CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
DAY 135 – BATTLESTAR PEGASUS – 1830hrs"Well, XO", Commander Cain said, "What's our status?"
Looking up from the Core Command Console – where Annan had handed him a final checklist – Tolen turned to face Cain.
Holding up the checklist, he said "That last tanker-load of tylium from the STELLER CONVEYOR has been stowed, and the last of our logistical requirements have been taken care of, Commander. In short, we're all set to go. Fleet Command have given us our departure clearance – at our discretion".
Nodding, Cain turned to face Glen Sanders. "Comms?" Cain asked next.
"The last group of personnel have returned from the AULUS, and all of our replacements are on board", Sanders answered, "Alpha and Beta Watches are at their Condition Two stations".
"And Chief?" Cain inquired next, referring to Wyatt Thyssen down in Engineering.
"Major Thyssen reports that main propulsion is online and both energizers are ticking over nicely", Sanders answered. Cain nodded in satisfaction.
Gene Syke – who was in CIC having just given Cain his status report on the dispositions of the squadrons in Silver Spar Wing – ventured to say, "Well, Commander, I suppose that it's time to get this show on the road. The AULUS made for a nice piece of R & R, but I suppose it's back to business".
"I can't argue there, CAG", Cain replied, "but before we set off on our little jaunt…"
Cain turned back to Annan and said, "Raise the HYPERION".
After a few seconds of tapping on her console, Annan said "Admiral Tillman is on scrambler, Commander".
Nodding, Cain went and picked up the scrambler communicator.
BATTLESTAR HYPERION
"Well, Garris", Admiral Tillman said over his communicator, "I take it that you and the PEGASUS are all set to depart?"
"Yes, Admiral", Cain replied, "I wanted to take the chance to have a final thank-you to you and all the others in the fleet for your hospitality. The PEGASUS is ready to resume the hunt for the GALACTICA".
"My pleasure, Garris", Tillman acknowledged, "I'm glad we had the extra vipers to spare, not to mention the fuel from the CONVEYOR as well".
"Thanks anyway", Cain said, "And I hope that the CEREBRUS will be able to prove to be a great asset for you and the fleet".
"Commander Wright will ensure that the CEREBRUS will be. Not to mention the Black Knights. So… you'll be resuming the search from Kobol, right?" Tillman asked.
"Sector 218 is the best place to start from", Cain answered, "With any luck, those extra stealth probes you gave us should be able to listen in on the tinheads, and that should give us the information we need to track down the GALACTICA".
"And your cousin?" Tillman asked next.
"You've given me the arrest warrant, and if I come upon her, I will serve it", Cain replied shortly.
Tillman didn't immediately reply. He caught the undertone in Cain's voice. Garris Cain was not going to let family connections interfere with his duty, and his duty in this case was clear: Helena Cain had committed piracy and murder under a thin veneer of 'military necessity'. As far as he was concerned, that made her nothing more than an outlaw…
"You given any thoughts as to what you'll do when you meet up with Bill Adama?" Tillman inquired.
"Well, I'll have to find him first – assuming that he and the GALACTICA are still in one piece", Cain replied, "So it'll all depend upon the circumstances. Rest assured though, we'll still be maintaining regular contact with the courier probes you left us. Major Sanders has furnished your Core Command with the times and spatial co-ordinates for probe rendezvous".
The probes would be for the purpose of both Cain and Tillman keeping each other appraised on their respective situations. Using the same fail-safe technology as the probes they had used to communicate with the GOLIATH, the probes were the best way to keep in communication.
"Yeah, we have the data", Tillman confirmed, "So, I don't think that there is much more to say, except Good Luck, and may the Lords of Kobol guide you in your quest".
"May the Lords of Kobol guide you as well, Admiral", Cain replied, "This is PEGASUS Actual, over and out".
"HYPERION Actual, over and out… and we'll see you again soon", Tillman concluded.
BATTLESTAR PEGASUS
"Helm", Cain ordered, "All ahead two-thirds, plot us away from the fleet. FTL jump in five minutes".
"All ahead Two-Thirds, Five minutes to FTL", the helm officer replied, manipulating the controls.
Down in Engineering, Thyssen smiled as he heard the hum of the energizers rise in pitch as the primary thrusters throttled up…
BATTLECRUISER TRINITY
"Commander", the helm officer called, "The PEGASUS is moving out".
John Roberts walked up to the DRADIS monitor and looked at one of the screens. The PEGASUS was moving from it's station in the fleet, preparing to FTL once the battlestar moved out far enough.
"Well, Dad", the person standing next to Commander Roberts said, "I'm kind of sad to see her go. The PEGASUS really was a second home to me".
"Michael", Roberts said, "I'm just glad that the PEGASUS was there to take you and the rest of the Black Knights on board when they did".
"Yeah", Ensign Roberts replied with feeling, "And I'm glad that our family is back together. We're rather more fortunate than most in that regard".
Commander Roberts nodded at that. Soon, his son would have to leave on the next shuttle to join his new squadron, but for the moment, they could savor this moment together of watching the PEGASUS moving out to continue the fight …
Behind Roberts and his son stood Andrew Marcus. He too was watching the viewscreen.
"So Sheba", Marcus said to himself, "You and Gene are off once again. Be safe".
BATTLESTAR CEREBRUS
"Commander", Colonel Gale called, "The PEGASUS is departing. She's on her way".
"Thanks XO", Commander Wright replied, "patch me through to Major Voight at Wing HQ".
Down in the starboard landing bay annex – where Lance Voight had established Black Knights Wing Headquarters – Major Voight's communicator buzzed. Voight picked it up.
"CAG", Voight said simply.
"This is Hammerhead Actual", Wright replied. Voight straightened up.
"Yes, Commander?" Voight said.
"Just wanted to let you know that the PEGASUS is heading out now. I'm going to be sending them a last message before they jump. Anything you wish to add?"
"Just a message for their CAG", Voight replied, "if you can say 'Happy Hunting', I think that will do nicely".
"Will do, CAG", Wright answered, "And is your wing ready for our little trip once we're fully up and running?", he asked, referring to their upcoming mission to locate the Battlecruiser GOLIATH.
"More than ready, Commander", Voight replied, "Still, it is going to seem a little lonelier with the PEGASUS on her way and the Black Knights staying here".
"Major Syke will find it tough not having your wing to back his one up, CAG", Wright said next in a lighter tone, "but I suppose that somehow, he'll just have to manage the best way he can".
Voight smiled at that comment. He replied, "I'm sure he will, Commander. Thank you".
After Voight put down his communicator, he looked up in time to see the deputy CAG walk in.
"Well Jankers", Voight said, "The PEGASUS is leaving us now, so I guess Silver Spar will have to put up with the Black Knights being elsewhere…"
BATTLESTAR PEGASUS
The stately behemoth of the PEGASUS was being watched by more than a few people in the fleet as she smoothly accelerated away on it's course to it's FTL jump-point.
"We're getting a lot of last-minute well-wisher messages, Comms", Annan commented to Sanders, gesturing to a small screen that was displaying an ever-scrolling bunch of script.
"Well, that's to be expected, Ginnie", Sanders replied, "The Gomoray battle, plus all that down-time the crew had on the AULUS kind of made us popular", he concluded with massive understatement, "When we get time, we'll forward the messages to the relevant recipients".
Ginnie nodded, but the person she cared about was with her here on the PEGASUS. True, Grant Wise was with his squadron down in the starboard landing bay on stand-by alert, but soon both of them would be off-duty…
Also in his squadron ready room was Tom Sanders. He was glad to be with his brother on the same ship, but he was also happy to be in Ice Truly's squadron. He knew that the PEGASUS was going to be back in harms way, but he knew that the PEGASUS – and the squadrons of Silver Spar Wing – would be inflicting grief to the tinheads rather than taking them…
Up in CIC, the helm officer turned to Commander Cain and said, "We're nearing the jump co-ordinates, Commander. FTL-jump countdown at one minute… mark!"
Nodding, Cain turned on the PA. Everyone on board the PEGASUS listened to him as he spoke:
"To the officers and crew of the PEGASUS, It is my pleasure to inform you that we are about to resume the search for the Battlestar GALACTICA and her group of ships that she is protecting. We are going back into battle. We will be alone once again, but in a very real sense, not alone. The HYPERION and her fleet will remain in communication with us, and vice-versa. We are fully fueled, armed, provisioned, and with a crew that I am both proud of… and humbled to lead. Let us fulfill our mission! And when we find the GALACTICA, then we will be better able to preserve humanity, and to one day rid not only the colonies, but also the entire galaxy of the Cylon scourge. We will prevail, we will carry the day, and Death to the Cylons!"
All over the battlestar, the crew shouted "So say we all!" The crew was still shouting it as the FTL-drive came on line.
With a large flash of light, the PEGASUS disappeared from normal space. Their mission had started. Next stop, Kobol!
THE END.