Doomsday at Terra
Surprise Package
Apollo settled into his chair.
The Captain's chair of the Rising Star was comfortable. But after so many hours his butt seemed to be sticking to it.
As a line officer he was trained and skilled in the use of Capital Ships. So father had been justified in assigning him to command one rather than his cozy Viper.
Rising Star had stepped into her 'Auxilliary Cruiser" suit. The liner's speed and up to date electronics had rendered her useful on missions before.
This time she was flagship of a four ship task force.
He gambling chancelry and dance compartments were piled high with munitions. Extra personel were sleepinng in every cabin and lounge.
His mission was to hunt Base Stars.
His father had been visibly displeased at the idea of leaving the Terrans to their fate.
He had always intended to do more than that.
"You may not be able to save their world again."Adama said, "But you can pick off a few Base Stars."
He was to apply a stroke to the rear of the Cylons attacking Terra.
While the fleet refuelled several light years away, Apollo would streak back with a fast moving force of ship killers to help the Terrans.
In addition to the Rising Star Apollo had auxiliiary carrier Proteus. She was a salvaged fleet tanker modified to carry a security squadron.
Pilots had to use vacuum armor to move between their Scorpions and the Carrier. Thier fighters were clamped to the outside of the fuel tank.
The Gunstars were enjoying their combat debut.
They were actually a pair of converted Western Alliance transports. But they were the closest thing to Gunstars the colonial fleet had seen since the fall of caprica.
A Gunstar was a flying gun. Its spine was a vast pulsar powered directly from the ship's reactor.
They each packed about half the punch of the infamous Ravashal pulsar. It was enough power to destroy a base star at medium range.
Starbuck commanded gunstar Hammer. Boomer was in charge of Anvil.
They had mixed colonial and Terran crews.
If the Terrans won and the gunstars survived they were to be presented to the Terrans as a gift.
If the Terrans fell, it was understood their crews would find refuge with the fleet and continued employment.
Apollo's communication officer announced "Cylon transmissions detected. sir."
The map indicated they came from the general direction of Terra.
"it's on." said Apollo. "Advise Hammer and Anvil"
Apollo's communicator opened the channel.
”Rising star to hammer and Anvil” she said. “The word is Shoot.”
Aboard the Anvil Boomer's sensor man targeted the most distant base star.
“It's got to be their leader.” Boomer said. 'let him have it.”
“Firing Pulsar.” reported his weapon officer.
The reactor went to full power. The accumulators drained.
The spinal weapon glowed white as the laser lashed across space.
Aboard Rising Star Apollo said “They know we're here now. Raise Terran Command.”
“Message from Colonial task Force” reported Lighters communicaiton officer.
That didn't seemed likely. It was less likely that it was a prank. “On Screen.”
The familiar features of Adaman's sanctimonious son Apollo appeared.
Lighter actually smiled. “Hello Captain. Will you be attending our party?”
We 've already joined.” Apollo said.
He laughed and continued. “My father couldn't stand the idea of leaving Terra to her fate..”
“It did not fit his profile” Lighter said, 'What asssets do you have.?”
“Two Gunstars, A Scorpion squadron, and my Flagship.”
It hardly sounded decisive. “Gunstars?”
“Flying Pulsars. You should receive reports soon.”
“Excellent. Please signal your intentions, we don't need friendly fire.”
“We're squawking on your IFF frequency. Apollo said. Will report.”
“We're attacking now.”
“Excellent.”
Even of they werent a killer force, a plank attack would disrupt the apparently hide bound Cylons.