This chapter was co-written with Expatkiwi. You will find that most of this chapter is the same as PEGASUS Book 10: Return to the Fray Chapters 11. (Except the point of view is from my characters.)
Nix had the three ships jump far enough from the fleet that it would take about thirty minutes to be spotted by the fleet's CAP and rendezvous with the convoy.
"Raptor 5401, this is Nighthawk One, Do you copy?" inquired Nix.
"Nighthawk One, this is Tico. Go ahead." Addison replied.
"Tico, cover our six and we'll take the lead. Maintain wireless silence. Let me explain our guest when we get in range. Copy that AVENGER?" Nix ordered.
"Thumper, this is Hondo, Hunter began. " Wilco last transmission. What happened to the 'archangel' designation?" Hunter asked, confused by the switch.
There was a short laughter over the wireless as the designation was Nix improvising at the last moment not wanting reveal their true identity at first and then fearing Commander Cain's wrath about fibbing afterward.
Tricia Cain was studying the flight console of the prototype raptor when Addison spoke.
"Lieutenant, were you assigned to the TRITON?" Addison asked noticing the insignia patch on her flight jacket.
"Yes, I was posted to her after War College." Sheba responded.
"So how did you end up on your father's battlestar?" Tico inquired.
"We were down a raptor and PEGASUS had a spare. TRITON's commander assigned me the task of picking it up knowing I hadn't seen my father in months. I was about to return when the attacks occurred." Sheba recounted, noting that it seemed a lifetime ago.
"We really haven't had time to find out a lot about HYPERION. How did you escape?" she asked.
"We missed the attacks completely." Tico began. "We had just returned from a three-year deep space mapping mission two weeks before the attacks. A self-centered Admiral ordered us out again to ferry a convoy to his new outpost. We were on the other side of the Hatari Nebula when the attacks started. The cylons started sending baseships to the outer colonies and that when we had over first taste. Admiral Greene knew where we were and we've been collecting stragglers.
At that moment, over in HYPERION CIC, klaxons were sounding. "SET CONDITION ONE THROUGHOUT THE SHIP! UNIDENTIFIED BOGEY INCOMING! PREPARE FOR EMERGENCY JUMP!"
"Sir, the aft CAP is closing on target, TERTIUS has launched alert fighters!" stated Ens. Jody McCall.
"Lieutenant Walker, have we identified the bogey?" asked Admiral Tillman.
"No, Sir. Still nothing!" Walker responded from the DRADIS station.
"How many shuttles do we still have?" Hayes inquired.
"DRADIS shows five shuttles and one raptor. The raptor is TRINITY's and Commander Roberts is on board with his family." Walker reported.
On the stealth-star, Sanders was monitoring his instruments when the ALERT lights started to blink. Sanders took a quick look on his panel.
"Thumper, I have two incoming vipers on intercept course!" Sanders declared.
"Tell Tico to activate his IFF transmitter and open a channel to HYPERION." Major Nix requested.
On the HYPERION, the DRADIS console showed the unidentified contact put out an IFF signal. Also two other contacts…
"Sir, two more contacts with the bogey just appeared on DRADIS. Colonial signals. It's Nighthawk One and Raptor 5401.The bogey is transmitting a personal IFF! Warbook shows that it belongs to Major Gale of the TANTALUS." Walker said with surprise.
"Sir, I have Thumper on wireless." McCall announced who piped it through.
"HYPERION, this is Nighthawk One, Do you copy? Unknown is friendly and nonbelligerent. Her name is FLEET AVENGER. Do you copy?" Thumper asked.
"Nighthawk One, this is HYPERION Actual, "What's your situation?"
"Sir, our situation is good, bringing home friendly, requesting permission to land." Thumper asked.
Admiral Tillman cupped his hand over the handset and turned to Hayes and told McCall to have Commander Roberts' raptor divert immediately to the HYPERION. He then looked at Hayes who shook his head in acknowledgement. Hayes knew that Jason wanted security teams on in the hanger.
Nighthawk One, HYPERION Actual, "Wilco your request. Your flight has been cleared to the port flight pod."
As the three ship closed in on the HYPERION, Tricia Cain was looking at the different ships.
"Which one is that? Sheba asked, pointing to a battlecruiser.
"That would be the DAEDALUS. She's a mess right now. We have almost all of our damage control teams working on her. TRINITY and JUNO are at five and nine o'clock respectively."
"What is that one behind DAEDULAS? Are the cylinders turning? Tricia asked.
"That is MYSTIC. She's a botanical cruiser prototype. Her cylinders rotate as protection. She's what feeds the fleet. We always have her guarded." Addison said proudly.
As the ships made their final approach turn, Tricia noted the refinery and electronic vessel among the numerous civilian liners and freighters. "And what is that?" Sheba asked noting it was as large as a battlestar.
"That is the AULUS. The latest and greatest in luxury liners built by Intersun." Addison said with sarcasm in his voice.
The incoming ships smoothly made their approach to the HYPERION's portside landing pod. The personnel up in CIC were watching the approaching ships – in particular the peregrine - closely.
FLEET AVENGER was first in order to land followed by Thumper and then Addison's raptor.
"FLEET AVENGER, this is HYPERION Core Command, you are cleared for approach, speed one four five, hands-on approach, checker's red, call the ball!"
"HYPERION, AVENGER acknowledges. Checker is red, I have the ball." Hunter replied as he then cupped his hand over his microphone and asked Sims jokingly if all these old style battlestars tossed out their auto-landing systems.
Admiral Tillman watched the peregrine slowly enter the flight pod and gently land on the red elevator from the LSO station high above the flight deck. Jason told Captain Dyson as he was leaving to wait five minutes before lowering the ship down to the hanger deck. The other two ships landed on the blue and yellow elevator.
DAY ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN – HYPERION, PORT HANGER (0600 HRS)Jason made his way down to the hanger and was meet by Commander Roberts, Colonel Hayes, Edwards, and two-dozen armed marines. A crowd also formed around the perimeter of the bay mostly made up of off duty personnel and including Roberts's family, who had just alighted from their shuttle.
Nix and Sanders were the first to debark their planes and waited for Addison and his guest before heading over to Admiral Tillman.
"Admiral, I would like to introduce you to Lieutenant Tricia "Sheba" Cain, daughter of Commander Garris Cain." Thumper began as Sheba had snapped to attention; Tillman returned the salute as Thumper continued. "She's the deputy CAG on her father's battlestar." Nix finished as the FLEET AVENGER was towed into view.
"Renegade's PEGASUS is still out there?" asked Colonial Hayes.
"Yes, Sir, we're alive and well. My father sends you his greetings, Admiral." Tricia relayed as they shook hands. The noise level slowly rose as the crew of the peregrine started to deplane.
"Sir, I believe you remember Lieutenant-Colonel Gale. Commander Cain encountered TANTALUS over a week ago" Thumper said before he was interrupted.
"Colonel Wright?" Tillman asked.
"It's Sub-Commander Wright now, Admiral. He's with Commander Cain. He asked me to come and sends his respects, Sir." Gale finished as he smiled and shook everyone's hands. The crowd noise level was rising and included clapping.
"Sir, this is Ltjg. Walter "Hondo" Hunter and his copilot Ensign Calvin "Coffin" Sims. They are the pilots of the Peregrine Gunship FLEET AVENGER." Nix informed the admiral as they continued to shake hands with everyone.
"Commander Cain also rescued them a long time ago as well." Gale hollered over the growing clapping.
"Unbelievable!" Commander Roberts muttered as he greeted the new faces.
"No sir, that is yet to come!" Tricia said to Roberts with joy and her eyes slowly starting to well as for she was caught up in the moment.
Major Nix pointed to the last person to deplane from the underbelly of the FLEET AVENGER. Commander Roberts had trouble seeing the person, but caught his daughter Amy running toward him out of the corner of his eye followed by his granddaughter Beth. Roberts still could not see the man who by this time had scooped the little girl and was hugging a crying Amy. John Roberts couldn't move as he was trembling fiercely at the possibility.
"Michael? But how?" stuttered Commander Roberts as he had trouble accepting the odds.
Thumper nodded his head looking at Admiral Tillman.
"PACIFICA and PEGASUS were in the same battlegroup heading for Caprica. While in route my father's battlestar lost an energizer. PACIFICA was ordered to hang back and cover. They launched their vipers to provide air support. When the cylon computer virus affected them Commander Hansen ordered his air wing to PEGASUS and we jumped out", Tricia explained.
"John, go see your son." Tillman said softly as he had to push John forward to get him to move.
Roberts slowly moved throughout the crowd. As he moved closer the possibility set in, and became reality. HIS SON WAS ALIVE! John Roberts finally made his way to his son. Tillman watched his big burly friend embrace his whole family at once.
"Colonel Hayes, send for Jones, McKnight, Braylen and Major Spencer. I want to debrief our guests in two hours and get them up to speed." Tillman ordered as he continued watching the reunion before him.
While in the meeting Jason Tillman had learned how what Garris Cain's PEGASUS had been doing since their escape and how they encountered the battlecruiser GOLIATH, then later the TANTALUS while salvaging the rediscovered CEREBRUS. Tillman deduced that this PEGASUS was one of the unknown older class battlestars pissing off the Cylons. He also learned from Gale how TANTALUS had recovered a dozen nuggets and their instructor that were trapped at the old training range in the vicinity of the Trevor moon. Near the end of the meeting Tillman dismissed everyone except Lieutenant Cain.
"Lieutenant, are you aware that Admiral Helena Cain is still alive?" Jason asked.
"Yes, Sir. I've been told she's still out there and what she's done." Tricia replied.
"How are you with that?" he asked.
"Sir, I haven't had any real relations with my aunt in years. What she did was unforgivable." Tricia answered coldly. "I'm sure my father feels the same way and wants her to answer for it as well!"
"Very well, Colonel Hayes is rounding up supplies for PEGASUS and CEREBRUS for you to bring back when you return but it will take a few hours. In the meantime I would like you and the others to attend a banquet some of my officers put together over on AULUS." Jason instructed.
As Cain was going to try and point out that she should stay onboard and learn more about the fleet, Jason interrupted her.
"Lieutenant, all of my officers lost some good friends yesterday. It would do my junior officers good to have something to celebrate." Jason stated.
"Understood, Sir." Tricia responded.
"After the banquet, I'll meet you back here before you leave for PEGASUS. Dismissed". Tillman told her as he put his head to the paperwork.
COLONY LOUNGE, AULUS (1200 HRS)Hunter and Sims were surprised that they recognized a few people from their academy days and previous posts. No one was more surprised than Tricia Cain when she ran into an old boyfriend from her academy days.
"Andrew?" She asked disbelievingly.
"Yes, Tricia." He responded as he handed her a glass of wine before they hugged.
"I didn't know that you were alive. How did you survive? I last I knew, you were at Leonis Shipyards. Where are you now?" She asked excitedly seemingly to forget the hard feeling on which they separated.
"I was on Leonis. I escaped on one of the Guardians during the final battle. I'm the XO on TRINITY." He replied still astonished at the sight of her.
"Andrew, How did Tillman get the field promotion over Roberts? What qualified Tillman" Sheba asked.
"Roberts instructed Tillman back at the academy. He's the only one to beat the war game simulator three times in a row. Graduated at the top of his class. He turned down a promotion and went out on HYPERION's last assignment as a favor to its previous commander. Roberts feels and so do I that Tillman is this fleets best hope of continued survival." Marcus relayed as he finished his glass of wine.
"Why hasn't he attacked more cylon outposts?" Sheba asked as she finished off hers.
"Numbers. Only one battlestar and two operation cruisers is not much to strike with. We also have the civilians to worry about. Where as, your father doesn't. He can come and go and not worry about making sure the civilians are protected." he responded as he grabbed a second glass of wine. "If we could find more of the military stragglers we might be able to mount some type of offensive." He added.
"But theirs only a few of us left. GALACTICA is running out of the system…" she began before being interrupted by Andrew who then proceeded to pull her off to the side.
"What I'm about to tell you would get me thrown out an airlock. But, since I know your father tells you everything anyways, don't repeat this. Admiral Tillman will inform your father that the cylons have confirmed the survival of no less than twelve battlestars, which consists of at least three additional Mercury Class among others." Andrew whispered to Sheba's delight.
"I thought that they wiped out everything!" she replied.
"Apparently, the initial attack was so overwhelming they couldn't account for a number of ships." He answered as Colonel Gale interrupted them.
"Its time to go. Our raptor leaves in ten minutes." Gale announced as he went to find Sims.
"I guess you have a raptor to catch." Marcus said reluctantly as he was tempted to kiss her.
"I know. I need to get back." She stated as she returned his gaze.
The two quickly hugged before Tricia departed as feelings that had long disappeared in Marcus returned.
HYPERION, PORT HANGER (1630 HRS)Tricia, Gale, Hunter, and Sims made their way towards FLEET AVENGER they could see Admiral Tillman standing by the main hatch of the peregrine.
"Admiral?" Tricia asked.
Tillman gave Tricia a small satchel. He explained what was inside.
This satchel contains the co-ordinates for our next jump. When you get back to the PEGASUS, give them to Commander Cain so that the PEGASUS and CEREBRUS can make the jump", Tillman directed.
"Yes, Admiral", Tricia acknowledged.
"Once both ships make the rendezvous, then we can see about getting the CEREBRUS' armaments up to an acceptable standards. Tell your father that I am looking forward to meeting himWe have a lot to tell each other. Not only that, the sight of both battlestars will be a welcome morale boost to the fleet.
"Understood, Admiral", Tricia replied, "I'm sure that like Commander Roberts and his son, there will possibly be others who will be glad to see each other again".
"Speaking of which, Ensign Roberts has requested permission to remain with his family for a while, and I've approved it", Tillman added, "but you'd best be going. The sooner we can get the PEGASUS and CEREBRUS here, the better.
"Thank you, Sir." Tricia responded as she pocketed the satchel.
"Colonel Gale!" Tillman then said. "Tell Commander Wright I said well done!" he finished as they saluted.
Gale smiled broadly. With Tillman using those titles, his – and Wright's – promotion was confirmed.
With that, Tillman saluted and shook the hand of each officer as he walked down the line.
"Get going, people", Tillman said after making his farewells. Nodding, the assembled officers entered the FLEET AVENGER. Tillman and the other assembled personnel exited the hangar bay, the last person exiting sealing the hatch.
Hunter and Sims took their positions while Gale sat down beside Hunter, and Tricia beside Sims. After running through the pre-flight routine, Hunter keyed his mike.
"FLEET AVENGER to HYPERION Core Command", Hunter communicated, "We're sealed and ready to depart. Requesting depressurization and elevation to the flight deck".
"Wilco, AVENGER", was the reply.
Hunter and Gale looked out of the cockpit window as the red lights in the bay started flashing, signaling that the depressurization had begun. One minute later, the lights went to steady red, signaling that the hanger bay was in vacuum. They then felt the slight shudder of the deck as it elevated upward.
With the hanger bay ceiling sliding back, the deck was raised up to the flight deck.
"Core Command", Hunter communicated as he powered up the engines, "AVENGER awaiting final clearance for launch".
"Core Command transferring control to pilot", was the reply, "you are cleared to launch".
Tillman was in the LSO office high above the flight deck and watched the peregrine launch, and then exit the flight pod. He then turned away and made to head up to CIC. They had guests to prepare for.