Earth at Last Part 6

Earth at Last

by AJ Marks

Part 6

“Commander Adama, incoming fighters from in front of the fleeing ships,” one of the operators said, catching Adama’s attention.

“More Cylon raiders?” Adama asked quietly before turning to Omega. “Damage report on the basestar?”

“Scanners indicate heavy damage sir,” Omega replied. “Our fighters are going to be caught between two groups of enemy fighters.”

“Give a warning to those who remain, that’s about all we can do,” Adama said, feeling the Galactica rock under another hit.

“Commander, we have ships approaching from the front and rear quadrants,” Omega said, causing him refocus his attention back to the scanners.

“What is going on?” he asked, more to himself than anyone else. He wondered how long the Cylons had taken to set up such a trap.


“Report centurion.” The commander said, looking down at the centurion who had walk into the room.

“By your command,’ the centurion replied. “There are new reports of incoming warships and fighters from the asteroid belt.”

“Identification?”

“They don’t match up with any known warships we’ve encountered before,” the centurion replied. “What are your orders?”

“Continue the assault on the human fleet, and prepare to wipe out the incoming ships as well,” the commander said.

“By your command,” the centurion replied, turning and left the room.


Starbuck banked hard narrowly missing incoming fire from a Cylon raider. The turn put him in perfect position on another Cylon raider. Quickly destroying it he took a quick glance around the scanners, seeing both Boomer and Jolly still holding their own. They had suffered heavy losses already, and the Galactica did not appear fairing any better. He noticed incoming fighters from two directions now.

“Heads up, more incoming,” Starbuck said as a warning to the others.

“Not much we can do about it Starbuck,” Jolly replied back, concentrating on staying alive.

The newly arrived raiders engaged using their superior numbers to overwhelm the vipers. Starbuck barely noticed his wingmate was destroyed as he was too wrapped up in his own survival. He did notice the raiders were of the older type and not the more maneuverable newer raider. A raider managed to get behind him, firing off several shots. He used every skill he had to avoid being hit thinking that it would take more than that to destroy him. He took a quick look at the photo of his wife and daughter before seeing the scanner and what it was telling him.


Tigh stood on the bridge of the Rising Star watching the battle unfold. The Galactica and her fighters were engaged with the Cylons as far away from the fleet as possible. He had taken that opportunity to run the opposite way. They were so engrossed in watching the battle they almost missed the incoming firghters in front of them.

“We’re gonna be caught,” one operator said, despair in his voice. The realization of what was happening seemed to demoralize the crew even further.

“Change course to ten point five degrees to port,” tight commandeered. The Rising Star was a fast ship, and he hoped it could outrun the Cylons.

“Ships behind us changing course to intercept us,’ the operator said.

“And in front of us?” Tigh asked.

“Their course changed slightly, it appears they are headed towards the Cylons and not us,” the operator said, confusion in his voice. The statement caused Tigh to look over wondering what the situation was.

“What?” Tigh asked, hoping for clarification.

“The incoming ships are not Cylon Commander Adama,” Omega said. “However the ships are still too far away to accurately identify, but they are not Cylon.”

“Could the Cylons have allies out here?” Adama asked himself. Before any reply could come the Galactica rocked again from another hit.

“Major damage to starboard engines, maneuverability is severely limited commander,” Omega said. “One third of our laser turrets are functional.”

Adama nodded his head, knowing that the damage would get worse, had prepared for it, but never something he wanted to hear. He served too long with the ship for her to end this way. He almost felt ashamed for how the might ship would be destroyed.

“Commander, you’re not going to believe this,” Omega said, the tone in his voice indicating something exciting and unexpected.

“What?” Boomer exclaimed.

“Their human Boomer,” Starbuck repeated while avoiding another Cylon attack. He felt a new excitement about the battle.

“Your instruments must be wrong, recalibrate them,” Tigh ordered, he could not believe what he was being told.

“Scanners are functioning normally commander,” Omega said, working a bit more at his station.

“By the gods, human,” Adama exclaimed, not believing the words.

Starbuck quickly thought that he might still see his family again. With that thought in his mind a new fierceness came over him. He would survive this battle and no tin can would stop him.

“Boomer, Jolly, anyone who is left alive” he said waiting for the reply.

“Yeah?”

“Lead the Cylons into the incoming fighters, they might be here to help us,” Starbuck said.

“Best plan I’ve heard,” Boomer replied.


Tigh quickly went through his options on the bridge. He finally came up with a decision, and one he hoped would prove correct.

“Change our heading, go directly towards the fleet in front of us,” Tigh ordered. “And prey they’re friendly.”

He noticed more than a few people sharing the same sentiment he had. The tension mounted as the groups converged, the Cylons from behind and the human group in front of them. “Cylons in range.”

The ship rocked slightly as the Cylons opened fire. Laser explosions went off all around them and the ship rocked with a hit.

On board the Galactica Adama received reports of the battle. He had yet to figure out what to do about the human fleet approaching.

“Fire missiles,” Adama said, watching as the order was relayed.

Missiles streaked out of the launchers and towards their target. The basestar was struck and whie it was an advanced design, it was not enough to stop the missiles and the damage they inflicted. The hull broke up with the force of the explosions as the reactor of the ship went critical. Within second the basestar exploded from the inside leaving only debris.

The bridge crew celebrated a bit, and Adama allowed it. They needed the celebration even as more basestars closed in on their position. He looked to see beyond the basestasrs other ships closing in as well. Which side would they be on?

“Commander, incoming message,” Omega said, pausing for a second before looking back up strangely. “It’s from Apollo!”

“Apollo? Put it though,” Adama said, watching the screen as Apollo’s face appeared.

“Hello father,” Apollo said. “Looks like you could use some help.”

If you found some allies, I’ll take all the help I can get,” Adama said. “But where did you find allied?”

“More like they found me,” Apollo replied before continuing with the conversation. “How bad is the Galactica?”

“It will hold together for whatever you need,” Adama said, wondering what his son had planned.

“The incoming ships from the asteroid belt are friendly, for some reason they like to remain hidden,” Apollo said. Adama already thinking of a way to hold on until they arrived.

In space all around the system the Cylons were engaged by a new group of humans.

From his spot in space Starbuck watched as the new formation of fighters engaged the raiders. The fresh fighters turned the tide against the raiders allowing several warriors to move out of the combat zone. The Cylons were taken slightly off guard as they realized which side the newcomers were on.


“Speak centurion,” the commander said, hoping for good news.

“By your command,” the centurion replied. “The battle with the humans is no longer going as planned.”

“Explain centurion,” the commander said, needing clarification.

“It appears a human force was waiting in the asteroid belt. Our attack forces are being overwhelmed.”

“Why didn’t we detect them before the battle?”

“They are capable of hiding their ships from our scanners,” the centurion explained.

“Tell our forces to withdraw at once from battle,” the commander ordered. He did not want to explain back to the Imperious Leader what happened to so many basestars.

“If they are able to escape,” the centurion said. “Many have been surrounded and it might be too late for them to leave the battle.”

The commander made the order anyways while thinking of an area to hide in case the forces came after him.


The Cylons found themselves against a foe whose weapons were equal to or better than the Colonial weapons they were used to for a thousand years.

Starbuck noticed the new fighters were a lot more maneuverable than either the viper or the Cylons ships, but they were slower. He also recognized the pilots were very skilled, a major difference in a battle.

He glanced down seeing his fuel gage was approaching empty. He would need to land soon, or be floating in the middle of space in a battle. Not a situation he wished to be in. He figured the rest of the squadron had to be in a similar situation, or even worse depending on how they flew.

“Attention Colonial warriors, this is Captain Johnson of the battleship Nevada,” a voice said over the intercom. “You are probably running low on fuel, if you can land in our hangars, you are welcome to. We have you covered.”

Starbuck hesitated for a second, looking down at his fuel gage, and then the photo before making a decision. “Boomer, Jolly, I don’t know about you, but I’m about dry. I’m going to trust them for now. I’d rather be on their ship then floating in space in the middle of a battle.”

“We’re right behind you Starbuck,” Boomer said. “Not sure about trusting them yet or not, but I agree.”

“We don’t have many options do we,” Jolly said. “If I don’t land soon I’ll be out of fuel as well. Was thinking about doing a thrust towards the planet.”

Starbuck looked at that, but knew to do that they would have to fly though the battle once more, and that was out of the question with their fuel right now.

“Starbuck,” a familiar voice said over the intercom.

“Apollo? Is that you?” Starbuck asked, some excitement in his voice.

“Yeah, you’re probably out of fuel, so get going, they are our allies,” Apollo stated. “It’s a long story, the commander already knows.”

“Okay,” Starbuck said, feeling slightly better about heading towards the nearest ally ship. He noticed their massive shape, and so unlike anything he had ever seen before.


Tigh watched as the ships that came from the asteroid belt engaged the Cylons behind him. The Rising Star had taken a few hits, but the damage was minor and the ship would be able to continue its journey.

“Sir, I have Commander Adama on the line for you,” the communication’s officer said.

“Put it through,” Tigh said, wondering what was going on. He had not expected to have an ally out here.

“Tigh, need you to start getting in touch with the remainder of the fleet and tell them to return. We’ve found some allies it appears,” Adama said. Tigh would be shocked if he had not seen the battle for himself.

“I noticed, who are they?” Tigh asked, wondering how much Adama knew and what he might say over the intercom with so many listening in.

“I don’t know much yet, but Apollo is vouching for them, and that’s good enough for me,” Adama said.

“How’s the Galactica?” Tigh asked, switching the conversation slightly. He pushed the thought of allies off to the side for now.

“She suffered some damage, but it would have been a lot worse if they hadn’t shown up when they did,” Adama replied, looking around the bridge of the Galactica. Tigh could see the signs of smoke hovering on the bridge from fires. “Well, damage crews are working hard right now, and alpha landing bay reports a fire, otherwise considering the damage she took, better than expected. What about you?”

“I was concerned when I saw the Cylon ships, and then the ships coming from the asteroid belt,” Tigh said. “When they started to attack the Cylons, that’s when I felt better. I’ll let the rest of the fleet know.”

“Good, we have enough work here to keep us busy for a while,” Adama said, referring to the repairs on board the Galactica.

“Then I’ll see you later,” Tigh said, never believing he would actually mean it this time. He ended the conversation with Adama, before turning his attention towards the rest of the ships. Many he noticed had stopped running when the new ships had fired upon the Cylons. He figured that some might be hiding in the asteroid belt waiting to see what might happen next. “Send out a communications for all ships to return to the planet.”

“Yes sir,” the communications officer replied.


Sarbuck walked down the corridor following a young woman leading him to a room where he could rest. Two other pilots were also with him, looking as tired as he felt. She stopped by the and motioned them inside the room. He walked in to see several cots lined up and another door on the other side of the room.

“If you need anything push this button here,” she said, pointing out the intercom for them. “The door controls are located below the intercom, though I would suggest staying here. It’s easy to get lost inside the ship.”

“Of course,” Starbuck replied. He knew the ship was large, and if like the Galactica, easy to get lost on. “How is the battle going?” he decided to ask.

“Mop up operations are underway right now by the third fleet,” she replied to him. “Our commanders are going to be talking to your commanders, we’ll work out a way to get you back to your ship, that’s an easy part of the job,” she told him.

“Oh, okay,” Starbuck said, watching as she walked back out of the room. He watched one of the others plop down on the cot, while he went over to the door and tried it. The lever went up and the door opened, pull it down and it closed. Opening the door once more he peeked out intot he corridor, surprised when she noticed Boomer’s standing near a door not far away.

“Starbuck!”

End Part 6

Continued in part 7

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