Disclaimer: I do not own Battlestar Galactica in any way shape or form, I make no money off of this. The following story is fanfiction and created for fun.

Authors Note: I thought it would be interesting to expand on the Cain family, go into some background and write about another member of that particular family, in this case a Battlestar Commander. Any background I write on the Cain family is merely speculative and shouldn't be considered cannon because It's based on my perspectives and how they play a role in the Galactica universe. And of course, I hope you enjoy reading this story as much I enjoyed writing it.

Chapter One: The Beginning of the End.

BSG 89: Battlestar Ulysses, fully staffed Mercury Class Warship.

Currently protecting Military contracted astral physicists and geophysicists in the Promar sector.

Commanding: Rebecca Cain. Three hours prior to the Cylon attack on the Colonies.

Rebecca lay flat staring at the ceiling of her quarters under blue sheets, the reverberating hum of the engines vibrated softly throughout the ship coaxing her to close her blue eyes. She hasn't had a single night where she could stay asleep for more then an hour at a time. Ever since her promotion, it opened an entire new world of responsibility. She had all the right connections, all the right commendations. She was more then qualified to command a Colonial Battlestar, but that aching sense of failure was lurking in the back of her mind. This was her second year commanding the Ulysses, yet it still felt like she just came aboard. Rebecca was much like many in her family however, no nonsense, tough, and disciplined. The Cain family had always been deeply involved in politics earning them esteemed positions, which led to wealth and other facets. Even though she came from a well-connected family, it did not mean she wasn't capable.

It was almost 0700, and she decided that since she couldn't sleep she would get ready for duty. Moving the covers off she felt a cold air touch her skin making her shiver slightly. Rising out of bed she yawned and stretched slightly, moving towards her private head. She turned on the tap and splashed cold water on her face to wake up. She reached for a hand towel and patted her face dry. Now looking at herself she sighed; her face had a fine complexion, high cheekbones, plush full lips and a small straight narrow nose. Her blue eyes scanned the rest of her body self-consciously, her workouts had been good to her, giving her definition in her abdomen and limbs. She weighed in at 130 lbs. and stood 5'9. At thirty-six years old she was one of the younger Commanders in the fleet. Tying her long black hair back she took off her military undershirts and sweatpants then stepped into the shower.

CIC.

Executive officer Kenneth Reid stood over the command operations console eyeing the Dradis monitor. Last nights watch gave a report of ghost Dradis readings indicating possible contact. Protection of this small fleet was the priority of the Military; after all, they were charting new routes and finding new planetoids with potential resources. This was now the fleet's two-month mark on their journey into the unknown. The Government sanctioned the use of the scientific vessels and the Admiralty agreed in sending a fully staffed and supplied Battlestar to protect the operation. The mission was deemed classified. Now he turned his attention to his men, watching them closely attend to their stations and answering any questions that came up. He clasped his hands behind his back.

Commanders Quarters.

Rebecca finished her daily ritual of hygiene then started putting on her uniform and made sure she looked crisp and alert. She then wrapped a standard black Military utility belt around her waist snapping it securely, which held her firearm in a holster at hip level. Now ready she left her quarters and made sure to lock the door with her key card then made for the CIC down busy causeways. This would be the longest day of her life.

CIC.

It was now close to 0800 and Ken was expecting the Commander any minute, he had just received some images from the latest batch of astral surveillance from the Spectral, and something was out of place. It contained a side note which a scientist wrote saying an unknown vessel was spotted while doing a routine observation of a binary system. Narrowing his eyes now at the ship, he thought it resembled a starfish. The CIC glass doors slid open horizontally and the officer of the watch announced the Commander on deck. Several crewmen saluted as she approached the operations console and then was greeted by Major Vash, the officer of the watch and acting tactical officer.

"Good morning sir, here is the report from mid watch, there was something strange on Dradis, apparently there were several sensor ghosts and they were sporadic for only a few minutes before disappearing." She said as she handed Rebecca the report.

Ken watched the exchange and waited until he had the Commanders attention.

"Morning Major, I trust the Colonel is aware of this?" She asked as she looked over the report quickly and glanced at Ken.

"Aye sir, and so far we haven't picked anything else up on Dradis."

"Very well, keep an eye on this and let me know of any new developments, carry on."

"Yes sir." She saluted and returned to work.

Rebecca then approached her second.

"Morning sir." He saluted sharply.

"Ken." She nodded returning the salute. "What have we got today?"

"Possibly a first contact…" He replied coolly.

Kenneth Reid served with Rebecca for ten years; they were good friends and came to respect each other's capabilities in the chain of command. He was from Gemenon, and like many Gemenese he was black. His head was always lacking any hair as far back as she could remember, and he was six years her senior. Now looking into his eyes she blinked several times before responding.

"Really?" She asked, now furrowing a brow at him crossing her arms.

"Well these are the latest deep space surveillance photographs from the Spectral, marked as priority by Doctor Alexis. There's a ship here Commander…." He replied, handing her the photo.

Rebecca squinted at the photo studying it. Then snapped her head back up.

"This ship... has some very similar traits to a Cylon Baseship. Center axis, top and bottom quadrants. In forty years no one has seen them, obviously there would be a change in their technology. Send this Intel to fleet headquarters as soon as possible, meanwhile get Doctor Alexis on the line, I need to talk to him." She said now rubbing her chin in thought.

"Aye sir. Major, make it happen." Ken ordered.

Vash nodded then followed the order.

Frowning Colonel Reid looked up at the Dradis, they were in enemy territory now, and he felt that in his gut something was wrong. "Well, if they detect us we could be in a world of trouble… " He flipped a switch on the console and spoke into his headset.

"This is the XO, set condition two throughout the ship, have alert fighters standing by, possible enemy contact, repeat, set condition two throughout the ship."

Rebecca was already on the line with Doctor Alexis, Ken listened as she asked him questions about the ships location. Apparently, it wasn't as far as first speculated. Rebecca hung up the phone then looked at the Dradis screen. Her face was emotionless.

"He said they began tracking the ship as soon as they spotted it, it's now fifty SU away, and closing. Major Vash make a long range sweep on Dradis covering forty to fifty SU, and report."

"Sir!" She began the sweep. The delay time was only half a minute.

"Picking up unknown contact, no transponders or recognition codes. Unknown vessel is forty-four SU away now sir." The Major announced looking over her stations Dradis screen.

"Inform the Spectral and Prominence to move their position…" She said looking at the tactical map across the CIC. She walked over to the glass map board and calculated a good defensible position. Finding a suitable place Rebecca spoke.

"Here." She pointed. "Two clicks to 34 carom 67, and if they complain about losing any star fixes say it's a direct order. We have to avoid any potential hostilities… the last thing we need is to start a war with the Cylons."

"Aye sir, but they are clearly following us... if they interpret us trying to escape it may antagonize them."

Rebecca looked down thinking of what Ken just said, he was right; it may even cause them to jump within weapons range and attack.

"Alright… let's keep on our present course for now, we are still at condition two. They don't know we have seen them yet. Spin up the ships FTL, we are leaving. For all they know were moving to another sector."

"Aye sir."

Cylon Basestar, tracking the surveillance fleet.

"The others agree, we must destroy these Colonials and continue to the staging area."

"Loss of surprise is unacceptable, if they escape they could make their way back in only a few calculated Jumps. I fear we may have been detected already, we must act quickly."

"Agreed, organize a battle group to quickly take down the Battlestar, we will hold position then jump on them when ready."

Battlestar Ulysses - CIC.

"Sir, newest reading from the long range Dradis, the Baseship is holding position now." Reported Vash.

"Helm control, set speed to full and provide direct cover for the civilians, and correct as needed."

"Aye sir, setting speed to full." Replied Lieutenant Peter Hoskins. Hoskins served as the helm control officer.

Several minutes passed as the CIC went about their business. Then the worst possible dream came true.

"Sir! Three unknown vessels have just jumped into weapons range! No Colonial transponders or recognition codes! They're bearing down on the science vessels!" Announced Major Vash looking at her console.

Ken and Rebecca looked at each other in shock.

"My Gods…" Stated Commander Cain.

"Tell the civilians to jump to the emergency coordinates right frakking now!" Barked the XO.

"Action stations!" Shouted the Commander.

"Action stations, action stations!" Spoke Major Vash into her headset echoing through the ship speakers. Alarm claxons blared loudly.

The Cylons wasted no time and launched dozens of missiles pounding the Ulysses as the Basestars closed in around for a quick kill. Targeting the civilians, they launched two nuclear warheads.

"Radiological alarm! Two nukes inbound for the science vessels!" Reported Vash in an anxious tone.

Rebecca's eyes widened in utter shock, she could not believe this was happening.

"Set all batteries and bowel turrets for a salvo fire and target the nearest enemy ship! Begin fighter suppression barrage and launch the alert fighters!" Frantically ordered the Commander.

"Sir, batteries are locked on and we have a firing solution." Replied Vash.

"Fire!"

Outside of the Ulysses.

The batteries stood proud, barrels bristling with deadly poise in their aim at the Basestars, the guns fired massive slugs of kinetic rounds, which meant they were highly explosive on impact tearing metal into shreds. Dozens of rounds flew towards the nearest Basestar smashing into it. Immediately the ship reeled under the assault and began to back off, launching its full fighter compliment. The nuclear warheads launched only moments before found their marks causing a devastating effect; the scientific vessels were vaporized in two brilliant flashes of light. And the Cylons prepared to finish off the Battlestar. One Cylon Raider broke off from the main fight; it's cockpit visor opened, and a red light slowly moved from left to right targeting the Ulysses.

Battlestar Ulysses - CIC.

"Oh my Gods… SIR! The Spectral and Prominence are gone!" Reported Hoskins.

This dreadful occurrence was confirmed by the Viper pilots, the wireless was flooded with pilot chatter reporting it.

The Cylon missiles steadily rattled the entire ship; it was hard to stay standing in the CIC.

Rebecca was pale and overwhelmed, in less than five minutes three thousand people were killed instantly. She now had to focus on her own ship.

"Target is backing off sir, the other two are now pressing hard! INCOMING ORDINANCE!" Shouted Major Vash.

"Target the next Baseship! Focus flak suppression on our top and starboard side!" Ordered the Commander.

Not a moment after she said that, more smart seeking missiles impacted the hull causing power to fluctuate throughout the ship. Lights were flickering and glass cracked and shattered in the CIC as the enemy missiles steadily bombarded them. The Basestars and the Ulysses exchanged salvo after salvo; the space around them was full of deadly projectiles trailing smoke as fierce dogfights ensued between the Raiders and the alert Vipers.

"We should retreat Rebecca! We're outmatched here! We can't stand against a force of this size!" Shouted the Colonel.

"Sir, they are launching more fighters! We are facing a massive force now." Reported Vash.

Nodding at Ken she gave her orders. "Get us out of here as soon as possible! Inform all squadrons to make emergency combat landings and jump the ship!" Sternly ordered the Commander.

"Aye sir! Ulysses to all Vipers, break off attack and make emergency combat landings, I say again, break off attack and make emergency combat landings!" Spoke Vash into her headset.

The Cylons decided it was time to use more efficient means of killing their target, they couldn't risk the Battlestar escaping.

"Radiological alarm!" Shouted Vash.

Four nuclear warheads careened towards the Ulysses from different directions simultaneously, an attempt to cripple it, several pilots tried to intercept and shoot them down. They were successful in destroying one in the heat of the battle. With hundreds of Cylon Raiders flooding the combat zone from the vast launch bays of the Basestars, they didn't stand a chance. The Viper squadrons were taking heavy losses.

The ships wireless blared with chatter from the pilots.

"Ulysses this is Blitz! You have inbound nukes! All Vipers break away from the Ulysses!"

"Frak! You have nukes coming right at you Ulysses!" Spoke another pilot.

Commander Cain knew this would be costly, she knew this could be the end, she gripped the console hard and closed her eyes, and prayed they would survive to warn the Colonies.

"Gods have mercy on us all…" She spoke softly. The nuclear warheads slammed into the lone Battlestar.

Authors Note - Hope you enjoyed more to come soon.