Part 6 Battlestar Galactica: Back To The Colonies,: War On The Mountain

Chapter 28

XXVIII

North Pole Command, The Slopes Below Granite Peak

"Copy Delta Three, advise when you take that higher ground, Trevor out." General Seth Trevor turned to his top aide, Colonel Max Prosser. "Max, advise Grayson that Delta Three is close to gaining some higher ground to his immediate front. It may give us an opportunity to drive against the enemy."

"Yes, sir, General." Prosser walked the six feet to the left and dialed up General Grayson.

Trevor had been pulling his thinning hair out for the two weeks since the conflict began. From Lee Adama down, they knew going up this hill toward the ten-thousand-foot Granite Peak would be tough. No one expected that, coming up on thirteen days that they would have only gained two thousand feet. The Kingdom was still approximately six thousand feet up. It had cost him many good soldiers and Marines.

He would have loved to have the Muskets that General Dalbott had with him southeast of his position, but he also knew they would not have the same effect on this front: the forest was so godsdamned thick that it wouldn't be worth the effort unless they had fifty or sixty of the weapons. They had left Earth with the only fifteen that had been manufactured, and they were being used to where they would have the greatest effect.

He had been so all-consumed with his front that he hadn't had much time to think about Henrich Otter. As with all the others, he would grieve in time, but they had been very good friends, about the same age and saw the Universe in as much the same way as two men from different corners of the Galaxy could see it. He knew Thomas Dalbott, and he had no doubt that tough New Zealander was up to the task, but losing Otter was a huge blow.

Prosser was back to him in a matter of a few minutes. "Sir", he said sharply, "General Grayson concurs with going for that higher ground. He also informs me that Commander Bond and the Raptors still have not located the remaining artillery that the enemy possesses."

"Godsdamn", Trevor said without any heat. "Those fracker's must really have them hidden. Look what it cost us to find the few we've taken out." He knew losing Commander Mathers had also been a terrible blow. He had come to greatly admire the young lady, as they had reconnoitered the Delta Helios sector together. "Max, I want all the commanders on a conference call with me in ten minutes. I think there are a few things we might be able to exploit around Delta Three."

"Wilco, sir". Prosser carried out his errand.

I hate to say it, Trevor said to himself, but it won't be soon enough when Dalbott's lot is within range of their guns. Maybe it'll get this front moving. It might be a little selfish, but he was tired moving at the pace of a glacier.

_____________________________________________________

At the same time, Admiral Galen Tyrol had made good on his promise to visit General Grayson at the base near Caprica City. They had never interacted a lot since Galen's day-to-day job didn't put him in the direct chain of command between Lee and Kendrick. But they had a healthy respect for each other.

When he arrived, General Grayson met him with a warm smile. "Admiral Tyrol, sir", he said, saluting the superior officer, "welcome to Caprica City."

Galen smiled and returned the salute, then shook the General's hand. "Thanks, General, it's been quite a while since I've seen you. You're not looking too bad for a guy in a shooting war."

Grayson laughed. "Good, clean living, Admiral. Follow me, sir?"

A few moments later, they were in Grayson's quarters. "Need anything to drink, Admiral?"