"What is that?" Colonel Tigh asked. His executive officer sounded puzzled.
Commander Adama looked up from the screen he'd been watching. He straightened, alarm spreading across his craggy face. His dark haired daughter, Athena, gave him a concerned look, before refocusing her attention on the coms she was monitoring through out the fleet.
"Omega," the commander glanced at the officer, stationed on the lower part of the Galactica's bridge.
The question did not need to be asked as young man examined the incoming data and shook his head. "Unknown, sir. Picking up unknown energy readings that seem to be expanding and yet shrinking at the same time."
"Bring the fleet to a complete stop." It was the safest move. Behind him he heard his daughter repeating his order to the many ship's behind them.
The odd apparition glittered in the dark of space, masking the stars behind it.
His first born, Apollo, suddenly stood beside him, along with Starbuck, his best friend and wingman. "Should we send a patrol out, father?"
Adama frowned slightly, but allowed the familiarity. "Not until - " He never got to finish his sentence. A flare filled the room and vaguely he heard the cries of his crew, echoed by screams from the com.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The damage caused by the Phoenix group slowly disappeared. Work crews labored diligently to clear up the debris and make their home right again.
Commander Taylor watched them work from above, his hands resting on his office railing, perched so he could see every part of the colony and beyond. The gate stood partially open as crews returned from various duties outside the gate.
Above in the blue sky, a few winged reptiles flew over, heading for the high peaks. Some carried prey in their mouths, probably to feed their young waiting in the nests.
"Would never have seen something like that in Chicago," Jim Shannon commented, joining the older man.
"Probably not," Taylor agreed. Sweat plastered his black shirt against his back and trickled down into his lined face. "It's a sight to watch their young learn to fly."
"Can't wait." The younger man looked comfortable in light colored cotton top and jeans. He'd settled into his new role as second in command more easily than Taylor expected.
Taylor had debated on who to replace Alicia Washington after she'd been killed saving the Shannon family. He'd considered Mark Reynolds, who was more than qualified, but finally picked Shannon since he was already recognized as a leader in Terra Nova.
"Going to be a hot one tomorrow." The new season had begun to set in. He knew from previous years there would be hot temperatures and drenching rain. He just hoped the agricultural group were prepared and could look after the crops and orchards. They had a lot of new people helping them who had come in on the last complete pilgrimage. The same one the Shannons had been on.
"Want me to get the crews working on the houses." Shannon looked at him expectantly. "They're started and I'm hearing there are going to be a number of weddings come next Harvest Festival."
"Might as well." They'd only gotten a few new settlers on the Eleventh before the Phoenix group had blown up the Terminus.
Night began to slide in, darkening the skies. Howls and screeches drifted from the trees as the nocturnal dinosaurs began to move about.
"I'll see it gets done." Shannon started to leave and stopped. "You're welcome to join us for dinner."
"Think I'll pass, but thanks."
"Anytime." The man left, taking the stairs down and stopping to talk to Mark Reynolds. Their exchange caused Taylor to smile. The young man was dating Shannon's daughter Maddy and it made him glad they seemed to be getting along.
With a sigh, he returned to his office, glad he'd opened all the windows. A slight breeze pushed through and he sat down at his desk, a piece of glass over a dinosaur's skull. He had a lot of work to do.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A new view filled the Galactica's screen. A blue and green planet spun below, with one large continent and swirling white clouds. It's beauty made the commander catch his breath, before turning to Athena to find out if the entire fleet had arrived.
She glanced up at him, her brown eyes so like her mother's. "Every ship accounted for."
He dared to release a relieved breath. Whatever had happened had transported the entire fleet.
"How are they doing?"
"Frightened," she replied. "No major casualties. Mostly minor bumps and scraps."
"Good. Anything from the planet?"
Athena shook her head. "All quiet. No planetary communication at all."
"That's very odd." Adama frowned, not certain what to make of that development.
"Maybe we should send out a patrol," Apollo suggested. "Take a look around."
He nodded. "Excellent idea."
"Come on, Starbuck."
"How'd I know we'd get tagged for this mission," Starbuck replied.
The two shared a laugh and headed for the lift.
Adama's attention refocused on the planet below. Some part of him recognized the world, but he had not idea why.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The Adama Journals
The Book of the Word tells us the Lords of ancient Kobol brought humanity to a new world so we could begin again. When that world died, they once again made a way for us to spread among the stars to establish the Twelve Worlds.
Of the thirteenth tribe very little is said beyond them fleeing for Earth. Odd they should phrase it that way.
Yes the star around which Kobol circled was dying, but other records indicate, and our own visit there proved, the situation was not yet dire.
I have to wonder, what brought such terror that the tribe we seek, had to separate themselves from the rest of us, and vanish into our history to a point they became legend.
A legend I believe in and gambled the entire future of our people on.