Disclaimers : See Chapter 1

Lost Tribes

Part 24

"No way can you do that madam." The Sgt said thinking the Lt. Was insane.

"Just get ready Sgt. I think I can lever it off. The bar here will do the work." she lied." On 3 ... 1..2..3 now Sgt. I cannot keep it balanced long. "She held the massive beam up her legs straining. It was painful enough that for a moment she forgot they were not hers. Once the crewmen was free she kicked the damaged beam away and rolled over to check him. Broken ribs and left leg he'd live. "Let's get this crewmen to the life center." She hardly noticed the look of awe and fear in the eyes of the men she saved.

Poseidon brought his ship to bear firing his missiles. They took out 2 Cylon tankers giving the raiders no place to refuel. This Cylon fleet might have only had 2 base ships but it had massive support. The battle is a long one.

Athena manned the bridge. She was most unhappy when Aries headed for a fighter. However his last command shocked her to her core." Colonel you have the bridge. "He waved his xo after him every pilot be needed. Yet he trusted her with the Command of his ship. While Athena rather is in a viper she knew she keeps his ship safe. It was an honor to be so trusted. Not that she did not plan o ripping into her lover upon his return. He should have asked first after all she was scared to death of messing up." Launch the squadrons have the attack shuttles out to we need to scan for life pods." there was little hope but Athena did it anyway. "Lock on to that tanker fire at will missiles 1 and 3"

Nail was pleased the humans were off balance and reacting not planning. he had more success in the last centar then the whole Cylon fleet in a yearn. Soon he be more than a simple bronze centurion.

The quakes shook Amazonia and Azguard. Each day the home worlds grew more unstable. Micah began ordering the evacuation. Their time had run out. The planets were dying and about to destroy themselves. He had enough ships to save almost everyone. However many were refusing to leave. The very old or those who'd followed Paulus. he sighed almost grateful for that. Because it spared him having to decide who lived or died...

--

Nail looked up Unable to believe what he was seeing. The small fighter craft were all converging on his sister ship. It had already been hit by various missiles but the vipers and other craft were moving in for the kill.
He ordered a retreat unwilling to sacrifice himself. After all he was too valuable to waste.

--
RoAnn helped bring the wounded to the life center once there she scrubbed to help. Cassiopeia was about to send her out when it became clear there was no choice. There were just too many wounded for the doctors of the Galactica to handle alone.

RoAnn flew through the surgeries. For the first time in her life she was not exhausted. She already healed several wounded. Then Rorke was carried in. She wanted to scream. he been badly burned. His ship had been caught in a pinwheel attack. She ran to him. Without thinking she took his injured face into her hand. The healing power flowed through her. She did not care who saw or what they say. The Techs of the GALACTCA backed away in sheer terror. Her healing touch restored his broken body to some extent. She was now drained. For the moment it was all she could do. He at least is able to rest. Fumbling she used a hypo to inject pain killers. At least he lives and that was all she cared about. For the first time she understood why he stayed by her side despite everything.

Colonel Tyson froze as he got the news of his son's injury. He did not move for a centon. He tried to focus but he was afraid and terrified. The ship Rorke had been in had crashed into the GALACTICA 's landing bay. Only the quick thinking of her crew prevented the ship from doing any major damage. He sent a quick message to his wife and returned to his duties. He help his son best by driving the cylons away.

Rorke awoke screaming in pain. He felt RoAnn' s gentle touch and the sting of a hypo and then he felt nothing at all. He was in the healing sleep.

Cassiopeia came out of surgery to get the next patient. She spotted RoAnn with Rorke. She watched fascinated by the special talent RoAnn possessed. She also saw her friend's sheer terror and almost losing her beloved. The burns had covered over 70 percent of Rorke's body. In fact Cassie could not see how anyone would have recognized the injured pilot. She assumed it was a special bond between the 2. She understood in a way she knows Starbuck anywhere. Cassiopeia ran over as RoAnn rocked and passed out. Cassiopeia barely caught her as she fell. It took 2 techs to get RoAnn on a stretcher beside her love. Cassiopeia did a quick scan and realized it was just exhaustion. After all for all RoAnn denied it she herself was still healing. Once she was certain her friend were safe she began treating the next batch of wounded.

Roma was angry the cylons had interrupted her first real night sleep since the twins had been born. They were finally almost sleeping through the night. She moved her ship forward locking her missile on the nearest tanker. It was fueling several raider and they exploded with it. She grinned in satisfaction.
Atraties was in the engine room working franticly to get more power to his ship. He was tired and like Roma was highly annoyed with the cylons for waking him up. He drove his crews to push the envelope. The added power allowed Roma to pull off an impossible move. They did a barrel roll and came down firing on the base ships top.

Adama and Cain almost fell out of their cockpits. Never had they seen such a large ship pull such a maneuver.

"By all that's Holy...Adama did you see that!!" Cain called

"I see it but I do not believe it. I think we need to get out of here. "

" Adama's right everyone pull back Roma's going to ripe it apart with her missiles. Boy she must be pissed." Noah said

He was chuckling because he knew from Atraties that they hoped the twins would sleep the night through. The last time Roma did a stunt like that was at Yaner Pirate colony. She cut the Star destroyer in 2. The reason then had been that the pirate leader promised to capture her and kill her husband. Yes, it really was not wise to piss her off.

Commander Roma's maneuver took the cylons by complete surprise. Her ships missile batteries ripped thought the base ship. Even Cain was in shock as he watched the base ship be cut in half. He made a mental note to have a long talk with Roma. He was wondering if a battle star could pull off such a move.

The ships were all loaded and Micah gave the order. They were leaving. Leaving the twin worlds of Azguard and Amazonia. The land was ripping itself apart. Floods and fires raged. There was no way to stop the curse the dark one had begun. The ships launched and as they existed the system watched in horror as the sun and worlds exploded. There was no trace of humans sever being there. The fleet wept but praised Micah as the Savior of their branch of humanity. Micah wept and ran to his quarters unable to bear the praise for doing such a thing. He the destroyer of the 12 colonies of man had saved their lost brothers. The irony was not lost on him. 2 worlds saved so he only owed 10more...he wept and truly repented.

Mira walked over to her husband. She embraced him as he wept. There was nothing she could really say to comfort him.

She waited until he calmed down and said" You are my husband father of our children the savior of our race. Whoever you were before is no more. Baltar the traitor died today. He died when you saved our nation. Micah will lead this fleet after Jashua and we will rejoin our people. Then together we will save the remaining people in the colonies. They will never know who you were. Commandant Able trusted you to do this thing. You must let the past go or you will fail. Fail and we will all perish." She held him as he slowly accepted what she said. Baltar was dead he was Micah and he had to start believing in himself for his family and new nation.

Eve was caught in the crossfire. He Jaguar badly damaged. She flew fighting for control of her ship." Adama I am in trouble I'm going to eject." She hit the button and the escape pod flew free. She hit her head and was out cold.

"Eve!!" Adama cried out Her ship exploded and Adama could not tell if she survived...

Eve's escape pod was blown clear. The blast had caused her to hit her head and black out. The various pilots franticly began to look for her. She could not respond and was in grave need of medical attention.

Cain scanned and picked up the pods signature he raced toward the pos as a raider closed in to destroy it. He fired counting on is skill. He not fail his friend. The Cylon was blasted to Hades but the blast further damaged the pod. Cain quickly locked the tractor beam on to the pod." Adama I have her. I headed for the Lightning it's the closest ship."

Adama let out a cry of relief. He knew he could not go through losing another wife. " I owe you Cain." He said simply.

Cain said nothing he fully understood. He raced to the lighting and carefully landed. Adama and Noah on his heels. The emergency crews came rushing forward with fire extinguishers. He caught Adama as he raced to his wife's pod." Easy Adama let them work."

He was pushed aside not that he expected anything less. He hoped to protect his friend. He followed and watched as a battered and seriously injured Commander Eve was removed from the life pod. Her body was burnt and bleeding. There was clearly severe damage.

The med techs moved in and attempted to stabilize her condition. It was not an easy task. One looked up at Adama and said" We need to take her now sir. It's her only chance."

Adama nodded and followed he prayed as never before. He gladly trade places. Tears flowed freely down his face. Tigh had landed and walked to his friend his hand rested on his shoulder. There was nothing they could do but let the techs work and get her to Diana.

On board the Dragon Star there were fires raging. Athena calmly directed fire crews to the most critical areas. She was glad when Aries reentered the bridge. While she did not mind running the show his presence reassured her greatly. He looked tired and had a few small burns. Athena knew he returned because his ship had been hit not because he lacked faith in her ability to lead. She rose and went to him. She took his burnt hand and kissed it. Knowing full well he not see medical treatment until all his people were treated. She gently reached for a first aid kit and cleansed the wounds. Many of the bridge crew smiled. Normally they all but had to knock the commander out to get him to the medical bay. Yet he stood there giving orders and most importantly allowing Athena to tend his wounds.

The battle was slowly winding down. With no place to refuel or rearm the cylons were being blasted away. The biggest problem was that they were now suicidal. However the modifications to the civilian ships cut down on the damage.

Atraties seriously considered locking his wife in their room. He had cause. He was turning grey because of her stunts. He should have expected she pull that maneuver when she demanded more power. He got up slowly. He had at least three cracked ribs. He had flown across the engine room. His staff looked at him silently begging he reign in his crazy wife. he Grinned. That be like catching a moon beam. It was stunts like that that had made her a commander. They crew was secretly proud of her but like Atraties would never admit they loved her dashing ways.

Colonel Rashid cursed. The KOBOL'S Shield had repealed 3 different Cylon boarding parties. he limped to the life center to check on the wounded. He never underestimate the cylons again.

In the life center of the Lightning Diana worked quickly to stabilize Eve. Her Pod had taken a lot of heat and the blast from the exploding Cylon had done further damage. She was rushed into surgery to repair damage to her kidneys and lungs. Fortunately the damage was not as severe as they first believed but she be in the life center for a long while. Adama collapsed in relief when he was told she was stable.

On board the Galactica Zac calmly directed the crew. He felt totally at peace and found he was thriving on the chaotic bridge. The crew instinctively turned to him and even more senior staff fell in line with his orders. He straighter out and realized that he be perfectly content to command a Battle star someday. He received reports from Talia that the wounded were now all being treated and that they had suffered no further casualties. The list of the dead was not as long as he feared but it still hurt. He wondered how his father had borne it all these yearn.

RoAnn awoke and went back over to Rorke. She touched him gently and once more began to heal him. She ignored Talia and the others warning not to overdo it. There was no way she could bear his pain. Noah entered the life center. He heard about Rorke's injuries and that RoAnn had collapsed after healing him. He was worried for them both. Like Tyson and Fawn, he approved of the match but did not want to risk both young people. He arrived to find everything for once under control. He sighed with relief and went to his Xo.

"How is he?"

"Well thanks to RoAnn. She healed the worst of his injuries. She weak but he is not letting her over do it. I am thinking it's their first real argument." Tyson said with a smile" But she recovering now. The doctor says she just needs rest. Rorke is off flight duty for at least a cectons or two. I was thinking now be a perfect time for a sealing. After all neither fit for duty so they might as well enjoy it."

Noah grinned" I will suggest it. We are recovering and the fleet is gathering again. The loses are not as bad as I first feared but it will be a while before we can move at top speed again. Adama, Cain and I want to get moving as soon as possible even at flank speed. We do not want to get caught again. When you are done here, coordinate with Zeus and the others. We will be scrapping the slowest ships. This last raid more than proved our vulnerability. We can no longer afford not to be able to move quickly."

Tyson nodded. he thought that from the beginning but the council of the 12 had not wanted more overcrowding. Well that was no longer an option. besides they now needed the raw material the older ships had to repair the damaged ones.

Once more humanity had defeated the cylons. Adama was on his knees in the chapel. he could no longer bear the price he paid. he wept and asked for guidance.

It came in the form of his youngest son. "Father have faith. All will be well. Mother will awaken and be fine. You not been given a new wife just to lose her so soon. She just needed a rest." Zan said

Adama looked at the boy unable to believe his simple but shining faith. he picked him up and held him. The faith of a child. That is what he reached for and found once more. As his faith was renewed Eve awoke. She smiled and fell back into a natural sleep. Diana sighed with relief and could have sworn there had been a golden light engulfing her.

Illya smiled sadly as she healed her husband's new love. It had been hard but before she left for good she had to be certain. Certain that he truly loved her. This test was the proof. His faith had to be strong for what was yet to come. She left and returned to the ship of lights fully confident that the one she left for Adama bring him joy and peace.

The Rycon lead the fleet as they headed back toward the Colonies. All along the way they were finding signs of battle. Xenia sent recovery teams to retrieve any materials they found. Parts of raiders ,base ships and colonial craft. Often it was heart breaking. But they owed it to the families to try to recover and send off the loved ones. Jashua understood Xenia's need but was impatient to move on. However he could see the value of recovering information. So far they pieced together information on the Cylon loses. They were staggering considering the force they were fighting against. Jashua could at last understand why the cylons had been forced to rely on trickery to try to win the war.

The fleet was in shock. The cylons had caused a lot of damage. The death toll was the highest since Carllion. They survivors limped back to the meeting point. Sire Uri read the reports. It could have and would have been a lot worse save for the renovations. He looked at the star charts. There was a small system nearby with 6 planets perhaps they could rest there. He went to Commander Noah with his suggestion. They need to set up the dock witch by some miracle had escaped destruction. Repairs could begin at once.

RoAnn awoke and limped to Rorke's side. He was resting and looked stronger. The limp seemed to reassure many who had been afraid. They put what they saw down to stress of battle.

The reaming fleets of Azguard and Amazonia raced on an unknown heading. A heading leading them back into Cylon-infested space. Petrous was afraid to trust Micah completely but he followed orders. When he asked where they were going Micah had said to our new homes. The 12 Colonies of man. He asked if there be anyone left. The look on Micah 's face chilled him. Micah had said" I am afraid the planets will be dead or dying. The cylons are coldly efficient. But They will leave the land alone. So we can rebuild after we drive them away. We will crush them and regain our worlds."

The Rycon came out of hyperspace with her fleet at her side. They arrived at the planet Attila. They scanned and were quite surprised to read human life forms. There was also wreckage of cylons everywhere.

"Commander Jashua. I think we need to investigate this. Whoever or whatever destroyed these cylons might be a useful ally. In addition we could use a base of operations for a while." Xenia suggested.

Jashua had to agree. He Xenia and a few warriors departed in a shuttle and several vipers for cover. They were hoping to find a safe haven for a few of their people. Many really were too old or young for the hard journey to the colonies.

Attila had recovered slowly from the Cylon occupation. While only one ruling family had continually fought the cylons many more survivors had run and hidden in caves and swamps. Slowly they began to return to the keeps and villages. Now there were small farmsteads scattered around and fields growing crops. Attila however was forever changed. There were guard towers and secret catches of weapons. Never again would her people be so easily captured and subjugated. The new high King was respected and loved his children were revered as heroes. He alone had resisted and in the end helped drive the cylons away. After the Cylons and Warriors left the family had gathered every weapon and piece of ammunition that they could. They also savaged and repaired vehicles and even a few raiders. As others returned they began to rebuild and rearm. Now Attila had its own small army led By Captain Kyle.

Kyle heard the ships approach. He mounted his equine and rode hard to their landing spot. His elder sister Miri had gone to warn their Father. His small force of warriors was hidden in the trees. He was only slightly relieved to see the people leaving the shuttle appeared human. Attila been raided to often for it to automatically be a good thing. He watched and waited wondering what the strangers would do. It was then that he spotted the woman. She was dressed as a colonial warrior. Perhaps they'd be free His father need this new information as well . after all. He sent Ragor his falcon to the keep with a message.

The Battle finally over Tyson and Fawn went to the Galactica. They had to see Rorke. The reports had said he was critically wounded. However when they arrived they found him awake and chatting softly with Doctor Salik. RoAnn was asleep on a bed next to his.

"How?" Was his mother's question. Rorke looked up. He saw their worry.

" I am alright. RoAnn saved me. She healed me. "

" Thank the Lords "Tyson said. He walked over and embraced his Son. Fawn kissed her son. Tears streaming down. Now she knew for sure the depth of RoAnn' s love for healing Rorke had put her own life at risk. She loved her future daughter in law all the more. "Son you had better marry her soon and treat her right." She said.

Maya was handling the calls from various ships. Many had lost containment and crops or water was lost. Fortunately they restocked so it was not a great problem except in perception. She immediately went onto the IFB and assured everyone that there was plenty of food and water. That the supply system just been jumbled. In a day or so it be back to normal.

Dara scanned the reports. they lost a few good people but the worst damage was to the Kobol Shields Beta Landing bay. A suicide Cylon raider had fused the bay doors closed. It would take a few cectons. Their Scorpions and Stingrays would need to be distributed throughout the fleet. She redirected returning pilots to new ships and sent shuttles to pick them up. Most would be able to dock but spare quarters were at a premium. She reconsidered and put a call into Zeus and Poseidon they have the sparest room. She really rather have the pilots stay close. They shuttle home get spare uniforms and then be on TYD to the ships that held their fighters. Not since taking chances.

Noah ,Cain and Adama were all on board the Pegasus. The fleet had taken a huge beating. However they knew that the war had suddenly changed. Never before had the cylons deliberately sacrificed a capital ship. The men were assessing the damage to the fleet and attempting to calm various Captains fears. Fears they all shared.

" We are being watched. No one make aggressive moves." Jashua said

" In the trees there a single warrior watching us. He has troops all around. Jashua he wearing a colonial Lt. Pin on his tunic .Like a badge. There another rank bar but I do not recognize it. "Xenia said

Kyle watched the strangers. they were making no aggressive moves. They were also watching his location. he knew that they spotted his troops and himself. They were however waiting. He made the decision to go speak to them. If they were enemies he had men enough to capture or drive them away. If they were friends, he shows them Attila hospitality. They could use allies.

Adama was at a loss on how to deal with the conflict within the fleet. The civilians were blaming the military and being difficult as usual. However he l really lost his desire to be patient and understanding. He just wanted to leave them behind. He sat in Eve's room and gently talked to her. She was asleep but just being here brought him peace.

Noah hugged Maya as he entered his chambers. It had been a week since that fateful attack. He was so glad his family had survived. Today was his anniversary. With everything that had happened he almost forgotten. He Kissed his wife and gave her a small package. He hoped she liked his gift.

Zac chuckled as he read the reports. It seemed several cadets had gotten into a fight on the Rising Star. Not that that was funny. But the reason was. They defended Him. He found the idea of them considering him the "Old Man" Hilarious. He was only 26. He confined them to quarters and called Commander Tigh. He really needed advice on how to deal with this.

Talia was amazed at Rorke's recovery. Whatever RoAnn had done had speed up the healing process 1000 fold. She wondered if it was possible to learn to use this technique. She desperately wanted to help easy Zac 's pain. While he said little and did not complain she knew he was often in agony. His hand alone was a mess. He still could hardly use it. The doctors had said there was little that could be done. The cylons had crushed it and it had been too long for them to undo the damage short of amputation and a cybernetic hand. An option that repulsed Zac to his very core.

Kyle came out into the open. He looked at the strangers and bid them to come closer. He was careful not to point his stolen Cylon weapon at anyone.

RoAnn walked over to Rorke's bed. She was weak but wanted to help him heal more. He caught her hands and said "No more. I will be ok. Thank you for healing me but I'm alright now. "

She frowned but allowed him to pull her close. He was so stubborn.

Captain Kyle looked at the strangers and called" Greetings. Are you here as friends?"

Looking at Jashua Xenia smiled "I am Xenia of the Colonial Battle star Rycon. This is Commander Jashua of the Spartan empire. We are here as friends. May we join you?"

Kyle frowned. Even on Attila they had heard that the Rycon had been lost many yearns ago. Also Starbuck has said only one Battle star remained the Galactica." We were told only the Galactica survived and mayhap the Pegasus? Is this a new ship bearing an olden name?"

Xenia frowned never having considered they might not be believed.

" The Rycon crashed and was believed lost. Most of her crew abandoned ship. Even her Commander Kronous was carried out injured and unconscious. We were with the aid of the Spartan fleet able to raise her again and repair her damaged bays. Please we seek only information and perhaps a place to rest."

Kyle considered. " Alright. Come with me I will take you to my father the High King. You are Colonial but he is not. Is he human like us?"

Jashua wanted to laugh. The boy was afraid but hiding it well. Human like them. No he was not but even Xenia did not know that detail yet." We descend from the same people Captain. I am of the house of Sagan. A Descendant of the last Great Lord of Kobol. My sister's husband holds the Seal of the 13th tribe. We are returning to help the colonies. ... to drive out and rebuild if we must. Commander Noah is with the Galactica and her fleet by now. We are unsure of where they are going. More I will be glad to explain to your high King."

Kyle nodded hoping he was right to trust these people. Nevertheless, they needed help. Weapons and resources to defend Attila. For it was only a matter of time before the tin heads would return. Attila was to rich in Tylium to be ignored forever.

TBC...

Review if you would like more. ;)

EDIT Tuesday, October 21, 2008