7875.323 Baltar's Chambers: Baltar sat in his command chair and was reviewing the data on the screen. He was beginning to see a pattern, he now knew that he had found the colonial fleet. "But why would there be an unusual energy spike in the asteroid field?" he thought.
"What are you up to Apollo?".
Baltar's thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of Lucifer. "By your command Lord Baltar.".
"What do you want Lucifer?".
"You wished to be notified when we were back to full strength. We have just finished rebuilding the last centurions that we lost.".
Baltar smiled almost gleefully, "Have all Base-stars move to these coordinates. Then begin to send out double strength long range patrols.".
"Double strength Lord Baltar?".
Baltar could tell by the firing of Lucifer's 2 brains that he was perplexed by the order. That alone brought a measure of satisfaction to Baltar.
"It seems that the colonials have somehow gotten better in their fighting abilities. This way we will find their fleet and finally destroy them.".
"By your command Lord Baltar.".
"Now leave me." and Baltar turned the command chair away from Lucifer.
As Lucifer left the chamber, his 2 brains were firing rapidly. He wondered what Baltar was up to, and how could he use this against Baltar. He gave the orders to the gold centurion in central command, who then relayed the orders to the other 2 Base-stars. Meanwhile Lucifer headed to the analysis chamber. When he arrived, he saw the IL series researcher still analyzing the material that was found.
"Report your findings.".
"Our analysis of the clear coating is still not complete. The refractory nature of the material has been making proper analysis difficult.".
"What have you found out about the material?".
"The compound is not a naturally occurring material. It was definitely manufactured. But the exact composition is still unknown.".
"Is there a way to defeat this material?".
"I believe that there must be, but I do not have enough data to tell you how.".
Lucifer looked at Daemon, "Continue your analysis, this has absolute priority.".
"By your command." and Daemon went back to his duties.
Now Lucifer was beginning to experience a new sensation, that he had never experienced before. As he made his way back to central command, he wondered what the humans would call this "feeling" that he was experiencing. He began to run through all of the emotions that humans could experience in his 2 brains. He finally narrowed the choices down to 2. Doubt or fear. But cylons were above the petty emotions that humans experienced.
"No doubt it has been from being around Baltar." he thought.
"I will have to purge myself of these flawed algorithms, once we have destroyed the human fleet. And I have properly rewarded Lord Baltar.".
That thought began to get both of his brains firing. He had waited 25 yahrens, and now the end was hopefully in site.
"Soon Baltar, very soon." he thought.
As he entered the command chamber, the gold duty centurion informed him that all Base-stars would be in position and launching patrols in 30 centons.
"Keep me informed, I'll be in recharge mode for the next 2 centars." and he left the command center.
The Base-stars soon arrived at the new coordinates, and sent out their patrols. The patrols were under orders to increase the range of their patrols, and report back all findings to the lead Base-star. What the cylons didn't know, was that they were being watched by 2 Excalibur's from the Victory. Once the patrols were launched, the confed pilots set their course for the combined fleet. After the ships landed, and the pilots reported in, Col. Blair, Captain Eison, and Commander's Apollo and Athena had a planning session. Captain Eison looked at the others,
"With the Base-stars here, it's only a matter of time before they discover the fleets position.".
"So what are you thinking Captain?".
"What I'm thinking about is a variation of the Tolwyn maneuver.".
Apollo and Athena just looked at them, "What's that William?".
Captain Eison activated the monitor, and displayed the area of the Rygannon system.
"We have on board, 320 mines. We lace these 2 area's here and here with the mines. But we don't activate them. We then let one of the cylon patrols spot a patrol of 2 vipers at the extreme range of their scanners, and let them find the fleet.".
Athena looked at him, "You want them to find us?".
Captain Eison looked at her, "Baltar will launch his fighters to attack the fleet. We then engage and destroy most if not all of their fighter support.".
"Knowing Baltar, he'll send the other 2 Base-stars to attack our ships.".
"That's what I'm counting on Athena. Because to get to us, the Base-stars will have to come through these area's.".
Apollo smiled, "Which is were you put the mines, and you'll activate them once the Base-stars are close to them.".
"Exactly. The mines should cripple or at least severely damage the Base-stars.".
They spent the next hour fine tuning the plan, and setting things in motion.
The next 9 hours were tricky, because the Longbow Bombers which were laying the mines, had to time their deliveries between cylon patrols. The advantage of the longer range on sensors made the task easier, but it was still tricky. Soon the trap was set, now they just had to bait the trap. As the longbows were planting the mines, Apollo called Starbuck and Jolly to his office.
"Guys, I need 2 volunteers for a very dangerous mission.".
Starbuck just looked at him, then looked at Jolly. "You know Jolly, I told you we should have ignored that call from Valus.".
Apollo just smiled at him, "I knew I could count on you Starbuck.".
Apollo explained the mission to them, and he explained that they would have an escort.
"As you know, the cylon scanners have a little more range than the viper's scanners. And since we want them to believe that they have found you, but not been seen themselves, you'll be flying with Lt. Peters from the Victory."
Jolly looked at Apollo, "Why is that Apollo?".
Starbuck smiled at him, "Well Jolly, I guess you haven't talked to Bojay yet.".
The pilots met on the flight deck of Beta landing bay. "Major Starbuck, Major Jolly, I'm Lt. Peters, But call me Flint."
Starbuck smiled, "Well Jolly, if anything goes wrong, at least we get to fly with an angel.".
Flint looked at him, and smiled, "Dalton was right, you are a charmer.".
The three of them laughed a little at that, then went over the mission data. Ten centons later they launched and set a circular course away from the fleet. When they were far enough from the fleet, Flint called them,
"Ok guys, time for me to make like a ghost.".
She brought her cloak on line, and her ship vanished. Major Jolly was surprised by this, "Where is she Starbuck?".
"Relax Major, I'm still here. I guess they didn't tell you about the cloaking device.".
"I told you Jolly, you should have talked to Bojay. But to tell you the truth, I thought he was a little space happy until I saw it for myself.".
"If you think seeing a ship just disappear is bad Major, try flying in one where you can't see your own ship beyond your cockpit.".
After about 5 minutes, Flints scanner beeped.
"It looks like a patrol of 8 raiders on an approach vector.".
She watched as the raiders turned and matched speed and direction of the vipers.
"Ok guys, it looks like they took the bait. Now just a slow easy turn back toward the fleet, and Major Starbuck, make it sound convincing."
Cylon patrol Delta was about to return to their Base-star when they detected the 2 vipers.
"All raiders fall in formation, and match speed and direction of the vipers."
The 7 other raiders did as the flight leader ordered.
"The vipers are unaware of our presence. They will lead us to the colonial fleet."
After 5 centons, the raiders picked up Starbucks call to the Galactica.
"This is Recon patrol to Galactica command. We've finished our sweep, returning to base. Negative cylon contact.".
When the raiders picked up the beacon signal of the Galactica, they immediately veered off and set course back to their Base-star. Once they were in communication range the flight leader reported in.
"This is patrol Delta. Colonial Recon patrol spotted and followed, transmitting coordinates of colonial fleet.".
This information was processed by the computron on the Base-star and immediately relayed to the lead Base-star. The command centurion informed Lucifer, who then proceeded to Baltar's chambers.
"By your command.".
"Report Lucifer.".
"One of our patrols spotted a colonial Recon patrol, and followed them to the colonial fleet.".
"So we know where the colonial fleet is, good, good.".
"Your orders Lord Baltar?".
"Recall all patrols, we move toward the fleet in 1 centar. Refuel all raiders as they return, and prepare to destroy the colonial fleet.".
"By your command Lord Baltar."
On the Victory's bridge, Apollo, Athena, Col. Blair and Captain Eison watched as the cylon raiders reversed their course and headed back toward the Base-stars.
"Well it looks like they took the bait William."
"Yes it does Apollo, now we set part 2 into motion."
Captain Eison contacted Captain Lewis on the Armstrong.
"Tom, it looks like everything is a go. Were going to move the Battlestars and the Victory into position. If any of the cylons get by us, it's up to you and Copper Spar squadron to protect the fleet.".
Apollo spoke to Captain Lewis, "I've instructed Major Greenbean that your in command of the fleet. He's a good officer, I'm sure that between the 2 of you, the fleet is in good hands.".
Captain Lewis saluted them, "Good hunting. We'll be awaiting your return. Armstrong out.".
Apollo and Athena looked at Captain Eison. "I have 2 shuttles standing by to take you to your ships.".
The 4 officers shook hands, and Apollo and Athena followed Col. Blair to the lift.
In the lift, Apollo looked at Chris, "Col. I need to ask you something.".
"What is it Commander?".
"What do you know about Vagabond and Hera?".
Chris felt a little awkward now. "If your talking about what I think your talking about, I can only tell you that Winston Chang is one of the finest men I've ever known. I've seen the way they are around each other, and I think that Winston is a very lucky man to who have found someone like Hera.".
Apollo smiled at that, "Well you can thank Sheba for that. And thank you Col., I know I put you on the spot, but a father worries about these sort of things.".
The door of the lift opened and Apollo and Athena went to the two shuttles. They were back on their ships in less than 5 centons. The three warships were moving toward the cylons in a centar, leaving the colonial fleet behind them. In 2 hours the 3 warships were in position, and set battle conditions to stealth mode to minimize the chance of detection, then they waited for the cylons to arrive.