STELLER CONVEYOR – FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE MAIN ASSAULT
While the alert klaxons were sounding through the fleet's warships, not too far away, the first part of operation RETRIBUTION had already started. The stealth-raptors had made their jump and had at last made it to the low-side docking hatch beneath the super-tanker.
Now, after the dockings had been completed, the three marine fire-teams stealthily made their way into position after quietly boarding the CONVEYOR.
"Status check!" Gunnery Sergeant Coe requested - whose team was stationed near the main airlock of the CONVEYOR.
"Beta Team ready!" Sergeant Ginnis whispered from the engineering compartment.
"Delta Team ready!" Lance Corporal Spang whispered from the corridor near the CONVEYOR's control center.
"Copy that! Now we wait for all hell to break loose!" Coe confirmed, as their next move wasn't until scheduled to begin until the attack on the base was underway. He kept one eye on his wrist chronometer while his other eye was on his rifle…
BATTLESTAR HYPERION – TEN MINUTES BEFORE ASSAULT
"Ensign, open a TAC channel to all ships and tell them to patch it in throughout the ship." Admiral Tillman directed his communication officer.
"Sir, you are patched in." Ensign McCall reported a moment later. Nodding, Tillman put on his headset and began to speak with a stern, unwavering voice:
"This is Admiral Tillman. One hundred and eighteen days ago the Cylons decimated our civilization and scattered our people throughout the system and beyond. Until now we have always been on the defensive, never having an opportunity to bring the fight to them. In a less than ten minutes we will launch a major assault on a Cylon staging area. Our goal is to engage the Cylons long enough for a team of marines to liberate a colonial asset from Cylon control. All crews standby for combat jumps. Tillman out"
McCall then spoke into the wireless, stating, "All ships launch attack raptors! Repeat, launch attack raptors!
McCall then immediately patched in the direct wireless to the PEGASUS.
FLEET AVENGER launch!" McCall instructed. In PEGASUS CIC, Cain turned to face Major Sanders
"Confirm AVENGER launch." Cain ordered. Sanders nodded to Lieutenant Annan, who relayed the launch order.
"This is PEGASUS. Launching FLEET AVENGER!" Sanders confirmed to McCall.
Sanders watched on his screen as the peregrine – armed with nuclear-tipped missiles – was elevated up from its hanger bay to the flight deck. Hunter expertly brought the engines online and a few seconds later, smoothly piloted the peregrine off the flight deck.
After informing Tillman of the peregrine's launch, McCall patched in her wireless to the other raptors that had launched and were now deploying in readiness for combat.
"Raptor assault squadron and AVENGER form up with ADEPHIA and PROTEUS and proceed to jump coordinates. PEGASUS and TRINITY prepare for combat jump. " McCall announced.
PEGASUS and TRINITY maneuvered away from the fleet and began their FTL countdown. The FLEET AVENGER moved in unison with them.
On the TRINITY, Commander Roberts awaited confirmation of jump readiness. He didn't have long to wait.
"All stations report clear for jump!" Kirby relayed to Roberts.
"After the jump, lock on to our primary target with the rail gun. Once fired and our power is directed back to the launch tubes, launch all vipers." Roberts instructed Marcus.
As all stations reported their readiness, Tillman – after mouthing a silent prayer - gave the order and McCall relayed the command throughout the fleet: "TEAM ONE JUMP!"
As the three 'teams' of the strike force jumped out, over on the CEREBRUS, Commander Wright turned to face Colonel Gale.
"Well, X.O.", Wright said, "Inform our squadrons to commence their CAPs covering the fleet. We're on our own until the others return".
TEAM ONE – RAPTOR STRIKE FORCE
In what seemed like an instant, the ADELPHIA, PROTEUS, and the raptors that made up their strike team made their jump. After reaching the half-way point (this for the benefit of the raptors which – like the Two Jasons' ship - had only a limited FTL-range), plotted and made the second jump to Gomoray, appearing just over a mile from their target on the on the surface of the Delphi asteroid. The squadron of raptors was leading with the two Guardians in the rear position. Colonel Walsh was commanding the strafing run.
"Closing on target!" Ensign Jack 'Deadeye' Haley announced from the lead raptor's RSO position as he checked his dradis.
"Make sure the dispersal pattern is wide!" Captain Libby Ashman' Bartlett (the lead raptor pilot) began. "I bet Captain Elder that we could hit all four of those sitting ducks!"
"What did you bet?" asked Haley, who was sporting slight smile.
"That bottle of Virgon Brew you won from the other night in the triad game." Bartlett chuckled, which wiped the smile off Haley's face.
"Damn, Ashman!" Haley blurted as he shook his head in disbelief. "Closing on target! Twenty seconds!"
"All raptors weapons hot! Fire when in range!" Walsh ordered.
As the attack group reached their target, the raptors unleashed a massive volley on the four baseships that were to all intents and purposes sitting ducks. Surprise was complete. As the missiles hit the targets, the Cylon base stars in orbit near the Resurrection Ship launched several squadrons of raiders and headed toward the besieged base. Just as the Cylons on the asteroid began launching counter measures at the retreating raptors, ADELPHIA and PROTEUS came in range.
"PROTEUS reports EMP warheads are loaded and ready!" Major Ashley reported to Walsh.
"Launch missiles and get us some distance! Walsh ordered.
"Missiles away!" announced Ashley as the ship pitched upwards and away from the baseships that had begun ascending from the structure on the asteroid.
"Raptors have jumped as scheduled, no casualties reported" reported the communication officer.
"Multiple hits! Dradis is showing baseships have stopped their ascent! Ashley announced.
"Incoming raiders!" Petty Officer Stoddard yelled.
"Flank speed! We got to plow past them!" Walsh ordered!
TEAM TWO – BATTLESTAR HYPERION
At the same moment that the missiles hit their target HYPERION and JUNO jumped in a weapons range of two baseships.
"Contact JUNO and tell them to launch." Tillman ordered as he stared at a Dradis monitor.
"Set forward batteries for salvo fire. Target the closest baseship!" Hayes ordered as he also watched near the plotting table.
"Sir! Dradis is picking up three squadrons of raiders to aft! Both JUNO squadrons moving to intercept," Walker announced.
As Tillman ordered the two ships main batteries to open fire the other cylon baseships in orbit moved to outflank the two colonial capital ships.
"Multiple raiders inbound!" Walker reported.
"Realign alpha to gamma batteries to suppression fire! Tell the vipers to stay out of the targeting solution!" Tillman ordered as the HYPERION took a missile hit.
As the raiders advanced, the vipers launched from HYPERION headed to intercept.
"Cool Breeze (Capt. Marshall), this is Thumper, take Spitfire squadron and break left! Shadow (Maj. Spencer) take Rogue and go right! Omega, stay right here! Let them come to us!" Major Nix instructed.
"Aft baseships closing in! They'll be in weapons in less than five minute!" Walker reported, "their trajectories are right on the predicted paths".
Tillman smiled briefly. Those ships were going to be in for a nasty surprise, but first, he had to get his part of the operation completed….
"Send the signal to Raptor 5404!" Tillman barked as the ship shuttered from another impact.
Over on the command baseship, Number Four had been briefly surprised by the attack on the asteroid. Number Two came up to Four and shook his head.
"So much for us waiting to find them", Four commented, "They've come to us instead. Let's engage. We're still holding numerical superiority".
"What about the resurrection ship?" Two asked.
"We've enough raiders to cover it", four replied, "order a squadron from each of the sheparding baseships to cover it.
Just then, with a flash, a battlestar appeared right in front of the base star. Four turned to the number Two and started to speak, but he never finished the sentence.
TEAM THREE – BATTLESTAR PEGASUS
"We're right on the money!" Sanders announced, "Prime target directly ahead".
"Fire the Rail Gun", Cain ordered. Sanders nodded to Captain Lycoming.
Pressing a control switch, Lycoming had barely time to say "On the way!" when the battlestar shuddered from the recoil from the firing of the massive weapon. As the lights dimmed from the application of all available power to the rail gun, the super-accelerated heavy projectile shot out from the PEGASUS and hurtled towards the central stem of the targeted base star.
The rail gun's projectile was not an explosive warhead. It was what was quaintly termed a 'kinetic energy weapon' – in effect, a large inert hunk of shaped dense metal. With the incredible speed at which the rail gun's magnetic accelerators forced the round out, it didn't need to be explosive. The energy from the impact of such a weapon did all of the work better than an explosive round.
The round – hurtling at half the speed of light – smashed into the central stem, tearing out through the other side of the base star. The base star broke in two, followed two seconds later by a massive detonation as the two halves immolated themselves in a spectacular explosion.
TEAM THREE – BATTLECRUISER TRINITY
As the PEGASUS's target disintegrated, the Battlecruiser TRINITY – which had emerged from its jump at the same instant as the PEGASUS, locked its own rail gun on the leviathan that was the Resurrection ship.
"Dradis is registering the FTL drive on that thing warming up. They're getting ready to jump", Marcus reported.
"Too late, tin-heads", Roberts, commented as he nodded to his weapons officer.
"On the way!" the officer shouted as he activated the rail gun's firing mechanism. The TRINITY shuddered as it absorbed the recoil from the accelerated massive bullet.
The resurrection ship didn't stand a chance. The super-accelerated round smashed through the length of the ship, tearing itself all the way through (the TRINITY has emerged from its jump pointing straight down the resurrection ship's throat). The massive latticework of the resurrection ship tore off as the bullet literally tore the back out of the ship.
TEAM THREE – PEREGRINE "FLEET AVENGER"
The second base star didn't have time to take in the loss of the command base ship and the resurrection ship. Indeed, it had only started to deploy its raiders when the third part of the PEGASUS strike force appeared. The FLEET AVENGER had emerged from its jump and was at point blank range of the central stem of the base star, all weapons locked on.
"Automatic firing routine activated", Sims shouted. As the nuclear-tipped missiles flew out from the peregrine's hard points, the FLEET AVENGER – following the routine programmed into its battle computer – FTL-jumped away from the base star.
With a dazzling flash, the nuclear missiles detonated at the central stem, causing the base star to stop dead in its tracks. The base star's power systems had been completed devastated by the blast. It didn't explode, but the damage had been done: it was now to all intents and purposes a dead hunk of metal, just like what was the resurrection ship…
The peregrine was now in a position observing the battle. With its nukes launched, it would serve as a recon platform, watching out for any possible reinforcements…
TEAM THREE – BATTLESTAR PEGASUS
"Commander", Sanders reported, "all of our primary targets have been taken out. TRINTY reports that their power has been rerouted to their launch tubes. They're deploying their fighters".
"Then lets do so as well", Cain said, "Core Command, get those fighters launched. We've only just begun here".
Down in the launch tubes, Syke heard the order to launch. He keyed his wireless.
"This is Spar Actual to all Silver Spar Squadrons", Syke said, "Let's do it!"
TEAM TWO - BATTLESTAR HYPERION
A muffled cheer rose above the open wireless channel in the CIC. The lead baseship that they had targeted forward of the HYPERION had exploded sent debris in all directions!
"Watch out for debris! Fall back and regroup!" Nix ordered as a piece of the Cylon base star wiped out his wingman.
"Situation Report!" Tillman asked his XO, who had made his way to the damage control master panel.
"Impacts amidships. Cargo bay eight and deck two and three frames twenty-nine through thirty-three are depressurized. No major structural damage." Hayes answered.
"JUNO reports minor damages to auxiliary systems. Search and Rescue reports that they have recovered four pilots." McCall announced from her station.
"We lost almost a dozen vipers in the first wave. JUNO's vipers have rendezvoused with PEGASUS and TRINITY's and have pinned the raiders to our aft and forward of PEGASUS. Our squadrons are forward!" Walker stated
"Good news from Teams One and Three", one of the Dradis officers reported, "They've caught the tin-heads with their pants down".
"Let's keep our eyes on our own team first, people", Tillman reminded his officers.
Tillman was watching the Dradis monitor and was listening to the viper chatter estimating about twelve to fifteen squadrons of raiders and a sole base star pinned between the two battlestars. Those vipers were outnumbered almost three to one. Tillman could hear the anxiety in some of the younger pilots voices they engaged the raiders. "A frakking horror show." Tillman thought to himself, but with the base stars being taken out, the raiders longer had a place to land and rearm. The vipers did.
"Second base star forward is heavily damaged and is retreating towards the asteroid. JUNO, TERTIUS, ADELPHIA, and PROTEUS have engaged." Walker told Tillman.
TEAM THREE - BATTLESTAR PEGASUS
"Admiral", Cain communicated to Tillman over the ship-to-ship TAC channel, "I thought you'd like some help. We caught our primary targets by surprise and they didn't seem to give us much competition", he concluded dryly.
"There's more than enough fun here, Garris", Tillman replied.
"Silver Spar is proceeding to blast away those raiders. PEGASUS and TRINITY will engage the base star", Cain said.
Colonel Tolen turned to Captain Lycoming and said "Activate primary batteries. Blast that base ship, Av".
"Primaries are targeting the base star now, XO", Lycoming said, "defensive batteries are on standby".
Tolen nodded. As the squadrons of Silver Spar wing were engaging the fighters, the defensive batteries on the launch bays didn't need to be used. Besides, in a dogfight, there was a real chance that friend as well as foe would end up in the firing solution…
TEAM THREE – SILVER SPAR WING
As the PEGASUS' main batteries opened up on the base star, the TRINITY was maneuvering to attack the flank of the base star the PEGASUS was engaging. From his viper, Syke saw that the base star was going to have its hand full very quickly. Just then, Tricia called him over the wireless.
"Report from the FLEET AVENGER. We've got three squadrons of raiders incoming at three-one-one tarim two-two-niner", she reported.
Syke looked briefly at his instrument panel's combat map screen, and then he keyed his wireless.
"Spar Two and Spar Four, this is Spar Actual. Engage those incoming", Syke ordered. Those raiders could end up doing a lot of harm to the TRINITY if left unchecked.
Syke gritted his teeth. Even with a lot of Cylon capital ships destroyed and damaged, there were still a huge number of raiders and they could – if given the chance – inflict very serious payback upon the Colonial forces…
"Spar Two", Lieutenant Macklin ordered from his viper, "deploy using attack plan Baker Five… execute!" he ordered.
"Weapons Free", Truly replied as he led half of VS-312 into a flank attack of the first Cylon strike wave. Macklin led his half in a head-on attack, which normally was not the recommended thing to do, but this group of raiders had to be diverted from the TRINITY. The unorthodox tactic worked: the raiders scattered.
While VS-312 was dealing with the flank side and forward part of the Cylon attack echelon, VS-314 was hitting the rear. They were inflicting a lot of kills on the raiders, but there were still more of them than vipers. They started taking losses of their own.
"Frakk!" Lieutenant Sanders muttered as his viper lurched from a glancing hit, "they're everywhere".
"Cut the chatter, Blister", Truly ordered, "just blast 'em and keep on blasting them. No need to state the obvious!"
"Yes, Ice", Sanders replied. Just then, he saw that a raider had gotten onto Macklin's 'six'.
"Shooter!" Sanders communicated, "Heads up! You've got one on your tail…"
Sanders' voice tailed off as the raider fired a volley at Macklin's viper. Shooter didn't stand a chance. The viper disintegrated.
"Ice! Ice! Shooter is down", Sanders communicated, "Shooter's gone".
Truly sighed. Frakk it. Well, there would be time to mourn the dead later. He keyed his wireless.
"I'm assuming command of VS-312", he announced, "Continue with op-plan Baker Five. Make 'em pay for Shooter".
From her viper, Tricia felt sick as she listened to the chatter from Truly. Shooter was a close friend of hers. Now he – and several other pilots – was dead. Still, this was not the time to think about fallen comrades.
"Ice, this is Spar Alternate", she communicated, "Keep the pressure on. You and Spar Four are needed to help the TRINITY".
"Understood, Alternate", Truly replied, "What about Spar Two and Three? We could use their squadrons here"
They are committed to supporting the attack on the base. No reinforcements available at this time", she said.
TEAM TWO – BATTLESTAR HYPERION
"Admiral, raptor 5402 reports they've just picked up another two base stars inbound! Both are launching raiders! Estimated eighty plus!" McCall announced.
"Where? How long to they're in range?!!" Tillman barked as he looked at the Dradis. "I thought those base stars on the surface were neutralized?"
"They were. These are coming up from below the asteroid aft of TRINITY. They must have been hidden or just jumped in. Ten minutes maybe less!" Walker announced as the HYPERION shook from another impact from a Cylon missile.
"JUNO reports that their base star is dead in space! They're requesting permission to move in for the kill!" McCall bellowed.
Tillman took a quick moment to assess the situation and realize that the Cylons were trying to stretch out his attack group. "Inform PEGASUS and give me a secure line to their Actual!" Tillman began. Colonel Hayes, bring HYPERION about and recall JUNO and TERTIUS immediately."
"Helm, bring us around one hundred eighty degrees! McCall, have JUNO and TERTIUS form up on our six! Tell them to leave the base star!" Hayes barked as he moved closer to the navigation station.
After a moment Cain was on the secure line to Tillman.
"Garris, What's you status? You have two more base stars inbound on TRINITY's six! Do you copy?" Tillman asked.
"What?" Cain asked, "Where did they come from?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. We've got less than ten minutes before they engage. Let's quit while we're ahead", Tillman said, "you can bet your bottom cubit that there will be more reinforcements on their way here".
"Admiral, this is TRINITY Actual", Roberts communicated, "We've got our target in sight and we can take it out. Requesting permission to continue engagement".
Tillman thought about it. True, they had destroyed several base stars, inflicted heavy damage to the asteroid base, and that unknown ship had been taken out, but there were still plenty of raiders and with the extras coming in, they could inflict losses that they could not afford to lose…
"All teams are to lay down suppressing fire and recall your squadrons. This is hit-and-run, gentlemen", Tillman instructed, "We've got to preserve our resources. Get your squadrons back on board and jump back to fallback position. Acknowledge".
TEAM THREE – BATTLECRUISER TRINITY
Commander Roberts gritted his teeth, but realized that Tillman was right. He nodded to Marcus, who went over to Core Command.
"Team Three squadrons return to your home ships. Expedite for combat landing. All ships lay down suppressing fire. We'll jump to fallback position when our assets are back on board", he announced.
TEAM THREE – BATTLESTAR PEGASUS
Cain sighed and nodded to Sanders to acknowledge the recall order, and to inform Syke to recall his squadrons. Tolen walked up to Cain.
"Frakk it", Tolen muttered, "Tillman's running and leaving a fat target for the toasters to repair…"
"Geoff", Cain said quietly, "Admiral Tillman is right. Our primary mission is completed and we must save what we have rather than risk losing all our gains by remaining. Not another word".
Tolen looked at Cain intently, and then reluctantly nodded. Cain sympathized with Tolen, but they must not lose sight of the big picture. Their job was to disrupt the base, not try and win the war by themselves. Cain watched the Dradis as the PEGASUS' vipers were acknowledging the recall order and returning.
TEAM TWO – BATTLESTAR HYPERION
As Tillman monitored the return of the teams' vipers to their home base ships, McCall suddenly said, "Sir, receiving a coded message from the assault team! They've captured the objective and will rendezvous at Point Charlie in fifteen minutes!"
Tillman put on his headset and patched in to the PEGASUS.
"Garris, we captured the tanker. We've got to expedite!" Tillman ordered.
TEAM THREE – BATTLESTAR PEGASUS
Major Sanders turned from the Core Command console and walked up to Cain.
"The Cylons have broken off attempting to engage the returning vipers and are heading for both the PEGASUS and TRINITY!" Major Sanders reported.
"Activate defensive batteries and inform Bojay to stay clear of our firing solutions. Inform TRINITY Actual of our intentions", Cain ordered. Just then, the PEGASUS lurched from an impact.
"Commander!" Tolen began as he steadied himself against to plotting table. "Bojay is reporting that the Cylons have changed their tactics. They're making suicide runs at us and at TRINITY. TRINITY Actual is counting six impacts so far.
"Admiral," Cain began "Did you copy my XO?"
"Affirmative! The Cylons lost and they know it. It's time to expedite the recall of our fighters commander." Tillman stated.
"I've issued the recall expedite order and I'll lay down some cover fire on those incoming base stars!" Cain proposed to the admiral as he placed the wireless receiver back in its cradle. He then turned to his XO.
"Tolen! Bring us around one hundred sixty degrees and roll to port to fifty-two degrees! Realign the point defense turrets and open fire. We need to buy some time for our fighters." Cain ordered as he stood by the plotting table.
TEAM TWO – BATTLESTAR HYPERION
Tillman turned to McCall and told her to issue a 'Combat Landing Alpha One Protocol' recall directive to all squadrons. The order states that all vipers should immediately land on the closest Colonial warship available and they would be returned to their home ship afterwards. Remaining raptors would immediately FTL-jump.
"Attention all Colonial Ships!" McCall began over an open secured channel. "HYPERION Actual orders all vipers to perform an Alpha-One protocol combat landing! Repeat: an Alpha-One protocol landing has been ordered. Once completed, all warships will proceed immediately to fallback position!"
"TRINITY, this is HYPERION Actual, sit-rep!" Tillman inquired over the wireless.
TEAM THREE – BATTLECRUISER TRINITY
"HYPERION, this is TRINITY Actual. We lost power to our port flight pod and have minor decompressions, but we're holding our own!" Roberts reported.
"Shaker, I'm ordering you to jump to Point Charlie immediately! Get TRINITY out of harms way! PEGASUS will recover the rest of your birds!" Tillman ordered, knowing that Roberts would stay as long as possible unless directly ordered to the contrary.
"Dodger, we can take a few more…" Roberts began before HYPERION lost TRINITY's transmission.
TEAM TWO – BATTLESTAR HYPERION
"What happened? Why are they off the board?" Tillman snapped fearing the worst.
"Admiral, Rogue Actual reports TRINITY took another impact topside and then jumped out." McCall reported with a sigh of relief, "She took a lot of punishment but she's okay".
"Dradis is picking one base star inbound from the asteroid! Eight minutes!" Walker reported.
"TERTIUS reports they're full and is preparing to jump!" McCall announced.
"We have birds incoming on both flight pods!" Captain Dyson announced from his LSO station over the CIC squawk box."
TEAM THREE – PEREGRINE "FLEET AVENGER"
"Okay Coffin", Hunter announced, "we've been given the Alpha One protocol. Fire up the FTL and lets get out of here"
"No need to persuade me otherwise, Hondo", Sims replied, "FTL coming online now".
Banter aside, both Hunter and Sims were both pleased with the damage that they had inflicted on their primary target, but were somewhat chastened by the order that they were not to unduly risk the peregrine after the initial attack. As that order had come from Admiral Tillman, there wasn't any opportunity to debate the issue.
"This time, Lieutenant Hunter", Cain had said before they had departed from the PEGASUS, "I'm in full agreement with the Admiral. The FLEET AVENGER is the only peregrine that we have, and as such, risking it too much is out of the question".
Logically, Hunter agreed, but still, it chastened him that he could not join in the follow-up strike on the Delphi base…
"FTL up and the navi-comp co-ordinates set for fallback position Charlie", Sims reported, "At your order".
"Hit it!" Hunter directed.
With a flash, the peregrine vanished. Now all that was left of Team Three in the battle zone was the PEGASUS.
TEAM THREE – BATTLESTAR PEGASUS
On the PEGASUS, Cain watched as the two base stars closed. He turned to face Captain Lycoming.
"Fire as they come to bear", Cain ordered, "Comms, tell Bojay and Sheba to get a move on. Expedite full combat landing, and let them know that TRINITY's remaining fighters are coming back on board with us".
"Commander", Glen Sanders reported, "the FLEET AVENGER has jumped. We're the last Team Three assets remaining.
Cain nodded. He didn't hear the sound of relief in Glen's voice when he had made his report. Lieutenant Annan had informed him that his brother Tom had landed back on board with the rest of VS-312.
TEAM TWO – BATTLESTAR HYPERION
As the PEGASUS' topside armament started to fire at the incoming Cylons, over on the HYPERION, Admiral Tillman was receiving status reports.
"JUNO has jumped away!" Walker yelled from his station.
"Admiral!" Hayes quietly revealed. "We have a situation with a viper. Lt McMillan is bringing in Blackjack Actual. Angel's viper is shot up pretty bad she can barely control it."
Tillman looked at Hayes for a moment and then asked that to be connected to McMillan on a private channel.
"Sunset, this is HYPERION Actual, Sit-rep!" Tillman requested.
"Sir, Angel has lost her upper engine, part the port RCS thrusters and landing strut, she can receive but not transmit, and damage to the cockpit has prevented her from ejecting. I can't tell for sure, but I think she's injured as well." McMillan relayed.
"What's your assessment? Can she bring it in?" Tillman asked.
"I think so, sir. We got to give her that chance. We need two minutes!" McMillan answered.
"Angel, this is HYPERION Actual, We're clearing out the port flight pod. Bring your bird in!" Tillman ordered.
"Copy that, we'll be coming in hot!" McMillan said as his viper moved closer to Angel so he could see her hand response.
"Flight deck rescue crews to positions! Blackjack Actual is coming in HOT," the LSO announced over the loudspeaker.
TEAM THREE – SILVER SPAR WING
Syke and Tricia watched as the remaining squadrons of Silver Spar hurtled in on both landing bays in order to make combat landings. They also noticed that several TRINITY vipers had joined in.
"Bojay", Tricia reported, "Ice, Pacer, Zapper, and Ratchet have reported in That's it. We're the last. We better land".
"You don't need to tell me twice, Sheba", Syke reported as he headed down to the starboard bay. Tricia followed Syke in as she maneuvered around the PEGASUS' defensive batteries' firing solutions.
As they landed, Tricia felt the shudder of the landing bays as they stated retracting.
"Not wasting any time, are they?" Tricia rhetorically asked as she powered down her viper's systems.
"With all those hostiles closing in, I wouldn't think that they would", Syke replied before changing his wireless frequency to communicate with the Squadron commanders.
"Squadron Actual report losses", Syke ordered. He listened as each of them gave their tallies. Silver Spar actually had had it good; only nine vipers destroyed, though that included Lieutenant Andrew Macklin. Eight other vipers were damaged. He sighed. Time to mourn the dead later, assuming that the PEGASUS got out of hostile territory, that is…
TEAM THREE – BATTLESTAR PEGASUS
Up in CIC, Sanders monitored the return of Syke and Tricia. As they alit, he had hit the RETRACT control on the landing bay pods. He then ordered Helm to fire up the FTL-drive.
Cain nodded at Sanders' report, and then notified the HYPERION. He then saw that a lot of incoming ordinance from the Cylon base starts was homing in on the PEGASUS.
"Suppression fire is not going to hold this lot", Lycoming reported, "and I'm getting a nuclear alert on several of the incoming missiles".
Cain barked at Helm, "Get ready to execute jump before we eat nuke-tipped tin-head bullets!"
TEAM TWO – BATTLESTAR HYPERION
Over on the HYPERION, McCall received Cain's report, then passed it on to Hayes. Hayes turned to Tillman.
"PEGASUS is reporting all their birds are home and they're retracting their flight pods! Base stars still advancing, and nukes incoming. They can only hold position for a minute or two more!" Hayes barked knowing they were pushing their luck with the Lords.
"Angel, this is HYPERION, bring your bird in and cut power at the outer marker." the LSO announced over the loudspeaker.
Major Lisa "Angel" Jackson's viper could barely keep its nose up. The viper was near impossible to handle bouncing side to side. As she hit the outer marker she was able to cut power but it didn't matter. As it hit the deck her port wing disintegrated and caused the viper to barrel roll five to six times down the flight deck until it was stopped by the emergency netting deployed by the LSO. The net system was designed to catch its target and allow it to stop over an elevator. The elevator was quickly lowered so HYPERION could retract her pods.
"Ready to retract the pods and jump on my command!" Tillman ordered as he grabbed the plotting table.
"The birds are down!" hollered Dyson (LSO) over the loudspeaker.
"Retract the flight pods!" Hayes barked.
"PEGASUS has jumped! We're the only ones left! Three nukes inbound! Thirty seconds!" Walker hollered.
"Flight pods are secured!" Dyson said over the loudspeaker.
"JUMP NOW!" barked Tillman.
VARDON SECTOR - BATTLESTAR CEREBRUS
"There's the HYPERION", Gale reported unnecessarily as it exited its jump, and "She's the last one, looks like we have a victory to celebrate".
"Not quite yet, X.O.", Wright replied, holding out a sheet of papers given to him be Petty Officer Markesan, "We've lost a number of vipers, with a large number sustaining some damage, a raptor gone and the others likewise damaged, plus all capital ships are reporting damage to varying degrees. Looks like our maintenance crews installing our topside missile batteries are going to be taking a break from that helping repair battle damage".
Gale's smile faded some as he absorbed that information. They had suffered losses, but the huge leviathan of the STELLER CONVEYOR was en-route to their co-ordinates with several fighters from Black Knights wing escorting it in. There's enough Tylium to keep the ships here supplied for years. It was depressing reminding oneself that they had paid a price in blood to get it...
"Anyway, X.O.", Wright said next, "the CEREBRUS will be handling the fleet defenses while the other battlestars and battlecruisers are getting patched up. Ensure that the CAP's are maintained for the time being, and that Major Voight is informed".
"Yes, Commander", Gale acknowledged.
DAY ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN – HYPERION SICKBAY (2100 hrs)
Tillman had sent JUNO to begin the inspection of STELLAR CONVEYER and relieve TRINITY. Jason would not let it join the fleet until he was sure the Cylons hadn't placed some sort of tracking device onboard. Tillman and Cain were waiting for Commander Roberts, whose raptor had just been lowered in the hanger.
"Admiral. We have an updated status report including TRINITY figures," announced a courier who had just walked to them.
Tillman read the report aloud "In all, twenty-eight vipers lost, another fifteen out of action. One raptor lost. Nineteen pilots dead, most of them from Blackjack squadron. PEGASUS, TRINITY, and HYPERION have absorbed some damage but they are still operational. Damage control teams already at work", he said before being interrupted.
"How is she?" Roberts asked as he passed the two men just inside sickbay and proceeded to look for his CAG.
"We don't know for sure." Keegan said as he joined Roberts. "She fractured both collarbones, cracked ribs, broken right hand and ankle. She also has a head injury. We had to induce her into a coma because of the swelling. If the swelling doesn't subside she won't wake up."
Roberts looked around the room staring at the overcrowded medical center. He couldn't speak due to his emotions. Having seen this Tillman and Cain joined him.
"It's always like this at the end of a battle", Roberts said, "We've scored a major victory, yet our losses makes this victory rather sour, particularly when our friends and family are directly affected".
"Well, lets hope that it was all worth it", Tillman said as he patted his friend on the back. With the STELLER CONVEYOR in the fleet – already fueling up the various ships - and the substantial damage inflicted on the Cylons at Gomoray, it can be said that indeed a great victory had been won, but the loss of viper pilots, a raptor, and the damage absorbed by the attacking ships meant that the victory was not achieved without cost. There would be more than a few memorials throughout the fleet over the next few days.
"Looks like the AUGUSTUS will be working overtime for the next few days", Cain commented, referring to the foundry ship with the fleet. Foundry ships had the ability to refine scrap metals and raw ores into metal plates and beams. Quite a few of these components would be needed to make good the damage to the warships, "Hopefully she has enough scrap metal to process"..
"And the Life Stations on board all of our ships will be busy healing our wounded as well", Tillman added.
"At least here, we have the breathing room to get the repairs done", Cain commented, "and with the CEREBRUS having the additional landing space for our fighters to be services, our ability to run CAPs will not be compromised".
Tillman nodded. The HYPERION and JUNO landing bays needed repair work done, which necessitated their strike wings to be based temporarily elsewhere. The large landing bays of the CEREBRUS were easily handing the extra squadrons while repairs were being done. Major Voight and his Black Knight wing were running CAP's while the pilots invilved in the battle were on mandatory stand-down. They needed a rest.
Roberts nodded without commenting. He was glad that Angel had made it back alive, but with her medical situation rather touchy, there was still plenty to worry about. He also had his ship to worry about as it did take a number of hits. Colonel Marcus was going to have his hands full for the next few days…
ADELPHIA – CIC (DAY 120 – 1030 hrs)
The CIC was standing at attention over the wireless and piped into every ship was the memorial service for the seventy-two men and woman lost during the raid. Each ship read aloud the name, rank, and assignment of each person lost. Commander Walsh took note of one of the name in particular, Lieutenant Nathan Carson. He dated her younger sister back when they were teenagers in school. She considered him family in a sense; the only other survivor that she knew joined the military. The only person that she could share memories that seemed like a lifetime ago.
BATTLESTAR HYPERION – WARDROOM (DAY 121 – 0830 hrs)
Admiral Tillman was listening to his officers' status report as he scanned the causality list. The attack took a high toll on the viper squadrons. Silverhawk and Blackjack squadron suffered the most losses.
"With the losses suffered by Silverhawk, I'm suggesting that we fold the squadron and reactivate Viper Squadron 58 (Screamin' Eagles)" Nix recommended.
"Fold the squadron? Why?" Walker asked.
"Unfortunately Silverhawk has maintained a high fatality rate since the war began. Something like that could get into a pilots head. It's more of a gut reaction. I recommend that Captain Marshall be install as squadron commander." Nix responded.
"What about Hendry and McMillan?" Hayes asked.
"I'll keep them with Omega and split the squad and make them team leaders." Nix replied.
"Go ahead with that plan, make the necessary reassignment to bring his squad up to strength." Tillman began. "What's the status our repairs? He asked as he slowly paced the wardroom.
"We have three DC teams repairing some minor damage on the ventral hull nothing major." Walker reported.
"And the rest of the fleet?" Jason inquired.
"PEGASUS reports that their repairs will be completed within a couple of days. TRINITY took the brunt of the damage," Walker started. "They're looking at maybe two or three weeks to repair ten to fifteen hull ruptures. They also lost over forty percent of their vipers including their CAG. All nonessential personnel will be temporarily reassigned to other ships and a majority of their ordnance transferred as standard procedures dictate."
"It'll be a long time before she can get in a cockpit again," Doctor Keegan added.
"Commander Roberts said that Captain Elder will assume the CAG duties until Major Jackson returns." Walker announced.
"One issue that needs to be brought up is fleet resources, with all the continued repairs and modifications to various ships we're very close to dipping into our reserves." Colonel Hayes announced reluctantly as the room went quiet.
"What's the latest with DAEDALUS?" Jason asked, as he knew that this problem was coming and planned for it a few days ago before the raid on the cylon outpost.
"Her hull is repaired but that's it. We haven't had time to rebuild the interior decks initially damaged around that area along with the flight pod and secondary systems." Hayes replied.
"I'm going inform to suspend repairs to DAEDALUS. We'll resume her repairs when we get the necessary materials. Assign their damage control teams to TRINITY.
BATTLECRUISER JUNO – COMMANDER'S QUARTERS (DAY 121 – 1945 hr)
Commander Jones was sitting down with his senior staff eating dinner when the phone buzzed.
"Sir, you asked to be notified if we received anything from HYPERION." Petty officer Manus announced.
"Go ahead." Jones told his communication officer.
HYPERION has requested that a damage control team be sent to TRINITY to assist Captain Rhodes's repair crew and that we send TRINITY Viper Squadron to HYPERION in the morning. They also reported that we'd be receiving two command level officers from DAEDALUS in a few days. End transmission."
"Alright, let me know if there is anything else." Jones hung up the receiver and went back to his dinner. As he sat down his Brice asked if everything is all right.
"It sounds like they have halted repairs to DAEDALUS. Tillman is focusing on TRINITY." Lt Barnes surmised.
"Rumor has it that material resources could be scarce soon. " Brice stated.
"I would assume that once PEGASUS and CEREBRUS have left to search for the others survivors we'd start our looking for the raw materials." Jones replied.
After dinner Colonel Brice made his way back to his room where Amanda Walker was waiting for him. After their passionate embrace Amanda spoke.
"I need to tell him about the baby." She asserted.
"How do you think he'll react?" Brice asked.
"It should be alright. Given the situation we're in. I'm almost three months pregnant I can't hide this anymore." She replied as she grabbed her waist.
"Alright, if that's the way you feel." Brice said as he stroked his fingers though her hair.
BATTLECRUISER TRINITY – CIC (DAY 122 – 0800 hrs)
"Sit-rep" Commander Roberts said as he walked into the room.
"Morning sir," Colonel Marcus began "We're down to a skeleton crew. All nonessential personnel have been temporary reassigned and all magazines have been cleared. The last of the repair crews will arrive later this morning with Captain Rhodes and Colonel Edwards. We're sending an inspection crew out for a more detailed assessment of the damage. Blackjack Squadron will be based on HYPERION until our repairs are complete. Still no change in Major Jackson's condition."
"What about the fleet?" Roberts asked as he scanned through paperwork.
"Fleet Command has doubled the Combat Air Patrols (CAP). Shuttle service round the fleet has been reopened.
"I have a meeting scheduled with Major Compton. I'm heading down to medical." Roberts announced.
PROTEUS (DAY 122 – 0840 hr)
Major Timlin had just got out of the shower when she picked up the handset to the wireless and was told that there was a courier from HYPERION waiting for her in the CIC and that he was an eyes-only material. Timlin told her exec to send the courier to her quarters. A moment later there was a knock on the door
"Lt Tom Addison, HYPERION. I have orders from Admiral Tillman." He said as he handed her a satchel.
Timlin quickly looked through the document and was surprised. She reread it again just to make sure she understood her orders. Major Timlin, I'm assigning you to escort one of the two Military Colonial Heavy transports back to the Naylor Station asteroid where it will be hidden deep within the southern crevasse. Over the past six hours extra fuel and survival rations have been stored upon her. The vessel is being left for either PEGASUS or CEREBRUS should they suffer an emergency. Your absence will be under the pretense of a recon mission to a different sector. You will ignore those orders and proceed with these. I'm assigning Lt Addison and his ECO to assist in this operation. Addison will lead the transport down the crevasse and then recover her crew. Lt Addison is authorized to answer any additional questions you may have.
"How's he's going to explain the transport disappearance?" Baker asked.
"FTL failure. When we make our next jump She'll fail to follow and HYPERION will send a raptor to investigate. I'll return with her crew." Addison replied.
"When do we leave?" asked Timlin.
"PROTEUS will received orders in two hours and leave one hour later. The next schedule jump is scheduled in less than four hours," Addison began. "I need to get back to HYPERION.
"You may go. We'll start our preparation and see you on the other side." The commander said as she saluted.
BATTLESTAR HYPERION – STARBOARD HANGER DECK (DAY 122 – 1200 hrs)
The hanger was flooded with crews from all the three battlestars and the other military ships. They were here for the parting ceremony. It was an old tradition preformed when a battlegroup separated for combat mission.
"I am not one for long speeches so I will make the brief and to the point. We stand here today, as one family, but soon our family will be divided to search for our lost brothers and sisters. PEGASUS and her crew will depart shortly to find GALACTICA and her survivors and CEREBRUS will leave us shortly after to look for GOLIATH and those she protects. Our bodies will be separated but our souls will still be one and I look forward to that day when our bodies and souls are one again! SO SAY WE ALL!" Tillman exclaimed holding his fist in the air. The crews chanted "SO SAY WE ALL" almost a dozen times until the Admiral and Commander Cain drank from a bottle of ambrosia and then a massive cheer arose.
"Bojay!" Nix shouted through the mass of people.
"Thumper!" Sykes shouted back. "Hope our paths cross again."
"So do I!" Keep your eyes open and your weapons free! But, there's something else" Nix stated as he pulled the PEGASUS CAG aside.
"I have a direct order from Admiral Tillman!" Nix began. "You are to hand this envelope to Commander Cain two hours after you jump away from the fleet."
"What's this?" Sykes asked.
"It's a fallback. That's all I can say." Thumper responded.
Bojay took the envelope and looked into the crowd and caught Tillman's stare. He knew whatever was in this envelope must be important.
A few minutes later Jason finally was able to pull Cain aside for a final conversation before he departed.
"Well Garris, I wish you luck and hope you find what you are looking for." Jason spoke as he extended his hand.
"Don't worry we'll catch up to her! She's out there somewhere." Garris responded.
"I hope you find your answers. If not, talk to Colonel Belzen maybe he can give them to you." Jason said as he could see Cain's demeanor slightly change. Garris was trying to hide his animosity toward his cousin and what she had done but, it showed in his facial expressions and Jason could understand to a point what he was going through.
"Maybe, who knows? We'll try to keep in contact as long as possible." Cain responded as they watch their crew say their goodbyes. "By the way, my X.O. informs me that another supply ship is heading for PEGASUS."
"We though you could use a few extra things. You'll have to wait to find out. Consider it a loan." Jason chuckled as more of the crews made their way to the two.
BATTLESTAR PEGASUS – CAIN'S QUARTERS (DAY 122 – 1740 hrs.)
"Enter" Cain replied
Bojay and Tolen entered Cain's room and were asked for their reports.
"All fuel is secured. The CAP reports that no signs of cylons." Tolen announced.
"Sir, The deck chief reports that six additional vipers and additional ordinance that HYPERION sent over at the last minute have been stowed. All new pilots have received their assignments.
"Geoff, I want to start battle drills ASAP! We have some new blood onboard and I want to get them use to our way of doing things. Dismissed." Cain said as he looked at star charts.
The two men headed for the door but Bojay stopped short of exiting.
"What is it Bojay?" Cain asked as Bojay closed the door and turned to his commander.
"Sir, I received orders from Admiral Tillman before we left his ship. I was ordered to deliver this two hour after we left." Bojay said as he handed Garris the envelope as he left.
Garris waited for Bojay to leave and then opened the letter. Garris, by the time you read this HYPERION and her fleet have begun the jumps toward the Sigma Sector. I wanted to advise you that we have left a military modified Colonial Heavy Transport deep inside the southern crevasse of the Naylor Station asteroid should you or Commander Wright need it. I know that you will be searching for GALACTICA and your cousin and what dangers that could bring. A short time ago I ordered a recon mission to the colonies. While there we secured information from a "skinjob" that GALACTICA engaged a cylon baseship near a planet in Sector 218. This might be a good point to start your search. May the Lords of Kobol watch over your path! Jason.
Garris folded the letter and placed it in his safe. Afterwards, he called up to CIC.
BATTLESTAR HYPERION – CIC (DAY 123 – 2350 hrs.)
"Confirmed! Twelve cylon raiders within the perimeter! CAP moving to intercept! Dyson shouted as he manned the dradis console.
"LAUNCH ALERT FIGHTERS!" Hayes barked.
"ACTION STATIONS, ACTION STATIONS, SET CONDITION ONE THROUGHOUT THE SHIP! CYLON RAIDERS INBOUND! ALL DC TEAMS REPORT TO STATION" McCall announced over the wireless.
"Cylons moving in on civilian targets! Dyson yelled.
"Have all shuttles head for the closest ship! Tillman ordered.
"TERTIUS and JUNO have launched their Alert Fighters! McCall announced.
"Order all ships to jump to the emergency coordinates! Tell Commander Jones take charge of the fleet!" Tillman barked as he listened to the wireless viper chatter.
"Potluck/Shadow, bogey to your nine heading for CARPUS, target locked, Weapons free!"
"Flea/Candles, ADELPHIA has moved in! Stay out of their firing solution!"
"Strike one bogey!" yelled Ens "Tarp" Griggs!
"Two raiders making a strafing run on DAEDALUS! MOVE TO INTERCEPT!" Shadow barked.
"DAEDALUS is hit! Port Flight Pod multiple impacts!
"Bogey closing in to that shuttle! "Cool Breeze, I can't get to them!" shouted Maggie "Starhound" Haynes.
"Two shuttles destroyed! Minor damage to MYSTIC! Fleet is jumping!" shouted Hayes.
"DAEDALUS has been hit again! Aft section!" Port Flight Pod is burning!" barked Nix before she jumped.
"Sir, dradis is picking up a Cylon baseship three thousand meters above us! We're the only one left!" Dyson yelled, as he kept focused on the console.
"Recall all birds! Prepare for an emergency jump." Tillman ordered
"ALL WINGS/HYPERION, RETURN HOME! COMBAT LANDING AUTHORIZED! PREPARE FOR EMERGENCY JUMP! " McCall announced over the wireless.
"Baseship closing! Two thousand meters," Dyson blurted as the radiological alarms sounded. "Nukes inbound!"
"LSO reports all birds locked down." Hayes reported.
"JUMP!" Tillman shouted as he braced the plotting table.
By the time HYPERION had rejoined the fleet TERTIUS had launched her viper squadron to act as a CAP. Jason mulled over the attack wondering if the cylons found them was luck or if it was an implication of a deeper problem.
"Do you think the cylons were lucky? Could they have found PEGASUS?" Hayes wondered.
"I don't know. Anything is possible. Get a damage report from DAEDALUS." Jason replied as he looked at his XO.
"Sir," McCall mumbled as she handed him the casualty report.
Tillman shook his head Hayes could tell by his expression that it wasn't good news. After a moment he asked the Admiral how bad it was.
"Colonel Edwards is among the casualties. His shuttle was destroyed trying to head for TRINITY."
BATTLECRUISER DAEDALUS – (DAY 124 – 0055 hrs)
"Sir, I have Captain Rhodes on the line!" Haggerty announced
"Bug, Sit-rep!" McKnight asked as smoke was continuing to fill the CIC.
"We're losing containment. The fire engulfed most of the hanger deck and is moving up the aft strut. Fuel lines have been severed. We need to vent the whole pod! Do you copy?" Kester said as he watched the flames spread.
"Get your men out! You don't have a lot of time!" McKnight told him before he hung up the handset. "Mr. Carter, prepare to vent the port flight pod!"
Just after the commander ordered the pod vented, the lights fluttered and went out and the emergency lights came on. Haggerty tried to call down to the engine room but couldn't get through.
"Commander, I'm getting a report from the CAP of two explosions, one forward of the engine compartment and port pod." Haggerty announced.
As McKnight ordered Carter to send a runner down to find Major Canton someone came up from the engine room.
"Sir, the major asked me to tell you that the energizer is done. Auxiliary system is damaged and won't last long under the strain. I also ran into Captain Rhodes he said to tell you that there was significant buckling of the aft flight pod strut system." the exhausted specialist relayed before collapsing.
At that point McKnight knew he was fighting a lost cause and ordered Haggerty to contact HYPERION.
HYPERION – (DAY 124 – 0135 hrs)
"Sit-rep?" Tillman asked the commander over the wireless.
"We suffered catastrophic damage to the energizer and structural support systems." McKnight stated.
"Is there any hope in saving her?" Jason asked.
"Negative. We begun moving what we can to the starboard pod for offloading. I'm requesting a freighter to come along on so we can get as much as possible off." McKnight replied.
"Affirmative, we'll get one over their ASAP. Actual out." Tillman responded.
"Colonel Hayes, deploy a viper squadron to cover DAEDALUS and the freighter. Move PROTEUS and ADELPHIA to cover the fleets' rear." Tillman ordered as he moved to plotting table.
DAEDALUS – CIC (0640 Hrs)
"Carter reports that the starboard hanger should be clear in about fifteen minutes. Major Canton has reached the flight pod and reports all the demolition charges are set and ready." Petty Officer Haggerty reported to McKnight as they stood in the dimly lit command center.
"Tell Major Canton and all DC teams make their way to the freighter." McKnight replied as he moved to the plotting table "That includes you too. It's time to go."
Before she could respond the dradis alert sounded.
"Dradis is picking up cylon raiders inbound! Over two dozen!" she bellowed.
McKnight quickly ran to the communication console and rang the hanger bay, "BRIAN DOG THE HATCH! GET THE FREIGHTER AWAY FROM DAEDALUS NOW!
Canton reluctantly followed his orders. He knew that DAEDALUS would be the cylon first target.
HYPERION - CIC
"Three dozen raider jump within the fleet! They're targeting DAEDALUS, TERTIUS and JUNO!" Walker announced as Tillman ran into CIC.
"Alert fighters are on route. Civilian fleet is jumping to bravo coordinates." Hayes relayed to Jason who was studying to monitor.
"Sir, I'm receiving a call from Major Canton onboard the freighter. He reports that Commander McKnight and the communication officer are trapped on DAEDALUS!" McCall announced.
"Have the SAR (Search And Rescue) Raptor contact McKnight! Move us towards DAEDALUS we need to draw some fire." Tillman ordered.
"DAEDALUS Actual/ SAR. Do you copy?" Brock said calmly.
"SAR/ DAEDALUS Actual, copy! I need you to pick us up by cargo bay one exterior door." McKnight replied as they made there way through the smoke filled corridor to cargo bay one.
"Copy sir! We'll be waiting! It's starting to get a little crowded around here!" Brock said as he brought his raptor under DAEDALUS.
"Lieutenant we only need one more minute. We're pressurizing our suits now and heading to the door! McKnight barked as the ship shuttered from another explosion.
"Copy that sir, hatch is open but you need to make it quick, the cylons have begun boarding DAEDALUS." Ensign Harrison announced who was half way out the raptor.
McKnight and Haggerty made it to the raptor safely. McKnight jumped into the copilot seat and instructed him to move swiftly as he knew the scuttling charges were soon to light up the battlecruiser.
HYPERION - CIC
"SAR reports that they are plus two and jumping. All planes returning!" Walker announced.
"Cool Breeze reports multiple explosion throughout DAEDALUS! She's starting to break up. McCall said as she cupped her hand over her ear so she could hear the CAG finish his description.
"Recover our birds and jump! Tillman ordered.
Hayes gave the order and a minute later HYPERION was able to join the rest of the fleet. Tillman ordered the fleet to condition two and wanted all senior officers in the situation room in twenty minutes with status reports.
Down in the port hanger Captain Marshall was discussing the damage with his specialist Kelly when Major Nix motioned for him.
"Did you lose anybody?" Nix asked.
"No my squad was lucky just a few banged up birds." Cool Breeze stated.
"Neither did I. How many birds did we pick up? Nix inquired.
"According to the Kelly we picked up twelve extra birds including Major Spencer and two others from TERTIUS. We also picked up Cmdr. McKnight." Marshall answered.
"Tell the deck crews those vipers have priority. Get them refueled ASAP. They need to get back to their ships and have McKnight and Spencer report to the Situation Room." Nix ordered as he headed out of the bay.
Jason was the last one to enter the room he was running late due to personal conversation over the wireless with Cmdr Jones. Before he reached the table he looked at his XO and asked for a Sit-rep. Lieutenant Walker was the first to reply.
"Two civilian ships report minor damages." Walker responded.
"Four vipers lost another six damaged and off the board." Hayes responded.
"Cmdr McKnight, I'm sorry for the loss of DEADALUS." Tillman began, "Your senior staff we'll be reassigned in a few days and I need to talk to Major Timlin."
"Sir, I would rather not displace Major Timlin from her command. She's doesn't deserve to be. I'll take whatever posting you see fit." McKnight stated.
"Alright, give me a day or so to work out some logistics. Major Nix, until TRINITY is repaired, BLACKJACK squadron will be housed on the port flight pod with your squadron. Major Spencer, I want half dozen vipers assigned to ADELPHIA and PROTEUS each at all times for the foreseeable future. You can use SPITFIRE and ECHO squadrons as well. Figure out a schedule and coordinate with Major Nix and Lieutenant Walker so it doesn't so interfere with the schedule CAP." Admiral Tillman ordered before dismissing everyone but Colonel Hayes.
"Something else," asked Hayes. "We need to send TERTIUS some help. They're short on experienced officers. Spencer has been doubling as XO since Kester was assigned to oversee the repair crews."
Any ideas?" asked Jason.
"Well we could send Walker or Dyson. They both have experience." Hayes threw out of the top of his head.
"Walker is not an option. She just informed me that she's pregnant and she's on restrictive duty." Tillman began, "assign Lieutenant Carter as his temporary executive officer and also give him what you can from DAEDALUS crew and assign the rest throughout the fleet."
"Yes, sir. I'll notify them ASAP." Hayes responded as he exited.