Part 2: Battlestar Galactica, Dawn: Collision

Chapter 7

VII

They Cylons were finally closing in on Earth, and the two Battlestars defending her. Cavil had wanted to move but also remained cautious because, as Doral had mentioned, there was no telling what new surprises this new ship might have in store for them.

But he was confident. He finally had Galactica, and now this new ship, tethered to a landmass where he could dictate the direction and the course of battle. He didn't take Admiral Adama lightly. He had a healthy respect for the man's military capabilities even as he hated and despised him. And he had no doubt that either that Cylon traitor Saul Tigh or Adama's own son Lee, was in charge of the new ship. The fact that any Cylon would swear allegiance to humanity did rankle his ass to no end. And it was simply another reason he wanted to destroy them all.

He and the lead Sharon, Simon, and Doral were in the Central Command Center, their hands firmly in the data stream that connected them with the ship and the Hybrid. It was finally time to do battle.

"Galactica is on the far side of the planet from us. Baseship Three will be the closest to her, with us the furthest. Two and Four will be closest to the new Battlestar." Sharon concentrated on the information she was receiving.

"Launch all Raiders", Cavil ordered. "Send a screening attack against the two ships and concentrate as much as we can on the planet. Let's make them commit."

"Raiders are launching", confirmed Doral. "Baseship Two and Four arming their nukes for a surface strike. Targets have been identified."

"Pegasus Actual, Galactica Actual." Lee came through on the speakers loud and clear. "As expected, sir, they're throwing up a screen against us and concentrating on the planet."

"Lee, launch your fighters to counter the incoming. Earth will have to deal with the attack for this round. We have to make them dance to our tune."

"Acknowledged, Galactica Actual. Helo just launched our birds. When will you launch the special mission, Admiral?"

"Not until the Raiders attacking us begin their homeward run. When they RTB, I will launch."

"Aye, Admiral. Pegasus Actual, out."

There was more than one Six aboard Galactica. A few had survived the battle with The Colony and were still with The Fleet. This one sat alone in the modified Raider that Lieutenant Danny Novacek, Call Sign "Bulldog" had used to get back to Galactica in his staged "escape". It had been modified so a human-looking occupant could more easily operate the machine. With help from Bulldog, they had made this marginally comfortable.

Gaius and his team had modified the program in the ship. The single red eye was operational, and he had devised a program whereas the brain of the ship was still operating and would be able to receive commands from a Baseship, but the program had been altered so it wouldn't actually attack either Battlestars. The plan was that when the Raiders received their call home after the first encounter, she would join the return to base, And, then, hopefully, the fun would begin.

This Six who volunteered for this mission did so because, well...she was expendable. Caprica Six, now Lieutenant Caprica Baltar, was too valuable to risk on the upcoming mission. This Six, named Rebecca, would have one mission-get to the Hybrid on board the nearest Baseship.

She didn't hold any jealousy or envy for Caprica. Rebecca had volunteered for this mission, which, she knew would most likely be one-way.

"We've launched twenty nukes at the planet", Simon processed the information that they were being fed. "Per the Op Plan, we won't launch all our nukes."