Chapter 11: Terran Federation

The Galactica had picked up the returning Viper squadron easily and Commander Adama frowned. "They can't have run out of air so soon. Give me a voice link."

"Yes, sir," Lieutenant Duella did so. "Galactica to Viper squadron, come in please."

"This is Apollo; go ahead, Galactica."

"You're back early, Captain. Is something wrong?" Adama asked his son. He had to keep reminding himself to be professional with the boy.

"Not exactly, sir," he said a little uncertainly. Few would have picked it as that, though.

"Commander Adama," a new voice began.

"Who is this?"

"Captain Tamsin Reece of the Terran Fleet. Admiral Fenway decided to make me a temporary ambassador. In the name of the Terran Federation, hello, welcome, and what the hell is going on?"

Everyone on the bridge was staring at the speaker, the Commander or the sensor readout.

"I'm not quite sure what you mean, Captain," he managed.

"Well, there's quite a few things I'd like to talk to you about on behalf of my people. Like who you are, why you're here, why your ships were trying to hide behind a comet, how you know what that ship that attacked us was, why they attacked, how many more are out there, what your intentions are - there's more, but I think that will do for now." Her voice was perfectly calm and measured.

"What are your intentions, Captain?"

"Well, at the moment, a meal and a chance to get out of this suit would be nice. Other than that - I am instructed to make peaceful contact as much as circumstances permit, establish what level of threat you represent and what level of threat these Cylons of yours represent, and try to avoid any major diplomatic incidents. Oh, and I'm supposed to come back alive. That's about it, Commander. I'm not here to start a war."

Looks were swapped across the bridge. Adama jerked his thumb and Duella cut the comline. "Find President Roslyn," he told Tigh. "And that Doctor Baltar, too." His thumb jerked again. "Captain Reece, I hope you didn't bring any kind of locator device with you. We don't want to disclose the whereabouts of our fleet."

"Well, we know that already, so it really doesn't matter," she said mildly. "Our sensors are better than yours. If you're asking if I brought communications equipment that these Cylons can detect being used, then the answer is no."

"Alright," he conceded, wishing he had studied diplomacy a bit more. What was he supposed to be doing right now? "You'll arrive in about ten minutes, correct?"

"Yes. At present I'm hanging onto a fighter hull like a limpet. I'll just hop off at the right moment and land on suit jets. I've done screwier things in my time." What was a limpet?

"You can do that?"

"Oh, sure. This type of suit was originally designed for long-duration EVA repairs on ships or equipment, so it's very manoeuvrable. I'll be fine. See you in ten minutes, Commander." The com channel cut off.

"Who the hell are the Terran Federation?" Tigh asked.

Author's note - In case you couldn't tell, the book is David Weber's 'The Apocalypse Troll', and it never said what the name of the unified human government was. I just picked one out of the air. I suppose you could say the Terran Republic, but I decided to go for something a little more martial. If it bothers you - tough cheese! I intend to keep writing this one.