Battlestar Galactica
Nightmare?
Chapter Six
The dark, cold, blackness of space stretched out before him as far as his eyes could reach. Even though his life support system was working fine, he found himself bathed in sweat. It was not the sweat one excreted from physical exertion or extreme heat; it was the cold sweat of fear! Apollo had every reason to fear at that moment as he and the members of the Galactica's strike wing had engaged a huge attack force of Cylon fighters less then a centar before. The battle had been brutal as both sides took the full measure of the other. Many good pilots had been killed that day……Giles, Deitra, Cree, Barton, Brie, Crader, and so many others. Ninety eight warriors in all. Apollo had a difficult time accepting such a great loss. But his fear was not from what had already happened, but from what he believed was happening now. While trying to stay alive in the fierce battle that had claimed so many warriors, Apollo had lost tract of where all of the Cylon forces were. After finding a place of relative calm in the battle zone, Apollo noticed that most of the Cylon attack wave had continued on instead of engaging the Galactica's squadrons. So now, with what few remaining vipers he could muster, a mere nineteen in all, Apollo was trying to overtake the Cylon forces and do whatever he could to protect the Galactica and what remained of the human race.
Flying next to Apollo, as always, was his wingmate and best friend, Starbuck. "Hey Apollo, I hate to bring this up at a time like this, but my low fuel lamp just came on."
"Mine came on a few centons ago Apollo." Added Lieutenant Boomer, leader of the Galactica's Red Squadron and the constant companion to Apollo and Starbuck. "I'm flying on solium vapors now."
Apollo looked down at his own fuel gauges and saw that his low fuel indicator was burning bright too. This light came on when a viper's fuel reached a level allowing twenty centons of flight time. With nearly every pilots light showing, Apollo knew that they would have to land and refuel before they could rejoin the battle. This did not bode well for the Galactica since she only had two squadrons left to defend herself. But there was little else he could do; they would be of no use to the Galactica if they ran out of fuel in the middle of the battle. Making the only decision he could, Apollo told the remaining members of his strike wing to land and refuel as soon as they rendezvoused with the Galactica.
Apollo's attention was drawn to a group of flashing lights in the distance. Laser fire. It looked like the battle for the Galactica had begun. Now the question was, could he and his small band of survivors get there, land, refuel, launch, and mount any kind of counterattack before the Galactica was destroyed? Apollo figured that all he could do was try.
"There they are! Looks like Green and Orange Squadrons have already engaged them." Apollo said over the viper channel. "We'll go in as planned, land, do a "Hot Refueling", and then launch and join the fray. Don't waste time trying to move to the launch tubes, just launch out the landing bay. I want everyone back in action in five centons from the time we land. Understood?"
"I guess I won't have time to use the turboflush then!" Starbuck quipped.
"I doubt it." Was all Apollo said, though he was smiling at the attempt his friend was making to keep the other members of the wing relaxed.
On the bridge of the Galactica, Lieutenant Omega kept vigil on the scanners. Since changing course, they had lost contact with the Cylon attack fleet and their own squadrons and had received very little information from the battle zone. They had been running silent since they changed course and had gone to light speed to get behind the Cylon baseships which would make it impossible to pick up the transmissions from their vipers. Omega saw a small blip come up on the long range scanners. He immediately started to make adjustments to fine tune and increase the scanners definition. It took less then ten microns to bring the object into focus, it was a viper. This was soon followed by a large group of ships. These were Cylons. They were soon followed by more Cylon fighters…….a lot more of them. He turned to where Commander Adama and Colonel Tigh stood, going over their battle plans.
"Commander, long range scanners show a single viper heading on an intercept course followed by a large group of Cylon fighter craft."
Adama and Tigh exchanged a surprised look as they both moved closer to Omega's station. On the monitor displaying the long range scanner readout, a single viper was indeed heading toward them, followed by a dozen Cylon fighters. Tigh was the first to speak, asking the question on everyone's mind. "How did he know we were here? We've been running silent since we changed course!"
"Most likely just a coincidence, but it does cause a problem Colonel. We've most likely been discovered and will come under attack soon." Adama said. "Well Colonel, so much for our well laid plans. Bring the ship to alert status and order Orange and Green Squadrons to stand by for launch as soon as we drop out of light speed."
"Yes sir!" Tigh said then went about issuing the proper orders.
Adama stood behind Omega, watching the approaching ships. He asked Omega, "Can you identify whose viper that is?"
"Yes sir!" Omega said as he entered a new command into the computer. It took less then two microns for them to get their answer, and it was far from what either would have expected.
"Commander, its Ensign Konst, or at least it's his transponder code." Omega said in disbelief.
"Ensign Konst, Lords of Kobal! How could he have survived that suicide attack he made?" Adama whispered. Then to Omega he said. "Have Orange and Green Squadrons launch at once. And have Ensign Konst land immediately and report to the bridge."
"Yes sir!" Omega replied.
Within microns of the order to launch being given, dozens of the sleek white vipers of Orange and Green Squadrons leaped down the launch tubes and out into space. It took less then five centons to launch all eighty ships of the two squadrons and get them into their formations. Lieutenant Kolbe was in command of Green Squadron while Lieutenant Levi commanded Orange Squadron. Both were survivors of the "peace conference" at Cimtar nearly two yahren before. As senior officer, Lieutenant Kolbe was in overall command and took the point of the Galactica's defensive screen. He looked around to see if his people were in position. Off his right wing, he saw his wingmate, Lieutenant Nyby busy checking his scanner. To his left were Lieutenant Lupo and Lieutenant Pettus. The four of them were all from the Battlestar Pacifica and had flown together for six yahren. They were the only people left from that once mighty vessel and had requested that they be assigned to the same squadron aboard the Galactica. Commander Adama had been very accommodating, saying he didn't want to break up what little "family" they might have left, and so he had them assigned to Red Squadron. As more and more pilots were trained and new vipers were built, Adama expanded their air wing form three squadrons to six, one of which was to act as a training squadron. Now after seven sectars of training and long, boring patrols, they were finally going back into action. Kolbe activated his long range scanner and immediately picked up Lieutenant Konst's viper heading their way followed by a dozen Cylon fighters. Konst's viper was well out of range of the Cylon weapons, but he was leading them right to the Galactica. If they were able to scan the Galactica and report her position to their baseships, it would end any chance they had at pulling off the planned sneak attack on the Cylons. Therefore, it was vital that they intercept the Cylon fighters and destroy them before they could betray their position.
It was at that moment that a voice broke the silence on the comm link.
"Patrol two to Galactica. Patrol two to Galactica, come in please." said a frightened voice. The voice of Ensign Konst.
"What in Sagen's name is he doing? Is he trying to lead the entire Cylon fleet right to us or what?" Nyby said over the secured comm link between the ships of Green Squadron.
"I'm not sure, but we need to stop him before he blows our plan all to Hades." Kolbe said.
Then he switched frequencies to the Red Squadron ship to ship frequency and tried to contact Konst.
"Green leader to patrol two, do you copy? Green leader to patrol two acknowledge."
A few microns passed before there was an answer.
"Patrol two to green leader, is that you Kolbe?" the voice said.
"Affirmative Patrol Two. State your status and intentions." Kolbe said.
"Intentions!" Konst said, somewhat confused by the question. "My intentions are to stay alive. What kind of question is that Kolbe? What are you doing way out here anyway? Where's the Galactica?"
"Calm down Konst and tell me why you're leading those Cylons this way!" Kolbe said in a very stern voice.
"I was trying to lead them away from the Galactica and hopefully find some way of losing them." Konst said more calmly this time. "So why are you out here?"
"We picked you up on our scanners and came out to intercept you and your friends. The Galactica is trying to swing around behind the Cylon baseships and pull a sneak attack on them, that was until you brought the whole Cylon fleet this way. Now we may have been discovered thanks to you." Kolbe said with a bit of anger in his voice.
"How was I to know the Galactica had changed course? They've been jamming my comm's for the past twenty centons and I've only had short range scanners." Konst said, his own anger building at Kolbe's attitude.
"Alright, listen up. Change your course three points to port, that will bring you right to us." Kolbe told Konst.
"Three points to port, got it!" replied Konst.
With that, Konst pushed his stick slightly to the left and steadied up on the new heading. The jamming from the Cylon ships was beginning to lighten up and he was beginning to get better resolution on his scanner. He picked up Green Squadron heading his way and for the first time in centars began to feel as if he would survive. Just then his viper began to slow down. Looking at his interments, he was shocked to find his low fuel indicator had come on. How could he have missed it? Now he heard his engines start to sputter. He cut the fuel flow to his number one engine, hoping to keep fuel flowing to the other two engines. The two remaining engines began to smooth out, but he had lost a great deal of speed and now the pursuing Cylon fighters were nearly on top of him.
"Patrol Two to Green leader, I'm almost out of fuel and those Cylons are catching up to me. How about some help here!" Konst radioed.
"Hang in there Ensign, were almost there." came the reply from Lieutenant Kolbe.
"Easy for you to say!" Konst thought as the Cylon fighters began firing on him. Konst began some evasive maneuvers, trying not to give them an easy target. Laser blasts exploded on either side of his ship as his veered one way then the other. He knew he couldn't keep this up for long, sooner or late, one of those Cylons would get lucky and send a laser blast right up his tail. Another explosion, this one very close to his cockpit, temporarily blinded him. All he could see was huge blue and white spots. Konst rubbed his eyes furiously to try and restore some of his vision, but to no avail. He continued to bob and weave through space so as not to make it easy for the Cylons, but without his sight, he had no idea where he was going. Then he heard his comm system come to life.
"Green leader to Konst, where are you going? You're moving away from us. Come back to your previous heading."
"Green leader, I can't see where I'm going, I'm flash blind! Can you direct me back on course?" Konst said.
"Understood, come right about 6 points." Kolbe said, hoping that Konst would remember his flight training on how to navigate while flash blinded.
"Coming right." Konst said as he moved his joystick to the right about five degrees. Then he started counting, using the method he learned in flight training over a yahren ago. When he hit six, he brought the stick back to its centered position.
"Well done Ensign, you're right on course." Konst heard Lieutenant Kolbe say over the comm system. "I have visual contact with you right now. We're almost there."
Konst felt a great wave of relief wash over him at hearing that. Maybe he would make it?
Then everything was gone!
Kolbe could see Ensign Konst's viper coming right at him and the rest of Green Squadron with a dozen Cylons in hot pursuit. The Cylons were in their typical phalanx formation, four groups of three flying in a diamond. He could see the lead group take a shot at Konst, a near miss. Then another round of fire. This one however didn't miss the mark as it struck the top of the cockpit dead center, cutting the viper in half and sending the two pieces tumbling through space.
"LORDS OF KOBAL NO!!!!" Kolbe yelled in horror.
"Dear god, did you see that? Said Nyby, shocked by what he had just witnessed.
Other pilots expressed similar exclamations of shock, horror, disbelief, rage, and fear.
Kolbe took only a micron or two to recover his composure and quite down his squadron. "Alright, that's enough chatter! We can't do anything for Konst now except make scrap metal out of those tin cans." He said. "Green Squadron, engage and destroy."
The acknowledgements from the members of his squadron came almost as one voice as the members of Green Squadron hit their turbos and raced forward to avenge their fallen comrade.
The Cylon commander had been so intent on the lone human craft that it never noticed the large formation of vipers approaching his group until it was too late. The ships of Green Squadron ripped into the Cylon formation with a vengeance, ripping all twelve raiders to pieces in just one pass. With no more targets to attack, the colonials turned back to their assigned mission.
Just as the members of Green Squadron began to make their return to station, Lieutenant Nyby got on the comm system, his normally calm voice tinted with a slight touch of apprehension.
"Hey boss, I think we have a big problem!" Nyby said.
"What are you talking about? What kind of problem? asked Kolbe.
"I think you better take a look at your scanner, where Konst came from. We got company. Lots of company!" Nyby said, fear beginning to edge into his voice.
Kolbe flipped his scanner from forward scan mode to rear scan and felt his heart skip a beat. There on his screen was a huge formation of ships heading their way. He hit a switch to bring up the "War Book" to identify the incoming vessels, thou he already knew what it would tell him. Sure enough, within a matter of microns, the War Book had identified them as Cylon fighters, Raider Class. Kolbe hit a new command on the computer and it showed him a long range scan of their rear quadrant. The entire screen was covered with small triangles, each indicated a Cylon fighter.
"How many do you count Nyby?" Kolbe asked his wingmate.
"My computer is up to three hundred and still counting boss! We're going to need some help with this I'd say." Nyby said with no humor in his voice.
"Like you were reading my mind partner." Kolbe said
Flipping his comm system from Green Squadron's frequency to the Orange Squadron frequency, Kolbe put out the call for assistance.
"Green leader to Orange Leader, Green lead to Orange, do you copy?" he said.
"I hear you Green lead." Lieutenant Levi said.
"We have a problem Levi" Kolbe said "Looks like a couple hundred Cylons are heading our way. We could sure use some help up here."
"Acknowledged, we're already on it. We'll be coming in on your left flank. Levi told him.
Kolbe nodded his head in approval.
"Understood Orange leader. We'll hit them head on then." Kolbe said.
By coming in from the left flank, the Cylons would get the idea that the Galactica was somewhere in that direction. After they engaged the lead elements of the Cylon attack force, they could break away in that direction and lead them away from the Galactica's actual position. A brilliant plan if it worked.
But that was a big if!
On the bridge of the Galactica, Commander Adama stood transfixed as he watched events unfold before him. On the monitor, he watched as his two meager squadrons, eighty vipers in all, moved forward in a two prong attack on what had to be six to seven hundred Cylons. They had always battled against the odds, outnumbered at every turn, but they had always been able to triumph over their soulless adversaries with their skill and unpredictable tactics. But this time, with the odds at eight or nine to one, was it too much to overcome?
"Commander, Lieutenant Kolbe says they are moving to engage. He asks if you have any further orders for him." Said Colonel Tigh from his position next to the communications station.
Adama turned from his first officer and stared out into space for a moment. Then without taking his eyes from the forward screen, he said. "Tell Lieutenant Kolbe to engage and destroy the Cylon attack force, and may the Lords of Kobal bless them and look to their safety."
Colonel Tigh nodded slowly and passed the orders on to Lieutenant Kolbe.
Kolbe received the message just as the first of the Cylon formation came into view. The mass of Cylon ships stretched as far as he could see. The first twinge of fear began to creep into his gut as the enormous formation moved closer with each passing micron. Kolbe took a deep breath, then switched on his comm system.
"Green Leader to squadron, this is it people. You all know the drill. Hit em hard, hit em fast, and hit em often. Stay with your wingmates and watch your tails. If you take damage, get out and return to the Galactica by the prearranged route, understood!"
After acknowledgments from all the members of the squadron, Kolbe wished them all good luck and good hunting. There was nothing else he could do, because the lead elements of the Cylon force were beginning to open fire.
Off on the left flank of Green Squadron, Lieutenant Levi and the members of Orange Squadron were making their way into position to hit the Cylons from the side. Levi had hoped that by coming in from that angle, the Cylons would get the idea that the Galactica was somewhere in that direction and might change their course that way. Levi knew they would have to hit the massive formation fast and hard, then get out of the area before the Cylons could make a counter attack. Hit and run was the way to go in this case. There was no way two squadrons could hope to take on the entire Cylon attack fleet and hope to survive. They would have to wittle them down a little at a time. That was his plan, hit and run. He was unsure if it would do any good, but there were few options for the meager force of colonials.
"Alright everybody, listen up! We should be approaching our turn about now. On my mark, all sections are to execute a ninety degree turn to starboard and punch up your speed to point nine of max. We should be on the Cylons rear quadrate when we engage. With a little bit of luck, we should be able to get in the first strike before they even realize we're there. After that however, we will be out numbered by twenty to one, so no heroics. Turn and burn! Get your tails out of the area and into the regrouping area. We'll reform there and then hit them again in force. Our objective is to pull them as far away from the Galactica as possible. Any questions?"
When no questions were forthcoming, Levi wished his squadron luck and stared at his chronometer as it counted down the centons. As the last few microns counted down, Levi flipped on his comm unit, "Orange Leader to Orange Squadron, execute starboard turn now!"
With that, forty sleek white vipers turned as one onto their new course and immediately accelerated away toward what could be the beginning of the end for mankind.
Lieutenant Kolbe began making evasive maneuvers as the Cylon fighters began firing on him and his squadron. Hundreds of bright blue laser blasts came streaking toward his people, certain death to anyone not quick enough to avoid the deadly power. The Cylons enjoyed a slight advantage in the range of their weapons and always seemed to exploit it when battles were joined. The Warriors of mankind had to relay on the instincts and reflexes to evade their fire until they were able to employ their own weapons. This usually was only a few microns, but in a daggit fight, a few microns can be an eternity.
Just as soon as they had closed to weapons range, all the members of Green Squadron opened up with their own lasers in response. Blinding red bolts of laser fire leaped from each and every viper. Hundreds of explosions erupted throughout the space between the two forces as red and blue laser bolts collided in huge fireballs.
Both sides took casualties right from the start too!
The deadly accurate fire of the humans was countered by the mass fire of their mechanical adversaries. Dozens of Cylon ships were ripped to sheds and exploded as the Colonial vipers cut into the orderly formation of Cylons. One would find it almost impossible to miss, as there were so many Cylon ships to shot at.
But the humans were taking losses too!
Within the first centon of fighting, six vipers had been destroyed outright and three others were forced to turn away after receiving severe damage. These were unfortunately pursued by their soulless opponents and summarily dispatched. Still, the Colonial Warriors pressed the attack, heedless of the danger as they cut a swath through the Cylon formation, but it hardly made a dent in the massive formation as more and more Cylons flooded into the gap made by Green Squadron. The farther they penetrated the Cylon formation, the thicker the fire from the Cylons became. They showed no regard for their own ships as they blindly fired away, destroying Humans and Cylon alike. Several of the Cylon craft went so far as to ram into the Colonials as they continued to fight their way through the Cylons.
After what seemed like an eternity, a group of vipers broke free of the mass of Cylon fighters. Only eleven of the original forty ships of Green Squadron were left, most of them showing dozens of near hits on the skins of their ships. As they cleared the rear of the Cylon formation, they all made an immediate turn to port and hit their turbos.
"Alright Green Squadron, lets get the Hades out of here! Turn and burn people!" Kolbe yelled into his comm system.
As the Vipers of Green Squadron accelerated away, several dozen Cylon fighters broke off from the main force and began to pursue, but they were already out of range. They pursued for several centons before finally giving up and turning back toward the main body. It was then that they first realized they were not alone out there. Two score of Colonial Vipers suddenly appeared behind them and began blasting away. The Cylons attempted to evade the new enemy, but it was too late as the Vipers of Orange Squadron made short work out of them.
"Orange Leader to Green Lead, come in please." called Lieutenant Levi on the Green Squadron frequency.
"This is Green Lead, thanks for the assist Orange Leader. Wasn't sure we were on the right course for a centon there." replied Kolbe.
"How bad did your squadron take it Kolbe?" asked Levi.
"I lost three quarters of my squadron, including Nyby and Pettus." Kolbe said sadly. "But I'll bet we took down well over a hundred of them."
Levi shook his head sadly as he thought about all those brave men and women that had given their lives. He knew it was the risk one took every time they went into combat, but it never failed to sadden him when the losses were totaled up at the end of battle. He always wondered when his time would come too. His attention was brought back to the present by Kolbe's voice.
"We need to regroup and hit them again. Their still on a course that will put them in range of the Galactica, we have to pull them away before they can get a fix on her." Kolbe said.
"Alright, we'll form up on you and follow your lead." Levi said.
With that, the remainder of Green Squadron, eleven ships in all took the lead as the forty ships of Orange Squadron moved into positions behind and to both sides of them. Fifty one ships were all that was left to repel the hundreds of Cylons that still remained on course toward the Galactica. Not the best odds in the galaxy, but there was little choice. Once they were in position, Kolbe passed the word to both squadrons, "You all did a great job on the last attack, but the Cylons are still heading for the Galactica. We have to hit them again. This time we hit them from behind. Same tactics as before, hit them hard and then break off the way we came. Try and get them to follow us away from the Galactica. No heroics! Any questions?"
When no questions were forthcoming, Kolbe gave the order to throttle up and intercept the Cylon attack force in what many of them believed would be their final battle.