Chapter 26 - Final Preparations
TN:- Sorry for the delay in posting as after writing the 20k words for the fall i need a little break so as not to reduce the quality of the writing and ruin the story
TN:- Thanks for all the support and will in a couple of days post a response to some questions that people have asked.
Ragnar Station - 3 DAH (Days After Holocaust) - T-Minus 12 Hours to Evac
Leo was sitting in his new office aboard Ragnar Station going over the final list detailing the condition of the fleet's ships and was glad to see that every ship has had the repairs done that would allow them to keep a moderate pace when they leave in 12 hours. He was also glad to see that they have finished compiling the DNA and photo database of all survivors and have made the necessary arrests.
He put down the clipboard he was looking at and pulled out a file from his desk and opened it. In the file was a list of all Cylons found in the fleet and he is happy to say that they were only one short of a full house. They had managed to capture 1 One, 3 Two's, 2 Three's, 1 Four, 4 Fives and 2 Six's. So far they only have one boomer and he has yet to decide what to do with her as without her handler she can't do any damage for now and he didn't want to see what happened to her in the original timeline happen again.
Not everything went to plan though as a One that was on Galactica decided that he didn't want to be captured and used some homemade explosives to kill himself and 4 others when word of the arrests reached him. The fact that it's been 15 hours since then and they haven't increased the patrolling base ships outside the tunnel suggests that the radiation in the gas cloud blocks their ability to resurrect as if they knew the amount of firepower they had here they would have half the remaining Cylon forces stationed outside.
As Leo was lost in thought there was a knock on the door that gained his attention. "Yes." He said loudly.
"Sir, I have Admiral Adama, Admiral Stokes and General Ferguson here for you. They say it's about the plan to evacuate." His new assistant said after opening the door.
Leo wondered what they wanted so he said. "Let them in and make sure we are not disturbed unless vitally important." The assistant saluted and left to guide the two officers into the room.
"Welcome Gentlemen, Can I offer you a drink?" Leo asked as he walked over to the cabinet on the left side of his office that had a few bottles of liquid and glass arranged on it.
They all agreed to a small glass of ambrosia with a dash of water and after handing them out they all sat at the desk waiting to get started. "So I was told you want to speak to me about the evacuation?" Leo asked.
General Ferguson gestured to the Admirals to go ahead as if he was just here for moral support. Admiral Adama was the one to take charge. "Well we were discussing duties and plans for safeguarding the fleet during the evacuation as it will take time for the fleet to traverse the emergency tunnel and the same with the Station." He then handed Leo a file and continued. "What we suggest is to create a diversion at the existing tunnel entrance to keep the Cylons attention there as if we are trying to destroy their ships to allow us to escape. That way they will direct their forces there instead of spreading them out."
Leo looked over the sheet and was surprised at the boldness of their plan which was to have 2 Battlestars and 3 Gunstars make its way to the tunnel exit and stop just before they leave the gas cloud and just sit there for as long as it takes the Cylons to initiate the attack. While that is happening a wave of 30 Raptors with a mix of normal and nuclear ship killer missiles will leave from the other tunnel and jump to within a single jump of the battle and wait for the order that the Cylon reinforcements have arrived. They then jump in and launch all their missiles and jump back out again.
While the Cylons are distracted with the Raptors the main force will move out of the tunnel slightly and start the fight with the Battlestars focusing on the base ships and the Gunstars adding their Flak guns to the Battlestars Flak screen to sure up and holes defending them from any return fire. The Vipers on the other hand will be fighting purely defensively and will engage any Raiders that make it through the flak while watching out for any Nukes that make it through the Flak.
The whole premise is that they are to do whatever they can to reduce the risk to any of the Ships as they cant afford any more losses at this point. When they have received word that the last of the civilian ships have left the Bubble they will retreat and through the tunnel while leaving a few surprises in their wake. They will then meet up with the rest of the fleet a few jumps away from Ragnar.
Leo finished looking over the documents and asked. "I take it you already have ships in mind for this duty?"
Admiral Stokes spoke in response to this. "We plan to use the Olympus from the Kronus Fleet and the Hades from the colonial fleet. As for the Gunstars we only have the Colonial Gunstars so we will use the Trinity, Nike and Shield."
Leo nodded and said. "Make sure they are fully supplied and have full air wings even if it means moving those from other commands as I don't want to lose any ships in this endeavor." He then looked at the two Admirals and said. "Apart from that you have a Permission but only one of you will stay with those ships and considering its your ship being used if will be you Admiral Stokes."
They both nodded and although Adama looked a little disappointed in not being chosen but understood as if it was Galactica that was used he would want to be there to fight his ship as well. "Well you're dismissed Gentlemen. General, could you stay for a moment."
As the Admirals filed out and the door closed Leo looked at General Ferguson and asked. "What's the progress of the policing of the fleet?"
General Ferguson nodded and said. "We found several smugglers hidden with the fleet and arrested them as they had human cargo hidden in smuggler holds." Leo frowned at this but nodded. "Apart from that we just had a few situations where the civilians weren't too happy about being policed by the military but we have settled them down for now but if someone could use this to their advantage later when they believe they are safer."
Leo agreed that they could be a problem. "Keep an eye on the loudest dissenters but don't engage them unless attacked as I don't want an anti-military sentiment to solidify amongst the civilians if we can help it." Leo ordered.
The General agreed and then was dismissed. Leo watched him leave then took a sip of his drink and picked up the next report he had to go over which detailed their military supplies and how much they can replenish with the production lines available to them on the station and ships.
Presidential Bunker - Caprica - 3 DAH
Adar took 3 days to come out of his depression after the initial attacks and during that time several of the people in the bunker decided that they didn't want to suffer so committed suicide rather than face the slow death that being in the bunker would mean. But there were others that wanted to take control of the bunker who waited and schemed for their chance.
Adar himself never left his suite of rooms and was in a delirious state until he was broken out of his depression by raised voices coming from the other side of his bedroom door and then what sounded like gunshots. It was a few minutes later that his door opened with a bang and in walked Brother Cavil.
"Brother Cavil you survived. Thank the gods." Adar said as he jumped up from the bad. "How did you get here?"
Cavil looked at Adar with contempt but given everything that had gone wrong since the initial attack he needed him to force the colonials out of hiding so that he could finish them off. "Richard my friend, we need to have a talk." Cavil said and then Adar noticed that two large robots walked into the room and they reminded him of the history lessons when he was a kid and what the centurions looked like during the war. Cavil enjoyed the look of shock that slowly turned to fear on Adar's face as he directed two Cylon centurions to pick up Adar and follow him to the next room.
The two centurion's man handled Adar into his suite's sitting room and deposited him roughly onto a chair. "John, what is happening here? Where did they come from? Did you make a deal with the Cylons?" Adar asked while panicking.
Cavil could not stand his whiny and panicked voice. "Now, now Richard one thing at a time." John said as he sat down after pouring himself a drink. "I am here representing the Cylon leadership who want to discuss your unconditional surrender as they only later received your plea after the jamming from your own military was stopped." John said with a smile as he weaved the story to suit his needs.
Adar looked at him then answered. "Thank the Gods they got it and what do you mean being jammed by my own military."
John looked at him and baited the hook a bit more. "You don't think the Cylons restarted the war do you?" John asked. "The Cylons were just responding to the aggression from your fleet. They were left with no choice but to attack."
Adar looked scandalized at what John was saying and because he was desperate he fell for John's manipulations hook, line and sinker. "It must have been Corman and his pro war flunkies." Adar Fumed. "I will have him arrested and imprisoned for this."
John looked on with a sadistic smile as Adar fumed about things that he wouldn't be able to do with Corman being dead already but he didn't say anything as it was satisfying to watch Adar fall further into his delusions and madness. Cavil waited patiently for Adar to ask the question he was waiting for.
"John, What do the Cylons want in exchange for peace?" Adar asked after a while.
John made a show of looking contemplative for a few minutes then answered. "They want the colonies to become a protectorate of the Cylon Empire and for the disbandment of the colonial fleet and marines effective immediately. They seem to be agreeable to allow each colony to have a token force to protect themselves but no more than a few thousand"
Adar nodded and took some time to think and realized he didn't have much choice as if the military started the war then if he went against them then they would get rid of him so he said. "I can agree to those terms as long as you guarantee that I would be the person in charge of the colonies. When will we know if they accept and where do we hold the treaty signing and when can we get out of here." Adar was getting a bit antsy to get out of the bunker. "I can sign a presidential order disbanding the colonial fleet but it will need to be ratified by the quorum to make it legally binding." Adar said.
John nodded. "The quorum will need to be re-established as most support Corman so will need to be replaced with people who see it the same way you do." He then looked at the two Cylon centurions "Escort the President here to his new accommodation." At that the two Cylons picked up Adar again and frog marched him out of the room and to the elevator leading to the surface before he could ask any more questions.
John sat there and finished his drink and thought over this new plan of his to mess up the legitimacy of the new government by releasing Adar. John then thought about how to keep the other models from finding out about his new scheme, especially the Six's and Eights as they have been making noise since the plan went badly. He contemplated boxing their entire lines but it would cause too much disruption and they couldn't afford that right now with the loss of the main ship production facility and tylium refinery.
Then the idea struck him that they could round up the humans and use them to mine some of the colonies tylium sites and work them to death instead of using their limited manpower to find and build a new refinery elsewhere.
Admiral Wallace - Battlestar Hera - Waypoint Alpha - 3 DAH
Admiral Wallace was in the CIC of the Hera going over the latest reports from the ships command crew as they brought the ship back up to fighting condition. He still didn't know what to make of this Alteran station and fleet but as long as they weren't shooting at them or holding them prisoner then they could do what they want as long as they let him fight the Cylons when his ships are ready.
Lt Masterson got his attention. "Sir, we are receiving a request from the station for you to meet with its Administrator as soon as you can as she has news on Admiral Corman she wishes to share with you."
Admiral Wallace nodded and said. "Let them know I will be over within the hour and get a raptor ready on the hanger deck for me."
"Yes sir right away." The LT replied.
Admiral Wallace waited for another few minutes before walking out of the CIC and towards the hanger deck and a marine detail fell in behind him as after the reports from several of the survivors of assassinations from colonial crew personnel at the time of the attacks had meant more security for the commanding officers.
He knew they were still in too much of a mess to actually put up a fight but he hoped in a few days that they would have each of the ships crewed and ready to do some training to help the crews meld together a bit better. What he was glad about is that the Alterans were more than generous with supplies and even provided them with a full complement of both small craft and nuclear missiles for the ships which astounded him as the colonials would never do such a thing especially with someone so close to one of their installations.
As he thought about that he realized that him and the colonials in general where not the best when it came to being accepting of others even when it comes to their own people as the discord between colonies was still there and growing every year especially when people like Adar got in charge and put all his effort into the more developed colonies instead of uplifting those that really needed it.
As he reached the hanger bay he was met by the person assigned as deck chief of this pod. "Sir the Raptor is ready for you and will take you straight to waypoint station as instructed." Chief McDonald said after saluting.
"Thank you Chief. How's the crew doing? As I understand it, we have people from 6 different ships?" He asked the Chief.
Chief McDonald looked around the hanger deck at the hustle and bustle and replied. "Everything is doing fine sir. There are just a lot of people who want to pay the Cylons back for what they did and then there is the worry and uncertainty of what has happened to our families back in the colonies."
Admiral Wallace nodded. "It's understandable as I have a wife and two small children back in the colonies and don't know if they're alive or dead." He shared with the chief. "But let your teams know that as soon as we can we will show the Cylons what it's like to face a Battlestar that can fight back."
The chief nodded and said. "Yes Sir, They will be glad to hear it." He then left the Admiral as they heard a crash and bang from further down the bay and several raised voices and curses.
Admiral Wallace watched the scene for a few minutes and then went to the waiting raptor and climbed aboard. "Lets get underway Lieutenant." He then sat in the co-pilot's seat and watched as the raptor was raised to the landing deck and took off.
He watched as the Raptor flew through what looked like a bubble of space inside what he suspected was an Interstellar cloud made up of different types of radiation and from what he remembered it was deadly to Cylons. The fact that they chose here means they knew about the Cylons and were well prepared for them which begged the reason why they didn't help or stop the Cylons from attacking. It was something he planned to ask as one of the leaders he met and suspected was the daughter of their Fleet Admiral which again brought up more questions.
20 Minutes Later
The Raptor entered what appeared to be the main shuttle bay of the station and what made it strange was that they passed through what appeared to be an energy shield. As they landed his suspicion was correct as he noticed the people standing around without EVA suits. He exited the raptor after it landed safely and heard a shout and then stamp of boots on decking as a welcoming committee was waiting for him.
"Admiral on deck." Shouted the officer as the marine detail snapped to attention.
The Admiral played along for appearances. "Permission to come aboard." Once the standard reply came he stepped off the Raptor and walked up to who remembered was the military commander of the station. "Commander Green, All is well i hope?"
Commander Green replied. "As well as it can be in these chaotic times." The commander then indicated with his hands to the door of the hanger. "If you would follow me to the meeting room we can get this over with sooner as I'm sure you have a lot on your plate as well." Wallace nodded and followed the commander along as they made their way through the station partaking in some small talk as they went.
It didn't take them long to get to the meeting room and Admiral Wallace was shown inside and the commander addressed the woman sitting at the head of the table. "Ma'am, Admiral Wallace has arrived." Then left the room and closed the door.
Admiral Wallace looked around the room as the door closed and as the hair on the back of his head stood up as if there was an electric charge in the air when the women spoke. "Don't worry Admiral, it's just a security measure to stop anybody listening in and hearing what they shouldn't."
Wallace nodded and at the direction of the women walked to a seat and sat down and said. "I would like to thank you again for saving me and my men and providing all the help you have." He was being polite as he didn't want to disrupt the peace that existed between them. 'God i hate politics' He thought as he waited on his host.
Louise looked up and said. "Admiral, you have no need to thank me every time we see each other as I would have made the same choice if given the option again. Now the reason I have called you here is that there is new information that you should be made aware of." He nodded and then he was made aware of everything that's has happened with regards to the fleet at Ragnar, The surviving officers and where they are and lastly what they have discovered has been happening with the Pegasus as they have since found 2 ships that have been stripper of all essentials and some of the able bodied crew while those who would be a drain on a military ship have been left to die in space.
To say Admiral Wallace was angry and ashamed at what he was hearing is an understatement. "So you're telling me that an Admiral of the fleet is acting like a pirate and using the need to maintain operational ability as an excuse to get away with it." He asked with an edge to his tone.
Louise looked him in the eye and nodded. "Yes the survivors of these two ships have been rescued and they have told us the same story. They have reported that they were fleeing the colonies and the cylons when the Pegasus would jump in and order the ships to come to a stop and prepare to be boarded. They are then boarded by several teams of marines and then an officer would inform them that any able bodied men and women with needed skills are to be drafted into service and that they were to surrender all supplies and working parts to the war effort." She then closed her eyes and prepared herself for the outburst in response to what she was about to reveal. "What is worse is that when they encountered resistance they responded with deadly force and have executed several people who refused to leave with them."
Admiral Wallace jumped up with a shout. "Cain will hang for this as what right does she have to force people into service and leave civilians without a chance to survive." He then looked at Louise and asked. "Do you know where she is?"
Louise shook her head and responded. "We are on her trail but she is not staying in one place too long. We are hoping we can catch up to her in the next few hours but it's becoming harder with the increased raider patrols from the Cylons due to a response we had to take against the Cylon threat."
Wallace nodded but was curious about this response and asked. "Well when you find her i would like to be informed so i can bring her to heal as knowing her she won't stand down for anyone that is below her in rank and should she come across one of your ships she would more than likely fight it out no matter the outcome." He paused and then decided to hell with it. "I would also like to ask what this response against the Cylons you mentioned."
Louise decided that it was old news anyway and that revealing it will not risk anything. "Well when the attack happened the Alteran taskforce you see outside was close by but was too late to help save the Colonies or the fleet above Virgon so we decided to be more tactical in our response so we attacked the Cylon home. We managed to destroy their main ship building facility and their largest Tylium mine and refinery." She looked at him with a frown. "We did attempt to destroy their main supply depot and munitions store but they managed to catch the small battlegroup sent there by surprise when a larger group of base ships jumped in and destroyed 2 of our Gunstar class ships along with damaging several others."
Wallace nodded along and replied. "Well that will certainly make things a little easier in the time to come as with both sides' lack of ability to produce ships in large quantities the war will likely drag out and involve more schemes than actual fights." He then asked. "Can you pass my thanks and condolences to the crews of the task force you sent as with this attack it makes fighting them less of an impossible task."
Louise nodded and then handed the Admiral a folder. "That is the list of ships and people who have survived and are at Ragnar Station as I'm sure your crews will want to know if they have family members there. Also i would like to send a team over to Id everyone to add them to the database that has been established so as to weed out any Cylon infiltrators as they seem to have settled on 6 shall we say body templates as it stands and we don't really want word to get out about of strength at right now."
He nodded and replied. "Just let me know when your ready and i'll let the commanders know that they are to give the teams full access to there crews to complete the database as to be honest it is something we should have had years ago but with the budget cuts small stuff like that fell through the cracks as being not needed and a needless cost."
Louise thanked the Admiral and they said their goodbyes. Admiral Wallace was then escorted back to the hangar bay and his waiting Raptor and left the station back to his ship and prepared himself for the long hours of work ahead of him.
Colonial One - Ragnar Station - 3DAH - T-minus 6 Hours to Evac
Laura Roslin was sitting in her office aboard Colonial One going over her notes as she waited for her next meeting as she was trying to drum up support from the civilian leaders that have survived and were with them in the fleet. So far she has managed to get support from the deputy governor of Libran who was hoping to be named Vice-president, She has also got support from some of the ship captains as they are not happy at having their own authority stepped on by the marines stationed on their ships.
Her next meeting was going to be a tough one though as she will be meeting with a member of the unions who was on a trip to Aquaria for a vacation at the time of attack. She was hoping to get him to back her if it came time to call for the Civilians to strike and stop supplying the military with their limited production capabilities if they refused to withdraw martial law.
She was looking over some talking points when there was a knock on the door and she answered. "Come in." She watched as Billy led the man in question. "Welcome Representative Parker." She stood and offered him her hand.
He took the offered hand and shook it before replying. "Thank you Madame President." He was then directed to the seat opposite hers. "I would like to ask why you invited me here but given I'm not the first civilian leader you've met I take it you're either getting to know us or your trying to drum up support against the military take over."
Roslin was taken by surprise at his bluntness but recovered quickly enough that it was hardly noticeable. "Yes to both as I think it's important given how small our number is that I should meet with those chosen to lead what's left of our people. Also I think having something in place to oppose the military is important given that they have taken over most operations of the fleet."
Parker nodded and said. "That may be so but given the situation i think they are doing what is necessary to see us to safety and if they had to go 5 rounds every time a decision needed to be made we would find that we won't be getting far before the Cylons decide that we are to much of a threat to be left alone for very long." Roslin didn't look thrilled at what he said but she didn't get the chance to respond before he continued. "But once we are safe and the threat is distant then the Civilians should govern themselves as is their right."
She was relieved to here the last part of his statement but still wanted more from him. "So you will support every decision they make until we get to wherever they think is safe." she asked.
He looked at her and asked. "What is it you want from me Madame President?" When she didn't answer quickly enough he continued with anger and indignation in his voice. "I have told you my stance and unless they do something that gives me cause to change that then i don't see why i would change it as why would i support the removal of the people who actually know how to fight and protect us for you who has no military experience and may i remind you were not voted into office either." He then got up and left the office while the President just stared at his retreating back.
Fleet Summary of known ships as of 3DAH
The Jupiter's have been renamed when they were refurbished and upgraded so don't take offense to me not following the standard naming of the ships.
Also i have cheated as I'm not very good at naming things so used things like god names and Greek city state names as Leo being from an alternate earth means his knowledge of Greece and there pantheon would be limited somewhat to history lessons and the like even if he was brought up with colonial history in his second life
Alteran Fleet
Battlestars
3 - Alteran Mars Class (Agis, Pelops, Apollo)
6 - Refurbished Colonial Jupiter Class (Artemis, Strength, Pride, Honour, Legacy, Medusa)
Support ships
11 - Upgraded Gunstars (Athens, Sparta, Thebes, Corinth, Syracuse, Aegina, Rhodes, Argos, Elis, Eretria)
2 - Alteran Corvettes (Swift, Hermes)
6 - Patrol Stealth ships
Other ships
4 - Fleet Tenders
8 - Transports
2 - Cargo Haulers
3 - Tylium Tankers
Kronus Fleet
Battlestars
1 - Upgraded Colonial Mars Class (Olympus)
3 - Refurbished Colonial Jupiter Class (Agios, Hercules, Perseus)
Support Ships
9 - Upgraded Cruiser (2 with Plasma Cannons)
Other Ships
10 - Upgraded Transports
4 - Heavy Cargo Haulers
2 - Tylium Tankers
1 - Tylium Refinery ship
3 - Mining Ships
Colonial Fleet Remnants
Battlestars
3 - Colonial Mercury Class (Pegasus, Rycon, Hera)
3 - Colonial Mars Class (Hades, Poseidon, Demeter)
1 - Colonial Valkyrie Class (Hestia)
1 - Colonial Jupiter Class (Galactica)
Support Ships
9 - Colonial Gunstars (Trinity, Aetos, Nike, Samos, Hydra, Shield, Spear, Chariot, Phalanx)
6 - Colonial Firestars (Kos, Psara, Leon, Velos, Lerax, Elli)
Other Ships
Ragnar Station
2 - Supply ships
1 - Large Tylium Tanker
150 - Various Civilian Ships (I dont have the time or the will to go into too much detail here as they wont be as important in my story as they are in others.)