At PEGASUS Core Command, the duty specialist noticed a flash on her console, followed by an IFF signal. It was one of the probes! She turned to face Colonel Tolen, who had just returned to CIC.
"Colonel, Probe Five has returned", the specialist informed him, "but it was not scheduled to return for another twelve hours".
"Unless it picked up something that warranted it's early return", Sanders replied, walking up to the specialist.
"Instruct the probe to stand by in it's current position and transmit it's data, Specialist", Sanders then ordered. The specialist nodded her head, then activated some controls. The probe began to download it's data to the PEGASUS.
The specialist put the data up on a screen on the DRADIS console. Tolen and Sanders read the information as it appeared: PROBE FIVE REPORTS SIGNAL RECEIVED ON TAC-ONE FREQUENCY WHILE AT CO-ORDINATES SEVEN-NINER-EIGHT MARK ONE-ZERO-THREE. PROVISIONALLY EVALUATED AS AUTOMATIC SIGNAL.
"A TAC-channel", Sanders breathed, "That's a secure inter-warship fleet protocol!".
"I'm well aware of that, Comms", Tolen replied, "but the fact that it's being used means that there's someone out there". He stopped speaking as the DRADIS console screen added more lettering.
THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC DISTRESS CALL FROM PEREGRINE PROTOTYPE FIVE. SURVIVED ATTACK FROM CYLON FIGHTER AT OUTBREAK OF WAR WHILE ON ASSESSMENT FLIGHT BUT WE ARE DAMAGED WITH NO FTL OR SUBSTANTIAL SUBLIGHT CAPACITY. REQUEST IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. RESPOND ON SAME TAC-CHANNEL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. The message repeated twice more with nothing extra to add.
Tolen thought about the message for a minute, then went over to the communicator hanging on the wall. There was one person on board who knew about the Peregrine gunship.
"Ensign Dutch, report to CIC immediately, repeat: Ensign Dutch, report to CIC immediately". He hung up the communicator and turned to Sanders.
"Can you program that probe to return and transmit an acknowledgment, Comms?", he asked. Sanders nodded.
"As soon as Razor can answer a few concerns of mine, we may be sending the probe back", Tolen said. A couple of minutes later, Dutch entered CIC. Tolen waved him over. Without ceremony, Tolen handed him a printout of the message.
"What do you make of it, Ensign?", Tolen asked.
"As I recall, the Peregrine program used five prototypes in all, Colonel", Dutch replied, calling on his memories of his brief exposure to the program, "Let me think...okay: the first two prototypes were for the purpose of weapons evaluation, the second two were for ground deployment testing, and the last one was for the evaluation of the engines and endurance capabilities".
"The message states that this one is prototype five, so its being stuck out in deep space given it's role would be logical", Tolen said after thinking about Dutch's reply, "but how do we know that this is not some kind of trap? Sanders thinks that the TAC-channels have not been compromised, but we have to be sure, and ten weeks adrift without detection is a long time, even for a stealth-capable craft".
"The crew assigned to that particular Peregrine were the most junior of the assessment team", Dutch answered, "the pilot is LT jg Walter Hunter, and his CSO is Ensign Calvin Sims. Their call-signs are Hondo and Coffin. Their ship would be equipped for such a long duration deployment, given their assignments".
"You know these two well?", Tolen asked Dutch. Dutch nodded his head.
"Yeah, we spent a lot of time socializing in the O-club", he said, "I remember Hondo complaining about his not being allowed to be assigned to the weapons testing portion of the program. He and Coffin had graduated from ATT, but as they had the lowest graduating grade, they got the more mundane jobs in the program", Dutch remembered.
"Any chance that this Peregrine is the same one that's been giving the Cylons such a hard time?", Tolen asked Dutch next.
Dutch shook his head. "The entire testing program was set up in a specific way. Only Prototypes One and Two were configured for weapons. Prototype Number Five was configured differently. It would have taken a lot of effort to re-configure and would have needed a base in order to do so. The message stated clearly that it was on it's assignment flight when it was attacked. Their assignments were only for long-duration endurance missions".
"Is there any information about either of them that we could use in a communication attempt, Razor?", Tolen asked next, "and can you ask them to answer some questions in such a way that you could recognize the answer as authentic?"
Razor thought for a minute, then taking a stylus and a piece of paper, quickly wrote down a couple of sentences. He handed it to Tolen. Tolen read it, then passed it to Sanders.
"Have the probe re-programmed to return and respond on the TAC-channel. Have what is written there as part of the transmission protocols", Tolen ordered. As Sanders went over to Core Command to get the new orders transmitted to the probe, Tolen turned to Dutch.
"Ensign, you are off the patrol roster for the time being. Remain in the vicinity of CIC until we get a reply. I'll inform the commander", Tolen said. Dutch nodded and went over to Core Command in order to make himself useful.
While Tolen used his communicator to inform Cain of the probe discovery, Sanders had the duty specialist transmit the new programming instruction to the probe. After the probe acknowledged receipt of the signal, a command for it to return to it's previous position was sent. The probe activated it's FTL drive and in a flash, headed back in order to carry out it's new instructions.
"Commander, the probe is on it's way", Tolen said into the communicator.
"Okay, XO", Cain replied, "Let me know when it returns. Are the security requirements still in place?", he asked.
"Affirmative, Commander", Tolen replied, "The probe will not identify it's point of origin. This is just to confirm the authenticity of the distress signal".
"Have Captain Sanders start making contingency plans in the event that the signal is authentic, Colonel. Cain out". The communicator went dead.
Cain thought about it. It could be a trap, but if not, a Peregrine could be a real great asset to have, he thought. According to Ensign Dutch, it could easily be reconfigured for combat once it was ensconced in one of their hangar bays. Well, it was all up to the probe now. Until it returned, all they could do was to wait.
After getting Cain's directive, Sanders sent a message to both wing CAG's for input suggestions. Any plans made would need to involve their fighters. This rescue would be right under the noses of the Cylon occupation, and they would need everything they had to pull it off!
The probe made the FTL-jump, returning to the same position in the Cyrannus System it had earlier left. After scanning nearby space to ensure no unfriendlies in the area, the probe activated it's transmitter array. Clicking to the TAC-1 scrambler, the probe started transmitting: PEREGRINE PROTOTYPE FIVE, COLONIAL UNIT RESPONDING TO YOUR SIGNAL. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE.
On Peregrine Five, Sims was stretched out in his seat by his console napping when a buzzer sounded. Sitting erect, he saw that a signal was coming in - on the TAC-1 channel!
"Heads up, Hondo!", Sims shouted, "We're getting a TAC-1 transmission!". Hunter, who was also lightly napping, immediately woke up fully alert with the news from his CSO.
Hunter raced back from the flight deck to where Sims was getting a printout of the transmission. He handed it to Hunter. Hunter read it, then frowned.
"Colonial Unit?", he asked, "That's rather vague. What unit?".
"Do you wish me to respond?", Sims asked. Hunter held up his hand. Something was not right here.
"This could be a Cylon trap to force us to reveal our position, Coffin", Hunter said, saying aloud what had concerned him. The fact that there was no identifier for the source of the transmission was a suspicious detail in itself.
"The TAC channels are the securest communications protocols that we have", Sims reminded him, "so the odds of the Cylons having them are not high at best, but I think we can do something to verify it's authenticity", Sims suggested.
Hunter thought about it. Either a quick death from a Cylon missile or slow death as the consumables ran out, or even worse - a slow death at the hands of Cylon interrogators. Regardless, something had to be done. He nodded. Sims turned and prepared a reply. While Sims was doing that, Hunter quickly went to the cockpit and placed the Peregrine's auto-destruct system from INACTIVE to STANDBY mode.
The probe started receiving a message: PEREGRINE FIVE TO COLONIAL UNIT. RECEIVED YOUR MESSAGE. REQUEST CONFIRMATION OF YOUR IDENTITY BEFORE POSITION DETAILS CAN BE SENT.
The probe quickly accessed it's list of options and responded: UNABLE TO COMPLY AT THIS MOMENT REGARDING IDENTITY FOR SECURITY REASONS. PLEASE STAND BY FOR QUESTIONS TO CONFIRM YOUR IDENTITY. ACKNOWLEDGE WHEN READY.
Back on the Peregrine, both Hunter - who had returned to the scanner area - and Sims took in the new message. 'Unable to comply'? Both of them were nonplused at this phrase.
"This could well be a trap", Hunter said concernedly.
"I'm picking up no additional transmissions on the Cylons' frequencies", Sims pointed out, "and it sounds like they want to be sure that we're not a Cylon trap".
"Oh frakking great!", Hunter snarled, "We're playing identity games out here! Okay, acknowledge the message, Coffin. I suppose that we'll find out one way or the other".
The probe received the message: ACKNOWLEDGED. STANDING BY.
The probe sent in return: WHAT IS THE CALL-SIGN OF THE COMMAND PILOT OF PEREGRINE ONE?
Sims received the message, then looked to Hunter, who nodded. Sims sent back: DRAGON.
The probe recognized the correct response, courtesy of Ensign Dutch. The probe then sent another message: REPLY TO FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: WHO WAS THE GUEST WHO SPENT THE MOST TIME WITH YOU IN THE O-CLUB, WHERE WAS HE FROM, AND WHAT DID HE DO TO YOU ON THE LAST NIGHT BEFORE HE WENT HOME?
When Hunter got this message, he looked back at Sims.
"What does he mean by 'guest'?", Hunter asked. Sims looked blank, then smiled.
"Remember just before we headed out on this flight?", Sims asked. At Hunter's nod, Sims continued, "There were a number of Raptor pilots and co-pilot/RSO's from the fleet who were called in for a couple of weeks in order to do a separate assessment on the Peregrine's systems. There was one fresh from the Raptor Training Wing who socialized with us a lot when we were off duty. I can see his face, but I can't quite recall the name..."
"Razor!", Hunter shouted, "I remember. He was one of the junior members of that group and he gravitated to us. One hell of a card player too. Send it!".
The probe received the transmission: ENSIGN TYREE 'RAZOR' DUTCH, RAPTOR TRAINING WING, CLEANED US OUT IN CARDS.
The probe immediately sent back: YOUR IDENTITIES CALL-SIGNS HONDO AND COFFIN CONFIRMED. STAND BY FOR RELAY OF INFORMATION TO HOME PLATE.
Both Hunter and Sims smiled when they read the last message. So Razor was still alive!
"You know where Razor was transferred to when his TDY with us was up?", Sims asked Hunter.
"He said that he was being sent out to the fleet, but for the life of me, I can't remember what ship. It was a battlestar, but that's all".
"You think his ship survived?", Sims asked Hunter. The code phrase 'Home Plate' must be his battlestar or other fleet unit that had dispatched the probe in the first place.
"If Razor is alive, it's a good bet. This message is obviously a relay from a dispatched probe. The next time, we should be hearing his voice".
Both were smiling. This was indeed good news. They both hoped that they would be rescued before long.
Back in the Promar Sector, Cain had just entered the CIC. The probe had just returned and it had transmitted to Core Command a transcript of the transmission between the probe and Peregrine Five. Tolen and Sanders looked to Dutch for his input. Dutch smiled and nodded.
"It's definitely Hondo...I mean Lieutenant Hunter", Dutch said, "I really had a lucky hand of cards that night before I was detached and assigned to the PEGASUS".
"So we have a Peregrine gunship out there somewhere, so what can we do?", Tolen asked, "The raptors don't have that kind of FTL capability to get all the way back to the Cyrannus sector.
"But the PEGASUS does", Cain said. Every head in CIC turned to face him.
"I want that Peregrine", Cain said simply, "and the PEGASUS is the best way to get it - actually the only way to get it when it comes down to it".
"A jump that big is going to hit our fuel reserves hard", Sanders objected, "It's something we can't overlook".
"But this asteroid has raw tylium of the highest purity", Cain pointed out, "We jump, get the Peregrine and the crew, then jump straight back here. We leave the mining crew here in order to get as much ore as possible so that when we return, we get all of the extracted ore, refine it, then move on. We do have enough fuel for a jump there and back, right?", he asked. Sanders nodded cautiously at the query, but there was something that he had to ask: he wouldn't be a good staff officer if he didn't.
"Do you think that it's a good idea to risk the PEGASUS for a rescue of this nature?", he asked. Cain looked at Sanders, then Tolen and realized that the question had to be asked.
"The Peregrine is an asset we can make good use of. Denying it to the Cylons is something we must do. Besides, those tin-heads are setting up house back at the Colonies and I want them to get the message that as long as one human survives, they'll never be at peace!", he stated firmly. Everyone in CIC heard this last comment and applauded their commander. If nothing else, striking back at the Cylons in the place they had been forced from was reason enough to return!
"Send the probe back with a co-ordinates request for rendezvous and rescue, and inform Lt. Hunter that help is on the way", Cain said to Sanders, "and contact the CAG's for a deployment plan. We're going back into occupied space and we'd better get ready for everything that those tin-heads will throw at us".
Shortly afterwards, the probe had returned to the Cyrannus system, where it sent: RESCUE BEING ORGANIZED. TRANSMIT RENDEZVOUS CO-ORDINATES.
Hunter had Sims send out a set of co-ordinates that would enable them to see what would come on their sensors without their seeing them. If it was colonial, then they would communicate on normal wireless. If not, then they would lay low and hope for the best...
CO-ORDINATES RECEIVED. RETURNING TO HOME PLATE. RESCUE OPERATION WILL PROCEED, flashed on Sims' screen. Both Hunter and Sims briefly shook hands. Things were starting to look up.
The probe returned once more to the PEGASUS with the rendezvous co-ordinates. By that time, both Syke and Voight were well into their planning for the aptly code-named operation PEREGRINE SNATCH. Core Command had relayed the co-ordinates to Syke down in the briefing room.
"According to the co-ordinates, it places the crippled Peregrine here", Voight said, pointing to a position on a chart of the Cyrannus System. Syke nodded.
"They are between Sagittaria and the Batwah Asteroid field. That's funny: We initially withdrew to there from Caprica, but didn't pick them up on sensors", Syke muttered.
"Remember though that we were on the other side of the Batwah field from them, and we had to lay low during the fly-by of that Cylon patrol", Voight reminded him.
Syke nodded his understanding. Voight was right. Besides, Dutch had mentioned that the Peregrine had stealth characteristics built into it's design. Given the circumstances, the odds of detecting them would not have been good in any case. Well, this time they should be able to remedy that oversight.
"Would a raptor be within FTL-range of those co-ordinates from Batwah, Gene?", Voight asked. Syke checked the scale, and nodded cautiously.
"Barely", Syke said, "Why? What do you have in mind, Lance?", he asked.
"I'm a little leery of letting the tin-heads know about the location of the PEGASUS too early", Voight answered, Aso why don't we suggest to the Old Man that the PEGASUS jump to our previous location at Batwah, then send out a raptor with Ensign Dutch on board. The crew of the Peregrine knows him personally, so it should dispel any lingering possibility in their minds of a Cylon trap. He makes the initial rendezvous and survey of the Peregrine and the surrounding area. If it's okay, then he returns back to the PEGASUS and we make the jump there".
"And if not?", Syke asked next. Voight thought for a few seconds, then replied.
"If there is a chance to rescue the crew - if nothing else - then Dutch docks with the Peregrine, gets them both off, then destroy it with missiles before the Cylons can get it. If they ever get wind that another Peregrine is out there then they'll want to capture it so that they can devise countermeasures to the other one, and if the crew is captured as well...", Voight tailed off.
Syke nodded. That possibility could not be allowed to happen. If they were taken alive, those people would wish that they were dead well before the Cylons would finally kill them.
"Very well, the PEGASUS only initially goes as far as Batwah, then Razor goes in. If it's all clear, we do the snatch, but if Razor can't help them, he will have to use one of the raptor's missiles to destroy it. Better a quick death than a slow one under Cylon interrogation", Syke said. Voight nodded without replying.
"Anyway, given the scuttlebutt about your wing not having much action, Lance", Syke said next, causing Voight's head to jerk upright, "How about your wing deploy to cover the rescue of the Peregrine? As the PEGASUS would be emerging close to Sagittaria, there's a good chance that we may be getting incoming unfriendlies".
Voight thought about the suggestion. He was annoyed that the news about low morale in Black Knight Wing had gotten out, but there really was no secrets on a battlestar. Besides, this type of mission would be a valuable boost in the arm for all of the pilots. He smiled and nodded.
"I've got no problem with that, Gene", Voight replied, "and the fact that the wing is from the PACIFICA may confuse the tin-heads should they engage us. Cain's admonition regarding the identification tags would not apply as we'd be in the home system".
Syke nodded. While it was still deemed important to keep uncertain the identity of the PEGASUS to the Cylons, the fact that large numbers of fighters from the PACIFICA would be seen in colonial space would really add to the confusion. Indications of the PACIFICA out in remote space could well result in the Cylons drawing the conclusion that the PEGASUS was the battlestar giving them grief out in deep space as both the PACIFICA and PEGASUS were in the same task force, but in local space, that would change the intelligence dynamics somewhat.
"Okay then, Silver Spar Wing will fly cover around the PEGASUS itself while Black Knight wing forms the defense perimeter. It may get a little tough though, depending upon how many hostiles we engage", Syke warned.
"That's why we all get paid the big cubits", Voight replied with a laugh. Syke joined in. Niceties like getting paid money kind of went out of fashion when the colonies got wasted. But Voight was right: it was their job.
"Well then, I guess we've got a plan for the return to the Colonies, but we still have to get things ready here though for the return leg", Syke said, "so we will have to maintain a number of persons here on the asteroid to continue the ore extraction, plus spare a few fighters to cover them".
"Lt. Higgins' training contingent should be adequate. We leave him here in overall charge. As he's one of the better pilots - ATT honors grad I hear - he would be able to lead the fighters and the shuttles out of danger should anything happen to us", Voight suggested.
"Rogue's not going to like being left out of combat, but I concur. He's the best candidate to leave in charge while we go back for the rescue", Syke agreed. He reached for a communicator and contacted Core Command.
"This is Silver Spar CAG. Have Theta flight return to the PEGASUS and alert the crews to immediately refuel and prepare them for relaunch. Theta Leader will need to report to me when he gets back on board", Syke said. After getting the acknowledgment, Syke hung up the communicator.
"Let's report to the Old Man then", he said as he stood. Nodding, Voight followed Syke out of the briefing room. The plan was now ready for him to go over.