Don't own BSG! Nor am I making any money from this. However, I hope you guys are enjoying this..again more plot..but soon a breather to learn more about Evelyn ^^ thank you to those who have reviewed, and I hope to hear more comments soon.

Coloniel Heavy 798 floated softly in the dark outreaches of space, like a leaf on water. Serene, the blue engine afterburners fired brightly at intervals, pushing the ship towards some unknown destination. Beside it, a tiny vessel, an old Mark 2 Viper flew beside it in parade, its size compared to the other ship tiny and insignificant, almost like a mosquito. No outward sign was given to show the terror and panic that was held inside.

In the cockpit of the large ship, the pilot looked at a printout with dismay, the news cataclysmic. The co-pilots glanced at him, curious to what he was reading. They all expected bad news. Before anyone could ask the question that danced on the tips of their tongues, a soft knock sounded at the cockpit door.

Reaching out to open it, the Pilot gave Laura a terrified look as she slipped into the tiny space, his face pale and sweaty. "Y-yes?" he asked, a tremble shaking his normally strong voice.

Her eyes were sympathetic as she gazed into his own, his pain reflected back at him. "One of the passengers has, um, a short-wave wireless…" She swallowed thickly. "They—uh—heard a report that Caprica's been nuked. Is-um-is there any truth in it?"

The pilot hesitated, his gaze flickering down to the shaking paper before going back up to hers once more. "Caprica…and three other colonies." The words were like a death knell to the woman. Grabbing the paper he held out to her, she slumped into the co-pilot's seat, the breath knocked out of her. Sniffling, he continued to speak. "I guess…I-um-I guess I should make an announcement…or something…" Laura glanced up at him, noting his shock. Rallying herself, she stood up, grasping his hand comfortingly.

"I'll do it. I'm a member of the cabinet. Guess I had better start acting like one." Exhaling loudly, her expression grew thoughtful. "I need to…to contact the Ministry of Civil Defense. See what I can do to help."

The pilot nodded absently. His next words almost muttered to himself. "…Can't believe this is really happening…"

Laura let out an almost cynical laugh. "Yeah, it's been a helluva couple of days." He gave her a quizzical look. Shaking her head, she walked out, her shoulders squared and ready to deliver the catastrophic news.

"Viper One-Nine, clear forward."

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn flicked a few switches before her eyes landed on her decorations. Two talismans and a locket dangled from a small, empty space on her control panel. Touching the silver medallion, she sent a prayer for her mother's soul to the gods, her blue eyes fierce and determined. In her mind the image of her smiling mother's face gave her strength, the cylons would pay.

Continuing her pre-launch checks another face came to mind, the face of her wingman, Burner. Dead from the first wave, Evelyn was faced for the first time a battle without him since being on Galactica. Known for his habit of setting his afterburners on fire after landing, he had been a good friend to her, a steady influence. She couldn't stop the niggle of doubt with her ability without him beside her.

But she squashed it. She had to fight…for him…for her mother…for everyone…

The launch officer made her final checks. "…Nav-Con green…interval check…thrust positive and…steady. Goodbye." The old style Viper roared down the tube in a matter of seconds. Streaking away from the Battlestar, it turned and joined up with ten more Vipers, space borne and assembling in a defensive position.

"Galactica…Viper One-Seven. Ready."

Starbuck sat in the cockpit of the Viper, geared up and eager to join the others.

"Viper One-Seven…clear forward…Nav-Con green…interval check…thrust positive, and…" The launch officer made her final check and noticed something wrong. "…fluctuating. Abort launch." Kara's temper was right on the verge of boiling over. Biting her lip, she used the pain to gain back some of her control and deactivates various controls in the cockpit.

"Viper One-Seven, copy that. Throttle down, tube safe."

The hatch behind the plane opened, revealing Tyrol and two of his deck crew racing in. Popping the Canopy, Kara pulled off her helmet, glaring death at the Chief as he pulled off the engine cowling and began poking around the inside of the Viper.

"Three Fracking aborts, Chief," she snarled at him viciously.

"We're on it, sir," he said before turning to one of his hands. "It's the pressure reg valve again."

"We should pull it," came Socinus' reply.

The other deck hand, Prosna shook his head. "Don't have a spare."

Before he could say anymore, the overhead speakers hummed.

"Attention. Inbound DRADIS contact, rated highly probable enemy fighter. All hands stand-by for battle maneuvers."

Starbuck looked down at the deck gang. "LET'S GO!" she yelled, eager to get out and join the battle. Slamming on her helmet, she listened to the wireless chatter while Tyrol struggled to fix the engine. Tense and ready to leap out and strangle someone, Kara barely restrained herself, the chatter causing her to worry.

"This is Speedster, I have lead. All Vipers form up on me."

"What if we just pulled the valve and bypass the whole system?" Socinus asked.

"Speedster, Galactica, Contact bearing 234-198, speed 7 decimal 5, range 601 and closing."

Prosna shook his head. "Can't do that, the relay'll blow a—"

"Copy that, we've acquired the target." There was a slight pause in the radio. "I have weapons lock. Firing."

"It'll hold, I'm telling you. I put that relay in myself," Socinus replied heatedly.

"No good—Damn! Look at him move." Kara tore the helmet off her head, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"How much longer, Chief?"

Evelyn's voice came over the radio. "Voodoo…I can't…I can't get a lock…"

"Pull the valve." Chief's voice cut over Evelyn's voice.

Battlestar Galactica was an old ship. A veteran from a battle that still resonated with the people. By the Helm Console, Commander Adama watched the battle through the DRADIS, his eyes intent, focused. Four Helmsmen sat near him, in front of controls that moved the ship. In front of each of them was two handgrip controllers which controlled eight thruster burners at various parts of the ship. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Adama looked over at his XO, by the tactical console. He needed to move the ship, he needed to keep the people around him safe.

"Engines all ahead full!" he shouted over everyone's chatter, including the wireless.

"Ahead full, sir," Colonel Tigh reported. "Engines report ahead full."

Adama nodded and turned his attention to the helmsmen. "Bow up half, forward right one quarter, stern left full."

In the launch tube, Starbuck screamed at the deck gang to hurry. She could hear people she had spent years serving with dying, knowing that if she had been out there, their deaths would have been avoided. Socinus and Prosna gently pulled the recalcitrant valve out of the Viper engine, all under the watchful eye of Chief Tyrol. Replacing the cowling, Prosna gave the all clear signal.

"Ready!" he yelled.

"Clear the tube!" the Chief yelled, and the gang raced out as the hatch began to close. Muttering angrily to herself, Kara replaced her helmet and began her start up procedures for, hopefully, the last time.

"Galactica, Viper One-Seven ready!"

"Interval check, thrust positive and…steady. Goodbye." The Viper roared down the Launch tube, eager to join the fight.

Evelyn's heart pounded in her ear as she lost herself to the thrum of action. It was strangely quiet, or at least she thought so as she flipped the Viper end for end to chase one of the Cylons. Muffled, she could hear herself talking, telling the Battlestar her stats, aiming and firing, only to miss the enemy.

It was so slow…why? She could see each movement, she could feel herself adjusting and countering it, but it was just so slow.

A ship shot past her…Starbuck…