Part 2: Battlestar Galactica, Dawn: Collision

Chapter 13

XIII

Lee Adama knew the Cylons would have changed their shield freqs before jumping back. And he knew they'd be on the lookout for any Raptor that looked out of place. They were thirty-three hours from Victory allegedly entering service, although UED had said not a peep about if the bird was done. Lee knew he and his father would have to make the Cylons dance just a little longer in order to get Victory into the air.

Gaius' team, with the help of the hangar crews, had been able to load the receiver/transmitters into every missile in the fleet. He had also sent the receiver/transmitter specs to Hoshi in Spain, so Victory would come out of her moorings and hit the Cylons in a tender spot. Pegasus, for some reason, was having problems getting the system to work on her weapons but hadn't given up on the effort.

Galactica had withdrawn back behind Pegasus about 550 kilometers or so. Her fighters could still engage the Baseships that came calling, but the Baseships would have to get through Pegasus to get to the Old Girl. Of course, once the Baseships committed and showed their hand, Galactica would have to stand-to and slug it out.

Pegasus took some nuclear strikes in the first twelve hours after the Toasters had jumped back in, but the armor was still holding. The same pattern as before had restarted: two Baseships going after the Battlestars, and the other one tasked to pounding Earth with nukes and with Raiders. Lee was convinced by now they had only a finite number of nuclear warheads, or else they would have sent them raining down on top of the two ships, as well as Earth.

So far, The Beast had kept The Bucket out of the main fracas. But Lee knew Galactica would have to come out of her corner, and soon.

"This is the XO, launch Blue and Silver Squadrons. Red is finishing their landings, re-arm ASAP." Tigh released the mic button, and turned to Adama. "Sir, we've got 'em all down, and they should all be back out within fifteen minutes Blue and Silver getting airborne!"

"Kelly, any word on Victory yet?" The Admiral didn't want to show his nerves, but he wanted that ship in play.

"Sir, nothing from UED or Hoshi yet, but by estimates, she's still at least a few hours from sailing."

Godsdammit. He swore under his breath. He wasn't angry at anyone, but he knew he couldn't just hang back here until the cows came home. He would have to put his damaged ship back into the fore. He hated being screened like this. If they were going to go down, he wanted to go down toe-to-toe with the Toasters.

"Galen, how are we doing?" Admiral Hoshi had a handheld talkie on The Bridge with him, while Galen was scurrying around the ship, frantically trying to wrap things up.

"Admiral, at least another two or three hours. Can't be helped, sir, but we're damn close." Tyrol sounded like and probably was out of breath. He was busting his ass, so Hoshi didn't bust it for him as well.

Hoshi knew Galactica was still in the rear of Pegasus, trying to stay away from a slugging match. He was certain the Cylons would force the issue. At this moment, he was as helpless as a newborn.

At almost the same moment, Admiral Lee Adama looked at his Dradis, and the disposition of the Baseships began to change.

"Helo, do you see this? It looks like the furthest Baseship is breaking from Earth and re-deploying?"

"Aye. Admiral. Maybe they're switching surface targets? They've done that before, sir."

Lee eyed the movements that he was seeing on Dradis, and then he suddenly turned cold. Frack me, but I think they're...

"Cronin, raise Galactica immediately!" Lee shouted, and with a deadly urgency in his voice.

"Got her, sir!"

"Galactica, Pegasus Actual!"

"Pegasus Actual, Galactica Actual. I see the movements", the older Adama informed the younger one. "What do you think they're up to?" Adama's Dradis image was from a lot further off, so it might now be discernible to him yet.

"Admiral, I think all three Baseships are forming against us. I repeat all three are headed our way. They're committing the bulk of their forces against us."

William Adama studied the Dradis for a brief moment before replying. Then he turned to Tigh. "I think the boy's right, Saul. They're coming in force."

"Gods help us", the XO said stoically.

"Galactica has to come out now, brothers and sisters. She can't lay back and let her new sister take all the beating." Cavil wasn't as smug as he might have been. The Humans had fought him masterfully in this war, and he couldn't just dismiss that. It made him want them gone all the more. "Have Two and Four go right down the center towards Pegasus. Peel us away and flank Pegasus, and head straight for Galactica."

"Keep the new bird too occupied to help her sister?" Simon liked that.

"Yes. And recall all fighters from the planet to join the attack. I want everything in on these two Battlestars. This ends today." Cavil's eyes narrowed. It better end today, he thought, I'm getting too old for this crap...

"All hands, this is the Admiral. One Baseship heading directly for us, two heading toward Pegasus. Batten down the hatches, prepare for incoming!" He turned to Tigh. "XO all birds in the air; All Falcons, Vipers, and Raptors launch."

"This is the XO, launch all available aircraft! Repeat, launch all birds!"

Caprica followed Tigh's words. "Admiral, Baseship directly in front of us, range one-hundred kilometers and closing!"

Tigh was close on her heels. "Admiral all available birds airborne, we've emptied the hangars!"

And so, Adama thought, the die is cast...