BATTLESTAR URANTIA - nuBSG FanFic Series

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The alert Vipers from Urantia came screaming out of the launch tubes and fired their thrusters, heading for the Thunderstar.

OMIRON WARSHIP THUNDERSTAR

COMMAND CONTROL ROOM

The Officer of the Guard looked to High Admiral Ardala with shock on his face.

"Sir!" he began. "Urantia's launching Vipers... now detecting Urantia's weapons coming to bear... targeting us!" he exclaimed.

"What the frak is he thinking?" Ardala lamented, looking to his RADEX display.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

CIC

Hindri looked to Standish as he delivered his report.

"Commander, Thunderstar is still refusing to transmit her IFF authentication codes." he stated.

"Are you going to take that, Tyler?" the image of Standish's wife said, standing between him and D'Anna in CIC. "They're challenging your authority... refusing to recognize that you are the one in true command of this fleet." she added.

D'Anna looked to Tyler as his face wore a look of pure rage. He lifted the phone up from the table, putting it to his face.

"This is Commander Tyler Standish of the Colonial Battlestar Urantia to approaching warship... transmit your IFF codes to us or you will be regarded as hostile and will be fired upon. This is your only warning." Standish said, curtly cutting off the transmission, as he harshly set the phone back down.

OMIRON WARSHIP THUNDERSTAR

COMMAND CONTROL ROOM

"He has to be bluffing Sir!" Ardala's Officer of the Guard called out as Ardala looked down to his command table.

Ardala looked back up taking in the icons representing the Vipers on the RADEX.

"He wouldn't do it... he couldn't be that mad..." Ardala thought to himself.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

CIC

"Still no reply Sir." Hindri lamented.

"You have your answer Tyler..." the image of his wife prodded. "They won't back down until they realize just how serious you are. They're calling your bluff, and you have to show them the consequences of that." she added.

"Signal the Vipers... tell them to open fire... a warning volley. Scrape the Thunderstar's hull." Tyler ordered.

Hindri wore a look of concern, as he slowly and reluctantly typed in the order to the Viper group.

URANTIA VIPER GROUP

The army of Vipers fell into formation and fired out bursts from their guns as they flew by the Thunderstar, strafing her before again breaking off and coming about.

GUNSTAR CYDONIA

CIC

"Gods!" the officer of the Watch called out as Commander Dykstra and his XO looked on at the DRADIS. "Urantia's Vipers just opened fire! They strafed the Thunderstar!"

"What the frak is he doing?" Dykstra asked himself as he lifted the phone from the cradle on the table. "This is Cydonia Actual... Tyler, what in the hell do you think you're doing?" he asked.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

CIC

Standish put the phone to his ear as he replied.

"I'm showing those frakkers over there who is in charge here." he began. "They chose to stab us in the back and stay behind... as far as I'm concerned until I'm shown otherwise those are hostile ships out there." he stated.

"Don't do this, Tyler." Dykstra's voice pled, over the phone.

Standish was silent for a moment before he placed the phone back in the cradle, cutting off communications.

GUNSTAR CYDONIA

CIC

Dykstra looked to the now silent phone as he set it back down. He turned to his XO, a look of urgency on his face.

"Put us between Urantia and the Thunderstar... maybe we can put an end to this." Dykstra offered as his XO nodded.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

CIC

"Sir!" Hindri called out. "Cydonia's moving to put herself between us and the Thunderstar... she's in the line of fire!" he said.

"That's their choice." Standish began. "Target Cydonia... inform her if she attempts to assist hostile vessels she will be met with force." he added.

OMIRON WARSHIP THUNDERSTAR

COMMAND CONTROL ROOM

"High Admiral! Urantia is now bringing her guns to bear on one of her own... the Cydonia, Sir!" the Officer of the Guard stated.

The look on Ardala's face grew frustrated and angry as he slammed his palms down onto the command table.

"Gods dammit!" he shouted out. "Fine... send that stubborn motherfrakker our recognition codes!" he sternly ordered as he looked up to the RADEX. "You bitter motherfrak." he whispered to the icon representing Urantia.

GUNSTAR CYDONIA

CIC

"Sir!" the XO called out. "Urantia is standing down... the fleet has begun to transmit IFF codes to her." he added.

"That's fine... but that crazy frak actually had us in his gunsights... I'm not letting that go. Prep a Raptor for me... I'm going over there, to have a talk with "Commander" Standish." Dykstra ordered, walking away as the XO nodded.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

CIC

Standish and D'Anna looked to Hindri as he recited the incoming data.

"The fleet's codes are in... all ships verified and accounted for." Hindri reported.

"You see... I'm proud of you Tyler... you were so forceful. You took charge, and stood your ground like a real military leader... a real man, does." the image of his wife stated as Tyler looked in her direction. "Now there's only one thing left for you to do, to assume absolute and total control." she offered.

"Permit the ships to assume formation. Put me through to the Thunderstar." Tyler ordered.

"Aye, Sir... you're on." Hindri stated as Standish turned to face the command table.

"High Admiral Ardala... this is Commander Tyler Standish. You have refused to acknowledge my authority as military commander of this fleet and have willingly disobeyed the orders of the ranking Colonial military officer in charge. I am hereby placing you under arrest under the charge of insubordination and dereliction of duty. Upon the arrival of my Marines you will surrender yourself to them and be transported to Urantia to await a general court martial. Any resistance will be met with deadly force. Urantia out." Tyler stated, looking to D'Anna and the image of his wife, as his wife wore a satisfied smile that told Tyler she was turned on. "Send a Marine team over to Thunderstar." he added as D'Anna nodded, watching as Standish began walking out of CIC, a stunned crew looking after him.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The ship held position at the head of the newly re-combined fleet as a lone Raptor shot out of the port flight pod and proceeded on its way to the massive Thunderstar.

OMIRON WARSHIP THUNDERSTAR

COMMAND BRIDGE

The Officer of the Guard looked to High Admiral Ardala with shock on his face.

"Sir! Surely we cannot allow this... the man is obviously out of his mind!" he remarked as Adrala turned to face him.

"No... there will be no resistance. Let his Marines come. We'll see how far this farce will go." Ardala lamented as he looked his officer in the eyes. "Truth is, Standish is right. The entire time we were with the fleet, we always knew that even though I carry the rank of High Admiral... it was a Colonial fleet that we joined, and so Standish WAS the man in charge. He was the ranking officer. Somehow we managed to get by all that time with that mutual silent understanding. Now he's called us on it." he stated as his officer looked to him, unsure what to say.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

D'Anna turned to face the hatch to the CIC as it opened, allowing Commander Dykstra to enter.

The man walked up to D'Anna , pausing in front of her.

"Commander." she offered, saluting.

"Colonel. Where's Standish?" he asked, to the point.

D'Anna looked to him, unsure what he had in mind.

"Come to see if he's gone mad?" she offered.

“Look,” said Dykstra, “I know that Tyler disagrees with my decision to go help. I’m not going to go against him and I came over here so he can hear me out." he said, lowering his voice a bit. "Where is he?" he prodded.

"His cabin." D'Anna answered as Dykstra turned to walk away. "Be prepared for a real thrashing." she called out causing him to pause and turn back to her.

"Gods will it won't come to that." Dykstra replied as he left.

URANTIA CORRIDOR

Dykstra picked up the pace as he rounded the corner and walked to the hatch to Standish's cabin where Corporal Jonski was standing guard.

"Sir!" Jonski stated, saluting the superior officer.

"Corporal... open that hatch... right frakkin' now!" Dykstra ordered as Jonski nodded, turning the wheel to open the hatch.

COMMANDER STANDISH'S CABIN

Standish sat at his desk signing off reports with a bottle of brandy beside him as Dykstra walked over to his desk.

For a long moment, Standish ignored the man, until Dykstra spoke up.

“So!” exclaimed Dykstra, refusing to be ignored. “I see you’re taking whatever’s been eating at you.”

"What the frak is it to you?" Standish shot back, still looking only to the papers before him.

"I want to know what the FRAK you were thinking!" Dykstra started. "Turning your guns on one of your own? Are you that frakked in the head?" he shot.

Tyler finally looked up to face Dykstra.

"Those motherfrakkers had it coming, when they chose to abandon us and their duty... and YOU... you were going to HELP them?" Tyler shot back, almost laughing. "Not in this fleet, Mister." he added.

That tore it for Dykstra, and his look turned serious and sour as he looked right into Standish's eyes.

"You can't just go around shouting orders and pushing the fleet around... we're a fleet, not your wife!" he spat.

That was the wrong thing to say to Tyler, as Dykstra soon discovered.

"You godsdamned, motherfrakking..." Standish began while he stood up directly across from his fellow Commander. Before he knew it, with violent force, Standish threw a mighty punch at Dykstra which hit him right in his left jaw, his head swept aside by the impact. "I'll frakking kill you!" Standish spat, his eyes wide and angry while he walked around his desk to face Dykstra who was looking to him with a look of disbelief as Standish tried to throw another punch.

Dykstra reacted just in time to block the second punch, offering one of his own, which hit Tyler in the face, sending him stumbling back. As Tyler regained his balance he rushed for Dykstra, lunging at him as both men fell to the ground grappling with each other.

Dykstra raised Tyler up against the edge of his desk and as he stood, delivering another punch to Standish, who then grabbed Dykstra, and with all his might shoved him forward against the wall, before stumbling after him.

"Just like home eh, Tyler?" Dykstra goaded. "Bill told me at that party what happened when you and the wife had a few too many." he shot, his words stabbing Tyler like needles.

"Frak you!" Tyler spat.

The two men began exchanging punches again as blood began to drip from the sides of both their lips until finally Dykstra landed one powerful blow to Tyler that sent him slumping down in the corner right beside him.

Dykstra looked over to his left to see Tyler beside him, as Standish looked up to his ceiling with worn and exhausted eyes. After a few seconds Dykstra realized that realized that Standish was beginning to very softly sob.

Wiping the blood from his own chin, Dykstra pulled Tyler close beside him.

"Hey... you okay?" he asked.

"I-- I don't know." Tyler began, now turning to face his friend. "Gods, John... I really don't know." he added as his face began to display all the pain that had been bottled up inside him for all these years.

Dykstra looked to his old friend with sympathy for a few minutes before offering a comment of his own.

"You know Tyler... you've crossed a line with this fleet. A line that was always there but never spoken of... and probably should never have been crossed." he offered.

"So what do I do?" Standish asked between weary breaths, looking to the floor.

"Both our wives are dead Tyler... and with them our former lives on the Colonies. All we can do now is go forward... we will have to keep moving forward now that we've crossed the line. We have to see our actions through to the end. But you also made a promise to that fleet out there... a promise to take us back to the Colonies." Dykstra offered.

"We have an obligation... a duty, you and I, John... to our brothers and sisters on Galactica. We can't leave them alone in the dark.. you know it. How can you possibly ask me to set that aside?" Tyler replied, looking to Dykstra.

All Commander Dykstra could do was offer his old friend a look of total sympathy for the dilemma Standish now faced.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Battlestar continued along with her fleet behind her.

BRIG

From inside his cell, High Admiral Ardala looked up at the man standing before him... Tyler Standish.

The two men did not say a word as they exchanged looks. Ardala looked up to Standish from the cot where he sat as Tyler stood tall and proud, right outside the cell bars.

"Well." Ardala began. "You did it Tyler... you won. You showed us all." he added, as he arose from the bedside and walked up to the bars to face Standish. "You're it... the head man. The top dog. That what you wanted?" he asked.

Tyler merely stared back at Ardala.

"I had no desire to humiliate you." Standish softly stated.

"Oh... of course not!" Ardala shot back, almost chuckling. "In fact, the sad thing is Commander, that you were right. You always were the one in command. It was just that nobody ever made it official. For two whole years we were perfectly happy to get by working on an unspoken honor system... until Galactica came along." he added.

Standish just looked back at Ardala.

"So yes, Commander... I'm guilty. And I'm perfectly willing to face up for what I did. But the challenge facing you now is... what do you do to prevent something like this from ever happening again?" Ardala asked, looking to Tyler with a question in his eyes.

"I don't know." Tyler offered bluntly.

"Mm-hmm..." Ardala replied. "Well, I think I can help you there, Commander." he added as Tyler returned his look.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Battlestar sailed through space guiding her fleet along as the Gunstar Cydonia held position alongside as Vipers flew CAP past the ships.

CIC

The humming of the DRADIS filled the large room as the hatch opened and Tyler Standish walked in carrying a manila folder, walking to the command table as all eyes watched him.

D'Anna looked to him and he returned her look, offering a small smile to her.

He placed the folder down onto the table and opened it revealing a document on Colonial stationary.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Our future... with the help of Captain Kline and our Emilon freinds." Standish replied as he lifted the phone from the cradle and activated the intercom, facing the document before him.

Tyler took a few deep and calm breaths before finally speaking.

"Attention crew of the Battlestar Urantia... ships of the fleet. This is your Commander." he began. "Over two years ago we were taken away from everything we knew. Our Colonies, our homes, our ways of life... and our laws. For the past two and a half years we have been operating upon a thin line... an unwritten code. Recent events have starkly illustrated the problems that arise when a set structure is not put firmly and clearly in place. This fleet IS a Colonial fleet. I AM the ranking Colonial officer, and thus, am in total command of this fleet. High Admiral Ardala has admitted that, and has also taken responsibility for violating my orders. However I also, am not without fault." he went on. "I made a promise to this fleet, that I would return to the Colonies and make a stand against the Cylons. That was before Pegasus... before Galactica. However it WAS still a promise." he added.

D'Anna and the CIC crew watched transfixed as he continued his speech.

"The Urantia and her crew, as well as the other ships from the Colonies, cannot and will not turn our backs on our brethren on the Galactica. I will also not break my promise. So this is what we're left with..." Tyler began, looking again to the document on the table as he continued. "What we have now and for the duration of our voyage from this point until we reach Caprica, is our first fleetwide law... an agreement and compromise, drafted in mutual understanding by the Captains and citizens of the ships of the fleet, and accepted by myself and the military commanders of this fleet. This charter... this document, will be known as the Urantia Compact." he added.

D'Anna walked to stand beside him as she looked down at the document while he read from it.

"To it," he began. "The people of the civilian fleet, the military commanders of the fleet, and the commander of the Battlestar Urantia, do hereby in good faith agree to the following items, terms, and conditions. Item One... it shall be hereforth understood that upon official acknowledgment of this Urantia Compact, that the Battlestar Urantia shall set forth on course for Colonial space, per the terms of the original verbal pledge of Commander Tyler Standish. Item Two... in exchange for the honoring of said Item One, the people of the civilian fleet, and the military commanders of the civilian fleet do hereby grant the rank of Admiral to Tyler Standish, and do hereby make the following solemn pledge... the we shall hereforth accept without precondition or reservation, the authority of Admiral Tyler Standish as THE one and only voice of authority to rule amongst the fleet, and do hereforth pledge our loyalty to him and his orders." he added. "Finally, Item Three. The people of the civilian fleet and the military commanders of the fleet, having understood and agreed to above Items, do hereby proceed with approval, with the understanding that upon arrival Kobol, the Battlestar Urantia shall be at said time, released from the bonds of this covenant and shall at that time be free to begin pursual of the Battlestar Galactica. Having understood and agreed to all above said Items, the people of the civilian fleet, the military commanders of the fleet and Admiral Tyler Standish do hereby officially acknowledge this Urantia Compact as policy and rule of law. So be it. So say we all." Standish finished.

For a long moment all was quiet in CIC as everybody absorbed what had just been spoken. Finally, the silence was broken.

"So say we all." Mister Hindri stated, somewhat reluctantly, unsure if anyone would join him in voicing their support.

"So say we all!" Miss Zamfir repeated, from the Communications station.

"So say we all! SO SAY WE ALL! SO SAY WE ALL!" the CIC crew began to chant, as Standish looked to his crew wearing a look of both pride and relief.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Battlestar continued along, the giant Omiron warship her.

COMMANDER STANDISH'S CABIN

High Admiral Jordan Ardala stood before Standish's desk looking to Tyler, as the Marine guard stood by the door, ever watchful.

Standish finished signing some reports and closed the folder over as he took his glasses off, looking up to Ardala.

"So." he began. "You've made up your mind... you really want to do this?' he asked.

"It's the best way." Ardala began. "I want to spare the fleet the dragging spectacle of a court martial. I know I disobeyed orders, so I may as well throw in the towel... at my age I can't go back to a lower rank and work my way up again. No... I'm resigning from the Omiron Stellar Guard." he added, reaching to his uniform shirt cuffs and removing his High Admiral's badges of office, placing them on Standish's desk as Tyler watched. "Military rule of law and the Urantia Compact state that you are an Admiral now, Sir. You now command Urantia, as well as preside over three other military ships. These are now yours." he said, looking at Tyler.

Standish just looked at Ardala, leaning back in his chair and letting out a deep sigh, looking to Jordan as he got up from his chair.

"I suppose you're right at that." he began. "I just want you to know... I never wanted this. It was never my intention to humiliate anyone or make a power-grab. The situation kind of went in the direction it did." he added.

"I agree." Ardala replied. "It was bound to happen sooner or later." he agreed.

Jordan Ardala smiled and nodded to Standish as he turned to leave the room.

"Jordan!" Standish called after him, as Ardala turned to face Tyler.

Standish stood straight and offered Ardala a proud and very genuine salute.

Ardala straightened up and returned the salute.

"Thank you, Sir." he offered, as with that he turned to leave.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Battlestar continued her trek through space, her fleet behind her.

CIC

The door to CIC opened, allowing Tyler Standish to enter the room, now sporting Ardala's Admiralty pips in his collar..

"Admiral on deck!" D'Anna called out, turning to face Standish as everyone in CIC stood at attention.

Standish paused at the command table, looking to his crew.

"As you were." he ordered, turning to D'Anna.

"This'll take some getting used to." Standish whispered. "So, what've we got on the agenda for today?" he added as she handed him a clipboard of duty watch reports.

"A new group of Starcat pilots from the Thunderstar is up for cross-training in Viper combat later today. Medusa is already working out the training routine for them. She's promised me it'll be intense." she stated. "The Emilon ship Prophet Star has requested a resupply of food rations, and Mister Hindri has informed me that we are two plotted jumps away from a star system that has a planet with plant life. With your approval, I'll order a Raptor scouting party to be prepped." she added.

"Granted." Standish began. "Plant life means food. And depending on what the recon birds find... it may also be a chance for some surface time for the people of the fleet. After what we've been through these last weeks, we should let the fleet relax and unwind for a few days if possible." he said, looking to D'Anna, and handing the clipboard back to her. "Mister Hindri!" Standish called out, turning to face the man.

"Yes, Admiral?" Hindri replied.

"A little birdy told me you found a planet with plant life." Standish opened.

"That little birdy travels fast. Aye, Sir... I did." Hindri replied, smiling.

Standish returned the smile with one of his own as he replied.

"Very well, Mister Hindri... make calculations for our next jump. We'll jump the ship first thing tomorrow morning." he ordered.

"Yes Sir, Admiral." Hindri replied, working his panel.

Standish returned his focus to D'Anna, moving right up to her and whispering in her ear.

"I'm returning to my cabin... I want you there. Soon." he added, pulling away to face her.

D'Anna looked back to him, her face becoming flushed with redness for a second as she realized what the Admiral had in mind.

"I'll uh... try to be there as soon as I can." she replied, looking him in the eyes.

"Good." Standish replied, turning to leave with D'Anna looking after him.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Battlestar continued along with her fleet behind her.

URANTIA CORRIDOR

Commander Dykstra walked through the long hallway on his way to see Standish as he rounded the corner that led to the door to Tyler's cabin.

As he neared the door he straightened himself up and looked to the two Marines standing guard, who both saluted him.

Dykstra returned the salute and reached for the hatch handle, just as it flew open, and he found himself facing the XO of Urantia.

The two looked to each other awkwardly. Dykstra noticed that the buttons on her uniform shirt were undone, and her hair was slightly messed up. She also looked as if she'd been sweating.

"Commander." she offered, with a quick salute.

"Colonel." Dykstra returned, with an equally quick salute.

She finally just stepped forward, pushing herself past him as she left, allowing him to finally enter the room.

As Dykstra entered the room and the door closed behind him, he found Tyler standing before the mirror in his bathroom in his undertunic, combing his hair.

"Yeah, what is it?" Tyler asked the reflection of Dykstra in his mirror.

"I, uh... I wanted to go over the Raptor scouting mission with you... if this is a bad time..." Dykstra began.

"No." Standish replied, placing the comb down and turning to face Dykstra as he walked over to his couch, and picked up the mission SITREP folder from Dykstra's hand before crashing down in the plush leather cushion with a sigh.

Commander Dykstra noticed the few empty glasses and bottle of brandy on the coffee table in front of the couch as he looked to Tyler, sitting down beside him.

"Might wanna go easy on that stuff." Dykstra offered.

"Don't start." Standish shot back, buttoning up his uniform top and handing the SITREPs back to his friend. "I gotta get back to the CIC... joining me?" he asked, getting up as Dykstra looked to him and nodded as he too, got up, following Tyler out of the room.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -


SEVEN YEARS AGO

STANDISH RESIDENCE - AERILON

The brilliant light of the daytime sun illuminated everything as a lone dark silhouette emerged, lunging forward, seemingly in slow motion while another two dark forms rushed to either side of the first figure, reaching out to restrain it and holding it back as it struggled.

A man's mouth opened up, shouting and crying out in the most raw and unimaginable sorrow and rage. Though the mouth screamed with all its might, no sound was heard.

On the floor, a former glass coffee table lay smashed, with shards of bloodied glass strewn around a lifeless form... a dark-haired woman.

Drops of water began to fall down upon the shards of bloody glass... like rain falling. But it was not rain. It was tears.

Illuminated from behind by the daytime sun, the silhouette of the central figure came crashing down to his knees, burying his face in his hands, before lifting his head up and looking to the ceiling.

The tortured face of Tyler Standish screamed out in rage at whatever gods might be lurking above him, screaming with every ounce of hurt, pain, and rage he had left inside him, while the tears came streaming down his face. As before, there was no sound.

As he looked up from the broken body at the center of the smashed glass table, a doctor walked up to him and in slow-motion held up a clipboard to Tyler's eyes, pointing to a line of data as he explained the report in a distant slow echo...

"The child did not survive... alcohol poisoning." the doctor said, lowering his eyes and face as he slowly walked away.

Tyler's eyes grew wide, wanting to break free of their sockets while he again looked up crying out in sorrow and rage, trying to run towards the container of his now-dead child...

The two Colonial police officers again grabbed him, holding him back with all their might, as Tyler struggled against their grasp, shouting out as the tears ran down his face.

"WHY!" Tyler cried out, with every ounce of strength he had in him, as if his dead wife could somehow hear him, as he once again collapsed to his knees, weeping before his dead wife, and crying.



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

ONE YEAR LATER

COMMANDER STANDISH'S CABIN

Tyler Standish stood behind his desk standing tall and wearing a very serious and stern look on his face, like a parent about to chew out his children as he faced two young women that were standing before him, saluting at attention in front of his desk.

"At ease!" he called out, facing them.

The two women... Grae Azaire, and Kara Thrace, stood before the Commander, both wearing sheepish looks.

"I want to know... what the frak you both thought you were doing!" Standish began, looking to both of them. "A bar fight... on a Colonial Fleet installation!" he spat out angry.

"Sir... she started it..." Kara began.

"Because YOU were the one frakking MY Viper jock!" Grae spat back.

"Maybe if you'd done your part to keep him happy..." Kara baited.

"THAT'S ENOUGH! Both of you!" Standish shouted out. "I don't frakking believe this. You're both officers in the Colonial fleet... and ONE of you is supposed to be my frakking CAG! ACT like it!" he spat. "You... what do you think Adama would think... if he was here? What do you think he would say?" he asked Kara.

"I dunno, Sir... but you pretty much sound just like him right now." Kara shot.

Standish was not amused. His look grew sour as he drilled into Kara with his eyes.

"You got some mouth on you, you do." he shot back. "You better frakking hope it doesn't get your ass killed one day. Now get the bloody frak out of my sight... DISMISSED!" he shouted as Kara saluted him, turning to leave, as he focused on Grae, his CAG. "Now you..." he began. "You... are supposed to be my CAG... you are supposed to be more responsible than this. I need an officer I can trust, not some drunk idiot, who gets in bar fights over some frak-toy in a flight-suit!" he added.

Grae looked to Tyler and could see that deep down, behind the layers of military protocol there was a fatherly concern for her, just below the surface.

"I-- I'm sorry, Sir. It won't happen again." Grae offered.

Tyler merely stared at her for a long and uncomfortable moment before looking to his desk and opening up a manila folder, placing a single paper document inside of it, looking back up at her as he closed it.

"This is now your disciplinary file. It has ONE report in it. It better frakking well be the last report." he said, softly but also very sternly. "I need you here, BatCat. I expect more from you." he added. "Dismissed."

Grae swallowed a lump in her throat as she silently saluted and faced away from him as she made the walk to his door, ready to leave the room, while Tyler sat back down in his chair, looking up after her.

PRESENT DAY

The early afternoon sun crept along the white tile floor, sweeping over empty beer and ambrosia bottles along with empty cartons of take-out food, pizza boxes, and strewn about confetti.

Among the strewn about remains were various articles of both male and female clothing. As the noonday sun began to venture ever forward on the floor, many shadows suddenly began to sweep into view, quickly passing through the corridor of light.

The shadows were many in number and were all moving quickly. As each shadow raced by, a ghostly whining sound could be heard.

Finally the sunlight made its way across the legs of a man in a pure and bright white suit, who was slumped against the door to the kitchen on the floor, asleep. After a second the light of the encroaching Sun made its way to the man's face.

Gaius Baltar squinted as his eyes struggled to open, and he brought a free hand over his face to shield himself from the bright light, while the whining shadowforms zipped upwards across his face.

The sound got his attention and he began to try to get up. As he arose he stood straight and his legs framed the patio doors, where the figure of a woman was standing with her back to him as the whining shadows continued onward on the illuminated wooden floor, seemingly heading right for the woman on the balcony.

In the corner of the room leading to the balcony, the home's audio system was softly playing a Caprican waltz that Baltar knew... Passacaglia, if he remembered correctly. Slowly Gaius began to step forward, walking towards the figure of the woman.

Finally Baltar arrived on the balcony, and the fullness of the bright Caprican noontime sun enveloped him in its warm embrace as he grew a look of shocked surprise, looking around at the vista before him. He could now see the sources of the whining shadows...

Cylon Raiders... hundreds upon hundreds of them, all gliding over the skyline of Caprica City in the clear blue sky.

"What... what is this...?" Baltar asked aloud, mostly to himself.

"It's beginning, Gaius." the woman now spoke, as he turned to face Caprica Six, who looked at him with reverence. The sun enhanced the lightness of her blonde hair as she smiled at him in a beautiful light blue dress. "Look at it." she added.

Baltar looked over the edge of the balcony to the street far below, to see an army of Centurions marching through the city.

"No..." Blatar said, looking back up to the sky at the Raiders. "This... is this a dream, isn't it? This is not happening!" he added in a raised voice, as he turned to the woman, only to see Number Three, where Caprica Six had been, but in the same blue dress.

"What's wrong, Gaius... don't you want to bear personal witness to the last chapter of human history... a chapter you helped to write?" Three asked, smiling.

Baltar looked now long and hard at the entire scope of what was before him...

Downtown Caprica City, in all its glass and steel splendor, the high-rise office buildings piercing the blue sky, while the wings of Cylon Raiders continued to sail past the buildings, as now even larger shadows began to appear, causing Baltar to look further upward into the sky...

Above the formations of Cylon Raiders, the hazed images of at least three giant Basestars could be made out while far below, the Raiders flew past them.

"NO..." Baltar began to shout.

"NO!" Baltar cried out, as he bolted up from the bed, sweating. After a second he looked beside him. Six and Three were in the bed with him, and he was still on the Cylon Basestar.

After a moment to collect himself, he buried his face in his hands, wiping the sweat away.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - BSG-75

CIC

The tired eyes of Admiral William Adama looked over some duty reports upon the CIC table, the light from the table reflecting in his glasses while he let out a sigh, looking for a short moment up to the DRADIS display, his face now sporting a mustache.

Just as he was about to take his eyes off the display, the telltale beeps of the DRADIS proximity alarm began to sound and he turned to face Captain Kelly, at Tactical.

"DRADIS contact!" Kelly shouted, as Admiral Adama looked back up at the DRADIS.

THE FLEET

The Battlestar Pegasus loomed large behind Galactica, just as a massive FTL flashring of light burst into view, spitting the massive form of the Battlestar Urantia out, right in between the two Battlestars, the Urantia looming like a giant right above and behind Galactica, as a few small civilian ships scrambled like hell to get out of Urantia's flight path.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - BSG-75

CIC

Admiral Adama looked to the DRADIS absolutely stunned, as his eyes tracked the new screen icon representing the Battlestar Urantia.

"Well... where the frak did you come from...?" he asked himself with a whisper, as if addressing the DRADIS itself.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The massive flight portside flight pods of the Urantia swept over the form of the Battlestar Pegasus below, continuing on over the hull of the Galactica.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - BSG-75

CIC

Adama's eyes remained glued to the DRADIS, as he listened to the transmission from Urantia Actual over the intercom...

"It's been so long... we're so glad we found you... both of you. Fear not, for your troubles are over now. We are once again a fleet united, together again." announced the reassuring voice of Admiral Tyler Standish, as Adama looked straight ahead with the light from the CIC table reflecting in his glasses like fire.



With a sudden gasp Admiral Standish woke from his dream in his rack, in the low light of his cabin as he brought right arm over his head, resigned to the fact that what he had just experienced was no more than a dream.

Then the phone rang, and he reached for it on the wall beside his rack, bringing it to his ear.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Sorry to wake you, Sir, but I have something up here that I think you'd like to see." the voice of Mister Hindri reported.

"Very well... I'm on my way." Standish replied, as he placed the phone back upon its cradle.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

CIC

D'Anna looked to Admiral Standish as he slapped a couple of folders of documents down, turning to face to D'Anna.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Good news, for once." Standish began. "Mister Hindri's latest jump calculations. He says we're two plotted jumps away from Colonial space... two jumps away from our home." he added.

D'Anna's eyes grew wide, as she smiled.

"That's great!" she began. "Why haven't you told the crew yet?" she asked.

Standish looked down as he shuffled documents around.

"I want to establish a plan of action first... let people know that we know what we're doing... how we're going to proceed. Medusa is working on some SAR and recon mission plans now, and I want the fleet to know that that's just what this is... a SAR mission. The Colonies, as far as we know, took a beating. There should be no illusions that this will be a happy homecoming... we should prepare the people to expect the worst... expect a graveyard." he added as he looked to her with a look of both concern and serious resolve.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[BruceAdama]

PREVIOUSLY, ON BATTLESTAR URANTIA...



"What the frak do you mean, she said no?" Tina Standish shouted at him. "Did you even bother to tell her that you requested this over a year ago?" she added.

"Of course I did!" he shot back. "It makes no difference... she's an Admiral. I'm a Commander. I have my orders to follow." he said.

Tina nodded her head, angry with what he was saying.

"Oh... well, maybe that's the problem, isn't it? Maybe, if you asserted yourself more aggressively, from time to time, YOU'D be the Admiral... the dominant one... the one making all the calls... you know... like a MAN?"

As Tina began to lift the glass to her mouth, Standish's hand locked onto her wrist with mighty strength, and she looked to him.

"You frakking want me to assert myself aggressively?" he said to her, his voice laced with anger as he shoved her against the wall, which she hit hard, and with a quick movement, shoved both of her arms over her head, spread out, causing her to drop the glass of ambrosia, which fell to the floor shattering, as she looked to him, her breathing deep and hard, her passions now excited.

- - -

As Jareth began to get up, Standish picked him up from his uniform chest, and punched him... HARD, sending him back to the ground.

"Commander!" Grae called out, reaching for him, to hold him back, as Standish landed yet another puch on Jareth's face.

"Hotshot motherfrakker! I don't know how the FRAK you ever earned wings... but I'll be damned, if you're gonna frak with MY planes, and MY pilots!" Standish shouted out at Jareth. "Get the frak up!" he shouted, Jareth got up, wiping his hand across his bloodied face.

Standish pushed Jareth hard against the Viper and leaned into him, placing his full weight and left arm over Jareth's neck, in a chokehold.

- - -

"Commander Standish... it's true, Sir... we found a planet... or at least, what looks like a planet... on the far side of the nebula." the man said.

"What do you mean "looks like a planet"?" Standish asked, as now the second Specialist, a female, also jumped down onto the deck, also saluting, after dropping her gear back on the deck.

"It's true, Sir." she offered. "That region of the nebula is riddled with interference that made our DRADIS almost totally useless... but we DID see a large celestial body... it had to be a planet." she added.

- - -

Standish picked up the photo, holding it to the light, examining it.

"It has to be Pegasus, Sir." Grae said, from behind Standish. "Given that we also found some personal artifacts from that ship... we have to assume it's her... that Pegasus was destroyed here." she added.

- - -

"There's no frakking way two Battlestars could have ended up here... no frakking way... it's too great a coincidence." Standish offered. "Besides... the SAR teams have only found debris from one Battlestar." he added. "I need more."

- - -

"I am NOT a Cylon!" Cavil shouted out, looking to D'Anna.

"We'll see..." Standish said, drawing his sidearm and raising it at aim at Cavil's head. "If Cavil number four pops up... we'll know, won't we?" he offered.

"Her! She's a Cylon!" Cavil shouted out, pointing to D'Anna, who wore a look of shock.

- - -

"Attention people of the Urantia, and the fleet... this is your Commander." he began. "Over a week ago, we were forced to leave the planet we came to know as New Caprica, due to the Cylon's arrival. While at New Caprica, we learned of the fate of one of our brethren... the Battlestar Pegasus. We know not still, how Pegasus ended up there, nor why the crew of Pegasus decided to establish settlements there. We know only that she met her end locked in combat with three cylon Basestars. However... there is something that those of you outside Urantia did not then know, but must know now... before we jumped away from New Caprica... one of our search and rescue teams made a discovery... a fragment of a Viper wing... a Viper that was not from Urantia, or Pegasus. The markings on this wing indicated that the Viper was from the Battlestar Galactica. Not only did we recover a wing... but we also discovered evidence that there was indeed another Battlestar present here at one time. That had to be Galactica. Because we found no debris from Galactica herself... I must conclude that the ship was able to jump away, to safety. Where she is, we know not. But she is one of ours... she has a Commander... a crew... and a story. She is struggling to stay alive, as are we. Because of these things... it is my responsibility... my DUTY... to seek out Galactica."

- - -

"This is the Colonial Gunstar Cydonia to the vessel claiming to be the Urantia... Tyler... is that you?" a man's voice sounded.

- - -


AND NOW... SEASON 3...



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

ADMIRAL STANDISH'S CABIN

D'Anna Biers stood looking down, as Admiral Tyler Standish lowered himself to his knees before her and held up a black jewelry box which he opened, looking up to her, facing his XO.

"D'Anna Biers... will you be my wife? Will you marry me?" he asked.



THREE MONTHS EARLIER



The arc of sunlight highlighted the planet against the starry black of space.

It was a beautiful planet... vast blue oceans, fluffy white clouds, and vast continents of green and brown.

Suddenly off in the distance in the far corner above the arc of the planet, dozens upon dozens of flashes of light signaled the arrival of the Urantia and her fleet, as the ships emerged from FTL.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

CIC

Admiral Standish looked cautiously to the DRADIS displays, waiting for Mister Hindri to confirm his position.

"Coordinates confirmed, Sir... we are now locked in high orbit... of Aerilon! We're home, Sir!" Hindri called out as instantly, everyone in CIC broke out into joyous cheers, throwing clipboards into the air, as people reached to embrace the person beside them, while others clapped and cheered, and others cried tears of joy and relief.

Standish looked to D'Anna and his features softened, as he reached to draw her close, embracing her.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Battlestar led her fleet along in orbit of Aerilon, the homeworld of Tyler Standish, as wings of Raptors flew towards the atmosphere along with Viper escorts.



STANDISH RESIDENCE - AERILON

Admiral Standish emerged from the Raptor and climbed down, landing on the Aerilon ground as he began to walk past the group of Urantia crew and Marines already present, making his way towards his destination undeterred.

Finally he met up with D'Anna and Grae, and both women looked to him.

"You sure you want to do this, Sir?" D'Anna asked him softly as he looked to her.

"I have to do this." he stated softly but very firm, as he slowly continued on his way.

Tyler Standish walked towards his house... or the remains of his house. What had once been a beautiful ultramodern luxury Caprican-revival-style home, was now nothing but a pile of rubble... smashed concrete, broken glass, and fallen wood beams, that sat in the middle of a field of tall weeds.

For a moment he stopped in front of the ruins, looking at the rubble and drinking in the sight of it. Finally with a deep sigh, he carefully worked his way into what once was his home.

Gradually he worked his way into what used to be his vast living room. He paused and stood, looking around. Almost instantly, vivid ghosts from the past began to flood his brain with memories... he could see himself fighting with Tina, and hear the verbal assaults fly, like knives through the wind. After a moment he looked to a certain spot in the middle of the room...

It was the spot where the glass coffee table had been... the table that Tina had fallen through when she killed herself... and their unborn child.

As Tyler gazed at the spot, his mind recalled that gruesome image of his wife's bloodied and dead body on the floor, surrounded by broken glass. His face was a mix of emotions as he struggled to cope with the flood of memories.

Finally with a roar of rage, pulled out his personal sidearm and aimed it in front of him, firing shots at the spot where his wife had once laid on the floor, yelling as he fired shot after shot until his magazine was emptied and he fell to his knees at the spot, surrendering to his inner torment and breaking down crying, as he buried his face in his hands.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[BruceAdama]

I'm wondering what people are thinking of the story thus far, and if anyone has any questions at this point? If anyone has any feedback to offer, feel free to post it.

This 3rd season will soon get incredibly morally dark, but it is for a reason, and this 3rd season is the turning point of the entire story... this and the final 4th season are the best, and when everything comes together... the events of both Battlestar Galactica, and Battlestar Urantia.

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Scoutstar, along with a handful of Vipers, departed Urantia and raced out into space, passing over the various smaller ships of the fleet as they held orbit over Aerilon.

Suddenly the Scoustar picked up speed, and was soon engulfed by the familiar golden flash of the FTL flashring, as it vanished from sight just as three Raptors flew towards Urantia's port flight pod, heading home.

ADMIRAL STANDISH'S CABIN

The Admiral's hand held a magnifying glass as he scanned over some recon photos that the Raptor team had brought, while D'Anna stood facing him on the other side of his desk.

"Hmmm..." Standish began, looking up as he set the photos and the magnifying glass aside. "I don't like it... not a single Cylon contact since we entered the system... it's too easy... too quiet." he added, looking up at D'Anna.

"You think there a reason they haven't jumped in yet?" she asked as the Admiral got up from his chair, walking up to her.

"I think they're probably waiting for us to come to them... I'm inclined to believe that the Cylon fleet has made its home at Caprica. They know that any Battlestars returning would certainly make course for Caprica, and would make their stand there." Standish explained.

"So... you're not going to strike at Caprica?" D'Anna asked.

"I am." Standish replied, his look knowing and his eyes full of intent.

"But you just said that it's likely a Cylon hornet's nest... a trap." D'Anna tried to understand.

"Regardless of where they are, the Cylons are in Colonial space... we can either fight them system by system, and keep taking hard hits all the way through, or we can strike them at Caprica, and either live or die doing it." Standish began, as he reached for a recon photo on the desk, and picked it up, handing it to D'Anna, who took it and examined it. "But before we go... I want to make sure we have every advantage we can get." he added.

"The Vallahar Repository?" D'Anna asked, regarding the location on the photo, looking at the Admiral.

"Grae reported from the Scoutstar that it looks basically intact. If that's the case, there's a chance the Cylons haven't gotten to it yet... at least not all of it." Standish explained.

"So what's the plan, Admiral?" D'Anna inquired.

"We're going to the Vallahar Repository... we're gonna take on whatever munitions and weaponry is left and usable. The Thunderstar, Cydonia, and Sal Caltanis will stay with the fleet until our return." Standish stated.

"And then?" D'Anna replied.

"And then... we go to Caprica... and meet our destiny... one way or the other." Standish said.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The great ship sat in orbit of Aerilon, along with her fleet behind her.

CIC

D'Anna and all eyes turned to Standish as he walked into CIC and made his way to the command table, where he set down a few folders of SITREP reports, looking to the DRADIS for a moment before turning to face Mister Hindri.

"Mister Hindri..." Standish began.

"Sir!" Hindri replied.

"Input the FTL coordiantes for the Vallahar Repository... we're going to Leonis." Standish ordered.

"Aye, Sir... coordinates entered for Leonis orbit... ready to jump on your order." Hindri replied.

Admiral Standish looked straight ahead, took a calming breath as he gulped down any fleeting bits of reservations he may have had, as he gave the order...

"Mister Hindri... jump!" he called out.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The massive form of the Omiron warship Thunderstar loomed behind the Urantia as beside the Battlestar, the twin Pan-Galactic liners sailed alongside Urantia's port flight pod, which dwarfed the two small liners. Suddenly, the FTL flashring enveloped the Battlestar, and vanished it from view with a sudden flash of golden-white light.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The mighty Battlestar sailed over the globe of Leonis, slowly sailing to the massive structure in the distance... the Vallahar Repository.

CIC

In the CIC all eyes were on the DRADIS screens as D'Anna and Standish kept watch for any new blips that would represent a Cylon contact. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they got one.

"DRADIS contact!" Hindri called out. "Reading one Cylon Heavy Raider... she's on an intercept course. She came from behind the Vallahar repository, Sir.!" he added.

"Launch alert Vipers." Standish ordered, keeping his eyes on the DRADIS screens.

URANTIA VIPER LAUNCH TUBE

With a sudden 'whoosh', the Viper raced through the launch tunnel, emerging into the open expanse of space, as the engine lights of the Vipers ahead of it filled the forward view.

CIC

As D'Anna and Standish worked the star charts on the CIC table, they also listened to the incoming comm traffic from the Viper pilots. Finally, one of the pilots reported something that got their attention.

"Urantia Actual, Gambler. There's something frakked-up with this Raider... it's uh... it's stopped, Actual." the young man reported, as Standish looked up to the DRADIS with a wary expression.

Standish picked the phone up from the table, bringing it to his ear.

"Gambler, Actual... say again?" Standish ordered.

"Actual, Gambler... I say again, Sir... the Cylon Raider has... stopped. She's not moving. Request instructions." the pilot stated.

Standish looked to D'Anna, as if asking her what he should do. She only shrugged, wearing a puzzled look.

"All Vipers, weapons hold." Standish began, just as Hindri cut in...

"Sir! You're not gonna frakkin' believe this... but I've got that Heavy Raider on the horn. They're requesting our Colonial I.D. code!" he reported.

"What the frak?" Standish whispered aloud to himself, turning to again pick up the phone from the table.

Standish hesitated for a moment with the phone at his lips, before finally committing to opening a conversation, as he pressed the phone's button.

"This is Admiral Tyler Standish, on the Battlestar Urantia. Identify yourselves, please. Failure to comply will result in the use of military force." he calmly stated, awaiting a reply.

Whole seconds passed by, with no reply. Finally, Hindri again spoke up.

"Admiral, I have Gambler on the horn for you." he stated, as Standish gestured for him to put the call through.

"Actual, Gambler... that Cylon is flashing us a light message... Golan Code. They're saying that they're human, and want to come aboard." the pilot stated.

Standish looked to D'Anna.

"It could well be a Cylon trick." she began. "Perhaps some new tactic they're employing."

"On the other hand, an entire Basestar or two could have just as easily jumped in as soon as we got here, and let fly with everything they had." Standish lamented with a sigh. "Let's see where this goes." he added, again looking to Hindri. "Mister Hindri... have the Vipers escort the Cylon into the upper starboard bay!" he ordered, again picking up the phone, and issuing new orders. "Marine units, assemble in upper starboard hangar deck in five minutes!" he called through the intercom.

UPPER STARBOARD HANGAR DECK

Admiral Standish and D'Anna walked down the steps onto the main deck, just as the cargo elevator finished bringing the Cylon ship up onto the deck.

The Admiral and the XO worked their way past the massive assembly of Marines, all of whom had their rifles raised in aim, at the ready, facing the Cylon ship.

Standish gave a gesture to the Deck Crew to clear the area, as the men and women in orange and yellow jumpsuits moved away, to the other side of the deck.

Finally after a long second, a loud snap and hiss of escaping air was heard, and the hatch to the Heavy Raider began to open, as the Marines all prepared to fire, should they need to.

Everyone on the deck noticed that painted on the side of the Heavy Raider, in sloppy red paint, was the head of a modern Cylon Centurion, with two bones crossing over it, in a "X" pattern.

Finally, the hatch had fully opened, and very gradually the figure of a man appeared and made his way to face the Urantia crew. He raised his arms to show he meant no hostile intent, and began to walk down the ramp, onto the deck, as other men began to follow suit, along with a few women.

Most of the men were large men, and had elaborate tattoos on their faces and bodies.

Finally, the first man out neared Standish, and paused.

"Thank the Gods..." he began, looking around. "I never thought we'd see or set foot on another human vessel." he said relieved, as he stepped forward and extended his hand to Standish. "Captain Mark Silas, formerly of the Tauron Privateer Tehat Meru." he stated.

"You're Taurons... pirates." Standish stated.

"Aye, that we are, Sir." Silas replied. "We were on our way back to Tauron when the Toasters attacked. Our ship was destroyed, but we were able to evac down to Aquaria with a few crates of weapons and rations. For weeks, we searched for safe refuge from the nuclear fallout. Half of us died from radiation poisoning, before we had the good fortune of locating a bomb shelter that someone had built. We lived in there for over two months... until fate smiled upon us." he stated.

"And just how did fate smile upon you?" Standish asked.

"Our prize here." Silas began, indicating to the Heavy Raider behind him. "A Cylon search party landed, searching for human survivors. We waited in ambush for the Bulletheads, and when they emerged from the ship, we opened fire on them with the weapons we had and took this Heavy Raider from them." he stated. "We lost two people in that assault, but we made it off the surface, and have been playing cat-and-mouse throughout the Colonies with the Cylons ever since." he added, as Standish and D'Anna regarded the sight of Silas and his crew, in front of the taken Cylon ship.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

CIC

Admiral Standish's hands rolled out a set of large recon scans over the surface of the command table, looking up to the people assembled around him... D'anna, Grae, and Captain Silas, who all looked to the Admiral.

"So far, our various SAR teams have managed to salvage fifteen derelict Vipers, and six derelict Raptors, from Aerelon and Aquaria. That will have to do, because as soon as we're done here, I want to make a recon jump into Caprican space... a team of Combat Raptors, to do an initial recon sweep of Caprica, and then report back. I expect the Cylon forces to be amassed there." Standish stated.

"We've tried our best to avoid Caprica as much as we possible, for the same reason." Silas offered. "Ever since about a month after the original attack, Cylon forces have largely ignored the smaller Colonies... we've always assumed their stronghold to be on Caprica." he added.

Standish looked to the man, intent in his eyes.

"Your arrival here gives us an unexpected advantage we would otherwise not have had." he began. "I want to use your Heavy Raider to lead the recon team. Urantia has been able to secure two Cylon Raiders, in the course of her voyage... one new "seeker" model, and one vintage model. Your Heavy Raider will take the lead of the formation, and our two Raiders will be at the end of the formation. This will create the illusion that a Cylon recon party is escorting a group of captured Colonial craft... hopefully, that will be enough to ensure the recon unit is not fired upon." he added.

"You still want to use the Scoutstar, Sir?" Grae asked.

"Yes." Tyler replied, looking to her. "Immediately after the recon party jumps you will follow in the Scoutstar, jumping in just long enough to see if the recon party met with any resistance. If they are okay, you hang back and take a long-range DRADIS sweep, and wait to escort them back home. If the team encounters a heavy Cylon presence, however, and comes under fire, you and the recon team are to jump back immediately." he ordered.

"Understood, Sir." Grae replied.

Standish turned to D'anna, looking into her eyes.

"What's the word from the Chief... is he almost done here?" he asked.

"Almost... he says there are about five more large crates to bring aboard, but he should be done in three or four hours. He said we were lucky that so much weaponry was left." she reported.

Standish nodded, looking back to the recon charts on the table.

"Good... I don't like the idea of hanging around here any longer than we have to... the sooner we can leave, the better." he said.

THE VALLAHAR REPOSITORY - LEONIS ORBIT

The massive weapons and ammunition repository sat in high orbit of Leonis, as the Battlestar Urantia sat attached to it via a docking gangway.

It was an eerie and creepy sight to behold as the Battlestar sat attached to the massive station, hovering high above the planet while all around the ship and station the distant hulks of once-mighty Battlestars drifted along in space, broken, charred, and lifeless.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

LOWER PORT FLIGHT POD

Admiral Standish climbed down the steps to the main deck, where he was greeted by the Deck Chief, who greeted him with a salute as the Admiral returned the gesture.

"Chief..." Standish began. "Are they ready?" he asked.

"Aye, that they are, Sir." the Chief said smiling as he gestured for Standish to look to his left.

The Admiral wore a look of some amazement as he looked to his left to see a group of five modern Vipers, all lined up in a neat row.

"My, my..." Standish said, as he walked up to the Vipers.

The Vipers all sported various degrees of battle damage and scars as the deckhands tirelessly worked on the planes, as sparks of brilliant light periodically erupted from welding torches working on the fuselages, and the sounds of wrenches clanking filled the deck.

"I uh, want to apologize, Sir, for the way they look... I uh... didn't have the heart to paint over the original Battlestar names, and the names of the pilots... it just didn't feel right, Sir." the Chief stated.

"No, no... you did the right thing, Chief." Standish said, running his hand along the nose section of one of the Vipers. All the Vipers looked as if they'd been welded together, from bits and pieces, which, of course, they had been. "They from different ships?" Standish asked, turning to face the Chief.

"Aye, Sir... three of them were from Battlestar Mannahatta, and two were from Battlestar Morrigan." the Chief replied, as the Admiral nodded, walking past the Vipers.

"Excellent work, Chief... you've outdone yourself again. Our pilots will be honored to fly them." Standish stated while he continued looking the resurrected Vipers over.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Urantia's recon team came zooming out of the port flight pod... the Heavy Raider belonging to the pirates, the Urantia's recon Raptors, the Urantia's captured Cylon Raiders, and the Scoutstar.

CIC

Admiral Standish listened to the comm transmissions from Grae in the Scoutstar, as he looked up to the DRADIS.

"Urantia Actual." Grae's voice called out. "All units report ready for FTL jump. Nav coordinates laid in for Caprica orbital approach. Will jump on your mark." she relayed.

Standish looked back down to the reports on the table and stared thoughtfully at an orbital recon photo of Caprica... the former home and center of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol. This was it... this was what he had been working for from the moment the ship jumped away.

After all this time he had made it... he had brought the fleet home, and was now that much closer to seeing if he really could retake Caprica... if there was anything left of it to retake.

With a heavy sigh he looked up again and gave his orders.

"Urantia recon group, this is Actual. You have the green light to jump. I reapeat... JUMP!" Standish called out.

SCOUTSTAR COCKPIT

From the canopy windows Grae could see the forward craft as the FTL ring of light washed over them, vanishing the stars from view and replacing them with a view of the arc of the northern hemisphere of a beautiful planet... Caprica.

Quickly, the other craft in the recon party emerged into view as the FTL flashes spat them back into normal space in front of the Scoutstar.

The arc of Caprica grew larger and larger, until the fiery haze of atmospheric entry filled the view.

Grae kept her eyes forward as now the recon party broke free of the upper atmosphere and into the clear sky.

CAPRICA

The various craft of the recon party flew through the sky on a gradual descent as light clouds passed by them, until the patterns of cities below could be seen, charred and scarred by the remains of heavy nuclear bombardment.

SCOUTSTAR COCKPIT

Grae got on the radio and addressed the other craft in the unit.

"You guys... I'm gonna go down and make a few photo passes... probably around Delphi." she stated.

"Roger that, BatCat... we're on course for downtown Caprica City and Fleet Ops... we'll give a holler if we need anything." a man's voice said over the intercom.

The Scoutstar flew low over the once-bustling city, snapping recon photos as it flew along.

For the most part the city was devoid of activity, but after a few moments Grae spotted some Centurions... Bulletheads, walking what looked like patrol throughout the city.

Very quickly she pulled up and maneuvered the Scoutstar behind a tall skyscraper, and cut everything but the stabilizing thrusters, as she poked the nose of the craft out from behind the north wall, just so she could keep snapping pictures.

From the small display below her mini-DRADIS, she could see what her recon camera saw.

She waited and watched as five of the Bulletheads walked to the front of what used to be the Delphi Museum of Colonial Heritage. After a few seconds, two women walked out from the building... two attractive blonde women.

It took Grae a few seconds to realize who she was seeing, and as she zoomed into the view of the women, a wave of shock, anger, and nausea washed over her.

"No way... no Gods-frakking way..." Grae stammered, as she looked at the image before her...

Right there before her eyes, on Caprica, five Cylon Bulletheads were listening to orders from D'anna Biers... and not one D'anna Biers, but TWO of them!

Grae clenched her teeth, and looked at the sight before her with utter rage. Finally, she knew she had to act, and sent out a radio signal.

"Recon team, this is BatCat... we need to get the frak outta here, like right frakking now! All units, jump back to Urantia!" she called out, pressing the FTL button in the cockpit.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The bright golden FTL flash threw the Scoutstar back into normal space, and the afterburners fired as the craft raced back towards Urantia.

URANTIA CORRIDOR

Various Urantia crew and a few civilians stepped aside, looking on as Grae ran through the halls with all her strength and speed, on a course for the Admiral's cabin.

ADMIRAL STANDISH'S CABIN

D'anna Biers stood, looking down, as Admiral Tyler Standish lowered himself to his knees before her and held up a black jewelry box which he opened as he looked up to her, facing his XO.

"D'anna Biers... will you be my wife? Will you marry me?" he asked.

Before anyone could say or do anything, the door to the Admiral's cabin flew open, and Grae called out to Tyler Standish...

"SIR... DON'T MOVE! SHE'S A CYLON!" Grae shouted out, as both Standish and D'anna looked right at Grae.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[Steve27752]

I have now read the story from page 1 which I notice was written in 2009. I am enjoying it a lot, please keep posting the updates.

[BruceAdama]

^

Thank you very much! I really appreciate the kind words! Don't worry... there is plenty yet to come!

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

ADMIRAL STANDISH'S CABIN

Both Tyler Standish and D'Anna stared at Grae, looks of shock painted on their faces. Finally, Tyler broke the silence.

"Grae... what the frak do you think you're doing..." he began.

"She's a Cylon, Sir!" Grae repeated.

D'Anna couldn't take it anymore, and burst into laughter, as if to shake off Grae's accusation.

"Are you out of your frakkin' mind?" Standish asked.

"SIR!" Grae shouted, cutting him off. "You know how I think of you... that I would never lie to you..." Grae plead, as she took a small envelope out of her flight suit pocket, and tossed it on the floor between Standish and D'Anna's feet as the recon photos of the two D'Anna's on Caprica spilled out of the envelope onto the floor for all to see.

Standish's hand loosed its grip on the box containing the ring, and it fell to the floor as Standish just glared at the woman in the recon photos, all the color draining from his face, which wore a mix of utter shock, the hurt of betrayal, and total rage.

Not having to think about it any more, Tyler with one swift movement reached for and drew his sidearm, raising it in aim directly at D'Anna's face, just as a large team of Urantia Marines arrived outside of the Admiral's hatch, looking to Grae, and then to the Admiral holding his own gun at their XO. Upon seeing that, all the Marines also raised their rifles, aiming for the XO's head.

D'Anna's face now wore a look of shock, as she looked to Standish.

"What the frak... you... you believe her?" she asked, faking surprise.

Standish did not answer her with words. He merely looked deep into her eyes with his own, behind his aimed gun.

His face wore a look of total seriousness, yet his eyes made no effort to hide the deep hurt and sorrow and betrayal he was feeling at this very moment.

"MARINES!" Standish yelled. "Get this... THING, out of my sight." he barked, as the Marines moved in, their rifles still trained on D'Anna's head. "TAKE IT TO THE BRIG!" he shouted, as the Marines instructed the XO to come with them as they led her out at gunpoint.

Helpless and betrayed, Admiral Standish watched as his former XO was taken away in chains. He lowered himself to retrieve the recon photos from the floor as he absorbed the images within them. He began to slowly walk around his couch, the photos in one hand and his sidearm in the other, as Grae tried to follow and talk to him... to offer some sort... any sort of apology or consolation.

Grae paused at the spot where the ring box had fallen and looked at it, before looking back to the Admiral.

"Sir... I... I'm sorry." she offered in a soft voice.

Standish paused by the side of the couch, as Grae continued to search for words behind him. The Admiral finally began to crack, and he clenched his teeth with all his might, fighting back the tears that wanted to come pouring out. He was fighting like hell with his own anger and sorrow, and there was only one place right now that he could direct it...

"Get out." he said to Grae without turning to face her, as he still struggled to keep from breaking.

"Sir...?" Grae asked.

"I SAID FRAKKING GET OUT!!! NOW!!! GET OUT!!!" Tyler shouted, turning around fast, facing Grae and raising his gun at her while looking to her with a face full of broken emotions. "GET THE FRAK OUT... NOW!!!"

The universe was closing in upon Tyler Standish as the emotions just came welling up within him. With a mighty yell of rage, he threw the recon photos across the room, and up-ended his coffee table, the glass top and the objects that had been atop it falling to the floor and shattering.

"FRAAAAAAAAAK!!!" Standish shouted with all his might, walking to his desk and leaning upon it for support, as the room around him seemed to be spinning. In a fit of rage he shoved everything off of the desktop, except for his bottle of brandy, which he uncapped and began to lake long and hard drinks from, loudly gulping the amber liquid down as some spilled out of the sides of his mouth.

Finally he allowed himself a quick break from his drinking as he began to recount the last few years with disbelief...

"All this time... all these people... people who have died... what... that the... what the frak was it all for?" He softly stated, starting to sob while also breaking into a fit of chuckling laughter, as if he couldn't believe his own stupidity at having been played by D'Anna. "She... hehe... she made a fool out of you... hehehe... a gods-frakking FOOL!" he stated, the tears rolling down his face. For a moment, Tyler just looked toward the floor, as if looking for some form of understanding or answer, still sobbing. Finally, he just turned his attention back to the brandy bottle, and brought it back to his lips, and guzzling down the remainder of the contents.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Urantia sailed through space, leading her ragtag fleet along behind her.

URANTIA CORRIDOR

It had been over five hours since Grae had confronted the Admiral, and revealed that the XO of Urantia was a Cylon.

The Admiral had pointed a gun to her... the CAG that he considered to be like a daughter to him. But she saw his face in that moment. It was the face of a broken and defeated man with nowhere to turn. As angry as he must be with her right now, she still felt like she had to apologize to him... for bringing that awful knowledge to light, where it could reach and hurt him.

For that she was on her way back to his cabin, to try and reach him and make him understand that she never wanted any of this to happen. At the same time she was filling up with anger and hate. Hate towards D'Anna, who had done this to the man she considered as her one true father... the one man who had ever taken an interest in her and cared for her.

That woman... that Cylon thing... had duped the Admiral. She had made a fool out of him, and worse, she had done it by taking his heart and his emotions, and using them against him. Poor Tyler Standish... every woman he ever met ended up destroying him.

Well, almost every woman. There was one woman in the universe who truly loved the man, and would never dream of hurting him. But that woman was not here now. She was on another ship, and was blissfully unaware of what had taken place this day.

Finally Grae arrived at the Admiral's door, and after a second opened it, slowly entering the cabin.

The room was an utter mess. Everything was strewn about or shattered and broken. She then turned to the couch, where she saw the Admiral sitting in a slumped postition, his uniform and hair a total wreck. Surrounding him were empty brandy bottles, with one full one on his lap, clutched with one hand, as he stared forward toward the other wall blankly.

Grae found another full bottle and took it, taking it with her over to the Admiral's couch. She quietly sat down beside him and unscrewed the cap of the bottle and took a swig, sitting back upon the couch.

The two sat there for many silent minutes, not exchanging but a word or look... just sitting in quiet.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Battlestar kept ahead of her fleet as Viper CAPs flew alongside the ships of the fleet, followed by Starcat CAPs.

ADMIRAL STANDISH'S CABIN

It was now well into the "night" on the Battlestar... a good few hours since Grae walked into the old man's cabin and found him silent and drunk.

The two were still on the couch, Grae's head resting on Tyler's right shoulder. Both of them were now way beyond drunk, and were both lost in a deep soup of their own swirling emotions.

Finally Grae looked to Tyler, who wore a look of pure hurt and anger. Grae could smell the heavy scent of brandy on every breath he took. She decided to finally offer her apology. At this point, Gods only knew how volatile the man was or how he'd react, but she had to try... she had to offer something.

"Sir... I... I'm sorry." she began, very softly. "I didn't mean to..." she started, reaching to touch his leg with her left hand.

Suddenly Tyler's hand grabbed her wrist hard, and he looked into her eyes. What she saw was terrifying.

She saw the deepest hurt she ever saw on anyone's face, and an anger... a deep, seething anger... pure rage that was ready to just erupt and wipe everything else out.

But what she couldn't see, was what the Admiral was seeing... Admiral Standish didn't see Grae... the person he saw sitting beside him was Tina Standish... his infamous ex-wife... and she was taunting him... looking at him with an expression of amusement.

Tyler clenched his teeth in anger, as he reached for Grae's neck, and grabbed her by it, pulling her close... right up to his face. He looked deep into her eyes and at her uncertain face.

"This is what you wanted? You want to frak with me... see how far you can frakkin' push me with your frakkin' games? Frakkin' use me?" he spat with complete rage, keeping his powerful grip on his ex-wife's neck.

"Sir, please... don't..." Grae tried to protest.

"I've had enough of you, and enough of your frakkin' games!" Standish spat to his ex-wife, as he threw Grae back against the couch hard, and pinned her down as he began to forcefully unbutton her duty blues as well as his own belt. "You wanna frak with me, fine... I'll show you who the frak you're frakkin' with!" he added, forcing himself upon Grae, who began to squrim to try to get away, to no avail.

"Sir... please, no... don't do this... you're drunk... Sir, please..." she plead, as he continued his onslaught.

"SHUT THE FRAK UP!" He spat, slapping his ex-wife in the face hard, as he forcibly turned her over, so that her back was to him as he began to mount her.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The ship and her fleet sailed through space.

ADMIRAL STANDISH'S CABIN

Very slowly Tyler Standish began to wake. He groggily began to rise from a slumped over position on his couch and wearily opened his eyes, rubbing his face with his hands as he noticed a warmth beside him.

He pushed an empty brandy bottle off the couch as he looked to his side to see Grae sleeping, her naked form on the couch. It was then that he began to sober up as the realization hit him...

HE was also naked.

He looked to the floor, and saw both their clothes, strewn about carelessly.

"No... no..." he began to mutter, desperate, as he got up and walked to his bathroom mirror.

He looked up at himself in the mirror, which had been partially shattered the night before, and saw that there were scratches to his face, as if a woman's hand had scratched him. He felt his back and felt a few scratches there, as well.

He looked to Grae, his face a mix of confusion and desperation.

"Oh, Gods, no..." he began, starting to panic.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

ADMIRAL STANDISH'S CABIN

Tyler Standish looked at Grae's naked form on his couch as his breathing got deeper and he wiped some beading sweat off his face, trying to think about what to do.

His heart was beating at FTL speeds and he was starting to panic... the memories of last night's drunken interlude beginning to flood back into his mind.

He could... should, stay here and be here when she wakes up... to try and somehow explain what went on. But how could he? What way could there possibly be to explain his actions? No... he decided he could not face this... not here, and certainly not right now. He had to leave. Get out of here.

He quickly put his uniform back on and did a quick comb of his hair before taking one last look at Grae... his CAG and the closest thing he had to a daughter, before turning and walking out of his cabin, the door shutting closed behind him.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The ship led the fleet along.

CIC

The whine of the DRADIS monitors filled the room... a room that was now extremely empty.

The command table was vacant. There was no Admiral Standish, and there was no XO. Only the other duty officers were present, led by Mister Hindri, Urantia's Officer of the Watch, as he stood at his station gazing at the vacant area by the command table.

Finally one young female officer walked over to Hindri, holding up a clipboard of reports for him to look over.

"Yes?" Hindri asked the woman, in a calm and soft tone.

"Sir, the latest Watch Log from Beta Shift. And, Sir... we're still being overrun with calls from the fleet ships... they're demanding to know why the Admiral has not responded, or why their messages have gone unanswered." she said, looking to Hindri with concern in her eyes. "What shall I say to them?" she asked.

Hindri looked to her and tried with all his might to shoot her a reassuring smile.

"I don't know." he began. "For now, tell them the Admiral is unreachable... and that if need be, I will address the fleet by the end of the day." he offered.

"You know where the Admiral is?" the young woman asked.

"No." Hindri softly returned. "Look... I'll make some rounds... see if I can talk to him. If you need me, call. The deck is yours until I get back." he said, taking his headset off, and placing it down with the clipboard as he left, the young woman nodding that she understood.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA -BSG-53

OBSERVATION LOUNGE

The room was somewhat quiet as a disheveled Tyler Standish sat at the bar nursing a glass of brandy with a bottle beside it, as he looked to the bar's surface. As he raised the glass to take another drink, he felt the presence of another person and turned to see who it was.

*SLAP!*

The sting of a woman's hand flying across his face told him it was Grae, who had found him.

"You Godsdamned motherfrakker!" she said while also sobbing, while various people at the bar and the seating area now looked to the spectacle. "Why? Why the frak did you do it?" she asked, as tears rolled down her cheek.

The Admiral just looked at her, his face worn with both age and exhaustion, his eyes deep and sad. He could not answer her question. There were no words. How could there be?

"What?" she began, softly. "SAY SOMETHING, MOTHERFRAKKER!!!" she shouted out, looking right into his eyes.

Finally her anger got the best of her and she rushed to him, beating at him on his chest with her fists as he tried to get up from the barstool.

As he arose, the force from her hitting him and his drunken state made him stumble backward, and he fell to the floor, groaning somewhat while he struggled to right himself, coughing as a string of drool spilled from his mouth to the floor.

Grae looked to him, shaking her head.

"You're frakking pathetic. A frakking pathetic old man, nothing more than a drunk." she spat, as Tyler now looked up at her. "I loved you... you were the father I never had." she said, tears streaming down her face.

Tyler, still laying on the ground, tried to reach her with his arm as she stepped back.

"No... don't frakking touch me. Not ever again!" she spat. "Frak you!" she shot, sobbing and turning around, rushing out of the room.

Gradually Tyler picked himself back up as the people in the lounge looked at the sight of him, whispering and making comments to themselves about the sorry state he was in. Standish tried to reach for the bottle of brandy but missed and almost fell back down, but caught himself on the barstool. He grimaced, clenching his teeth and chest in pain, both at his own physical discomfort and also due to the flood of emotions that he was experiencing. He began to make his way out of the lounge and into the corridor.

Once securely in the corridor, the full impact of Grae's words made itself known on the Admiral, and he began to breathe heavily in desperation, again grimacing as he clenched his chest right above his heart with his right hand, leaning against the corridor wall to keep himself upright. He had to end this. He had to make the pain go away. After a few long seconds he looked up and stumbled his way forward in a staggered walk.

ADMIRAL STANDISH'S CABIN

A hand pulled open a desk drawer, and Tyler lifted his service pistol up and readied the weapon for firing, before holstering the weapon at his side and slamming the desk drawer shut, again walking out of his cabin.

URANTIA CORRIDOR

The weapon in his hand at his side, Standish stormed down the corridor, rounding it and walking until he came to the hatch to the Brig, opening it and walking over to the cell where D'Anna was being kept.

The Marine on duty opened the cell for Standish, who told the Marine to leave the room as he entered D'Anna's cell.

D'Anna looked to him from the corner of the cell, the slightest trace of a smile creeping onto her face.

"So... you decided to come and visit little old me after all." she said.

In response Standish merely cocked the hammer on his gun and aimed it at D'Anna, as her smile began to vanish.

"You have no idea what you've frakkin' done." Standish spat. "How you've frakked things up."

D'Anna looked at him for a long moment before lunging towards him with a sudden rush of strength and speed.

It was too little however, for Standish fired one shot at D'Anna which struck her right in her left shoulder, sending her reeling back in unbearable pain as she cried out, holding her bleeding shoulder with her right hand.

"WHY?" Standish shouted, as he walked right over to her. "WHY THE FRAK DID YOU DO IT?" he shouted, tossing the gun into the back corner behind him, balling his fists as he fired off the first punch right into D'Anna's face.

"YOU'RE ALL THE SAME! PLAYING YOUR FRAKKING GAMES! USING ME! FRAKKING ME OVER!" he yelled, punching her relentlessly again and again across her face, as she began to bleed. "WHAT'S THE MATTER... AREN'T YOU FRAKKING ENJOYING THIS? ISN'T THIS WHAT FRAKKING MAKES YOU TICK?" he asked, his mind now stuck in the past, addressing Tina but looking at D'Anna.

His face was a frenzied mix of intense rage, horror, unbelievable sorrow, and loss as he clenched his teeth and relentlessly continued his assault on his Cylon victim, as blood sprayed onto his face as he began to now yell out in rage.

Suddenly his mind began to see a different image before him... a lone Cylon Centurion... a modern version, sitting slumped in the corner of the cell, blood spattered all over its metal body as the "V" panel on its face that housed the scanner remained dark and lifeless.

Suddenly something changed... from deep within the Centurion, a sound began to grow... a sound that was wicked and taunting...

As Standish looked to his enemy, the red scanning light again erupted to life and began to move to and fro as the sound intensified... it was laughter... a deeply wicked and dark laughter, meant only to taunt. The Centurion was laughing at him.

"FRAK YOU!!!" Standish yelled, grabbing D'Anna by the uniform collar, pulling her upright, and punching her yet again.

"You... you get me to frak my own frakking daughter?" Standish spat, through clenched and bloodied teeth, preparing to throw another punch.

Suddenly a voice from outside the cell called out to him, breaking him from his onslaught, as he still stared at D'Anna's broken and bloody face.

"TYLER!" a man shouted out.

Standish looked to the source of the voice to see Commander Dykstra, looking to him with a look of shock.

"Leave me be, Dykstra!" Standish called out, as Dykstra drew his gun and aimed it at Tyler.

"SIR! Stop what you're doing, Sir!" Dykstra called out, just as Standish landed one last and final punch into D'Anna.

The force of the punch produced a loud snapping sound, and D'Anna's jaw visibly dislocated itself, as she fell to the ground unconscious, the shock of the pain becoming too much for her.

Tyler stood looking over her, his teeth still clenched, and breathing hard. Blood spattered his face and uniform. As the rush began to wear off, he found he could not stop his heavy breathing, and he staggered backwards, hitting and slumping down against the far cell wall, clutching his heart with his right hand, groaning in pain.

"Gods..." Dykstra exclaimed, holstering his weapon as he went to go and help Tyler up.

SICKBAY

The door to Sickbay flew open, and Dykstra rushed Standish into the room as Doctor Casten and a few nurses rushed over to take the Admiral from him.

"My gods..." Casten began, while Standish was placed onto a bed and his uniform top ripped off, as the nurses hooked him to biomonitors. "What the frak happened?" she asked Dykstra.

"I dunno... he had trouble breathing, and he collapsed." Dykstra replied while Casten went to work, looking at the monitors.

"Bloody frak... he's going into full cardiac arrest! I'm gonna need some help here... defibrillator, STAT!" Casten shouted out, going to work while the nurses drew the curtain closed around Standish's bed, cutting him off from view.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

[BruceAdama]

- CONTINUED -



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The Urantia sailed through space, leading her ragtag fleet through the starry dark.


SICKBAY

The sounds of medical monitors filled the small space where Admiral Tyler Standish was resting, beside his sickbay bed, still unconscious.

The Admiral's breathing was labored, but it was there. An oxygen supply was assisting him.

The sounds of curtains swinging open was heard, and Doctor Casten walked into the bedspace with a clipboard along with Mister Hindri, and Commander Dykstra.

"The operation for the most part was a success." Casten began. He had a major myocardial infarction. It was a good thing you were there when it first began, Commander... if he'd waited any longer for medical attention, we would have lost him for sure." the Doc stated, looking to Dykstra . "As you see, he's still unconscious. His body will need time to recover from all of this... I can only imagine what he was going through to have had this happen." she added.

"What the frak happened?" Hindri asked Dykstra, looking to him.

"You haven't heard yet?" the Commander asked as he prepared to recite the tale that he had heard via gossip.

"I know that when BatCat's recon group came back, she informed us over the comm that she had visual proof the XO was a Cylon. At that point I ordered a detachment of Marines to the Admiral's Quarters." Hindri explained , unaware that there was more to the story.

"So you don't know what the Admiral was doing when BatCat got to his Cabin?" Dykstra asked, as Hindri shook his head. "Well, I heard that when she found the Admiral, he was on his knees proposing to the XO." Dykstra added.

"Gods..." Hindri exclaimed, looking at the Admiral in his bed, connected to tubes.

"That'll do it." Casten said matter-of-factly, as she began to draw the curtains around the Admiral's bed closed again. "He's obviously has been dealing with a lot of emotional issues... and it's also no secret that he's been hitting the bottle pretty hard. If he makes it out of this, he's gonna have to find some other way to cope. At his age his heart just won't take much more of a beating like this." she stated, looking to Hindri. "You're next in line for XO... and from the looks of things, until he gets better, you're also in command of the ship and the fleet. Have fun." she shot, deadpan, walking away and leaving Hindri to share a sobering look with Dykstra.

It was then that a call came through for Hindri from CIC via the intercom. The new XO walked over to the wall phone and lifted the handset, bringing it to his face.

"Hindri." he announced.

"Sir, one of the Emilon ships has just pulled into an approach vector for our port flight pod... they're requesting permission to land." Miss Zamfir's voice said, over the phone.

"Ship I.D.?" Hindri asked.

"It's the Sepia Moon, Sir." Zamfir replied.

Hindri looked back towards Standish's bed, watching as the oxygen machine helped the Admiral take breaths and beeps on the monitors monitored his heart activity.

"Clear the ship for landing. I'll be up there soon." he said, placing the phone back on the hook.

PORT HANGAR DECK

A few deckhands in pressure suits walked along the deck as the Emilon passenger transport Sepia Moon sailed into the bay, dwarfing the figures that walked along beside the approaching vessel. After a second, the vessel came to a silent and soft halt and stabilization thrusters fired while the landing struts began to emerge.

SICKBAY

Mister Hindri stood at the foot of the Admiral's bed, watching him sleep as the medical monitors and equipment continued to do their jobs. He just held his chin with his right hand, and slowly shook his head in disbelief that this had happened... that everything had managed to degenerate into... this.

"This is really frakked-up, old man." Hindri very softly stated to the Admiral, as if he could hear him. "We need you back, Admiral... you can't do this to us... to me... I can't go up against the entire Cylon fleet on my own. I wouldn't know what to... I mean... you were the one with a plan. We need you now." he added, fighting back tears.

It was then that Hindri heard the voices of a pair of Urantia Marines at the entrance to the Sickbay.

"This way, ma'am." one man stated.

Hindri turned to see Corporal Jonski, the Admiral's guard, leading Eliza Winnow over. Upon seeing the new XO, Jonski paused and saluted.

"Sir!" he began. "She insisted on being brought up here." Jonski added.

"Thank you, Corporal." Hindri replied, nodding to dismiss the Marine, who returned the nod, and went back to resume his post outside the Sickbay doors. "Miss Winnow... good to see you again." he offered.

Eliza looked to Hindri while she took off her gloves and put her bags on the floor beside her, as she proceeded to walk around to the other side of the Admiral's bed, absorbing the sight of him sleeping and hooked up to all the equipment.

"What happened?" she asked, looking to him with a look that told him he better frakking tell her what was going on without holding back.

"A series of small heart attacks that led up to one big one." Hindri began. "It hapened right after he found out the XO was a Cylon... which happened while he was proposing to her." he added, as Eliza shot him a look before turning her gaze back to the sleeping Admiral. "Doc says he's also been drinking a lot... too much." he stated.

Eliza stroked the Admiral's hair for a few seconds before stopping and looking back to Hindri as she walked over to him.

"And what's of the ship?" she asked.

"Ma'am?" Hindri asked, not sure what she meant.

"I'll be assumin' that things are bein' takin' care of 'round the ship... that things are still bein' in order." she explained.

"Aye, ma'am, they are for the moment. But I'm going to have to contact the Captains of the fleet... find something to tell them... they deserve an answer to what's been going on. We're still in Cylon space, as well... we need to come up with a contingency plan for what our next move is. He had a plan, but without him..." Hindri stated.

Eliza nodded as she replied.

"Well then... it's seemin' to me like you've got a fleet to be worryin' about. Sooner you're to be gettin' to that, the better. You be worryin' about the ship... you'll be havin' the Admiral back when you'll be needin' him." she stated, drilling into Hindri's eyes with a determination and ferocity that told him that he'd be a fool not to trust her, and that the Admiral would be in good hands. "Be goin' now... take care of the ship." she closed.

"Yes, ma'am." Hindri stated, turning to leave as Eliza moved back to the Admiral's bedside, pulling up a chair.



- TO BE CONTINUED -