we're all here for you. If you need anything you come find me okay." The giant man said with a smile.
"Thank you."
As she finished speaking Doctor Green appeared.
"Well?" Carrie asked standing up.
"There was a lot of internal damage but we managed to get if fixed up. He's okay for now. We have him stable but he is critical. Carrie I'm not going to lie to you right now it could go either way."
"Can I see him?" Carrie asked.
"Not at the moment, we're getting him prepped to move him to the Medstar."
"Can't he stay here?" Wedge asked.
"I'd rather he didn't Captain. There are far more people over there who can look after him better than we can in sickbay." Green replied.
"Can I go with him?" Carrie asked.
"Of course. I'll let you know when we're ready to leave."
"Thank you." Carrie replied.
….
President Vents and Vice President Cobb walked into the meeting area for Haven's council. Winston Dallas stood to greet them.
"President Vents, Vice President Cobb welcome to Haven." Winston said.
"I'm going to come straight to the point I hear you have been informed of what has been going on?" Milo asked as he and the vice president sat down.
"Yes we have and it came as a terrible shock, we had no idea that yourself and poor Commander Garrett were here and being treated so badly. We had no idea Galen Hunter was such an evil man." Winston said.
"So are you all prepared to come with us now and leave this NCO nonsense behind?" Milo asked.
"Mr President while he may have turned out not to be the man we thought he still has delivered us a home and we are thriving here. We may not be calling ourselves the New Colonial Order but we have no intention of leaving this world, this is our new home and we urge you Mr President to stay here with us."
"With the Cylon threat still ever present I do not feel settling on any world is a good idea at the moment." Milo said.
"I'm sure this is a question that keeps being asked often then, how long do we wait? How long do we keep our people trapped in space ships on a seemingly endless journey? Mr President if you do not wish to stay then I ask that you give the people of the fleet the choice of either staying with us or going with you."
Milo looked at Natasha and then back at Winston, "I'll take that under advisement."
….
Commander Garrett walked onto the CIC to the applause of the crew. She couldn't help but smile to be back as she took her place at the dradis console next to Bojay.
"Good to see you back where you belong." Bojay said.
"Good to be back Bojay. I was beginning to think this was never going to happen." Garrett replied.
"Let me know what you need to help out."
"Thank you." She replied with a smile, "I've got to have surgery on my shoulder tomorrow so you'll be running the show a little longer."
"However long it takes ma'am."
"Lieutenant Phillips."
"Yes ma'am."
"Please put me through to the entire fleet and the planet."
"Channel open." He replied.
Vanessa took a deep breath before picking up her handset, "People of the fleet and people of Haven this is the Commander. As you all know Galen Hunter and the NCO have fallen. The lies that you have all been told have all finally come to light and we are all reunited once again. Despite the lies and the terrible things that Galen Hunter has done he has delivered one thing and that is the planet Haven. President Vents and I do not believe now is the time to be settling on a planet with the constant threat of the Cylons. However we understand the people of Haven do not wish to leave the planet and we are not about to forcibly remove them from their home. So you all now have a decision to make. Orion and the fleet will be leaving this system tomorrow, it is up to you whether you want to come with us or stay on this planet. If you do decide to stay remember you are forsaking the protection of this ship and we will not be coming back once we have left. If you decide to come with us I have one thing to say we will not tolerate any NCO remaining or anyone else who wishes to take over where Galen Hunter left off. If anyone decides to go against us I will personally come after you with everything at my disposal to stop you. This offer also applies to the crews of all the military vessels, if you want to stay you can. With all this in mind you have twenty four hours to make up your mind."
She put the handset down and let out an audible sigh before looking up.
"I wasn't just saying that you all have the option." She said.
"Commander I'm with you." Bojay said.
SAGITARRON – THE TOWN OF FREEDOM
PRESENT DAY
The town of Freedom looked like a ghost town. The orange glow from the sun as it fought through the nuclear clouds would have looked beautiful to anyone if they had been there.
Six heavily armed men dressed in black body armour with black face masks moved silently up the road that led to Archangel's home. Quickly and quietly they reached the door which was still unlocked from when Archangel and his team of survivors had left over two years before. The six men seemed to know where they were going as they moved through the house checking each room was clear as they passed through it to the back of the house. As they reached the kitchen one of the men took a small hand held device from his pocket and plugged it straight into the hidden keypad to the locked door that would lead to under the house. Moments later there was a quiet beep and the locked door opened. Three of the men waited at the door as the others went down the stairway to the second locked door below. After repeating the same actions with the second door it beeped open. As they walked inside the small arsenal and supply room beyond the door the lighting kicked in. The three men walked straight past all the weapons, ammunition and supplies that still lined the walls and stopped at a small safe at the back of the room. The small hand held device was this time plugged into the safes control panel. This time it took a few minutes longer for the same beeping noise. When it did the safe opened. One of the men moved the files, bundles of money and other things out of the way and took out a small black box from the back of the safe. He took the small box and put it onto one of the pockets on his body armour before switching on a radio.
"Shadow 1 this is Boy Scout, package secure."