Disclaimers:  Battlestar Galactica and it characters are owned by Universal Studio City USA.  The other characters are mine.

Strike

by

AJ Marks

Omega watched as the Hyperion made its way into the asteroid field. He was sure that there would be some close calls with the asteroids but if they were careful then the ship should be able to complete its mission without any problems. The gold color ship quietly slipped into a hiding place then powered down its systems leaving only a passive radar system on. They were looking for any sign of the Cylons.

"Okay everyone, let's settle in. We're going to be watching for a while here," Omega said to his crew. The other two battlestars would be having increased patrols so he expected to start having patrols on his scanner soon.

Bri watched her scanner and noticed with a bit of shock that something had just appeared but it was not what they were expecting. After a few seconds she realized what it was which chilled her blood.

"Commander, I think we've got a problem here," Bri said.

Omega walked down to where Bri was sitting. The tone in her voice indicated one of terror by whatever it was she was seeing. Glancing down at the scanner he realized why she was a bit terrified. A Tartarus class basestar was heading their way. He could only hope that it had not seen them just yet.

"Keep monitoring it and let me know if it makes any sudden course changes that appear to be an attack," Omega said. He had a call to make. It did not take too long before he had Adama on the fleet line.

"Omega, what's going on," Adama asked. He had not expected to hear from Omega until his part of the plan had been completed.

"I don't think that you're going to like this news," Omega said. "We just picked up a Cylon basestar."

"By the lords of Kobal," Adama said. This was not the news that he had wanted to hear. If the Cylons were ahead of him then that meant that they probably knew where they were. If that was the case then they might already know that they had three battlestars and his plan was in danger already.

"Sir, one more thing," Omega said. "The basestar is a Tartarus class basestar."

Adama was quiet when he heard that news. Not many were familiar with that class of basestar. It had been developed in response to the Tiger class gunstar that he colonials had developed. Adama had thought that the last of the Hades basestars had been destroyed ten years before the destruction of the colonies. The Hades basestar was a design starship destroyer plain and simple. The major weakness was the fact that it carried very few raiders to protect itself from Colonial vipers.

"Have you discovered anything else from your scans, other basestars or Cylon craft," Adama asked wanting as much information as possible before making a decision.

"No commander," Omega said. The Tartarus class basestar was the only thing that had appeared on the scanners.

"All right, keep an eye on it for now. A Hades basestar usually does not operate without at least one basestar to provide fighter cover," Adama said. That meant that there was at least one other basestar out there in space just beyond their scanners range. Something was going to happen but the only problem was what and when.

"Yes commander," Omega said then the screen went blank. He turned to his crew. "I want to maintain a yellow alert, but all weapon systems will remain powered down. I want at least a quarter of the pilots ready to launch at a moments notice. Tell the engineers that they might have to power everything up within microns as well."

The crew raced to carry out his orders. They were going to keep silent for now but maintain a combat stance. No one knew what else was waiting out there for them.

Adama quickly called up the Agamemnon to bring Tigh up to speed with what was going on in the fleet. He was sure that the Cylons were setting up a trap for them, but what was the trap. He glanced at the map for a few seconds while trying to figure out what would be the best course of action to take.

The Hades class basestar was in front of them. If that was the case then the Cylons probably had a good idea as to where they were already. The one thing that he could only hope was that they did not know about the other battlestars. That would be the only ace Adama had.

"Adama, you called," Tigh's voice said over the communicator as his face appeared on the screen.

"Tigh, yes I did," Adama said in a voice that Tigh recognized and waited to hear what was wrong. "The Hyperion reached the asteroid field in front of us."

Tigh was not sure what news that could be. To him the fact that the Hyperion had reached the field was good news. He would wait to see what else Adama had to say before reaching a conclusion.

"The Hyperion had just powered down to make detection harder when another ship entered the field," Adama said. Tigh guess that this is what Adama had called him about. "A Tartarus class basestar was identified as entering the field. The Hyperion is keeping an eye out for anything unusual but there is no telling what they might find."

"A Tartarus class basestar, Adama I thought that they were all destroyed before the holocaust," Tigh said.

"So did I Tigh, but we have one sitting not far from us," Adama said. "Now they rarely operate without other basestar support so the question becomes where are they?"

"You're right commander," Tigh said having forgotten that part. "Do you have a plan?"

"I think that we should keep on the same path. We should be able to surprise the Cylons with the addition of the Hyperion and the Agamemnon," Adama replied thinking about what they should do. "This is one battle which we will need to win in order to keep the Cylons from finding us."

"I understand Adama, is there anything I should have the Agamemnon do," Tigh asked.

"No, not yet, but stay within the core of the fleet. They are used to the Galactica in the lead, that's where we'll stay for now," Adama said. "It’s where they will attack first, the Agamemnon will keep an eye out for anything unusual behind us. I expect an attack from that direction when the battle starts."

"We'll keep our scanner open commander," Tigh said as the screen went blank.

At that moment Rexx walked onto the bridge and walked up to where Commander Adama was sitting. "You wanted to talk to me Commander Adama," the man said.

"Yes I did," Adama said studying the man who had ordered an attempt on his life. "I wanted you to know that the Cylons have been spotted."

"Are you sure," Rexx said not wanting to believe it.

"I'm sure, or I would not be asking this. I'm going to be a bit busy but I would like to split the council up, have them on different ships," Adama said.

"In case one doesn't survive, or the Galactica is destroyed," Rexx said. Logically it made sense to him. "I think I can persuade the council to go along with it, the hardest one will be Armhe."

"Yes he is always stubborn," Adama said.

"I'll do it," Rexx said. "Just so you know I hope the Galactica survives. I like the council room here," he said then walked out.

Adama shook his head then turned to look back at the bridge crew. There was a lot to do still and he knew that they did not have much time. They would be passing the asteroids in a few hours. Then he expected the attack to begin.

He had already increased the patrols that they were doing to expand the radius and hopefully keep the Cylons at a further distance from the fleet to give them a better advantage when the attack came. There was still the fact that they would probably be outnumbered in both vipers and ships. But he had the advantage in surprise numbers. Adama planned to use that to his fullest advantage.

"Report," Baltar said on his command chair on board the Cylon basestar.

"We have hidden a Tartarus class basestar in the upcoming asteroid field as you requested," Lucifer said. "I have complete confidence that the ship was not spotted by the Galactica or anyone else in the human fleet."

"Well done Lucifer," Baltar said. "And where are the other basestars?"

"The other three basestars are approaching our position right now," Lucifer said.

"Excellent," Baltar replied. "Prepare the ships for an attack at once then."

"By your command," Lucifer said with a slight bow then left the room.

"Very soon Adama, I will have you," Baltar said with a smile on his face.

"Commander," Athena said addressing her father. Adama turned to look at his daughter to see what was going on. "Scanner's picked up something behind us."

"So it begins," Adama said to no one in particular. He looked at the scanner to see if he could figure out how many basestars he was going to be up against. There appeared to be about the same amount that had attacked them at Cimtar and Gamoray. The only difference was this time he had an even bigger surprise. Last time they had the Pegasus this time they had the Agamemnon and Hyperion. Both ships were in top fighting form as was the Galactica.

He looked at the battle plan the Cylons had created. The Tartarus class basestar in the asteroid field was waiting for the approaching fleet. An attack from behind would to draw the Galactica away from the fleet. Adama had to admit that he did not know about the basestar in the asteroids he would have sent the fleet there. But with three battlestars the fight was going to be more even this time.

"Sound red alert," Adama said as the Galactica went to battle stations. The crew raced to their stations ready to fight the Cylons.

Omega sat at his chair on the bridge of the Hyperion listening to the scanner reports. The battle was about to begin from all reports. He was going to wait until the Cylon basestar in the asteroid belt began to move before entering the combat as well. The plan was to get the basestar looking in the other direction then attack it in its venerable spot above.

"Galactica has launched her vipers commander," Bri said.

"It’s begun," Omega said more to himself than anyone else. "I want to know the moment that the basestar heads out of the asteroid field."

"Yes sir," Bri said. She was sure that it would be heading out soon but as to exactly when it would that was anyone's guess.

"Report Lucifer," Baltar said to the IL Series Cylon in front of him.

"The battle has been engaged at your command," Lucifer said. He was actually a bit impressed at the fact that Baltar had done so much thinking this time in the attack. Lucifer did not see a way that the Galactica would be able to survive. But one thing that he had learned in his time was that the humans had a way of overcoming the odds that were before them.

"Excellent," Baltar said with a gloating smile on his face. "I want continues updates this time."

Last time he thought that he had the Galactica Commander Cain and the Pegasus had foiled him. There was the possibility that the Pegasus had survived its encounter with the two Cylon basestars so he was not taking any chances.

"By your command Baltar," Lucifer said with a slight bow before leaving the room.

"This time I have you Adama," Baltar said allowing a smile to cross his face. He had planned for anything this time.

Apollo and Starbuck formed up along with others from the Galactica as they headed to where they were going to be needed. If it had not been for the recent events they would be quite worried about what was going to happen. They were still outnumbered but the advantage was not as great as the Cylons had thought.

Reports of a total of around five basestars would be used in this attack had Starbuck a bit worried if it was not for the fact that they had three battlestars. It reminded him more of the battles of the old days before the destruction of the fleet. He had been involved in several large battles in his career. It was these latest battles that were the most important.

"All vipers prepare to engage Cylon raiders," Apollo said.

The space suddenly came to life as the two sides exchanged fire. The explosions came right away as fighters from both sides were destroyed. The humans were just a bit better with their aim as the Cylon raiders were destroyed.

Starbuck lined up a Cylon raider and pressed the fire button. A few seconds later the raider was destroyed and Starbuck moved on to the next target with the same calm determination that he always had. He briefly wondered if the Cylons had something else in mind as well.

Adama watched on the scanners as the battle raged just behind the fleet. He had taken the Galactica towards where he knew the Basestar were. If he had spring his trap then he had to act the way the Cylons wanted him to for now.

"Cylon basestars are now in scanner range," Athena said to her father.

"Good," Adama said. "The Agamemnon is still in position?"

"Yes commander," Athena said. "Commander Tigh is waiting for his instructions and there is still no movement by the Hyperion in the asteroid belt."

"Good," Adama said. So far things were going quite well. Omega knew the weak spot of the Tartarus basestars and catching it by surprise would work even more to their advantage. When that happened the Agamemnon would appear as well to help the Hyperion then both battlestars would come to the rear to help the battle in the back.

"Report centurion," Baltar said. "How does the battle go?"

"We are encountering heavier viper resistance than expected," Lucifer replied.

"Hmm, so Adama has been building up their supply of vipers," Baltar said thinking about what had just been reported. "It doesn't matter. They still have one battlestar against us, and even if the Pegasus survived they still have to deal with the Tartarus basestar. Lucifer we have them this time."

"As you say," Lucifer said not sure that he really agreed with Baltar's statement.

"You don't sound too sure Lucifer, what's going on in that mind of yours," Baltar asked narrowing his eyes at the IL series robot.

"Just that past history with the humans has shown them to be quite resilient even in the most dire situations Baltar," Lucifer said. "In a way I am curious to see if they cane survive this encounter."

"They will not Lucifer," Baltar said feeling victory in his grasp.

"Commander," Bri said as she watched the screen. "We have movement from the basestar."

"All hands be ready to power up," Omega said.

The Hyperion waited in the darkness of the asteroid belt keeping an eye on the Cylon gunstar as it began to slowly navigate the asteroids. The path it was on would lead it to the fleet where the Galactica and Agamemnon would currently be engaged with other basestars.

"Bring up power to the engines slowly. Have all pilots report to their vipers," Omega said. The orders were relayed across the ship as several warriors raced to their ships ready to come into battle.

The atmosphere on board the bridge was tense yet strangely calm. They all knew what was about to happen and for many it would be their first battle. But they were confident in their abilities and training even though it had been rushed.

"Prepare to move out," Omega said.

"Commander," Tigh's voice said over the screen.

"What is it Tigh," Adama answered.

"It appears that the Cylon basestar in front of us has begun to move," Tigh said. The Agamemnon had a longer scanner range than the Galactica so the Cylons were out of scanner range at the moment for the Galactica.

"So they begin to spring their trap. I think that Omega and the Hyperion will be able to damage or destroy the basestar in front. I'll need your help here in the rear. Our scanners have four basestars converging on our position," Adama said.

"Very well Adama," Tigh said giving orders for the Agamemnon to his crew to take the battlestar to the rear of the fleet to help out the Galactica.

Aaron turned his viper to line up another Cylon raider. It did not take long before the raider had been destroyed. He was just about to turn when he felt a thump of his viper being hit. He had a feeling that he was in trouble when he heard a voice over the communicator.

"You're clear," he heard Starbuck's voice say. "Next time try to keep an eye out behind you. The Cylons fly in threes."

"I will," Aaron said as he focused again on the battle going on in front of him.

"Aaron," he heard his friend Coronus' voice say.

"What's up," Aaron asked.

"I'm beginning to get some basestars on my scanner," Coronus replied.

"I see them," Aaron said wondering if they were going to do anything about it.

"All viper pilots, you're first priority are the raiders," Apollo's voice said over the communicator. "I'll be sending in a few groups to attack the basestars as needed. For now we'll let the battlestars take care of them."

Aaron understood that order as he lined up another Cylon raider. The raiders could do a lot of damage to the unprotected civilian ship of the fleet. His parents were part of that fleet and he wanted to make sure that nothing happened to them. He just hoped that his sister was all right on the Hyperion.

One of the Cylon basestar commanders was the first to notice what was going on.

"Report back to Baltar that there are two battlestars," he commanded the centurion. This was not that unexpected. The basestar commanders had been told that the Pegasus might have survived and rejoined the Colonial fleet. It looked like Baltar was right once more.

Now they would launch the second wave of attack fighters with their mission to damage the battlestars.

"Launch remaining vipers," Adama said as the basestars came into range.

Jason sat in his viper waiting for the order to launch. They had only launched half of the viper compliment on the Agamemnon and Galactica. They were waiting for Adama's orders to launch the rest. His friends Coronus and Aaron were already out there fighting. He could only hope that they had survived so far.

"All remaining vipers launch when ready," Athena's voice said over the communicator.

Jason pushed down on the thrusters’ button and felt his viper accelerate forward. He was out in space within a few moments as he pushed back into his seat. He quickly formed up behind Sheba who was his flight leader right now.

He could see the explosions of fighters and the laser fire coming from both the vipers and Cylon raiders. He took a moment to calm his nerves just before heading into the first battle of his life. He activated his attack scanner. He did not have to wait long until they were in the thick of the fighting. He quickly lined up a Cylon raider and pressed the trigger button.

Several lasers shot out from his viper and struck the Cylon raider true. It exploded in a flash of light and debris. It was his first kill as a Colonial Warrior. Looking around for the next Cylon raider he watched as a viper was destroyed.

It was that quick, he had destroyed one of them and they destroyed one of theirs. Blowing out a breath he turned the viper to the raider that had just destroyed a viper. He would see to it that it would not make another kill.

Adama watched as the Cylon basestars approached the two battlestars. One of the basestars was back further away from the action. It reminded him of when the Pegasus was destroyed. It was entirely possible that the Cylons had managed to rescue Baltar after all this time. If that was the case then the basestar that was in the back was his ship.

"Target closest basestar and prepare to engage," Adama said as he turned to see Tigh's face on the screen.

"Which ship do you want us to engage Adama," Tigh asked.

"I think the one in sector seven," Adama said. "I believe once the Galactica engages a basestar that one will think it’s free to attack without any return fire. You should be able to catch it with its weapons turned the other way."

"All right commander," Tigh said as the Agamemnon turned slightly to bring its weapons to bear.

The Galactica also remained on course as the range slowly came down. Adama listened and watched as the range came down further and further until it was finally in range of the battlestar's weapons.

"All stations, open fire," Adama said calmly.

The massive battlestar's weapons opened fired for the first time since taking on a lone basestar.

Omega watched as the basestar that they had been watching cleared the asteroid belt. It was time to begin moving themselves.

"Helm, take us out of the asteroid field," Omega said. "All weapons prepare to open fire."

Bri turned back to her station. All the viper pilots were ready to go and all it would take would be the order to go. It would be her job to tell the pilots that they could launch. She could hear the reports coming over the communicator that the battle was so far going their way. She hoped that it continued that way.

The Hyperion approached the edge of the asteroid belt. This is the moment that Omega was looking for. He wanted to begin firing before he cleared the asteroids so that the Cylons would not have time to see the battlestar on their scanners.

"All batteries open fire, all vipers launch," Omega said stating his orders to bring the Hyperion into battle.

Bri turned and relay the orders to the vipers. She could see on the monitors that the vipers were launching out of the launch tubes.

The Hyperion's weapons opened fire on the basestar as her vipers went to attack the basestar that did not have adequate anti-fighter protection. Their targets were the weapon systems on the basestar. The quicker that the weapon systems were knocked out the better it would be for the Hyperion.

"A report from the battle Baltar," Lucifer said walking towards Baltar.

"Has the Tartarus basestar engaged the Colonial fleet and started to destroy its ships yet," Baltar asked.

"Not exactly," Lucifer said wondering how Baltar would react to this latest news.

"Not exactly, what does that mean," Baltar asked.

"It appears that it was taken by surprise by another battlestar," Lucifer said.

"Another battlestar, impossible," Baltar replied.

"No, the basestar commander was quite positive that it was a battlestar that attacked him from behind. He asks for fighter protection," Lucifer said.

"Then send some to him," Baltar said.

"I'm afraid that our raiders are currently engaged with the Colonial warriors and will not be able to disengage at this time," Lucifer replied.

"What else," Baltar said.

"Two of the basestars have been damaged by the battlestars engaged against us," Lucifer said.

"So Adama has three battlestars," Baltar said. "That is impossible."

"Impossible but true Baltar," Lucifer replied.

Baltar listened as his plan was self destructing in front of him. He had planned his attack with the possibility of one, perhaps two, battlestars in front of him, not three. He was not sure that Commander Cain and the Pegasus was part of the fleet he was facing but he was not sure he wanted to find out.

"Pull further back from the action and observe," Baltar said.

"By your command," Lucifer said.

"Damage to their weapon systems," Bri said. "They still have main weapon functionality."

Her statement was reinforced when the Hyperion was rocked by a hit from the Cylon basestar.

"Damage," Omega asked.

"Slight damage to deck seven otherwise everything is holding," the report came.

Omega nodded his head even as he knew the Hyperion's main weapons opened fire again. He checked to see the range. They were in range for their missiles.

"Prepare missiles," Omega said.

People quickly worked to make sure that everything was ready. It did not take long before the targeting system had a lock on the basestar.

"Launch tubes one and two," Omega said.

Two massive missiles rocketed out of their tube and streaked towards their intended target of the Cylon basestar.

The ship was rocked again as the Hyperion took a hit to the bridge. Beams came down and monitors seemed to explode as the shock of the blast went though the bridge.

Bri picked herself up off the floor and looked around the red lit bridge surveying the damage. She could see people lying down all over the place. Omega seemed to have been knocked out and she could not see anyone else of a high rank moving.

She could feel a slight panic begin to encompass the bridge as people began to realize they did not know who was in command. Bri saw that the highest ranking officer still on his feet seemed a bit dazed.

Bri turned to see what was gong on with the basestar. She noticed that the scanners were still working and that the basestar was still there but had taken heavy damage. Seeing that the man was still standing there with a dazed look on his face she rushed into action.

"Get a med crew up here now," she said to one person who after an initial look went to work.

Bri then pushed another man into her chair as she walked up to the command chair. She took over with an air of authority that she did not know she had.

"The Cylon basestar is still there but damaged, condition of the main weapons," she said as she stood in the command platform.

"Operational," one person said from where he was sitting.

"Good, continue to fire," Bri said. "We can not let up in our attack."

The Hyperion continued to fire at the enemy basestar. It had taken two missile hits and its fighting effectiveness was now severely limited. Its main weapons were no longer functioning and vipers had taken out much of its secondary weapon platforms.

"Reading heavy damage to the basestar," Bri heard the report. "Internal explosions are being monitored."

Looking at the external screen she noticed that the basestar did indeed seem to be in trouble. Suddenly there was an explosion followed by a second larger one. The Cylon raider broke up under the explosions and when the light finally died down she noticed that the basestar had been destroyed.

"Plot a course to help out the Galactica and Agamemnon," Bri said as the med teams worked around the bridge.

"Ma'am, you have a cut that should probably be looked at," one of the medics said.

"Not at the moment," Bri said. "Do what you can for them first, I'll come down to the med lab after all this is over to be checked out."

The medic looked at her then went back to his work. Bri had already known that she had been cut. She had felt the blood drip down her face but had ignored it at the moment. There was still a battle to win.

"Commander, the Hyperion has destroyed the basestar and is heading this way to help here," Athena stated.

"Good," Adama said. They were slugging it out with three basestar against two battlestars. At the moment it appeared to be a draw. The fourth basestar had withdrawn even further back behind the battle.

The Galactica rocked again as another hit occurred on board the ship. The damage control people quickly went to work to find out the damage and how badly they were hit. This time the armor of the Galactica absorbed most of the damage. A few electrical systems shorted out but would be working again soon.

"Get me the Hyperion," Adama said as he watched what was going with the tactical screen in front of him.

A young blonde haired woman suddenly appeared on the screen. Her presence startled Adama for a moment as he looked at the woman.

"Bri reporting from the Hyperion as ordered," she said.

"Where's Omega," Adama asked wondering what was going on.

"We took a hit to the bridge and I'm currently in command," Bri said.

Adama was no longer sure about what he was thinking. It was when she was talking again that he made up his mind.

"The Hyperion's vipers are already on their way to help out the Galactica and Agamemnon. I've told them to follow the Galactica's orders," Bri said to him.

"All right," Adama said. "I want you to swing the Hyperion around and come in ninety degrees from where we are. It might just cause enough panic in the Cylon ranks for them to retreat."

"Understood commander," Bri said as she relayed the order back to the navigation of the Hyperion.

"What is the condition of the Hyperion," Adama asked.

"All weapon systems are functioning. Most bridge functions are operating and repair crews are already working. Commander Omega has a concession and is in medlab right now. The doctor said he just woke up a few moments ago," Bri said to him.

"All right, keep this channel open for any updates to my orders," Adama said.

"Understood commander," Bri said.

The Hyperion did not take long to appear in the battle that the Galactica and Agamemnon were fighting. The gold looking battlestar quickly engaged the one basestar that was not damaged. The entire point of space lit up with explosions and the exchange of laser fire between the capital ships of both sides.

The basestar that the Agamemnon was attacking suddenly exploded in a shower of flame and debris. One of the basestars was down which left only three remaining. The Agamemnon turned its firepower to the basestar that the Galactica was currently engaged against.

The vipers were helping out as well. The addition of the Hyperion's vipers put the advantage firmly with the Colonials. One squadron was sent to attack the Cylon basestars to damage its weapon systems.

Two basestars exploded within a few moments of each other. That left only one basestar which was quickly retreating from the battle.

Adama looked at the screen and was relieved at the thought that the Cylons were retreating. He had no doubt that they would see each other again. But the further they went from the Cylon Empire better it was for them.

He understood that even the Cylons had to have a supply chain. They did not have a supply chain and picked up supplies and they went along. The Cylons were not as sufficient at the moment and would require a logistical supply of fuel, armaments and other things that the fleet was slowly beginning to manufacture.

It would only be a few more weeks before the manufacturing ship became operational. It would be able to produce additional fighters to replace loses along with special components that would need to be replaced later on. They would also be able to put vipers on board other ships which had larger hangers increasing the combat effectiveness of the fleet.

"Report Lucifer," Baltar said from where he was sitting.

"All basestars have been lost," Lucifer said. "It appears that the Colonials have three battlestars."

"Yes it does, but where did they get them," Baltar asked. "Did any or our raiders survive to say which battlestars they were."

"Yes Baltar, roughly half of our compliment survived and returned. They say that they are not aware of the battlestars. The names were the Hyperion and Agamemnon," Lucifer said.

"I don't recall any battlestars by that name in recent times," Baltar said thinking about it. "So where did they come from."

"It’s a mystery to me Baltar," Lucifer replied.

"Yes, one that I intend to solve," Baltar said finally.

End Strike

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