"It never gets easier, does it?", Tricia said to Syke as she walked into the Silver Spar Administrative Annex. She had just returned from conducting the memorial service for the two killed pilots from the recent battle.
"Unfortunately, they never put down in the rule book an 'easy' way to cope with losses", Syke replied. Secretly, he was glad that he had been busy with the volunteer list. Tricia had taken pains to inform the other pilots of the wing that Syke's absence was necessary.
It was now 1130. Already, the party and dancing of the previous evening seemed like another world away. Syke walked over to the servitor and poured a cup of the 'special blend' coffee. He gestured to his mug, indicating if Tricia would like a cup. She shook her head.
"So what's happening today, Deputy CAG?", Syke asked Tricia formally. It was his way of telling her that mourning the dead has been done and that they had to get back to business.
"Well CAG, the last of the crated reserve vipers have been assembled and once the final muster listing of pilots for the P.V.S. have been announced, then we can start getting them organized", she replied, "and Comms asked me to remind you that the probe for confirming the big rendezvous will be dispatched tonight at 2030. If there are any messages for you to add to it's database, to get it ready before launch".
Syke thought about Sanders' reminder, then nodded.
"Okay, I'll bat out a message for Dragon. What have you got scheduled?", he asked next.
"I'm going to be pulling some viper flight time today with Ratchet", Tricia answered, "Jet informed me that my flight time has started to fall behind the wing average, so I thought I'd better rectify that situation".
"That's fine, Sheba", Syke assented. With that, Tricia stood up and headed out the door. She had to change into her flight suit and join Halley down in the launch tubes...
Syke watched her go. He put down his list of pared-down candidates for the P.V.S. and opened a new file. He started typing out his latest letter to Masters:
From: Captain Eugene Syke, Silver Spar CAG To: Captain Logan Masters, Peregrine One Commander Classification: Alpha Encryption - Your Eyes Only - No permanent record.
Logan,
Thanks so very much for the coffee. I hope that it didn't drain your resources. Hopefully, you'll be able to have more of the blend made from wherever your base is located. Also, the food shipment was a huge boost to morale. We had obtained plenty of consumables from Molecay, but they were getting rather monotonous...
Anyway, we'll be sending some more goodies to you at the next rendezvous. I wish that I could tell you in this letter what it's going to be, but Commander Cain is being very security-conscious these days, so the actual manifest will only be made available to Commander Hawke. I think though that both of you will welcome what we will be offering you once Commander Hawke lets you in on it.
What I can tell you though, is that we had a run-in earlier with two Cylon Base Stars. Your CORONA op-plan worked a treat (though both Hondo and Coffin came back rather pale-looking from those close-in jumps) and those two base stars were heavily damaged as a result. With any luck, they'll be too badly damaged for the tin-heads to repair and they'll have to end up scuttling them. We lost six vipers, unfortunately, but it could have been a lot worse. The tin-heads lost thirty in battle and hopefully more were turned to scrap when the base stars got nuked. If you intercept any transmissions from them about the battle, please pass the info along.
The tin-heads evidently are stepping up their patrols of this sector as it was one of these patrols that discovered one of our raptor recons - it was in empty space and well away from any systems at that. It means that they haven't found the GALACTICA yet, which is good news, and hopefully, they'll think that it was the GALACTICA that inflicted the damage to their base stars. It does put the heat on us for the time being however, but the other op-plans you provided us should be of some help should we be detected again.
If the rendezvous is a 'go', then I'll be looking forward to chatting to you again at that time. Until then, keep the tin-heads busy. I hope that our 'gift' of the TRITON raptor has helped to take some of the workload off you and your crew.
Gene.
Syke quickly went over what he wrote. He activated the Alpha Encryption program, then saved it to a data disc. Removing it from his console, he turned and handed it to Ensign Vansen.
"Take this up to Captain Sanders, Jet", he ordered, "and let him know that it's for the probe".
"Yes, CAG", Vansen replied, pocketing the disc and standing up.
As Vansen walked out, Syke turned his attention back to the list. There were still a few names to go through before he could take his list of nine to Voight. It was not going to be easy detaching them from his command, he knew. It was like setting a family member adrift...
Several hours later, after Tricia had gotten a good two hours of flying close-cover patrol with members of Halley's squadron and after Syke had finally culled down the number of volunteers, an FTL-probe was deployed from the PEGASUS. The personnel at Core Command and Comscan monitored the probe as it accelerated out on it's pre-programmed course. At the precise programmed moment, the probe flashed out of normal space in a flash of light.
"The probe has just made it's jump, Colonel", The Core Command duty technician reported to Tolen. Tolen nodded an acknowledgment. He picked up a communicator and tapped in the comm code for Cain's cabin.
"Cain", a familiar voice sounded over the link.
"It's the X.O.", Tolen replied, "The probe's on it's way".
"Thanks, Geoff", Cain replied, "I'm going to sack out for a while, so I'll leave the PEGASUS in your capable hands for a while".
"No problem, Commander", Tolen answered.
Clicking off his communicator, Cain stood up from his desk and stretched. Walking over to his day-bed, he quickly removed his footwear and laid down. As he drifted off to sleep, he wondered how Commander Hawke would react to the message he had placed in the probe which was speeding to the probe-to-probe rendezvous:
To: Matthew Hawke, Commander Battlecruiser GOLIATH From: Garris Cain, Commander Battlestar PEGASUS Classification: Double-Encryption Protocol Theta/Chi - Your Eyes Only. No permanent record.
Commander,
The PEGASUS will be personally delivering to the upcoming Point 'Polaris' rendezvous eighteen vipers from our reserve fighter strength, and an additional raptor. There are sufficient volunteers from both wings to form an operational squadron out of these aforementioned ships and I'm certain that you can make good use of this unit. Needless to say, you'll need to bring the GOLIATH to the rendezvous so that you can take receipt of the 'PEGASUS Volunteer Squadron'. Also needless to say, the less who know about the PEGASUS making an appearance, the better.
Please convey the thanks of the PEGASUS to Captain Logan Masters. His CORONA Op-plan was responsible for our successfully engaging and heavily damaging two base stars. We suffered some damage, but it was easily taken care of. We are fully operational. For your information, our little deception plan seems to be working well. Judging from intercepted transmissions, the tin-heads still are not sure who we are, which is to our advantage.
The supply of foodstuffs you gave to us at the last rendezvous was most welcome. I only hope that we're not stripping you of too many resources. Regardless, I hope that the new squadron will go some way to alleviate the shortage of pilots and fighters that you had mentioned to me earlier. Our wings are still at full strength, so for the medium term, our operational effectiveness will not be compromised by the squadron transfer.
I am looking forward to personally meeting you sometime in the future and to further our plans for dealing with the Cylon threat. See you at the rendezvous.
Cain.
Down in Black Knight Wing's administration area, Syke was talking to Voight. Syke had brought with him his list of nine pilots who had made the cut for the PEGASUS Volunteer Squadron. Voight had already made out his listing and while Syke looked over his list, Voight read Syke's.
"Lieutenants Hayes, Benson, and Bayrak. Ensigns Anderson, Garret, Talat, West, Appleton, and Evans", Voight read out loud from Syke's list, "Sure you can spare these pilots? Both Chunks and Growler are pretty able pilots", he remarked, referring to Hayes and Benson's call-signs.
"The squadron is going to need experienced leaders, and FYI, Chunks is past due for promotion to Captain", Syke remarked, "If it wasn't for the war, Chunks would have been the new CAG on the ASTORIA. The Old Man wants to promote him, and this new squadron makes a Captain's slot available. That would also make him the pilot-in-command of the P.V.S.".
"That makes sense", Voight replied, "Chunks is an able leader and this new squadron should be okay under his command".
"I see from your list that you have selected only one Lieutenant. All of the other eight are ensigns", Syke said, tapping the list that Voight had given him.
"Axeman is the only senior officer I can spare from Black Knight wing, Bojay", Voight replied, referring to LT jg Martin Mannix's call-sign, Abut the other eight have a good amount of flight and combat experience, despite their lowly rank. With your nine, the new squadron should acquit itself well.
"You think Axeman should be the XO then?", Syke asked. Voight nodded.
"So we're agreed then. When do you think we should make the announcement to the Old Man?", Syke asked.
"Tomorrow, I think. He's off duty at the moment", Voight replied, "oh, and by the way, who have you chosen to crew the squadron raptor?", he asked.
"It's going to be Razor and Boxer", Syke replied, referring to LT. Dutch and Ensign Watt, "Newguy and Snoopy wanted to remain with Silver Spar, and I'm sure that Dookie would agree with that".
"That he would", Voight answered with a chuckle. LT. Derek 'Dookie' Connor - the principal raptor pilot for Black Knight Wing - and Gorde got along like a house on fire. They made a great combined recon team and both CAG's didn't want to break up that combination, particularly now that the PEGASUS was going to be down to two operational raptors.
After chatting for a while - talking about the new squadron and it's training program - Syke looked at his chronometer.
"You know, hitting the sack would probably be a good idea at this time", Syke said, stifling a yawn.
"Me too", Voight agreed, "I think we can leave our wings in the hands of our respective duty staff. I'll see you tomorrow at 0900 up at CIC. We can give the Old Man the list then?", he asked. Syke nodded.
"Okay then, see you later, Lance", Syke said, leaving the room.
"You too, Gene", Voight called out.
As Syke walked over to the transporter and got in for the drive back over to the other side of the PEGASUS, he thought about his list of volunteers. It would be a pity losing Lt. Keith Hayes, Syke thought to himself, but the P.V.S. needed a leader of his caliber, and this at least got him the promotion that was so overdue. Cain was very strict on maintaining the quota of officers of certain ranks. As far as the viper wings were concerned, only the CAG could hold the rank of Captain. The deputy CAG's and the PEGASUS squadron commanders were full Lieutenants, but since the P.V.S. was going to be detached from the PEGASUS, it gave Cain the leeway to promote.
Syke shook his head a little at that. He wished that Cain could be a little more flexible on promotions. After all, several other pilots in both wings would make good captains, but that was the prerogative of the commander.
The transporter quickly ferried him across to Silver Spar's 'turf' on the port-side landing bay. After quickly checking the readiness status of the wing - Lt. Andrew 'Shooter' Macklin's squadron was the one currently on alert readiness - Syke quickly checked with Vansen regarding any pressing paperwork requirements.
"Nothing that can't wait until tomorrow", Vansen replied.
"Thanks, Jet. I'm hitting the sack. See you tomorrow", Syke replied.
"You too, CAG", Vansen answered. Vansen's relief would be here shortly and he could start getting some sack time himself as he was scheduled to get some flight time in himself early tomorrow. Wing paperwork was actually quite tiring...
Syke quickly headed up to his quarters. He was glad that Jet had managed to keep the bureaucratic part of wing operations functioning. The loss of Lt. Blanke some weeks ago was a hard blow to the wing, but Vansen and Tricia managed to fill in the void and help him keep the wing running.
When Syke got into his cabin, he found that there was already someone in there. Tricia was laying on his bed, waiting for him. She smiled when he walked in. Syke was surprised, but remembered what he had given her earlier.
"I see you made good use of my spare key-card", Syke said by way of greeting. He walked over to the bed, leaned over and gently kissed her on the lips. Tricia returned the kiss with greater passion, which lead to more pleasant interludes for the next hour of so before they finally fell asleep in each other's arms...
It was during their intimacy that the probe had jumped to it's destination co-ordinates in the Escotian Sector (which was a planet-less Red Giant star system on the edge of the Red Line between Cyrannus and Promar) and was awaiting the arrival and IFF verification of whatever was dispatched to take receipt of the transmissions. The probe had performed it's programed security protocol of shutting down all active systems and relying on passive systems only to detect any incoming spacecraft.
At the precise time - according to the onboard chronometer - the probe picked up an FTL-emergence. A quick IFF query from it was received, decoded and verified. It then powered up it's systems and sent out it's own IFF response.
The new arrival transmitted READY TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ON LASER MODE. The PEGASUS probe then transmitted the encoded letters to the newcomer.
INFORMATION RECEIVED, the newcomer confirmed, TRANSMITTING NOW, it then sent.
Several encoded communications were sent out to the PEGASUS probe. All of this was being conducted by the secure direct-laser communications mode so as to avoid eavesdropping. It had been suggested at the last rendezvous that given the sensitive nature of any future communications - despite the new encoding protocols - the Cylons would eventually be able to decode any intercepts so the laser communications mode would be used on the automatic probes from here on out.
The encoded messages from Commander Hawke and Captain Masters were received by the PEGASUS probe and stored in it's database. When the probe acknowledged receipt of the messages, the newcomer quickly FTL-ed out. After a quick scan of the local space - nothing was seen on it's sensors - the probe FTL-ed back to the PEGASUS.
It was well that the precaution of laser communications were now in use by the probes. Both the sensors on the PEGASUS probe and the probe from the DRAGON's LAIR were designed to detect the presence of any moving craft or active sensor emissions. It did not pick up a remote probe which was drifting in the vicinity, looking to any sensors like a drifting piece of rock. This probe was Cylon in origin and it was designed specifically for listening in on communications. It had detected both probe emergences from their respective FTL-jumps and had used it's passive sensors to detect the IFF queries and the transmit command before the laser communications stopped any further eavesdropping.
After both probes had made their FTL-jumps, the Cylon probe quickly powered up it's systems and made it's jump. It was heading back to report what it saw and heard.
"So, this probe came across two colonial probes in the Escotian Sector", Number One remarked to Number Seven back on the Virgon Space Elevator. The Cylon probe had re-emerged back in the Cyrannus Sector and had relayed it's intelligence to Number Seven. He sent it on to Number One.
"Yes, Number One", Seven replied, "It would seem that these probes are being used by the humans to send preliminary communications, but unlike other intercepts, these probes are starting to use direct-sight laser communications".
"But we can copy these IFF codes that our probe did intercept, surely?", One asked.
"Yes, but it would not do us any good", Seven replied, "The humans are being smart in that not only are they now using laser communications, but the IFF codes do not match with the others we have intercepted, which means that they must be using one-time pad ciphers for their IFF's".
Number One frowned. One-time ciphers meant that unless you had a copy of the same cipher pad, using the older codes would let the humans know that the query would be false.
"So all we really know is that two human probes have contacted each other and evidently exchanged information, but we can't find out what, or hope to use the IFF codes we've intercepted", One summarized. Seven nodded.
"So what can we deduce from all of this?", One asked. Seven did not like having to use the human trait of guessing, but that was precisely what she was asking him to do.
"We can deduce that this interchange must be a harbinger of the upcoming rendezvous between the Peregrine Human Forces and the unknown Battlestar. Either a confirmation or cancellation of the rendezvous, though owing to the very brief time that the probes were there, I would lean towards the former", Seven said slowly, "particularly as the Escotian Sector is quite a remote one".
Number One considered that. By using remote sectors, the Humans were evidently banking on the Cylons not having a presence out there. If the probes were going to announce a cancellation of the rendezvous, there would logically be longer communications and information transfers. With just a brief period of communications in a location where the humans were not expecting anyone to listen in, it probably was a confirmation message.
"And we've well-saturated the various sectors between us and Promar with additional probes?", Number One asked.
"Yes, Number One. All are of the passive type so that there is a good chance that if the rendezvous is made in the various sectors we've seeded, we will be able to detect it. And we have our ready-alert force ready to engage the humans when we find out where they are", Seven replied.
"Excellent. I want you to make sure personally that the base star commanders know that they are to deploy ready for action if any of our probes even makes a slight anomalous reading. Understood?", she asked.
"By Your Command", Number Seven replied.