Battlestar Galactica
Past, Present, Future
Chapter Seventeen
Reunited
Apollo and Sheba were discussing the latest stack of reports when a message came in from Bojay on the Chiron. The last message they received from him had said that the Chiron had found a large number of objects in orbit around several of the planets and that they were going to move in for a better look. Shortly there after they received a short message, but it was soon overridden with so much static that it was impossible to understand. This had made Apollo and Sheba very nervous, so this new transmission was a very welcome thing. Apollo had the message transferred to his station.
"Chiron to Galactica, come in please." Came the voice of the female communications officer aboard the Chiron. Apollo put on his headset and answered the call.
"This is the Galactica Chiron, what's your status?" Apollo asked.
"Apollo, this is Bojay. You're not going to believe this, but we found them!" he said excitedly as his image came up on the viewer.
Apollo looked at Sheba confusedly and asked, "Found who?"
"The Second Fleet!" Bojay said. "Or at least their ancestors! We found them, or they found us, or however you want to put it."
"Slow down Bojay! You say found the Second Fleets survivors?" Apollo asked, not wanting to get too excited before he had all the facts.
"That's what I said! Their here, on these planets." Bojay answered excitedly.
"That's fantastic!" Apollo said somewhat shocked, then he added, "You didn't make contact did you?"
There was a short pause before Bojay answered.
"It was kind of unavoidable Apollo. You see they had this detection satellite on this asteroid and ….."
"Alright Bojay" Apollo cut him off chuckling a bit. "I'll read your report when you get back. Tell me, how did they respond to your presence and to finding out our fleet is heading their way?"
"I'll let you ask them for yourself!" Bojay said with a smile. Bojay got up from his seat and was replaced by someone else. The face of a man he didn't recognize came up on the viewer. He was older then Apollo by at least a score of yahren, but had an air of youth about him. His hair and beard were jet black with just a few grey hairs mixed in. He wore his hair long, past his shoulders, and braided into a number of thick strands. His eyes were as black as his hair and sparkled with the life force of a man in his youth. Apollo couldn't help but be impressed by this man. Nor could Sheba!
"I bid you greetings Commander Apollo." The man said in heavily accented Colonial standard. "I am Commander Leonitus, King of Scorpius and Supreme Commander of the Scorpion Grand Fleet. I welcome you to our star system and greet you as brothers of Kobol."
Apollo sat there stunned! Had he heard this man correctly? If so, it was almost too good to have hoped for.
"And to you sir." Apollo replied. "It is a pleasure to meet you. We have journeyed a great distance to find you and your people."
"So I have gathered from your Commander Bojay." Leonitus said. "I look forward to meeting you Commander. We have much to discuss, you and I!"
"I agree sir. We should reach your star system in four days."
"Four Days?" Leonitus said with a raised eyebrow. "Well then, that gives us plenty of time to arrange a feast of thanksgiving to celebrate your arrival. I look forward to meeting you Commander."
With that the screen went dark.
Apollo sat staring at the screen for a moment then looked up at the equally astonished face of Sheba. When their eyes meet, smiles began to form on both their faces.
"Do you believe it Apollo?" Sheba said excitedly. "We've found them! We found the Second Fleet!"
"Yes, its amazing, isn't it?" he replied. "But did you see the way he reacted when I told him it would take us four days to get there? He seemed amused by that!"
"Maybe he was amazed that it would take so little time for us to get there, after all, faster then light travel was fairly new back when they left the Colonies." Sheba said.
"I don't think that was it." Apollo countered. "He said "they would have plenty of time before we arrived", that sounds to me like he was expecting us sooner."
"Does it really matter Apollo? The fact is, we've found them and we might actually have a chance to settle down and begin rebuilding what we lost!"
Apollo nodded his head slightly and said to her, "Maybe you're right, but I don't want to get our peoples' hopes up again. Remember the last time we tried to settle down?"
"Apollo, that was nearly nineteen yahren ago. We haven't seen a single sign of the Cylons since then. I'm sure if they were still following us we would have seen some sign of them before now." Sheba argued, knowing that it was a fight she would never win. Ever since the "Disaster of New Genesis", Apollo had refused to even consider stopping to settle their people on a planet. For him, New Genesis was a wound that would never fully heal.
"That might be true Sheba, but I won't take that chance!" Apollo said. Then he flipped the switch to the Unicom and made an announcement to the fleet.
"Attention on the fleet, this is Commander Apollo speaking. We have just received word from the Gunstar Chiron that they have found the ancestors of the Colonial Second Fleet!"
A cheer went up on the bridge of the Galactica, as it did throughout the fleet, upon hearing this news. After a few moments, Apollo continued.
"At this time we have no new information as to what happened to them and what they have been doing since they left the Colonies. As we learn more, we will let you know. At this time, I would like the Commanders of each ship to report to the Galactica for a briefing and to discuss this first meeting with our lost brothers. Galactica out!"
A centar later the commanders of each of the fleet's forty eight ships as well as the members of the Council of the Twelve sat or stood in the "war room" aboard the Galactica. Apollo took his customary place at the head of the table with Commander Starbuck on one side and Commander Boomer on the other. Also in attendance was Ensign Sabo, the new fleet historian, Lieutenant Nagy, the head of the newly formed electronics section aboard the Galactica, and Captain Nakola, the leader of Red Squadron and temporary strike leader of the Galactica while Captain Boxey was detached to the Chiron. Apollo rose from his seat and began to speak.
"I thank you all for coming on such short notice. Let me get down to the business at hand, just over one centar ago, we received a signal from Commander Bojay saying that he had made contact with the descendants of the survivors of the Second Colonial Fleet."
A buzz of excited whispers began throughout the room. Apollo quieted the room and continued.
"This was confirmed by my having a short conversation with the current King of the Scorpion people!"
Once again the assembled officers began whispering amongst themselves until Apollo called for quiet. He continued.
"His name is Leonitus and he holds the military rank of Supreme Commander, which if I'm correct, is the equivalent of a Fleet Commander in the modern Colonial service, is this correct Ensign Sabo?"
All eyes turned to the young man who had been so instrumental in the identification and salvage of the ships of the Second Fleet. He rose from his seat and answered the question.
"That would be correct sir. The Scorpion military accorded this rank only to their Warrior-King." Sabo said, and then added. "If this man, Leonitus is their king, he is most likely a direct descendant to the last Warrior-King of Scorpia, Leonides."
"How do you know this?" asked one of the members of the council.
"It was common for the Scorpion elite to be named after their famous ancestors." Sabo replied. "It only figures that this Leonitus is related to Leonides."
Apollo nodded his head at this new piece of information. Then he went on with the briefing.
"Since these people have been out of touch with the colonies for nearly four centuries, I'm sure their ways are far different then our own. This could cause some conflicts between our peoples, so being that it will take us approximately four days to reach their star system, I encourage each of you to refresh yourselves with the etiquette and culture of the Scorpion people, especially those courtesies and protocols in use when our Scorpion friends left the Colonies. I would not wish to offend them with some misunderstanding."
A bit of laughter was heard from the room. Apollo frowned a bit at this.
"You might laugh now, but from what I've read in the old writings, the Scorpion people took great offense to many things that we would not think twice about, such as remaining seated when one of higher rank or station is standing. This could get one fifty lashes with a whip. I'd hate to have any of you face this …..or worse, because you violated one of their laws."
There was not a word spoken as everyone contemplated this. Apollo continued.
"Ensign Sabo has put together a program that you will be able to add to the general information core onboard your ships so everyone in there can familiarize themselves with the proper etiquette and protocol of the Scorpion people. We also have a number of personnel of Scorpion decent that have volunteered to assist in the education of our people. I urge you all to take advantage of this. Are there any questions?"
"Are there any non-Scorpion's among the people the Chiron found?" an older man of Libran decent asked.
"I'm sorry, can I have your name and vessel?" Apollo asked.
"My name is Shelton, master of tylium tanker number seven. I ask this because my great grandsire set out with the Second Fleet when they disappeared and I'd like to know if he survived. If he did, I might have relatives there!"
"In truth Master Shelton, I don't know if there are other then Scorpion's there. I didn't have enough time to ask. But I will enquire about that the next time I speak with King Leonitus."
The old man sat down, quietly lost in his own thoughts. Apollo glanced around the room and found no other questions forthcoming.
"If there's nothing else, then you are all dismissed."
The room cleared slowly as the people made there way to where Sabo stood, handing out the information disks with the briefing on Scorpion culture. At the head of the room, Apollo, Boomer, Starbuck and President Tigh stood talking quietly.
"So you think there's something going on with this Leonitus guy?" Starbuck asked.
"I don't know. Our conversation was too short to learn anything definite." Apollo said. "I just get the feeling he wants something. What that could be, I don't know."
"Do you think there's a danger to the fleet Apollo?" Tigh asked.
"I don't think so sir. I don't think this Leonitus wants to harm us, but he does want something."
"The question is, what?"
The four days seemed to take forever to pass as the Galactica and her fleet made their way to the star system of the Second Fleets ancestors. Throughout the fleet, people studied the information on Scorpion culture and etiquette so as not to offend their eccentric brothers, especially when they learned of the rather harsh punishments dealt out by the Scorpion justice system. Sabo and his group of Scorpion volunteers were keep busy the entire trip holding training classes and answering an endless number of questions. Everyone in the fleet was preparing for what was hoped to be a grand reunion.
As the Galactica and her fleet came into scanning range of the Scorpion star system, they were able to scan the planets of the system. The scanners on the Galactica were far more powerful then those of the Chiron and therefore they were able to get far more detailed images from a far greater range. These scans reveled that there were numerous large cities on each of the four planets within what was called the "life zone", which was the area of a star system were human life can survive. There were also several moons orbiting those planets, but these didn't sport cities, they had what looked to be huge military bases complete with massive laser defense systems and a multitude of missile sites. There were also dozens of what looked like fighter bases on these moons. This star system was a virtual fortress.
In orbit around several of the planets and moons they found hundreds of ships of various sizes and configurations, some of which were of gigantic proportions. Apollo figured they were at least five times the size of the Galactica.
As they approached closer, Apollo opened a channel in an attempt to contact the Scorpion leaders.
"Galactica to Scorpius, do you read me? Scorpius control this is Commander Apollo aboard the Battlestar Galactica. Please respond."
Nothing.
Apollo glanced over to Sheba, who was monitoring the scanners. She shrugged her shoulders and gave him a slight smile as if to say "I don't know". Then he tried to raise the Scorpion's again. This time he got a response.
"Scorpius control to Battlestar Galactica, maintain course and speed. We have escorts in route. Scorpius control out!"
"Not very chatty, are they?" Sheba remarked.
"They don't appear to be, do they!" Apollo stated. "They say they have escorts in route, do you see any ships heading this way?"
"Nothing yet sir." Answered Ensign Lars, the new scanner officer on the Galactica. "But there is some movement around the fifth planet."
Apollo walked over to the scanner station and looked at the screen Sheba and Lars had been watching. He saw that several ships, including six of the big ones had started moving away from the planet and were now on an intercept course.
"Looks like we found our escort." Sheba said.
"Yea, but even at light speed, it will be nearly sixteen centars before we rendezvous with them. I wonder if ….." Apollo began before stopping in mid sentence.
"Did you see that?" Sheba said excitedly as one by one, the approaching vessels began to vanish from the Galactica's scanners.
"I see it, but I don't believe it. What's going on Lars? Why are those ships disappearing?" Apollo asked the equally confused scanner operator.
"I don't know sir! The scanners are working just fine. I can't explain why their not being picked up anymore." Lars told him. "I still have clear contact with the planets and the other ships, but those ships that were heading towards us are gone!"
"What do you suppose happened to them Apollo? They couldn't have just vanished!" Sheba said.
"I don't know. I've never seen anything like that before," Apollo answered. "but until we find out what happened, I want all ships to go to alert status. Have all squadrons on ten centon alert with one squadron at ready launch at all times."
"Will do! I'll notify the other ….." Sheba began when out of nowhere, ships began to materialize all around the fleet. A few microns later, the communications officer, Ensign Winrich told them they were being contacted. Apollo and Sheba moved to the command console to receive the transmission.
On the screen, the face of a man appeared that Apollo did not recognize, but knew to be that of a native of Scorpia. He had long black hair and a beard to match and his eyes were as black as obsidian. He reminded Apollo of the halo-image he had seen of Commander Dienikes.
"This is Commander Dieanicas of the Scorpion Warstar Alewndrinia. We are here to escort you to Scorpius. Are your ships equipped with trans-spaceial drive?"
Apollo and Sheba exchanged a confused glance before Apollo answered.
"Trans-spaceial drive, I'm afraid I don't know what that is?"
The man on the screen rolled his eyes somewhat and laughed.
"You haven't advanced much after all these yarhen, have you?" he said jokingly. "Well no matter. My orders are to bring you and your senior staff to Scorpius immediately."
"I see, I take it these orders came from Commander Leonitus?" Apollo asked, using the military rank instead of the royal title.
"Correct Commander, Commander Leonitus wishes to meet with you and your officers as soon as possible." Dieanicas said. "There is much to be discussed between your people and ours."
Apollo looked at Dieanicas suspiciously.
"What sort of things Commander?"
Dieanicas smiled slightly.
"My lord King Leonitus will speak with you about those matters Commander. Now if you please, I need you to have your senior staff report to your ship so we can take you to Scorpius."
Apollo stared at the man for several moments, then to Sheba he said, "Have all senior officers report to the Galactica immediately. Also ask President Tigh and the council if they are available to join us."
She nodded and went to relay the messages. Apollo turned back to Commander Dieanicas.
"My staff should be assembled in about ten centons. Will that be satisfactory Commander?"
Dieanicas smiled and affirmed, "That will be fine Commander. Contact me when your people arrive. Alewndrinia out!"
The screen went blank as Sheba returned.
"So what now?" she asked.
"We get the senior staff together then we find out what these people have in mind." Apollo said to her, then he turned to Sheba.
"I'm sending you to the Carpathia to take over command of the fleet."
"What! Why me?" she protested.
"Because you're my second in command and I can't afford to have all of our senior officers away from the fleet when we have no idea what these people want." Apollo told her. "I'm going to have all exec's stay with their ships as well while the commander's are away just in case."
"Are you expecting trouble from the Scorpion's" Sheba asked.
"No, but I'm not going to take any chances." He told her. "That's why I want my most experienced officer here so that if there is trouble, I can be sure things will be handled properly, understood?"
"Yes, I guess that makes sense." She said.
"Good, now understand this, you are to cooperate with our Scorpion friends and make no aggressive moves toward them, but under no circumstances are you to allow those people onboard any of the ships of the fleet. If they attempt to board or take over any ships, you are to defend yourselves with whatever means necessary to do so. Do you understand? Take no aggressive action unless they instigate it. I don't want to start a civil war with these people."
"I think we can handle it Apollo." She told him. "You just make sure you stay out of trouble!"
Apollo gave her a mock look of surprise before hugging her and sending her on her way.
Sheba left the Galactica in a Viper heading for the Carpathia while Boomer, Starbuck, Omega, Jolly, Deitra, Giles and Athena all were landing. She was greeted in the landing bay by Colonel Dykstra, the exec aboard the Carpathia. The two Warriors exchanged greetings and headed for the bridge.
On the Galactica, Apollo waited for the last of his staff to make their way to the bridge, then he contacted the Scorpion commander.
"Galactica to Alewndrina, do you read?" Apollo said. Almost before he had finished the image of Commander Dieanicas appeared on his screen. He had a serious frown on his face.
"You're three centons late!" He said sternly.
Apollo looked at Boomer and Starbuck, who were standing beside the console, then back to the Scorpion Commander.
"My apologies Commander, it took slightly longer then anticipated." Apollo said somewhat miffed.
"No matter, I need you to shut down your engines and scanners. Also I must insist you do not use your communications system while we are in transit." Dieanicas told Apollo in a tone that was more an order rather then a request.
"Would you mind telling me why?" Apollo asked.
Dieanicas rolled his eyes and sighed.
"You must do these things before we can grapple your ship and engage our trans-spaceial drive. Those systems on ships like yours have an …..adverse effect on our trans-spaceial drive system."
Apollo nodded slightly and said he would comply. Once the named systems were shut down, Apollo let Dieanicas know they were ready.
"Very well, stand by while we move the Alewndrina into position. Once we have attached our grapples, we will get underway. Once underway, do not attempt to use your communications system. Do you understand?"
Apollo nodded his head and told him he did.
"Good! Stand by." Dieanicas said. With that the screen went dark. Apollo looked up at the officers standing around him.
"Well, it looks like we're in the "hurry up and wait" mode now."
"So what's this "trans-spaceial drive" thing he mentioned?" Boomer asked.
"I don't know. It might be what allowed them to jump all the way from their star system to where we were in less then a centon." Apollo mussed. "If that's the case, these people are far more advanced then we are and that gives them a huge advantage."
"Yeah, I just hope they don't decide to use that advantage against us!" Starbuck said.
Just then the huge vessel that had been directly in front of them began moving towards them.
"Commander, you better have a look at this!" said Major Teal, the operations officer.
All eyes turned to the forward view screen. Apollo slowly stood as he watched the gigantic ship move slowly toward them. As it approached, it became more evident then ever that this vessel was larger then was previously believed, perhaps twice the original estimation. It moved slowly towards the Galactica and then sailed up and over them. Once it cleared the Galactica, the Alewndrina pivoted around and centered itself over the much smaller Battlestar. Slowly the ship closed the distance between its underside and the Galactica till it was no more the ten metrons above the Galactica. Once in position, several large "arms" came down from the Alewndrina and attached themselves to the Galactica. So large was the Alewndrina that it could have carried away a half dozen Battlestars with room to spare. Apollo wondered what it took to build one of these magnificent ships.
"Commander, message coming in. It's the Alewndrina." Said the communications officer, Ensign Winrich.
Apollo nodded and the image of Commander Dieanicas appeared on his screen.
"Stand by for trans-spaceial jump!" he said. "Secure your communications system now."
"What does he mean by "trans-spaceial jump"?" Starbuck asked.
"I don't know, but I think were about to find out!" Apollo said as he hit the switch to the inter-ship com system.
"All hands brace yourselves, this could be a bumpy ride!"
The giant Warstar began moving again, carrying the Galactica along as easily as a mother would carry a new born baby, accelerating away from the rest of the fleet heading toward the Scorpion star system. For several microns nothing seemed out of the ordinary as they picked up momentum, then suddenly everything seemed to start moving in slow motion.
Apollo was thrown back into his chair as if he had just stepped into a gravity chamber set to a hundred atmospheres. The chair he sat in creaked under the increased G-forces.
Starbuck felt himself being pulled away from the railing that he was holding onto as they accelerated.
Boomer could feel the increase in G-forces as he was smashed against the console he was standing next to.
Apollo managed to glance out the forward viewer and saw the stars flying by at an astonishing rate. He wondered if this is what a "trans-spaceial jump" was. Then just as suddenly as it started, they came gliding into orbit around the planet Scorpius.
Apollo struggled to regain his composure before trying to stand up. Once he had, he began issuing orders.
"Damage reports, all decks! OPS, I want status reports on all systems." Apollo ordered as his people began to recover from their ordeal. "Tactical, get me status reports from both landing bays. I want to know if they're still operational. Jolly, call down to the Life Center and find out if we had any serious injuries. Comms, anything from the Alewndrina?"
"Nothing as yet sir." Winrich said, still felling the effects of their little trip.
"What in Hades was that?" Boomer exclaimed as he peeled himself off the console.
"I'd say we just experienced our first "trans-spaceial jump!" Starbuck said as he rubbed his shoulder, having strained it slightly hanging onto the railing.
"I'd say you were right!" Apollo said as he listened to the reports coming in from around the Galactica. Ensign Winrich called over to Apollo at that moment.
"Commander, I have Commander Dieanicas on line."
"Good, I'll take it here." He said as he took his seat. The image of the Scorpion Commander appeared on his screen, the man smiling widely.
"Did you enjoy the journey Commander Apollo?" he asked happily.
"You could have warned us before hand Commander!" Apollo said angrily.
"Yes, I suppose I could have, but then you wouldn't have had the pleasure of experiencing our trans-spaceial drive without the benefit of the inertia inhibitors. It is an exhilarating experience, isn't it?" Dieanicas said, his smile growing by the micron.
"Maybe so, but I have over a hundred members of my crew down in the Life Center with injuries! Injuries that were totally unnecessary!" Apollo said hotly.
Dieanicas's smile faded somewhat at this.
"Any of them fatal Commander?" he asked.
"No, but they could have been!"
"My apologize Commander. I meant no harm, but it is a standard practice for our Warriors to experience a trans-spaceial jump without the benefit of inertia inhibitors being activated. It gives them a chance to see what it would be like if they were to experience inhibitor failure while at trans-spaceial speeds in battle."
"That's all well and good Commander, but since we are not familiar with this "trans-spaceial" technology, it would have been nice to know what to expect!" Apollo told him, his anger somewhat abated.
"Again I apologize Commander. I should have realized your vessel was not as advanced as ours and made allowances for this. It will not happen again." Dieanicas said to Apollo, then he spoke to someone out of view. "Contact Commander Fraitara and tell him to explain the effects of trans-spaceial jumps to our friends. Advise him that they do not have inertia inhibitors aboard their ships and he is to take extra precaution while transporting them."
With that done, Dieanicas turned back to Apollo.
"Your people will be well looked after Commander. They will not be given the "fast track" that you were!" Dieanicas said. "Let me know if they are misused during their transport and I will be sure to deal with those responsible…..personally!"
"Thank you Commander." Apollo said.
"Now, with your permission, I would like to send one of our shuttles over to your ship to transfer you and your officers to the Great Hall where Commander Leonitus awaits."
"By all means Commander, my staff and I are looking forward to it." Apollo told him.
"Good, our shuttle will be in your Alpha landing bay in twenty centons. I look forward to meeting you Commander. Alewndrinia out!"
The screen went dark.
Apollo turned to the others, "Well, looks like their not wanting to waste any time, so I suggest you all go and change into your dress uniforms and meet in the landing bay in fifteen centons." Then to Starbuck he added, "Try not to be late!"
This got a few chuckles as the senior officers left the bridge to change. Apollo turned to Major Teal.
"Alright Teal, I'm leaving her in your hands. You know the drill, any problems, contact me immediately."
"Don't worry Commander, I'll keep her safe and sound for you!"
Apollo smiled and patted him on the shoulder, then he left to change into his own dress uniform.
Fifteen centons later most of the senior staff were waiting in Alpha landing bay when Apollo walked in, all that is except for Starbuck. Apollo looked around and seeing that his oldest and dearest friend was missing, he shook his head and chuckled.
"Why am I not surprised?" he said to Boomer and Jolly, who was plucking lint from his tunic.
Just then the landing bay controller announced that the Scorpion shuttle was on final approach. Apollo glanced around the landing bay again, hoping to see Starbuck but not seeing him. He called the assembled officers to attention.
A centon later an ominous looking vessel could be seen entering the landing bay and gliding toward the staging area. It was much larger and sleeker then the "box like" shuttles their fleet had, looking more like a fighter then a shuttle. It was also painted black and a deep, dark shade of purple which would make it nearly impossible to see in space. As it neared, Apollo noticed it also sported two sets of laser canons.
As the Galactica's officers stood enthralled with this wondrous craft, Starbuck came running up from the turbo lift, still trying to fasten his collar. He stopped next to Boomer just as the Scorpion shuttle taxied up to where they were standing.
"Nice of you to join us Starbuck!" Apollo chided, casting a disapproving glance his way. "I hope we aren't inconveniencing you."
"It's not my fault!" he exclaimed as he finally got his collar fastened. "My uniform must have shrunk or something!"
This got a snicker from both Boomer and Jolly, but Apollo only frowned, saying, "I don't think your uniform shrunk Starbuck, I think you've been enjoying command a little bit too much!"
This brought even more laughter to the others as Starbuck tried to retain some small scrape of dignity as he tried adjusting his tunic.
By this time the Scorpion shuttle had stopped in the staging area. The hatch opened and a man Apollo recognized as Commander Dieanicas stepped out. He glanced around the landing bay for a moment before his eyes fell upon the assemblage of officers. Dieanicas smiled and marched forward with a stride that exuded confidence and authority. Apollo and the others were all quit impressed by the man.
He was a fair bit shorter then Apollo and the others, as was the norm for the Scorpion people, but was also very strongly built with thick, muscular arms and legs, no doubt built up by long yahren of constant and intensive training.
Starbuck began to squirm a bit in his somewhat tight tunic.
Several other men exited the ship behind Dieanicas and followed him as he approached Apollo. As he stepped close, he threw open his arms and embraced Apollo in a hug that nearly crushed his ribs and knocked the wind out of him. Then Dieanicas released him and held him by the shoulders at arms length.
"I bid you greetings from all of Scorpius! Too long have we been separated from you my brother." Dieanicas said.
Apollo regained his composure quickly and returned the greeting.
"I agree, it has been too long."
"Yes, but now we have been reunited and can go on to what I'm sure will be a grand and glorious future. But first things first, Commander Apollo, if you and your officers will board the shuttle, we can be on our way."
Apollo nodded and turned to the others.
"Commander Boomer, see that our people get on board please."
Boomer nodded and gave the order to board the shuttle. The Galactica's officers broke ranks and proceeded to the Scorpion shuttle, following the men that had come with Dieanicas while he and Apollo stood and talked.
"I tell you Commander Apollo, it is a great day for our people on Scorpius. Ever since we found your Commander Bojay, our entire populace has been celebrating!" Dieanicas said as he looked over the landing bay. "We feared that we would never find our way home."
"Your way home?" Apollo inquired.
Dieanicas turned to Apollo with a smile and said, "Yes, you know, to the colonies and our people."
"Ah yes!" Apollo replied.
"Your ship is amazing Commander." Dieanicas said. "There were a dozen Battlestars in the Second Fleet when they left the Colonies, but only two of them survived, and none of them were as large as this."
"The Galactica was one of the largest Battlestars ever built by the Colonies." Apollo explained. "After her, they started making them smaller due to the cost. As it turned out, she was the last of her kind."
"Really, how so?" Dieanicas asked.
Apollo looked at him sideways.
"Didn't Commander Bojay tell you?"
"No, your Commander Bojay didn't tell much about the Colonies except that they are no longer ours." Dieanicas said with obvious anger. "He told us that you would tell us the story of how the Colonies fell to the Cylons. This is why Commander Leonitus is anxious to meet with you. He wants to know what happened and what we're going to do about it!"
"I'm afraid there is little we can do Commander." Apollo said sadly. "The Cylons are too powerful for us to take on."
Dieanicas smiled slyly and said, "That may have been true before Commander, but tis a brand new day and anything is possible!"
With that, Dieanicas led Apollo onto the shuttle. The hatch closed and within a centon, it was on its way to Scorpius.
