Chapter 10

"Action Stations! Action Stations! Set Condition One throughout the ship!" Adama heard over the wireless. "This is not a drill! I repeat! Action Stations! Action Stations!"

He glanced at the President's comatose body and whispered to her, "Well Madame President seems like I picked a hell of a day for a visit." He abandoned his place by her side and picked up the wireless. "This is the Commander."

"Dradis Contact," came Tigh's voice. "From the size of it its probably a Cylon baseship. It's on its way to intercept."

"Alert the fleet and prepare for an emergency jump. I'm on my way."

Bill hurried to CIC, his mind wandering back to Laura. She's been in a coma for three days with no change and he was beginning to worry. He knew that it was just her body's way of doing repair work for when she wakes up, but he couldn't rid himself of the worry that came with knowing she was lying there unconscious.

"Sit rep," Adama ordered.

"Alert fighter launched," Tigh reported.

"New Dradis contact, they're launching raiders," Gaeta shouted.

"How long till we jump?" Adama asked.

"Two minutes," Tigh reported.

"Sir, I'm picking up a Colonial Transponder," Gaeta mentioned.

"Colonial?" Adama asked.

"Frak, now they're using our own signals against us," Tigh replied with a little bit of skepticism.

"Maybe," Adama began. "Weapons hold. Hold at jump two."

"All ships this is Galactica, hold jump," Dee said. "I repeat hold jump."

"Ship to ship," Adama told Dee. "Priority one channel. Send hostile challenge and ID. Then push the reply through one of the speakers."

"Attention unknown vessel. This is the Battlestar Galactica. Identify yourself and we will fire upon you," Dee reported through the wireless.

"Range now 1700 sir," Gaeta reported.

"This the Battlestar Pegasus to the ship claiming to be the Galactica. Please respond."

"Pegasus?" Tigh asked, still in disbelief. "How could that be? The entire fleet was destroyed."

Bill didn't respond. He just glanced at Dee. "Give me direct contact," he requested as he picked up the wireless. "Pegasus this is Galactica Actual. Authenticate identity with recognition codes immediately."

"Sir," Dee began. "I'm receiving Colonial recognition codes." There was a slight pause as Dee examined the numbers on screen. Unsure of whether or not to trust the computer. "They're authentic."

"Galactica this is Pegasus Actual," said the voice on the other end of the line. "Adama is that you?"

"Admiral Cain," Adama began. "It's good to hear your voice."

"Commander, I don't know what to say…" Cain began. "This is a miracle."

Adama suppressed a sob when he heard her say miracle. It might be a miracle for the Pegasus traveling alone but for Galactica and her civilian fleet it was still a time of sorrow. They were waiting for their leader to rise again and resume her role as the dying prophet. For them, the glass was half-full.

"You took the words right out of my mouth," Adama replied politely before turned to Dee. "Step down to Condition One throughout the fleet."

"Get it in gear people! Look sharp!" Tigh barked as the raptor with the Pegasus landing party docked on the flight deck. "This isn't recess."

"Come on!" Lee yelled. "The landing party's here! Dress and cover."

"I'm not exactly sure what to do?" Baltar said to Adama as they fell into formation.

"Follow my lead," Adama said. He had no patience to explain military matters to the Vice President at the moment. "Stand at attention."

The room went quiet as the door to the raptor opened and the landing party stepped out with skepticism. Adama inventoried each one that stepped out. Each took a spot in front of the crowd, standing in an unwavering attention. He watched as a man that Adama identified as the XO of the ship came out and stood right in front of Baltar. He was followed by a brunette woman of average build who stepped out of the raptor and stood on the landing ramp, studying the crowd. After a minute she moved towards the edge and hopped down, walking towards Adama with an authoritative cadence to her walk. He raised his right arm and saluted his superior as required by military protocol. She raised her right arm and mirrored his action in a military salute.

"Admiral Cain," Bill began. "Welcome aboard the Galactica."

"Commander Adama," she replied with admiration as she reached out hand for a friendly handshake. He offered his hand in return and she gripped it tightly. "It's an honor."

"Allow me to present to you, the Vice President of the Colonies, Gaius Baltar," Bill began.

Cain eyed the four-eyed man in front of her curiously as Adama gestured for him to shake the Admiral's hand.

"I'm sorry the President wasn't able to make it," Baltar said. Cain continued to eye him quizzically. "It's a long story. Welcome aboard." He reached out his hand in a friendly gesture and she accepted it.

"Mr. Vice President," she acknowledged.

"On behalf of the officers and crew of the Pegasus," Cain began. "It's a pleasure to see all of you. Welcome back to the Colonial Fleet." A slight smile graced the Admiral's lips as the crowd erupted in cheers.

As they broke their stiff military facades she extended her hand for a less formal handshake with the Commander. He accepted it once again and smiled. He placed a hand on her arm welcoming her back into the fleet. Letting her know that they were willing to accept them. Yet, somehow the meeting still felt cold to him. It was missing a presence. He thought of what Laura would do and imagined her shaking Admiral Cain's hand with a warm smile. Anxiously wanting to hear about what the Pegasus had been through and how it had survived. He imagined her hugging this new woman, ready to welcome a new officer and grateful for the help they would provide the fleet.

As the crowd continued to rejoice Bill invited Cain back to his quarters for a meeting with the Vice President so that they could talk in private. In a place that wasn't so rambunctious.

TBC