Battlestar Galactica
Nightmare?
Chapter One
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the darkness of his quarters, a solitary figure springs up in bed. His heart pounds rapidly, threatening to burst thru his chest at any moment. The bed clothes he wears are soaked thru with the cold sweat of fear. His eyes dart franticly around the room, searching for the enemies that had invaded his sleep only to find his room exactly as it should be. He swings his legs over the edge of the bed and sits for several moments, trying to will his thundering heartbeat to slow.
It seemed so real!
Adama had known the cold grip of fear before. Thru hundreds of battles, he had felt its icy touch. The tightness in ones stomach, the cold sweat on the palms of the hands, the lump that would inevitably work its way into the throat.....yes, Adama knew fear all too well.
But this was different somehow.
When one felt fear in combat, it would vanish once the battle was joined. Ones training would take over. Responses would become automatic. There was no time to think about fear.
Slowly, Adama was able to calm himself. He looked at the chronometer sitting on the small table next to his bed. Less then two centars before he was due to relieve Colonel Tigh on the bridge. He knew sleep would be impossible now, so he decided to get up and eat an early morning meal.
He was just making his way to the turbowash when the comm system beeped. Adama knew immediately that something serious must be happening for anyone to disturb him during his sleep period. He made his way over to the desk and pressed the button to activate the monitor. The screen was filled with the image of Colonel Tigh. Adama and Tigh had been friends for many yahrens, serving together as pilots in Bronze Squadron as young lieutenants and now as the command team of the Galactica. As soon as he seen his friends face, he knew it was not good news.
"Yes Colonel, what is it?" asked Adama.
"Sorry to wake you Commander, but we've lost contact with one of our patrols and they are now fifty centons past their scheduled check in." Tigh informed his commanding officer.
"Who had the patrol Colonel?" Adama asked somewhat concerned.
"Lieutenant Jolly and Flight Sergeant Greenbean." said Tigh.
"Jolly and Greenbean, they're both well aware of check-in procedures." Adama mused aloud. The frown on his face told Colonel Tigh that his commander was very concerned. "Do we have another patrol near by that can take a look and see if there might be a problem Colonel?"
"Yes sir, Ensign Konst and Flight Sergeant Crader are one sector away. I can have them swing thru Jolly's patrol area for a look." said Tigh.
"Good! Do so immediately Colonel. We need to find out why Jolly and Greenbean have not reported in. I'll join you on the bridge twenty centons." Adama said.
"Yes sir." was the colonel's quick response.
Adama ended the comm signal and sat for a moment staring at the vast star field as it passed by his veiwport.
"What's going on out there Jolly?" Adama whispered to himself. "What could have kept you from reporting in?"
Adama rose from his seat and began putting on the dark blue uniform that he had worn for so many yahren. No time for a turbowash now, nor any nourishment.
Duty called!
On the bridge of the great battlestar, Colonel Tigh stood on the raised command podium intently watching as his bridge officer, Lieutenant Omega tried to raise the missing patrol. The colonel was a very intense and dedicated officer. One of the finest warriors to ever wear the uniform of the Colonial service, he had been offered his own command on several occasions, but his deep felt loyalty to Commander Adama and the Galactica made any thoughts of leaving unconscionable.
"Anything yet Omega?" he asked for the tenth time in as many centons.
"Still no contact with Jolly and Greenbean's patrol." reported Omega. "Ensign Konst's patrol is approaching their last known position."
"Have them start a search of the area Jolly's patrol was to cover. Tell them to check in every ten centons." ordered the colonel. "Who has the next patrol on the duty roster?"
Omega brought up the patrol duty roster on one of his screens, "Lieutenants Bojay and Sheba are scheduled to relieve Jolly and Greenbean. Lieutenant Divac and Ensign Grum follow Lieutenant Konst's patrol."
"Send someone down to wake them. I want them ready to launch in twenty centons!" Tigh ordered.
"Yes sir!" Omega replied as he issued the colonels orders.
Adama entered the bridge a few moments later. He made his way up to the command podium and inquired, "Any word from our patrols colonel?"
"Nothing so far," Tigh replied. "Ensign Konst's patrol has started a search of the area where Jolly and Greenbean were last reported. I also have two more patrols preparing to launch. They should be ready within the next ten centons."
"Very good colonel, now all we can do is......" Adama started to say when he was interrupted by Omega.
"Commander! I'm receiving a signal from one of our patrol craft in zeta sector." Omega said. "It's very faint and somewhat garbled. I can't quite make it out; it's almost like......" Omega looked up from his console, a look for apprehension on his face. "Like its being jammed!" he finished.
Adama and Tigh exchanged a look both men knew this meant serious trouble.
"Colonel, sound battle stations. Have all squadrons launch immediately." Adama ordered. "Omega, alert the fleet. Have all ships alter course away from zeta sector. Have them rendezvous with us at position Lamda three."
The lights throughout the giant battlestar switched over to the red battle lighting as the klaxon sounded. In every corner of the mighty war ship, crew members woke from their slumber and rushed off to their battle stations. Those that were already on duty were already making preparations for the upcoming battle. In the squadron quarters, pilots vaulted from their beds and ran, most pulling on uniforms as they went, for the transport trams that would take them to the launch bays.
"What in Hades is going on!" yelled Lieutenant Starbuck as he tried in vain to get one of his boots on while trying to run to the tram.
"Who knows Starbuck? Maybe it's just a drill!" Lieutenant Giles yelled as he wrestled with his pants.
"Damn fine time for a drill, I just got to bed a centar ago!" Starbuck yelled angrily.
"It's not a drill!" yelled Captain Apollo. "We've lost contact with Jolly and Greenbean and now our signals are being jammed, probably by Cylons!" Apollo was the Strike Wing Commander for the Galactica's six squadrons of viper fighters and Commander Adama's eldest son. "Let's go people, we launch in five centons!" he said as he grabbed his helmet from the storage shelf and headed for the tram. Starbuck was right behind Apollo, still trying to buckle on his laser pistol, Boomer, Giles, Cree, and the rest of Blue Squadron following on their heels.
As the pilots reached the launch bays, they quickly manned their vipers. Systems checks were done and engines fired up even before their canopies finished closing. Apollo glanced up and down the flight line to see if his squadron was ready. One by one, the crew chiefs gave the thumbs up signal, letting Apollo know his people were ready to go.
"Launch control, this is Blue Squadron leader. All vipers manned and ready to launch!" reported Apollo to the flight controllers on the bridge.
"Roger Blue Squadron leader, Core Command transferring launch control to all vipers, launch when ready." came the response from Sergeant Rigal.
"Roger that, Blue Squadron launching." Apollo confirmed.
One after another, the pilots pressed themselves back into their seats as they pressed the turbo button on their joysticks. Vipers raced down the launch tubes on their rails until they were released into the vastness of space. Once they were formed up into attack formation, they moved forward to meet the unknown.
On the bridge, Commander Adama and Colonel Tigh watched as three squadrons were launched. Blue Squadron took the point position of the Galactica forces flanked by Red Squadron on their left and Silver Spar Squadron on the right. These moved out ahead of the Galactica to intercept and engage any enemy forces. Orange and Green Squadrons, both newly formed, were held in standby, ready to be dispatched to form a defensive perimeter around the Galactica while the White Squadron, made up of those pilots with the least experience or still in training, were sent with the fleet as escort to the rendezvous point.
Watching his fighters move out from the bridge, Adama asked his bridge officer, Lieutenant Omega, "Any word from our patrols?"
"Intermittent signals only, just as before." Omega responded as he continued to work the controls on his console, trying to bring in the weak, distorted signals. His frown deepened as he worked. Then after what seemed like a millennium, he spoke up, so excited he was almost yelling.
"Commander, I think I have them.....Yes! I have them now sir!" Omega said.
"Excellent! Put it on speaker." Adama ordered.
Adama and Tigh stood behind Omega as he flipped the switch to the speakers at his station. The signal was still somewhat weak and static laden, but it was understandable. The three men leaned forward so as to be able to hear better.
"Patrol Two to Galactica! Do you read me?" came the scared, yet professional voice of Ensign Konst. "We have a large number of Cylon fighters heading your way. I've lost Crader. Jolly and Greenbean both have extensive damage and injuries. We need immediate assistance. Galactica, do you copy? Please acknowledge!"
Sergeant Rigal's calm, professional voice was heard saying, "We read you Patrol Two. How many fighters and baseships are involved Patrol Two?"
"Estimate over one thousand fighters, three baseships verified, possibly more." Came the report from Ensign Konst.
Adama and Tigh straightened as one, exchanging a glance that told the other exactly what was on the others mind. Tigh was the first to lend voice to his thoughts.
"That's nearly as much firepower as we faced at Gammory!" Tigh said.
Adama nodded his head slowly, saying, "And we don't have the advantage of the Pegasus coming to our rescue this time."
The voice from the speakers was heard again.
"I repeat, we need immediate assistance. Greenbean's ship has heavy damage to engines one and three. Jolly has severe electrical damage. Both ships have lost their communication systems. Both pilots have sustained serious injuries. FRAK! The Cylons are gaining on us. Galactica, PLEASE! Send help immediately."
Adama picked up the extra head set and plugged it in to the console, then spoke in a firm, reassuring voice. "Ensign Konst, this is Commander Adama. We have launched all squadrons already. Help is on the way. Can you make it back safely?"
"I don't think Greenbean's ship will make it before the Cylons catch up to us sir! They're gaining on us too fast." Konst replied.
Adama turned to Colonel Tigh, grief and sorrow etched into his face. If Jolly and Konst stayed with Greenbean, all three pilots would most likely be lost. If they went to max turbo's, they could make it back, but that would mean sacrificing Greenbean. Adama hated situations like this. What was he to do? Did he condemn one man to certain death to save two others or take the chance that help would arrive in time to save all three?
His duty to the fleet made only one choice possible.
"Ensign Konst, I want you and Lieutenant Jolly to make best speed back to the Galactica." Adama said, his face a mask of anguish.
There was a long, silent moment's pause, then came the very confused response.
"Sir, if we leave Greenbean, he doesn't stand a chance!" Konst said.
Adama's head dropped to his chest, his eyes closed. He then lifted his face and took a deep breath. "I understand that Ensign." He said somberly. "I cannot risk losing all three of you in the hope of saving one man with a ship that is so badly damaged. If there is as large an attack force inbound as you said, we need every pilot we have."
Another pause ensued before Ensign Konst relied.
"Commander, with all due respect, I can not leave a man behind. I couldn't live with that!" the young pilot said.
"Ensign, I know how you feel. But I have to think about what is best for the fleet. I'm ordering you to increase speed back to the Galactica" Adama said with as much force as he could.
"I'm sorry Commander, but I will not abandon a fellow warrior as long as he has a chance." was Ensign Konst's response.
Adama and Tigh exchanged a look that both understood. Both men knew what the young warrior was feeling. To desert a wounded comrade in battle was unthinkable, but under the present situation, there was little choice.
"Ensign Kon....."
Adama's next words were cut off by Omega's excited voice. "Commander, Patrol Two is coming in on our scanners now. Three ships, moving at slow speed."
Adama and Tigh both stared at the scanner screen on Omega's console. Three small blips, the ships from Jolly's patrol, could be seen moving across the screen in a pyramid formation. After a few moments, a number of small triangle shaped blips began to appear. These moved much faster and were far more numerous. They were closing the gap between themselves and the three colonial ships fast.
"Now picking up the leading elements of the Cylon attack force sir." Omega said.
Adama and Tigh looked on in fascinated horror as with each passing micron, more and more Cylons appeared on their scanners.
"Lords of Kobal!" exclaimed Adama. "How long before our squadrons intercept the Cylon attack force?"
Omega pressed a few buttons on his console, and then said "Estimate 20 centons at present closing speed sir."
Adama nodded slowly, digesting this information. "And how long before they overtake Patrol Two?"
Omega hit a few more buttons. His face lost some of its color as he turned to the commander, "The Cylon attack force will overtake Patrol Two in fourteen centons at present speed. Their not going to make it sir."
Adama closed his eyes and nodded.
"Lords help them!" Adama mumbled under his breath. "Lords help us all!"