Chapter 35 The Board is Set
"So John you ready to go down and tell the others about what happened?" asked Ashley William's as she placed her hands on her soon to be husband shoulders. "We have time now."
"Go on down, I will be there shortly." Said John as he placed his hand on Ash's looking at the ring he had put on her finger the night before, before turning his gaze to her face "I need to talk with Garrus about the plans."
"Among others things." added Ash as she kissed him before heading out of the Captain's Cabin. Once she was gone John tapped his computer within moments the image of his best friend one of the first members of his team.
"So John is everything in place?" asked Garrus as he stood inside one of the many Kodak shuttles which had been smuggled on top New Caprica along with the small military force.
"No, we have to push back the operation by two hours." Explained Shepard "We want all the food supplies unloaded from Aria's ships before we attack."
"I thought it was already mostly done?" asked Garrus
"It was until five shuttles broke down." Explained Shepard as Garrus nodded his head.
"Makes sense." added Garrus before taking a deep breath "I must admit I could use the time to get everything in place."
"We have only one shot at this, the more people we get off world the more people are safe when we strike with all our force." Explained Shepard as he took a deep breath "Garrus are you alone?"
"No, we are both here Commander." Stated a deep voice as Javik appeared beside Garrus, a few seconds later Laura joined the two of them.
"Apart from us no one else is here." added Liara as she looked at her friend's face, reading it as if it was book "Something is up.""
"Seal the door." ordered Garrus as Javik tapped the door control, the sliding door closed cutting the three of them off from the military force which was protecting the last Prothean population.
"What is it Commander? Has the Reapers made a move?" asked Javik
"No nothing like that." Stated Shepard as he took a deep breath "I guess I will start with what happened last night, I asked Ash to marry me."
That news brought a smile to Liara's face as Garrus grinned, while Javik simply looked at his Commander.
"I understand that is important news in your personal life but it has no effect on the current military situation." stated Javik
"Lighten up a bit Javik." ordered Garrus
"How did she like the ring you picked out, white point star diamonds are rare?" asked Laura
"Why am I not surprised you knew about it." Laughed Shepard as the shadow broker smiled.
"Even if the network is all but destroyed I am the shadow broker." explained Liara as Shepard turned to Garrus.
"Garrus I would want you to be my best men." Asked Shepard as Garrus smiled at the offer.
"I can already see that bachelor party." Laughed Garrus
"I don't care what you do." Added Shepard "Just try to avoid strip clubs."
"I was thinking more along the lines of every high end bar in the Citadel." explained Garrus
"Well I don't think we will have time for all of them." explained Shepard knowing that there was at least fifty high end bars in the Citadel alone.
"Well in Turian tradition there is seven days celebration before the wedding happens." explained Garrus "And since this is your wedding all the bars will be fighting to top themselves, I can almost taste the high end drinks right now."
"Of course it is." laughed Shepard
"Is there anything else?" asked Javik
"I have a sister and she is on the planet with you right now." Finished John as all three of his friend's eyes widened at the news.
Meanwhile down in the cafeteria of the Normandy, Ash was trying not to run around to all the people eating their breakfast telling them the news. Suddenly she felt a three fingered hand on her shoulder.
"Morning Ash." said her best friend Tali as she sat down across from Ash. "How angry was Shepard about our snooping?"
"He was upset for a bit but not long." Said Ash as she smiled.
"You used some charm on him didn't you?" asked Tali
"No he used it on me." Explained Ash as she held up her hand showing the diamond ring to her friend, for a moment Tali just looked at the ring stunned "He asked me to marry him."
"Congratulations." yelled Tali as she reached across the table and hugged her friend as everyone in the dining room looked at them.
"Ok what is going on?" asked Miranda as she walked up carrying a tray of food herself.
"Shepard as Ash to marry him." explained Tali as Miranda nodded her head as everyone went back to eating.
"About time." added Miranda with a smile as she sat down with her friends "So any plans yet?"
"I just got engaged last night." stated Ash
"However every women has a wedding somewhat planned out in their heads." added Miranda as Ash let out a sigh.
"Ok maybe I had some ideas on what I want." Admitted Ash as her two friends hung on every word "Something small with friends and family at the same Californian winery there my parents got married."
"Sounds great." said Tali
"However this wedding will be huge, Shepard is the biggest hero in the galaxy and you're not that far behind you could expect important people from across the galaxy expecting an invite." Explained Miranda as Ash leaned back a bit.
"I didn't think about that." admitted Ash "The council will probably want a wedding on the Citadel for the whole galaxy to see."
"What would be so bad about that, a grand ceremony with all the pageantry?" asked Tali
"Not my style." Admitted Ash before she grinned "However I can just tell them off and I can be a Bridezilla if I want only I know how to shot."
"True." Laughed Miranda as Tali tried to figure out what Bridzilla meant.
Deep inside New Caprica City a group of men sat on old metal bleacher seats by the Pyramid court. Most of the men whore old flight jackets with their old
"I heard that the people of Earth don't believe in the Lords of Kobol." Said one of the men
"Did the Cylons tell you that crap too?" asked one of the other men as he took a drink of water from an old black coffee cup held together with super glue. "Because I wouldn't believe a fraken word they say."
"Still some people believe it." Said another as another man walked up to the bench followed by a woman "Personally I am wondering if I will ever get back in a Viper? Why the frak did I get off the Pegasus?"
"Because we were trapped on that ship for a long fraken time." Laughed one of his friends before looking at the man who had walked up. He was a well-built man with a surprising nice black jacket, his short buzz cut hair screamed out marine.
"Hay buddy what ship where you on?" asked the man
"The best ship in the galaxy the Sr-2 Normandy." Stated the man as all the others blinked before breaking out into laughter.
"He's drunk." Laughed one of the former pilots
"No he isn't." stated the woman as the men finally turned their attention toward her.
"Sargent Hadrian?" stated one of the man as the women smiled "But you're on Galactica?"
"I landed only a few hours ago and thanks to some new friends we are going to get our people back into space." Said Hadrian with a smile
"Then this guy isn't crazy?" asked the pilot as he looked at the man
"Lieutenant James Vega system alliance marines." stated James
"You're from Earth?" asked a man as James grinned
"Born and raised in New York City and I took part in the battle of London." bragged James as the men blinked.
"What the frak does that mean?" asked one of the men
"Who cares? What do you need us to do?" asked another men
"Head to the outskirts of this housing district and wait for a pickup." explained Hadrian
"That is it?" asked one of the men "We are trained to fight and we have guns we can fight."
"We need you behind a viper or raptor, we have more craft then pilots." explained Hadrian "You and some other VIP's are on the first Heavy Raider off."
"Heavy Raider?" asked one of the pilots "You must have captured some and are using them to sneak in."
"Something like that." answered James "Now get going."
"Alright." Answered everymen in the group as they headed out leaving the bench empty. Quickly Hadrian and James took their place.
"So this plan do you really think it will work?" asked Ann Hadrian
"I have seen Shepard pull of much harder stunts during the war." Explained James "But still to pull this off with what he has at the moment will be hard. Sorry if I offend you with that but it's the truth, your tech is weak."
"We are scared of technology." explained Ann as the pyramid game kept going on "Ever since the Cylons rebelled we turned back to nature."
James laughed a bit as Ann glared at the System Alliance marine beside her.
"What is funny about that?" demanded Ann
"Nothing it's just when I think of simple life I don't think of space travel." laughed James
"It's simpler than your life." added Ann as she took a deep breath "Some people used to say that the Cylons where our punishment, sent by the Lords of Kobol for playing god."
"Some said that about the Reapers, a few even said that Shepard was the second coming of Christ." added James
"Christ?" asked Ann as James struggled to find words "Never mind we have more important things to worry about religion right now."
Suddenly James Omni tool beeped as he reached up and tapped his ear.
"Go ahead." Said James into the open communication link.
"We are delayed by two hours, stand fast and hold positions." stated Tolan's voice over the link as James nodded his head before cutting the link.
"What was that?" asked Ann
"We now have some time, the attack has been delayed for two hours." Explained James as he looked across the field toward a group of four centurions escorting a single Cylon model Eight.
"I am still not sure about Athena, she may betray us." Stated Ann as she looked at the only known Cylon to be allowed into the Colonial military.
"Don't worry she will carry out her part great." reassured James before turning toward the game "So can you explain to me this game?"
Across the field Athena was trying to look as normal as possible but even Cylons felt fear and the looks of the people she past caused fear and shame to build up within her. The hungry angry faces of the people she was trying to save along with the death glares she was getting only made her task worst. Suddenly one of the free centurions guarding her raised her hand breaking a glass bottle which would have hit her in the face.
"Die Cylon scum!" yelled a man before bolting down a side street. Athena turned toward the Cylon who had blocked the attack.
"Thank you." said Athena as the free centurion nodded its head, slowly the group moved toward the Cylon detention center.
"Two of you stay here." ordered Athena to two of free centurions who where her body guards as she walked past two regular centurions and New Caprica police members who were standing guard outside the building. When she walked into the building was greeted by something she hadn't expected, there on the other side of the large metal doorway was a small lobby including a reception desk. Two of the free Centurions stood behind her as they scanned the room keeping an eye on the other Centurions and humans.
"Can I help you?" asked a woman behind a desk, apart from the fact that she had a black ski mask over her face she wouldn't have stood out of place in a regular office back in the colonies.
"I have an important message for the captain of the Police where is he?" demanded Athena in a commanding tone of voice.
"I'll call him down at one." stated the receptionist as she pressed a small bottom on an outdated intercom system built into her desk.
"What is it?" asked a male voice over the intercom.
"Sorry Captain but there is an Eight here to see you." explained the woman
"Send her up." ordered the Captain
"No you come to me, now." demanded Athena
"Yes, Madam." said the Captain
For what seemed like the longest time Athena waited, minutes seemed to be hours before finally a man dressed in a colonial military blue uniform came down the stairs, the only thing different seemed to be a large police patch on his arm. Unlike other members of the New Caprica Police force he had no mask on, in fact he seemed proud of the uniform he was wearing.
"Captain Neil Fenix at your command Madam." Stated the man as he saluted Athena believing her to be one of the member of the Cylon government.
"Captain, I have signed orders form the president and the other Cylons models." Stated Athena as she pulled out a small folder and handed it to the Captain "You are to make these changes at once."
"You want me to put civilians on the space crafts?" asked the Captain as he raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, if the 13th tribe attacks we want to protect the people." explained Athena "Besides we will have four centurions on each ship and the ships launch keys."
"Still doesn't sound like the best idea." stated the Captain
"My thoughts as well Captain." stated a new voice as a Cavil walked up to the two of them before turning his gaze toward Athena. "However the other models want the streets clear in case the city turns into a warzone."
"I understand sir, I will make sure the orders are carried out at once." Answered the captain as he moved off to carry out his new orders.
"Great job." Said the Cavil with a smile that didn't belong on him as the two of them headed out of the detention center along with the two free centurions.
"Your Kasumi Goto right?" asked Athena
"Yes, with the help of a simple holographic generator to fool them." Explained Kasumi as they exited onto the street. "Having two Cylons who are in different political camps tell him the same thing means he will not go asking questions until it is too late, now let's get going."
Almost two hours later Shepard stepped onto the Galactica with a cup of coffee in his hands. All around the crew of Galactica were preparing for the coming mission. Most didn't even pay attention to another system alliance shuttle landing in the shuttle bay. That is how Shepard wanted it, he wanted them focus on the mission at hand not the fact that they had aliens onboard their ship.
"You know you could better command this mission from the Normandy." Stated Tali as she stood beside her friend.
"True, but Admiral Adama will never agree to giving orders form the Normandy and it will put them at ease if I am here ridding into hell with them." explained Shepard as he took a drink of coffee "Besides you installed links to EDI so their shouldn't be any delay with orders."
"Ok, well I better go prepare our little surprise." added Tali as she moved off as Shepard headed toward the CIC.
The hours seam to pass slowly as the humanoid Cylons waited for the deadline to come. All the models had gathered inside Colonial One along with over a dozen wireless broadcasters all waiting for the coming storm however the deadline had come and gone.
"It's been over two hours' looks like those cowards aren't coming." stated Cavil as he stood up and prepared to leave the moment he did one of the wireless broadcasters came alive.
"A Colonial Battlestar and another Baseship have jumped into high orbit over the planet." Reported an eight's voice over the wireless. "Moving to attack."
"Looks like they have come." stated an eight
"Where is that system alliance ship, Normandy or even that Geth ship?" asked Caprica Six
"When they first attacked the Normandy didn't appear on Dradus until it dropped into the atmosphere, they could have some stealth system." pointed out Boomer "Maybe we should send up some extra raiders hunting by sight."
"The more ships we have out the better prepared we are for surprises." offered up the two
"Send up the raiders." ordered Cavil
Miles outside of New Caprica City in a hidden outpost Garrus watched through a pair of binoculars as half the raiders protecting the city took off and headed into space. Leaving only twenty raiders patrolling the skies and another fifty waiting on the ground in the space port.
"Looks like they are taking the bait." reported Liara as she stood beside Garrus "I wonder how long it will take them to realize those are just sensor ghosts implanted into their hardware by the free Centurions."
"Either way it is too late." Stated Garrus as he turned to a STG member "Shut down their wireless."
"Done." Reported the STG member after he pressed a few buttons. Garrus smiled as he pressed his communication link.
"This is Spectre Vakarian, operation Cobra Strike is a go begin the assault."
Finally I have returned, I had to deal with a lot of different things since I left. First my laptop was delayed for 10 days and then even though I paid extra for them to install Microsoft office and virus defense they didn't and while I was installing all my different programs I got infected. In the end I had to totally whip my new computer's hard drive and reinstall everything. Now I hope you forgive me, the next chapter will be soon. Thanks Wilkins75