7375.323/2669.323 TCS Victory flight deck: Chris Blair had used the rest of the previous day to arrange for continuous patrols of the area's around the combined fleet, and the stealth patrols of the Rygannon system. Now the engineering teams of the Victory and Armstrong were preparing to go to the Galactica. He was holding an impromptu briefing on the flight deck.
"Listen up people, I want you to remember that the ships your going to be checking out, most of them were not designed for interstellar travel, much less jump travel. So listen to the engineers from the colonial fleet, they've been keeping those ships flying for over 25 years. If you have an idea, try to be diplomatic and offer your suggestions. But remember to be receptive as well. Any questions?".
No one said anything. "Good, let's get going then."
As they boarded the shuttle, Chris saw Robin at the controls. He sat next to her,
"And what are you doing here?".
"You didn't think I was going to let you have all the fun. Besides, I hear there are a lot of cute guys on the Galactica." she winked.
Chris just looked at her for a second, then smiled. When the shuttle arrived on the Galactica, they saw that Virgil and Rachel already had the supplies and techs moved over from the Victory. As they disembarked, they were met by a Colonial officer in blue.
"Col. Blair?",
"Yes." Chris responded.
The man offered his hand, and they shook hands.
"I'm Col. Boomer, Executive officer of the Pegasus. I've been given the task of overseeing the refit project.".
Chris then introduced Robin Peters to the Col.
"A pleasure to meet you Col. Boomer. May I ask how you got the job?"
Boomer just smiled at her, "Well, until 3 sectons, no 3 weeks ago. I was the Flight commander of both Battlestars. I know all of the pilots, and the ground crews. So who better, besides, some of the younger pilots are still scared of me, and don't want to get on my bad side.".
This caused them all to smile.
"Well Boomer, call me Chris. I think that this refit is in good hands.".
As they were talking about the refit, Chris explained the patrol layout he had set up for the fleets. Boomer listened, then suggested a few minor changes, which Chris found himself agreeing with. While Chris and Boomer were talking, Robin was looking around the flight deck. She stopped next to one of the Viper's that the techs hadn't started on yet.
"If you would like, you can get in it."
Robin turned around, and saw Hera standing there with another young woman.
"Robin, this is my friend Dalton, Dalton this is Robin Peters. She helped me feel at home on the Victory.".
"So this is the infamous Dalton?" Robin said while smiling.
"What did you tell her Hera?",
"Oh not much, but now there are three people who know how the lab on Gamma Yellow filled with smoke during the chemistry final.".
"Oh no, you didn't.".
"Yeah, she did.".
Dalton looked a little worried, then Robin looked at her,
"Let me tell you two about the infamous academy gelatin attack of 2665."
The three of them started talking in hushed tones, and soon were laughing like old friends. Chris saw the girls laughing, and looked at Boomer.
"Should I be worried about that?".
Boomer looked at Chris and said with a smile, "Be afraid Col., be very afraid.".
They both started laughing at that.
The Confed Engineering team was led by Lt. Commander Paul Mitchell of the TCS Armstrong. His Colonial opposite was Lt. Col Persephone of the Battlestar Galactica. They decided to pair their people into teams of 4, 2 colonial and 2 confed each. The teams were working well together, and except for a few minor mishaps, the inspections went well.
"So your telling me Col. that the Galactica has over 500 years in service.".
"That's right Commander.".
Commander Mitchell could tell that Col. Persephone was a little uncomfortable.
"What's wrong Col.?".
"It's just that I'm used to only having one Commander that I report to, and calling you Commander doesn't seem, well you know.".
Commander Mitchell just nodded his head.
"How about this then, you can call me Paul.".
"Alright Paul, but only if you call me Persephone.".
As the day went on, the Colonial and Confed people were starting to work well together. By the end of the first day, almost half of the vipers had been refitted. The Engineering teams met after inspecting the ships of the fleet, and had given their findings to Commander Mitchell and Col. Persephone. The two of them spent the rest of the day going over the reports, and determining the best plans to address the needed issues. Then they presented their plans to Commander Apollo and Captain Eison.
"As we see it Commander Apollo, except for some minor structural reinforcing on some of the smaller ships, most of the ships will handle jumping just fine.".
"Thank you Persephone. So Captain, the main question now is how do we jump our fleet of ships.".
Commander Mitchell spoke up, "Well sir, that might not be that difficult, if we can get this number of ships from Confed." and he handed Captain Eison a print out.
"Let's see, 2 Frigates, 2 Destroyers, 2 ConComms and 12 Transports.".
Captain Eison just looked at the 2 engineers for a moment.
"Why these types of ships?".
"Well sir, we can tie in the navigation and jump systems of these ships with the systems on the Colonial ships, and can get them through the jump points that way.".
"Will that work William?".
"I don't know Apollo.".
Commander Mitchell spent the next several minutes explaining how and why it would work to them, and in the end convinced them.
"All we need now is these ships, and a destination.".
Captain Eison and Commander Apollo thanked the 2 engineers, and Apollo told them to thank their teams for the excellent work they had done.
Commander Athena was landing her shuttle in the Galactica's Beta landing bay. As she was making her way to the lift, a Confed pilot came up to her.
"Well hello beautiful.".
Athena just looked at him for a few microns, "Excuse me pilot, are you talking to me?".
"Of course I am. Do you see any other beautiful babes here.".
Athena glared at him, "Babes?".
"You know, hot looking women.".
"Listen, uh Major isn't it?".
"That's right, Major Marshall, but you can call me Maniac.".
"Listen Maniac, I think you should familiarize yourself with our rank insignia. I'm Commander Athena.".
Maniac moved closer to her, "Well Commander. How would you like to…" and Maniac began to whisper in her ear. Athena's eyes just widened as he went on.
After the engineers had left, Apollo got a call from Cassiopeia in the life station.
"Apollo, is Captain Eison there with you?".
"Yes he is Cassie. Why?".
"I think you two should come to the life station as soon as possible.".
"We're on our way.".
The two of them headed for the life station. When they arrived, they saw Athena sitting on one of the exam beds, and a Med Tech was using a device on her right shoulder. They also saw Maniac laying on one of the other exam beds, just moaning quietly. Apollo looked at Athena,
"What happened?".
Athena just looked at them.
"Apparently your Major isn't familiar with our rank insignia yet Captain. I had come here to see you Apollo, and ran into him in the flight bay.".
Captain Eison rolled his eyes up a little,
"What did Maniac do Commander?".
"I think he was trying to flirt with me, and wouldn't take no for an answer.".
"And what did you do Athena?"
Apollo asked, knowing he probably wouldn't like the answer.
"I did to him, what I did to you when you were 14 yahren old.". Apollo just grimaced when he heard that, then he looked at Captain Eison.
"I think your Major may be here for awhile Captain.".
Captain Eison looked at the two of them, then over at Maniac.
"Commander Athena, for whatever Major Marshall did, I officially apologize on behalf of the Confederation. Do you wish or need to press disciplinary charges.".
Athena just sat on the bed rotating her arm now.
"That won't be necessary Captain, I think that the Major has learned his lesson.".
Cassiopeia came over to them.
"Well Athena, I want you to take it easy for the next cycle or two. And Apollo, you'll be glad to know that the Major's injuries should be healed in a few centars. With no permanent scars, except to his ego.".
Captain Eison looked at them, "Well as big as that is, the scars shouldn't show to much.". All four of them laughed at that
Col. Blair and Col. Boomer stepped into the life center, and asked one of the techs were Maniac was at. They were directed to one of the rooms, and went in. Maniac was laying on the bed, with a sorry look on his face.
"Col., what happened to me?".
Chris looked at him,
"Well it looks like you pulled another Maniac maneuver. But you'll be glad to know that the Commander isn't pressing charges.".
"Charges, what for? I was talking to this hot babe, and the next thing I know, I'm waking up here.".
Boomer looked at him now,
"Well Major, the young woman you spoke to was Commander Athena, Commander of the Pegasus. Apparently she must not have liked what you said to her."
Maniac looked at them for a few seconds,
"You know that I'll never live this down, beat up by a woman.".
Boomer smiled, "If it helps Major, Commander Athena was one of our academy martial instructors. Just be glad you can still walk.".
Cassiopeia came in, carrying a strange device,
"Alright you 2, time to go. I have to give the Major his last treatment.".
Chris and Boomer just looked at her, and then the device.
"Well we were just leaving. Good luck Maniac.".
The two Col.'s had just left Maniac's room when they heard a muffled moan from in his room.
"Chris?",
"Yeah Boomer.".
"Has he always been like that?".
Chris just smiled, "Yeah Boomer, as a pilot, he's one of the best. As a person, well we're still working on that part.".
They were both laughing as they left the life station.