The Thin Blue Line
Six hours later, the senior officers and Captain Sanchez sat in the Dauntless's wardroom to go over what had been said. The civilian ship's Captain had been at Zarek's questioning as an impartial witness and observer.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Zarek's statement confirms what we have been able to find out from intercepted traffic reports" Henderson dimmed the lights and switched on the display screen. The 12 colonies were displayed, though the image was one of the military areas rather than the standard map normally seen in a briefing. "As a test of our communication systems, I ordered that are messages, even those not directed at us, be logged for future system reference. Before we left dock, Kronus approved the transfer and promotion of a number of officers – usually in the command areas" the map started to bleed as parts of Colonial space turned red. "It is my belief that Kronus has placed officers loyal to him in charge of vital sectors and ships"
"For what?"
"Mutiny, insurrection and a military coup" Henderson said icily. The officers in the room flinched or shuddered at the very thought – Sanchez simply gawped like a goldfish.
"What can we do?" asked Golden. "If we return to dock, we could be all 'taken care of'. Even if we did decide to report this – who would it be to?" she added.
"We will talk directly to the President himself" Henderson said. "We will plot a direct course and jump to Caprica. Once there, we will launch the entire Viper compliment as escort to the Marines in Raptors"
"That will not work, Commander" Sanchez said. "Before we left, we heard talk of a test involving that new FTL suppression system around the orbit of Caprica. All large ships will be unable to make the orbit" and Henderson swore fluently.
"Great"
"Besides" Sanchez said, "President Imlay is on Io to open a new mining complex"
"What perfect timing" said Waters.
"Do you know what time this is supposed to happen?" Henderson asked Sanchez.
"Twenty Two hundred, Colonial Standard"
"Our Raptors will never make it there in time" Golden shook her head. "Including spin up and cool down for each jump, it is going to take at least forty jumps for them to get back. And our Viper don't even have any kind of jump drive installed in them…"
"Commander" Sanchez's tone was one of formalness, "I don't like the sound of this any more then you all do. Me? I'm a loyal colonial citizen. I place my ship under your command. I can take your Raptors or your Vipers in my cargo bays and launch berths – not both"
"Thank you" Henderson was grateful for the offer of an extra ship. "We better flesh out a plan here…"
# # # # #
"Attention all hands, this is the Commander speaking. As some of you may know, our comrades have been betrayed and killed by elements of our own forces. I have been informed that this was part of an attempt to overthrow the lawful government of the Colonies, to declare martial law and to go to war against the Cylons. Therefore, this Battlestar will do everything in its power to prevent this from happening. I want all departments and divisions to get their arses into gear RFN. Until this is over, Gun and Missile crews will go to Condition 2. Department and Section heads report to the officers' mess. Air Wing to report to the crew briefing room. Master at Arms DeSalle, please report to the Commander's cabin with a selection of side arms and armour – that is all"
"Sir, I would really like to know what you are planning on doing" Golden said as they both left CIC a moment later.
"The only way we're going to get through to Imlay and make him believe is if one of us goes"
"Sir… if I may speak freely…"
"When has that ever stopped you?"
"You are more valuable to the operation from the CIC. I, on the other hand, am expendable"
"Not this time, Rosie" Henderson paused at the hatchway to his quarters. "I will have something for you to do after I leave, but I can not discuss it now. Come and see me after you have briefed the department and section heads. Dismiss" and that was that. Golden walked to her meeting with a sense of dread from what was about to take place.
#
"WHAT?" Golden exclaimed some time later. "You can not be serious" she spluttered.
"You will do as you are told, Colonel. You will have most of the Viper squadrons with you for this. Captain Sanchez has been able to get five on his ship by moving his shuttles over to the Dauntless. We will jump to Io and make our landing and attempt there to see the President. You, on the other hand, will jump, firstly, to Picon and land Marines to assume control of Fleet Headquarters. The moment the shuttles are clear of the Dauntless, your orders are to then jump to Scorpio shipyards and blockade the port. Do everything possible to avoid fire, but you will be authorised to return that fire if you deem it to be in the safety of the ship" Henderson strapped on the last of his armour. "Good luck, Colonel" he saluted the XO before leaving the quarters.
#
Bridge of Serenity
"We have come out of jump – all systems are clear" the pilot said.
"May I use your PA, Captain?" Henderson asked.
"Go ahead" Sanchez said.
"All Dauntless crew – this is Commander Henderson. All Viper pilots are to man their craft. Standby to launch off on the given signal. Marines – board the Raptors. Raptor crews – standby for immediate FTL jumps. All craft – tune to channel one niner eight - echo encryption sequence. Guard frequency of seven seven zero zero. That is all" Henderson let out a long held breath and replaced the handset.
"I'll take the rest of your Marines and take the station and orbital facilities" Sanchez said.
"You set the marker buoys?" Henderson asked, adjusting his holster as he moved to the hatch.
"In about fifteen seconds, that cluster is going to start squawking like a Cylon Baseship with Raiders – should get some ships away"
"But not for long" Henderson said, putting one hand on the hatch. "Good luck, Captain. I have a feeling you are going to need it"
"So say we all…"
# # # # #
Dauntless
"Jump complete"
"DRADIS Contact. Colonial transponders. We are in position"
"This is the XO – ACTION STATIONS" and the ship swung into action – readying itself for fighting. "Launch Raptor force" Golden watched as, moments later, a number of Raptors headed for the surface of Scorpio – though two Raptors and a larger shuttle headed to the space station.
"Engineering reports FTL spun up for immediate combat jump" Waters said. "All vessels clear of Dauntless"
"JUMP!" and the Battlestar jumped to the orbit of Picon. It was the reverse of the plan, but the ship had detected fewer ships at Picon – so it was easier to do it that way. "Launch all remaining aircraft. Assault teams – you are cleared to go… Good Hunting" Golden replaced the handset and walked over to where Waters was sitting. "Send this transmission on all colonial military frequencies – in the clear"
"Aye, Colonel" Waters replied, took the offered disk and placed it into a reader slot, pressed some switches and started broadcasting.
#
It didn't take long for a response to arrive, and four Battlestars had jumped in to surround Dauntless. As if in reply, Golden had taken them closer to the shipyards – now the subject of a pitched battle for control.
"We are being hailed" Waters said. "Packet reads as coming from the Intrepid"
"Put them up" Golden said.
"Dauntless this is Intrepid Actual. What the hell are you thinking of, Henderson?"
"Battlestar Intrepid, this is Battlestar Dauntless, Dauntless Two speaking" Golden was shaking - none of her training her included this at all. "The Commander is not here at the moment"
"Where is he, Colonel?" asked the gruff female voice.
"He… He went on leave, Commander. He gave me orders before going, and I intend to carry them out"
"They are countermanded. What is the meaning of this signal?"
"Exactly what it says, Commander" Golden replied. "We have evidence that Admiral Kronus is planning to overthrow the lawful government of the 12 Colonies. This vessel is engaged in support of orders to prevent this at all costs"
"You are threatening your career and your freedom, Colonel" the voice said. "You are also threatening the lives of your crew"
"Commander, we have transmitted all of our evidence. Do you really believe that we would do something this drastic if it were not completely necessary?" Golden said. She glanced up to see the range of the four ships getting shorter by the minute. "If I were you, I would not come any closer"
"Oh? You would fire on another Battlestar?"
"I will if it becomes necessary to defend and protect this ship"
"You wouldn't dare" the Commander said.
"Please be advised that I have launched my Air Wing and deployed them to stop anything leaving or entering the fleet shipyards. Dauntless is at Condition One and has targeted each of your ships with its armaments. We will, however, not fire unless fired upon first. I say again, We will not fire unless fired upon first"
"Intrepid and Ajax are launching Vipers" Waters said softly.
"Commander, I hope those Vipers are launched as part of a salute"
"Colonel, by virtue of superior rank, I am relieving you of command. Who is the next senior officer on your deck?"
"Lieutenant Waters, Commander" Waters had herself patched into the circuit already.
"You are ordered to place your XO under arrest, stand down, disarm your weapons systems and issue the recall orders"
"I regret, Sir, that it is impossible for me to do so"
"What? Listen here, Lieutenant, do as I say or-"
"Frack you" Golden hit the switch that cut the channel off.
"Colonel, picking up orders from Headquarters" the comm officer said.
"Juno and Gold are leaving the dockside and they are launching Vipers"
"They have orders to aid in the attack against us" the communications ensign added.
"Then broadcast Zarek's confession under drugs" Golden said. "Recall Squadron 3. Have them come between us and the new bogies. Raptor Squadron 2 to move closer to the Dauntless – execute. Helm. All stop – rotate the ship to provide equal firepower on as many targets as possible"
"Aye"
"As ordered"
"Rotating the ship" and a voice came from the speakers.
"My name is Tom Zarek. I am the leader of the SRA. I make this statement, under drugs, at my own request. Though I, and my group, have made attacks against the Colonies, we have not wanted to separate from them. For the last five years, we have been…"
#
Kronus listened in on the channel and became furious as his plans were broadcasted to the entire military of the Colonies.
"Have all ships fire on the Dauntless. She's clearly been taken over by the SRA – blast her out of the skies"
"As ordered, Admiral"
#
"DRADIS contact!" Water said. "Edge of range – CBDR. No ID detected from them"
"Communications, hail the new arrivals – lets see how they stand" Golden said.
"Colonel, scanners now reading the ID codes. They are the same ships as those at the SRA base"
"Now is that not convenient…" Golden said. "Recall all aircraft to form a ring around the Dauntless. Helm, level the ship relative to the shipyard and move us away – ahead one half"
"Aye"
"Sending orders"
"We are receiving no reply to our messages"
"Lock all weapons on the incoming ships" Golden said. "Open a channel to the Intrepid"
"Channel open"
"Commander, check your books – they do not exist. They were supposed to be destroyed by way of scrapping. Don't you find it strange that they suddenly appear when we start talking about Kronus"
"It is a little odd" the Intrepid's commander said.
"INCOMING FIRE!" Waters shouted. "Missiles launched from all three targets… one minute to impact" Beep Beep Beep. "New DRADIS contact… small tell tales… receiving ID signal… It's the Commander"
"Put him up on speakers"
"This is Henderson aboard Raptor 180. We are carrying President Imlay after an attempt on his life by elements loyal to Admiral Kronus"
"Confirm that, Raptor" said the Intrepid.
"Thirty seconds to impact" Waters said softly.
"Give us cover and we'll prove it"
"How do we know this is not a trick to get us to let our guard down? We could be stood down when you fire upon us" and Golden picked up the handset.
"This is the XO – all gun and missile crews – stand down. This is a direct order" Golden banked that they wouldn't fire on an unarmed target. The missile tracker showed that the thing had been blasted by a Viper.
"Warstars firing main armaments" Waters said. "They are assuming a hostile attack formation" and Golden would have said something if a shudder had not knocked her off her feet.
"What was that?"
"Suppression fire" Waters said, blood coming from where she had hit her head on the deck. "Intrepid fired at point blank range. Her… Colonel!"
"Yes?"
"Her Vipers have turned around and are engaging the Warstars"
"LSO reports Raptor secured"
"Very well. Free range on any targets designated as hostile – FIRE!" and the guns, still on standby, unleashed their powerful potential. "Have the remaining Marines aboard report to CIC" Golden thought.
"Juno and Gold are moving to take position off each beam. Intrepid, Phoenix and Exeter are moving above and below"
"ATTENTION ON DECK. PRESIDENT OF THE COLONIES!"
"Carry on" Henderson said. "Sit Rep!"
"Engaged in combat with the same Warstars that appeared to us at the SRA base" Golden said. "We had faced some other Battlestars, but they have started to defend us and are helping to engage the enemy"
"Load main nose cannons and prepare to fire on my command. Target the CIC of the leading Warstar" Henderson said. "Viper Squadrons 1 and 2 to clear us a path. Engineering close all compartment and bulkhead doors"
"Coming into range of cannons" the weapons officer said.
"Fire" and two heavy metal slugs came out of the Dauntless's nose and slammed into the hull of the opposing Warstar.
"Direct hit! They are venting atmosphere" Golden said. The two sides started trading fire for fire as they went toe to toe the old fashioned way. Hundreds of people lost their lives as they tossed everything but the kitchen sink at the Warstars.
"Damage report!"
"We have suffered hull breaches in all sections – multiple decks. Port for'ard ship to ship cannons are out of commission and other guns have taken significant damage. Starboard number three engine is destroyed – numbers two and four are crippled. We are still able to manoeuvre on remaining engines, Sir" Golden reported. "Sickbay reports four hundred officers and crew dead. We have lost forty of our Vipers and ten of our Raptors"
"DRADIS CONTACT!" Waters shouted over the din of battle. "Sir, its Colonial Freedom"
"What?" Henderson asked. "Are you sure?"
"Confirmed, Commander. She is assuming formation with the Warstars"
"Getting a broadcast message from the ship – Admiral Kronus's ID code and signal packet – patching us in" said the comm officer.
"This is Admiral Kronus of the Colonial Fleet. President Imlay has been killed by a group of the military dedicated to upheaval and destruction as well as war with the Cylons. With the cabinet also murdered in their sleep, I am hereby assuming control of the Colonial government" Henderson flicked the speakers off.
"That is the only ship that could finish us off" he said. "Colonel Golden, please recall all Raptors. The shuttles and them will take off the crew. Communications, please pass the order for all crew to muster at abandon ship stations" Henderson said.
"I have another Battlestar coming in… IT'S GALACTICA" Waters shouted.
"Disregard orders – helm take us in to point blank range. Order all Vipers and Raptors to clear us a path. Missile control… As senior officer present, I hereby authorise the use of nuclear weapons. Spin up the warheads in tubes five through eight to maximum yield"
"Aye sir"
"What are you planning on doing?" Golden asked.
"Playing chicken with a Battlestar" Henderson replied. "Disregarding all damage, lock every weapon but the nukes onto the Warstars and Colonial Freedom. Inform the other ships to do the same – we might not be able to take on all of them, but let kill as many as the bastards as possible. Once they have done their duty, have all remaining Raptors to land at once. I want all Marines to get in for a boarding operation. Colonel, you will go with them and take command of the Colonial Freedom"
"Aye, Commander" and Golden saluted and left the CIC.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" asked Imlay.
"You know anything about firing guns?" Henderson asked.
"Spent two years as an orbital missile commander during the war"
"Good. Relieve the Lieutenant at missile control. Mister, I want you to take control of the starboard nose cannon. Split fire between the port gun stations"
"Aye"
"We will enter point blank range in thirty seconds" helm said.
"Maintain course and speed"
"I'll try, Commander, but I'm losing power to the drive"
"Reroute circuits"
"No use, Commander" said the engineering officer in CIC. "Damage is too great. We'll be sitting ducks in two minutes"
"Damn it" Henderson cursed. "Port thrusters two bursts. Prepare to fire into the area above the Colonial Freedom's CIC. We're going to take them out"
"And what if that doesn't work, Commander?" asked Imlay.
"Then we shall ram our front into the Warstar, abandon ship and detonate the nukes and scuttling charges, Mr President" Henderson said. "Order the hanger deck to ready shuttles for launch. Have sickbay move the worst off to the shuttles now. CIC to Engineering"
"Engineering"
"Arm the scuttling charges, and set them with a four minute fuse. Activate them on my command"
"Aye"
"Incoming ordinance" called Imlay – a second before the spread of missiles hit hard.
"Damage report!" Henderson demanded.
"Main power is offline. Secondary systems are non responsive. We have lost all main and secondary drive systems. Weapons are disabled. Hull integrity is down to 34%. We can't take another hit like that again, Commander" Golden said.
"Then we have no choice" Henderson said. "Away all boats – all hands to abandon ship" and the abandon ship alarms sounded the remaining crew headed for the escape shuttles and Raptors.
"What about you?" asked Golden.
"I have not yet been relieved of this command, Colonel. Good luck"
"Sir!" the communications officer spoke quickly. "Sir, I am getting a message from Colonial Freedom"
"Put her on speakers" Henderson ordered.
"Dauntless, this is Colonial Freedom – Commander Medira. I have relieved Admiral Kronus of his command. I am ordering our Vipers and Raptors to return to the ship at once. Our guns have ceased fire. We surrender, completely and without any conditions or terms requested"
"Colonial Freedom, this is Dauntless Actual. You will disengage your engines at once and prepare to be boarded by my marines. Out. Colonel Golden, I want that ship secured in less then an hour. Strip her of all but a skeleton crew – we're going to drag her back to Caprica in disgrace" Golden saluted and hurried out of CIC. "Engineering, do what you can to bring us along side of the Colonial Freedom and to a halt. List damage and estimated time to repairs. Communications, send to CinC Picon repeated to Admiralty. Have rejoined the fleet outside orbit of Picon. Some major damage, heavy casualties. Am able to manoeuvre by means of thrusters only. Am combat ineffective. Request aid and assistance at once. Dauntless, out' that is all. Repeat message until you get a reply. Flight Ops. Range a flight of two Vipers and a Raptor on the flick deck at once" Henderson looked around his battered CIC. "You want to say something, Ensign?" he asked the officer at Helm.
"I was just thinking that this must go down as the best ever shakedown cruise, Commander" the woman replied, causing the rest of the room to burst into laughter.
# # # # #
"Battlestar Dauntless approaching Bay 12" Henderson reported. They had spent several hours working to get engines back online along with Helm and Navigation. They had limped back to Caprica with several Warstars and Faststars shepherding her as well as to stand by for protection.
"Copy Dauntless. You are cleared to dock at Bay 12. Prepare for docking cables and latches"
"Copy, Control" Henderson said – words echoing around the nearly empty CIC. With all of the damage sustained in the fighting, the Dauntless was running with only a dozen people aboard. Eight were in the Engine Room keeping the crippled reactors from blowing up, two more were in the Auxiliary control room in case the CIC failed whilst Henderson remained in the CIC with an Ensign to run things from there. "All hands, this is the Commander. Prepare for docking. Engineering, be ready to shut down reactors and standby to go to shore supply"
"Aye, Sir"
"Ensign, Starboard twenty – steer 340. Slow ahead both engines." Henderson felt the Dauntless move slightly in adjustment. The mighty Battlestar swung into position as the Commander pressed a button on the Communications console three times – sounding the ship's horn in the traditional manner to signal arrival at a port. "Put your rudder amidships. Stop both engines" he added as he walked over to the Operations console and flicked the buttons to lock onto the latches.
"Aye, Sir" the young officer said. "Both engines stopped" and, as she spoke, the ship had a very minor tremor as the latches took hold and the Dauntless rested in the protection of the Heavy Repair bay.
"You did well, Ensign" Henderson said.
"I have always wanted to try that, Sir" she replied with a slight smile.
"Really…? You can disembark whenever you want and go on some extended shore leave. Just be warned, though, that there will be a major inquiry into this. Dismiss" and the other officer saluted as if she was on a parade ground, turned smartly on her heel and marched to the hatch. He reached out for a handset and flicked it to the port channel. He noticed several consoles powering down as the ship transferred from its own power supply to that of the shipyard. "Port Control from Dauntless"
"Go ahead, Dauntless"
"Can you arrange for a shuttle to be made ready please? Priority One clearance"
"All shuttles are in use, Commander" came the reply.
"That was a direct order"
"I'm sorry, Sir, but I am not under your command"
"I don't care how you do it, but you will get me a shuttle. Otherwise, you will spend the next forty odd years as the Fleet attaché to the Cylon homeworld!" Henderson said – slamming the handset down.
#
Whilst the various courts martials were carried out, the Dauntless was repaired, refitted and returned to full and active service. It would go on for over three decades in service – serving with distinction under a number of Commanding Officers. It didn't see another Cylon up close for that entire time, but, I am afraid to say, is a completely different story…
Commander Sharpe
Commanding Officer
Battlestar Dauntless
A/N:
First, if any one is wondering why the name at the end, it is because the story was set in the future telling a past tale – or, to keep it simple, set after the events of Counter Attack but telling the tale of the Big D's first cruise.
Hope you enjoyed the fic and look forward to reviews
Pixel And Stephanie