Four – Those who remain

The Massena was led to the surface of the asteroid following the Manticore down through a deep canyon with the Agosta and the freighters behind. At the bottom of the canyon they found a massive open cave and were directed to a landing zone by the Manticore behind them the other ships quickly followed to their own positions. At the far side of the cave sat a large ship known as an Atlas class Carrier a type of vessel that had been retired at the end of the First Cylon War.

The shortest Raptor journey took Boyle, Sinclair and Lt Rhodes to the Atlas on board they met the ships commander. "I'm Captain Catalina Pena" she greeted them from her accent placed her as a citizen of Virgon she was in her late thirties if Boyle had to guess and had a darker skin complexion which matched her Virgon accent she wore a red waist coat over a black shirt.

"Captain Matthew Boyle" he said in response "how did you survive?"

"This place is a smuggler's hole" Pena replied "the Kortenaer" she said raising her arms "was abandoned here after the First Cylon War when her back broke during a jump." She explained "we've kept our heads down. The crew of the Caerphilly were known to us through various deals and troubles over the years and joined us soon after the fall of the colonies our joint operations led us to salvaging the Agosta from a museum."

Over the next several minutes Boyle explained the mission he had been given by Commander Adama and the status of the Galactica and its fleet when the Massena left them. He also explained where the Massena had been since the fall.

"We have 3,000 people onboard the Kortenaer." Pena explained "we've got a short supply of food and conditions are cramped. As the Kortenaer is unable to jump we've begun to look for additional vessels capable of transporting the people off this rock before we're discovered."

"Your mission is my mission" Boyle said "we're in this together" he said

"I agree Captain, as your ship has orders from Colonial Fleet and has the greater combat strength, I'm ready to surrender operational command to you."

"I've never commanded more than Massena" Boyle responded looking at Sinclair and Rhodes "we'll adopt my plan for the Massena" he suggested "regularly ship captains and senior personnel will meet and plan our mission forwards."

"As you wish Captain" Pena replied

"To reflect Massena's superior military position, I suggest you take a higher rank than Captain." Sinclair said looking at Boyle "and due to my rank and your position as fleet commander I suggest you take the rank of Colonel." He said showing his willingness to be subservient to Boyle.

"I agree" Pena said "I'm sure the other captains will also agree."

"Fine" Boyle said accepting the concession it'd take some getting used to but he'd accept the change.

Hours late Boyle was back on board the Massena as the ship was being repaired from the Cylon missile strikes taken in the previous battle. Boyle stood in main engineering with Morena Harold "how are we getting on."

"The hulls airtight in all sections again. We're working on creating Dr Tellar's science section we're going to have to cut four crew quarters into one on this deck along the port side to create their laboratory. It'll reduce our living space but a half dozen of the scientists that want to stay onboard have agreed to bunk in there too." She suggested which should stop it causing issues for their space limits.

"What about the civilians?" Onboard they had forty-three civilians from Aerilon including some children.

"Most have taken jobs on ship as you requested. Some with small children have agreed to transfer off onto one of the other transports' others have joined Major Sinclair's troops. We've a few teenagers who wish to stay onboard but they're too young for most jobs."

"Put them in the mess, they can clean dishes, wash floors" Boyle suggested Morena Harold gave him a sideways glance "if they want to stay onboard, they work. We don't have options to respect age limits for service."

"Yes, Colonel" she said smirking at the use of his new rank.

"As for your increased responsibilities I want you to accept the position of XO." He said surprising her "I know I've said we didn't need one but Massena's going through a lot of changes and we've got an increase Viper complement and new Raptors."

"Thank you, I agree" she said smiling.

Later Boyle was in the Flight Operations box of the Massena's landing bay where he found Lieutenant Isabelle Rhodes who was overseeing operations. "How are we getting on?" He asked seeing she was watching some readings.

"The new Raptors aren't able to jump but have rear guns so we're trying to pair them with the Hunter to see if they can work together. We think that if the Raptors have external ordinance and their rear gun manned, they'll form a formidable force. I've split the Vipers into two squadrons of ten fighters fortunately there's enough Mark II's and III's to fill our billet the Agosta has retained the twelve Mark I Vipers she had when she was a museum while there is still a dozen more Mark II Vipers on board, we'll have to find places for. We've accepted seven of the civilians as pilot candidates and some of them as techs other's we've taken from other ships."

"You're doing well" he replied looking at the makeshift rosters which she'd set up for checking on the pilots. "Lieutenant, I know you are a Colonial Warrior and have been given your commission through Colonial Fleet but as of today I'm promoting you to Captain and to Commander of the Air Group."

"Colonel, I've only been a Viper jock for a few months, been in the saddle of a Viper Mk II for even less time." She said protesting.

"None of us asked for what has happened" he said putting his hand on her shoulder "but you've clearly got a grasp on what we need to do. You're the CAG Captain and that's the end of it."

"Thank you, sir," she replied looking over her shoulder onto his hand and then at his face "I won't let you down."

"I know you won't next stop Picon, we need to find more transports." He explained

Some time later Colonel Matthew Boyle was in one of the marine training areas with Major Patrick Sinclair. "I don't like it." The Major said looking at the Colonel "marines are taught to fight the enemy, if we start deploying them as police units, we'll have problems."

"I don't want you to give me a marine force. I want a police force, I want a detachment of people we can trust on every ship that will keep on top of crime on ships, and a force that we can rely on to distribute food and supplies fairly." Boyle explained "the more civilian ships we have the more trouble we'll have keeping them in check."

"You going to run a military dictatorship?" Sinclair asked half-jokingly.

"Negative, not what I want" Boyle admitted "but I want to be able to keep them in line if we need to if things get hairy and I don't want the weak prayed on either. You lot put me in command of this fleet I'll do all I can by them."

"Oh Gods we've created an idealist." Sinclair joked he was far different from the first time that Boyle had met him Boyle wondered if it was due to his new-found rank and authority that Sinclair saw him differently. "I'll have some of the newer recruits trained in the use of non-lethal weapons and in crowd control without cutting our numbers too much. I'm also going to put a detachment of marines onto the Agosta since the museum doesn't have its own. The Custom's Cutter doesn't have the space onboard for marine troops."

"Very good thanks for the support Major."

"You keep treating our people right and you'll have my full support, Colonel" Sinclair answered. "Back to Picon?"

"Back to Picon, we're going to finish what we started." Boyle replied

Three days passed and the Massena was prepared for its jump back to Picon. Rising from their hidden canyon the ship conducted a quick scan of the area around to be sure that they were alone which was soon proven to be correct. One of the jump capable Raptors jumped out heading to Picon scouting the area before returning to confirm everything was clear.

In a flash of light, the Massena vanished from beside the asteroid and moments later reappeared in Picon system. Within moments of arriving in the space near Picon the port side of the Massena exploded open in fire as two decks decompressed explosively blowing several compartments and their contents, including crewmen, into space. Power across the vessel stuttered and then failed leaving the damaged ship dead in space.

Survivor Count: 3,954