Part 5
While his captain and Commander Adama chatted away, Spock pulled up the long range scan results on the briefing room computer and displayed the image on the room's display panels. He silently noticed that Lieutenant Boomer was watching him intently as he worked. He noted that the Nova of Madagon was composed of a close binary, a G0V primary star and a K6V secondary star. The calculated habitable zone for the binary ranged from 1.14 to 1.90 AU. The sensor scan showed that three habitable worlds orbited the binary at orbits of 1.2, 1.5, and 1.85 (Caprica) AU. Each planet had a small moon, each less than 1000 km in diameter, but with orbits much like Earth's moon with synodic periods of 29.5 days. Several other planets, all rocky, orbited the binary inside and outside, the orbits of the three Inner Colonies.
The other two stars of the Cyrannus system orbited the binary in roughly circular orbits of 50AU and 100AU. Far enough away that their attending planets' orbits were not affected by any of the other stars and major planets in the star system. Both stars were G0V class stars. Spock found it highly unusual for three large G type stars to be in the same star system. He made a mental note to check Starfleet and member world astronomical records for similar systems.
The outer stars each had habitable zones ranging from .95 to 1.676 AU. The scans showed four habitable worlds spread across each stars' habitable zones, plus one marginally habitable desert world. The final Outer Colony showed as a habitable, Class M, moon of a Saturnian class gas giant orbiting the third star. Spock then plotted an optimal course to flyby each world for a close range scan while at impulse speeds, using Warp Drive to quickly span the distance between the twelve worlds.
"So," Adama began. "Is the Enterprise is a combat vessel? You said that your ship was part of your Starfleet."
"Our primary role is exploration, but we are armed. Hopefully, we will not have to use our weapons while visiting your nation. Though if the Cylons decide to give us some unwanted attention then they will regret it quickly.
"Describe your weapons to me please," Adama asked intently.
"Are you alluding to how much of a threat we are to you?" Kirk replied. "Well, we have forward and aft beam weapons called phasers, and we also have a missile type weapon we call photon torpedoes. My ship is also shielded. We are more then capable of defending ourselves from any adversary. Like I said earlier, I don't anticipate any trouble between the Colonial nation and ourselves."
"Sir," Boomer began when Spock displayed the final tour course on the conference room display."
"Yes, Lieutenant," Spock replied.
"Would you like for me to name which world is which colony on your plot?"
"That would be helpful."
"The innermost colony here is Virgon, next is Sagitara, we are orbiting Caprica. Around the second star are Borallus, which isn't one of the twelve, Aquaria, Orion, Libra, an Aeries." Boomer watched as Spock added the names to his plot. When he finished Boomer went on. "Finally," he went on, "around the third star are Leo, my tribe's world, Scorpio, Pisceria, Taura, and on a moon around the gas giant, Gemoni."
"Interesting, a habitable moon around a gas giant planet. No such moons exist in the Federation," Spock commented. He again made a mental note to concentrate his scans on Gemoni when they did their flyby.
"Captain," Spock began. "I have completed the tour course plot."
"Good job, Mr. Spock," Kirk said after taking glance at the display. "Send it up to the Navigation station, Lieutenant DePaul can enter it into the plot," Kirk ordered. "Then have Uhura transmit it to the Galactica. Then join us on the bridge."
"Yes, Captain," Spock replied. He made a couple commands on the computer and stood up from his chair.
"Please accompany us back to the Bridge," Kirk offered while heading for the exit. Adama and his warrior and Starfleet escorts and Spock followed. A few minutes later Kirk was sitting in his center seat, Spock was at his station.
"Commander, you may sit at the Engineering monitoring station." Kirk offered while pointing out Scotty's bridge station.
"Thank you, Captain." Adama replied while taking the offered chair and turning it to face the main view screen. Apollo and Boomer took up positions on either side of their commander at the upper bridge rail. The Starfleet security team, Clark and Johnson, stood to at either side of the turbolift entrance.
"Standyby for system tour departure," Kirk ordered. "Did the Galactica acknowledge receipt of our course."
"Yes, Captain," Uhura replied.
"Tour course is plotted," Lieutenant DePaul announced from the navigation station.
"Helm is standing by," Lieutenant Sulu also announced. "Navigational Deflector is online."
"Sensors are operational and standing by," Spock announced.
"Ahead, Warp Two to Virgon," Kirk ordered.
"Warp Two," Sulu replied while setting the course and speed on his controls.
The familiar whine of the Warp Drive filled the air while various sounds from the active scanners, other bridge equipment, and ship's status calls that came in from all decks as the Enterprise departed Caprica orbit for the first time since their accidental arrival.
0
Onboard the Galactica, Omega noted a strange reading on his scanners then the camera that was monitoring the Enterprise showed that the Federation ship had suddenly flashed away as a streak of light.
"Colonel Tigh," he called.
"Yes, Omega."
"The Enterprise just departed orbit. They must be using their stardrive. Watch this." He then replayed the video of the Enterprise going to warp speed." Tigh again just shook his head in amazement.
0
For the next hour the Enterprise sped around the binary element of the Cyrannus star system, dropping to impulse for their close range sensor scan of the Inner Colonies. Then Kirk ordered Warp Four to speed their transition to the next star and the first set of Outer Colonies. This time they first flew by the innemost world, Borallus, which Spock announced as a class H planet with a small human population during their flyby. Then they continued on to Aquaria, Orion, Libra, and Aeries. Spock announced that all three worlds had artificially placed moons just like the three Inner Colonies. All with the same synodic periods. Obvious evidence of ancient terraforming. Borallus did not have a moon.
"Long range sensor contact," Spock then announced. 'Bearing 178, mark three."
"On screen," Kirk ordered.
Spock made an adjustment to his controls and the image of the contact was displayed on the main viewscreen.
"That the Battlestar Columbia," Adama announced. "We were on joint patrol in this sector when we were recalled for your accidental arrival. Can we rendezvous with them and signal them."
"Intercept course, Mr. Sulu," Kirk ordered. "Maintain Warp until we are within EM signal range, then drop to impulse.'
"Yes, Captain," Sulu replied while adjusting his controls.
Meanwhile, Adama, Apollo, and Boomer marveled at how fast the Enterprise was able to speed across the Cyrannus star system. It would take them days and multiple refuellings for a Viper or Battlestar to conduct a similar tour of the system at lightspeed. Again they noted the fine gravity control on the Enterprise as the ship accelerated from Impulse to Warp and back again. They hardly felt any acceleration themselves, just like on the turbolift.
"Closing to within ten-thousand kilometers of the Columbia," Sulu announced.
"Slow to one-quarter Impulse," Kirk ordered. "Hailing Frequencies, Lieutenant Uhura."
"This is the USS Enterprise calling Battlestar Columbia," Uhura called.
"Columbia, here, Enterprise, go ahead."
"May I," Adama asked. At Kirk's nod, Uhura remotely activated the Engineering Monitoring Station's microphone. Then she motioned for him to turn his chair around and to speak into the microphone.
"This is Commander Adama on board the Enterprise. Is Commander Perseus there?
"Speaking," Perseus then replied.
"Were you able to retrieve all my outer patrol craft after the Galactica was recalled?"
"All but one, Adama. Your Lieutenant Starbuck had a had a mechanical malfunction while on refueling station Beta Three. He's still there. He refused retrieval by shuttle as he is trying to fix the fault himself."
Apollo and Boomer both chuckled at that announcement.
"We can go retrieve him and his craft, while you remain on your patrol station," Kirk offered.
"Agreed," both Adama and Perseus said simultaneously.
"What are the coordinates for the refueling station?" Kirk then asked.
"Please put your long range sensor scan on your main screen." Adama asked. Spock made a quick adjustment to his controls.
"Refueling station Beta Three, is the furthest one on the left," Adama pointed out while pointing toward a small line of dots on the main view screen."
"Perseus," Adama began. "Please let Fleet Headquarters know that the Enterprise will be taking a detour from their programmed tour. You can give them the reason why."
"Will do, Adama," Perseus replied. "Columbia out."
"Mr. Sulu," Kirk began. "Warp three until we are within transporter range of the refueling station."
"Aye, Captain," he replied. Again, the Enterprise accelerated to Warp Speed arriving at the station in just a few minutes.
"Hail the station," Kirk ordered.
"USS Enterprise calling station Beta Three," Uhura called.
"This is Lieutenant Starbuck."
"Lieutenant, this is Commander Adama onboard the Enterprise. What's your status?"
"Commander!" Starbuck replied startled. "My Viper is inoperable due to a avionics component failure. I've been trying to trace the fault, but I'm having little luck."
"This is Captain Kirk, commanding officer of the Enterprise. I'll have my Chief Engineer transport over to take a look at your ship. He'll get you flying again soon."
"I'll watch for their shuttle," Starbuck replied.
"Let him be surprised," Apollo suggested knowing that the transporter would be used to send the repair team over. Smiles erupted all around the bridge.
Kirk waved for the call to be ended then pushed his intercom button. "Kirk to Engineering."
"Scott, here."
"I have a new job for you. I need you to beam over to a Colonial Refueling station to repair a Viper, so we can take it and its pilot back to the Galactica."
"Aye, Captain," Scotty replied with interest. He turned to one of his engineering staff members. "Drummond," he called. "Grab a multipurpose repair kit and two engineering tricorders and meet me in the transporter room."
"Yes, Commander," The engineering mate first class replied.
0
Starbuck sat silently while leaning back against a bulkhead in the station's landing bay waiting for the Enterprise's shuttle to approach. Instead, he got the surprise of his life. Two columns of light formed in front of him quickly turning into the forms of two men wearing red shirts and black trousers. Both carried a handful of equipment.
"Frak!"
Starbuck, completely shocked, pulled out a hip-flask of Ambrosia and quickly downed a gulp to steady his nerves.
"Well, laddie," Scotty spoke through a translator. "What's you got there." He held out his hand for the flask. "I'm sure it is completely unauthorized when on duty." Stabuck passed his flask over and Scotty sniffed it briefly, it smelled like fortified champagne to him, then passed it back to the Colonial pilot.
"We can do better than that." Scotty said out loud
"What, that's vintage Ambrosia," Starbuck exclaimed. "And the name is Lieutenant Starbuck."
"I am the Enterprise's chief Engineer, Commander Montgomery Scott and this is Engineering Mate First Class Michael Drummond."
"Commander," Starbuck exclaimed while jumping up to stand at attention.
"Now, I wont say anything about your unauthorized little tipple. But, only if after I get you up and flying, you stop by my quarters on the Enterprise so I can expand your horizons a bit. Off duty of course." Drummond just chuckled, knowing exactly what his boss had in mind.
"Now, let's see what we can do here." Scotty said while activating his Engineering Tricorder. "Drummond, please check for any exterior damage." The whine of a second tricorder filled the air around the Viper.
"You have station power attached, and you are fully refueled." Scotty stepped up the maintenance platform to stand next to the Viper's cockpit where he continued to scan the interior of the Viper.
"Step up here, Laddie," Scotty ordered. Starbuck quickly joined the Starfleet officer. "Now, how did you notice your fault?"
"I was going through my preflight checklist and an error light and alarm sounded when I was activating my onboard flight controls."
Scotty continued to scan the cockpit of the Viper while manipulating the controls on his tricorder.
"Ah, laddie," Scotty began. "I think I found your problem." He then reached in and opened a maintenance panel. The smell of burned out electronics wafted up from a fried component. Scotty checked to ensure the power was off to the Viper and carefully removed the damaged part.
"Drummond, beam back to the Enteprise and have the electronics shop make a replacement for this," Scotty ordered.
Drummond took the part and quickly called the transporter room. A moment late he was beamed away. Starbuck just stood by in amazement.
"Do you do that all the time," he asked Scotty.
"Often enough," he replied. Fifteen minutes later Drummond beamed back with a replacement part. Which Scotty installed into Starbuck's Viper.
"Try it now," Scotty ordered to Starbuck. Starbuck climbed into his cockpit, put his helmet on, and began going through his preflight checklist, everything progressed smoothly.
"I am to fly to your ship?" Starbuck asked before closing his canopy.
"That's right laddie," Scotty replied before stepping down to help Drummond disconnect the refuelling and power lines from the Viper. Then they rolled back the maintenance platform. Like any good crew-chief, Scotty gave Starbuck two thumbs up and a quick salute before stepping back and pulling out his communicator. A moment later, both Starfleet officers were back on board the Enterprise.
"Viper Red Three to Enterprise, Starbuck called over his radio.
"Enterprise here," Uhura relied.
"I am ready for launch, I was informed that I am to land in your landing bay."
"That's correct, approach the Enterprise from the rear and you will see the open hanger bay doors. Then neutralize your thrusters and controls and we'll bring you aboard by tractor beam."
"Very well, Enterprise." Tractor beam, what in hades is that, Starbuck asked himself. With that he pressed his turbo button briefly which accelerated his Viper out of the refueling station and into space. Starbuck checked his scanner and quickly found the Enterprise stationed about 100 metrics from the station. He flew his Viper as directed, identified, the Enterprise's landing bay, and began a landing approach.
"Viper Red Three," Uhura called. "You are clear for landing, neutralize your controls." Starbuck released his yoke and cancelled his forward velocity with his retro thrusters.
"Controls are released." Just then he felt a small lurch then felt that his Viper was slowly moving toward the Enterprise's landing bay. Well, how about that, that's some trick, Starbuck thought while his Viper was slowly pulled into the hanger bay and gently set down on the deck.
"Viper Red Three," a male voice called. "Please stand by while we close the hanger bay doors and repressurize the hanger bay."
"Standing by."
A minute later, the bay was pressurized and several deck crewmen came out to set a ladder up next to Starbuck's Viper. Starbuck raised his canopy and shut down his viper's systems. Then he climbed down the ladder. A deck crewman then handed Starbuck a communications earpiece while pointing that he should put it in his ear. Once he did so he heard all the conversations around him in Colonial Standard.
"Lieutenat Starbuck," an armed, red shirted man said while approaching. "Your Commander wishes to speak with you. Please follow me." The security team member then led Starbuck out of the hanger bay to a turbolift. A couple minutes later they arrived at the Bridge. There Starbuck saw his commander, Apollo, and Boomer, all staring at him.
"Lieutenant Starbuck reporting as ordered."
Kirk spun his center seat around. "Welcome aboard the Enterprise," he said. "Commander Scott already gave us his report."
"If you had not had a real fault, you would be facing a disciplinary panel," Apollo commented.
"I was tracing the fault," Starbuck replied in his own defense. "But, I didn't have one of those magical hand scanners that Commander Scott used."
"It's alright," Adama said, letting Starbuck off the hook. "We'll be back at the Galactica in a couple of Centars. In the meantime, you are off duty to visit Commander Scott in his quarters. Yes, he told us about that too."
How, much did he tell, Starbuck asked himself.
"Deck Five, Stateroom Fourteen," Kirk offered. "But Mr. Scott is not off duty yet. Please wait here."
"Mr. DePaul, what's our next destination?"
"The third star and the Leo Colony. The course is laid in."
"Mr. Sulu, ahead Warp Factor Five," Kirk ordered. "Let's make up some lost time."
In just a few minutes, the Enterprise dropped from warp for its next flyby. Starbuck joined his fellow Colonial officers in amazement at the speeds the Enterprise was capable of traveling at. Half an hour later and a very close scan by Mr. Spock of the habitable moon Gemoni the Enterprise turned back toward Caprica. Again, Captain Kirk ordered Warp Five to speed their passage across the Cyrannus star system. Upon arrival the Enterprise settled back into standard orbit over Caprica, station keeping with the Galactica just as before. Coincidentally, their arrival time happened just as the day shift switched over to the swing shift.
"Mr. Spock, you have the Con," Kirk ordered while standing. "Commander, gentlemen, please accompany me to the briefing room where we can have our evening meal, or would you rather beam back to the Galactica?
"The Council will be gathering on the Galactica. I should go over to arrange the Council meeting," Adama replied. "Apollo and Boomer will return with me. Boomer you are to fly Starbuck's viper back. Starbuck may visit with your chief engineer for a couple Centars, but I would like him back right afterwards."
"We'll take good care of him. I'll take you back to the transporter room. Clark, please escort Lieutenant Boomer to the hanger bay. Johnson, please escort Lieutenant Starbuck to Mr. Scott's quarters."
"Aye, Captain," they both replied. A moment later there was peace on the Bridge interrupted only by the pending shift change. Afterwards, Spock returned to his science/library computer station to review all the flyby scans and to begin compiling a report on the terraforming of the Cyrannus star system.
0
Beep! "Come in," Scotty said while he pushed his door permission button. With a whoosh Starbuck stepped into Scotty's stateroom.
"Take a seat, laddie," Scotty said while pointing to his guest chair, across the table from his computer/communication station.
"Thank you sir," Starbuck replied while noticing that they both had translator ear pieces in place.
"Have you had a bit to eat yet? I'm just about to eat, myself. What would you like?"
"I haven't had any roast bovine in a while." (The translator said beef.)
"Sure, laddie, we can both do that." Scotty scooped up his meal data cards and placed a dark brown one into his synthesizer slot. A moment later Starbuck's meal appeared, then Scotty's.
"Just like the transporter," Starbuck repeated Boomer's thoughts from earlier.
"Almost." Both men tucked into their meal. Afterwards both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Now, you are going to need something to wash all that down," Scotty said. "I have some Saurian brandy, would you like to give it a try?"
"Sure," Starbuck said wondering what he was in for. Was he going to be able to walk out of Scotty's quarters later without help? Scotty retrieved the brandy bottle and poured both of them a modest amount of the blue liqueur.
"Try it, Lad," Scotty urged while taking a sip of his own drink. Starbuck took a cautious sip and his face lit up in a wide smile.
"That's good! Now, I understand what you said earlier about Ambrosia."
"I'm not going to get you intoxicated this evening. The Captain, and probably your Commander, wouldn't like it, I just thought I would expand your drink horizon a bit."
"That's fine by me."
They both finished their brandies. Then Scotty retrieved another bottle that had a triangular shape.
"Now, this is the quintessential drink of my homeland, Scotch Wiskey." Scotty pulled the stopper and poured each a jigger full of Glenfiddich. Then he put a pale blue card into the synthesizer, retrieving a couple cups of water for chasers. Starbuck immediately smelled the higher alcohol content of the new drink, then picked up his glass and took another cautious sip. He immediately picked up a water cup to wash down the drink. Scotty just downed his in one gulp.
"Perhaps that takes some getting used to," Starbuck replied a little sheep-fully before taking a second sip. The urge to chase the drink was less this time so he held off. He also was able to taste the different flavors of the alcohol. Soon, both had finished their second drink of the evening.
"Now, would you like to help me try something new?"
"New to me or new to you?"
"Both of us."
"I picked this up on Ganemede a few months ago, I forget what the salesman called it. Just a second." Scotty reached around to get a bottle from a cabinet next to his bunk.
"First blue, now green," Starbuck said. "Let's try it." They both did, this time both needed their chasers.
"That's a lot like your Scotch Wiskey."
"Ah, that's it," Scotty said. "Aldebaran Whiskey. (ref. ST:TNG episode Rellics) Just like a well aged single malt. That reminds me to tell you a story. Now, this isn't for today. I don't even know when or if I will ever drink it. I got this from my papa when I graduated from Starfleet Academy. He got is from my my grandpa when he graduated from Cambridge University."
Scotty retrieved a very dusty bottle from a decorative medieval helm display. The label said "Old Rarity, 1969." Scotty then explained how his great-great, whatever, grandfather purchased two bottles of the whiskey on July 20th, the day of the Apollo 11 moon landing. One he later shared with his co-workers at Rolls-Royce aircraft propulsion division where he was a jet engine design engineer. The second he made sure the tax stamp read July 16th, the same day as the Apollo 11 liftoff . That bottle he put aside as a keepsake. By the time Scotty's father gave it to him the whiskey was nearly 200 years old.
After explaining about the bottle, Scotty started talking about Neil Armstrong and his amazing nerves of steel when landing on the moon. He then showed Starbuck a video from the moon landing. Starbuck compared Armstrong to Boomer who also is never fazed during combat with the Cylons.
Tweenty seconds of fuel left and they weren't fazed, Starbuck thought in amazement. And in such a rickety little lander.
"Well, I hope you have a new perspective on drink now," Scotty said after putting the Old Rarity carefully away. "Pour out your Ambrosia," I'll refill your flask with Scotch as a going away gift."
Liking the offer, Starbuck immediately poured what was left in his flask into the two men's cups. The Ambrosia soon disappeared. Scotty then carefully refilled Starbuck's flask with Glenfiddich.
"Now, let's get you back to you ship."
(Author's Note: Gemoni = oBSG and Gemenon = nBSG. I checked several sources.)