CHAPTER SIX: Assessing the Situation
Optus Sector – Cylon Minefield – Two Days Later
Back in the Optus Sector, a Cylon base star was hovering just outside the minefield. Several raiders had spent some time probing the minefield and identifying the debris from the exploded mines. It was a slow process, but at last, a report had been compiled and it was sent up to a humanoid Cylon to make an assessment of the data.
"Both missing raiders have been found. One was destroyed by a scarab ship-to-ship missile. The other looks to have been destroyed by a mine", a Centurion reported to a Number Seven model humanoid.
"What else?" the Number Seven asked.
"The second raider's docking clamp had been deployed. Evidently it was trying to retrieve something when it was destroyed", the centurion answered, "unfortunately, there was not enough of what the clamp had attached to in order to identify the ship type, suffice to say that it was not Cylon in origin", was the answer.
"Could it be from a raptor or viper?" the Number Seven asked hopefully.
"The alloy is of a type used on both types, but there is simply not enough to be definitive in identifying the ship type", the centurion replied.
The Number Seven thought about this. So there had been someone here; someone who had destroyed a patrol and uncovered one of their minefields. 'He' knew that whoever was responsible would have left this sector by now. He looked at a star map. It could be any number of sectors that this enemy had jumped to: Borallis, Anotian, Carillon, Atilla, Tairac, or even the Promar sector.
'He' shrugged - a very human response. This trap was just one of several scattered all over space. This one had nearly worked. By the laws of probabilities, this luck would not last forever. Whoever was out there was bound to slip up sooner or later. But he was somewhat at a disadvantage as he was the only humanoid Cylon in this pursuit force and he was unable to talk with any other humanoid models face to face in order to form an independent plan of action, hence the frequent need to refer to the Supreme Commander for instructions. He gave orders for the base star to FTL-jump to the next search area. Also, he dispatched a raider to report this latest happening to the Supreme Leader. They had come close: it really was just a matter of time.
Cyrannus System –Virgon Space Elevator
The raider quickly made the jump back to what was left of the colonies in order to deliver the message to the Supreme Leader. The raider transmitted the message, and then it awaited orders.
The Supreme Leader read the latest message from the Number Seven regarding the recent minefield incident in the Optus Sector. The so-far unknown foe - if it was indeed the only one out there - had really traveled a considerable distance over the past month. 'She' had liked the Number Seven's plan to seed likely jump points in various sectors with mines and other traps, and it was pretty clear that the tactic had nearly worked.
Now, the Number Seven was requesting additional humanoid Cylon models to man the base stars that were already deployed, plus additional base stars to help expand the search. This request however could not be granted at this time. The pursuit of the Galactica, along with the current cleansing operations on what was left of the colonies, meant that the Number Seven would have to make do with the current forces at his disposal - at least until the enemy had been properly identified and located. The available models of humanoid Cylons were likewise indisposed. The distances involved were now starting to stretch their dragnet, and make it harder for their resurrection ships to be able to do their job. She ordered a message transmitted to the awaiting raider in order to acknowledge receipt of the original message and to relay her latest instructions to the Number Seven's task force.
Battlestar Pegasus – Anotian Sector
The Battlestar Pegasus, after making it's escape from the Optus Sector, was now cruising at a slow speed. Commander Cain had chosen to jump here in order to assess and rethink the situation. The recent discovery of the disguised Cylon minefield back in the Optus Sector had now forced him to revise the current strategy. Why would the Cylons have placed a minefield there? What other surprises could be waiting for them out here? he asked himself. Despite the immensity of space, the Pegasus was in actuality running a Cylon gauntlet and one slip could spell doom for the battlestar. He decided to call a council-of-war with his XO, and the two wing CAG's. He paged them and told them to hand their duties over to their respective deputies and to report to him in Silver Spar Wing's briefing room.
"The Cylons are really starting to get creative", Cain had said to them once they had assembled and sat down, "That minefield was expertly placed and it was pure dumb luck that it was found. In a way, we were damn lucky to get out of that trap with the loss of only one viper".
The assembled persons fell silent thinking about the death of Lieutenant Blanke, but if it wasn't for him, then things could have gotten a whole lot worse. At that moment, the CAG of Black Knight Wing spoke up.
"I've been thinking about it some, Commander", Captain Voight said, "and it seems to me that their base stars must be spread thinly out here. That minefield was intended to cover that sector of space in the absence of their capital ships".
"True", Syke concurred, "but regardless of how dispersed their base stars are out here, all it will take is for the Pegasus to fall into another one of those traps and those base stars will converge on us like insects to sweetener".
"But on the bright side, If the Galactica and her convoy is still intact, then forcing the Cylons to search for us and plant these traps will result in getting some of the heat being taken off them", Tolen added, "so in a way, what they are doing is an act of desperation. With insufficient forces to properly hunt us down, they are forced to lay these traps instead".
"But we are also searching for the Galactica", Cain reminded them, "and whether that minefield is evidence of Cylon desperation or not, we are facing a skilled and implacable foe. By forcing us away from empty sectors of space, they are ensuring our jumping to sectors that have more worlds. And if those worlds have toasters watching out for us, then we could find ourselves in a worse situation than before".
"In any case, our best hope of finding any trace of the Galactica would be to survey as many worlds as possible. After all, the Galactica has not only to support itself, but all of the other ships it is protecting", Syke pointed out, "plus, what's to say that the Cylons have not set traps for them either?"
"Good point, CAG, but either way, It's a tactical situation that does not favor us", Cain replied, "We've been avoiding planets when possible because they may have toasters, but now our having to check them all out - because Adama may have gone there to pick up resources - exposes us".
"Well, we have to do something, Commander. We can't even think about going back to the colonies until we meet up with the Galactica, and we can't stay put either", Tolen said.
"Then we go forward", Cain decided, "and rely on the skill of our pilots to help guide us through the Cylon dragnet and to reach our goal. We will start by deploying more raptors on patrol and increase our viper probes as well. We now start a more aggressive planetary survey program. At least with all the extra fuel we have, we can maintain such a deployment for a while at least. Let's do it, Gentlemen. We have a lot of work to do".
Optus Sector – Cylon Base Star
The Number Seven had just received the message from the Supreme Commander. 'He' was not all that surprised by 'her' denial of his request. Still, perhaps the failed trap of the minefield would actually work out to 'his' benefit. It would force their prey to avoid certain parts of space and to go closer to star systems. As several Cylon garrisons were manning planetary bases - better known as Sentinel Posts - in the neighboring sectors, this would enable them to have a better chance of finding their quarry. The next move however would be up to them, and hopefully, this time they will make a wrong move and compromise themselves...
Anotian Sector – Battlestar Pegasus
Cain's new patrol and survey policy was about to be implemented. As Syke entered his wing's administration area, he saw that both Tricia and Vansen were going over some patrol schedules. Both were so engrossed that they didn't see his entry. What he would say would make them not too happy.
"I regret to inform you two that we now have a new directive from the Old Man regarding patrol dispositions", he announced, startling them both.
"What's up, CAG?", Tricia asked. She had started to settle in to her new position, but already she had been dismayed by the level of paperwork. She had hoped that Syke would have made good on his promise to get more admin staff to do all of this felgercarb, and free her up for flight duty.
"You will both need to revise the patrol schedules in order to reflect a change in policy. Commander Cain wants increased patrol coverage to commence ASAP, and he wants the raptors to be more actively employed on deep space probes; particularly surveying planets".
Ensign Vansen rolled his eyes. More work! Tricia however was more intrigued by the policy change.
"What gives?" she wanted to know.
"Thanks to that minefield business, we have to be more aggressive in our patrol probes. As there is a likelihood of more minefields in the sparser sectors of space, we have to start going closer to star systems, which means more surveys and probes for supplies, and of course, toasters", Syke explained.
Tricia nodded. That made sense. Besides, they would have a better chance of getting clues to the Galactica's location from surveying likely planets. It made exposure more risky, but evidently her father judged the risk to be less than the risk of encountering more traps like that minefield. She turned to Vansen and shrugged. He got the hint, and started accessing the pilot readiness list for increased patrols.
"I'm going to break the news to Krag", Syke told her, Also he'll have advanced notice on getting more of our fighters ready. I'll be back in an hour for the new roster". With that, he left the office to head down to the maintenance deck.
As Tricia went back to her task, Gorde walked in.
"Hello, Deputy CAG, Ma'am", he announced, snapping off a salute. Tricia gave him a dirty look. Gorde put up his hands in mock supplication.
"CAG gave me and Jet some extra work", Tricia explained as she gestured to an empty chair, "which means if you antagonize me with your rapier wit, you'll be sharing the pleasure".
As Gorde sat down, he said, "Sorry. By the way, congratulations on your promotion, Sheba. It's well deserved".
"I wouldn't know about that, Newguy", she replied, "It feels like I'm filling the shoes of a dead man. Anyway, I wanted to first congratulate you on becoming a raptor pilot".
"I was sure as hell surprised when Razor came around and gave me the news, and then the wings", Gorde confessed, "With next to no formal training program, I get appointed to pilot!"
"As you know, due to a shortage of officers, we are training several petty officers who volunteered for a crash program to make them Raptor Systems Officers", Tricia said, "and I'm going to need you to help break them in quickly. I have just been given a directive from CAG to step up our patrols and survey probes, so you're going to be dropped right in the deep end. I can't give you an experienced RSO, so you'll need to get the new rooks up to par. Understood?"
"Are you sure that I'm the right choice, Sheba?", Gorde asked, "after all, I'm a former ROTC cadet with little practical piloting experience, and not all that much extra RSO experience for that matter".
"You proved that you have the chops to be a good pilot and RSO, Newguy", Tricia replied, "and as your rank is senior to that of the trainee RSO's, you won't be getting any grief from them. You've proved yourself, Newguy, and I know that you can help them".
Gorde thought about what Tricia had said. It would be tough. It was a pity that he would no longer be flying with her, but he knew that CAG needed her more here. Besides, he saw the viper patch now adorning her flight suit. It really was a drop in the deep end for both of them.
"Razor will need the new RSO's qualified as soon as possible", Tricia said, "You have full discretion on how to do it. You'd better get started. Your new charges are waiting for you down in Bay Four. All have come from the technical department, so they have some basic understanding of how sensors work, but they will need your expertise in order to master doing the same job in a raptor".
Gorde nodded, stood, and then left the office, still a little stunned at the assignment. He had a big task ahead of him. He hoped that the rooks were fast learners.
Battlestar Pegasus – Combat Information Center
Up in CIC, Colonel Tolen was conferring with Captain Sanders. They were looking at the results of a just-completed sensor sweep of the sector made by the deep space scanner array (housed just above the primary rail gun's barrel on the prow of the Pegasus).
"There are several stars within a few light-days of our position, X.O.", Sanders said, pointing to them on the printout, "but so far there are no indications of any planets at this range".
"Well, Actual" – Commander Cain – "wants to dispatch the raptors on more comprehensive survey missions. We will now be deploying them at maximum range, so you'll need to furnish the reconnaissance sections of both wings with amended FTL co-ordinates. The Pegasus will also be deploying patrols in flights of three rather than two so the flight plans will be changed accordingly".
Sanders nodded his understanding. So thanks to the Cylon minefields, super-stealth was now out of the question. Well, perhaps it was time to start being more aggressive - the Pegasus was a ship of war, after all. He walked over to Core Command in order to get the new patrol plots ready for the larger patrol contingents.
For his part, Commander Cain looked out of an observation port into deep space. This observation gallery was a favorite place of his in order to be alone and to think. Well, so be it, he thought. If the toasters were forcing him to stay out of remote areas of space, then he would make the most of the altered situation. He would still try to remain stealthy for as long as possible, but he won't play the Cylon game. If there were any toasters discovered, he would no longer avoid it and walk into another trap. This time, it would be attack!