CYLON COMMAND BASESTAR
CAPRICA ORBIT
"We should have all available fleet units from the Colonies here within the hour," Simon reported as more Cylon ships appeared on the Dradis screen. As they arrived, Simon moved them into the growing Cylon fleet formation.
One Basestar with two Support Ships made up each small battle group. The Support Ships took up positions slightly behind the more heavily armed Basestars. A squadron of raiders flew CAP around each small battle group.
"So we are finally going to eliminate the humans," Kelvin Doral said pleased as he watched the arriving Cylon ships take their places in their fleet formation. He had made the right decision in supporting James.
"Not all of them," Melissa replied finally daring to speak, everything had been moving so fast and Cavil was acting as if he was in complete charge of the entire operation. "The humans did manage to rescue the civilians on Picon and the captives that were on Celeen 2."
"They still have some warships with the rescue fleet, notably BSG 9 under command of Admiral Stockwell, plus their secret base wherever that may be," Lisa added. "There are no doubt additional ships there!"
"Minor details," Cavil said eyeing the two with a smug smile brushing off their comments. With this victory, he would be the true leader of the Cylons. He would become the Cylon Imperious Leader. No one would dare to challenge him, not even John or Darien when they returned. "With Clements gone and Caprica destroyed, the survivors will never be a threat to us. Admiral Stockwell will make a mistake eventually and we will finish off his fleet as well. Of the three Admirals, he is he least dangerous. We will eventually hunt them down and destroy them. They can't stay hidden forever. The Twelve Colonies will be the beginning of the new Cylon Empire and I will become the Imperious Leader of our new worlds!"
Lisa and Melissa stared at James in shock. They knew if he succeeded in destroying the humans, he would be the controlling voice for the Cylons for years to come. It sounded like he planned on becoming some type of supreme leader. He must be stopped! Lisa nodded at Melissa indicating the door that led from the Command Center. They left the Command Center stepping out into the hallway to talk. James didn't even notice their exit. He was embroiled in a deep conversation with Mark Conoy, one of his avid supporters.
"If he succeeds he will destroy the Cylon race!" Lisa spoke in a frightened voice. "He has gone mad! What is this Imperious Leader fantasy he is spouting?"
"All he wants now is power and to rule over us," Melissa responded knowing they could no longer wait to take action against James. "If he succeeds in destroying the humans, our two lines will be in a lot of danger. We have opposed his too often; he will want us out of his way. We must stop him!"
"How?" Lisa asked perplexed. "The others, except for Leoben seem to be going along with him."
"I have an idea," Melissa replied her eyes turning cold. "Return to the Command Center so he won't suspect anything is amiss. I will return shortly."
Lisa went back into the Command Center returning to her station where she resumed scanning the Colonial fleet. She wondered what Melissa was planning.
From her scans, she could tell that the Colonial fleet had been heavily damaged. She wondered why Clements was not fleeing with whatever survivors he could take aboard his ships. He must know that the situation he now found himself in was nearly hopeless. She had been scanning for nearly ten minutes when Melissa returned to the Command Center, she was accompanied by two towering Centurions.
"James this madness has to end," Melissa spoke in a deadly determined tone as soon as she entered. She gazed at him, her eyes cold and without mercy. "You will not be the leader of the Cylons!"
James only stared at Melissa in surprise as the two Centurions accompanying her raised their weapons toward him.
A sudden burst of heavy weapons fire erupted and both of Melissa's Centurions fell to the floor, their metal bodies riddled with bullet holes. From both sides of the Command Center, four Centurions lowered their smoking weapons.
"Didn't you think I would take precautions against just this type of treason,"
James snarled glaring at Melissa. He signaled to two of the Centurions. "Take this Eight," he said pointing at Melissa," and this Six," he continued pointing at Lisa to number twelve airlock and dispose of them."
The other Cylon models in the room stood silently. None dared question or disagree with Cavil's actions. To do so might bring about their death as well.
Lisa and Melissa allowed themselves to be led away, knowing their insurrection was over. James would be victorious. The Cylon race was about to embark upon a very dark and dangerous path that could only end in its eventual destruction.
They were nearly to the airlock when weapons fire broke out again and both of the two Centurions guarding them fell to the deck. Leoben and two Centurions under his control stepped out of a side passageway. "You moved to quickly Melissa," Leoben spoke disapprovingly. "I had already made arrangements for the Centurions to take James out, now my plan will never work. He will be to well guarded."
"What are we to do?" Melissa asked knowing how close they had come to being killed. "He must be stopped!"
"Not now, and not by us," Leoben replied shaking his head. "If the opportunity presents itself I will take care of James. But for now you two must leave. Once he realizes that both of you are still alive, he will tear this Basestar apart searching for you. You can't stay on this ship!"
"Where will we go?" Lisa asked knowing that Leoben was right.
"I have a heavy raider prepped in landing bay 4," Leoben replied looking at the two. "Take it and return to Cylon, tell your models and mine what is going on. Perhaps all is not yet lost. You must sway them before James returns."
Nodding, Melissa and Lisa hurried down a side passageway, which led to landing bay 4. Leoben turned to return to the Command Center. He would have preferred to flee with Melissa and Lisa, but someone had to stay and try to keep on eye on James.
An hour later Cavil gave the order and 28 Basestars and 44 Support Ships began moving slowly forward. He felt nearly omnipotent at the power he now controlled. Nearly 18,000 raiders led the way in nearly a solid wall that would mean death to the Colonials. They formed a long crescent formation that would sweep across the Colonial lines wiping them out once and for all. Other squadrons patrolled around the Cylon Basestars and Support Ships in case Colonial raptors jumped in for a quick strike. The patrolling raiders would be able to knock down any incoming Colonial nukes.
…
Admiral Clements watched as the Cylons neared. He had spread his ships out slightly in order to give more support to the hard hit Defense Satellites. All units had been working as fast as possible repairing battle damage. The Cylons had given them over two precious hours and much had been accomplished during that time. Every ship reported battle ready!
"Here they come," Commander Cain spoke watching the Dradis his eyes widening at the sheer number of raiders. "They are going to try to overwhelm us with their raiders."
"Between the Defense Satellites, the Indram, and our fleet they are going to lose a fraking lot of raiders," Admiral Clements replied with a determined look upon his face. "Let's keep our formation as tight as possible, but spread out just enough to help cover the Defense Satellites and the Indram. We will need the coverage of their interceptor missiles if we are to survive this."
The Cylon fleet halted just outside of weapons range of the Defense Satellites and Clements winced as the wall of raiders continued to advance. He pressed his mini com allowing him contact with his entire fleet. "All ships are to spin up your FTL drives, if you become disabled or to heavily damaged to fight affectively, you are to jump to Picon and rendezvous with Admiral Stockwell and BSG 9. From there you will return to the nebula and safety. We will try to cause as much damage to the Cylons as possible before withdrawing."
It was at that moment that the Dradis sounded and more ships began to appear.
Admiral Clements tensed expecting to see the icons go to red indicating more Cylon ships, but he was surprised when they turned green, the ships were all emitting Colonial Ids.
"It's Admiral Stockwell," Commander Cain reported relieved as he read the data coming over the Dradis. "He brought the Picon, two Columbia Two Class Battlestars, four Gunstars, and sixteen of the Escortstars from the evacuation fleet."
"That means he left his two Firestars and two of his Gunstars to escort the evacuation fleet back to the nebula," Admiral Clements spoke nodding his head in approval. "Have Admiral Stockwell's ships placed in our battle line. All ships to form up in diamond defensive formation Beta 3. We will allow the Cylons to come to us. With the additional defensive fire from Admiral Stockwell's ships, we may have a chance after all."
…
Cavil frowned in annoyance when he saw the arrival of the additional Colonial ships. "What does that give them?" he demanded turning to glare at Simon. It seemed like every time he was ready to destroy Admiral Clements and his ships, something unexpected got in the way.
Simon studied the scans for a moment with both of his hands submerged in the bluish energy filled data stream. "The Aurora, the Mercury Class Battlestars Tauri, Canopus, and Picon, the Jupiter Class Battlestars Magellan, Odyssey, and Cimitar, five Columbia 2 Class Battlestars, one Valkyrie Class Battlestar the Caprica, seven Warstars, ten Firestars, seven Gunstars, and sixteen Escortstars."
"That has to be their entire fleet," Cavil gloated, his eyes wide in anticipation. "We destroy these ships and the war is over, the Cylon Empire will indeed be born today!"
…
Admiral Clements contacted Admiral Stockwell and learned that the evacuation fleet with the survivors from Picon and Celeen 2 was already on its way back to the nebula. "I don't know if any of us will survive this battle," Clements spoke over the com. "If we can destroy or damage enough of these Cylon ships then perhaps General Ashton's defenses can hold off what is left."
"We are where we need to be," Admiral Stockwell replied in a calm accepting voice. "If we allowed all these civilians on Caprica to die, how would we ever be able to live with ourselves?"
"My thoughts exactly," Clements replied solemnly. "Inform your ship Commanders that if their ships become disabled or to damaged to fight affectively, they are to jump out and return to the nebula to join Admiral Steele."
"I will inform them," Stockwell replied. "But I don't think any of my Commanders will be jumping out!"
"We will be sending you coordinates as to where to place your ships in our fleet formation shortly Admiral," Clements responded. "Good luck and good hunting."
For several long moments after speaking to Admiral Stockwell, Admiral Clements stood in silence looking at the large view screens and the Dradis. They would give the Cylons a good fight, but there were just so many fraking raiders. This must have been how Admiral Nagala felt, Johnathan realized. Nagala had stayed and fought to the end, trying to buy time for the evacuation plan to be implemented. Now it was his turn, only this time he was trying to save the millions of civilians trapped on Caprica.
The fleet's 1,300 surviving vipers launched forming a defensive line between the approaching Cylons raiders and the Colonial fleet. Already the Defense Satellites were beginning to launch long-range interceptor missiles in sprint mode. There would be no need to hold any back. Fiery explosions began to hammer the Cylon raider formation. There were so many raiders that very few missiles were missing.
Major Sarah Wells and Captain Mathew Geller were leading their depleted squadrons out from the Aurora. Out of her original complement of 60 vipers including hers and Mathews, thirty-eight still survived. She had formed them up into one squadron and adjusted wing mates for those that needed new ones.
Two of her squadron leaders were no longer with her; both Captain Aaron Strom and Captain Janice Dupree had died in the last battle. As she led her squadron toward the incoming Cylon wall of raiders, she couldn't help wondering about her sister Kathryn. She hoped that Kathryn and Constance would be all right without David and her to watch over them. There was little doubt in her mind that both David and she would probably not live out the day. Counting the heavy raiders, which she was sure would be showing up later, they would be outnumbered nearly twenty to one.
Switching her com over to private mode between her and Mathew, she spoke to him. This might be her last opportunity to speak with him privately. "Mathew this will probably be the last time we fly together. I just wanted you to know," she paused a moment finding it difficult to say the words she had kept silent for so long. "I love you and I am sorry for not saying so earlier!"
Silence came over the com for what seemed like an eternity and Sarah began to wonder if Mathew had even heard her, then his calm reassuring voice came back over the com. "I know Sarah, I have always known, and I love you too!"
…
Aboard the Cylon Command Basestar Cavil watched emotionlessly as his raiders began to die in bright fiery fireballs from the incoming Colonial interceptor missiles. It didn't matter; his fleet was so superior in numbers to what the humans had left that he could afford massive raider losses. The raiders would attack, they would not attempt to save themselves, they all knew of the example he had made of the ones that had retreated at Picon.
He had allowed them to run out of fuel and life support. An abject lesson to the others, obey or die! As soon as the raiders finished off the remaining Colonial vipers, they would attack what remained of the Colonial fleet. Then Cavil would move the Cylon Basestars in and finish off everything that remained with their heavy missiles. He would be more careful this time, eliminate the vipers, damage the Colonial warships as much as possible, and then he would move in with his 28 Basestars and finish them off.
When space had been completely cleared of all Colonial forces, he had one hundred, fifty-megaton warheads that would be aimed at the surviving humans on the surface. He would order the Centurions back to a safe distance, and then launch the missiles. Those warheads would destroy all the surviving humans on Caprica. Ten of them were to be targeted on Deep Shelter Base wiping out the last human military stronghold in the Colonies. All that would be left of the human base would be a deep glowing hole in the ground just like the Colonial fleet headquarters back on Picon.
JOINT DEMETER AND KOBOLAN FLEET
CAPRICA ORBIT UNDER FULL STEALTH
Admiral Stone smiled in anticipation as his ships moved into attack range of the Cylon fleet. They were all operating in full stealth mode and the Cylons had no idea they were here. This time the fleet would be on time, not like back at Picon.
"All ships in position," Commander Davis spoke quietly his eyes focused intently on the operation's table, which showed the designated location of their ships as they approached the Cylon ships from the rear. We have 24 of the Cylon Basestars targeted with our heavy ships. The Kobolan Escort ships are targeting ten of the Cylon Support Ships."
Into his mini com, Admiral Stone spoke his orders. "All ships prepare to drop out of stealth, activate defense shields, and fire Hades missiles on my command. Good luck and good hunting!"
On all the ships of his fleet, Hades missiles were loaded into the launch tubes. Tactical officers locked onto their targets, their fingers hovering above the launch buttons. Massive KEW batteries were loaded with shells and KEW turrets swiveled around to lock onto Cylon ships.
…
Sarah winced as another one of her squadrons surviving vipers was blown apart by a Cylon pinwheel attack. Frak there were so many of them, twice already Mathew and her had nearly been trapped by Cylon raiders. She could see numerous fireballs from exploding raiders as well as Colonial vipers. It was everything she could do to manage her squadron, even with the help of Mathew and Captain Taggert. She jerked her viper down in a quick roll as she dodged an incoming Cylon missile. Pulling back up, she launched one of her two remaining interceptor missiles. The missile slammed into the targeted Cylon raider blowing it into a thousand pieces of glowing flaming wreckage.
Admiral Clements watched the Dradis and the operation's table intently. The Cylon raiders were already penetrating his viper screen and would soon be in amongst his ships. "All ships prepare to activate flak fields on my command." This battle was about to get rough.
…
James watched the raider attack with eagerness as the raiders began to penetrate the viper screen and move in to attack Clement's ships. Half of the raiders would concentrate on the vipers; the other half would move in and launch their missiles at Clements fleet. He had so many raiders that when they were through, all his Basestars and Support Ships would have to do would be to finish off the few stragglers, if there were any. This was a great day to be a Cylon!
…
Unknown to him, behind his fleet Admiral Stone spoke the words that would doom Cavil's dream of a New Cylon Empire under his rule. Imperious Leader James Cavil would never ascend to power. "Disengage stealth, activate defense shields, all ships fire full spread of Hades 2 missiles!" Admiral Stone ordered.
The Hades 2 missile had been improved on by the Kobolans, besides its special ECM abilities, it now contained a twenty-megaton warhead and a powerful booster that moved it at nearly four percent the speed of light.
…
"Sir I have ships appearing behind the Cylon fleet," the Dradis operator on the Aurora spoke up in shock trying to make sense of what he was seeing. "There are 34 unidentified ships, wait I am picking up Colonial IDs from some of them. Sir, one of the ships is the Mercury Class Battlestar Aires!"
"Confirm that Lieutenant!" Commander Cain barked staring intently at the Dradis screen.
"They are launching missiles at the Cylon ships," the Dradis operator continued. "It is definitely the Aires! I am also picking up the Jupiter Class Battlestar Olympia."
…
"Cavil we have unidentified ships that have just appeared behind us," Simon uttered in shock. "Frak, they are launching missiles. James two of the ships are the Warstar Nichen and the Jupiter Class Battlestar Olympia, those are two of the ships that Darien was sent after. There are also Titan Class Gunstars in this new fleet!"
Even as James turned to look at his screens in surprise at the implications, the first missiles struck.
Massive reddish yellow explosions lit up the Basestars as nuclear fire rolled through the Cylon formation melting hulls and vaporizing sensitive components deep inside. Basestars blew apart in brilliant fireballs from multiple nuclear strikes; others broke apart as massive explosions tore the ships to pieces as their Tylium bunkers exploded.
A sudden nuclear blast shook the Command Basestar throwing James to the floor; he stood back up wiping blood from his forehead from a jagged cut. He was promptly thrown painfully against a consol as another nuclear strike staggered the Command Basestar. Several computer screens and consoles erupted in cascades of sparks and fire as their electrical circuits were over loaded.
"Launch our heavy raiders; target those new ships with our nukes!" James screamed out in anger seeing his plans falling apart. Upon a view screen, the Mercury Class Battlestar Aires was being displayed. Multiple flashes were visible as her KEW batteries fired round after round into the Cylon fleet. "Get our CAP raider squadrons in position to intercept those missiles!"
Of the ten Support Ships that were targeted by the Kobolan Escort ships, the Hades strike vaporized all ten ships leaving nothing but glowing gases and drifting debris behind. Multiple twenty-megaton missiles were deadly to the lightly armored Support Ships. The Cylon fleet reeled from the unexpected attack its precise formation shattered. Nuclear fireballs ravaged the Cylon fleet wiping out Basestars, Support Ships, and raiders.
Upon seeing the Aires and the ships with her, particularly the Titan Class Gunstars, James knew that Darien and the Cylon fleet he was in command of was gone. Destroyed by the Aires and these other strange ships that were now showing on the view screens. He had never seen the likes of these massive ships before. The humans had found some very powerful allies and now they had come back to destroy him and his dreams of a New Cylon Empire.
Cavil turned pale as twelve of his Basestars vanished from the Dradis screen. Destroyed in the sudden nuclear attack. Ten Support Ships also vanished. He knew that other Basestars were heavily damaged. "Recall additional raiders," he ordered frantically. "We need more protection from these missiles!"
…
"Sir, I have an Admiral Stone on Fleet Com Line Alpha," the Aurora com officer reported looking confused. "He says he is aboard the Battlestar Aires and wishes to speak with you."
"Admiral Stone?" Commander Cain spoke sounding confused and looking at the Admiral. "I don't know an Admiral Stone, do you?"
Admiral Clements shook his head. "No I don't, but they just blew the frak out of the Cylon fleet." On the Dradis Clements could see that the new fleet was launching numerous vipers, which were bypassing the Cylon fleet, and heading to engage the raiders that were still trying to break through Clements defending squadrons. Some of the raider squadrons were already beginning to turn around and rush back toward the Basestars.
Johnathan turned on his mini com, which he keyed to Fleet Com Line Alpha. "This is Admiral Clements," he spoke.
"Admiral Clements this is Admiral Stone," came the friendly voice over the com line. "I know you don't know me, but I was assigned to a secret mission by Admiral Corman. Part of that mission involved the secret base you have no doubt heard about in your Cylon intercepts. I will explain later, but I have Admiral Murray and Admiral Reed with me, as well as some friends we met along the way. Let's finish kicking these Cylons out of the Colonies and then we can meet and I will explain everything."
"Very well Admiral Stone," Clements responded still trying to accept this sudden turn around in the battle. In his mind he thought, Admiral Corman, I should have known, more of his secret plans, but this time that plan may have just saved what was left of the Colonies. This was going to be one report he was going to be extremely interested in. "We will talk when this is over; let's finish off this Cylon fleet." Turning to the two tactical officers to his left. "Order the fleet to advance, we will engage the Cylon Basestars and Support Ships, we end this here and now!"
…
"Clements is starting to advance," Doral stated as he saw the Aurora and her consorts tighten their formation and advance toward the battling vipers and raiders.
"Some of our ships are demanding that we withdraw," Leoben reported as frantic Cylons began to panic at the sudden appearance of this new and powerful fleet behind them. "They don't want to die!"
"Frak them," James spat, anger spreading across his face. "Our heavy raiders can still turn this; a massive nuclear strike will annihilate this new fleet! Order our heavy raiders in!"
…
Admiral Stone watched his view screens and the operation's table carefully. "All ships independent targeting of Cylon ships. Admiral Crius, Admiral Reed, and Admiral Murray hit them hard and make it count!"
The Aires turned slightly as Commander Davis brought the bow up to align with the largest Cylon Basestar. It was already heavily damaged from several Hades missiles and two of its spires were missing. He knew that this had to be the Cylon Command Ship. "KEW batteries fire!" he ordered the tactical officer. "Reload Hades 2 missiles in bow tubes and standby to launch." He felt elated; the Cylons were learning what it felt like to be on the receiving end of a massive unexpected attack.
More missiles struck the Cylon fleet. Heavy KEW rounds tore through the thinly armored hulls ripping jagged holes in Cylon ships. Explosions and fires ran rampant across Basestars and Support Ships as they tried to engage this new danger that had suddenly appeared at the rear of their fleet.
…
Cylon heavy raiders began jumping around the joint Demeter and Kobolan force. The heavy raiders fired their loads of nuclear missiles at these new ships as soon as their systems stabilized from the jump. Many of the raiders were blown away as laser fire from numerous defensive turrets opened up. Some missiles began striking the Kobolan and Demeter ships slipping through the heavy defensive fire. Nuclear fire rolled across the formation. Several ships vanished from view as multiple nuclear strikes struck their defensive screens.
Cavil yelled with glee seeing the nuclear explosions on his view screen. Then the ships reappeared undamaged and heavy laser fire continued blowing Cylon heavy raiders out of space. The look of exultation on Cavil's face faded as dark realization began to set in.
"Energy screens, just as reported back at the battle at their secret base," Simon commented shaking his head his eyes wide with concern and a hint of growing fear. "The nuclear strike failed and they are wiping out our heavy raiders with defensive lasers!"
James stared at the view screen in disbelief as the Basestar began to shudder from incoming KEW rounds from the Aires. More consoles and view screens erupted in sparks and then crashed to the deck. Several small fires broke out and smoke began to fill the Command Center. The ship began to moan and make noises indicating that it was being torn apart. In a daze, James looked around the Command Center at the other human form Cylons, unsure of what to do.
…
Admiral Stone watched as his ships fired heavy KEW rounds into the Cylon fleet ripping massive holes in the ships. The smaller twin KEW turrets were adding their firepower and small explosions could be seen racing across the hulls of the targeted Basestars and Support Ships. Hades 2 missiles were continually being fired as new targets were selected and the missiles locked on. Unforgiving Nuclear fire rained death and destruction down upon the Cylon fleet.
In the Cylon formation Basestars were burning, Support Ships were being shattered as Hades 2 missiles and heavy KEW rounds either blew or tore them apart. Most of the Cylons raiders were on the wrong side of the fleet formation and could not stop the incoming missiles. The few that had managed to get between the two fleets were having little success shooting down the Hades 2 missiles. The missiles ECM systems were seeing to that. The few defensive batteries the Basestars were equipped with were also woefully inadequate to destroy the incoming missiles.
Fourteen hundred fresh vipers from Admiral Stone's ships struck the wall of raiders, which Admiral Clement's ships were just beginning to penetrate. Fireballs rolled through the raider formation as the new vipers made their first kills. The odds had suddenly become much more even.
…
"I don't know where the frak they came from," Sarah spoke excitedly over her com system to her squadron. "But we may just survive this after all!"
"I am getting reports of another Colonial fleet," Mathew reported sounding confused. "There are also reports of other unidentified vessels firing on the Cylons."
"We will sort all that out when this is over, for now let's just kill Cylons!" Sarah spoke jubilantly as she squeezed off several rounds from her 20 millimeter cannons blasting apart another raider.
…
Cavil was astonished and confused. Just a few minutes ago, he had a sure victory. Now he had lost over twenty ships and more were disappearing off the
Dradis even as he watched. "Order the nuclear missiles fired on Caprica we will destroy the humans on the ground!" he ordered with madness showing in his eyes as he felt everything crashing down around him. His plans, the death of the humans, becoming the Cylon Imperious Leader, all were vanishing before his eyes.
"The Centurions are refusing to fire the missiles at Caprica," Kelvin Doral reported as he tried repeatedly to fire the missiles at Caprica from his station. "They will not fire the missiles until the Centurions on the ground are safely away from the blast zones."
"Frak" Cavil screamed as the Aurora and the Olympia both fired their MPL cannons at his fleet destroying a Basestar and another Support Ship. On the screens, heavy missile fire could now be seen between the two fleets as well as between the new Colonial forces at his back. Several Basestars were maneuvering to attack this new Colonial force, but Cavil knew it was too late. He had already lost too many ships.
"We must withdraw or risk losing our entire fleet," Kelvin Doral said as another Support Ship vanished from the Dradis.
""Yes we must withdraw, too many of our brothers and sisters are dying," Simon added turning to face James.
"I agree," Mark Conoy added his voice to the others. "We must withdraw while we still have a fleet left."
Two more Basestars exploded under the intensified attack from Clement's fleet. Several Support Ships and another Basestar died as nuclear strikes from the new fleet at his rear wiped them off the Dradis.
"Very well order all ships to fall back to Cylon, we are leaving the Colonies," James ordered savagely as he looked at a view screen, which showed the Aurora blasting a Support Ship that had ventured to close. The Support Ship exploded in a ball of fire as the Aurora fired her MPLs. Knowing that Clements had once more defeated him was gnawing at his guts, leaving a sour taste in his mouth. "Recall as many of our raiders as possible, we won't be able to save them all, but we can recover some of them."
…
Admiral Stone on the Aires watched as the Mercury Class Battlestar and her five escorting Jupiter Class Battlestars neared the now shattered Cylon formation. "All ships target the Command Basestar, I don't want it escaping!"
Moments later, all six ships fired their heavy KEW batteries as well as twenty Hades 2 missiles. Death and revenge for all the dead of the Colonies was on its way toward the Cylon Command Ship.
…
A warning alarm sounded in the Basestar drawing Cavil's attention. He saw the numerous missile tracks and felt the Basestar shake violently, and then everything turned fiery red as the nukes exploded sending Cavil and the Cylon Command Basestar into oblivion. Future Imperious Leader of the New Cylon Empire James Cavil was no more! A massive burning nuclear fireball was all that remained of the Cylon Command Ship.
Moments later the surviving Cylon ships began to vanish as they activated their FTL drives and fled back to Cylon. The war with the Twelve Colonies was over! The other Cylons did not want to die. They would return to Cylon and re-evaluate this new situation.
…
Admiral Clements looked at the Dradis screen as the surviving Cylon ships began vanishing leaving many of their raiders behind. Without a means of refueling and rearming plus with the fresh vipers from Admiral Stone's ships, they were rapidly being eliminated even though they did manage to inflict more damage. When it was finally over two more Firestars were gone as well as the Jupiter Class Battlestar Magellan, which had been destroyed when it collided with a heavily damaged Cylon Basestar.
"They're jumping out," Commander Cain spoke eyeing the Dradis screen. "They know they are beaten and are leaving. Caprica is ours!"
"Order our vipers to finish off the surviving raiders," Clements ordered seeing that many of them were being left behind.
Turning his head slightly he looked at one of the view screens which showed a surprisingly large warship in Admiral Stone's fleet. The picture was coming from a raptor that had been sent to see just who these unknowns were.
"Frak that's a big ship," Commander Cain uttered gazing at the screen. "She's covered with weapons. Not only that, but we are receiving unconfirmed reports that these ships have defensive lasers and some type of energy shield."
"Those ships are not Colonial," Admiral Clements replied deep in thought. Just who were these people with Admiral Stone and where had he found them?
…
Several Cylon ships had not been able to jump because of their FTLs being either severely damaged or destroyed; these were annihilated in nuclear fire from additional Hades 2 missile strikes. Admiral Stone began to relax as he realized what had just happened. The Cylons were gone!
"It's nearly over," Commander Davis commented as he watched the remaining Cylon raiders being rapidly eliminated. The vipers of the two fleets were rapidly destroying the Cylon raiders. Most of the raiders were either out of munitions or almost out.
"Then we need to meet with Admiral Clements," Admiral Stone replied feeling a little apprehensive about that meeting.
Jason didn't know how the fleet Admiral would feel when he found out that the joint Demeter and Kobolan fleet had been in the Colonies for several days. Particularly when he learned that they had been at Picon, but hadn't been able to get into position quickly enough to prevent Clement's ship losses. There were parts of that meeting that he knew would not go well.
…
Major Sarah Wells smiled as she watched Lieutenant Everett blow the last raider out of space. Mathew still flew beside her and she felt relieved when she saw the Warstar Olympia floating in space below her. She could see that her brother's ship had been heavily damaged, but it had survived and she knew from the com traffic she had been monitoring that so had he.
Checking her screens Sarah saw that twenty-two of her pilots were still with her. She could see numerous emergency beacons blinking on her screens and she hoped that others from her squadron were still alive awaiting rescue. Many of her pilots had died; some had been with her for many long months. However, Mathew had survived and so had Cindy, even though Cindy's wingman Lieutenant Boyles had died in this last raider attack. Her squadron commander, Captain Taggert had also managed to pull through.
"Alright everyone let's head back to the Aurora, I think we all deserve some downtime," Sarah ordered over her squadron com. "I also want to find out who our new friends are!"
As her depleted squadron headed back to the Aurora, Sarah wondered about Mathew. What they had said to each other was going to change their relationship even more, only time would tell what their revelations about how they felt abut each other would bring.
Aboard the Olympia Commander David Wells looked over the latest damage reports. The MPL cannon had been heavily damaged and the rest of the ship's weapons were down to less then 50 percent. His ship was going to need some major dock time. Looking over the reports from the rest of the ships that had been attached to his command, he saw that nearly every ship was going to need major repairs. The big question was where had the Aires and her ships come from. There had been no sign of other surviving Colonial ships for months.
…
Admiral Clements looked over the final damage report assessments. Both of the Defense Stations were heavily damaged. Weapons status for each was below twenty percent. Then there were the ship losses. The Jupiter Class Battlestar Magellan, the Columbia Two Class Battlestar Medusa, six Firestars, two Warstars, and two Gunstars all wiped out. The rest of the fleet damaged to one extent or another. In exchange, they had taken out nineteen Cylon Basestars and twenty-four of their Support Ships. Looking at the totals from the battle at Picon and here at Caprica Admiral Clements knew that they had probably driven the Cylons away from the Colonies, at least for a while.
The new ships from Admiral Stone's Battle Groups had taken up a defensive orbit around Caprica. In another two hours, all the Admirals were due to meet on the Aurora. He had a lot of questions to ask. Where had Admiral Stone come from, and where were the other mysterious ships that were with him from? He took a deep breath. It was just now dawning on him that Caprica was free. Once the ground operation was launched, the planet would be once more under Colonial control. He closed his eyes and said a brief prayer of thanks to the ancient Gods of Kobol. He just wished his family, his wife and son, had lived to see this day. The plan that Admiral Corman, Admiral Nagala, and he had worked out so many years ago had succeeded. Not quite as planned, but Caprica would soon be free once more.
