Colonial Crossover: chapter 3
Title: Colonial Crossover
Author: Betty (sarah_jones on lj) & Katie
Fandoms: Stargate SG-1, SGA & Battlestar Galactica
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters or fandoms. I wish I did… *g* I don’t make any money with this! I’m just writing the story for fun and hope someone else will enjoy it, too.
Summary: The survivors of the fight against the Ori ships get thrown into another galaxy where they meet the Colonial fleet. Will they unite against the threats of the Cylons, the Wraith and the Ori?
Warnings: some character deaths implied
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chapter 1, chapter 2
chapter 3:
New Caprica:
Cadman ducked behind one of the bigger tents, which Starbuck had marked as a target and signaled Dee and Sharon to do the same. Luckily they both seemed to understand her signs, which was a plus. Military training obviously seemed to be similar on their home planets.
She then glanced around for a good place to put the C4 and decided to make a small hole with her pocket knife at the edge of the tent, to put the C4 in. When she was done she glanced at the other two women. She would have preferred to have Colonel Sheppard or Ronon with her, but the Colonel had to work with Starbuck and Miss Roslin on an attack plan and Ronon would have drawn way too much attention to himself.
After checking the map again Dee pointed at the next target, which was nearby. Heading there the three of them passed another tent. Seeing another Sharon nearby Cadman quickly ducked behind the tent. She had known that there would be others like her, but actually seeing it was weird. While waiting for the Cylon to leave Cadman noticed a small hole in the tent. When she heard whispers and moaning she peered through the hole and saw a darkhaired man kissing a blonde woman. She had seen the blonde woman before and was sure that this had to be a Cylon. Apparently the human looking Cylons behaved just like humans. Tearing her gaze away she then noticed, that Dee looked rather shocked.
"Whats wrong?" she whispered.
Dee couldn't believe what she was seeing. Gaius Balter, president of the people, was fraternizing with the enemy. Repulsed, she barely heard Cadman.
"He's th-"
"Shh," Sharon muttered quietly in fear that they would be overheard. It didn't seem likely however, seeing as Balthar and the Cylon were too busy shoving their tongues down each others throats to notice anything else.
"We've got a job to do here," she reminded them.
Cadman looked from the shocked Dee to Sharon and just nodded. She was right. Dee could tell her later who they were. She then looked around carefully and crawled over to the next tent. When she saw that no one was nearby she gave the other two a sign to follow her.
"Do you know how to plant C4," she then whispered when they were next to her. It definitely was taking too long. If they split up they would be quicker. And Sharon probably would be the only person who could get close enough to the Cylon occupied tents and the ships. She just hoped the Admiral’s trust in the Cylon wasn´t misplaced.
"We have something similar called G4," Sharon told her while glancing down at the brown package in Cadman's hand. She was fairly confidant that she could plant the explosives accordingly. Her brown eyes flickered back to Cadman and then to Dee.
"Dualla?"
Dee nodded. She had had basic training with explosives while still at military school. "You want us to split up?" She wasn't so sure if that was a good idea.
"We'll cover more ground that way," Sharon stated reasonably. "And the quicker we're out of here the better."
"I agree with Sharon," Cadman said. “We have to hurry up. I will give you enough explosives for one or two targets. Then we’ll plant them and meet again before heading to the next part of the city.” She handed Dee and Sharon some C4 and then turned to Sharon.
"Sharon, you are the only one who can get close enough to the ships and the Cylon camps. Are you willing to plant C4 there?" she asked. She needed to make sure, that Sharon would be okay with it. Those were her people... or machines after all.
Dee took the C4 and glanced at Sharon. Personally, if the decision was hers to make, she would have kept Sharon as far away from the Cylon camps as possible. That way she could not be tempted to betray them. However, the decision was not hers to make.
Sharon hesitated for a moment before shoving the two packs of C4 inside her jacket. "Willing and able. I won’t let you down," she promised, hoping that her word would account for something.
Cadman gave the Cylon a nod and a small smile. She just hoped she wouldn´t regret the decision to trust her. Then she showed them on the map where exactly to go and where to meet her again. After that the three of them separated.
Cadman went to the place she would plant the next C4. Luckily she could blend in with the crowd easily. Noone seemed to notice that she was a stranger. As soon as she got close to the target place she ducked behind another tent and started her work. She really hoped everything would go as planned, as they had agreed not to use their communication systems until absolutely necessary. They couldn´t know if the Cylons would be able to overhear. Who knew what machines like them were capable of doing.
Cadman planted her next bombs without any trouble. She then went for the meeting place. A few minutes passed and still no sign of Dee or Sharon. Hopefully that wasn´t a bad sign. Kneeling behind a tent she then tried to peer around it´s edge when she suddenly heard a voice behind her.
"What are you doing here, human?"
Cadman looked up and tried to look as innocent as possible. "Just tying up my laces," she said with a cheeky smile and started to fumble with her shoe while trying to shove her backpack around the corner of the tent.
The Cylon towered over Cadman while she portrayed the act of tying her laces. All the while he tried to recall a time when he had seen this particular human before. "Stand," he ordered, sensing something was wrong.
Sharon's mission had been a success. She had planted her packages of C4 close to the Cylon base and the small fleet of raiders. Returning to their meeting point, she noticed Cadman was in a bit of trouble. A number four model was harassing her. Knowing that if she didn't do something their cover would be blown in a matter of minutes she hurried over.
"Get to your feet," she ordered, her tone sharp and threatening.
Cadman pushed the backpack all the way around the corner when Sharon showed up. She noticed that it was their Sharon and not another one by her clothes. Quickly getting to her feet she glanced at the two Cylons, not sure what to do now. Had Sharon betrayed them and told that other Cylon where to find her? Had they already overwhelmed Dee?
"You are one of the group that caused an uproar during the meeting at the market place earlier today. You will have to come with me," Sharon said passively, before turning to number four.
Cadman watched Sharon lie to the other Cylon without even blinking. She was good.
"I have this under control," Sharon told the other Cylon. Her face betrayed no emotion as number four stared at her long and hard. For a moment she was scared that he could tell who she was, but after another moments pause he nodded and left. Sharon watched him walk away, before turning back to Cadman.
"We have to find Dualla and get out of here fast. He was suspicious."
"What just happened?"
Sharon turned to see Dualla looking at them both.
"Sharon just got me out of a nasty situation," Cadman said and then gave Sharon a thankful smile. It looked like the Admiral had been right about trusting her. Without Sharon she would have been screwed.
"Let´s go and finish this as quickly as possible."
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about 40 minutes later:
Ronon and a few others stood just outside the city. He had decided that it would be better to be on the planet. He was no use on board of any of the ships anyway. A few others had come down with Sheppard as well when he had come to get more of the battlestars crews. They now waited for the signal to go and fight with the rebellion.
Cadman stood next to Ronon, ready to blow up the C4 they had planted as soon as Starbuck gave the sign. The explosions then would be the sign for the ships to attack as well.
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Sharon Valerii (Boomer) walked through the city. She had just witnessed how cruel some of the Cylons were to humans. She had stopped them before they could beat the people to death for no good reason; but the fact that it had come this far had made her think. She so wished that humans and Cylons would be able to live together peacefully, but would that ever be possible? It surely wouldn´t if some of the Cylons continued to treat humans like slaves and almost beat them to death if they didn´t follow orders. This just wasn´t how living together peacefully worked. And it wasn´t fair! She would have to talk to Six about it. Maybe there was something they could do?
She was just walking towards the tent she knew Six and Gaius Baltar were using to meet when she heard an explosion. And then there was another one and another one after that. Shocked Sharon looked around as suddenly all hell broke loose.
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Kara Thrace was standing in the middle of the crowd that had gathered in the market place. Around this time every day the Cylons gathered them here in the attempt to sway their beliefs, to persuade them to hand over their heart and soul to God, the Cylons frakked up version of religion. Well today they were going to receive one heck of a surprise. The resistance members who were spread out in the crowds were waiting for her signal, as were John, Ronon and others, who were waiting outside the city.
“God is merciful, he will forgive your sins so you can join him in the afterlife. He is our one true father…”
"Let’s see their God save them now," Kara said to Tyrol who was standing beside her. Reaching into her coat she pulled out a gun and fired at the sky three times. Immediately the C4 was detonated. Panic erupted and the resistance made their move.
"Now, now, now!" Kara yelled as she took aim at one of the human looking Cylons.
Tyrol started ordering civilians to head to the meeting point where the Daedalus would beam them to safety.
“Quickly,” he yelled, hurrying the women and children along.
Laura Roslin rushed though the crowd and tried to get as many people as possible to run to the meeting point as well.
----- -----
Once the C4 was detonated Colonel Sheppard ordered his people to join the fight before boarding the puddle jumper himself, to aid the others from the air. Starting up the jumper, he made sure he was cloaked and then headed towards the city. Remaining fairly close to the ground he took aim at a group of mechanic Cylons which were shooting at a group of fleeing civilians.
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Ronon quickly rushed towards the city and fired at the first metal Cylon he saw. Cadman was right behind him, firing her P-90 at any Cylon she could see. Any human looking person she saw more than once was shot as well. She just hoped there were no human twins nearby.
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Boomer hurried through the city and looked around. Humans were attacking Cylons everywhere and others rushed in groups out of the city. She knew she should try to stop them, but she just couldn´t. She knew why they were trying to escape and she understood it as well. She wouldn´t want to stay here either.
----- -----
Kara fought like a woman possessed, to the point where her own safety was not even an issue. When one Cylon was down she would turn to the next.
"Starbuck?" Tyrol called out when the last civilian had left the market place and was heading to the meeting point. He glanced over at her. "Starbuck we´re leaving now!" he yelled at her as he noticed some mechanic Cylons marching towards their position. "Kara!" She continued to ignore him until he rushed over and grabbed her arm. "We need to get outta here!"
"Not till every one of these bastards…" She never got to finish her sentence. The cylons had entered the market and were surrounding them. Starbuck dropped her gun to her side while breathing heavily. "Frak!"
A number six model stepped out from behind the other Cylons. "Drop your weapons, Captain...Officer."
Starbuck titled her chin. If this was how it was going to end, there was no way she was going to give the Cylon the satisfaction of seeing that she was scared.
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Ronon made his way through the city, killing every Cylong that tried to take him down. He noticed that the city was almost deserted by now. Stepping over a few bodies he looked around again. It was time to head back.
He then noticed Cadman waving at him and making a few signs to follow her. She had seen a group of Cylons that were surrounding Starbuck and another man in the distance. They had to get there as quickly as possible.
----- -----
Boomer stepped over a few bodies and tried to fight back tears, as she recognized a former friend of hers. They had been at military school together and both been stationed on Galactica afterwards. Now she was dead. Why did this have to happen? Why couldn´t they just live in peace together?
She then suddenly heard a familiar voice nearby. Getting up from where she had been kneeling beside the dead pilot she walked around a tent and saw that several Cylons had encircled Starbuck and Galen.
When the six model pointed her gun at Starbuck Sharon rushed forward, grabbed her own gun and shot the other Cylon in the head. Realizing what she had just done she then fired at the other Cylons as well. There was no way back now.
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Kara stared at the scene in front of her, both shocked and surprised to see a Sharon model help them.
Tyrol was stunned as well, when Sharon appeared out of no where and saved them. Was it their Sharon or another model? Raising his gun he then started firing at the remaining Cylons. Was this some kind of trick? No, it couldn't be. She had nothing to gain from killing her own kind.
Kara too had started shooting again. This time with a much clearer mind. "We gotta get out of here," she yelled, repeating what the chief had told her moments before. There were a couple of vipers close to Colonial One. If they were still in working order she could easily fly up and join the other pilots in battle, while the chief and the others boarded the puddle jumper and Colonial One.
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Still cloaked, Sheppard flew over Sharon, Galen and Kara and started shooting at the Metal Cylons. The jumper's weapons had proven much more effective against this type of Cylons than normal firearms.
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Boomer had lost her gun and was now fighting a male Cylon model with a knife that she always kept hidden in her boots.
Suddenly the Cylon froze and then tropped to the ground. A huge man stood behind him and now spun around to shoot another Cylon.
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Cadman arrived at the scene and watched Ronon shoot a Cylon, before entering the fight as well. Firing her P-90 she managed to slow down a few Cylons. But they didn´t seem to care as much about gun wounds as she had hoped. Just like the Wraith, she thought annoyed and fired at them again.
"Let´s get out of here!" she then shouted and waved at the others to follow her.
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"Chief, you okay there?" Starbuck asked Tyrol after noticing that he had ceased firing. She then saw that his arm was bleeding.
Hearing Cadman, she went and grabbed Tyrol's other arm. "Time to move," she told him before adding: "Cally will have my ass if I don't get you back in one piece."
With Sheppard covering them, the group moved from the market place to flee the city. The Astral Queen had already taken off and the ones who were left on the planet were heading towards Colonial One.
"I can't wait to get off this frakking planet," Tyrol called as the group hurried to the ship.
"Almost there," Kara promised him.
When the group arrived at Colonial One, Sheppard appeared in the puddle jumper.
“Cadman, Ronon you're with me", he told them before ushering a few others in the jumper.
Starbuck had already jogged over to one of the Vipers. "I'm heading up there", she told Colonel Sheppard.
"Make sure we leave no one behind."
"Understood," John stated. "Before we head off we'll make a final sweep of the planet for survivors."
Tyrol hurried over to Colonial One and quickly boarded the ship.
Cadman and Ronon rushed over to Sheppard and boarded the puddle jumper.
Cadman then turned around and saw Sharon standing nearby. "Come on," she called waving the Cylon over. She didn´t think, that Sharon would be safe on board the other ship. Those people didn´t really seem trusting to her.
Sharon stared at the woman for a while before following her into the strange little ship. She didn´t know who those people were, but she’d take this chance to get away from the Cylons. They surely wouldn´t forgive her easily. Besides, she had never wanted to stay with them anyway. She still felt more like a Human than a Cylon.
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The ships took off, just before another wave of Cylons arrived and started firing at them.
The puddle jumper shook slightly. Ronon frowned and glanced at Sheppard. "Any important damage?" he asked. Without McKay on board they would be screwed if the jumper took heavy damage.
John grimaced. It took all his strength to keep control of the ship. "Great", he muttered while checking the ships vital functions.
"The cloak’s down," he then told Ronon while keeping his eyes locked onto where they were going.
"Which means we have a slight problem." He rose the ship higher into the sky and out of reach of the Cylons who were still firing at them from the ground. He was now torn between rescanning the planet for people who were left behind and heading straight back to the Daedalus. Either option meant a bumpy ride.
Ronon frowned. He really wished they had taken Rodney along.
Cadman glanced from Sheppard and Ronon to Sharon, to see if she was ok. Then she noticed, that she was dressed differently than before. She also remembered, that Sharon left the planet with the first group of people that were evacuated. She had just assumed that she came back later with Sheppard, but now she wasn´t so sure anymore. Frowning she slowly walked to the front of the ship and leaned in closer to Sheppard and Ronon. "Erm, Colonel, did you bring Sharon back to the planet? Or did we just take another Sharon model with us?" she whispered.
"Sharon is back on Galacti-," John said with a frown. He paused and sharply glanced at Cadman, his eyes wide with surprise and fear. He mentally cursed himself for not realising this earlier when Cadman had beckoned the Cylon onto the ship. Discreetly he glanced over his shoulder at the Sharon model who was sitting in the back.
Ronon turned around and looked from Cadman to Sharon. "But she fought with us down there, didn´t she?" he asked silently.
Cadman glanced at him and slowly nodded. That was why she had just assumed it was 'their' Sharon in the first place. Maybe she was on their side as well? But they couldn´t take the risk.
"Ok, we have a big problem," John stated. Turning back to the screen he murmured quietly: "Restrain her. I'm not going to risk landing the ship while the cloaking shield is down. She'll have to come with us."
Cadman nodded at Sheppard’s words. Turning back to Sharon she then pulled her gun from her holster and pointed it at the Cylon. Ronon’s gun was already outstretched beside her.
"Put your hands where I can see them and don´t move," Cadman called.
Sharon sighed. She had guessed that they were whispering about her. Maybe they had thought she was human until realising that they had seen other models of her or something.
She then slowly put her hands up. "I´m not your enemy," she said. "I´m not like the other Cylons."
"Ohhkay....," John said not sounding very convinced.
"Ronon tie her up. Once we get back to the Daedalus we'll question her. The right thing to do would probably be handing her over to Galactica or Pegasus but we're not going to do that just yet." He would determine if she was or wasn't a threat himself first.
Ronon just nodded and walked into the back of the jumper to get something to tie her up.
John had decided to double check that they hadn't left anyone behind. From their position in the sky it wasn't an easy job. People could easily be overlooked but he couldn't risk going any lower, not while the cloak was not working.
"Cadman, do you have any idea how to get the cloak working again?" he then asked. “I don’t fancy our chances in space while there’s a war raging on up there if we’re visible.”
Cadman turned to John and looked at him questioningly.
"Me? I´m a bomb specialist and have some knowledge of Earth technology, but this ancient stuff is way beyond me, sir," she said, wishing that Rodney was here right now.
"Worth a shot," John stated. Desperate times called for desperate measures. They were turning into target practice here and John wasn't sure how long it would be before he made a wrong turn and they were hit. He was desperately considering getting Cadman to open the panel in the back and fiddle with the crystals until the cloak was up and running. There was one problem with this idea however: Fiddling with the controls could possibly make them loose power entirely. So maybe it wasn't one of his brightest ideas.
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Sharon stared at them surprised when she heard Cadmans words. "You are from Earth?" she asked unbelievingly. But it did make sense, as she had never seen any ship like this and she didn´t know these people. Of course she didn´t know everyone in the fleet, but she was sure she knew most military personnel.
"Some of us," Ronon answered while tying Sharon up.
When another shot nearly missed the jumper Sharon frowned. "Maybe I could help you with that cloak...," she offered. She wasn´t really good with repairing anything, but Six had shown her a few times how Cylons could connect to technology. She had even tried it once. Maybe it would work and she could help.
"How can I trust you not to sabotage the ship?" John questioned as he took another sharp left to avoid being hit again. “You are the enemy after all.”
Sharon looked at him frowning. "I´m not the enemy," she said. But she knew that it was hopeless. Noone would ever trust her again, not after what she did. She wasn´t even sure if she trusted herself entirely.
"If we get hit I´m dead, too, you know. And I´m not going to sabotage a ship that I´m flying in," she then said, deciding that this might be a better approach.
Ronon glanced from her to Sheppard. "She has a point," he said.
John sighed when Ronon spoke. "Yeah, she does have a point," he admitted agreeing with his team member.
"Fine, Sharon take a look and see what you can do. Cadman, I don't think I need to tell you to keep an eye on her every move?"
"No, you don´t, sir," Cadman said and gave him a grin before stepping towards Sharon. She then opened the control pannel before looking at Sharon.
"See what you can do," she told the Cylon.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Galactica, Pegasus & Daedalus:
All three ships waited patiently for the signal. Suddenly tiny explosions could be seen on the planets surface from their position in space.
Nodding to Tigh to put the communication on, Admiral Adama spoke to the crew of his ship.
"Let's get our people back." To him those simple words were all he needed to say.
The pilots they had, set out in the vipers to meet the raiders.
"Tigh, keep our long range communications on. I want my men to know that we´re here for them," Adama said.
Cally glanced at the Admiral and smiled. She was so glad to be back on Galactica. The others had insisted on her leaving the planet on the paddle jumper earlier, as she was no help to them in her state anyway. Reluctantly she had agreed. She might be needed if damaged vipers came back anyway. For the moment she was on the Galactica bridge however, so she could see better what was going on.
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The Daedalus was the first to come forth from the shadows and attack a basestar. It’s weapons were incredibly effective.
Jack O'Neill was standing beside Cameron Mitchell on the bridge. "Things are going....well."
Cameron cast him an amused look. "Sir, that's because it's only just begun."
The Daedalus then headed straight to the planet and to the meeting point where they would pick up the survivors. It would return as soon as it could to help the battlestars fight the war in space.
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“Sir, our pilots have just taken off,” Dee told Lee as she watched their vipers positions on the screen. “They’ll be in firing range soon.”
Lee nodded at Dee and watched the vipers fly towards their targets on the screen. He wished he could be out there with them. It was what he was best at. But apparently he had become the Commander of the Pegasus and thus couldn´t just go and fly a viper during a battle.
Dee watched the screen obediently, monitoring their pilots every move. Once the people on the planet had all been rescued she knew that the fleet would have to make an emergency jump and get to where they had first met the Daedalus. They had agreed with the people of earth that they would regroup there.
Lee stood next to Dee and watched the screen. He then gave a few orders to shoot the raiders that had made it past the vipers.
----- -----
Helo sat in his viper flying towards the raiders. This was his first actual battle as a viper pilot. He had trained a lot during the past year, as there wasn´t much else to do on a nearly deserted battlestar. But just practising and flying into an actual battle was something entirely different.
He then heard Kat’s voice over the communications and was glad that she had been brought back from the planet.
Once in reach of the enemy Helo started to fire at every raider he saw.
He then made his viper turn left when a raider was shooting at him and made it out of harms way just in time. His wingman sadly wasn´t that lucky.
Hearing Kat scream orders at him Helo then turned around to regroup with the remaining vipers.
----- -----
"How are our men doing," the Admiral asked before glancing at Cally with a slight smile. It was good to see her again.
"Some vipers have been destroyed, sir," a technician answered.
"But the Cylons suffered a greater loss. We did manage to surprise them."
Adama knew that there would be casualties and for a moment he said a silent prayer for the men that had just lost their lives. Still, it was good news that the enemy had suffered more casualties.
"It was to be expected," was all he answered.
------ -----
The Daedalus made it to the planet without much trouble. The Cylons had been easily distracted by the vipers. Slowly coming to a halt above the meeting point where large groups of people had already gathered, Jack contacted Daniel who was in the cargo bay.
"Daniel, make sure our guests are comfortable. Any able pilots should be selected to be transported back to Galactica and Pegasus to help fight."
"Understood Jack", Daniel replied. They then started beaming people on board.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
some time later:
Jack contacted Sheppard and asked if they were to expect any more people who needed a 'lift".
"I got it under control here sir, you can rejoin Galactica and Pegasus."
----- -----
"Sir, more raiders have appeared on the screen," Dee quickly said as the screen beeped loudly with every new raider that appeared. "They've called for backup."
Lee looked from the screen to Dee.
"Any word from the Daedalus yet?" he asked. "And did any of our people get beamed on board the Pegasus or Galactica?"
They really could need some help now, Lee thought. Two battlestars against five basestars just wasn´t a good position to be in for too long.
----- -----
Upon getting a sign from General O´Neill Colonel Caldwell gave orders to turn the Daedalus around and head back to help the battlestars.
"We just got a transmission from the Pegasus, Colonel. They ask for backup."
Caldwell nodded. "They shall get it."
He then turned around to one of his technicians. "Give the sign for our pilots to get ready."
----- -----
The Daedalus made full speed after orbiting New Caprica. The moment they were back in space their own fighter pilots had disembarked and were on their way to aid the vipers.
"Jack, all able men down here are ready to be beamed back to the Pegasus and Galactica."
Jack grabbed the radio. "Got that Daniel. Tell them to stand by. We'll be in range shortly."
He then turned to Caldwell. "The minute those people are gone we head straight to the fleet and beam the rest out. Once we know that everyone has got off the planet safely, contact the fleet and tell them to prepare to get out of here. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Caldwell answered.
"The sooner they are on their own ships the better. We don´t have enough air for all those people," he said with a frown. There had been much more people on the planet than he had guessed. At least it meant that there were more survivors than the Admiral had hoped.
As soon as Caldwell heard that the people had been beamed to Galactica and Pegasus he gave order to turn and head straight for the fleet.
----- -----
"Just received a message from Daedalus. They're on their way", Dee told Lee. "Our people will be beamed on boar-," she paused and then smiled. "Sir, ninety people were just beamed into the hanger. Shall I give the order for able pilots to join the fight?"
Lee smiled at hearing that. "Put me through to them," he told Dee. Once Dee gave him a sign Lee addressed his crew.
"Welcome back to Pegasus," he said. "We are in a battle with the Cylons right now. I want all able pilots and technicians to immediately take their positions. Our men out there could use some help."
Giving Dee a smile he then waited for their people to come to the bridge or launch their vipers.
----- -----
"Galactica? Pegasus? This is Starbuck. I repeat this is Starbuck. Do you copy?"
The Admiral blinked before turning to Tigh for confirmation that it was indeed Starbuck.
"A new Viper has just appeared on the screen," Saul said.
"This is Galactica, welcome back Captain," William said warmly.
"You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice Admiral," Starbuck admitted with a grin.
"Preparing to join our format...now."
"Good hunting, Captain," William said with a smile. Knowing that Starbuck was out there with the rest of the fleets pilots made him more confident.
----- -----
Just when the doors of the bridge opened and several people entered Lee heard an incoming transmission. It was Starbuck. Lee let out a silent sigh of relief. He had been really worried about her and was glad to hear her voice, no matter if they had been fighting for almost a year now. He still cared for her, even more than he was willing to admit.
"Welcome back Starbuck," he then said. "Make sure to get rid of some toasters for me."
"Have I ever let you down before, Commander?" Starbuck asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Consider it done. These toasters are going to fry." Things were far from great between her and Lee. Their friendship was at breaking point, and she had been just too damn stubborn and proud to do anything about it. Or maybe the real reason was that she had been too scared to do anything about it? But right now none of that mattered.
A small smile appeared on Lee's lips when he heard Starbuck's answer. This was the first time they were acting a bit like friends again. He made a mental note to try and talk to her once they were out of here.
------ -----
"Hotdog, you out here? Speak to me people. I need to know who I’m working with here," Kara then called.
"Hotdog here on your right."
"Helo to your left," Helo answered happily. Having Starbuck among them surely was a big plus.
"It´s good to have you back, Starbuck. We left some toasters just for you", he then added grinning.
Starbuck laughed at the sound of Helo’s voice.
"Helo? Thanks, glad to be back and glad to have you on the team. Let's show these toasters what we´re made of, eh?"
"It´s an honour to fly with you Captain," Helo said while firing at an attacking raider.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Daedalus:
The Daedalus made its way towards the fleet for the last time. Fifteen minutes later they were in range. Jack opened communication and announced that they would beam the remaining people onto the ships and for the fleet to remain where they were until they were ordered to make a jump.
Once the last group was beamed onboard one of the fleet ships, Jack sighed, glad that at least that part was over with. He was about to give the order to return to aid Pegasus and Galatica when a technician called out: "An unknown ship has just appeared. I'm gaining confirmation that it is a basestar."
"Crap!" Jack sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck while glaring out of the ships main window at the advancing ship.
"They must have tracked us," a technician said, glancing at O'Neill. "Most of our fighter pilots are backing up Galactica and Pegasus."
“I know, I know. But we can’t just leave the fleet now. Caldwell, are shields up and weapons powered?”
"Put the shields up and prepare to fire," Caldwell ordered his crew.
Soon they saw many raiders leaving the basestar and heading their way.
"Do we have any pilots and ships left on the Daedalus?" Caldwell asked. Without even waiting for an answer he then contacted Hermiod.
"Hermiod, do we have any bombs on board, that we could beam onto the basestar?"
Hermiod's response came quickly: "We have four naquada bombs on board. It will take a few minutes to prepare them."
Jack's face lit up. "Well, that ought to do it." He nodded at Caldwell to give the orders to beam a bomb onto the Cylon ship. "Make it happen."
The Raiders started to fire at the Daedalus and Jack was just grateful that the Cylons were focusing on them instead of the fleet, but for how long?
Daniel entered the bridge. "What’s going on?" he asked unaware of the Cylon’s attack.
"Cylons. We’re gonna nuke their basestar," Jack stated.
Hermoid soon informed them that the bomb was ready.
"We'll have to lower our shields for a couple of seconds while we beam the bomb onto the basestar," one of the crew said.
Jack frowned, it was a risk but they had no choice. "Do it."
"Shields down, bomb beamed…"
There was a loud BANG and the warning alarm went off.
"The side of the Daedalus has been hit", a crew member yelled out over the alarm. "The infirmary has been damaged as well as the living quarters."
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Pegasus & Galactica:
"Six vipers have launched and are currently on their way to join the others," Dee said watching the monitor. "No sign of the Daedalus." The ship should have returned by now and she was starting to worry.
Lee turned to Dee when he heard her words. "Something must be wrong. They should have been back by now. Put me through to Galactica."
Seeing Dee’s sign a few seconds later he then addressed his father.
"Admiral, the Daedalus is no where in sight. Should we retreat and meet them and the fleet? Maybe they need help."
The Admiral didn't respond to his son straight away, he was too busy going over humanities options. After a long pause he said: "Call your men back Commander, we'll make a jump to the fleet." It wouldn't be as easy for the Cylons to follow them that way and it would give them a head start.
"Understood, sir," Lee answered. But then he remembered that the puddle jumper still had to be out there. It should have returned to the Daedalus, but as the Daedalus wasn´t there it had to be still out there.
William addressed his pilots. "This is Galactica, you have strict orders to return to Galactica immediately. We're going to jump."
After addressing his pilots he sent the Astral Queen and Colonial One the coordinates for the jump.
"Admiral, the puddle jumper has to be still here. We will try to contact it and follow as soon as we picked them up,” Lee told his father over the communications.
Lee then gave Dee a sign to change the channels.
"You heard the Admiral. All vipers back to the Pegasus as well," he ordered before turning to Dee.
The Admiral frowned. Damn, he had forgotten about the puddle jumper. When Lee said the Pegasus would stay behind, the Admiral was about to protest but then caught himself before doing so. Lee may be his son, but he was also the Commander of the Pegasus and he trusted Lee to know what he was doing.
"Be careful son," he said, before turning to his technicians. "Order the jump the moment the pilots touch down."
Lee was glad that his father didn´t object. "I will," he said before turning the communications with Galactica off.
"Dee, can you locate the puddle jumper anywhere? Or can we at least communicate with it?"
“DRADIS is useless due to the surrounding nebula. But we should be able to use communications," Dee said while glancing at him. "Sir, what about the Cylons?" She knew it was wrong to question him. He was the commander. But without Galactica to aid them they were an easy target with no back up.
"Put me through to the jumper," Lee told her.
"We will have to hold them off long enough for the jumper to arrive", he added in a voice that showed that this was not up for discussion. He would not leave the people behind that had made it possible to save so many of their own. He just hoped they hadn´t been shut down by the Cylons.
"Yes, sir," Dee said quickly, understanding his tone completely. Turning on the long range communication she tried to contact the puddle jumper for Lee.
"Puddle jumper this is Pegasus, do you copy?" she asked, waiting for a response.
"This is the puddle jumper reading you loud and clear. We've run into a bit of technical difficulty down here,” she heard Sheppard’s voice.
"Commander?" Dee turned to Lee, and nodded letting him know that communication was running.
Lee was glad to hear that they had reached the jumper.
"This is Commander Adama. We have run into some difficulties as well. The Daedalus didn´t return as planned. The Galactica is getting ready to jump to them and the fleet. The Pegasus will remain here until you get on board. You are able to fly to the Pegasus, right?", he asked. Technical difficulties could mean anything after all. They could be stuck on the planet.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
the puddle jumper:
Sharon nodded at Cadman and glanced at the pannels while Ronon untied her. Stepping towards the pannels Sharon tried to remember how exactly she would take control of a system. She felt a bit nervous, but told herself that she could do this. She just had to. Repairing this ship manually was out of the question, as she had absolutely no idea how it worked.
"Does anyone have a knife?" she asked looking around.
"What for?" Ronon asked raising an eyebrow.
"I need to connect myself with the system..." Seeing their blank faces she grabbed the cable from within the controls and continued:
"I don´t really have a power outlet, so I need to cut myself somewhere, ok?" she said looking at them. She wasn´t really looking forward to that, as it hurt like hell, but she didn´t see another way.
Cadman glanced from the Cylon to Ronon and then to Sheppard who seemed busy talking through the communications in the front. She guessed that she´d have to make that decision on her own.
"Fine," she finally said, reached to her boot and got a knife out. "One wrong move and I will shoot you," she added raising her gun again.
"Me, too," Ronon stated.
Sharon took the knife, ignored the guns pointed at her and cut herself in the arm. Trying to ignore the pain she then pushed the cables into her arm. Now she would just have to manage to connect.
John Sheppard was unaware of what was happening in the back. He was too busy trying to maintain contact with Pegasus.
The Daedalus had not returned? That was bad news. "Flying is not the problem. Our cloaking shield is down but we're, uh...," he glanced over his shoulder and his mouth dropped open a little by what he was seeing. He quickly turned back. "We're getting it fixed," he told Lee.
"We'll be heading to the Pegasus A.S.A.P, preferably in the next couple of minutes. If there is a further problem, I'll let you know."
He then glanced back at Ronon, Cadman and Sharon. “How’s it going back there?” he asked, a little perplexed.
Sharon concentrated and then managed to tap into the jumpers system. "Wow," she mumbled, her subconcious self realising how amazing the ship actually was.
She then quickly started to work on the damaged part of the ship. With a few overrides it would be ok for now.
She then suddenly opened her eyes again. "Done, sir. Try it now," she said looking at Sheppard. She was actually surprised at how well it went. As soon as she had connected to the ship it was as if she knew exactly what to do. She then sat down feeling slightly drained. Pulling the cables out of her arm she grimaced at the pain.
Cadman watched the Cylon with a face of slight terror. That just had to hurt. Turning around she then grabbed the medical bag and handed it over to Sharon.
"Here," she said in a sympathetic tone.
Sharon looked up at the woman and took the bag gratefully. "Thanks."
John willed for the puddle jumper to be cloaked and was overjoyed when it responded.
"Yes!" he said punching his fist into the air.
"Well done!" He glanced at Sharon and nodded his head. "Thank you." She had gained his trust, for now.
Cadman smiled at Sheppard’s reaction. He definitely was the coolest superior officer she had ever had. Most Colonel’s were just too stern for her liking.
Sharon just nodded at Sheppard and then leaned back in her seat while fumbling with a bandage.
"Let me help you with that," Ronon said sitting down next to her. He still had his guard up and watched her closely, but for now she had done enough to make him help her.
Sharon handed the bandage over to him thankfully and gave him a small smile.
"Pegasus, this is the puddle jumper. We're on our way to you as we speak,” John then said contacting the Pegasus. He raised the jumper higher and higher until they had left orbit. "We are cloaked and will be boarding Pegasus in about three minutes. I repeat, three minutes. "
"That´s good to hear," Lee answered.
"Oh, we also have a... guest on board."
John guided the puddle jumper aboard Pegasus with ease. They were finally safe and the mission was completed. They had successfully rescued the people of New Caprica.
Before the Cylons had a chance to react Pegasus made the jump and disappeared from sight to meet the others.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Daedalus:
Great, that just had to happen, Caldwell thought. "Get the shields up again," he ordered while he saw the Cylon basestar explode. At least that had worked.
"Get all technicians and everyone else that can help to the infirmary and the living quarters. I want to know exactly how bad the damage is. Relocate the wounded and keep me up to date on what´s happening," he then ordered.
With the mention of the infirmary being hit Jack headed towards the door. Carter had been in the infirmary, unconscious and vulnerable. He knew that he was letting his personal feelings affect his judgement, being the highest ranking officer he was supposed to stay on the bridge, but he couldn't just stand there without knowing if Carter was ok.
"Jack?" Daniel knew where he was heading.
Jack didn't bother replying, he just headed straight out of the room without looking back.
Caldwell looked after the General a bit surprised. Where was he going? But there was no time to question the General's actions. There still were a lot of raiders out there that needed his attention.
The Daedalus was firing at the raiders, but it didn´t look good. There were simply too many. Caldwell just hoped their shield would hold.
"The Galactica just arrived," he then heard someone call. "Vipers and several of our fighters launched and are flying towards the attacking raiders.
Caldwell sighed in relief. "Good. Put me through to Galactica."
"Admiral, that was just in time," he then said. "Where is the Pegasus?"
"I apologise for not coming sooner," the Admiral said when Caldwell contacted them. "The Pegasus is waiting for the puddle jumper which was still down on the planet. They will be with us shortly." At least he hoped so. If there was no sign of the Pegasus in the next fifteen minutes he knew that he would order Galactica to go back.
"Let me know the minute Pegasus appears," Bill told his crew.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Daedalus infirmary:
Dr. Carson Beckett ordered people to get the wounded into another room. The infirmary had been hit too badly to stay there. Pushing a cupboard away, that lay destroyed on the floor, he then tried to get to some of the patients that had been in the back of the room, where the destruction was worst.
Seeing an arm under pieces of another cupboard he quickly went over and tried to get the person free. It was Lt. Colonel Carter.
"I need some help here," he called, feeling worried when he saw some blood on her forehead.
"I got it." Jack appeared and immediately went to help lift the cupboard off Sam. Once the cupboard was removed he crouched down beside her, his eyes filled with concern. He quickly checked her vital signs and breathed out slowly when he felt a pulse. It was weak but it was there.
"Doc." He looked up at Beckett. "We need to get her out of here."
"That´s exactly what I was about to say," Carson answered. Getting up he waved two men over who were carrying a stretcher.
"Hurry up," he called to them.
Once Carter lay on the stretcher they carried her out of the infirmary and into the next room that hadn´t been damaged.
"Get the supplies in here quickly," Carson then told a man who was carrying a bunch of medical supplies. "And then help check if there are more wounded."
He then started to examine Samantha Carter properly.
Jack hovered around Beckett as he examined Sam, unwilling to leave her side until he knew she would be okay. God, she had to be okay! He didn't think he could function properly without her, he needed her. To the outside world their relationship was strictly military, he was the higher ranking officer. To friends their relationship was much more personal. And between him and Sam, well they both cared about eachother much more than their job allowed. On a number of occasions he had been willing to give his life for hers, and if he could do so now he would.
"Doc, is she going to be ok?" he finally asked, patience never being one of his virtues.
Carson glanced up at the General.
"Her condition seems to be stable so far, but I can´t say more until I have examined her more properly," Carson answered. He just wished the infirmary was ok, so that he could treat her and everyone else in a proper way. This just weren´t optimal conditions for a doctor.
He then turned to the General again. "Does any of the other ships have a functioning infirmary? This really isn´t the right place for any wounded person at the moment."
Jack glanced at Sam before marching purposely to the phone. "Bridge, this is General O'Neill. You're ordered to contact Galactica and ask for help with our wounded. Tell them that our infirmary has been hit and we plan to beam our wounded to them." He didn't even wait for a response. Slamming the phone back onto the wall he looked over at Doctor Beckett and Sam, then took a deep breath.
Carson gave the General a thankful smile, feeling glad that his request was set into motion so quickly.
Only a few minutes later they had received permission to beam the wounded to Galactica.
Ordering his men to get all wounded and medical supplies into one place Carson then joined the group. Seconds later they were beamed out.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Galactica:
"Sir, Pegasus has just arrived," Saul said, immediately opening a communication link.
William briefly closed his eyes, relieved that the Pegasus and his son were safe. "Pegasus, this is Galactica, prepare to jump in five minutes."
”Galactica...Pegasus, this is Colonel Caldwell. The Daedulus has been hit and we are in need of medical assistance. Permission to beam our wounded on board."
"This is Galatica, you have permission to beam your wounded. We'll take good care of them," the Admiral said and then glanced at Tigh. "Is Doctor Cottle on board?"
"Yes sir, he arrived with the rest."
"Tell him to prepare the infirmary for Daedalus’ wounded." He then gestured towards the communication controls. "Open a link to the pilots.”
"This is Galatica, jump will take place in four minutes, all pilots return immediately."
Once all vipers were back on board the battlestars and the fleet jumped away.
The Deadalus went into hyperspace and met the fleet at their rendezvous point.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Lee let out a sigh of relief when all ships including the Daedalus were safely at the meeting point. He knew that there had been many casualties, that their number had been drastically reduced once more. But he finally felt like the survivors now had a chance. They would all go to Earth and hopefully live a happy live there. At least as soon as Earth’s enemies had been defeated.
When the communication channels were open Lee contacted Galactica and Daedalus to talk about their further actions.
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chapter 4