CHAPTER FIVE: Relic from the past.
"The Battlestar CEREBRUS. Fleet Designation: BSC-5. First-Generation battlestar, better known as the COLUMBIA class. One of the original twelve, the CEREBRUS represented Geminon", Captain Vandergrift began as the various images of the CEREBRUS taken by the Two Jasons were projected onto a screen in the debriefing room.
"There haven't been one of those old buckets around since the original ATLANTIA was scrapped twenty-five years ago", Tolen commented.
"Not counting the GLORIOUS, of course, Colonel", Vandergrift pointed out.
He was referring to the one that had been preserved at the Picon military museum in geosyncronous orbit over Fleet HQ. When Fleet HQ had been destroyed at the outbreak of the war, the museum - along with the Battlestar GLORIOUS - shared the same fate immediately after.
"I know", Cain said, "The COLUMBIA's served well in the first Cylon War until the second-generation GALACTICA- class battlestars came on line; just before the armistice". Cain suddenly thought about Bill Adama's GALACTICA, which was one of the second-generation battlestars he had alluded to, as well as his PEGASUS - the last of the GALACTICA-class built. He gestured to Vandergrift to continue.
"The CEREBRUS was presumed destroyed at the Battle of Gomoray", Vandergrift continued, "Task Force Two – of which the CEREBRUS was part of – was ambushed by three Cylon Base Stars. The Battlestar RYCON managed to destroy the Cylon ships, but not before the Cylons had inflicted a lot of damage on the CEREBRUS".
Vandergrift paused as they looked at the images of the CEREBRUS. The old battlestar definitely looked like it had been put through the ringer. There was evidence of many hits on its hull. Vandergrift then continued with his briefing.
"Commander Tyler gave the order for his crew to abandon the CEREBRUS after the initial hits knocked out their primary energizers. Most of the crew got out by the escape pods and were picked up, but Tyler, the bridge crew, and the engineering crew chose to remain", Vandergrift said.
"Why did Tyler remain on board?" Tolen asked.
"According to the wireless records from the battle, even though the primary energizers meant that the CEREBRUS could not launch any fighters, Tyler radioed that there was a slim chance they could get the FTL back on line and jump the ship out of the combat zone", Vandergrift explained.
Cain nodded. That made sense. The COLUMBIA class battlestars were not heavy on offensive armament and thus carried only light A-A batteries. There were certainly no rail guns on the early battlestars. They primarily served as base ships for the fighter wings they carried.
"And then what?" Cain asked Vandergrift next.
"The final wireless communication with Tyler indicated that the auxiliary energizer was put back on line and that they were going to make the jump. Just as they were about to, a Base Star closed in and opened up its batteries on the CEREBRUS. There was a large flash seen from where the CEREBRUS was. The RYCON headed in and opened fire on the Base Star. The Base Star was destroyed, but there was no sign of the CEREBRUS", Vandergrift answered.
"As the COLUMBIA class had fixed landing bays, their FTL distance was limited", Tolen added, so if it jumped, it would not have gotten far".
"That's correct, Colonel", Vandergrift confirmed, "After the battle of Gomoray, a search was made of the area of space where the CEREBRUS could have jumped to, using its last reported position as the axis for the search circle. After a through search of the area turned up no trace of her, it was determined that the CEREBRUS was destroyed".
"Well, judging from Ensign Gorde's recon mission, it looks like the CEREBRUS did make the jump after all", Tolen replied.
"The Erenkoy Sector is a lot farther away than the CEREBRUS' FTL-jump range though", Cain stated, "so how the frakk did it end up this far away from Gomoray?"
They looked at the star map that was projected on the screen. Gomoray was located in the Delphian Sector. Erenkoy was a good seven sectors beyond that – in uncharted space far beyond the Red Line.
"I suggest that we send a recon team to board the CEREBRUS and see what answers they can find", Tolen suggested, "besides, the CEREBRUS may have items that we can use".
"Captain", Cain asked Vandergrift, "Could the CEREBRUS have anything that a third-generation battlestar like the PEGASUS could use?"
Vandergrift tapped in a code on his terminal pad. A list of what the CEREBRUS was carrying came up on the screen.
"The CEREBRUS carried a Strike Wing of Viper Mark II's. It was the first battlestar to completely replace the Mark I's in its fighter complement. The Mark II's can definitely be of use", Vandergrift stated.
"No raptors though", Tolen commented. Vandergrift nodded.
"The fist raptors did not come into service until ten years ago, Colonel", Vandergrift replied, "but the CEREBRUS did carry five FTL-scouts: Javelins".
The Javelin was the predecessor to the Raptor. Like the Raptor, the Javelin's primary task was to scout ahead of the fleet, and also to act as a targeting platform for viper squadrons. However, unlike the raptor, it was not equipped to take troops and it carried no defensive armaments. Still…
"If we can get some of those Mark II's and those Javelins – plus the spares - they could definitely come in useful to the PEGASUS", Tolen suggested.
"Well, lets get the recon done first. Once we find out more about the CEREBRUS' condition, then we can talk about salvage", Cain ordered.
"Yes, Commander", Tolen acknowledged, "I would normally not look this gift horse in the mouth, but given that the CEREBRUS just happened to show up here where we are seems a hell of a co-incidence".
"Well, we'll find out one way or the other", Cain remarked, "You'd best get Captain Syke and Lieutenant Howe briefed so that they can get things moving".
Nodding, Tolen stood up and left the room. Cain then turned to face Gorde and Dundee.
"You're sure that there was absolutely no trace of anything in the vicinity of the CEREBRUS, Ensign Gorde?" Cain asked.
"Affirmative, Commander", Gorde replied, "We thought about this being a trap too, but the scans showed nothing nearby, and the scans of the battlestar itself showed no indications of Cylons or active weapons either. To all intents and purposes, the CEREBRUS is dead".
"The scans showed that all power systems were down, but that apart from the damage to the superstructure, it looks structurally sound", Dundee added.
"Well, you two did an excellent job. You'd best report back to Silver Spar", Cain said.
Both Jason's stood, saluted Cain, then walked out. Vandergrift went to follow, but Cain called him back.
"Captain", Cain said, "Call up all the specs on this battlestar. I want to be sure that when Howe's marines go on board the CEREBRUS, they will have all the information that they need".
"Yes, Commander", Vandergift said. He saluted, and then left the room, leaving Cain alone to look at the images of the CEREBRUS.
"I bet you have a story to tell us, Old Girl", Cain said to the image. He knew the old COLUMBIA class well. After all, it was the first ACROPOLIS that he and Bill Adama had first served together on as raw viper pilots flying first the type I, then the type II viper. Commander Donald 'Tazer' Tyler – the CEREBRUS' commander - was a legend in the old Colonial Fleet. Cain had never served with him, but knew his reputation as an aggressive commander. It was actually Tyler's observations about the shortfalls of the COLUMBIA class battlestars that prompted Picon Fleet Headquarters to develop the second-generation GALACTICA class battlestars.
He wondered what the recon team would find on board the derelict CEREBRUS when they got there. He wanted to get the mission started as soon as possible. Gift Horse or not, he didn't forget that there was still the Cylon War Machine out there hunting them down…
Thirty minutes later, down in the Headquarters office for Silver Spar Wing, Syke and Howe were both thinking about all that Tolen had mentioned to them. It seemed incredible that a first Cylon War relic like the CEREBRUS could reappear so far away from where it disappeared.
"The commander wants an internal reconnaissance of the CEREBRUS. If the recon goes okay, then the PEGASUS will dock with the CEREBRUS and we can start thinking about salvage", Tolen concluded.
"How many marines do you want on the recon, Colonel", Howe asked.
"Thirty should be ample. I will be detailing Lieutenant Hunter and his peregrine gunship to transport you to the CEREBRUS, along with a technical team to do an initial survey of the power systems", Tolen replied.
"No problem, Colonel. I'll have a squad under Lieutenant Souster ready to go as soon as you give the word", Howe stated. Howe thought that his X.O. should lead a mission and this one was an excellent opportunity.
"I'll get Hunter and Sims up here and brief them, Colonel", Syke said, "We should be ready to go within the hour".
Tolen looked at Howe, who nodded.
"Very well, I'll get Major Thyssen to assemble his technical team. Have your people report to the peregrine in one hour", he informed them. Syke and Howe nodded.
After Tolen left, Howe stood, saying, "I'd better get Lieutenant Souster alerted. One hour". With that, he left.
"A real talkative repertoire of wit, our Lieutenant Howe", Syke commented to Tricia. Tricia had been seated to the side listening to the brief.
"Yes, not the most friendly of people, Gene", Tricia confirmed, "but at least I had an excellent reason for waking you up from your slumber. You looked rather annoyed when you came in earlier".
"Who, me?" Syke asked innocently, "after only eighteen hours on duty and four hours of sleep, why would I be? In any case, the CEREBRUS was definitely an 'excellent reason' to interrupt my forty winks".
Tricia smiled at Bojay's sarcasm. She was concerned that he was burning himself out from all the long hours of duty, but that was what went with being a CAG, she thought…
One hour later, Syke was stifling a yawn down in the hanger bay where the FLEET AVENGER was parked. He had quickly filled Hunter and Sims in on the discovery of the CEREBRUS, and their mission to relay Souster's marines and the technical team to the derelict battlestar. The sooner that this mission was away, the sooner he could catch a nap, he thought.
"Well, we're all equipped and the peregrine is ready to go, CAG", Hunter said. Sims nodded, then pointed to the bay entrance where thirty well-equipped and armed marines were marching in. Behind them wearing pressure suits were the twelve members of the technical team. Syke recognized the Assistant Chief Engineer, Captain Harrison Engle.
Souster walked up to Syke, saying, "Lieutenant Howe has briefed me on the situation. Do you have anything to add, Captain Syke?"
"Yes I do", Syke replied, "please form them up so that I can speak to them".
As the platoon of marines formed up in formation outside the peregrine, the technical team fell in behind them. Syke then started speaking.
"I don't have to remind you to be careful out there", he began, "Although the scans didn't detect anything untoward in the area, or on board the CEREBRUS, take no chances. The PEGASUS will rendezvous with the CEREBRUS in seven hours, but everything depends on what you find over there. Understood?".
"Understood, Captain Syke", Souster said. Souster – as the marine X.O. – would be operating under the call-sign 'Nebula Five' (Howe used 'Nebula-Six'). As the scans indicated that the life support and gravity systems on board the CEREBRUS were off-line, the marines – like the technical team and the peregrine crew – were dressed in pressure suits and were carrying grav-boots. The marines were toting their gauss-rifles while the technical team carried their side-arms along with their tool kits.
At that point, Sims walked up to Syke and nodded. Syke nodded back.
"You'd better get the marines on board, Lieutenant", Syke instructed him. Souster did a hand gesture to an NCO, who pointed toward the open hatch of the peregrine. The marines started getting on board.
"Okay, Calvin", Syke said to Sims, "you and Hondo take it easy out there okay?"
"Will do, CAG", Sims acknowledged. Flipping Syke a quick salute, he headed to the peregrine in order to assist getting the marines settled in.
Syke walked over to a wall commlink and contacted CIC.
"Commander, this is Silver Spar CAG. The peregrine is getting loaded up", he reported.
"Excellent", Cain replied, "You'd better leave the bay. Breathing vacuum is not very healthy, you know".
"Will do, Commander", Syke acknowledged, hanging up the commlink. He quickly walked out of the bay, activating the CLOSE control for the hatch on the way out.
Inside the peregrine, Sims was quickly getting the marines and the techs strapped in. He tapped on Engle's and Souster's shoulders.
"You two want to be up on the flight deck?" he asked.
"Thank you, but I'd better stay with my men, Ensign", Souster replied. However, Engle stood up. Sims got the hint. Gesturing for Engle to follow him, Sims left the troop compartment.
Engle followed Sims up to the cockpit. As they entered, Hunter turned and greeted the newcomer.
"Captain Engle, welcome aboard. Please get yourself strapped in", Hunter said, gesturing to the empty co-pilot's seat, "you should have quite a view – certainly better than back down in the troop compartment".
As Engle sat down, Sims headed back to his console to monitor the peregrine's systems.
"Thanks for the invite, pilot", Engle said thankfully as he strapped himself in.
"The rest of your team settled in okay back there?" Hunter asked next.
"Yes, they're okay. We're all ready to go and see just what the CEREBRUS has to offer", Engle replied, "needless to say, when Colonel Tolen briefed us on the find, we were quite excited".
"I'm surprised Major Thyssen didn't come himself", Hunter commented.
"He wanted to, but Commander Cain vetoed it. He told him to wait until after the initial survey was completed because he was too valuable to risk at this stage. I agreed with that sentiment", Engle explained. Hunter agreed too. Thyssen was a gifted engineer and a valued member of the PEGASUS.
"All systems online, Hondo", Sims reported in, "We're ready to go".
"Thanks, Coffin", Hunter replied, "its showtime". With that, he activated his communicator and contacted Core Command.
"Core Command, this is FLEET AVENGER, we're sealed up and ready to depart. Request depressurization of bay and elevation to the flight deck", he reported.
"Affirmative, FLEET AVENGER", Annan's voice came back, "Bay depressurizing".
The familiar red flashing lights came on as the air was pumped out of the bay. When the flashing lights turned to constant red – signifying vacuum – the floor of the bay lifted up and the ceiling of the bay slid aside.
As the bay floor raised up to be flush with the flight deck, Hunter powered up the engines and the thrusters. Annan's voice then came over the wireless.
"Core Command to FLEET AVENGER, Launch when ready", was the message.
"Affirmative, Launching", Hunter replied as he activated the launch program.
The peregrine smoothly lifted off the flight deck, and then proceeded to exit out of the landing bay. Hunter punched in the co-ordinates that Sims gave him and the peregrine changed course, accelerating away from the battlestar.
"FTL on line, Hondo", Sims reported, "co-ordinates for the CEREBRUS confirmed".
"Here we go", Hunter said as he activated the FTL controls – and bringing the weapons systems online, "FTL-jump in five – four – three – two – one - JUMP!"
With a flash of light, the FLEET AVENGER vanished from the vicinity of the PEGASUS and reappeared a subjective instant later in the vicinity of the CEREBRUS.
Hunter gave a low whistle at the sight of the veteran battlestar. Engle echoed him.
"Coffin", Hunter then said, "start your scans".
Sims quickly ran a scan of the battlestar, and the surrounding space. After a couple of minutes, he reported an "all-clear both inside and out". Hunter nodded, then activated the internal communicator
"Pilot to marines and techs", Hunter communicated to those on board, "We are close-in to the Battlestar CEREBRUS. We will be landing in the port-side landing bay. Once down, I will start the depressurization procedure, so start sealing your helmets and gloves".
Turning to Engle, he said, "well, lets see about landing this bird on board her, shall we?"
Not waiting for an answer, Hunter expertly maneuvered the peregrine towards the dark open maw of the port-side landing bay. As they approached the bay entrance, Hunter activated the floodlights mounted in the AVENGER's nose.
"Looks intact", Hunter noted, "We're going in".
The peregrine entered the maw and proceeded to maneuver to a point about half way down the flight deck. Activating the magnetic grabs on the undercarriage, Hunter brought the AVENGER in for a smooth landing.
"Coffin", Hunter said, "contact the PEGASUS and let them know that we have landed on board the CEREBRUS".
"Will do, Hondo", Sims acknowledged.
As Sims activated the wireless, Hunter started the depressurization procedure. All of the passengers - as well as he and Sims - were sealed in their suits. They waited for the procedure to finish so that they could egress and start their reconnaissance.
On board the PEGASUS, Annan turned to face Cain.
"Transmission from FLEET AVENGER", Annan reported, "They have landed".
"So now we wait", Cain noted, nodding an acknowledgement to Annan. Sanders nodded as well. Waiting was always the hardest part...