Voyage to Earth
by AJ Marks
Surprise Part 1
The low rumble of the Galactica’s engines provided a background noise the crew had long grown accustomed to, even on the hangar. The viper crews worked efficiently at preparing two vipers for launch, going over each checklist twice. Maintaining the vipers were critical in the flight of the human race. Fueling tubes were detached and closed making sure none of the precious fuel spilled, either in the hangar or in space. In a few minutes the vipers would launch out on another patrol. The vipers themselves were in constant maintenance, keeping each one performing flawlessly. If the Cylons showed up and the vipers were not operational, the fleet would be in trouble.
On the bridge of the Galactica, Commander Adama stood watching the preparations for the viper patrol. The patrols were considered critical for the fleet, as their long range abilities allowed him to increase his scanning range for any planets which might have important supplies the fleet might need. They conserved as much as possible, including food, water and fuel. The three most important supplies they needed on their flight from Cylon space.
So far they had been fortunate since their last encounter with a basestar. With Baltar’s help they had destroyed it, and over the past yahren no other Cylons had been encountered. However, the fleet had slowed down slightly due to several ships needing repairs. Another problem for Adama, keeping the older ships never designed for such trips running. He had two such ships which were failing constantly and engineers told him next time they might not be able to repair the ships.
“Patrol alpha to core command, requesting permission to launch,” the voice of Apollo said. Adama watched his daughter answer.
“Core command, switching control over to patrol alpha, launch when ready,” Athena replied.
Adama turned to the screens, watching the vipers shoot out of the launch tube. They were to patrol in front of the fleet to make sure no Cylons were waiting in ambush. Despite the prevailing thought the Cylons would show up from behind, Adama would take no chances. The last basestar had appeared in front of him, not behind him. He would not make the same mistake twice.
“Well, let’s hope they find nothing,” Tigh said to Adama. “Though, I don’t know if its just me, or what, but when those two go out on patrol together it seems trouble finds them, no offense commander.”
“None taken Tigh,” Adama replied, sighing. “You’re right, they do attract trouble. Perhaps we should split them up.”
“I don’t think that would work either, even separate they have gotten other pilots in trouble,” Tigh responded. “If we keep them together we only have to worry about one patrol, instead of two.”
Both men laughed at that comment. Adama knew that neither Apollo nor Starbuck went searching for trouble, but it seemed to happen.
“I guess we could keep them on board,” Adama said.
“No, then we’ll need to contend with their antics, let them get out,” Tigh replied. Adama remained quiet for several seconds before replying.
“Remember doing your patrols for Cylons?” Adama finally asked.
“Some days it’s like it was yesterday, and other days I can’t even remember flying,” Tigh answered.
“Yeah, our fighters weren’t as advanced, but neither were the Cylons,” Adama replied. He had a lot of battles over the years. “Somehow we managed to lose.”
“They haven’t beaten us yet commander,” Tigh said.
“One battlestar isn’t enough to protect the fleet,” Adama said. “I sometimes wish Cain had survived with the Pegasus. It would allow us some flexibility.”
“Yes it would, and you would have to put up with his attitude and ego,” Tigh said, as they both recalled the clash between the two of them. Cain was a man always on the offensive, which is why he won more than lost.
“He did raise morale, even if we clashed,” Adama said.
“Clashed?” Tigh said, his voice sarcastic. “How about all out war.”
“Okay, it was that,” Adama replied. “Still, what I wouldn’t give to have the Pegasus here right now.”
“That I’ll agree with,” Tigh replied.
“Commander! We have an incoming ship, high speed,” Athena said suddenly.
“What?” Adama said, rushing down to the scanner to look for himself. He watched the rate as it approached knowing that neither the Colonials nor the Cylons had anything that fast.
“Red alert,” Adama said, even as the unknown craft entered the fleet and stopped. It then seemed to go from one ship to another before stopping at the Galactica. A large beam went thought the ship before the computers went haywire for a split second.
“Sir?” Rigel said, confused about the situation.
Adama knew his pilots were not in position to even do anything, most were still racing to battlestations.
“Sir, we have a firing solution on it,” Tigh said.
“Hold,” Adama said, unsure if he wanted to open fire. Before he could speak again, it took off headed back away from the fleet.
Adama took one more glance out the window, not sure what happened. It had been in and out of the fleet in very little time.
“It’s gone,” Athena said.
Adama we left confused, and wondered who was out there. Whoever they were, they had a highly advanced technology. The question now, were they friendly or not.
“Starbuck,” Apollo said, waiting a bit until his friend answered.
“What’s up?” Starbuck replied, glancing over at Apollo’s viper unsure about what his friend had in min
“Are you going to ask?” Apollo said. It took a second before Starbuck realized what his friend was talking about and groaned.
“Well, I’m not sure about it, what if she says no?” Starbuck said.
“We all know Cassie is in love with you, I don’t think she’ll say no,” Apollo replied back. Starbuck remained quiet for several seconds before Apollo spoke up again. “You’re still afraid of commitment.”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” Starbuck replied, unable to say yes or no to that question. “Were you this way when you asked Serina?”
“You don’t remember me walking up and down the corridors of the Galactica? I was putrefied she would say no,” Apollo replied.
“Thought you had insomnia,” Starbuck replied, recalling that night which now made sense.
“No, I was like a daggit on a hot tin roof,” Apollo said.
Starbuck’s reply died on his lips as the computer beeped. “Hey Apollo, you see what I see?”
“Some sort of signal,” Apollo replied. “I suggest we report back to the Galactica.”
Starbuck looked at his scanner, trying to get a better reading on it before replying back to him. “Seems to be coming from the asteroid belt, let’s check it out, we could be in and out in seconds.”
“No, if it’s a trap we need to warn the Galactica right away,” Apollo stated, he recalled not long ago the strange craft which they had encountered. It could be part of that group, or a Cylon trap.
“Aw, all right,” Starbucks aid, still wanting to go in and check it out, but Apollo was the leader. The two vipers turned around, their thrusters lit up accelerating them to the maximum speed back to the Galactica.
“Commander, I’m picking up our patrol inbound at a high speed,” Athena said, causing Adama to look over.
“Starbuck and Apollo?” he asked, knowing they were not due back just yet, and high speed always meant something.
“Yes father,” Athena replied.
“Expand scanning range to maximum, let’s see if anything is following them or jamming them,” Tigh said, beating Adama to the order.
They looked over waiting for several seconds as Omega looked at the scanners. “Scans are normal, nothing following them,” he said. Adama paused, not sure if he should feel relief yet or not.
“Something has them running back here at high speed,” Adama said, looking over at Tigh who shrugged. “Sound red alert, and keep an eye on the scanners, tell them to meet me in my office the moment they land,” Adama ordered, then motioned to Tigh to follow him. “Omega, you have the bridge.”
“Yes sir.”
Apollo and Starbuck made their way up to Adama office, having been ordered there after they landed. They noticed the Galactica on alert, knwing that Adama would take no chances on anything. Walking into the office they noticed both Tigh and Adama waiting for them.
“So, what is going on that you two rode turbos all the way back to the Galactica?” Adama asked both of them as they sat down, a couple of possibilities entering his mind.
“We didn’t want to run the risk of being overheard if we sent out a communications, but we picked up some sort of weak signal coming from a nearby asteroid belt,” Apollo explained, hoping it would be enough for him.
“Cylon?” Adama asked, fearing the answer.
“We don’t know, the war book couldn’t identify the signal. It was either too weak or wasn’t Cylon,” Apollo answered, giving him all the information.
“Could be a new code used by the Cylons,” Tight said, a logical conclusion.
“Or a different race,” Adama said, sitting back in the chair for several seconds thinking about the situation. They all thought about the strange craft they had encountered not long ago. “Ready blue squadron for launch, and keep all others ready.”
Starbuck and Apollo acknowledged the order and left the room to carry out the commander’s orders. Tigh remained behind as Adama thought about the situation a bit more.
“What do you think?” Tigh finally asked, looking over at Adama.
“I don’t’ know Tigh, I just don’t know,” Adama said, worry in his voice.
Both men stood and headed back towards the bridge, an unknown element of the future out there. Would they find a Cylon ambush waiting for them, or something else? Adama tried to go through every possibility he could think of. He knew a lot of people would be looking towards him for answers. The fleet moved too slow to avoid any trap, and the Galactica was only one warship. It could only do so much in a fight. Before entering the bridge he replaced his worried, doubting face with a confident face he hoped would allow his crew confidence. In battle he learned that could mean a lot in how the ship performed.
“Status report?” he asked, looking over at Omega.
“Blue squadron almost ready for launch commander, other squadrons are on stand-by,” Omega said, updating Adama. “Scanners still don’t show anything.”
“Tell blue squad to launch when ready,’ Adama stated, wanting to get the operation going right away.
“Core command transferring launch control to blue squadron,” he heard Rigel say. “Launch when ready.”
“Blue leader to core command, roger,” Apollo replied.
Adama looked over to see the vipers heading out of the launch tubes and into space. He had several views, and the launch looked normal. A quick glance and he noticed them all lining up and heading out towards the asteroids.
“Blue squadron launched,” Rigel reported.
“Well, we should know real quick if this is a trap or not,” Tigh said, sounding a bit nervous.
Adama hoped they would not encounter any Cylons. He knew their thoughts were along the same lines, both ready for anything that might happen, preparing for the worst, and hoping for the best.
“Everyone keep a heads-up, we don’t’ know what to expect, and let me know the moment anything unusual appears on your scanners. Don’t let your guard down,” Apollo said to the group, knowing they did not need the warning.
“Are we all going into the belt?” Starbuck asked as they approached the asteroids.
“Depends on what happens,’ Apollo answered, unsure about that. He had wanted to keep some outside to keep a guard up and in communications with the Galactica.
“I’m picking up a faint signal coming from the asteroids,” Boomer said, interrupting any further conversation between Apollo and Starbuck. “No identifying markers to show its Cylon.”
“Can you get a fix on the location?” Apollo asked, waiting a few seconds as Boomer worked his magic.
“No, too much interference to scan the asteroids, sounds like its bouncing off several of them,” Boomer said, sounding frustrated. “We’ll have to head in to get a better fix.”
“Let’s split up and see if we can home in on it,” Starbuck said.
“All right,” Apollo said, as he split the group up into four groups of six, Starbuck staying with him. Three of the groups concentrated on the signal, the other group remained outside the belt keeping an eye on everything, ready to move in our out depending on the situation.
“Apollo, I’m going to boost the signal and send it back to the fleet, maybe they can break it,” Starbuck said, and it was actually a good idea to him.
“Do it,” Apollo said, still not seeing any sign of movement from inside the asteroid belt. Everyone was on guard ready for anything that might happen. Though they started to relax slightly but not much. Whoever it was could be waiting for a better opportunity to attack.
“Boomer, keep your group at the edge, and see if you can find the source, the rest of us will enter the belt. If anything happens, head back to Boomer’s group, they will be waiting. Let’s minimize the risk to us all,” Apollo said to the squadron. He heard everyone acknowledge the order and headed into the asteroids.
Apollo reduced speed, both to help find the signal and reduce his risk of hitting an asteroid. With their scanners on the widest range possible, he noticed the signal strength getting stronger. Avoiding asteroids he felt slightly better at the fact they had not encountered any Cylons, or Cylon signals.
“Boomer, the signal seems to be coming from a signal asteroid,” Jolly said, he indicated one of the larger asteroids.
“Apollo, we think we’ve found the asteroid, sending you the information now,” Boomer said.
Apollo split his attention between the information coming in and the asteroids, seeing that he was actually close to it. “Thanks Boomer, we’ll check it out,”
He maneuvered along towards the asteroid in question. He saw nothing unusual on the surface which might indicate some sort of intelligent life on it. He circled around the asteroid several times.
“I’m not seeing anything unusual about this asteroid, you sure you’ve got the right on Boomer?” Starbuck said.
“I’m sure,” Boomer replied.
“Apollo, check out your scanner,” Greenbean said, catching Apollo off guard. He looked down seeing the asteroid.
“We’ll, I’ll be,” he said, a bit shocked at the find. “Any of the other asteroids have this?”
“I’ll check it out,” Greenbean said, as he and his wingmate went off to scan a few other asteroids.
“What did you find?” Starbuck asked, he obviously had not seen it yet.
“The reason why there is probably a signal coming from the asteroid, its rich in tylium, and a few other resources,’ Apollo said. “Probably some sort of abandoned mine.”
“If that’s the case, we could send an exploration team and maybe mine some of it for the fleet,” Starbuck stated.
Apollo considered the options. “Any sign of defensive weapons anywhere?” Apollo asked. He wanted to make sure there was nothing that could threaten a civilian team.
“Don’t see anything,” the reply came back.
“Okay, let’s go back to the Galactica and report our findings,” Apollo said, heading out of the belt. They headed back to the fleet.
Apollo, Starbuck and Boomer stood in front of the Council of Twelve to report their findings. They seemed to always being doing something like this lately. At the moment the council looked at them as the last member entered and sat down.
“We’re told that you’ve found something exciting Captain Apollo,” one of them said. “We are interested in hearing what you found.”
“I hope you find this exciting,” Apollo said, looking at his father then a few others before continuing. “We have an unique opportunity for the fleet that we might not find for a while. Our resources of fuel and other materials is still good, but we have an opportunity to stock up on such materials, which we might not find for a while. It is assumed the signal we picked up is left over from an old mining base.”
He noticed Adama look up at the prospect of gaining more fuel and materials, but remained quiet at the moment as Apollo continued.
“We can send a team to mine the tylium and other supplies while we slowly go past. We can transfer fuel from one tanker to another making room on one or two tankers and send them to the asteroid for easy transferring,” Apollo stated, having thought of it on the way back, and it would limit the fuel used to transfer the materials. “We can also mine some other materials critical to our survival.”
“I am against stopping the fleet for any period of time, however small,” one member said. “Even though we haven’t seen a Cylon for some time, they can pop up at any time. I say no to this course of action. We might even be intruding on someone, creating another enemy. Or do you not remember that strange ship not long ago? The signal might be from them.”
“If what my son says, the fleet would not be stopping, instead we send the teams there, and transfer it to the ships close by and they catch back up with the fleet,” Adama said. “There are a few fast transports and tankers we can use, they can fly ahead and then catch up, all we have to do is reduce speed for a while, which would conserve fuel for the moment. And a small team can talk to them if there is someone there.”
“It’s still a risk Adama, slowing down can allow the Cylons to catch up as well,” the member said.
“The Cylons can catch up to anyways, their ships are faster than the fleet,” Adama said. “However, we might not come across another supply of fuel and supplies for some time.”
“Thank you warriors, we shall consider this,” another council member said, effectively dismissing them.
Apollo walked out with Starbuck and Boomer, taking one last look at Adama who merely nodded his head at them. They left the council room and headed towards the corridor.
“So, what do you think?” Starbuck asked his two friends.
“It would be a shame to pass up on any supplies. I think they’ll go with the plan,” Apollo said, looking over at Starbuck, who was looking back at the council. “Come on,” he said, clasping each of them on the shoulder, “let’s go get something to drink.”
“Sound good to me,” Boomer said, agreeing with him.
“Yeah, I can try out my new system,’ Starbuck said, smiling at the other two. “This one is totally fool proof, what’da say?”
“No thanks,” Boomer replied quickly. “I lost a secton’s pay with your scheme last time.”
“Hey, I fixed that small mistake in the last plan, this one can’t miss,” Starbuck said, pressing on with his system. Apollo chuckled to himself as they continued down the corridor.
Back in the council room a debate raged on that would change the course of every refugee in the fleet. Two sides had developed, one who backed Adama’s plan and those who did not wish to slow the fleet for fear of the Cylons catching them.
“I will not approve this plan Commander Adama,” Uviris said, standing up to challenge Adama. “It’s too risky. There are things we don’t know about, from an unknown race to Cylons. We can’t afford to be at war with a second race.”
“I must agree with Uviris,” another member said, though he remained seated while talking. He did not wish to further aggravate the situation by also standing up. Tempers were starting to rise in the room even as he continued. “I thought you said not long ago that we had sufficient fuel and supplies to last us at least another yahren, or were you lying to us?”
Adama recognized the challenging tone in the councilmember’s voice. His answer would determine a lot of things in the future. “No, you are correct, however, with additional supplies we can go for a longer period of time, and there might be supplies there that we do need. Our supplies won’t last long if the Cylons catch us,” Adama said to them.
“So, you’re saying that each time we encounter supplies we should stop and fill up?” Uviris said, sensing some momentum to his side. He had challenged Adama on many subjects and this seemed the best time to finally beat the man at the political game they played.
“No, but this is the richest supply of tylium since Gamoray,” Adama said, looking around at the group, especially those who seemed to challenge the idea.
“Yes, and there we lost the Pegasus and Commander Cain,“ Uviris said. “Or don’t you remember that?”
“I remember Uviris, but at Gamoray we were up against three basestars and a Cylon capital city, and as yet we’ve had no Cylon transmission here,” Adama said. “This time the situation is different, there is no trap waiting to be sprung here.”
“Well, I think we should vote on it, take the majority vote,” another council member, Uri said. Adama knew he was trying to resolve the issue quickly before things got out of hand. They all looked around at the other members, most nodding in agreement with the suggestion.
“I have no problem, do you Uviris?” Adama said, gesturing towards Uviris, watching as he looked around and realized to fight this anymore would lose his support.
“No I don’t,” he finally said, smiling slightly.
“All those in favor raise your hands,” Adama said, looking around the room.
Starbuck looked down at his hand, sighing slightly as he realized his system was not working as well as he planned. On the plus side he had won some credits, and he looked to win with this hand. “I raise you,” he said, watching the others who were playing. They seemed indecisive about matching the bet.
“Come on Starbuck,” Apollo said, tapping him on the shoulder, with Boomer standing close by also waiting to go.
Starbuck looked up at him, then back at his hand. “Apollo, look at this hand!” he said, showing Apollo the hand. “Can’t we wait a bit, I’m about to get on a roll with this system.”
“The commander says it’s urgent,” Apollo said.
“But,” Starbuck said, looking at the hand, then at the others. But to his surprise, they folded their hands, cheating him out of his good hand.
“That’s finished, come on, let’s not keep the commander waiting,” Boomer said, watching Starbuck gather up the cubits quickly before catching up with them.
“You know, that was about to really pay off,” Starbuck said. “Now they’ll have figured it out when I get back, have to make a new system.”
“Oh well,” Boomer said.
They made their way into the council room, knowing they were awaiting the decision. Starbuck had the feeling they were going to go ahead with getting the supplies. If they were not there was no reason for them to be summoned to the council room.
“The council has voted to go ahead with the plan to gain some materials from the asteroids,” Adama said. Starbuck was not sure if he felt relief or not, as it meant they would be busy. He tuned back in as Adama continued to talk. “First of all, we are going to send you three, along with a med tech, and Dr. Wilker to check out the mine and the condition it’s in.”
Starbuck looked at the others making sure they had heard correctly. They were going to check out the mine before anything else happened. They accepted the council’s decision quickly.
“We’re in commander,” Apollo said, relaying their decision.
“Good, get your team together and move out as soon as possible, and good luck gentlemen,” Adama said. “Doctor Wilker has already been informed and will be waiting in the shuttle bay, as has the med lab.”
They walked out quickly heading to the shuttle. They looked as Cassiopeia joined them to their surprise.
“Starbuck, wait up,” she said, causing him to pause.
“Cass? What are you doing here,” Starbuck said, before seeing the pack she had, and realized what it meant. “Don’t tell me, you’re our med-tech right?”
“Yes, and I’m going so don’t try to talk me out of it. Remember when I went with you don’t to Gamoray, and it was a good think I went to,’ Cassiopeia said, reminding them of the fact she helped save Bojay’s life.
“I know,” Starbuck replied, shaking his head before saying anything back. “I don’t have to like it though, do I?”
“Of course now,” she answered him, but smiling. “Dr. Wilker will be here in a minute, he was gathering some things.”
Apollo and boomer watched as Starbuck and Cassiopeia moved off to talk. They reached the shuttle and now only had to wait for Wilker.
“So, what do you think Apollo? Does he have the guts to ask her?” Boomer asked.
“Well, he loves her, that much is certain, saw that with the whole Cain thing,” Apollo said, glancing over at them. “I think he will, its only a matter of time.”
He heard the elevator and looked over, seeing Sheba, Bojay and Jolly descending down the elevator to the flight deck, their flight helmets in their hands.
“Wonder what’s up with them?” Boomer said, as they both looked as they headed towards them. “You’re not on this mission, are you?” he asked as they neared them.
“Yep, Bojay and Jolly are the shuttle escorts and I’m part of your crew,” Sheba explained, confusing Apollo.
“Part of our crew?” Apollo said.
“Yes, your crew,” she replied back to him.
“Sorry I’m late everyone,” Wilker said, carrying a few items as he came walking towards them. Boomer moved forward to help him out as they moved towards the shuttle.
“We shouldn’t waste much time captain,’ Sheba said, as if she was trying to end any argument Apollo might have with him before turning slightly. “Hello Cassiopeia.”
“Sheba,” Cassiopeia said warmly, having become friends after the loss of the Pegasus. They were bound by their love they had for Cain.
“Well, if everyone’s ready then let’s get going,” Apollo said, knowing he could stand here and argue with Sheba, or get going and carry out the mission. Jolly and Bojay moved towards their vipers, which were ready to launch as he moved into the shuttle where Boomer was already going through the pre-flight check list.
“Core command transferring launch controls to shuttle delta, launch when ready,” he heard Rigel’s familiar voice say.
“Roger core command,” Boomer said, as Apollo sat down. Boomer looked back seeing that everyone was seated then pressed the thruster button accelerating the shuttle out of the hangar, turning towards the asteroids. Two vipers joined up alongside as they made their way away from the Galactica and the fleet.
“Bojay,” Apollo said, as they approached the asteroid belt.
“Go ahead Apollo,” the reply came back.
“Stay out here and keep an eye on things while we’re in the asteroid belt, our scanning range inside is limited,” Apollo said, they both knew the asteroids blocked the scanners once they were inside.
“Sure thing,” he replied. “Have a safe trip and watch out for asteroids.”
“Ha-ha,” he replied, as Boomer took them into the asteroid belt. “Jolly, you’re with us.”
“Will do,” Jolly said, angling his viper into the asteroid belt as well.
It did not take long for them to arrive at the asteroid in question, it still was sending out signals. The scanners still read tylium deposits under the surface of the asteroid.
“See if you can find an entrance or some sort of indention or flat surface, anything that can be used as a landing spot for a craft,” Apollo said, leaning forwards to look out the shuttle windows.
“I don’t know, not seeing much down there,” Boomer replied, as they went around the asteroid a few times looking.
“What’s that?” Sheba said, pointing to small hump on the asteroid’s surface. There appeared to be a flat surface beside it as well.
“Well, let’s give it a try,” Boomer said, piloting the shuttle down to the surface.
The ‘landing pad’ was barely big enough for the shuttle to land on, but Boomer and Sheba managed. Apollo and Starbuck donned spacesuits and made their way gingerly out onto the surface of the asteroid, tethered to the shuttle to prevent themselves from floating away. Apollo felt relieved that there was some gravity to the surface, in fact more than there should have been, indicating some sort of intelligent race had built something here. They both made their way around the shuttle looking for anything that might show a way in.
“Apollo,” Starbuck said, causing Apollo to look over at where Starbuck stood, near the hump.
“Find something?” Apollo asked, making his way over to his friend.
“Think so, what do you make of this?” Starbuck asked, pointing to a small crack which appeared to glow slightly from the inside.
“Let’s see if we can get it open,” Apollo stated, as he looked at it. The surrounding surface of the crack seemed normal, until Apollo felt around and under a small recessed area, and found a button. Pushing it the crack slide open revealing a small instrument panel with two buttons.
“Try one,” Starbuck said.
Apollo hesitated for a second before pushing one of the buttons. For several microns nothing happened, then the entire landing pad area started to descend into the asteroid.
“Well, looks like we found our way in,” Starbucks aid, as they looked around.
“Yeah, I just hope whoever is down here, is friendly,” Apollo said, hoping they had not activated some sort of alarm and a bunch of guards were waiting for them. As they descended he was able to view the cavern, shining a light around and spotted no guards, or anyone else for that matter.
The cavern could easily fit several shuttle, and Apollo watched as the opening closed up leaving them only with the illumination from their suits and the shuttle. They both fanned out upon reaching the bottom, looking for anything that might help them out.
“I see you two found the way in,” Sheba’s voice said over the intercom. “So, is it safe yet for the rest of rest o come out?” she asked.
Before either Starbuck or Apollo could reply openings appeared along the walls of the hanger, and a gas could be seen coming through the vents.
“Um, you might want to stay inside a bit longer Sheba,” Apollo said, raising his blaster and waiting a moment to see if anything else might happen. A few microns later nothing else happened and Apollo relaxed slightly, though still on edge.
“Captain, I think I know what happened,” Wilker’s voice said. “They pressurized the hanger.”
“Can you confirm this?” Apollo asked, wanting to believe what the doctor said, but had to be on guard for anything.
“It’ll take a few microns, but yes,” he replied back to them.
“Do it, Starbuck and I will continue to look around,” Apollo replied, motioning over at Starbuck, who waved back that he heard. The conversation.
They made their way across the cavern, or hangar, or something to a wall and what appeared a panel. They seemed simple to understand, and he noticed a few cranes overhead as lights came on giving them an even better view of the hangar area. Any loading and unloading would go on here, but why inside and not outside? Was this a mining station?
“Captain,” Wilker said interrupting Apollo’s thoughts. “Like I thought, it is atmosphere that has been pumped into the area, very similar to ours, we should be able to breathe it without any problems. I also ran an organic analysis, it’s clean.”
“Good news,” Apollo said, but still cautiously took off his helmet, taking a small breath. After a few moments he relaxed a bit. “It seems fine,” he said as he started taking off the rest of the suit. The shuttle’s door opened allowing the others inside to step out, even as they were still taking off the suits. Sheba and Cassiopeia helped them out as Boomer and Wilker did a few scans.
“Let’s split up a bit, Boomer, you Sheba and Wilker head off and see if you can find anything, we’ll follow after putting everything up and contacting Jolly, keep in radio contact,” Apollo said, watching as the three walked off and they quickly put things up. Jolly was there and he radioed to the Galactica that they had made it inside before heading off to explore as well.
“What do you think?” Apollo said.
“Not sure, who could have made this? We’re quite a distance from any known civilization, and the closest we know are the Delphian, but that’s still a bit too far away,’ Starbuck said.
“Or that strange ship,” Apollo said, watching as Starbuck gave him a look.
“We haven’t seen anything from that ship since,” Cassiopeia said.
“Could be just about anything, but I think the fact we have yet to meet anyone, I think it means its deserted,” Apollo said.
“Or hiding,” Starbuck replied.
Apollo did not reply, but moved through the doorway that the others had gone through. Making their way down the corridor as they looked around. He noticed the clean conditions of the hallway, no dust, almost like someone was still here. It struck Apollo that the entire area for the hangar seemed too small for a mine.
“Starbuck, is it just me, or does this area seem to small to be a mine, I mean I noticed no large openings in that hangar area, and this corridor is too small for anything useful to be used for anything other than personal,” Apollo said, looking around. He wondered what this asteroid really was.
“Now that you mention it, year, it is a bit fall, perhaps the main area is in another hangar, and there is wall that moves or something,” Starbuck said, thinking out loud for other possibilities. “You’re giving me a bad feeling.”
“I think we should find the others,” Apollo said, quickening his pace as Starbuck and Cassiopeia matched it. They stopped when they reached a branch in the corridor.
“Now which way?” Cassiopeia asked, as they stood there for a few microns
“There’s more light coming from that direction,” Starbuck said, pointing off to his left.
“Let’s go,” Apollo said, as they headed down the corridor, which had a downward slope before taking a sharp turn. They light appeared to be getting brighter before they made another turn where they saw a room and Boomer, Sheba and Wilker all standing there looking at something.
“Hey, there you are,” Apollo said, walking into the room. “What are you looking…” his voice faded as he looked out the window. He stared in shock at what he saw, unable to tear his eyes away from it.
End Surprise Part 1
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