7 Points
By Chaoseternus
Cerberus and the Teltac codenamed Esso reappeared in a flash inside the sol system, a sol system that swarmed with craft, Shunter tugs, Airhead cargo and Paladin transports surging across the system, guarded by the ever watchful eyes of Lancer and F-302 fighters, whilst Dauntless Heavy Destroyers and Prometheus Cruisers lurked in the distance, there sensors watching, probing.
"Geez, you think someone kicked up the anthill?" Bonner asked, his tone awed from the helm station as he frantically banked the Cerberus, skilfully dodging the heavy bulk of an ore module, being dragged by an overworked Shunter.
"We got a bay already," Bonner started as information was dumped from remote onto his console, "they sure as hell aren't hanging around, what the hell is going on here?"
"I don't know" Drew commented grimly, "but the last time I saw this much activity in system we ended up losing the Prometheus class Iwo Jima"
"Somebody is expecting war" Tappin concluded.
"Yeah, well either they found a clairvoyant or they are really not going to like our report" Drew commented, "Rig ship for shore power Mr Tappin, Bonner, dock us"
"Yes sir"
Peters face slammed into her desk hard as Drew continued her report, this they needed, really. Like an acid enema.
"Drew" Peters said sharply, interrupting Drew in mid flow "Are you aware of what's been going on down here?"
"No, but the activity as we came in was hard to miss" Drew replied, curious.
"We're plastered all over the news"
" What!?!"
Peters grinned wryly, rubbing her ear gingerly, "That was my response too, so far they have the Dauntless memorial and a copy of the Dedication Ceremony Video, and about twenty images of a Prometheus, most likely Iwo Jima in orbit.
Unfortunately someone in Russia talked and their Prometheus construction facility was mobbed in the early hours this morning, the rioters seemed to think the Russians were holding the Alien crew of the 'extraterrestrial' craft hostage"
"Well" Drew commented winching, "at least they didn't realise it was human construction"
"It's a moot point now anyway, they triggered a reactor overload"
The blood rushed from Drew's face, "Oh shit"
"Luckily the Russians only had enough Naquadah in the reactor for ground test purposes, so only the base itself was levelled, but the EMP wave knocked out about every Satellite in the area, they are dropping like flies, and we've got to retrieve half of them without getting noticed because somebody felt it would be a good idea to put a nuclear reactor in them"
"Damn" Drew winched, "Casualties?"
"High, but no way of knowing the exact numbers for certain, we suspect a least two thousand rioters plus three hundred base personnel"
"Well," Drew said, "You are really not going to like the rest of my report…"
"Not going to like mine either" Dodge commented grimly as he strode in from his adjoining office, " Independence just lost hyper, same problem, this time as they were just preparing to leave jump so they are actually in system, but that a third ship, and the second Prometheus"
Peters eyes narrowed, "That… fits"
Dodges eyebrows rose, "Excuse me?"
"Something I overheard Kalinda and Carter discussing once, they though maybe mass was an issue, increasing the likelihood of a failure"
The light dawned, "And Dauntless'es mass a lot less than a Prometheus or a loaded Merchant"
"Exactly, they didn't say the mass was the problem though, they said it just made an already bad situation worse" Peters paused, "Ask Kalinda about it, if needs be we will restrict the prommies to system use only temporarily, but ask"
"Err… actually I was going to ask if we could borrow Kalinda and Chocky for a while" Drew mentioned as Dodge turned to leave, "we need the big guns if we are going to find the colonials and bring them to safety before they cylons locate us, and Chocky…"
Peters nodded, "Ask them, volunteer only basis"
"Yes ma'am" Drew nodded, and walked swiftly out of the office.
BSG-75 Galactica
Adama wished, not for the first time that day, that Tigh had not destroyed all his alcohol; he could do with a drop right now.
He didn't know how, he didn't know exactly when but word had leaked out.
The Thirteenth colony really was real.
And they were advanced.
And they were looking for the colonials.
Sure, the population had known that advanced warships that weren't colonial or cylon had appeared to the fleet, but they hadn't known whom the ships belonged to.
He now had a population that was, almost without exception, riding the crest of a massive high, they were saved! They would be safe! They could rebuild their lives!
Well, no, they frakking well couldn't, why? Because he didn't see a 13 th colony warship escorting the fleet, he didn't see supplies from the 13 th colony arriving, and he sure as hell didn't see the 13 th colony itself.
They knew the 13 th colony was out there almost certainly, they knew the 13 th colony was looking for them, but the 13 th colony had yet found and kept contact with the fleet.
They were still on their own; it just meant their chances of survival had increased, so long as they survived until the reinforcements arrived that was.
Which was another matter, why were they looking for the colonials now? How had they known to look for refugees? And why use something as small as gunboats when you're looking for refugees?
And why the odd mix of technologies? That was the real question. Its implications were frightening.
Adama signed, rubbing the bridge of his nose wearily with his hands as he admitted to himself that he really wanted it to be true.
But then, everyone needs they're saviours.
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