Battlestar Galactica

Past, Present, Future

Chapter 35

And So It Begins!

"Hey, wait up!"

Captain Duggan stopped to allow his friend, Lieutenant Yother to catch up. He was heading across the main promenade of the DreamWorks toward the food court area to get something to eat after spending the last thirty centars listening to the chatter of the Cylons, or Centurions as he was told they were to be referred to as from now on since it seemed the human race was now allied with what were real Cylons now. My, my, my, how things had changed in the last few sectars.

"Hurry up Yother!" he called. "I only have twenty five centons to get some chow before I have to be back in "the pit"!

"You have to go back?" Yother asked. "You been living in that hole for the last few sectons dude! Don't they ever let you have any free time?"

"Not since the Cyl …. I mean the Centurions dropped their entire fleet into the Colonies! I've been helping Frankl and Leia get the new comm systems up and running along with overseeing the other shifts and helping them sort thru all the felgercarb in the communications streams that have been sent back and forth since they pulled their fleet out."

'Wow! I'm glad I went into the medical corp." Yother said, shaking his head. "We stay busy, but we at least are on a regular schedule."

"Well get what rest you can buddy, because the mong is going to hit the circulator real soon, and when it does, you're not going to have a free micron!"

"You really think it'll be that bad Dugg?"

Duggan stopped and looked around to see if anyone was near enough to listen in.

"Listen, this is top secret Yother. Don't tell anyone." He said to his friend. "The Centurions are going to try and destroy the Colonies!"

Yother looked at Duggan for a moment and said, "Dude, they already did! Like forty yahren ago."

"No, I mean they are going to destroy them as in the planets of the Colonies, like they did Scorpia and Sagitaria!"

Yother went pail as realization struck.

"No way dude! They can't do that! Not again! Say it's not true!"

"I wish I could Yother." Duggan said sadly. "Look, I have to get going. Do yourself a favor, gather up what supplies you can and stay close to the elevators to the hanger level."

"Why?"

"Just do it. And whatever you do, don't tell anyone or you'll start a panic!"

Duggan moved off toward the food court, leaving Yother standing there in shock.

"Anything new to report Nader?" Saxton ask via the comm system. He was conferring with his second in command who, along with Doctor Prior and several of the DreamWorks technicians had been working on restoring the missile launching systems of the Colonial Defense System. The news was better then he'd hoped.

"Well, so far we've been able to restore the launch systems to about forty percent of the sites on Caprica. We've also been able to bring missile sites on eight of the other Colonies online, but we'll still need people in the control rooms of most to get those avions off the ground."

"And how many teams do you have on the other planets so far?"

"We have confirmed teams on all planets except Aquaria and Pisceria." Nader told him. "We've not had any contact with either planet."

"Same here. We haven't been able to reach anyone from those two worlds." Saxton confirmed. "Aquaria I can understand because most of their major cities are underwater and I'm sure their communications were knocked out during the Holocaust. The Piserians I have no idea why they haven't responded, and frankly, don't really care!"

"I know Sax! You have no love for them, but they are human!" Nader said. "And I'm sure that most of them didn't have a clue to the treachery of those saboteurs."

"I know, but I still can't forget what they did." Saxton said, remembering the group of Piserian traitors that destroyed the P.D.C. thirty eight yahren ago. "I still have Leia trying to make contact. We'll keep trying until we get the word from Commander Verga and Apollo."

"You think that plan of theirs is going to work? Seems awful farfetched to me!"

"I know, but I trust Apollo. I've known him since the Academy and he was always one of the best and brightest. And Commander Verga served under Commander Cain, so if anyone can pull this off this crazy plan, it's them!"

"If you say so." Nader said, not sure if the plan Apollo and Verga had come up with was feasible or not.

"Well, since nobody else had a better one, I guess we have to put all our faith into the one we have and pray it works!" Saxton said.

"I guess so." Was all Nader said.

"Just be ready on a microns notice to launch every missile you can! No telling when we'll get the word from Apollo."

"Will do Sax! I'll personally have my finger on the button!"

"Good, talk to you soon."

With that, Saxton went back to the Pit to see if they were having any better luck with contacting Aquaria or Pisceria. Time was running out and once things were set into motion, there was no turning back.

This would be the end of the Twelve Colonies of Man or a new beginning!

"Anything yet Major?" he asked as he entered the Pit.

"No, still nothing from Aquaria or Pisceria Commander. We have received updates from every other planet however. There are at least half a dozen teams on each planet manning the control systems of their missile complexes. We should be able to launch a few hundred attack missiles at them."

"That's great! What about the interceptors? Will they be able to launch any of them?"

"Most of the teams are sure they'll be able to launch some, but not sure how many." Leia said. "Even thou most of the teams are made up of Warriors, very few have extensive experience with planetary defense systems. Fewer still with those missile systems. They have the manuals on how to do it, but when the pressure is on, will they be able to do the job?"

"Understood" Saxton said nodding his head thoughtfully. "It'll have to do." Anything from the Galactica or the Genesis?

"Nothing directed at us as yet sir, but we've been able to listen in on the chatter between the two fleets up there. They sound like they are real close to making their move"

Saxton digested this information for a moment then turned and left the Pit in a hurry. He went straight to the Presidential wing and into President Illya's office without knocking. She was there with several of her advisors discussing plans on how to help out once the fighting began. She looked up at the Commander with a very concerned expression.

"What is it Commander? Has it started?" she asked.

"Not yet, but I think it will begin within the next centar, most likely sooner."

"Very well, we've been discussing what we can do to help. We'll need ….."

"What we'll need is for you and all the non-combatants to board that Gunstar Doctor Prior has down on the lower level and be ready to launch as soon as the Centurions launch toward the planet."

"You want us to leave? Right in the middle of the battle? Why?"

"Because there is a very good chance that this plan won't work! And if it doesn't, we'll need you to take what people you can and get as far away from here as possible. Find a place well away from here and try and settle down. It might be the only chance the human race has!"

"And what of you and the people of the other colonies? And those of the two fleets? What will become of them? Are we to abandon them as well?"

"To insure the continuation of the human species … Yes!"

Illya looked at him for a moment and then nodded slowly. She knew that it was the only way to insure the survival of mankind."

"Very well Commander, We'll begin loading our people aboard the Gunstar and we will launch on your orders."

"Good. The command crew for the Gunstar has already been notified of the situation and have their orders. They should be down there preparing the ship for launch as we speak. With any luck, there won't be a need for you to leave, but if it looks like we're going to lose the planet, the commander of the Gunstar will launch immediately and head out on a prearranged course. They will monitor a preset frequency for word about what is going on and for the recall code. If it goes bad here, they will leave the colonies behind forever."

"Then let us hope and pray all goes as planned!"

With that, Saxton left for the Command Center to check in with his people there. Major Rentner was the Command Duty Officer at the time and he was monitoring the thousands of cameras that had been repaired or replaced over the yahren so those in the DreamWorks could keep an eye on the Centurions.

"Anything going on out there Major?"

"Not much Commander. Still a few Cylons, I mean Centurions on the surface. They are all at the aerodrome waiting for transport I guess?"

"Hmmm. That means we are almost out of time. As soon as the last few Centurions are off the planet, they'll be ready to light up the Colonies. Come on Apollo! Let's get this show on the road.!"

Just then a message came thru on Fleet Comm Line Alpha!

The beginning of the end was about to start!

"This is Saxton, go ahead!"

"Hey Sax, this is Apollo. Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you, but we had to give some time to out Cylon allies to move into position without being detected. They are just about in position, so we're about to begin. Are you and your people ready?"

"As ready as we're going to get. Still no word from Aquaria or Pisceria, but we have missile complex's on the other planets ready and waiting. Just give the signal and we'll do our part."

"That's what I wanted to hear!" Apollo said gleefully! "I'll check with Commander Verga and Commander Leonitus and get back to you. Give me a few centons and then get ready!"

"Will do Apollo!"

Saxton switched channels quickly and called for Major Leia!

"Leia, I need you to patch me thru to all of the missile command complex's on all the planets immediately!"

"Okay, that's going to take a few centars Commander!"

"Major, you five centons! Maybe less!" Saxton said sternly! "We are about to restart the war with the Centurions in less than twenty centons. I'm going to need to communicate with them immediately"

"Holy Frak!" she said softly! "I'll get it done sir. Hold on!"

Major Leia work furiously on getting the over one hundred missile complex's and missile silo control rooms all online at once, but in what was nothing short of a miracle, she did it in three centons!

"You're good to go Commander!" She said on the comms.

Saxton shook his head in amazement, thinking there was no way the Major could have done it. He was never so happy to be wrong.

"Attention all stations, attention! This is Commander Saxton. I have just received confirmation from Commander Apollo aboard the Battlestar Galactica that our offensive to retake the colonies is close at hand." Saxton started. "Most of us never dreamed of this day happening, but it has! Today, we will face our enemy and we will win back our homes."

He paused for just a moment, then continued.

"You have all been briefed on the plan. You all have read the timeline and know what your part is and when to initiate it! Timing is of the essence! When the word is passed, do your duty and execute your part of the plan. If everyone does this, I firmly believe we will achieve victory over those creatures we have called "Cylons" for a thousand yahren!"

He could hear the cheers coming from all parts of the DreamWorks.

"To all those here in the DreamWorks, as of this moment, we are on full alert status! All Warriors are to report to your stations. All security personnel are to gear up and be ready to move out as soon as you are given the word. All non-combatants are to board the Gunstar in the lower level hanger deck and be prepared to launch on a microns notice!"

"To those of you manning missile control and launch stations across the colonies, be ready to initiate the launch of your missiles on command!"

He paused once more.

"I'm not a religious man, never really believed in anything except my own skills and those of my fellow Warriors. But right now, I want ask for the blessing of the Lords of Kobol and all the other Gods that our people have looked to in troubled times. I ….. pray that we will be successful and will be victorious! Good luck to each and every one of you! Stand by for further orders. Saxton out!"

He sat down at his desk and stared out the large window that looked out over the command center. He saw his people readying themselves for the battle that was about to begin. There was fear in some of their faces, but no panic. Most wore expressions of stern focus and concentration, determined to do their part flawlessly. His heart swelled with pride watching these young Warriors …. HIS Warriors, perform their duties with such courage and professionalism.

His revere was interrupted by the tone of the comm unit.

He picked it up and answered.

"This is Saxton!"

"Commander Saxton, this is Commander Verga. Everything is ready on our end. If you and your people are ready, initiate your attack in five centons from right …. now! The rest of us will make our move as soon as we see your missiles are away."

"Yes sir. Launch in five centons."

"Good luck to you and your people Commander. May the Lords of Kobol keep and protect you and all who serve you! Verga out!"

So the word is given!

Saxton asked Major Leia to connect him to all the missile stations once again. She had kept the frequency open for just this occasion.

"Attention all stations, attention! I just received word from Commander Verga aboard the Battlestar Genesis! He has ordered me to begin our attack on the Centurion Baseships in exactly four and a half centons. Once we have launched our missiles, his forces and those of the Galactica's fleet will commence their part of the attack. If all goes as planned, the Centurions will not have enough time to launch their missiles against our planets! I want all missile crews to be ready to launch your interceptors in the event that things do not go as planned. Keep this channel open for the countdown. Good luck people!"

Saxton sat quietly at his desk, staring at the chronometer above the window looking out into the control room. Tense faces were looking up at him from the floor of the control room, but he didn't see any of them. His entire focus was on that chronometer! He watch intently as the microns ticked off. His hand near the switch that would open the comm unit to the hundreds of Warriors and volunteers sitting in control rooms at missile complex's and silos all over the colonies, waiting for the order to launch the most important attack in the history of mankind!

Would they be victorious?

Would they survive at all?

Would this be the end of man?

They were about to find out!

Saxton watched the microns slowly counting down. When there was only one centon left, he opened the comm channel.

"Attention all stations, attention! We are at T minus one centon and counting. Stand by to launch!"

Major Rentner was given the task of performing the countdown over the comm channel. His voice showed no signs of the fear he felt. He was a Warrior and fear had no place within him.

"Ninety microns"

"Eighty microns"

"Seventy Microns"

Saxton cast a quick glance out toward the control room. Every Warrior was now fully concentrating on their duties. True professionals he thought!

"Forty microns"

"Thirty microns"

Saxton adjusted the comm unit on his head.

"Twenty microns"

He clicked the switch to open the colonies wide channel.

"Ten Microns to launch."

Saxton closed his eyes.

"Nine Microns"

He said a quick prayer for mankind.

"Eight microns"

"Seven microns"

"Five microns"

He opened his eyes.

"Four microns"

"Three Microns"

He flipped the switch to speak.

"Two Microns"

"One micron"

And so it begins!

"Attention all stations, launch your missiles! I repeat, launch your missiles! Stand by to launch interceptors if needed."

From eight of the ten remaining planets that were once the homeworlds of the species of life called "Man", hundreds of fiery plums began to rise from the surface, streaking towards the heavens and the enemy above!

Saxton looked thru the window into the control room, watching the large screen as the scanners tracked the missiles launched against the Centurion Baseships.

Would they hit their targets?

Were there enough of them to destroy all of the Baseships?

They would know in fifteen centons!

As Saxton watched the screen, he could only think one thought …

And so it begins!