Picon Fleet Headquarters, 2 Weeks Later

"Well Bill, your pilot's little discovery has got the politicians who know about it either jumping for joy or running for the bunkers" Fleet Admiral David Nagala told the Commander. Ten years Adama's Junior, when he had joined the fleet, the first thing he been told after 'Those shoes aren't shiny enough recruit' were tales of Bill Adama, the Caprican who made Ace in his first battle. It was actually part of that that led to Nagala signing off on the Adama's and Saul Tigh's reintegration with the fleet.

"What I want to know Sir is how we'll be proceeding from here. Finding alien technology doesn't exactly happen every day"

"No it doesn't happen every day that's why Bill, these are yours" Nagala said as he placed a small box on the desk. Curious Bill opened it to find the two insignia of a rear admiral. While Bill was still surprised Nagala stood up and stuck out his hand "Congratulations Admiral Adama"

"Thank you sir" Admiral Adama replied as he stood and took his commander's hand "But what about Valkyrie sir. Rear Admirals typically don't command baby battlestars"

"That's why Bill you're heading off to take over BSG-75"

"Isn't that just Galactica Sir" Adama asked with a confused look on his face

"Not any more, I've convinced President Adar and the Quorum to let us bring eight battlestar groups back into service in case our first alien contact is less then pleasant, one immediately and the rest over the next two years. You'll have command over a full group, six escortstars, two Valkyries and Galactica until she's decommissioned" Nagala replied with a smug grin on his face. He had painted the worst possible scenario for the politicians, namely that considering the size of the colossal object, how big and powerful would their military be. Eight battlestar groups were rather small to a fleet of 50 such groups, but it was a reverse from the last two decades of cuts and Nagala was willing to take that for now. Of course though, if the alien's military actually was hugely big and powerful then he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.

"Hmm, about time the Quorum listened to us but what about after Galactica goes to the boneyard"

"Actually Bill, they're turning her into a museum to the Cylon War but once she's left the fleet you and most of the Galactica's crew will be transferred to the Leviathan"

"Leviathan's a Mercury class isn't she Sir" Bill was exited at that prospect. Mercuries were currently the most powerful ships in the fleet and all of them served as the flagships of battlestar groups. Although he would be sad to see the Galactica go, at least she wasn't heading off to rot in the boneyard with the other ships of her class. For the newly minted Admiral Galactica was a step up from Valkyrie, Leviathan however would effectively be a leap into orbit.

"Yes she is. Leviathan is the first Mercury to be built with the Mark 4 upgrades already installed"

"Admiral, you know my opinions on…"

"I know Bill" Nagala interrupted "But I am going to ask you, just this one time, don't rip apart her computers apart. The Mark 4 upgrades include several dozen manual security systems. So if you run into trouble you can manually separate the computers at the pull of a lever. But with the new firewalls you probably won't ever need to do that and if that still doesn't satisfy you I can always make this an order" Nagala really didn't want to have this conversation, which would probably become an argument within a few minutes. Adama's views on computer networks were relics from an age when such fears were valid. With modern firewalls and safeguards the fleet's ships could operate with live computer networks with very little risk from Cylon viruses.

"Very well then Sir but if we end up fighting the Cylons I'm pulling the plug as soon as something goes wrong" Adama conceded with a heavy voice

"Thank you. Finally once you've taken over Leviathan you and your new fleet will relieve the flotilla currently guarding the object"

"Who's in command there currently"

"Commander Jacob Gram, he's a good kid. Probably go far in the long run"

"Well then Sir. I'll report to Galactica then" Adama stood up and saluted

Admiral Nagala stood and returned it "Good luck Bill"

Caprica, Later That Day

Gaius Baltar was a happy man. He was young, smart, rich and he'd just had what he would call his best frak in years. As Gina lay beside him, Gaius let his eyes wander along her body, taking in every curve and tone present. He was still lying there when his doorbell pinged.

Grumbling in annoyance, Gaius quickly got his pants back on followed a moment later by a ruffled shirt. Striding to the door, he took a moment to compose himself, although he would like to blast whoever had ruined his moment it wouldn't do anything for his public image if he did so.

The doorbell rang again and Gaius called out "Be there in one moment, hold on"

When he opened the door, he found two men in black suits standing outside, one was tall and thin and the other was of similar height but appeared to be at least double the weight of his fellow.

"Can I help you gentlemen" the Scientist asked

"Yes Doctor Baltar" The thin one replied "We've been dispatched to bring you to a secure facility for a briefing"

"Briefing, briefing about what"

"I was merely told to inform you of a Krypter-Delta-Blue"

"I'm sorry what" Baltar's voice had suddenly changed completely. Instead of his usual confident tone he now spoke in a firm voice that several of his colleagues knew as he put on when he was focusing on a task.

"Krypter-Delta-Blue Doctor" The fatter man spoke this time "I don't know what it means but we were informed that you would know"

"Ah yes, yes I do. Know what it means, that is. I'll need to grab a few things though do you mind staying out here for a few minutes"

"Go ahead Doctor" the thinner one replied

Baltar almost flew back into the house. He needed his personal computer, a few changes of clothes and what else… oh he needed to tell Sara that he would be heading out for a few days.

Bursting into the bedroom, causing the blonde to jolt out of bed, Gaius quickly dived to the floor to retrieve the suitcase he kept under his bed.

"Gaius what's going on?" she asked

"Defence Ministry, they want me to have a look at something and I'll probably be gone for a few days" the Scientist replied as he placed half a dozen shirts and pants into the case.

"Is it serious, you're rushing around like a madman"

"No, not at all, I'll be back before you notice" Gaius gave her a quick kiss and then he had dashed to his office, with the suitcase sliding on the polished floor and half a minute later he was back at the door with his computer in one hand, being led by the two men to a waiting car.

"Krypter-Delta-Blue" was something the Baltar had honestly never expected to hear. Due to his work with the Defence Ministry he had been approached to sign up for a plan that would allow the government to call on him to study any non-colonial technology that was discovered. Krypter-Delta-Blue, was the code word to alert him as to what he should expect, although truthfully for the first time in his life, Gaius Baltar was completely clueless.

Author's Notes

Okay so this was a short chapter but it was just a quick one to set the scene for the next chapter, which will be far greater both in words and significance to the storyline. Hopefully those few who have added this to their favourite's list will enjoy this chapter but like most writers I want reviews, not only do they give me pointers but they give me a much needed self esteem boost.

Also, this update a day after the last will be an anomaly. After this you can expect the story to be updated every 3-10 days.