Disclaimers: Battlestar Galactica is not owned by me but by Universal City USA.

Silent Fleet

by

AJ Marks

Apollo and Starbuck raced to their vipers as the red alert sounded all over the battlestar. The Cylons had found them once more. They figured that the Cylons were doing a scouting attack to find out what type of defense the fleet had and if any advancements had been made since the Galactica had left the Colonies.

Starbuck jumped into his viper and was given permission to launch from the control officer on duty. He pressed the turbo button and felt the viper launch out of the Galactica. His wing mate, Apollo was not far behind him out of the launch tubes of the Galactica.

"Form up blue squad," Apollo said as Starbuck came up beside him. "The Cylons are approaching from quadrant six."

The group of vipers turned and headed towards the quadrant. Apollo could hear the other squadrons as they headed to their assigned positions of support. Silver Spar squadron was heading to support the Argo ships even as his group headed out to intercept the incoming Cylons raiders.

"Heads up," Apollo said as Blue squad closed the range between them and the Cylons.

"How many basestars do you think Apollo," Starbuck asked as he looked at his scanner.

"Looks like at least two," Apollo replied glancing at the screen himself.

"That's what I though," Starbuck said in a flat tone.

"More for each of us," Apollo said.

"Yeah," Boomer said. "We're still better than they are any day."

Blue squad intercepted the Cylon raiders as explosions began to light up space as both raiders and vipers were destroyed. The viper pilots were better than their Cylon counterparts but the battle would be tough for sure.

"Commander," Tigh said from where he was standing. "We have a problem."

Adama looked over at where Tigh was standing. "What's going on?"

"The long range scan doesn't pick up the Cylons basestars anywhere," Tigh said.

"No where, but that would put the raiders at the maximum range that they could go," Adama said. He was not sure that he liked this information. "What about the surrounding areas or in front of us?"

"I'm already checking on it commander," Tigh replied. It took a few microns before he had an answer back. "The scanners have one basestar in front but that it so far."

"This is not good," Adama said to himself. "Anything else around in the other areas?"

"Finishing up the scan," Tigh said. "Nothing else on the scanner so far."

"We can't turn around and going forward means a confrontation with another Cylon basestar," Adama said knowing that this time they did not have the advantage of surprise on their side.

"Is there anywhere that we could hide the fleet or use to our advantage," Adama asked.

"Nothing that I can see, besides, if wee could use it to hide they could use it for an ambush," Tigh said.

"I know but we need to do something," Adama said. "What about here," he said pointing to a place on the map.

"Long range scans did not pick up anything there. We might be able to head there," Tigh said.

"Do it," Adama said. He knew that it was a risk but one that they had to take.

The fleet made a bit of a move away from their original course hoping to avoid the Cylon basestar. It would be useless as the basestars could go faster than the fleet could because of the slower ships.

"Commander, scanners just picked up several Cylon basestars behind us and closing in," Tigh said his voice floating across the bridge. There was something in his voice that Adama knew that the news was really bad.

"What type of basestars," Adama asked.

"Two Hades and one Tartarus class," Tigh said.

Adama knew that it was bad when he heard the news. The Hades class was bad enough without the addition of the Tartarus class ships. He was not sure how they were going to survive this engagement. It seemed that the Cylons had been planning this for a while now.

The Galactica's viper squadrons were already engaged in battle and he was sure that the Galactica would not survive an attack from the combined three basestars heading in on the fleet.

"What about the other basestar," Adama asked.

"It has changed course to close in on us as well," Tigh said.

Adama thought that it was not fair. He had led them as best as he knew how and now they were going to die out here in space where he had led them. There was little else that he would be able to do. Perhaps a few ships might survive and make it away from this disaster.

"Colonel Tigh, it appears that we have no chose but to fight. I know that everyone will do their best," Adama said. "Turn the Galactica to the incoming basestar in front of us, we'll then turn around and fight the ships coming in from the rear."

"Yes sir," Tigh said as he gave out the orders to steer the battlestar towards the forward basestar. It would be a battle to remember if anyone survived it.

"This isn't looking good," Starbuck said as he turned and destroyed another Cylon raider.

"No it doesn't," Apollo said as he dodged another raider which was firing on him.

"The Galactica has turned away from the fleet but not towards us," Boomer said as he had glanced at his scanner.

"I heard that there was a basestar in front of us," Apollo said.

"Great, combined with the fact that we have three coming in from behind us makes this cheery news," Starbuck said as he continued to fly

"We've had worse odds," Apollo said.

"Yeah, when," Boomer said.

"Ah, Cimtar," Apollo said.

"We lost that one," Starbuck said. "Did anyone else read a strange flicker on their scanner just a moment ago?"

"Yeah, but have not time to figure out what it was," Boomer said. "Too busy just trying to stay alive here."

The vipers of blue squad were racking up the totals but were also taking losses themselves. They had lost about a quarter of their number and they hoped that they would be able to continue the attack.

"Another incoming fleet and wave of fighters," Apollo said to the group. "Get ready."

"Commander, new ships have entered the scanner range," Tigh said.

"Where and how many," Adama said turning to look at the map to see what his options would be.

"A lot sir," Tigh said. "I haven't seen that many since the fleet was gathered yehrens ago."

Adama wondered if it was the entire Cylon fleet that had come to make sure that the Galactica was finally destroyed. He had the feeling that there really was no hope of surviving this battle in one piece. The Cylons would come for them first. Once the Galactica was out of the way then the rest of the fleet would be easy pickings for the Cylons raiders and basestars.

Jolly was the first one to notice something different in the way the incoming fighters were flying. He did not have long to think about it as his viper was rocked by several close calls. He jinked up and down trying to dislodge the raider on his tail. He finally managed to get another look at his scanner.

"That can't be right," he said out loud as he saw what his scanner was saying.

He did not have much time to think about it before the incoming fighters arrived.

A mass influx of vipers appeared in the battle. They were quicker than the vipers that were from the Galactica. It was not long before the others realized that some new reinforcements had arrived.

"What is going on," Starbuck said.

"I don't know," Apollo replied. "Right now we'll take the help and figure it out later."

The new vipers added to their ranks quickly destroyed the raiders which were attacking them. Apollo wondered if it was the Pegasus helping them out once more.

The scanners of the Galactica noticed that the incoming fighters were joining the squads from the Galactica in attacking the Cylons. It was a bit of a surreal moment when the realization finally dawned on them.

"Commander, we've gotten a better scan of the incoming ships. There is at least three battlestars in the fleet," Athena said from her position.

"Battlestars," Adama asked. That made no sense to him. There was no logical explanation for what the scanners were telling them.

"They are heading right for the incoming Cylon basestars," Athena said.

"Continue on course for the basestar in front of us," Adama said.

"Yes sir," Tigh said as the two juggernaughts came within firing range of each other. It would be a slugging match as the two warships began to fight each other.

A short while later the fight was over and the Galactica was recovering its vipers. The addition of the strange fleet was a welcome addition but now Adama figured that it was time to get some answers. There was only one problem. The fleet had turned and was not heading towards Cylon space.

"Any word to our hails," Adama asked.

"No sir," Athena replied. It was very strange. The strange fleet had not once tried to signal them nor had they picked up any transmissions from the ships except one. It told them to stay on course.

Adama thought that it was a bit strange. It had been a text message and not a verbal one. It was something that he was not sure he could explain.

"What do you think Adama," Tigh asked.

"We can't follow them back into Cylon space colonel," Adama said.

"But with that fleet we would be able to reclaim the Colonies," Tigh said.

"The Cylons have had two yehrens to build up their forces again. No we must continue on to Earth and hope for the best," Adama said.

"But commander," Tigh said.

"Colonel," Adama said sharply. "I would love to head back home. There are many night I wish all this was a dream but its not. We would need more than that to fully protect ourselves and our people are weary. We must continue on our journey."

"Very well Adama," Tigh said. "I just thought," he trailed off.

"I know Tigh, I know," Adama said. "I'm heading to my office. Send the damage report to me when you have it."

Tigh watched Adama head off the bridge. He was already thinking that it would be a tough voyage.

"End program," a male voice said as the image of the Galactica's bridge faded away to leave a class room full of people. "That was the last time that the people of the Galactica's fleet saw the Cylons for almost fifteen years."

A hand was raised in the back of the room. The teacher called on the young woman.

"Do we have any idea as to where the 'Silent Fleet' came from," she asked.

"The 'Silent Fleet'," the teacher said. "There have been many theories but nothing specific. Some say that it was Commander Cain but many don't think so. All that is known is that the fleet consisted of almost fifty ships at least four of which were battlestars."

The 'Silent Fleet' had been given that nickname shortly after the encounter because of its refusal to acknowledge any hails by the Galactica. It would be one of the great mysteries of the universe.

The Cylons had been defeated several years ago by the massive building up of a military on Earth. Several officers stepped up with an imagination that had not been dulled by centuries of warfare. The Cylons never once sued for peace not even when the last Cylon fell did they ask for peace but fought to the end.

"The 'Silent Fleet' will be a mystery for a long time," the teacher said.

The USS Richelieu made its way though space leading the Seventh Fleet on a training mission. It consisted of six battlestars, twelve heavy and light cruisers, twenty destroyers and ten support ships. It was a typical mix of ships for one of the fleets that had helped destroy the Cylons. Several people had wanted to start dismantling the ships but several thought that they should keep at leave a few fleet operational incase a new enemy was discovered.

"Commander Markus," Jason said to the commander of the Richelieu.

"Yes," Markus said to Jason.

"The scanner is picking up something large not far away. It wasn't detected until now because it’s powered down," Jason said.

"All right, can we identify it," Markus asked.

"Just a moment," Jason said. "Yes, its," his voice stopped for a moment as he registered what his screen told him.

"Its what, spit it out man," Markus said.

"ID is the Richelieu," Jason said.

"What, impossible," Markus said.

"No sir, the ID is confirmed as the Richelieu," Jason said not sure if he could believe it either.

"Tell the fleet to stop, we're going to investigate this and see if we can find out what happened," Markus said. "Have a team ready to go when we get there."

"Yes sir," Jason said as he turned to get the team ready.

A lone shuttle made its way to the landing bay of the floating hulk that seemed to be identified as the Richelieu. The three people inside the shuttle looked around the exterior of the ship looking for what happened.

"Hey Karen, doesn't that look like Cylon weapon marks to you," Keith said looking at the ship's hull.

"Now that you mention it, yeah it does," Karen said.

"Landing bay is a mess but we should be able to land," the pilot said to them.

Karen and Keith donned their space suits and slowly made their way out of the shuttle after it had landed. They decided that the best way was to make their way to the bridge and see if they could find anything out. They made their way up one level and turned the corner surprised at what the saw.

There lying on the ground was a skeleton with clothes on. Walking around the pile of bones they continued on their way.

"There is an atmosphere on board, that means that the ship is still air tight in here," Keith said. "I'm not sure I recommend breathing it though."

"We don't know what happened yet so I agree," Karen said.

The group found their way to the bridge which looked like a war zone. Heavy support beams had fallen and more skeletons were all around.

"Over here," Karen said as they noticed a blinking light. They walked over and noticed that it was a data crystal.

"See if you can find out what's on it," Keith said.

"All right," Karen said as she typed some commands into the screen. A few seconds later she turned back to Keith. "Its password encrypted. Seems to be the commanders as well."

"We should probably get this back to him," Keith said. "Stay here and see if you can find anything else, I'll head back on over to see if the commander can unlock this," he said holding up the data crystal.

"Bring some more people over as well, I think I'm going to need a bit of help on this one," Karen said.

"No problem," Keith said as he turned to head back. "Be right back."

Karen turned to look over everything that was around her. There were a few lights on and some computers were on. She walked over to one of them and tried to access it. It took her a while but she noticed that the computer's memory had been wiped. That was only a last resort and she wondered what happened.

Keith made his way to the bridge where he handed the data crystal to the commander. Markus thanked him and Keith replied that he had to get back to the landing bay to complete the preparations for the return to the ship.

Markus went to his office to see if he could figure out the password. He plugged in the crystal and waited. The password screen came up and he decided to use his password.

The screen flickered for a second before he had a real shock. There standing in front of him was, himself.

"Well this is a bit awkward, both ways, when I first saw it and now doing it. I hope I can remember what I said," Markus heard what looked like himself on the screen say.

He listened to the recording for several minutes not sure he understood what he was listening to. He was not sure he even liked what he was hearing.

"Commander to the bridge," Jason's voice said to him.

He quickly walked back up to the bridge. Everyone was standing around looking in disbelief.

"What's wrong," Markus said.

"There was something strange that appeared on our scanners, some sort of anomaly then it disappeared. Now the mysterious ship we were investigating has disappeared," Jason said.

"Scanner contact," another voice said. "Cylon."

Those words made Markus realize what it was that happened. Now he just had to tell the rest of the fleet.

Karen worked a bit more and finally was relieved when the ships computer finally came on-line. Many systems booted up and the communications came up. Any sensitive materials were not there but she did have some access to the ship's computer and maybe help find out what happened.

There was one file in the system that was under her name. Curious she pulled it up. She was shocked when she saw Keith's face appear. She was shocked even more so at what he told her.

After she listened to it the file self destructed leaving her stunned.

"Karen to Commander Markus," she said waiting in silence. No reply came back. "Captain Karen to Commander Markus come in," she repeated. There was still no answer. "Captain Karen to anyone in the fleet," she finally said still met with no reply.

Karen was not sure what to do. She put the setting on a long range setting and hoped that she could get in touch with someone. She then sent out another signal hoping to get someone.

"This is Colonel Briggs of the Galactica, please identify yourself," the voice said over the radio.

"This is Captain Karen of the battlestar Richelieu and I'm in trouble," Karen said. "I need to be picked up."

Karen wondered if they would pick her up. The reply came back that they would be there in a little bit but he wanted to know what happened to the Seventh Fleet that she was assigned to.

"They're gone," Karen said looking around. She knew they were gone in more than one way now.

"Captain," an officer said across the table from her. "I want to know how the Richelieu got in that condition yet you survived. Now I know that you know what happened so just tell me," the officer said.

"There're gone," Karen said.

"How," he asked.

"I don't know how they died," she said telling the truth. "Just that the entire fleet is gone."

"An entire fleet just doesn't disappear in one sitting captain," the officer said.

"Fine you want to know, I'll tell you but first I want to meet with someone," Karen said.

The officer rolled his eyes then agreed. He was a bit surprised when she said who she wanted to meet with.

The room was filled with people but Karen was looking for a few people. She spotted who she was looking for quickly. The three men were not hard to miss. Their hair had turned grey and a few added wrinkles to their faces but she could still tell that they were Apollo, Starbuck and Boomer of the Battlestar Galactica. It was ironic that that ship had rescued her.

Now she was at the diner for those who came to Earth on the Galactica. There were still quite a few people left. Karen and the officer made their way over to where Apollo was sitting.

"Sorry to bother you sir but if I could have a moment of your time," the officer said.

"Of course," Apollo said motioning for them to have a seat. "What can I do for you?"

"It’s more like what I can do for you," Karen said watching as confusion was written all over Apollo's face.

"I was stationed with the Seventh Fleet," Karen said. "We discovered the burnt out wreck of the Richelieu and went to investigate."

"Isn't the Richelieu the flagship of the Seventh Fleet," Starbuck said.

"Yes and the ship I was stationed on," Karen said. "I learned something when I went on board the wreck."

The officer leaned forward to hear what she was going to say as did the others.

"The Seventh Fleet isn't just gone or destroyed," Karen said. "It went back in time."

"Back in time, what nonsense," the officer said but the others did not say anything.

"The Silent Fleet," Apollo said.

"Yes, after rescuing the Galactica and her fleet Commander Markus took the fleet deep into Cylon territory to delay the Cylons," Karen said.

"They gave us the time to ready a fleet to fight them and win," Boomer said.

"And things come full circle," Apollo said wondering at the absurdity of it all. The very fleet that helped win the war at the end helped out at the darkest time of their history and sacrificed themselves for the future.

"Makes sense. And the fleet is large enough to be the Silent Fleet," Starbuck said.

"A mystery solved," Apollo said.

The End

Comments: AJMarks01@aol.com

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