2669.318 Rygannon to Xytani jump point. The area of space flashed brightly for a moment, and then returned to normal. There were now two Confed Excalibur's flying there.

"Alright Flint, it's time to find us a big fish.",

"Roger that Vagabond, setting Nav points now. Should we cloak now or should we wait?".

"Lets play it safe Flint, lets cloak now." the two ships faded from sight as there cloaks came on line.

"I forgot how strange this was Vagabond.",

"Yeah, me to Flint. At least now we have a better chance on sneaking up on them." the two Excalibur's headed deeper into the Rygannon system.

As they approached Rygannon 2, they got their first look at the mysterious fighters. "Looks like we got lucky Flint. Lets just come up behind them and see where they lead us.",

"You got it Vagabond, slipping into their six.".

After just over an hour, the raider ships were heading for the asteroid belt just beyond Rygannon 3. That's when they saw the base-ship.

"My god, it's huge Vagabond.",

"Lets get a little closer before we scan it Flint. The closer we are, the better the chances are scans will penetrate the hull.". They pulled along side the huge ship and matched it's course and speed.

"Flint start your scans, maximum penetration.",

"Roger Vagabond starting scans.".

In the Command center of the base-star the Gold centurion on watch was alerted by the centurion on scanners.

"We are being scanned.",

"From where?",

"Starboard lower quarter.".

"What is on scanners?",

"Nothing.",

"Run diagnostic and rescan the area.".

A few microns later, "Diagnostic complete, rescan still shows nothing.",

"Stand by.", the gold centurion sent a signal to Lucifer and gave him the information. Lucifer's 2 brains finally determined that this must be a new human trick.

"Have all turrets in that area begin random firing patterns. I am on my way to command.",

"By your command.".

The gold centurion activated a control on the panel in front of him,

"Activate all turrets in sections Alpha 3 to Beta 9. Begin random firing sequences.",

"By your command.".

"Vagabond, I was just hit by a scanner. Have they spotted us?",

"I'm not sure Flint, but lets pull back a little to be safe.". the two Excalibur's pulled back about a 500 m. and continued their scans.

"Vagabond, I just got scanned again.",

"Ok Flint, I don't think we are going to get anymore info. Lets head for home."

Just then the skies around them began to fill with laser fire.

"Looks like we overstayed our welcome Flint, lets move."

The two pilots hit max thrust and afterburners. They were almost clear, when a laser blast clipped Vagabonds ship. The force of the blast caused his ship to decloak and spin out of control. But Vagabond was no rookie pilot, he quickly regained control of his ship and hit his afterburners to put some distance between him and the ship. Flint pulled along side of him,

"What's your damage Vagabond?".

"Not good Flint. My main power is at 50 and my shields are only charging to 30. The controls are a little sluggish, and I think my ejection system is fried.".

"Can you make it back to the jump point Vagabond?".

"It doesn't really matter Flint. My jump drive is offline, hell I don't even know if it's still on my ship. Listen, they 're going to be launching fighters any minute now. Head back to the Victory with the Intel Flint, that's more important than me.".

"Don't say that Vagabond.".

Vagabond got very serious now, "Lt. Peters, getting the Intel back to Confed is more important than one pilot. Now return to base. That's an order.".

Flint knew that he was right, but she still didn't like it, "Yes sir, returning to base. Be careful Winston".

"I will Robin, I will."

Robin input the jump point coordinates in her Nav-comp and headed for the jump point. She then saw 4 of the raiders on an intercept course.

"Heads up Vagabond you have bogies inbound.",

"Roger that, I see them, looks like they want to play. Well so do I. I'll buy you some time."

Lucifer entered the command center and looked at the gold centurion, "Report.".

"Laser turrets hit an unknown craft just off the starboard lower quarter.".

"Was the craft destroyed .",

"Negative, the pilot was able to regain control of the craft and flew out of turret range. Interceptors were launched and are approaching the craft now.".

"Excellent, have the interceptors capture the craft if possible. If not, then they are to destroy it.".

"By your command.", the gold centurion passed the orders on to the lead centurion of the flight.

"Keep me informed centurion." then Lucifer headed for Baltar's chambers. The flight leader passed the orders to all the raiders, and they began to close on the damaged ship.

"Scan the vessel." the flight leader ordered.

"The vessel is piloted by a single human, power readings are low, his weapons are not like any colonial type in data base.".

The flight leader opened a channel to the human ship,

"Your ship is badly damaged, surrender and prepare to be taken in tow."

He informed the base-star of their scan results.

As the raiders were coming into his weapons range, Vagabond decided to play possum with them. He kept his power levels low, and his missile system was the only weapon he had on line. His com-system was receiving a call from them, but because of the damage to his comm system, the message was garbled .

"Ok boys and girls, lets see if this works. Just a little closer."

His missile system tone activated and Vagabond sent a salvo of 4 missiles at the raiders. He then hit his power to as full as it would go and hit his afterburners. The missiles hit all 4 of the raiders, and they disappeared in a burst of fire and smoke.

Vagabond turned his ship toward the edge of the system, in the opposite direction of the jump point. He knew that other ships would be following him, so this would give Flint a better chance to escape. He saw that there were at least 8 more raiders on long range scan headed his way. He pushed his throttle all the way open and hoped he could keep ahead of them for a little while longer. Meanwhile, Flint was approaching the jump point to Xytani. She input the jump trajectories and activated her jump drive.

A tear rolled down her cheek as she thought, "Good luck Vagabond."

She was silently crying as she made the jump. As she cleared the jump, she wiped her eyes and saw the Victory, and she deactivated her cloak.

"Victory, this is Flint, requesting permission to land.",

"Roger that Flint you have clearance. Activating ALS.".

As she was landing, she could see Chris running out onto the flight deck. As she powered down, she pulled the memory card from the scanner and climbed out of the cockpit. She saw Chris and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck, she just began to cry. Chris led Robin off to the side of the flight deck. Maniac who had just arrived on the flight deck saw the cadets heading toward Chris and Flint. He also saw the look on Robin's face. He knew what was wrong, and quickly put himself between the Col. and the cadets.

"Alright you plebes, clear the area.",

"I MEAN NOW!".

His shout caught them by surprise, and none of them wanted to tick off a Major, especially Maniac. They left the flight deck as fast as they could.

The command centurion reported to Lucifer, "All interceptors were destroyed. The ship is being piloted by a human. The ship is headed out of the system. Gamma and Beta patrols are pursuing.".

Lucifer received the report just before entering Baltar's chamber. As the glass doors parted he entered and watched as Baltar's command chair rotated around to face him.

"Report Lucifer.",

"Lord Baltar, the base-star has been scanned by an unknown type of human ship.".

"What do you mean unknown?",

"Well Lord Baltar, the ship is not like any previously seen colonial ships on record. The energy signal and weapons also do not correspond to colonial designs.".

"How was this ship able to get close enough to scan the base-star?".

"I believe that the ship was using an energy shield that our scans were not able to detect, making the ship seem invisible to our scans." .

"Well Lucifer, if the ship is invisible, how did you detect it?",

"When we detected the scans on the base-star, I ordered the laser turrets to open fire in a random pattern. One of the blasts grazed the ship, doing severe damage to it. But the pilot was able to escape out of range of our turrets".

"Where is the ship now Lucifer?",

"The ship is headed out of the system Lord Baltar, our raiders are in pursuit even as we speak.".

"Good Lucifer, I want that ship intact if possible. If not, then destroy it before the pilot can report back to the Galactica.".

"You still believe that the ship is a colonial ship Lord Baltar.",

"Of course Lucifer, what else could it be?".

"Perhaps Lord Baltar, the ship was from another group of humans.".

"From where Lucifer? From this Earth that the colonials have been searching for? Is that what you believe?".

Lucifer could tell from the stress level in Baltar's voice that he was agitated, and even though this gave him great satisfaction, he knew better than to anger Baltar.

"No my Lord Baltar, I do not have enough data to say where the ship is from.".

Baltar calmed down a little, "Leave me Lucifer, report back when the ship is captured or destroyed.",

"By your command Lord Baltar.".

As Lucifer left his chamber's, Baltar wondered to himself, "Could these humans be from earth?".

Vagabond was pushing his Excalibur as much as he could, but the raiders were slowly gaining on him.

"Well at least Flint got away." he thought as he smiled to himself.

The raiders were again calling to his ship, but his comm system wasn't repaired enough to receive the message.

" human craft, down and to be ."

He wasn't sure what they wanted, but judging by what his sensors showed him, he knew it wasn't good.

"Not today people, not today."

Vagabond banked his ship as hard to the left as he could, and turned to face the raiders. He routed as much power to his forward shields as he could and armed his missiles and his Tachyon cannons. As soon as he got a missile tone, he salvo fired 4 missiles. The 4 closest raiders split left and right, but these were Image Recognition missiles. The missiles tracked their targets and turned with them.

The 1st and 2nd missiles each hit a ship, which instantly disintegrated in a flash of fire. The 3rd and 4th missiles both hit the same ship with similar results. Vagabond was right behind the 4th raider before the pilot could react. He opened fire with all 4 Tachyon cannons. The shots ripped right through the raider and it literally split in two as Vagabond flew past it.

But the other 4 raiders were now behind him. The lead raider opened fire and his shots hit Vagabonds weakened rear shield and went right through. His engines took the full brunt of the blast, and began to shut down. Vagabond was soon dead in space, he had power, but no thrust, he watched as the raiders were lining up to take him out.