Zeke: You're looking a little grumpy this morning DR...

DR: Gee, I wonder why...

Zeke: Huh?

DR: Take a look around...

(Zeke looks around the room. Harry and Hermione are making out on a sofa. Kaylee's curled up on Simon's lap. Another sofa contains O'Neill and Carter at one end, Sheppard and Weir at the other and Teyla and Ronon in the centre. Mal and Inara are in one corner, while Brad and Naomi are in another. Vega and Miranda are in another sofa chair, while further back are Athena and Achilles)

DR: Bit, Leena, Leon, Sarah, Van, Fiona, Raven and Resse are all upstairs in their rooms, doing more than 'Making Out' I reckon. Apollo took his new gunship into orbit, taking Sheba with him. Jaina's done the same with Jag, using her fathers ship, and I'm pretty sure I spotted Jacen being dragged onboard by Danni. Heck, even the cars are getting some!

(Draws back curtain to reveal Lightning and Sally parked beneath a tree, bumper to bumper)

DR: Now, why do you think I'm a little grumpy?

Zeke:...

Chapter 27: Setting the Stage

"The situation continues to deteriorate. All the outer planets and moons have descended into open revolt against the Unified Alliance Government, and several central planets are also blighted by rebellion." Achilles sat, stone faced, as the clearly Alliance controlled reporter continued to speak. "The government has declared that we are in a State of Emergency, and as a result have been forced to declare Martial Law, until this current crisis has ended.

"Reports continue to come in of dissidents and looters attacking honest Alliance citizens and places of work, before fleeing into blackout zones before Federal Forces can arrest them. It is unknown at this time just how many people have been killed in these brutal attacks on civilisation."

Achilles snorted. 'Spin Doctors' were the worst scum produced by politicians, in his opinion. The only things lower were traitors.

While it was true that several criminal elements were using the rebellion as a cover for their own criminal activities, they didn't know that Achilles would be after them too, once the Alliance fell. He smiled as he recalled the speech he'd given to the various crews of the assortment of ships that made up the 'Fleet' he was currently leading. He had explained, in no uncertain terms, that any ship or crew that committed acts of piracy, looting or kidnapping would be burned out of the sky by his own crew. The goal was to topple the top levels of the Alliance, not bring the entire system crashing down into anarchy. Several captains had protested, but Achilles was not swayed. If they were to fight alongside Colonial Warriors, they had to keep to the same standard and principles as them. Any who broke that trust, would face their wrath.

As a result, they had lost a few ships, but Achilles would not compromise on his morals. Nor would any of his crew.

Which was why he had ordered that a close watch be kept on all 'allied' ships, along with those who left before the fleet departed for Osiris.

His thoughts turned to Athena, prompting a sad smile to form on his face. They had only one night, and then their ships had parted ways again. The scientists had cracked the codes for the Nightbringers computer core, and all the data had spilled out. Including the location of the Alliance's secret base where the ships were built... and where they created their 'super' soldiers. While they had both wished to remain together a little – okay, a lot – longer, duty called. They had both known that their duties as Colonial Warriors would sometimes get in the way of their relationship.

After skimming over the data, both of them had been furious. Anger had burned like cold fire in their veins. They had quickly put together a strike against the site, with overwhelming firepower. The entire marine force was going, along with all their zoid support and both the Rosetta and the Phoenix. Serenity was also going; River was singularly determined to extract revenge. Achilles had seen a copy of the examination report. He understood.

While his mind drifted, the reporter had continued to speak the Alliance scripted report. Achilles was only really watching it to see what his foes wanted people to think. Then the reported mentioned a 'fleet', which brought his attention back.

"...continue to abound. The Minister of Security has issued a statement, saying 'that while a number of pirate ships are joining to together for a raid on Osiris, the rumours of a fleet are totally false. The Alliance fleet will destroy these straggling pirates with ease. Nevertheless, rumour mongers and dissents continue to spread false information in an attempt to destabilise our entire way of life'. The Minister of Public Concern has stated that these actions are 'an unprecedented assault on the values of our society' before urging anyone with information concern someone involved in such activities to come forward and speak to a member of the Federal Law Enforcement Division. 'By coming forward now, we can prevent the real threats from growing, while sorting out those who are no threat.'"

Achilles shook his head as he cut off the feed, not so much at the actual words but the way they were spoken and delivered. On the surface they were perfectly reasonable, but they could be used by a regime to control, intimidate and monitor a people ruthlessly. And Achilles already had enough proof of this regime's ruthlessness and capacity for depravity.

The door chime sounded. "Enter." Achilles called.

The hatch slid open to reveal Apollo. Achilles stood to greet him.

"All settled in Major?" He asked as they clasped wrists.

Apollo shrugged. "Just about. But it seems so... quiet, without Hera." A pained look entered his eyes. "We decided to let the Blitz look after her while we're away."

Achilles nodded slowly. "She'll be okay Apollo. One more won't make much difference to their brood. Besides, their home is practically hallowed ground now." After they both were sat across the desk from each other, Achilles leaned forwards, resting his arms on the surface. "Have you read the reports I forwarded to you?"

Apollo nodded grimly. "Yes, we did. Sheba practically hit the hull when she was going over the integration of your officer captive." He shook his head slowly. "What those people did, what they intended..."

"I know. It sickens me too." Achilles sighed. "Athena's taken her ship, and the Phoenix, to put a stop to their plans. We can not afford the Alliance building more of those ships."

Apollo shivered. He'd felt a chill when he'd run through the battle log of the engagement with the Nightbringer. While not as dangerous as a Cylon ship of similar size, the Alliance craft could inflict a lot of damage. Against the unshielded, thin-hulled craft that anyone else in the system could put up... it didn't bear thinking about.

"That's partly why I decided to keep you and your gunships here, with us." Achilles continued. "We have information that the Alliance is gathering every ship it can over the capital world to form an armada to crush us." A small smile flickered at the corners of Achilles mouth. "I expect that any other Nightbringers will be shadowing that fleet, to ensure our destruction. If so, I plan to engage them directly, keeping them away from the rest of the fleet."

Apollo nodded. "We need them to give us legitimacy."

"Exactly. From what we gathered, I doubt they'll be able to handle your gunships very well." Achilles smiled now. "They are an impressive design."

Apollo grinned. "Fly much better than Freedom did too."

"And better armed." Achilles looked down at a reader he'd looked at before. "Four interchangeable pilot controlled weapon ports, four twin laser turrets, and a pair of turbolaser turrets. Plus the variable payload bays." He looked up at Apollo. "That's a lot of firepower at your control. Much more and you'll be commanding a warship like your sister."

Apollo chuckled along with Achilles. "Not for me. I'm best when I'm a pilot."

"Thinking about that, how'd Sheba get demoted to being a co-pilot?"

"She didn't. She volunteered to be mine during the evaluation period."

"Thought she already was yours."

"Hey!" The two old friends laughed in good humour. "Seriously, it's really only until we return home and make our report. Adama and Cain both agreed that having two experienced combat pilots in one craft would give the best evaluation."

Achilles nodded. "So once they're commissioned, you'll be flying one full time?"

"Most likely, while Sheba will return to her Viper. If they work out, the proposed plan is for this ship to get a half dozen, while both Galactica and Pegasus will get a full squadron of eighteen, as will the station for system defence and patrol.."

"Half the number of Vipers in a squadron I see." Achilles smirked. "How are those two ships doing anyway? Refits going well?"

Apollo grinned. "Nearly done when we left. Galactica's a little ahead, but they should both be back in the fray within a couple of weeks. When complete, either one will be able to take on a Basestar with ease."

Achilles smiled. "And I suppose, as the head of all Fighter Operations, you insisted on them both having as many craft as could be squeezed into them?"

Apollo smiled. "Of course. Only this time, they will be loaded. Thanks to the factories Sire Masters put at our disposal we've been able to build a number of new Vipers. We're going to establish two more Viper-Bomber squadrons too, so we'll have one each for the station and the battlestars."

"About time." Achilles quipped. "The Cylons won't know what hit them, next time they come around."

Apollo grinned. "No, they won't." His grin faltered. "You really think they'll come back?"

"Don't you?" Achilles sighed. "They'll never stop hunting us Apollo. They've all but told us as such. I found the sudden Peace Treaty rather odd and suspicious, but I hoped that it was just my Scorpia heritage showing up again."

Apollo said nothing, conceding the point. He could still see the remembered pain and defeat in Achilles eyes.

"We'll be ready for them, next time."

Achilles looked up. "Oh, we will."

X-X-X-X-X-X

Above the capital world of Osiris, the supposed seat of the Alliance Government, a fleet of vessels gathered. They could be seen from the surface, a collection of jewels in the sky. But to those with long memories the sight stirred dark feelings. This was the largest gathering of ships since the height of the Unity War.

In the centre of the formation, five Judgement class cruisers idled. Stood at the forward command podium, the Admiral glared out into space, the riding crop he carried held tight at the small of his back.

An ensign approached. "Sir? The last two ships have arrived."

"At last..." the Admiral breathed. "Now we can finally crush those scum-blooded Browncoat rebels once and for all. Open a line to all ships."

As the crew prepared to broadcast his words, Admiral Koyotan made one last discreet check that his new rank insignia was at the correct position and angle; it would not be right for the new Chief of Staff to appear before his troops in a dishevelled state. As the light came on, he began.

"All ships, this is Admiral Koyotan. Our mission is paramount for the safety of the Alliance. The collection of rag-tag ships we face is small, composed of scum-sucking smugglers and the other dregs of the underclass. This attack is a last desperate gasp of defiance of an ignorant, misguided people. However, if they are permitted to strike at our capital, then our great and noble civilisation will be rocked and scarred. We can not let them destroy everything that has been built over the last ten years. Our goal is nothing less than the total destruction of every ship that has the audacity to oppose the Alliance's rule.

"There have been rumours of some of our own ships joining these scum. If this is true, then you are ordered to fire on those ships without mercy. Any ship which does not fire on the enemy will be considered a traitor to the Alliance, and will be dealt with there and then, with lethal force.

"Somehow, these maggots have acquired an old ship, likely an old colony craft, which makes a very convincing show of force using a fancy light show. But it is a toothless tiger. That ship is to be destroyed, regardless of the cost. The rebels have made it a symbol; destroy that symbol, and we will break them, forever.

"Now, all ships... break orbit and follow me to glorious victory!"

The five Judgements moved first, with the Unity's next. Over the next couple of seconds all the others began to move, creating a vast armada that slowly eased away from the planet, and headed out...

DR: All the pieces are in place now. The Alliance will begin to suffer... Galactic justice is coming....