Colonial Air Space

[Judge Judith Schwein]

Judith looked at the Colonial officer, her head turned slightly to the right, having picked up on the tone in his words. It was time to be more forthright with this man, regardless of what her superiors may think. The time for withholding information from the Colonials was long past. If they were to save their species and this planet from Cylon domination, there were things the Colonials needed to know and this was the perfect man to work with.

"Yes, it is time for us to talk Colonel."

Looking at her watch, Judith did a quick calculation in her head then spoke to the pilot.

"Pilot, continue on this heading for five more minutes, then turn to one five five mark three seven. Four more minutes of flight time and you'll see our destination. Follow the beacon signal and you'll go straight to the air field."

Sitting back in her seat, she looked at the Colonial, smiling.

"I didn't always used to be a member of the court Colonel. A lifetime ago, I flew planes for the fledgling military, when we discovered our missing heritage and technology. Eresea was the birthplace of our re-taking the surface of this planet. There's much to tell and show you and very little time. You'll have to forgive me if I go too fast."

Judith pulled the map to where it was between her and the Colonial.



"Helios is the largest city on the continent, over a million and a half souls, mostly Terran but a good number of colonials and a couple of enclaves of exiled gondawans. The capital is of course Eresea City, one hundred and seventy odd thousand. As you can see, with the exception of one colonial base to the east, your presence is pretty much up the middle of the continent. There's a reason for that and we'll get to that in due time. Our bases sufficiently cover the rest of the place. The placement of Eresea on the planet is what gives the place it's unique properties. But there's more beneath the surface, and that's the real crown."

Judith waited a second before continuing. She felt the raptor turn to the left and she knew there were only several more minutes before they would be landing and she wanted this man to be aware of why they had come to this place.

"The rest of the cities are mostly just villages, a few thousand or so people. The coastal cities are somewhat larger and that's where the bulk of the defenses are. When you see what is in place at the capital, you'll wonder why so much. Colonel, the capital of the planet may be in Corinth, but the seat of power is on Eresea. It always has been and it always will be. You see Colonel, this is where the bunkers were located so many, many years ago. When your people first arrived here what seems like so many years ago, we were just starting to rebuild not only our cities but our technology. When we saw your ships, we felt it was necessary and prudent to withhold how strong or advanced we were. It proved to be a wise decision, since the cylons followed you. I suppose we didn't pose a threat to them or they figured they could always come back, or perhaps it was because descendants of the Thirteenth Tribe of Man were here, who knows."

Judith had always kept her personal and political life out of the whole gondawan issue. It was the gondawans who had stumbled upon this planet two thousand years ago, right at a time when the Terran's were about to experience their own self-destruction, an event even the gondawans could not prevent with their own superior technology, although at that time, Terra was not known as Terra. Judith looked back at the Colonel.

"I'm sure you're aware our people had their own trials and tribulations because of technology getting the best of us. Some blame the gondawans to this day while those of us who know better know it was us who did ourselves in. Our government back then knew this would happen and built deep underground bunkers, capable of sheltering a large number of people. Of course, those people would have to be the best and brightest we had. As it usually goes for those types of things, money did the talking. Still, over one million people were placed into those bunkers. Public personalities, the wealthy, government and military officials and the like. What they discovered when they were digging was the mineral deposits, minerals that could produce energy and fuel, others that were stronger than any type of ore we had ever come across before."

Judith looked to the cockpit and could see the faint line of the southern coast line.

"Anyhow, we discovered how to use these minerals for a variety of purposes. The deposits run deep and far out from the continent itself. It's sued in practically every aspect of our industrial community from building surface vehicles to the planes flown in and out of the atmosphere to those new cargo ships built in your shipyard in space. It took us many years to get back to where we are now. That's why Eresea is given so much leeway in how it handles its affairs. It also helps that due to some freak meteorological anomaly, it's damn near impossible to see the place from the air. And because of those mineral deposits, it plays havoc on electrical equipment like your DRADIS and our version. Signals can be beamed in from satellites so we get broadcasts from the main continents but for some reason it just screws with the equipment until you are almost on top of the place. Well, within weapons range anyhow."

[Clayton Dualla]

Clayton held his peace and his expression. What he'd heard could get one's head spinning. He was reasonably sure that he wasn't being fed a line. The Judge had always seemed to be on the up and up. This news about her past, though, added an entire new facet. Was she a government official before? Was she a soldier? It intrigued Dualla. It was a lot more than he had gotten from General Cotter, and even more than he would have expected from the President. In fact, it was far more than a recently-retired and transplanted Colonial officer should have been told. He had just been made privy to facts of great importance and high security. Very dangerous secrets. His mind began to process possible escape scenarios while trying to peg the Judge, get her to reveal why she was sharing such sensitive information with one who was essentially an outworlder.

He smiled.

"This isn't one of those 'I'll tell ya but then I'll have ta kill ya' things, is it? I mean, why tell this to a newcomer to Terra who's an outsider? I'm not in the Colonial government anymore, so there's not much I can do to foster the relationship between the two. I'm actually in limbo, no longer part of one but not integrated into the other. So, why tell me all this?"

Clayton was curious as well as concerned. Was the judge part of some political group that wanted to get its hands on a former Colonial Colonel? Did they have any nefarious schemes for Dualla?

[fleetops]

As the last breath of life came out from the dying basestars, hundreds of missiles, followed by hundreds more warheads, came streaking towards the Colonial and Terran Fleets. The rapid response by the humans was not enough to stop all the carnage that followed.

The first ship to be hit was the Battlecruiser Hephaestus (BCR-544). Two missiles hit the ship directly amidhsip, on the top side, tearing into the center of the ship and boring straight through to the crews quarters and the medical bay, killing over three hundred crew instantly.

Within seconds, the Gunstars Perseids (BGS-012) and Cronus -(BSB-10), along with the Battlestar Proteus (BSG-76), Chrysalis (BSG-72), and Deuteronomy (BSG-88) were each hit by several warheads each, tearing into the ships killing hundreds of crew and essentially knocking the ships out of action. Launch tubes exploded with their Vipers inside, hangar bays became ovens due to the ensuing fires, engineering sections were either damaged severely or destroyed all together. Although many crew still survived, the ships were essentially destroyed.

The Fleet Flagship, Battlestar Leonides (BSG-70), Battlescruisers Aphrodite (BCR-023), Artemis (BCR-5532), and Athena (BCR-9801), along with the Gunstar Achilles BGS-004 immediately returned fire in the form of their missiles, launching everything they had at once. The missiles flew straight into the centers of the so-called damaged eleven basestars, completely disintegrating the basestars into a million pieces.

The following ships were fortunate to have been out of cylon weapons range, mainly due to the fact that they had already taken on a large amount of damage previously. Still, a few warheads had managed to stray off course and hit the Battlestar Acheron (BSG-77), hitting her port pod and taking out several point-defense gun batteries and a number of her launch tubes.


The Battlecruier Persephone (BCR-608) was hit by one missile to her number one engine but was able to continue on with minimal damage.

The Battlestar Odysseus (BSG-92) was relatively unscathed, one of only a few ships that sustained almost no damage.

The Battlecruiser Agamemnon (BCR-211) had taken three missiles to her starboard side but her damage control crews had put out the fires and were able to prevent the entire starboard side of the ship from being lost.

The Gunstar Castor (BCR-766) had taken one missile to her bow, taking out the entire CIC and leaving the ship to be controlled from the Aft Auxiliary Control Room.

[fleetops]

As the last breath of life came out from the dying basestars, hundreds of missiles, followed by hundreds more warheads, came streaking towards the Colonial and Terran Fleets. The rapid response by the humans was not enough to stop all the carnage that followed.

The first ship to be hit was the Battlecruiser Hephaestus (BCR-544). Two missiles hit the ship directly amidhsip, on the top side, tearing into the center of the ship and boring straight through to the crews quarters and the medical bay, killing over three hundred crew instantly.

Within seconds, the Gunstars Perseids (BGS-012) and Cronus -(BSB-10), along with the Battlestar Proteus (BSG-76), Chrysalis (BSG-72), and Deuteronomy (BSG-88) were each hit by several warheads each, tearing into the ships killing hundreds of crew and essentially knocking the ships out of action. Launch tubes exploded with their Vipers inside, hangar bays became ovens due to the ensuing fires, engineering sections were either damaged severely or destroyed all together. Although many crew still survived, the ships were essentially destroyed.

The Fleet Flagship, Battlestar Leonides (BSG-70), Battlescruisers Aphrodite (BCR-023), Artemis (BCR-5532), and Athena (BCR-9801), along with the Gunstar Achilles BGS-004 immediately returned fire in the form of their missiles, launching everything they had at once. The missiles flew straight into the centers of the so-called damaged eleven basestars, completely disintegrating the basestars into a million pieces.

The following ships were fortunate to have been out of cylon weapons range, mainly due to the fact that they had already taken on a large amount of damage previously. Still, a few warheads had managed to stray off course and hit the Battlestar Acheron (BSG-77), hitting her port pod and taking out several point-defense gun batteries and a number of her launch tubes.


The Battlecruier Persephone (BCR-608) was hit by one missile to her number one engine but was able to continue on with minimal damage.

The Battlestar Odysseus (BSG-92) was relatively unscathed, one of only a few ships that sustained almost no damage.

The Battlecruiser Agamemnon (BCR-211) had taken three missiles to her starboard side but her damage control crews had put out the fires and were able to prevent the entire starboard side of the ship from being lost.

The Gunstar Castor (BCR-766) had taken one missile to her bow, taking out the entire CIC and leaving the ship to be controlled from the Aft Auxiliary Control Room.

[Gen. Jack Thrax]

Dropping into the atmosphere, Jack peered over as he noticed the escape pod before turning back to the atmosphere as he activated his parachute just as the escape pod hit its own. He knew Michael had a less than enjoyable ride but he knew his own brother wouldn't stop chasing him especially now considering how close both of them are.

[Vice Admiral Michael Martin]

Unstrapping from the escape pod, Michael reached over as he slipped on the spare parachute as he clipped on his rifle to his vest before blowing the canopy. Jumping out, he grabbed onto Jack's parachute before cutting the lines just as he kicked Jack away; opening his chute as he noticed the hill side below. Peering back over, he spotted Jack with his second chute as they both took aim at each other with their rifles as they collided with the tree canopy.

[Advisor Daniel Langley]

The Galactica jumped into orbit as her ancient pods extended but the ship shook as she stabilized in orbit of Terra, establishing a high orbit as her guns erupted thanks to the proud Terrans glad to be home but it wasn't true for all of them. A good number of those Terrans would have to relocate to their new home till the war with the Ha La Tha was over.

[Vice Admiral Michael Martin]

Opening the canopy, Michael knew the FTL Drive was dead as he placed his tactical pad on the console as it wiped any records of the ship's construction and its secret missions on Terra. Unzipping his vest, he nodded as Jack and Rebecca climbed out before he closed the canopy, pulling off his vest and jacket as he rolled up his sleeve; "I've got orders to keep this quiet but considering most of you and I mean Captain Martin and Sergeant Greer are Taurons than me keeping quiet isn't too good, our old war with the Ha La Tha has returned thanks to Alex. He put a bounty of 4 billion credits and it has since hit 8 billion for the heads of everyone incorporated with Terran Intelligence. The Cylons put a nail in our coffin and there is less than a hundred Terran Intelligence soldiers like myself however the Ha La Tha wants to get rid of us altogether and they're doing it with credits. If we don't go to war then every time we step on Terra we take a risk of not coming back, Greer keep her close and protect Daniel, he's the only one that can bring down the Cylons and he can help us win this war."

Placing his jacket and vest in his seat as he rolled up his sweater, "I have nothing against Taurons just the Ha La Tha, I saved a message on my tactical pad for Yogi also one for Sam, we'll catch up sometime but as for now me and Jack have to get back on Terra and access the enemy strength," a tear rolled down his right eye as he opened the canopy, not bothering to take his rifle as he set his holsters onto the nose knowing that he would need fresh ones on the Venture before they head to the surface.

Walking over to a raptor, he climbed inside with Jack, Rebecca and finally Thomas; fixing the sleeves on his sweater as his mind raced; he knew he had said too much then again his words were empty. He wasn't alone, he wasn't going to allow the Ha La Tha to ban them from their own home and even more it meant fighting not just to save Terran Intelligence but fighting to save themselves. The raptor lifted off the deck as he glanced out of the hatch, knowing that the next time he sees her, he'll be broken inside.

[Rear Admiral Samantha Martin]

Not knowing where they'd jumped away from, Sam stared blankly out the window of the raptor. She had no idea what, or how, to feel anymore. Maybe I'd be better off if I'd have died on that basestar, she thought darkly. Turning her attention to something else, the Captain offered a sad smile as she glanced around the crowded raptor, trying to find Greer. She'd be sure to mention his hard work on the 103 to the Admiral and XO. Plus, they still needed to get that information back to the both of them.

Watching the marines, Sam took slow shallow breaths before speaking up. "I don't know about you boys, but I'm ready to get home." 'Home', meaning the Atlantia. In her mind, home would always be Tauron... She would put up with the hot summers, the dust clouds, anything just to step foot back on the planet, to walk through the crowded market places again. To be surrounded by fellow Taurons, where everyone was treated like family. Sighing, Sam turned to the pilot and instructed him to land once the Atlantia arrived.

[GySgt Ronald "Scythe" Greer]

Jul 26, 2012 17:22:13 GMT -6 Rear Admiral Samantha Martin said:

Not knowing where they'd jumped away from, Sam stared blankly out the window of the raptor. She had no idea what, or how, to feel anymore. Maybe I'd be better off if I'd have died on that basestar, she thought darkly. Turning her attention to something else, the Captain offered a sad smile as she glanced around the crowded raptor, trying to find Greer. She'd be sure to mention his hard work on the 103 to the Admiral and XO. Plus, they still needed to get that information back to the both of them.

Watching the marines, Sam took slow shallow breaths before speaking up. "I don't know about you boys, but I'm ready to get home." 'Home', meaning the Atlantia. In her mind, home would always be Tauron... She would put up with the hot summers, the dust clouds, anything just to step foot back on the planet, to walk through the crowded market places again. To be surrounded by fellow Taurons, where everyone was treated like family. Sighing, Sam turned to the pilot and instructed him to land once the Atlantia arrived.

"home for the Black hills and blacktooth" the rest of the marines laughed as greer said that , then looked over at sam. "glad you made it out captain, Briggs would have my ass if i came back with out you" he shifted in the cramped space and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder "κάθε μέρα είναι μια καλή ημέρα για να πεθάνει, αλλά όχι σήμερα"

[Rear Admiral Samantha Martin]

Chuckling at Greer, Sam turned and managed a smile. "You know ... I can almost bet Mason's got a bottle of the best Blacktooth stashed in his office." She laughed, thinking back to the last time she'd even had a glass of it. Cerberus ... and since then, she'd never seen another bottle of the stuff. That stuff could be used as Raptor fuel, but it does the job, the Captain thought to herself. "And be sure to tell the barkeep next time that drinks are on my tab."

She gave Greer and the marines the thumbs up before turning around to the front of the ship. "Pilot, take us in," Sam instructed as they began making a slow approach to the ship. It was growing more and more cramped by the second, but at least most of them would be making it back.

[James Sirius Zachary Drexl]

ARESEAN AIRSPACE

From the far side of Ares, half a dozen ships orbited into the sunlight. They were large, and had three hulls arranged one hundred twenty degrees apart, joining at a common edge. There was a cockpit on the 'vertical' hull, with a fin behind it. The fin looked incongruous because the vessels were too blunt to be stable in atmosphere without some form kind of fairings to make the blunt faces more aerodynamic. Those three blunt faces sported very large-bore barrels. These ships carried major shipboard cannon within their relatively compact hulls.

Within each cockpit was a single occupant. There was a second seat ahead of and below the flight deck. In each seat was an occupant in an oddly-shaped helmet. They spoke in a language that was similar to parts of each of the Colonial languages, as if they were using a mother tongue to communicate. In each of the six ships, the same message was played:

"Target is lifting off from its coordinates. Proceed with Intercept Profile Alpha. Target is to be destroyed without quarter."

One of the pilots spoke up about the target, and his comments were met with the canopy fling open and his being released from his seat harness to fly away. His air quickly escaped from his suit while the canopy closed. Aboard the fighter, the occupant in the forward compartment crawled back and assumed the pilot's seat. The voice continued.

"After target is destroyed, you will proceed to the supplied coordinates if the location in Gondawan territory. There you will extract four jewels from the ground and return them for the master. Fail, and you will meet the fate of the one who questioned his orders." The others replied with affirmative-sounding phrases, and the ships disappeared as six FTL drives were activated.

[Judge Judith Schwein]

On board the CMS Marauder, now off-world (see Terran Airspace)

Judith made her way to the guest quarters set up for her. She would thank the Captain later but first, there was the matter of the two Colonial Admirals to tend to. The pain-in-the ass Gorno was certain to create a situation and this was a delicate matter. Shooting Colonial officers, especially Admirals, would not be a good thing, least not right now. Judith had no idea where they were off to but was glad to be off of Eresea. How she longed to be back home. For now though, this ship would serve that purpose. Stepping into the washroom, she turned on the faucet and brought the water up to her face. Staring into the mirror, she remarked to herself.

"No matter how much things change, they always seem to stay the same."

Drying her face and hands, Judith decided to take advantage of this down time and catch a quick nap. Within seconds of laying down, she was fast asleep.

[James Sirius Zachary Drexl]

Hands behind his back, James casually strolled the corridor along the periphery of the ship. His metal-shod feet clanked against the metal deck plates. As he walked, he read the placards and watched the displays. Of greatest interest was the layout of the ship. Lifeboats were marked in bright yellow. He also noted on the deck layout where the heavily armored areas were. Besides the CIC, the sickbay in the middle of the ship was heavily shielded. It's environmental equipment would be self-contained and well protected. If the rest of the ship were to lose hull integrity, Sickbay would automatically seal if this ship were built to the same specs as Colonial vessels.

James noticed as well that a large number of pods were incorporated into the sickbay section, some large enough for patients. It was beginning to look more encouraging all the time.

[NPC Marine]

Driving up to the port, the doors opened up as the Centurions and Marines pulled Doral out only to place him on a Terran shuttle with Alex not too far behind. Taking a seat, he nodded to the Ha La Tha soldiers as the shuttle took off before whispering to him; "The best part about this little planet is nobody cares about it considering the survivors of the Colonies are squandering their lives, they want a war and die in flames. Terra on the other hand has more Cylon tech on it then anywhere else meaning if we invade especially now, that little fleet in the Colonies won't hear about it and Doral, a lot of us were hoping you would get onboard that ship after all your line is pretty worthless."

Turning to Alex, the defected Marine read up on troop transport logs most of which are due to head to the Colonies to reinforce Terra's position there but one thing drew his attention; "Commander Alex, we've received news about that weapon you had us keep an eye on and well it has been used on Tauron recently, we're meeting up with a troop transport that is headed towards the Colonies and we'll have our prisoner transferred to friendly Cylon hands," ordering the pilot to head towards the frigate.