Chapter 13
Engaging the Cylons
All of the Vipers from the Galactica were engaging the Cylon Raiders. Both sides were losing ships, but that didn't stop them. The Vipers were holding their own, but the cost was too high. All of the pilots were doing everything possible, but it was not working.
"Listen guys; remember to think outside of the box to take out these Raiders. That's the only way that you'll be able to beat them back." Brian said over the comm. line.
"He's right. Let's see if we can do this to beat the Cylons." Starbuck said to everyone.
The pilots tried what Brian had suggested, and it was working. They were thinking outside of the box to fight back the Cylons. They were trying maneuvers that they saw Brian doing in battle. Granted that they could not turn around like his Viper, but they could reverse thrusters and then fly forward to shoot down the Raiders. They were now taking down more Raiders than they thought they could.
"Apollo, I'm showing two Raiders heading towards the Galactica." Boomer told him.
'I see them. I want you and Sheba to take them out before they reach her." Apollo said to Boomer.
"Gotcha Apollo." Boomer said as he and Sheba went to engage the Raiders.
"FRACK ME!" Brian yelled as he was nearly hit.
"I like this guy. He takes after my own heart here." Starbuck said.
"Let's just concentrate on taking out the Raiders right now." Apollo told them.
Boomer and Sheba had taken out the Raiders before they were in range of the Galactica. One Raider managed to slip by them, and headed to the landing bays. It went inside and exploded, taking out the bay.
"Damn Toasters!" Brian said.
"Toasters?" Apollo asked.
"It's what the crew of my Galactica calls them. I don't know why though." Brian replied.
They were nearly done taking out the Raiders, when one went up behind Brian, and fired on one of his engines. Brian then tried some more tricks, but the Raider stayed on him.
"I could use some help here guys." Brian called out.
"I'll be there shortly." Apollo told him.
Apollo had just finished taking out the Raider that he was after, when he saw that this was the last one. As he was nearing Brian, he saw that Brian was still being fired on.
"Apollo, I'm going to try something that might work. And I hope it does."
"What's that?"
"I'm going to try to use my FTL to jump towards the Galactica. Hopefully it works this time."
"It may not. What if your ship is destroyed trying that."
"It's a chance that I have to take. Apollo."
"Yeah."
"If it doesn't, it was great knowing you and the crew of this Galactica. Especially your sister."
"Don't say that. You'll make it back."
"I hope that you're right about this. I'm engaging my FTL right now."
As he was engaging his FTL, the Raider fired on him at the same time. His ship disappeared in a flash of light that no one had ever seen before. After taking out the Raider, Apollo was on the comm. line trying to get in touch with Brian, but no avail.
"Can anyone locate him on their scanners?" Apollo asked.
Everyone answered negative to that. Apollo then ordered everyone back to the Galactica. After he landed his Viper and climbed out, he was greeted by his sister and Father. He saw the tears coming down Athena's face.
"I'm sorry, but he decided to take the risk of trying his FTL drive to make it back here to the Galactica."
"I know son. We'll have the scanners on to try to locate him, but I'm afraid…"
"STOP IT BOTH OF YOU! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW!" Athena said before running from her remaining family.
"Father, if there was anything that I could of done…"
"I know Apollo. But with his going, we did get a new member here. Lucifer."
"By Your Command." Lucifer said as he was making his way towards Adama.
"What's this?" Apollo asked.
"It appears that Lucifer decided to defect to us after serving Baltar for so long. He's willing to help us in our effort against the Cylons."
"Can you trust him?"
"As much as I trust you and the rest of the Galactica's crew. Now let's see what our new member can tell us about Cylon troop movements and…"
Baltar's Basestar
Baltar was in the command center watching his Raiders destroyed by the Galactica's Vipers. He saw Brian's Viper disappear in a flash of light, and was delighted that there was one less pilot from the Galactica to worry about. As he was about to return to his Thorne Room, he was stopped by two Centurions.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Baltar wanted to know.
"We were instructed to escort you to a holding cell and to leave you there until we return to the Imperious Leader." One of the Centurions said.
"You have no right to do this to me! I'm in charge here!" Baltar said to them.
"You are no longer in command here. The Command Centurion will be in charge here until we reach the Imperious Leader in one secton." The Centurion said while holding his Laser Rifle at Baltar's chest.
Baltar knew what was going to happen next to him now. He was going to face execution for not destroying the Galactica, and it's fleet, along with the Earth's population. He would have to try to worm his way out of this situation or face death. But now he wished that he had never sent Lucifer into battle now, and was still with him instead of being destroyed. He was going to say his last prayer's before his meeting with the Imperious Leader by the end of the secton.
