Chapter 30
"As long as we live, the colonies live." -Admiral Timothy Cunningham.
The Invicta and the other ships in the colonial fleet that had attacked Picon emerged back into real space around the larger fleet they had left.
"Secure from condition one, return to condition three," Cunningham ordered. "And open a ship-wide channel and send it to the rest of the fleet as well."
Cunningham was saddened by the few deaths that had occurred during the battle, two medium and three light cruisers had been destroyed and some other ships were damaged along with the three civilian ships that had been destroyed during the battle. The few civilian ships that had made emergency jumps had been accounted for as they had jumped back to the fleet after thei drives had cooled down, which meant that losses were not severe on the side of the civilians. And the lives and ships that had been gained both military and civilian along with the supplies salvaged made the small losses worth it. However it was still unfortunate, and he was somewhat uncomfortable with sending his men to die. But he knew that an officer that refused to sacrifice his men when necessary was spineless and should not be an officer (at least a combat officer, he or she might be more effective as a logistics officer).
"Ladies and gentlemen, members of the colonial armed services and citizens of the colonies, despite the hardships we have endured as a species we have successfully struck back at the Cylons, destroying a dozen basestars and thousands of raiders over Picon. Our losses have been minimal and we have gained nearly fifty civilian ships along with dozens of wrecked colonial ships, some of which may be able to be returned to service. This day may not return our dead loved ones, but we have ensured their deaths have not been unanswered. As long as we live, the colonies live. So say we all."
"So say we all."
"So say we all."
"So say we all."
The phrase was repeated across the C I C. Cunningham looked at Giovanna and she smiled at them. They had won a victory against the Cylons and that was well deserved. The crew had performed remarkably well throughout the past few days despite the death of most or all of their loved ones. A large memorial had been set up in one of the corridors that showed pictures of loved ones, friends, locations, pets, and other things. As Cunningham passed he noticed several crew members were standing oblivious to him at the memorial and others were kneeling or sitting. Many were crying and as Giovanna passed alongside him she instinctively grabbed his hand and he squeezed it.
An officer technically could order them to their posts but unless they were needed Cunningham would not do so. He needed to give his men and women space to grieve otherwise those feelings would come back and bite them. He placed a box of tissues down near a group of people and left. Before he left, he noticed a banner nearby that read "Lest we Forget ''.
However, what he heard and saw next gave him some hope as to the future of humanity. Despite the hardship of the situation, he could see people had not broken. The men and women of the colonial fleet were not demoralized, they wanted vengeance and would be willing to extract it via any means necessary. Recruitment was at an all-time high when the percentage of the population was measured, with so far 5 percent of the civilian population wanting to join the fleet.
Humanity was beaten but not broken. There may not be many of them left but they would give the Cylons absolute hell while they were alive. If they couldn't retake the colonies they would at least cause as much damage to the Cylons as possible and then try and find another world to settle on. Humanity would not go quietly into the night.
Cunningham sat down on the sofa in his quarters, and Giovanna soon followed. They were silent for a few moments, lost in thought.
"You should be happier," Giovanna said. "We won an important victory and the Cylons are paying for what they did."
"It won't bring the colonies back," Cunningham said.
"If the heavens exist our friends and families are smiling at us for sure." She replied.
The silence resumed. Ever so slightly the two moved closer to one another.
"I wonder what we could have done to stop this," Cunningham muttered, squeezing her hand.
"We'll never know so there's no use wondering what could have been changed. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." She said before bending over to kiss him. Neither of them had known if they wanted to do so but as they kissed each other they both realized they wanted each other. After parting, Giovanna moved over to rest on him, both at peace in each other's company.
"I've seen more people enjoying the company of one another," Cunningham said. "It's fitting we finally got around to it."
"Indeed, though I don't want it to impact our professional relationship." She said. "And I'm not sure if I want to tell everyone yet, it looks a bit unprofessional."
"I agree, at least for now." He said.
"Do you want to stay here and sleep with me?" He asked, suddenly realizing that an object located on his pelvis was growing larger and larger, in a place that Giovanna could feel.
"What do you mean by that?" She responded.
"Whatever you like." He said and kissed her again.
Meanwhile down in the brig of the Invicta Sergent Boston led Major Julia Black, the commander of the Battlestar's marine detachment, and Captain Cicil Griffin, an intel officer attached to the Invicta and the highest ranking Colonial Intelligence Officer that was known to be alive.
"Per your request, Captain, the prisoner has been under constant guard by a squad of marines which can close an armored airlock to prevent her from escaping," Boston said as the group approached the holding cell.
"I trust there has been no incident so far. Has she said anything of importance?" Griffin asked.
"She claims that she is a Cylon though besides her super strength I haven't seen anything to back that up," Boston said.
"Very well sergeant, come into the cell with us and ask any questions you have after I finish." He said. Black was a bit annoyed about having her soldiers ordered around by an intelligence officer who held an inferior rank, but he had been given broad authority to use whatever resources necessary to protect and extract intel from the prisoner.
Passing a squad of marine guards, they entered the cell that held them, prisoner. She was bound and gagged, it seemed that she hadn't been treated too poorly.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Griffin asked the prisoner.
"I'm a Cylon, I'm here to exact god's revenge against humanity."
"How can you prove that?"
"The fact that I took out a bunch of your men, sergeant. The combat skills I demonstrated were ones I simply should have the ability to do. I'll start to die if you take me into Ragnar or Zeus since us Cylons never figure out how to protect yourselves from the radiation there. And the other models will get sick as well."
"How do I know that you aren't lying?" He asked.
"I can't prove it until you try. And I won't tell you anything else until I get sick." She said.
Due to its usage in various conflicts before the unification of the colonies, torture was mostly banned after the articles of colonization. It was still allowed in some circumstances such as for people accused of a particularly strong crime that included terrorism or mass murder. Using torture here might be useful to her but as long as she gave accurate information about the Cylons it would be withheld.
The rest of the time spent talking with her failed to produce anything substantial, so the three retreated outside the cell to plan their next moves.
"I think we should be ready for the fact that there might be other models of her. She has given us valuable information, so we should be very iffy about it as soon as possible." Black said.
"She could be leading us into a trap though," Boston said.
"That's possible but if this works we can neutralize the possibility of internal strikes against us," Griffin said. "If that involves some risk I think it's worth it.
"Agreed," Black said. "I can talk to the Colonial Guard about having their law enforcement forces help on the civilian ships." She paused. "We can have the Cylon agents moved to a secure location, probably here on the Invicta."
"Setting up some sort of identification system will also be necessary," Griffin said. "You two are cleared to return to your normal duties, though until further notice the knowledge of her being a Cylon will be confined to us, the squad of marines guarding her, and the flag officers of the fleet, at least until Admiral Cunningham makes a decision. I'll welcome any other advice you have on internal security matters." The two saluted and walked off.
"Permission to speak freely, Major?"
"In my quarters, since we need to keep this under wraps." She said and a few minutes later they entered the Major's quarters. Being the commander of the ship's marine detachment meant that she had access to one of the largest quarters on the ship. Boston hadn't been in here yet and saw it to be fairly simply decorated but also precise.
She motioned to a counter of alcohol. "We're off duty now, help yourself."
After both getting themselves some Ambrosia, they sat down.
"I don't like either of us taking orders from a member of the ministry of intelligence. Especially considering he has a murky personal record." Boston said.
"That he didn't let us see," Black replied. "It would be different if he wasn't a member of the Internal Security Division."
The Internal Security Division of the Colonial Ministry of Intelligence was one of the most disliked government agencies. It had been created during the first war to root out suspected Cylon collaborations and terrorists like the SDU. While most would agree they were necessary to an extent, they had not far outstripped any reasonable amount of power and now had the broad legal authority to spy, investigate, interrogate, arrest, and even sometimes torture "enemies of the colonies". They were known to override due process and cover up misconduct to the point they couldn't be charged but still looked bad.
"I mean he didn't torture her yet at least," Boston said sarcastically. "I agree we need to find all the Cylons in the fleet if they even are any with us, and creating a registration system is reasonable as well but what else will he advocate for?"
"Measures should be taken to ensure the survival of the fleet, but I don't want a military dictatorship," Black said in agreement. "Even though I might trust Cunningham I trust no one with absolute power."
Boston looked over at the photos on the wall, a collection of newspapers, and other memorabilia from the news. "Did you want to become a journalist, Major?"
"Yes, but due to money I joined the Marines instead." She said, sighing. "I wanted to help people and expose what the powerful would do. But I realized eventually that most journalists are just working for the money and will write whatever story will get the most clicks and views."
"Maybe with the human race nearly extinct that will change," Boston said.
"Maybe it will make things worse. Or both in some cases." She said, "You can call me Julia if you wish when we are off duty."
"I ummm…" He said.
She grabbed his hand. "The marines have quite the culture of formality and that is good when on duty but if you abide by those formalities all of the time it takes away a bit of your humanity. I like you Daniel, and I understand why you are reluctant." He was blushing now. "Now get back to your seat before you embarrass yourself more."
He's clueless about women, and maybe about superior officers. She thought to herself. Black decided he would need some time before they thought about being more than friends.
Author's note: There is a book series that I quite enjoy that also has a major character named Julia Black. Can anyone guess what series that is?
This is also the second to last chapter in this story, at least technically.