Chapter Seven: The Battle for Centauri Prime
"Group Commander, I think you should see this."
"What is it Lieutenant?"
"There are massive disturbances in hyperspace. They're concentrated near jump gates sir."
"Oh frak!"
"I agree sir." Group Commander Rigel moved to join Starbuck at the consol. "We've heard rumors that the Centauri destroyed a jump gate, it looks like they're expanding that operation."
"Those disturbances are going to shake up the fleet pretty badly."
"Well sir, we have the opportunity of a detour along this route. It should get us to Tor 621 in about the same amount of time as the original route."
"And it will lead us through the heart of Centauri space."
"Yes sir. It's your call."
Starbuck pondered his choice. Colonel Boxey was beginning to encounter heavy Cylon resistance and was picking up some disturbing communications between Cylon vessels. He had to expedite the journey to New Caprica.
"Plot the new course. Signal the rest of the fleet."
The orders for a course change went out the course change. Unbeknownst to the fleet, it was picked up by a Centauri listening post and forwarded to Centauri Prime and the desk of Londo Mollari.
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Three Centauri Vorchans and a pair of Primus battlecruisers in addition to a swarm of fighter craft maneuvered to intercept the approaching Narn vessels. Five Narn G'Quan class heavy cruisers took point. The rest of the Narn fleet hung back, but were close enough to support if necessary.
The Centauri fighters moved at full speed towards the Narn advance force. Their high speed and maneuverability gave them an advantage over the Narn cruisers. Strangely enough, the Narns had neglected to launch any fighter craft in response. As the Centauri fighters neared firing range, a mass of jump points opened around the fighter force. Drazi Sunhawks and Sky Serpents exited hyperspace and tore into the Centauri. The Sky Serpents were slower than the Centauri fighters but better armed. The Centauri fighters never stood a chance.
The Centauri capital ships sent off another message to Centauri Prime, warning of the Drazi threat in addition to that of the Narns. They then advanced on their enemy, intent on trading their lives for a little time for their Homeworld.
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At the same time as the Centauri capital ships were being butchered, Londo Mollari discovered the true cause of the war, the Drakh, from the Regent. The entire war had been engineered by the Drakh. The Drakh controlled the Regent with one of their Keepers. Mollari, already selected as the next emperor, would be similarly controlled.
Mollari ran to the nearest communication station trying to get in contact with the fleet, which had been sent by the Regent on a pointless mission. The Drakh let him go; he knew there were no ships in range to help. The Narn and Drazi fleet would find a Centauri Prime devoid of any defenders. The destruction that followed would be a fitting punishment to the Centauri for Mollari's betrayal of the Shadows during the last days of the war.
Mollari quickly discovered that no help would arrive. It would take the fleet eleven hours to return; the Narn and the Drazi would arrive in nine. Mollari had tried contacting Sheridan; Mollari then learned that the Narn and the Drazi weren't listening to him and that he was ten hours away with a dozen White Stars. One hour, that was all. Centauri Prime would have to endure only an hour of bombardment. But, Mollari then recalled the devastation had been done to the Narn homeworld in the first hour.
He knew he should be grateful for the warning that had arrived. The five Centauri vessels had been en route to the Colonial fleet. Mollari had quietly detached them from the main defense fleet to try to reach Starbuck. Had the ships remained with the fleet, he wouldn't have known about the coming attack until the jump points were forming around Centauri Prime. At least the fleet would return only two hours after the start of the bombardment.
Once more, though, images of the Narn homeworld returned to Mollari. He slipped into despair.until he noticed a report on his desk. The Colonial fleet had switched course deep into Centauri space. For a second he contemplated the Colonials joining the Narn and the Drazi against Centauri Prime. As he read the report though, he realized that at its closest, the fleet would still be seven hours from Centauri Prime. Seven hours away.about now. Mollari raced from his office once more to find a communications station.
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"Group Commander, we are receiving a communication."
"Ignore it Lieutenant, we are under communications silence."
"Sir, its from Centauri Prime." Starbuck nearly relented at that, but decided communication silence had to be maintained. They wouldn't have the luxury on the trip to New Caprica. But the communications officer continued. "Group Commander, it's Londo Mollari and claims it's urgent. He claims that his world is defenseless and will soon come under attack."
Starbuck responded instantly to that. "Put it on Lieutenant."
"Aye sir."
"Thank the gods. Group Commander, you must come to Centauri Prime." Before Starbuck could get in a single word, Mollari filled him in on the whole situation, including the Drakh. "Group Commander.Starbuck.please, you must help us. My world will be devastated."
"Mollari, my fleet is on its way." Starbuck cut the channel with Mollari and opened another one to the remainder of the fleet. "All vessels, this is Group Commander Starbuck. We have received an urgent hail from Londo Mollari of the Centauri Republic. Centauri Prime is defenseless and Narn and Drazi forces are closing in on that world, with the probable intention of bombarding it flat. President Sheridan is unable to order the vessels to desist. I have decided to go to the assistance of Centauri Prime. We will not assist the Centauri fleet; we will defend Centauri Prime though. To the Colonial officers and men of Battlegroup One, I know New Caprica needs us. But the fate that will befall Centauri Prime is the same that happened to out worlds many yahren ago. We are obligated to ensure that what happens to us never happens again. We will save Centauri Prime, then we will save New Caprica. All vessels, set course for Centauri Prime, maximum speed. Group Commander Starbuck out."
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Above Centauri Prime, a massive fleet of ships appeared: destroyers, cruisers, fighters.and battlestars. The Colonial and Alliance battlegroups assumed defensive positions around Centauri Prime. Hyperspace probes showed the Narn and Drazi fleet to be a half an hour from Centauri Prime.
"Colonel."
"Yes Group Commander?"
"Prepare a Viper. I'm going down to the planet and get me General Ryan." "Yes sir."
The communication channel opened on Traitor's Bane. "General Ryan."
"Group Commander. My battlegroup has taken defensive positions around the planet. We are ready for the Narn and Drazi if they want a fight."
"General, I'm going down to the planet. You have more experience with the Narn and Drazi than Group Commander Rigel, so supreme command of the fleet is yours."
"Yes sir."
"Traitor's Bane out." Starbuck turned to face Rigel, who he knew would have her own objections to the plan.
"Group Commander, is this wise? Centauri Prime can be considered a hostile world. And these Drakh may be swarming all over the planet."
"I know, but Mollari needs help if he's from them. I don't think they liked him getting help."
"Will you at least take a squad of warriors with you? A shuttle is ready to take them down to the surface."
"That would be best Group Commander. Thank you."
"No problem sir. Traitor's Bane will be here for you when you get back."
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The Viper and the Colonial shuttle landed next to the Imperial Palace. They had made it down to the planet without being challenged. As they approached the palace though, the nine Colonials came under fire from palace guards.
"Sergeant, distract them; I need to get into the palace."
"Yes sir."
Laser fire erupted on the grounds of the Imperial Palace. Starbuck slipped by the guards unnoticed. He raced through the palace, ignored by the courtiers and ministers that ran through the halls looking for a place to hide. Records from the Primus included a map of the palace grounds. Starbuck had memorized the map on the seven-hour journey to Centauri Prime. Starbuck predicted that Mollari would be in the throne room. The Group Commander continued to run through the palace, trying to save a man he had only recently recognized as a friend.
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"General Ryan, we have jump points opening around the planet. Narn and Drazi vessels are exiting and advancing on Centauri Prime."
"Open a channel Lieutenant."
"Yes sir."
"Narn and Drazi vessels, this is the Earth Alliance destroyer Alexander, currently detached to the Colonial Exploration Battlegroup. Centauri Prime is under our protection."
"Your authority is not accepted Alexander. Centauri Prime is ours under the rules of war. Leave now or be destroyed."
"Negative. We will fight to defend Centauri Prime. Negotiations are currently underway to end this conflict. There is no need for an action on your part. We request that you return to assigned patrol positions on the border."
"This is your final warning Alexander. Centauri Prime is ours!"
"Lieutenant, cut the channel."
"Aye sir."
"Power up weapons. Order the rest of the fleet to do the same. All vessels are to target the lead Narn warship."
The two battlelines slowly closed. The distance dropped as the commanders of both fleets waited to see who would flinch first. The Narn commander knew that he would die first if a battle started. He had reciprocated with the Earth Alliance commander though. The fleets entered firing range and nothing happened. Then, a Drazi Sunhawk opened fire. No one ever knew why; the entire Colonial Exploration Battlegroup opened fire on it as soon as it started firing. The Sunhawk disintegrated under a hail of fire; but several seconds later, so did the Alexander.
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Starbuck neared the throne room and drew his laser pistol. He could hear conversation inside.
"Mollari, you failed! Your world will still be devastated, but now, you will take the Colonial worlds with you. The battle has started between them, can you feel it too? You saviors are outnumbered, their wreckage will simply add to the devastation of your world. Then, the Colonies will begin to fear and hate the Narn as word reaches them of what happened. Well, they will only fear the Narn if the Cylon don't overrun their worlds thanks to the absence of four battlestars. Thank you Mollari, I couldn't have engineered the chaos so well without you."
"You won't get away with this, we will defeat you in the end and I will save my world."
"Nonsense Mollari. The Regent is now dead, you will have a Keeper installed and won't threaten us again. If you try to, the fusion bombs are poised to destroy your world. Keep that in mind Mollari."
Fusion bombs? "Starbuck to Traitor's Bane."
"Here Group Commander. The battle's started and General Ryan is dead. We're holding our own but we can't defend Centauri Prime much longer."
"Rigel, I need you to detach a squadron of Vipers. The planet is covered with fusion bombs. Send the Vipers in to destroy them."
"Sir, there will be a lot of collateral damage though. Can't we just wait and."
"No! They must be destroyed now. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir. Our sensors have begun to locate them and we are detaching the Vipers."
"Thank you Rigel, contact me as soon as they are all destroyed."
"Yes sir, Rigel out."
Starbuck continued to wait outside the throne room. It's fortunate that the battlestars were here; their sensors were much stronger than those of the other worlds. I doubt the other ships could find those fusion bombs from orbit. Starbuck continued to listen to the Drakh's gloating and his descriptions of the horrors that would soon befall Centauri Prime, as well as the destruction that was occurring to the Colonial fleet. It took all of his self-control not to kill the Drakh then.
"Now Mollari, the time has come. Remove you shirt, your Keeper is.NO!"
"Group Commander, the Vipers have destroyed the fusions bombs. They estimate casualties to be less than 100,000."
But Starbuck wasn't listening anymore. He knew what the Drakh's loud cry had meant. He leapt into the throne room with his pistol raised, surprising the Drakh and Mollari. The Drakh began to react, but was struck in the shoulder by Starbuck's first shot. The second connected with his stomach and the third between his eyes. The headless corpse dropped to the ground. It was only then that Starbuck noticed the strange creature on the ground. He didn't get a good look at it though; Mollari's boot came down hard on it.
"Yes, my friend, you made a most satisfying squish."
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Traitor's Bane shook violently as a Narn dreadnought unloaded a full broadside on it.
"Blue Delta Squadron, engage Narn dreadnought. Adama's Remembrance, assist Blue Delta Squadron." Rigel shouted out the orders as the battlestar shook again, this time harder.
"Group Commander, Freedom's been crippled."
"Order them to abandon ship. Have all lifepods head for the planet, its too hot here for them."
The Narn and Drazi forces continued forward, driving the Colonials and their allies steadily back. The White Stars ravaged their formations and the Sharlins were surrounded by Narn and Drazi wreckage. The battlestars were tough and their lasers had been upgraded, but slowly their armor was being stripped away. The Earth Alliance and Mars ships were not much more advanced than the Narn and Drazi and their vessels were rapidly dying.
A Drazi Sunhawk closed in on the Caprican Avenger, which was distracted by a pair of G'Quans that were breaking through the fleet. A Viper from Scarlet Alpha Squadron fired its missiles at the ship and her engine exploded. The Drazi ship spun out of control and slammed into the battlestar's bridge.
"Group Commander, Caprican Avenger is out of control. We've lost communication with them and her weapons are not firing synchronously."
"Is she dropping towards the planet?"
"Not anymore sir. Engineering must have stabilized her."
"Order the Child of Libra to support them and try to bring some order to her weapons."
"Two Narn heavy cruisers turning to engage her sir."
"Have Liberty engage the Narn cruisers. Have Red Delta Squadron support her." The Mars Hyperion cruiser, representing a quarter of that planet's fleet moved to defend the battlestar. Red Delta Squadron, which had just finished destroying the fusion bombs on Centauri Prime, hit the afterburners and hurried to join the Liberty. Liberty fired her forward guns at the first Narn heavy cruiser. They caused some damage, but the ship was still functional. Both Narn cruisers focused their weapons on the Liberty and the forward section of the ship exploded.
Red Delta Squadron tore into the Narn cruisers from below. Their missiles made numerous holes in both ships superstructure. After that pass, one cruiser was destroyed and the other crippled. The squadron assumed defensive positions on Caprican Avenger until Child of Libra could arrive and covered the escape pods from the Liberty as they made their way to the battlestar.
Red Delta Squadron was the best in the exploration fleet. All of her pilots had completed at least one tour of duty in Red Alpha or Blue Alpha Squadrons on the Galactica, the best squadrons in the fleet. With the expansion of the fleet beyond even the levels of the original fleet, colors could no longer distinguish between squadrons on their own, hence the addition of an alpha, beta, etc.
The experience of the squadron would be needed in the coming minutes. Narn and Drazi fighters and capital ships were attracted to the crippled battlestar. They closed in for the kill. The Vipers lashed out at the incoming vessels. It was at that second that something snapped. To call it rage would be an understatement. These pilots had all fought Cylons before; they had stood as the last defenders of their world, knowing that if they failed their families and friends would die. And here they were, defending a foreign empire against a pair of 'allies' instead of trying to get home. Flames erupted from the battlestar, a battlestar that should have been defending the Colonies. A fury that had not been seen in even the darkest days of the exodus came upon the men of Red Delta Squadron and then spread to the entire Colonial fleet. None of them would be able to explain it later on. Many would not be able to recall large parts of the battle. The Narn and Drazi, those that survived at least, recalled it well.
Vipers slashed through the Narn and Drazi formation with a total lack of regard for themselves. Many were lost, but the Narn and Drazi suffered much more. Narn and Drazi fighters raced to plug holes created by the loss of capital ships only to be destroyed by Vipers that had expected such a move and slaughtered them incessantly. A G'Quan heavy cruiser exploded after a Colonial warrior rammed his crippled Viper into the bridge instead of ejecting. Another Viper lead a group of Frazis and Sky Serpents into the waiting guns of Adama's Remembrance; the Viper and her opponents were destroyed. A warrior in an escape pod from Freedom changed its signal to read a Viper, occupying the attention of several Drazi ships for a few seconds. The engineers of Caprican Avenger sent their ship into the vortex of combat on front of them along with the three other battlestars despite its decline in combat efficiency. Child of Libra fired on Narn lifepods, attracting Frazis to defend them, and then caught those fighters in a crossfire of four battlestars.
The other vessels of the fleet stood with the Colonials. Earth Force ships, including the freighters, followed them into the storm of combat despite the horrendous losses they had taken in the fight. The destroyer Scipio advanced in front of Traitor's Bane's bridge, taking fire meant for that ship. The Minbari Sharlins fought side by side with the Earth Force vessels. It was at that point that historians of the future claimed the Earth-Minbari War was over. The previous year, the Minbari fought for Earth, now, they fought for Earth Force and Earth Force for the Minbari. There was no hesitation between the vessels of the two races. The damaged Hyperion rammed a Narn dreadnought that had been targeting the crippled Felani, which had lost its stealth capabilities. Minbari Niall fighters defended the lifepods of the Hyperion and the Scipio even as more Narn ships closed on the Felani.
The Centauri Primus made its own sacrifice. The advancing ships left a hole in the defense of Centauri Prime and three G'Quans moved to exploit it. The Centauri battlecruiser closed with them.and detonated her reactor. All four vessels died. The Centauri freighter that had joined the fleet to ferry fighters ejected the fighters from her hold. When a pair of Sky Serpents arrived to destroy them, the freighter detonated its reactor.
It was this maelstrom of destruction that John Sheridan encountered when his White Stars emerged from hyperspace. His next words were as cold and strong as steel. "This President John Sheridan to Narn and Drazi vessels, withdraw now. This is you only warning. We will enter firing range in one minute." A retreat that had started with the devastating advance of the Colonials turned into a rout.
The battered Colonial fleet let them go. Vipers landed and their pilots staggered to their rooms; almost a quarter would refuse to fly again. The commanders of the battlestars were startled by the sudden end of adrenaline and began to shake uncontrollably, recalling their loss of restraint during the battle. Laser battery operators, who a few seconds before had been viciously firing into crippled ships broke down. Starfuries searched in vain for their destroyers, eventually realizing that their friends were now dead. Even the warrior caste of the Sharlins were moved by the violence of those final minutes. Only the Rangers of the White Stars had remained collected in the fight, but even their intense training had nearly failed. White Star 3 approached Traitor's Bane and John Sheridan, looking at the destruction around him, prayed he would never see its like again.
"Group Commander, I think you should see this."
"What is it Lieutenant?"
"There are massive disturbances in hyperspace. They're concentrated near jump gates sir."
"Oh frak!"
"I agree sir." Group Commander Rigel moved to join Starbuck at the consol. "We've heard rumors that the Centauri destroyed a jump gate, it looks like they're expanding that operation."
"Those disturbances are going to shake up the fleet pretty badly."
"Well sir, we have the opportunity of a detour along this route. It should get us to Tor 621 in about the same amount of time as the original route."
"And it will lead us through the heart of Centauri space."
"Yes sir. It's your call."
Starbuck pondered his choice. Colonel Boxey was beginning to encounter heavy Cylon resistance and was picking up some disturbing communications between Cylon vessels. He had to expedite the journey to New Caprica.
"Plot the new course. Signal the rest of the fleet."
The orders for a course change went out the course change. Unbeknownst to the fleet, it was picked up by a Centauri listening post and forwarded to Centauri Prime and the desk of Londo Mollari.
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Three Centauri Vorchans and a pair of Primus battlecruisers in addition to a swarm of fighter craft maneuvered to intercept the approaching Narn vessels. Five Narn G'Quan class heavy cruisers took point. The rest of the Narn fleet hung back, but were close enough to support if necessary.
The Centauri fighters moved at full speed towards the Narn advance force. Their high speed and maneuverability gave them an advantage over the Narn cruisers. Strangely enough, the Narns had neglected to launch any fighter craft in response. As the Centauri fighters neared firing range, a mass of jump points opened around the fighter force. Drazi Sunhawks and Sky Serpents exited hyperspace and tore into the Centauri. The Sky Serpents were slower than the Centauri fighters but better armed. The Centauri fighters never stood a chance.
The Centauri capital ships sent off another message to Centauri Prime, warning of the Drazi threat in addition to that of the Narns. They then advanced on their enemy, intent on trading their lives for a little time for their Homeworld.
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At the same time as the Centauri capital ships were being butchered, Londo Mollari discovered the true cause of the war, the Drakh, from the Regent. The entire war had been engineered by the Drakh. The Drakh controlled the Regent with one of their Keepers. Mollari, already selected as the next emperor, would be similarly controlled.
Mollari ran to the nearest communication station trying to get in contact with the fleet, which had been sent by the Regent on a pointless mission. The Drakh let him go; he knew there were no ships in range to help. The Narn and Drazi fleet would find a Centauri Prime devoid of any defenders. The destruction that followed would be a fitting punishment to the Centauri for Mollari's betrayal of the Shadows during the last days of the war.
Mollari quickly discovered that no help would arrive. It would take the fleet eleven hours to return; the Narn and the Drazi would arrive in nine. Mollari had tried contacting Sheridan; Mollari then learned that the Narn and the Drazi weren't listening to him and that he was ten hours away with a dozen White Stars. One hour, that was all. Centauri Prime would have to endure only an hour of bombardment. But, Mollari then recalled the devastation had been done to the Narn homeworld in the first hour.
He knew he should be grateful for the warning that had arrived. The five Centauri vessels had been en route to the Colonial fleet. Mollari had quietly detached them from the main defense fleet to try to reach Starbuck. Had the ships remained with the fleet, he wouldn't have known about the coming attack until the jump points were forming around Centauri Prime. At least the fleet would return only two hours after the start of the bombardment.
Once more, though, images of the Narn homeworld returned to Mollari. He slipped into despair.until he noticed a report on his desk. The Colonial fleet had switched course deep into Centauri space. For a second he contemplated the Colonials joining the Narn and the Drazi against Centauri Prime. As he read the report though, he realized that at its closest, the fleet would still be seven hours from Centauri Prime. Seven hours away.about now. Mollari raced from his office once more to find a communications station.
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"Group Commander, we are receiving a communication."
"Ignore it Lieutenant, we are under communications silence."
"Sir, its from Centauri Prime." Starbuck nearly relented at that, but decided communication silence had to be maintained. They wouldn't have the luxury on the trip to New Caprica. But the communications officer continued. "Group Commander, it's Londo Mollari and claims it's urgent. He claims that his world is defenseless and will soon come under attack."
Starbuck responded instantly to that. "Put it on Lieutenant."
"Aye sir."
"Thank the gods. Group Commander, you must come to Centauri Prime." Before Starbuck could get in a single word, Mollari filled him in on the whole situation, including the Drakh. "Group Commander.Starbuck.please, you must help us. My world will be devastated."
"Mollari, my fleet is on its way." Starbuck cut the channel with Mollari and opened another one to the remainder of the fleet. "All vessels, this is Group Commander Starbuck. We have received an urgent hail from Londo Mollari of the Centauri Republic. Centauri Prime is defenseless and Narn and Drazi forces are closing in on that world, with the probable intention of bombarding it flat. President Sheridan is unable to order the vessels to desist. I have decided to go to the assistance of Centauri Prime. We will not assist the Centauri fleet; we will defend Centauri Prime though. To the Colonial officers and men of Battlegroup One, I know New Caprica needs us. But the fate that will befall Centauri Prime is the same that happened to out worlds many yahren ago. We are obligated to ensure that what happens to us never happens again. We will save Centauri Prime, then we will save New Caprica. All vessels, set course for Centauri Prime, maximum speed. Group Commander Starbuck out."
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Above Centauri Prime, a massive fleet of ships appeared: destroyers, cruisers, fighters.and battlestars. The Colonial and Alliance battlegroups assumed defensive positions around Centauri Prime. Hyperspace probes showed the Narn and Drazi fleet to be a half an hour from Centauri Prime.
"Colonel."
"Yes Group Commander?"
"Prepare a Viper. I'm going down to the planet and get me General Ryan." "Yes sir."
The communication channel opened on Traitor's Bane. "General Ryan."
"Group Commander. My battlegroup has taken defensive positions around the planet. We are ready for the Narn and Drazi if they want a fight."
"General, I'm going down to the planet. You have more experience with the Narn and Drazi than Group Commander Rigel, so supreme command of the fleet is yours."
"Yes sir."
"Traitor's Bane out." Starbuck turned to face Rigel, who he knew would have her own objections to the plan.
"Group Commander, is this wise? Centauri Prime can be considered a hostile world. And these Drakh may be swarming all over the planet."
"I know, but Mollari needs help if he's from them. I don't think they liked him getting help."
"Will you at least take a squad of warriors with you? A shuttle is ready to take them down to the surface."
"That would be best Group Commander. Thank you."
"No problem sir. Traitor's Bane will be here for you when you get back."
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The Viper and the Colonial shuttle landed next to the Imperial Palace. They had made it down to the planet without being challenged. As they approached the palace though, the nine Colonials came under fire from palace guards.
"Sergeant, distract them; I need to get into the palace."
"Yes sir."
Laser fire erupted on the grounds of the Imperial Palace. Starbuck slipped by the guards unnoticed. He raced through the palace, ignored by the courtiers and ministers that ran through the halls looking for a place to hide. Records from the Primus included a map of the palace grounds. Starbuck had memorized the map on the seven-hour journey to Centauri Prime. Starbuck predicted that Mollari would be in the throne room. The Group Commander continued to run through the palace, trying to save a man he had only recently recognized as a friend.
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"General Ryan, we have jump points opening around the planet. Narn and Drazi vessels are exiting and advancing on Centauri Prime."
"Open a channel Lieutenant."
"Yes sir."
"Narn and Drazi vessels, this is the Earth Alliance destroyer Alexander, currently detached to the Colonial Exploration Battlegroup. Centauri Prime is under our protection."
"Your authority is not accepted Alexander. Centauri Prime is ours under the rules of war. Leave now or be destroyed."
"Negative. We will fight to defend Centauri Prime. Negotiations are currently underway to end this conflict. There is no need for an action on your part. We request that you return to assigned patrol positions on the border."
"This is your final warning Alexander. Centauri Prime is ours!"
"Lieutenant, cut the channel."
"Aye sir."
"Power up weapons. Order the rest of the fleet to do the same. All vessels are to target the lead Narn warship."
The two battlelines slowly closed. The distance dropped as the commanders of both fleets waited to see who would flinch first. The Narn commander knew that he would die first if a battle started. He had reciprocated with the Earth Alliance commander though. The fleets entered firing range and nothing happened. Then, a Drazi Sunhawk opened fire. No one ever knew why; the entire Colonial Exploration Battlegroup opened fire on it as soon as it started firing. The Sunhawk disintegrated under a hail of fire; but several seconds later, so did the Alexander.
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Starbuck neared the throne room and drew his laser pistol. He could hear conversation inside.
"Mollari, you failed! Your world will still be devastated, but now, you will take the Colonial worlds with you. The battle has started between them, can you feel it too? You saviors are outnumbered, their wreckage will simply add to the devastation of your world. Then, the Colonies will begin to fear and hate the Narn as word reaches them of what happened. Well, they will only fear the Narn if the Cylon don't overrun their worlds thanks to the absence of four battlestars. Thank you Mollari, I couldn't have engineered the chaos so well without you."
"You won't get away with this, we will defeat you in the end and I will save my world."
"Nonsense Mollari. The Regent is now dead, you will have a Keeper installed and won't threaten us again. If you try to, the fusion bombs are poised to destroy your world. Keep that in mind Mollari."
Fusion bombs? "Starbuck to Traitor's Bane."
"Here Group Commander. The battle's started and General Ryan is dead. We're holding our own but we can't defend Centauri Prime much longer."
"Rigel, I need you to detach a squadron of Vipers. The planet is covered with fusion bombs. Send the Vipers in to destroy them."
"Sir, there will be a lot of collateral damage though. Can't we just wait and."
"No! They must be destroyed now. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir. Our sensors have begun to locate them and we are detaching the Vipers."
"Thank you Rigel, contact me as soon as they are all destroyed."
"Yes sir, Rigel out."
Starbuck continued to wait outside the throne room. It's fortunate that the battlestars were here; their sensors were much stronger than those of the other worlds. I doubt the other ships could find those fusion bombs from orbit. Starbuck continued to listen to the Drakh's gloating and his descriptions of the horrors that would soon befall Centauri Prime, as well as the destruction that was occurring to the Colonial fleet. It took all of his self-control not to kill the Drakh then.
"Now Mollari, the time has come. Remove you shirt, your Keeper is.NO!"
"Group Commander, the Vipers have destroyed the fusions bombs. They estimate casualties to be less than 100,000."
But Starbuck wasn't listening anymore. He knew what the Drakh's loud cry had meant. He leapt into the throne room with his pistol raised, surprising the Drakh and Mollari. The Drakh began to react, but was struck in the shoulder by Starbuck's first shot. The second connected with his stomach and the third between his eyes. The headless corpse dropped to the ground. It was only then that Starbuck noticed the strange creature on the ground. He didn't get a good look at it though; Mollari's boot came down hard on it.
"Yes, my friend, you made a most satisfying squish."
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Traitor's Bane shook violently as a Narn dreadnought unloaded a full broadside on it.
"Blue Delta Squadron, engage Narn dreadnought. Adama's Remembrance, assist Blue Delta Squadron." Rigel shouted out the orders as the battlestar shook again, this time harder.
"Group Commander, Freedom's been crippled."
"Order them to abandon ship. Have all lifepods head for the planet, its too hot here for them."
The Narn and Drazi forces continued forward, driving the Colonials and their allies steadily back. The White Stars ravaged their formations and the Sharlins were surrounded by Narn and Drazi wreckage. The battlestars were tough and their lasers had been upgraded, but slowly their armor was being stripped away. The Earth Alliance and Mars ships were not much more advanced than the Narn and Drazi and their vessels were rapidly dying.
A Drazi Sunhawk closed in on the Caprican Avenger, which was distracted by a pair of G'Quans that were breaking through the fleet. A Viper from Scarlet Alpha Squadron fired its missiles at the ship and her engine exploded. The Drazi ship spun out of control and slammed into the battlestar's bridge.
"Group Commander, Caprican Avenger is out of control. We've lost communication with them and her weapons are not firing synchronously."
"Is she dropping towards the planet?"
"Not anymore sir. Engineering must have stabilized her."
"Order the Child of Libra to support them and try to bring some order to her weapons."
"Two Narn heavy cruisers turning to engage her sir."
"Have Liberty engage the Narn cruisers. Have Red Delta Squadron support her." The Mars Hyperion cruiser, representing a quarter of that planet's fleet moved to defend the battlestar. Red Delta Squadron, which had just finished destroying the fusion bombs on Centauri Prime, hit the afterburners and hurried to join the Liberty. Liberty fired her forward guns at the first Narn heavy cruiser. They caused some damage, but the ship was still functional. Both Narn cruisers focused their weapons on the Liberty and the forward section of the ship exploded.
Red Delta Squadron tore into the Narn cruisers from below. Their missiles made numerous holes in both ships superstructure. After that pass, one cruiser was destroyed and the other crippled. The squadron assumed defensive positions on Caprican Avenger until Child of Libra could arrive and covered the escape pods from the Liberty as they made their way to the battlestar.
Red Delta Squadron was the best in the exploration fleet. All of her pilots had completed at least one tour of duty in Red Alpha or Blue Alpha Squadrons on the Galactica, the best squadrons in the fleet. With the expansion of the fleet beyond even the levels of the original fleet, colors could no longer distinguish between squadrons on their own, hence the addition of an alpha, beta, etc.
The experience of the squadron would be needed in the coming minutes. Narn and Drazi fighters and capital ships were attracted to the crippled battlestar. They closed in for the kill. The Vipers lashed out at the incoming vessels. It was at that second that something snapped. To call it rage would be an understatement. These pilots had all fought Cylons before; they had stood as the last defenders of their world, knowing that if they failed their families and friends would die. And here they were, defending a foreign empire against a pair of 'allies' instead of trying to get home. Flames erupted from the battlestar, a battlestar that should have been defending the Colonies. A fury that had not been seen in even the darkest days of the exodus came upon the men of Red Delta Squadron and then spread to the entire Colonial fleet. None of them would be able to explain it later on. Many would not be able to recall large parts of the battle. The Narn and Drazi, those that survived at least, recalled it well.
Vipers slashed through the Narn and Drazi formation with a total lack of regard for themselves. Many were lost, but the Narn and Drazi suffered much more. Narn and Drazi fighters raced to plug holes created by the loss of capital ships only to be destroyed by Vipers that had expected such a move and slaughtered them incessantly. A G'Quan heavy cruiser exploded after a Colonial warrior rammed his crippled Viper into the bridge instead of ejecting. Another Viper lead a group of Frazis and Sky Serpents into the waiting guns of Adama's Remembrance; the Viper and her opponents were destroyed. A warrior in an escape pod from Freedom changed its signal to read a Viper, occupying the attention of several Drazi ships for a few seconds. The engineers of Caprican Avenger sent their ship into the vortex of combat on front of them along with the three other battlestars despite its decline in combat efficiency. Child of Libra fired on Narn lifepods, attracting Frazis to defend them, and then caught those fighters in a crossfire of four battlestars.
The other vessels of the fleet stood with the Colonials. Earth Force ships, including the freighters, followed them into the storm of combat despite the horrendous losses they had taken in the fight. The destroyer Scipio advanced in front of Traitor's Bane's bridge, taking fire meant for that ship. The Minbari Sharlins fought side by side with the Earth Force vessels. It was at that point that historians of the future claimed the Earth-Minbari War was over. The previous year, the Minbari fought for Earth, now, they fought for Earth Force and Earth Force for the Minbari. There was no hesitation between the vessels of the two races. The damaged Hyperion rammed a Narn dreadnought that had been targeting the crippled Felani, which had lost its stealth capabilities. Minbari Niall fighters defended the lifepods of the Hyperion and the Scipio even as more Narn ships closed on the Felani.
The Centauri Primus made its own sacrifice. The advancing ships left a hole in the defense of Centauri Prime and three G'Quans moved to exploit it. The Centauri battlecruiser closed with them.and detonated her reactor. All four vessels died. The Centauri freighter that had joined the fleet to ferry fighters ejected the fighters from her hold. When a pair of Sky Serpents arrived to destroy them, the freighter detonated its reactor.
It was this maelstrom of destruction that John Sheridan encountered when his White Stars emerged from hyperspace. His next words were as cold and strong as steel. "This President John Sheridan to Narn and Drazi vessels, withdraw now. This is you only warning. We will enter firing range in one minute." A retreat that had started with the devastating advance of the Colonials turned into a rout.
The battered Colonial fleet let them go. Vipers landed and their pilots staggered to their rooms; almost a quarter would refuse to fly again. The commanders of the battlestars were startled by the sudden end of adrenaline and began to shake uncontrollably, recalling their loss of restraint during the battle. Laser battery operators, who a few seconds before had been viciously firing into crippled ships broke down. Starfuries searched in vain for their destroyers, eventually realizing that their friends were now dead. Even the warrior caste of the Sharlins were moved by the violence of those final minutes. Only the Rangers of the White Stars had remained collected in the fight, but even their intense training had nearly failed. White Star 3 approached Traitor's Bane and John Sheridan, looking at the destruction around him, prayed he would never see its like again.