The Fall of Iconia

Chapter 16

A/N: We don't own the franchises we're writing about. We're just fans.

Chapter 16

It had been three weeks since Bill and Lee had spoke with O'Neill and seen Enterprise. Now, Bill was preparing to take Galactica to Iconia Prime. This battlestar was going to travel farther in one jump than any had before.

On the bridge, for the occasion, were the normal complement, plus O'Neill, Fargo, Helena, and Thor. They were clustered around the chart table, waiting for Mr. Gaeta to finish with his programming.

A few kilometers away, Pegasus floated serenely, accompanied by the city ship, Colorado Springs and her entourage. Nearly everyone aboard them was watching in some way.

Gaeta had never been so careful entering figures into the jump drive controls. Even though he knew that, in theory, this jump was no different, he was nervous. He supposed it was because he was not figuring out the coordinates himself. They had been supplied by O'Neill. Finally, he knew he was as ready as he could be. "Coordinates set, Commander," he told Adama.

Bill locked eyes with O'Neill and ordered, "Do it."

On the other ships, they watched as Galactica winked out of existence. A few moments later, Sam, who was standing in the control room of Colorado Springs, announced. "They made it safely. They're right where they need to be."

A cheer went up on Pegasus as the news was relayed by Holly. Lee breathed a shaky sigh of relief. Boomer tried to cheer, but he found that his throat was dry. He swallowed a couple of times, then was able to muster a raspy cheer. Mendez glanced up at him and smiled. He understood completely.

Iconia Prime...

Gaeta had entered the coordinates perfectly. Galactica appeared, its nose facing toward one of the space doors of the sphere. The doors began to open, accompanied by blinking lights, and a tractor beam grabbing the battlestar. "Welcome to Iconia Prime," a female sounding voice came over the bridge speakers.

Adama looked at Gaeta and ordered, "Signal back, 'Thank you, Sarah.'"

They watched the screens as the enormous battlestar moved through the opening, then turned toward port. Inside the docking area, was room for several battlestars to maneuver side by side. Gently, the tractor beams guided Galactica several kilometers inside the spacedock.

"Increase magnification," Adama said as they progressed in. The ships in front of them suddenly appeared much closer. "Again," Bill said. Then, when he still couldn't see an end to the chamber, he had it increased once more. The space they were in seemed to go on forever. They could see a couple of Ha'taks moored in the distance, as well as a strange vessel with an arm jutting out of its starboard side, with what looked like some kind of energy weapon barrels aimed forward on the end of the arm.

Bill turned to Tigh. "I can't see a curve, can you?"

"What?" Tigh asked. He had been staring, mesmerized by the sight of the seemingly endless spacedock.

"We're looking a couple hundred kilometers into the distance. I still can't see a discernable horizon. Can you?"

Tigh looked ahead and squinted. Slowly, he shook his head. "No, I can't."

The enormity of the level of technology it took to manufacture the sphere hit Bill like a ton of bricks.

The tractors started slowing the battlestar, then stopped it. The crew felt a gentle sideways nudge, and the battlestar was guided into the gangway. They watched the screen as several mooring tractors connected to the ship and then the bridge speakers came to life once again. "Pressure is being equalized to internal sphere pressure. You may disembark whenever you wish."