Battlestar Galactica
Past, Present, Future
Chapter Eleven
The End of Paradise
In the darkness of space, a great behemoth glides silently thru the endless night. It is the last of its kind known to exist anywhere in the cosmos. The mere size of the ship speaks of awesome power. Its design making the statement, "This is a ship of war!". The hull of this great lady of space showed the many scars of countless battles that she had endured over the centuries. And thou she faced destruction many times; she still remained the strong, proud guardian that she had always been. This was a ship worthy of praise. A ship of legend.
This was the Battlestar Galactica!
Trailing behind her, like a group of chicks behind their mother, was a long line of ships of various shapes and sizes. Some were quite large while others were not so. There were ships with smooth, sleek lines that bespoke of great speed and luxury sailing alongside ships that at first glance, one would doubt that they could truly be spacecraft at all, looking more like something that had been thrown together using bit's and pieces of other ships. In all, one hundred sixty three ships remained of what was at one time a convoy of two hundred twenty. Numerous battles and mechanical breakdowns due to the age of the vessels or the lack of spare parts had accounted for their shrinking numbers.
Aboard this vagabond fleet of assorted vessels, the last of what remained of a very strong, proud, and resilient species known as man had set forth in an attempt to continue as a race. Some twenty four yahren before, the human race was nearly exterminated when their leaders, having been convinced by one of their own, a man by the name of Baltar, that the enemy they had spent the past millennium battling was at last willing to join them in peace. After so much death and destruction, the leaders of the human colonies, known as the "Council of the Twelve", were all too eager to rush to the peace table.
This was to be the beginning of the end!
The President of the Council of the Twelve, President Adar, under the advice of Baltar, had agreed to take the entire Colonial Fleet to meet with the representatives of the Imperial Cylon Empire and sign a cease fire agreement, thus ending a thousand yahren of war. And so, the President of the Colonies of Man led his race to destruction.
The so called "peace conference" was nothing more then a ruse to lure the Colonial Fleet away from their home planets so the Cylons could deal a decisive blow to the humans. Why the fleet was off chasing the false peace, the Baseships of the Cylon fleet were closing in on the unsuspecting Colonies.
At the "peace conference" near the old moon named Cimtar, the human fleet came under attack by thousands of Cylon fighters. The humans were caught totally by surprise, all except one man who had never believed the truce talks were genuine. This was Commander Adama. He had staged a general quarters drill just before the attack begun so he would be able to launch his fighters, the sleek Colonial Viper, at a moments notice. This act was perhaps the saving grace that allowed the Galactica to be the only Battlestar to survive the attack.
Seeing that the fleet was lost and having learned that the Cylons had sent their fighters in without their Baseships, Adama pulled the Galactica out of the battle and made his way back to the Colonies at top speed.
He was too late!
Upon his arrival, Adama found the Colonies in flames. Every planet had been attacked with terrifying results. The death toll was in the billions. There were survivors however, but how long could they hold out against the might of the Cylons now that their fleet of Battlestars was all but gone. All hope of survival seemed to fade from the people.
But Adama would not give in to defeat. He refused to accept the inevitable. As the Commander of the last Battlestar and the only surviving member of the Council of the Twelve, the fate of the human race fell on his broad shoulders.
He was more then equal to the task!
Adama had word sent to all the colonies. The people were to set sail in whatever spacecraft they could find and were to then rendezvous with the Galactica which would lead them away to safety. Thus began the quest. A journey that most people believed was a fool's mission. A search for what was widely considered nothing more then a myth, a legend, a fable handed down thru the ages. They would begin the search for the lost thirteenth tribe of Kobol. The tribe that was told to have settled on a far distant planet called ……. Earth!
Alone in the darkness of his office, a very tired man sits quietly, staring out at the stars, the only light in the room coming from the computer screen on his desk. The shadows hid the small patches of grey at his temples that had started to intrude on the thick brown hair. The lines in his face told the story of the tremendous burden he had endured over the yahren. Still in all, Commander Apollo had held up quite well since replacing his father, Adama, as Commander of the Galactica and leader of the fleet. As he continued to stare out the port in his office, his fathers old office, he began to speak into a small microphone he held in his left hand as he absently stroked the large octagon shaped medallion he wore at his throat.
"Today is the anniversary of not one, but two of the most significant and tragic events in the history of mankind. It was twenty four yahren ago today that the Cylons attacked and destroyed the twelve colonies of man and our entire fleet of Battlestars. With our home worlds in flames and our defenses all but gone, we were forced to abandon them in an effort to save some remnants of our civilization. Thus, those few ships we could find were loaded with as many survivors of the holocaust as was possible."
Apollo paused as the memories of that dark time came flooding back into his mind. Shaking his head sadly, he continued.
"At that time, my father, Adama, then Commander of the Galactica and the lone survivor of the Council of the Twelve, made the decision to abandon our home worlds and to seek out the fabled thirteenth tribe of Kobol in the hopes that they might be able to aid us in our struggles against the Cylons. As of yet, we have not been able to locate the thirteenth tribe, nor their planet ….. Earth.
"The second event, perhaps not as monumental in its scope, has a great deal more personal significance. It was eighteen yahren ago on this day that my father, Commander Adama, died!"
Once again the flood of memories overwhelms him and Apollo pauses. He begins to relive the events of that horrific day again in his minds eye. He can see his fathers face on the bridge monitor, the blood from an ugly gash on his forehead bleeding onto his face as wave after wave of Cylon fighters came screaming overhead, laying waste to what was to have been New Caprica City. History repeated itself once more as the members of the Council of the Twelve, by a vote of nine to two (Adama and Sires Tinia voting against) decided that since no contact had been made with the Cylons in over four yahren and their people needed the freedom of a planet to call home, the time had come to stop as one council member, Sire Domra, put it "traipsing about the galaxy and settle down on a nice planet." This was not the first time this argument had been brought up, but it was the first time a majority of the council had voted for ending their search and for settling on a planet.
And so, against Adama's wishes, plans were put in motion to locate and begin colonization of the next favorable planet. It took several sectars to locate a planet that filled the needs of the Colonials, but one was finally found, a large planet with several continents and plenty of water and vegetation. It had one large moon and three smaller ones in orbit all in a system with a single yellow star and six other planets, none of which could sustain life. The planet was given the name of New Genesis in the hope that it would give the people a new start on life.
Unfortunately, it would not!
Work began immediately on the construction of a new city. It was small at first, nothing more then a group of pre-fabricated units all thrown together to house the people working on the new settlement, but after just a few sectars, the new city began to take shape. The public buildings such as life centers and utilities were erected quickly to provide the people with the necessary services to rebuild their lives. Offices for the Council were also among the first to rise up from the large plateau so as to give the government a place to begin the rebuilding of the human civilization. Water treatment plants were built near two large rivers and a desalinization plant was built on the giant salt water sea on one end of an extremely fertile valley where the chief planter, Wade, decided would be the best place to begin planting their food crops. It was a fantastic place for growing just about anything. Every plant they put into the rich, brown soil seemed to thrive. The herders began bringing their livestock down and placed them in a large, green valley with a crystal clear river running thru it. The high, steep walls of the valley and the closed end made a fabulous natural corral for the bovine, bleaters, swine, and poultrions that would feed the people in the future. It was indeed a paradise for those of the farming communities.
In the city proper, it was much the same. Things progressed quickly and smoothly. Housing units began popping up in every area of the plateau as every man, woman and child was given a full acreon of land to build their homes on. Plots were assigned according to a lottery held by the council, after the prime plots had already been taken by those with the cubits to insure their claims to certain areas. Adama protested this misuse of the council's authority, but was once again overruled by the majority. Adama refused to accept any lands on the planet, preferring to remain aboard the Galactica, ever vigilant in his belief that the Cylons, thou they had not been seen in nearly five yahren, were still out there, waiting for the right time to strike.
Things went on like that for nearly two yahren. The city, which it had been given the name of "New Caprica City", would have its dedication on the ninth anniversary of the holocaust that had brought them to this wondrous place. Everything seemed so perfect; it seemed nothing could ever spoil this perfect ending to what was once a nightmare beyond compare. Even Adama had some small doubts as to if the Cylons were still a threat. He still maintained his quarters aboard the Galactica, but he had been spending more and more time on the surface, dealing with council business, seeing to the new planetary defense systems that were being built, and of course visiting his son Apollo and daughter Athena and their families.
Apollo had finally taken the seal with Sheba after four yahren. They continued to raise Boxey and after a short time, had a child of their own, a girl named Bethany, named after Sheba's mother. They took a house near the defense facilities since Apollo, now a Major, was the officer in charge of the project, having turned over command of the Galactica's strike wing to the newly promoted Captain Starbuck.
As for Starbuck, he had finally built up the nerve to ask Cassiopeia to take the seal, thou it was rumored that he only did it because Athena had gotten sealed (to Bojay) and was no longer available and Doctor Payne was becoming interested in Cassiopeia. It turned out to be one of the best moves he had ever done. Marriage seemed to bring a kind of stability to the blond "hotshot" and with his new focus; it made him an even better Warrior. Things really got serious for him when he and Cassie had their first child, a boy that with the Commanders blessing, they named Zac.
There were a number of other pairings as well. Athena and Bojay had become an item not long after the mission to Gamoray. They sealed within a yahren and had a child two yahren later. Both had continued their Warrior careers, Bojay being promoted to Captain and becoming the squadron leader for the newly formed Gold Spar Squadron and Athena becoming an operations officer after her promotion to Captain.
Boomer had moved up to a Captaincy as well and was Red Squadrons commanding officer with his new wife, Captain Dietra commanding the new Green Squadron. Giles and Brie sealed on New Genesis as did Omega and Rigel. Even Jolly had found love, falling for, what else, a cook from the Rising Star named Genevieve.
Then it all came crashing down around them again.
The day had finally come to dedicate the city and to announce that their journey to escape the Cylons had finally come to an end. Adama didn't want to make this announcement, fearing that the threat of the Cylons was not done with, but even thou he was still the President of the council, Sire Domra, Sire Uri, Sire Montrose and Sire Geller had basically taken over the leadership of the council. He had for some time been losing support from the members of the council who had become tired of what they saw as a never ending journey looking for a planet that only existed in Adama's mind. It was almost assured that when it came time for re-elections, Adama would lose the Presidency, if not his spot on the council all together.
And so, here he was, putting on his best "Isn't this just grand" face for the people even thou he had the strongest felling of impending doom he had ever had in his life. It reminded him so much of the feeling he had many yahren ago at Cimtar just before the Cylon attack, when he tried to talk President Adar out of meeting with the Cylons. He began to wonder "Was history about to repeat itself?" Adama wanted to take precautions as he had at Cimtar, placing several squadrons on full alert, but the council had gotten wind of his plans and ordered him to stand down his people. All he was able to do was to have one squadron in the air for a ceremonial flyby for the dedication, and that was given to the least experienced pilots they had, those of White Squadron, by the council. If the Cylons were looking for the perfect time to strike, it would be during the dedication ceremony.
And that's just what they did!
Apollo remembers the helpless feeling he had as he watched in horror as the Cylon fighters suddenly began to appear on the Galactica's scanners. They had been hidden behind the large moon of the planet along with the Baseship that had launched them. With the coming celebration, the council had ordered all long range patrols cancelled until further notice, so there was no advance warning of their approach.
Most of the Galactica's pilots had been given furlon, by the council, to attend the dedication, so they were on the surface, thou Adama had insisted that at least one full squadron be left aboard the Galactica and that all pilots take their Vipers to the surface instead of shuttles. It was this small concession by the council that may have saved them from total annihilation.
Apollo wiped a tear from his eye as the thoughts keep flowing into his mind, like a river, threatening to drown him at any time. He didn't want to remember, but he was helpless to resist as the events of that day continued to flash before his eyes.
He remembered that he had the watch aboard the Galactica's bridge that day. He had begun standing bridge watches several yahren earlier to give his father and Colonel Tigh some time away from their duties there. He had a knack for it and soon was qualified as a full watch commander. On that day, it would prove invaluable as wave after wave of Cylons came toward them. He immediately sounded the general alarm and ordered the duty squadron, Blue Squadron, to launch and intercept the Cylons. He then contacted the surface and tried to warn them of the impending attack, but the communications station operator was not answering the signal. Apollo finally tried his father's personal com unit, a small communications device with a small camera that Doctor Wilker had developed several yahren before. It was worn on the wrist and was very easy to operate.
It took several microns for Adama to answer the signal, microns they may not have had. Apollo remembers the entirely bored look on his fathers face as he answered the signal.
"Adama here, what can I do for you Apollo?" he had asked in a voice that said he would rather be anywhere but there at that moment, then the sudden look of concern as the first of the Cylon ships were heard as they made their attacks. Apollo never had time to give his father even a word of warning, as all of a sudden, everything turned to hellfire. Apollo could still see the pictures being sent from his father's com unit, he could here him giving orders to the assembled Warriors to man their ships and engage the attacking Cylons. He could also see and hear the screams of the people as they were being killed!
It was at that moment that a large explosion was heard over the com unit and the picture began to gyrate wildly, as if someone had thrown the com unit across the stage where his father had been sitting. When the picture stopped jumping around, all Apollo could see were the bodies of the dead and dying. A wave of panic struck him because he could not tell if his father was still alive. His panic was relived slightly when the picture began moving again and the camera focused on the bloodied face of Adama. Apollo was in near shock as he looked upon his father visage, he knew his father was gravely injured and would need immediate medical attention. Then he heard his father try and speak, a low croaking sound as he was coughing up blood.
"Apollo, protect the Galactica at all cost. Don't let them take her!"
It was all he heard before the signal went dead.
Apollo was frozen with grief. All he could do was stare at the now blank screen. He was brought back to reality by a hand on his shoulder and a loud voice in his ear.
"Apollo, I need a status report now!" yelled Colonel Tigh, a look of concern on his face. Apollo gathered his wits and filled the Colonel in on the tactical situation. After turning command of the Galactica over to the Colonel, Apollo made his way to the flight deck and launched. He immediately began to rally his Warriors, those that were able to launch anyway, and began the defense of the Galactica and the city.
The battle had lasted for centars, as wave after wave of Cylons seem to appear from behind the moon. Colonel Tigh wanted to take the Galactica and go after the Baseship from which the attack had been launched, but to do that would mean leaving his outnumbered pilots without a place to land and refuel since the facilities on the planet had been destroyed already. The fighting remained fierce and unrelenting until finally, there were no more Cylons anywhere to be found.
The victory had been won!
But at what price!
Apollo landed his Viper on a street not far from the plaza where the dedication ceremony had taken place. The bodies of the unfortunate littered the area; the smell nearly unbearable. Survivors moved among them, checking for signs of life, helping those in need, searching for loved ones. It was a grim sight.
Apollo had made his way to where the stage had been, it was now a pile of burnt and twisted wreckage, and began searching for his father. He found him laying face down a short distance from the stage, his legs set at impossible angles, his uniform all but gone, having been burnt away. Apollo was afraid to touch him, afraid that he would confirm his father was gone. But then he heard a sound, the sound of his father breathing. Apollo knelt down beside Adama and looked at his fathers face. It was covered in blood and badly burnt; he was having great difficulty breathing, Apollo knew he would not last long without immediate attention. Then from nowhere, Doctor Salik and Cassiopeia appeared and began treating Adama. Starbuck was there too, leading him away toward a shuttle that had landed only twenty or so metrons away. He never even noticed it.
Apollo couldn't remember the trip back to the Galactica or the centars of waiting for word of his father's condition. He barely remembered Athena and Sheba joining him along with Boxey, Starbuck, Boomer and several others. What he did remember was the look on Doctor Salik's face when he came out of the surgical wing. His pale, haggard expression spoke volumes about Adama's condition, and the news was not good.
The doctor told them that Adama's injuries were far too severe for him to do anything. He told Apollo and Tigh that Adama wanted to speak to them and so the two men went in, followed by the other members of the family and stood next to the Commanders bed. He looked so shrunken in that bed, his burns having been treated as much as could be. Tigh and Apollo stood at attention as Adama's eyes fluttered open slightly. Then in a voice almost too soft to hear, he spoke to them.
"I'm sure the doctor has told you. I know I don't have long, so I will make this quick." He began, trying hard to focus his thoughts. "Tigh, my old friend, for many yahren you and I have served together, fought many battles and won many victories. You are the best friend any man could ever hope to have. It is because of this that I have decided to turn over command of the Galactica to Apollo."
Apollo and Tigh exchanged glances of shock at this announcement, but before either could say a word, Adama continued on.
"The reason I'm doing this has nothing to do with whether I think you deserve the command or not, I know that you are more then ready for your own command and have been for many yahren, but I have a greater job for you. A job that no one man should have to bare, but you are the only one strong enough to handle it, the job of rebuilding our government, so I confer upon you, Tigh, the office of President of the Twelve Colonies of man. And may the Lords of Kobol protect and guide you my old friend."
Tigh stood there speechless as Adama lifted his badly burnt hand and took Tigh's and placed in it the Seal of the President of the Twelve Colonies of man. Tigh stood there and simply stared at the large, gold medallion. It was the symbol of leadership for the twelve tribes on man that had been handed down thru the millennium. He had seen it on a number of occasions when Adama had worn it at one state function or another, but this was the first time he had ever touched it, held it in his hand. He didn't know what to say.
Adama gave a slight smile at the sight of his friends face. He knew exactly what he was feeling. Then he turned his eyes on his son. Apollo had stood there silently as his father had given over the office of President to his best friend, shocked that he was to be given command of the Galactica. Adama finally caught Apollo's eye and began to speak again.
"Apollo, I've given you command of the Galactica because the burden of rebuilding our government will be a great enough challenge for Tigh to deal with without having the added burden of commanding the Galactica, so to ease the burden on Tigh, you'll have to step up and become the leader I know you are and keep our people safe, what there may be of them. I've always knew this day would come my son and I know that you're ready for this. Protect our people and lead them to safety President Tigh, Commander Apollo."
Adama laid his head back on his pillow, exhausted from his exertions. His eyes closed and his breathing became very shallow. Then a look of pure serenity came to his face as he exhaled one last time. The small monitor that had been beeping lightly in time with his heart beat suddenly became a solid tone.
Adama was gone!
Apollo was still staring out at the stars, the tears now flowing liberally down his cheeks as the memories of that horrific day had come to a merciful end. Even after all those yahren, he still couldn't fight back the tears or the pain of that day. He doubted he ever would.
Just then the com unit on his desk chimed. He quickly wiped the tears from his face and after a few deep breaths; he was able to regain his composure enough to answer the call. The screen filled with the face of his first officer, Colonel Boomer. He had a somewhat concerned look on his face.
"Sorry to interrupt your …… sleep period Commander, but we've just received a report from one of our patrols. They report that they've found a ship, a ship they think is a Battlestar!
