Chapter Eight: A Man, a Plan...
Station LCT (A)-2008:
Doctor Marsha Hayden checked the vitals of the unconscious patient the pilots had brought to the station. She was able to identify the officer as Commander Elena Solheim of the Escort Battlestar Vasa. The George brothers had told her of how they had boarded the Vasa and pulled Solheim out of the ship before it exploded. She was quick to inform them about how reckless they were and they responded that the boss needed information from the ship and gaining the officer was a bonus.
"Hey, Doc, how is she?" a familiar voice asked from the door.
She turned and immediately recognized Flight Lieutenant Antwan Zelenka, the man who had piloted the stealth Raptor that had discovered the Vasa. "Hello, Lieutenant, she's stable now. I'm going to take X-rays and run some other tests to see if there's any internal damage I need to be concerned about."
"Boss said he wants you to do everything you can to keep her alive," Zelenka said as he walked over to where she stood by the unconscious Solheim.
"He's like that, isn't he? He should know by now that I always do everything I can to keep people alive," she said as she made some notes.
"You know how he is; that transport ship's commander is finding out the hard way. When he says something is going to happen it's a guarantee to happen; no point in arguing because it only ends badly," Zelenka said and the two of them shared a laugh.
She looked at the security camera and she was certain who was viewing the footage, or would view the footage when he decided to watch it. "Boss, she's going to be just fine. I'll make sure she's given the best care possible."
"You know what; I don't think anyone else could get away with pulling something like that."
She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm the only doctor he has on this secret little station of his. I think that gives me some latitude."
Zelenka thought about it for a moment before he said, "You do know the transport ship has a doctor on it."
She let out a dismissive huff. "That guy is a glorified nurse compared to me."
Zelenka laughed. "Aren't we just a bit touchy this morning?"
She gave him a playful punch on his arm. "You go see if your Raptor is going to need some work done to it after going through all that Cylon firepower."
Zelenka held up his arms in mock surrender and left the room without saying a word.
Mjolnir Anchorage:
There were only two people in the small conference room of Mjolnir Anchorage. Commander Audra Ortiz had come to the anchorage after the engagement with the Cylons when the Vasa had been lost. Now that she had relieved Commander Caden Charka of command she had to decide what to do with Major Allison Knox, the woman Charka had appointed to lead the anchorage when he designated it as a base of operations.
"Major Knox, I've relieved Commander Charka of command of the Ark Royal," Commander Audra Ortiz announced. "I know he promoted you to the rank of Major and put you in charge of this anchorage. I need to know where your loyalties lie. I need to know that I can trust you and that you will not try to undermine me."
"Under the circumstances, Commander, I would rather give you my support than risk being relieved of command and joining Commander Charka in the brig; that is, if you put him in the brig," Knox said.
"Don't worry, Major; he's been confined to the brig for the time being. I relieved him of command, I didn't shoot him in the head so that he'd be out of my way for good," Ortiz said and she noticed that Knox looked visibly relieved.
"I didn't think that was the case, I just didn't know if you had confined him to his quarters or the brig," Knox quickly added.
Ortiz wanted to say something but decided against it. Instead she said, "Commander Charka was unfit for command. I believe the stress of combat and running from the Cylons was too much for him. For the safety of the Ark Royal and its crew I relieved him. Let's have this be the last word on the subject."
Knox nodded. "Aye, ma'am, we won't have to talk about this again."
Ortiz smiled. "Excellent, I'll expect regular reports from you about what is going on here at the anchorage. I also want to know what the defensive capabilities are in case the Cylons do show up. If you need us to equip more weaponry I'm sure we can find some places to acquire you some more toys to use against the toasters."
She turned and left the conference room feeling cautiously optimistic about Knox and her ability to keep the station running. If she had been the one to appoint her as the anchorage's commanding officer it would be different but there was a part of her mind that viewed Charka's appointment with a degree of skepticism. They had been in the unknown for some time now, and it was easy to let that cloud judgment. She was sure the crew of the Ark would agree with what she did but to an outsider it could perhaps be seen as a case of mutiny.
"Commander Ortiz, it's good to see you," Sergeant Major John Harbrecht said as he caught up to Ortiz as she walked down the corridor.
She looked at the Marine and was surprised. "Sergeant Major, I was sure you'd still be in bed after the beating that Centurion gave you."
"If I were an ordinary person perhaps, but Marines are made of sterner stuff than that," he said with the usual bravado expected of the Marines.
"Well. It seems I underestimated you," she said with a smile before asking, "Is there anything I can do for you? Do you want to be transferred back to the Ark?"
Harbrecht shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, Commander, but I think this anchorage is going to be valuable to us. If the Cylons do board then I'm going to need to train the Marines we have to fight like they're supposed to."
"I see, so you think you can be more useful here on than my battlestar?"
Harbrecht nodded. "That's correct, perhaps at some time down the road I'll take you up on coming back to the Ark. Like I said, I can be more helpful here right now."
"I respect that, but don't you think our Marines couldn't use your help in making sure they're up to the challenge of repelling boarders," Ortiz said as she turned a corner to head to the airlock where the Ark was located.
"I'll look at who is on board and see if anyone can handle the job until I'm available. By the way, can you do me a favor?" Harbrecht asked.
Ortiz nodded. "Of course I can; what do you need?"
"The next time you find yourself in Sick Bay please inform Nurse Zahn that I'll have to repay her for slipping me that morpha injection back when the Ark lost power. It'll probably involve dinner and dancing in either order."
She stifled a laugh. "She slipped you a morpha injection?"
"Yeah, I was pretty banged up and wanted to get out of bed to fight the Cylons. She managed to slip an injection of morpha into my IV and it was all downhill from there. Something tells me she may have done something like that in the past."
"I'll see what I can do about that," she said before bidding farewell to Harbrecht and boarding the Ark. When she was back onboard she did not head to Sick Bay; instead she made her way to the CIC.
Battlestar Basilisk, CIC:
The Titan class battlestar Basilisk was on its shakedown cruise when the Cylons struck; when word came that all retired Colonial Fleet personnel were to be recalled to active duty immediately it cleared the way for the dignitary to assume overall command of the ship.
Admiral Gary Ware had so far initiated a series of hit and run attacks against the Cylons. One day they would hit a Cylon supply depot in space or another day they would launch some space-to-surface missiles on the destroyed remains of one of the colonies. If there was one thing he remembered from his days as a pilot during the Cylon War was that actions mattered and could either increase or destroy morale. He may have had only one battlestar but he hoped that what he was doing would be enough to keep morale high among the crew.
He had immediately relieved Commander Charles Roan of command once the order from Fleet Headquarters had been received. Roan had protested but ultimately Ware was not going to change his mind. Roan had tried to be as helpful as he could, but unfortunately it had been an accident on the hangar deck that had caused his unfortunate demise. From what Ware had heard was that he was trying to rally the deck gang and build their spirits up when a rookie knuckle dragger had caused the accident to happen.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Colonel Sean O'Rourke asked. The man was the Basilisk's original XO and had thrown his full support behind Ware assuming command of the ship.
Ware rubbed his chin in thought. "I was giving it some thought but I think it's important that we investigate what's out there. For all we know, they could be friendly."
"But wouldn't the Cylons have found their way to Mjolnir?"
Ware shook his head. "Mjolnir is a minor enough anchorage in the grand scheme of things; truth is, it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't even listed on the list of active anchorages."
"I understand, but shouldn't we have Vipers ready to fly just in case it's the Cylons," O'Rourke persisted.
Ware turned his attention to Tactical. "Call the crew to Action Stations, set Condition One throughout the ship, and get some Vipers in the launch tubes ASAP."
The Tactical officer nodded while the Communications officer began to announce Actions Stations throughout the Basilisk.
Ark Royal, CAG's Office:
"You look so excited right now," Captain Alisa 'Dagger' Stark said when she saw the look on the CAG's face.
Major Mark 'Archangel' Hunter looked up at her, "I'm trying to integrate our rookie pilots in with the pilots from the Kios and the survivors from the Vasa; and that's a conversation for another day."
Stark walked in and closed the door behind her. "Are you trying to tell me something?"
Hunter exhaled slowly. "I just don't think it was a good idea to essentially sacrifice a modernized escort battlestar. Tactically, it's a waste and if there's one thing we don't need to do is waste our resources."
"I didn't realize you thought so highly of the Vasa," Stark said in a tone that was more serious than she had realized.
"I thought when I reported aboard, that Vasa was a step beneath me. I was a pilot on the Atlantia; then I get told I'm going to lead a group of test pilots on an escort battlestar so Adar can see if a smaller ship can deliver as well as a regular sized battlestar. Over the time I was on there I came to appreciate her for what she was, a tough little ship. I just think Commander Charka sacrificed her for no real reason."
"I think Commander Ortiz felt the same way, especially considering she relieved him of command," Stark said.
"Well, if she hadn't I think somebody would have," Hunter said.
"Perhaps, but there's still the chance that people might think she went a little too far," Stark said.
"Now don't you go telling me that you're upset because she's the one who beat you to it?" Hunter said in what he hoped would lighten the conversation.
"I think you would be the one upset about that. The great hero Archangel goes out in his Viper and single-handedly destroys every Cylon and then when he comes back to his battlestar to dispense justice to its evil commander he finds that someone has already done it, might tarnish that image of yours a little," she countered with a smile.
"Is that how you see me, some kind of wannabe hero?" Hunter asked feigning hurt.
"Sweetie, that's how everyone sees you but you don't seem to be all that aware of it."
"Since you've been so late bringing this to my attention, I think I should assign the second-best Viper pilot on this ship to mopping the ready room floors," Hunter said and he was not surprised when Stark gave him a playful punch on the arm.
"So, what do you think is going to happen next?" she asked.
"I think we're at that point where if this was one of those chick flicks you watch we'd probably have kissed or something."
"Yeah, that's not going to happen. You seem to forget this is real life and not a movie," she said.
"You may be in the minority there, I think the lines between real and fantasy can get blurred after some combat patrols."
"Well, CAG, that's something that falls in your job description," Stark said before she turned and started leaving the room.
"Where are you heading?" he asked.
"I'm hungry and I think it's about time I went and did something about it," she said as she left the room.
Ark Royal:
Ark Royal, Commanding Officer's Quarters:
Ortiz poured a glass of water and handed it to her guest. "Colonel Killian, I'm assuming you know why I asked to meet with you."
Colonel Patrick Killian nodded, "I knew it was coming once you relieved Commander Charka of command; I've had plenty of time to decide my fate."
"Now what exactly do you think your fate is going to be?" she asked.
"I came in as XO when you and Colonel Hawkins were replaced, so I imagine that in your opinion I represent the new regime and you're probably eager to reassign me or throw me in the brig with Commander Charka," Killian said with the bluntness of his Libran heritage.
"Yes, I've toyed with the idea of putting you in there, but I don't know if that's going to be necessary. Colonel, you're an unknown If I were to keep you on as XO I would need to know that could trust you to stay loyal to me and not try to stab me in the back."
Killian was thoughtful for a few moments before he said, "Just because I was assigned to this ship as Charka's XO doesn't mean I was loyal to him. My loyalty is to this ship and its crew; I would like to think that you and I could work together."
"I think we can see how things work out with you keeping your position. Colonel Hawkins will have her hands full helping to make sure our cadets and rookie pilots are up to the challenge."
Killian was quick to ask, "What about Colonel Thomas?"
"He's still going to remain in his role as an advisor to Colonel Hawkins; after all he's forgotten more about flying a Viper than some of those pilots will ever learn."
It was then that the announcement came over the ship. "Commander Ortiz and Colonel Killian, you are needed in the CIC immediately."
As both Ortiz and Killian bolted from the room the klaxons came on with the announcement for Action Stations and to set Condition One throughout the ship. Both officers knew that something big was happening; whether it was the Cylons or something else all together remained to be seen.
Ark Royal, CIC:
"Sitrep," Ortiz called out once she and Killian had stepped into the CIC.
"Large object, unsure if it's a Cylon baseship," Lieutenant Colonel Kelvin Chandler announced from Tactical.
"Ma'am, the ship is identifying itself as the Basilisk. The commander wishes to speak with you," Lieutenant Dwight Woodward said from his post at Communications.
Ortiz picked up the receiver from its cradle, "This is Ark Royal Actual, whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"
"For your sake you'd better not be lying to me or else you're going to be real sorry, this is Admiral Gary Ware of the Battlestar Basilisk. No doubt you've heard the name," Ware's voice said in its usual confident demeanor.
"I know you by name and reputation. I am Commander Audra Ortiz; it's nice to stumble upon a friendly face," she said.
"Well I was starting to wonder if there were anymore battlestars out there; do you think you can have your ship ready to receive me in about half an hour?"
"Admiral Ware, it would be my honor to have you over," she said.
"Excellent, I'll have a Raptor ready to take me to you," Ware said and then the connection was severed.
"I think this could be a development in our favor," Killian said once he saw the display on the DRADIS mark the target as the Basilisk.
"It depends on your opinion of the matter. That ship has Admiral Gary Ware on board and he's going to be here in half an hour," Ortiz said.
"You're telling me it's the Gary Ware; my old man told me stories about his exploits during the Cylon War."
"I know his reputation but now we're going to meet the legend in person. I want you to get a proper welcome prepared on the hangar deck. I'm going to have a meeting with Colonel Thomas and get his input on just what kind of person Admiral Ware is," Ortiz said before turning to leave the CIC.
"We found Gary Ware," Killian quietly said as he shook his head and began, with Chief Lancaster, about getting the hangar deck ready to give Admiral Ware a proper welcome.
Battlestar Basilisk, CIC:
"Admiral, looks like we've taken a turn for the better," Colonel Sean O'Rourke said.
"You could say that, I had a feeling we were going to get lucky sooner or later," Ware said as he looked up at the DRADIS where the Ark Royal was marked.
"I thought the Ark Royal was supposed to be undergoing its inactivation," Commander Walter Beckett, the man who served as Ware's aide for the shakedown cruise, said.
"Looks like it survived by some miracle," Ware said.
"Perhaps now we can do more than just these hit and run attacks we've had to do," O'Rourke said.
"It would be nice to mount a proper offensive. Truth be told these, guerilla warfare tactics don't suit me at all," Ware admitted.
"It does make you wonder if there are any other survivors out there," Beckett said.
"Perhaps, but right now let's just assume it's just us and the Ark Royal; no need to announce to the Cylons that we've teamed up with a battlestar that's almost as powerful as ours," Ware said as his mind began to think of the possibilities that could come from suddenly having a second battlestar at his disposal.
"When do you plan on going over to visit the CO?" Beckett asked.
"Soon enough, I'll make my grand entrance and let Commander Ortiz know what I expect of her," Ware said.
"Who will be in charge when you're away?" O'Rourke asked.
"Well, Colonel, you'll be in command while I'm away," Ware said to him. Then he turned his attention to Beckett. "Commander, you and the CAG will be coming along with me. I want you to have a Raptor fueled and ready to launch within the next half hour."
"I'll make it happen," Beckett said before turning to leave Command and Control.
Lieutenant Commander Lloyd Thomas' Quarters:
Ortiz stepped into the room was saw that Thomas was too involved in his work to notice her entrance.
She was going to say something when he turned to her and said, "I assume you're either going to say something or keep staring at me unable to speak."
Ortiz fought back the urge to chuckle, "I have a dignitary coming onboard shortly."
"Good for you, Commander; you get to work on those charming diplomatic skills you possess," he said to her as he began making notes on a piece of paper.
"The dignitary is Admiral Gary Ware," she said. She immediately saw the pencil that Thomas was holding stop in its place at the mention of the name. "He's onboard the Battlestar Basilisk, and he's made contact with us."
Thomas dropped the pencil to the desk and began to massage his temples as though a migraine was coming on. "Of all the people to run into after all this it just had to be him!"
Ortiz noticed the word 'him' was said with a tone of disgust. "I take it you and Ware have a history."
"The funny thing about Gary Ware is that back when he was a rookie pilot on the Ulysses, the CAG gave him the call sign 'Hot Shot' because even as a rook he believed himself the best of the best. The crazy thing about Ware is that he was actually a damn good pilot and he quickly proved himself; the problem is that the media got wind of this and propped him up to the level of a minor celebrity," Thomas said.
"I can only imagine how well that went over," Ortiz said.
"Stryker and I both thought he was a bit overrated, and there were plenty of times I heard of where he left his wingman to go pursue a Raider or land an attack on a baseship. Of course, those were never reported in the media because even the Admiralty realized they needed all the good press they could get during the war."
Ortiz began to wonder how Ware managed to keep his career in the Fleet with actions like that. "Wouldn't he have eventually be moved to one of the training battlestars or one of the fleet air stations to help pass on what he knew to the new pilots?"
"Stryker tried that route and almost succeeded with it, the problem was President Morrigan," Thomas said as he remembered the series of conflicts between Admiral Jonas Stryker and President Gwyneth Morrigan during that period of the Cylon War.
"What did she have to do with that?" Ortiz asked.
"Keep in mind that Gary Ware had moved up the ranks to Captain and was not far from being rocketed up to Major, and the more attention he got from the media the more he caught the eye of Morrigan. When Stryker assigned Ware to Tift Fleet Air Station on Caprica so that he could train pilots, it was Morrigan who personally overrode his decision and kept Ware as a squadron leader on the Viknor," Thomas said as his mind went back to those days during the Cylon War.
"I'm surprised Admiral Stryker didn't just resign in protest," Ortiz said. It was hard to imagine being in Stryker's position and having to deal with a President he ended up arguing with more often than not.
"He thought about leading a coup against her but ultimately realized the Colonies needed the stability in the government if they were going to survive the war," Thomas said and he looked at Ortiz and got an idea as to what she was probably thinking. "Ware and I were considered two of the best pilots in the Fleet and the media picked up on that. They tried to make a fun rivalry of sorts between us but truth was I wasn't interested in it. I let my flying and scorecard do the talking for me. Ware tried to bait me in the media by making comments about how he was the superior pilot, and when I injured my leg and couldn't fly anymore he made it a point to say how it proved he was the superior pilot because he would have never allowed himself to get injured."
"Looks like we have a real piece of work on our hands," Ortiz said after exhaling a long breath.
"We're stuck with him for lack of better words and he's an admiral so keep that in mind, he won't be quite as easy to usurp as Commander Charka was," Thomas said.
"Yeah," Ortiz said almost absently before adding, "We're all needed on the hangar deck for his arrival. Dress Greys are in order so you may want to be ready for it."
Thomas laughed, "I'll make sure I put on my best smile and not give that bastard a reason to throw me in the brig."
Ark Royal, Brig:
Ortiz wasted little time in getting into her Dress Greys for the arrival of Admiral Ware but there was one stop she wanted to make before she found her way to the hangar. She had wondered if she would do this now or later and her mind told her that now was as good a time as any to get this particular chore out of the way.
The Marine guard had left the room leaving her alone with the sole occupant of the brig, the man she had just recently relieved of command.
Commander Caden Charka looked at her with an amused look in his eye. "You dressed up to come pay me a visit."
Ortiz looked down at her dress uniform and then back at him. "Don't flatter yourself; I didn't get dressed up for your benefit."
"A pity, so then what is it that requires you to break out your best uniform?" he asked.
"If you really must know, we made contact with the Battlestar Basilisk and Admiral Gary Ware is on board. He's coming over for a little visit to this fine ship," she said.
Charka's eyes lit up in recognition. "Well, you certainly wasted no time in finding someone higher up on the food chain to come see you; let's hope Admiral Ware doesn't cross you or else I might find myself with some company in this cell."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were so lonely," she retorted.
"Oh it's not that, I actually thought I would be joined by Colonel Killian," Charka admitted.
Ortiz wanted to make a sarcastic comment but thought better of it, "I'm keeping Colonel Killian on as my XO; he's assured me that he has my loyalty and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt."
"That's nice of you, Ortiz; I'd hate to think that you would do something so crazy as to throw someone in the brig who didn't belong," Charka said with his voice still keeping a civil tone of voice.
"If he gives me a reason not to trust him then he'll be keeping you company," she assured him.
"The crazy thing is that I believe in the idea that there is an action that results from our decisions, and while it may not be realized right away that doesn't mean it's not going to come around one day," he said.
"Is that some kind of threat you're telling me philosophically?" she asked.
"You can judge me by my actions and perhaps in hindsight I let the situation get the better of me; but the fact remains that you unlawfully stripped me of my command and imprisoned me. Right now you can strut around in your dress uniform and proclaim yourself the boss here on the Ark but there may come a time when you and I could easily trade places," he said without a hint of menace to his voice.
"Well that could happen, Charka, but for the time being you're where you are and I'm where I am, and I have no intention of ever trading places with you," she said as she turned and left the brig.
Charka waited until she was gone before he said, "Enjoy your time on top, I'm a very patient man."
Thirty Minutes Later:
Ark Royal, Hangar Deck:
The ship's company looked immaculate as they gathered on the hangar deck for the welcoming for Admiral Ware. Commander Ortiz looked around and was pleased that both the officers and enlisted personnel looked presentable as though there was the anticipated inspection of a flag officer.
"Looks like everything has come together," she said to Colonel Killian.
"Chief Lancaster got this place spotless in no time, I think he went above and beyond," Killian responded.
"Commander, is it true that we found Admiral Ware?" Major Hunter asked.
Ortiz nodded. "That's correct, CAG, if you believe the hype then we have ourselves a living legend about to step onboard."
Captain Stark was standing beside Hunter and whispered, "Are you going to shake his hand and ask him for an autograph?"
Hunter thought of something to respond with and quickly whispered back, "If it was Leon Delroy you'd shake his hand, get an autograph, hug him, try to kiss him, and then propose marriage."
Stark narrowed her eyes at him. "I would have you know that I'd propose marriage first."
Hunter let out a small laugh. He knew that Alisa Stark was a fan of pyramid star Leon Delroy, going back to when he was a member of the Picon Panthers. When he signed a lucrative contract with the Gemenon Twins she contemplated changing her loyalty, but decided she would find a way to cheer for both teams.
"Quiet down," Ortiz chided.
"Yes, ma'am," Hunter said.
"Yes, ma'am," Stark said as well.
"Admiral Ware has arrived," the voice of Lieutenant Horace Westerby announced from his station in Air Traffic Control.
Ortiz was quick to call the crew to attention and she waited as the Raptor containing Admiral Ware was brought to the hangar deck. The deck gang maneuvered it into place where it would be possible for Ware to step directly onto the red carpet that Chief Lancaster had found to use for the occasion.
She watched as the Raptor's hatch opened and out stepped a man in wearing the uniform of a Commander followed by a man wearing the uniform of a Major. After what seemed an eternity Admiral Ware stepped out in his Dress Greys with the sash adorned with a large number of medals that he had accumulated during his military career. He stood there taking in the sight of the Ark Royal and its crew standing before him.
"At ease," he finally shouted so that all in the hangar could hear him. It was then that he finally stepped down and walked the red carpet to the spot where Ortiz, Killian, Hunter, and Stark were standing.
"Admiral Ware," Ortiz said as she snapped off a salute to the flag officer, "It is an honor to have you onboard the Ark Royal."
Ware returned the salute then smiled at her. "Commander Ortiz, I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to me to find that there are other survivors."
"I have taken the liberty of having the Admiral's Mess prepared for you and your people," she said.
"I knew you would make sure you did the right thing," Ware said before taking a step back and raising his voice, "Crew of the Ark Royal, I could not be happier to have come across you and your ship. I cannot imagine what all you have been through since the Cylons attacked. However, I give you my solemn word as a flag officer in the Colonial Fleet that we shall do what we can to avenge the losses that we have suffered since those metal bastards attacked us without warning and without mercy. With every fiber of my being we shall take the offensive. Gods willing, we will drive the Cylons away from our home worlds and make sure they stay gone this time! I will do everything I can to make sure you wear that uniform with pride in a manner that befits a Colonial warrior. Take the time to rejoice because your salvation has arrived!"
The crew erupted in a series of cheers and Ware stood there taking in the moment. He could feel the need for the crew of the Ark Royal to have a purpose to believe in; otherwise they would merely be drifting aimlessly. He could only imagine that they had been on the run since the Cylons attacked. Now that he was here they would be going on the offense instead of trying to hide. He would give them a purpose instead of mere survival, and they would be successful as long as they followed his orders.
Author's Note: The character of Admiral Gary Ware and the Battlestar Basilisk were both introduced in 'Battlestar Victorious: Volume One'. Their appearance in the story will hopefully provide a part of what happened before their paths crossed with the Victorious.
