Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate or Battlestar Galactica: 2003.
Another Road not Taken
Chapter9: Retaliation
July 28th 2006
Earth-controlled Space
Deep Space
USS Astrea
Main Bridge
The assembled Cylon Resurrection Fleet was recovering from the losses it had sustained during the Battle of Earth and even now they were still processing new bodies for the fallen to download into. They had again underestimated the danger of the Tau'ri despite many months of tales and intelligence acquired from their one-sided war with the Jaffa and their captured informant...
Suddenly to their surprise the space in the center of their formation tore open in a burst of energy and radiation. A single Tau'ri ship appeared from the vortex and quickly descended on the now vulnerable Cylon Resurrection ship.
"Fire," Colonel William Ronson, commander of the Astrea ordered when his eyes finally spotted their target.
"Firing drones," Major Jessica Thompson confirmed a second later.
Ancient drones exploded from the ship's launchers and evaded the Cylon fighter screen. The drones continued to evade before they quickly tore into the Resurrection ship, burning through decks and decks filled with cloning technology and disturbing clusters of raider minds. The Resurrection ship's reactors were hit sooner after and the whole ship shattered under the mass number of internal explosions.
"Got you," Ronson let a smile cross his face at the sight.
"Cylon Baseships are re-orientating and locking onto us," Jessica spoke up. "The raiders are heading back to the Baseships...it looks like they're pulling out."
"Not if I can help it," Ronson said as he stood. "Activate the FTL inhibitors...stop them from running."
"Activating FTL inhibitors now," Jessica confirmed.
After more than a year to study Colonial and Cylon FTL technology it had been discovered that they operated on a similar principle to a Stargate's wormhole. However unlike a Stargate, the space-folding drive would instead shift a cluster of space from one set of coordinates to another instead of chunks at a time like what happens when you step through a Stargate.
Because of this they had been able to effectively 'jam' Jump-drive technology and basically trap any Cylons they encounter. For the five Cylon Basestars currently on station and trying to escape, it came as a big surprise when they engaged their FTL drives and nothing happened.
"I don't think they were expecting that sir," Jessica commented.
"...Anytime now," Ronson muttered.
"Sir, three hyperspace windows have just opened...it's the Odyssey, Korolev and Daniel Jackson. They're moving to engage," Jessica reported.
"What about the Pegasus? Where is she?" Ronson questioned.
"She's just jumped in now," Jessica replied. "Caldwell directive has been issued sir."
"Ready all missile batteries," Ronson ordered. "Fire the moment we're in range of our target."
The Pegasus flashed into existence between a pair of Basestars and immediately its guns came to life. Flak fire from the Mercury-class Battlestar intercepted the oncoming missiles even as the Colonial warship's forward guns opened fire on the lead Basestar further away. The Odyssey and Korolev were on either side of the two Basestars currently in the melee with the Pegasus and suddenly unleashed every nuclear missile they had at the pair of Baseships.
Raiders moved to intercept, every single one of them going after a missile knowing the kind of damage the 'super' nukes of the Earth humans were capable of. Despite their best efforts several missiles got through the fighter screen and struck the side of the two Basestars. Nuclear fire consumed them in a pair of blinding lights as vipers and F302-Vs, now aptly named Vultures started launching onto the battlefield.
The forward guns of the Pegasus kept firing on the Basestar in front of it, tearing through its neck and arms with several well placed shots. Despite its size the Basestars were lightly armoured, preferring to rely mostly on fighters for attack and defence leaving them relatively vulnerable. Finally the third Basestar shattered leaving only two remaining which were currently locked in combat against the Daniel Jackson further away.
Just then several Cylon raiders descended on the Pegasus and unleashed a hailstorm of missiles at the Battlestar, most of them nuclear. Flak fire went up and intercepted most of them missiles however several managed to get through and hit their target. The Cylons were surprised however when they saw that the Pegasus in fact had glowing orange shields that became visible once the blast died down.
"Three Baseships have been destroyed," Jessica reported.
"Where are the remaining two?" Ronson questioned.
"They're engaging the Daniel Jackson sir," Jessica informed.
"Status?" Ronson questioned further.
"Our compliment of drones are depleted with the first salvo and our missiles are loaded into the tubes. Both Odyssey and Korolev are out of nukes," Jessica replied.
"Tell Pegasus we're going to assist Commander Thor," Ronson ordered.
"I...don't think that will be necessary Colonel," Jessica responded unsure.
The Daniel Jackson—despite being a science vessel—was still a very dangerous adversary to face. It could still take on a Goa'uld Ha'tak and win despite its size. When faced with the two remaining Cylon Basestars, Supreme Commander Thor had first ordered their surrender...when they opened fire on his ship was when he drew the line.
The main guns of the Daniel Jackson were standard Asgard ion accelerator cannons capable of accelerating ions to the speed of light and condensing them into bolts of energy. Though physically an ion bolt appeared to be moving slower-than-light, inside the bolt were hundreds of ion particles moving about in all directions and spinning at the speed of light in a condensed sphere.
Upon contact with a target or anything unlucky enough to get in the way the bolt would explode forwards with the force of a hundred Naquadah-enhanced nuclear warheads. It could bring down a Ha'tak in several shots, possibly even a Wraith Hive-ship with a few dozen of them so the unshielded Cylon Basestars simply shattered when they were hit.
The Cylon raiders were quickly swept away by Asgard beaming re-sequencers and the two Basestars were blown apart by the mighty weapons of Thor's chariot. Once the last of the Cylon forces were destroyed the assembled allied fleet floated amongst the debris field.
"Confirm status?" Ronson questioned.
"All contacts have been neutralised," Jessica confirmed.
"Contact the rest of the fleet...tell them we're pulling back to Earth," Ronson gave the order. A few minutes later the Pegasus disappeared in a flash of light while the other ships in the fleet punched through subspace into hyperspace. They had come to push their enemies back to whatever hole they had crawled out from...and left nothing but destruction in their wake.
A lone Cylon raider would later jump into the area many hours later to find out why they had not been heard from. After discovering the black box from a destroyed Basestar the Cylon Empire would be shaken yet again by the human race...
July 28th 2006
Cylon-controlled Space
Deep Space
Battlestar Galactica
Raptor 14
"Are you sure about this?" Skulls asked as he sat down in the co-pilot seat.
"It's a little late to be asking that now," Racetrack said back.
"I'm just saying this is a suicide mission," Skulls told her.
"...Probably," Racetrack admitted. "But even if I die I'll still take as many Cylons as I can with me."
"...Only you would think that," Skulls shook his head. "Or maybe Starbuck...definitely Starbuck."
"We're ready back here," Carter said from the back. She was now decked out in one of the Colonial flight suits now used by the now being used by the Tau'ri.
"That won't go off until we want it too right?" Racetrack asked hesitantly.
"Of course not...I hope," Cam replied.
"Any word from the rest of the fleet?" Daniel asked.
"I doubt we'll hear from them before we get back," Carter told him. "Alright, we're ready to go."
"Galactica Actual, this is Racetrack," the pilot spoke into the comm. "We're beginning launch sequence now," lift elevated the craft into the Battlestar's hangar.
"Understood...good hunting," Adama responded.
"Raptor 14 launching," Racetrack said as the raptor took off and accelerated out of the hangar into space.
"Calculating jump coordinates for the Cylon homeworld now," Skulls said from the co-pilot seat. "Coordinates locked in...here we go. Jump in three...two...one."
The raptor disappeared in a flash of light a second later...
July 28th 2006
Graystone System
Cylon Prime
Upper Atmosphere
Raptor 14
The raptor reappeared in a flash of light above the Cylon homeworld and set off every DRADIS array in the area. The small Colonial craft quickly descended into the atmosphere as fast as raiders launched from the surface to intercept. A series of flashes behind them signified the arrival of the escorting Tau'ri Vultures which banked off towards the approaching Cylon raiders.
"We've got a dozen raiders bearing down on us," Skulls spoke up. "The Vultures are moving to intercept then."
"I'm taking us down now," Racetrack said as she guided the raptor down over a clearing. It landed a moment later as several raiders passed overhead followed by pursuing Vultures. "Okay, it won't be long before the toasters know our location."
"You're sure this bomb of yours will take them out?" Skulls asked as he and Carter jumped out and scanned the area for threats.
"Let's just say it will be one hell of bang," Cam answered as he jumped out.
"Help me with this," Skulls said as he grabbed hold of the clamps holding the warhead in place under the starboard wing. Cam quickly moved over and pulled on the lever, releasing the bomb onto the ground.
"Cam, start the timer and let's get out of here," Carter said over her shoulder.
"Replicator rejects!" Vala shouted as several centurions appeared from the trees.
Daniel and Carter immediately opened fire on the walking robots with their P90s. Under sustained fire the barrage managed to penetrate the thick armour of the centurions in a similar way that it did to Jaffa armour and quickly gunned them down. More kept coming and a few managed to get a shot off at the defending humans.
"Fall back!" Cam shouted over the gunfire as more centurions appeared.
The others filed into the raptor as it took off and started to hover. He quickly climbed aboard and Racetrack unleashed a barrage of machine gun fire on the dozens of centurions that had appeared in the clearing. This was soon followed by a volley of missiles, blanketing the area and levelling a good chunk of the forest in front of them.
"Where is your god now toasters?" Racetrack grinned as she guided the raptor away from the battlefield.
"I wouldn't celebrate just yet," Skulls spoke up. "I'm picking up a squadron of raiders bearing down on our location and the Vultures are pulling out."
"Jump-drive?" Racetrack questioned.
"There's a fuel leak in the tylium casing," Skulls shook his head.
"And that means?" Vala asked the pair.
"It means we're stuck," Daniel was the one who answered.
"I'm taking us into orbit," Racetrack declared as the raptor veered up towards the clouds and into space. In a flash of light a single Basestar appeared and immediately launched a swarm of raiders to intercept the fleeing Colonial craft.
"Oh frack," Skulls cursed at the sight. Just as the raiders were about to attack however a barrage of fast moving projectiles cut into the swarm of Cylons fighters. "What the frack is that?" he asked and looked out to the side.
"It's one of ours," Racetrack said surprised and looked back at the members of SG1. "It's one of yours," she corrected.
"Let me see that," Carter stepped up and checked the readings. "It's the Daedalus...she's supposed to be in Pegasus, what the hell is she doing here?"
July 28th 2006
Graystone System
In orbit above Cylon Prime
USS Daedalus
Main Bridge
After the Battle of the Void, the Daedalus had remained at Atlantis to conduct repairs and set out for Earth only four days ago. However Doctor Weir had ordered the ZPM at Atlantis to be placed aboard the repaired warship to allow for a much faster travel time back to Earth-controlled space. Almost immediately upon entering the Sol System, the Daedalus was ordered to render assistance to SG1 who were coordinating a strike on the Cylon homeworld.
"Cylon Raiders are bearing down on the Colonial Raptor sir," Kleinman informed. "It looks like we caught their attention," he added as the Tau'ri cruiser's railguns tore into the swarm of raiders.
"What about that Baseship?" Caldwell inquired.
"Its missile tubes are loaded and I can confirm that they are targeting us and the raptor. Orders sir?" Kleinman asked.
"Concentrate fire on those fighters and intercept any nukes they throw at us. This isn't like the void; we can't just throw our nukes at them and hope one of them hits their mark. Get me SG1 onboard the raptor," Caldwell ordered.
"They're on," Kleinman confirmed.
"SG1, our starboard hangar bay is open and ready to receive you. Hurry and bring your ship aboard," he ordered.
"Roger that Colonel, I owe you a beer for this," Cam responded.
"Sir, the Baseship is targeting the raptor," Kleinman reported.
"Put us right between them and cut fire to the railguns. Hold until I give the order," Caldwell ordered. The Daedalus manoeuvred between the Basestar and the raptor, covering it and allowing the missiles to strike against the ship's shields.
"Sir, I'm detecting a large number of raiders launching from the Baseship's arms," Kleinman informed.
"Open up on those arms, all batteries!" Caldwell gave the order.
The Daedalus opened fire with everything it had, spewing a massive barrage of magnetically accelerated projectiles through space. The rounds tore into the two arms on closest to the Tau'ri warship as dozens of raiders streamed out of their launchers. Suddenly explosions riddled across the arms as the raiders were cut down mercilessly and exploded while trying to flee the burning Basestar.
"It worked sir," Kleinman reported. "Concentrated fire on the launchers have caused a number of secondary explosions, they're disabled. The raptor has also landed in the starboard bay they're on their way up now."
"Ready a pair of nukes and fire. Finish them off," Caldwell gave the order.
Two missiles exploded from their tubes on the neck of battlecruiser and flew through the gap in the raider's lines that the Daedalus had created, striking the Basestar directly. Nuclear light consumed the Cylon warship, shattering its ventral frame and sending its dorsal arms spinning away wildly.
"What did we miss?" Cam asked as he stepped onto the Bridge with the rest of SG1 and the Colonial pilots.
"The enemy ship has been neutralised," Caldwell told them.
"All in a day's work," Cam quipped and looked at his watch. The timer finally reached zero and a blinding light consumed the viewport where the planet was.
"Is that what I think it is?" Racetrack asked as she covered her eyes.
"Thermonuclear detonation confirmed," Kleinman reported as Carter appeared over his shoulder.
Down on the surface the bomb detonated in a fiery blaze, enhanced by its Naquadria, it vaporised everything within its radius and creating an enormous mushroom shaped cloud that could be seen from space. Cylon factories and entire shipyards were simply wiped out in nuclear fire. When the blast died down, the planet was scarred from the blast and the cloud remained.
"Most of the primary Cylon factories have been destroyed," Kleinman informed.
"Release safeties on our warheads and open fire. Blanket the entire planet," Caldwell ordered.
"Yes sir," Kleinman nodded.
"I thought we were just using the Mark IX?" Carter inquired.
"My orders are clear," Caldwell responded.
The Daedalus paid the planetary defence satellites no mind, simply swatting them away with railgun fire before finally gaining a targeting solution on the planet. Missiles exploded from their launch tubes and descended on the planet surface, detonating across the planet. When the bombardment was complete, explosions riddled the planet surface, wiping out anything in its path.
"Serves them right," Skulls grunted at the irony of what they had done.
"...Major Kleinman," Caldwell said as he sat back in his chair. "Set a course for Earth and take us into hyperspace."
"Yes sir," Kleinman acknowledged and engaged the Hyperdrive.
July 28th 2006
Graystone System
In orbit above Graystone II
Cylon Colony
Command Center
The Cylons watched as the deceptively small and dangerous Tau'ri warship jumped away into its form of FTL now known to the Cylon Collective as hyperspace. They had spent the last several months destroying Jaffa worlds, one after the other in the same pattern of using their raiders to attack from within their shields. Now the Tau'ri of Earth had dealt them a crippling blow, resulting in the complete destruction of the Cylon capital planet.
The Colony, a massive and mobile Cylon homeworld, approximately thirty kilometres in length sat unmoving deeper in-system in orbit of the second planet. They knew that from the moment the Tau'ri attacked, that the planet was lost and so moved the massive Colony away from the battlefield.
"This complicates things," Simon said finally.
"They've destroyed the resurrection ship closest to Earth and now they've destroyed our capital world and ship building factories. They've even destroyed the bulk of our fleet over Earth itself," D'Anna spoke up fiercely.
"Irrelevant," Cavil sneered. "We made a mistake by settling on a planet anyway; we are machines, first and foremost. We should have started construction on more ships like the Colony instead of settling down on that piece of rock. A moving enemy is harder to locate and attack after all, something that was demonstrated to us all today."
"What do we do about the Tau'ri?" Doral asked.
"We don't have the numbers to attack Earth again with any chance of success," D'Anna said simply.
"Then what do you suggest?" Cavil questioned.
"...An armistice line and a non-aggression treaty."
Author's Notes:
I didn't actually know that the President couldn't declare war like I wrote it as but never mind. Well this chapter shows the destruction of Cylon Prime and I bet none of you thought I'd bring in the Daedalus to bombard the planet. I figured that Doctor Weir, hearing that Earth had come under direct attack by the Cylons would want to send the Daedalus back to Earth to assist using Atlantis' ZPM while the Orion remains at Atlantis as a defence ship for the time being.
The part at the end with the Cylons suggesting a new Armistice Line; I can honestly see it happening since even the Tok'ra would be able to track down the Cylons if they went hiding in deep space, especially uncharted space at that. And currently the Cylons don't have the forces to launch another attack on Earth or any of the other planets in the galaxy (besides the Colony itself).
Also about the Cylon knowledge of Jaffa and Asgard energy shields. Well, there is actually a reason for that, one which will be explain in due time so please stop complaining that the Cylons wouldn't be able to jump through their shields because they wouldn't know the size of the energy shield bubbles. There is also an explanation for the Cylons knowledge of the Jaffa worlds and their locations, as well as Earth and the planet under the Protected Planet's Treaty that the Cylons have attacked.
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