Battlestar Argo
by AJ Marks
Part 44: Battlestar Daedalus
Ares walked across the bridge of the Argo. The completion of the Daedalus was rapidly approaching completion. He would feel a bit more relieved when the second battlestar was commissioned. It would mean that the Argo would be able to rest a bit. The last Arbus attack had been a couple of months ago. To Ares the attack seemed to be more of a scouting attempt to see how strong the Earth defenses were.
The Tiger’s sister ship had been completed and was waiting for the Daedalus to be completed. Gunther had left just about a month ago now to head to the Colonies. He hoped that the mission when well. The latest from the Colonies was that the Pegasus and the Fifth fleet were heading to help out the Delphian race against the Cylons. For Ares that meant that Commander Cain would not be there to report to. Ares could only hope the latest news would not have much of an effect on Gunther’s mission.
Ares knew that Commander Backus was still in command of the Pacifica. He would know what to do and how to help out Gunther and the crew of the Colonial Bound.
“Commander,” Rebecca said from her position. “Incoming message from Centari One.”
“Put it up here,” Ares replied. The captain of Centari One appeared on the screen. “Peter, what’s the word with the Daedalus?”
“She should be ready for trails within the week,” Peter replied. “I was just over looking at it and almost everything is working.”
“Good news,” Ares said. “Any reports of Arbus activity near the base?”
“Nope, I think that we’re still unknown,” Peter said.
“Keep an eye out,” Ares said. There had been a group of sighting of Arbus ships in nearby systems. Somehow they knew that there was an Earth construction yard out there and they were looking for it. Ares figured that when they found it they would attack.
“Our patrols are going twenty-four seven,” Peter said.
“That’s good news,” Any reports from Doctor Weaver?”
“Nope, he’s locked himself in his room and barely comes out right now,” Peter said.
“Perhaps he’s found something,” Ares said.
“Perhaps,” Peter said. “Are you going to be here for the commissioning ceremony?”
“Along with the others,” Ares said.
“Then I look forwards to see you then,” Peter said.
“I will see you then,” Ares said letting the line disconnect.
*****
Troy walked down the corridor of the new Battlestar Daedalus. He and Bri were going to be temporarily stationed on the battlestar until the flight crews were ready for combat. Their classes would make up one squadron for the Daedalus. It was something that was actually quite exciting. The ship was going to be ready for trails in the next couple of days. Right now the crew was getting used to the ship and all of the operational features of the ship.
“Hey, not quite like the Argo is it,” Bri said as Troy walked into the room she was in.
“Not quite,” Troy said. “But it is still quite amazing at how quickly they constructed the battlestar.”
“No kidding,” Bri said.
The battlestar had been started seven months ago and was now almost complete. Destroyers and scouts were being completed even quicker. But then again when construction is proceeding round the clock it does take less time. That and the threat of invasion has helped speed up the process. Many were wondering about the electronics and why systems were kept separate. Only a few in the design process understood that it had to deal with the Cylons.
“I just wish they could get the S-metal fixed,” Troy said.
“That would give us a huge advantage over the Cylons and the Arbus,” Bri replied.
Troy would have said more but a group of pilots walked into the room. They were to make up the Daedalus’ Blue squadron. One of two squadrons that would make up the viper compliment of the Daedalus. The group was still young and their skills were raw still but they had ambition. That was the one thing that would help them out for sure.
“If everyone will have a seat,” Bri said to the group. “I hope we all found our quarters just fine.”
There were some replies from the pilots. A few of them said no, which did not surprise Troy. The Daedalus was one of the largest ships ever constructed so it would be surprising if everyone found their quarters on the first try.
“Those who didn’t get with one of us later on or find someone who is familiar with the ship to help you out. Remember we’re all in this together and we’ve all had the same experience that you’ve had,” Troy said to the group. The few men who had not yet found their quarters gave a quick nod that they would. Troy figured that they were probably the last group to arrive so did not have as much time as the others did.
“Let’s begin,” Bri said.
*****
Pratt walked on the bridge of the Daedalus and was amazed at how much it was like the Argo. The big difference was in the computer screen that lined the bridge. Instead of a green screen for most of them these were color and took up less room. The difference in computer size allowed for the bridge to seem to have more space even though it was a bit smaller than the Argo’s.
“Commander, here’s the checklist for the trails,” a young woman said coming up to him. Pratt took the checklist from her with a thank you and looked through it.
There was the engine test, weapon tests, pilot tests, damage control tests, along with what appeared to a lot of other tests. All of the tests were suppose to be complete within a week. Pratt was skeptical about that.
“All right, the schedule looks good,” Pratt said signing off on the checklist and handing it back to her.
“I’ll let Commander Peter know sir,” the aide said then walked off the bridge.
Pratt was again left to look at the bridge of the Daedalus. The battlestar would not have the S-metal on it but he was hopeful that Doctor Weaver would find a way to merge the armor that would give the warships the strength that was needed with the stealth protection that would help them out.
Tomorrow the Daedalus would begin its tests to find out if she was combat ready.
*****
Weaver glanced at his computer once again to make sure that he was getting everything correct. The portable computers that the Earthers used were very handy. The current computer he had fit into his hand. He only had to talk into it to make it do what he wanted. It was developed specifically for a research type person. He had been told that an archeologist had developed it so that he had a good computer that he could use when excavating.
“Computer record,” Weaver said before continuing. “The language appears to be coming along allowing more translation of the ship’s symbols. We are about to hook up a power system to the ship and hopefully it will allow us to boot up the ships computers.”
“Doctor,” a voice said interrupting his thoughts.
“Stop record,” Weaver said turning to see an assistant walking towards him.
“We all ready to start up the power,” he was told.
“Tell them to proceed then Kim, I’m going to stay in here and see what happens,” Weaver said.
“Very well doctor,” Kim said turning around to walk back out from where she came. Weaver turned and looked around the bridge of the ancient Atlantian ship. He hoped that with the infusion of power it would allow the computers to boot up completely. They had learned all they could from what was operational. It was time to begin the next step.
“Doctor, power coming on line now,” he was told thought he computer.
“All right,” Weaver replied waiting to see if anything would happen.
Turning slowly in a circle he did not want to miss anything just in case it did not happen again. He wondered what would be the first thing to occur. The lighting came on which mean that he could turn off the portable lighting units that they had brought in. He walked around to turn them off but was a bit disappointed when none of the other computer systems on the bridge came to life.
“Anything doctor,” he was asked.
“Just the lighting,” Weaver said.
“It’s something,” the reply came.
“Yeah,” Weaver said. He walked over to where the one computer was. There was nothing there that seemed to be out of the ordinary. He had hoped that when the power came on the systems would boot up.
“Nothing,” Kim said walking back into the room.
“Nope,” Weaver said a bit disappointed.
“Well, maybe we have to boot up the main computer,” she replied looking at the screen with him.
“Main computer,” Weaver said.
“Yeah, pardon me for saying so but this ship might have one central computer controlling everything. After all it was not designed to fight the Cylons,” Kim said logically.
“That could be possible,” Weaver said. “Let’s look,” he said not wanting to mention that a lot of times he gets stuck in his thinking to go against the Cylons that he forgets that there are other ways to do things.
“What if we just hit this,” Kim said.
Weaver shrugged his shoulders. “Donno,” he replied. “Hit it.”
Kim pushed the button and for a second they were disappointed when nothing happened. Then every screen on the bridge came on.
“Yes,” Weaver said his eyes taking on a twinkle as he watched everything come on.
“Looks like we won’t be seeing you for a while, just remember to bath doctor,” Kim said smiling at the doctor.
“Huh,” Weaver said as he turned his attention back to Kim.
“Never mind,” Kim said.
Weaver turned back to the screens in front of him. There was a lot of work to do now and he could not wait.
*****
Troy and Bri watched at the side of the bridge of the Daedalus as part of the evaluators to make sure that the crew was working as well as possible. The first of the training trails had begun. This was the helm trail.
“Turn to heading thirty point negative five,” Pratt said.
Troy watched as the crew carried out the orders. Part of him could imagine the ship turning even though there really was nothing that could be felt. So far everything was working well as the Daedalus was turning hard at battle speed.
A few more turns were executed before the exercise was over and the Daedalus was heading back to the yard. The crew would go over the engines and everything else to make sure that nothing had been damaged in the trial. Troy and Bri walked back to Pratt’s office to give him the performace review of the bridge crew.
“So,” Pratt said as they sat down in the office. “What did you think?”
“They are a bit green, some slow responses but I put that up to nerves,” Troy said. “Overall I would have to say that they passed.”
“That was my feeling,” Pratt said.
“Several of them have already seen combat but a few are new,” Troy said. “It won’t be until you actually see combat that you will know how well they operate.”
Pratt nodded his head in agreement with what Troy had said. Troy had the feeling that the bridge crew would do quite well. The testing had for the most part found all the clones that might get into a command position on board a ship.
“Tomorrow is the viper tests,” Pratt said. “Are the pilots up to that?”
“They better be,” Bri replied.
“Yeah, or else their instructor will kick their ass,” Troy replied glancing at Bri.
“Oh, intimidation,” Pratt said. “I like it.”
“Well she has had a lot of pratice,” Troy said.
“Ah yes, how is Nall doing these days,” Pratt asked.
“Going though withdraw,” Troy replied. “He hasn’t been able to bug Bri now for a couple of days.”
“Poor guy,” Pratt said. “Anyway, I want to be able to start the launching and landing of vipers early tomorrow.”
“I think we should be able to do that,” Bri said. “The pilots have been able to get acquainted with their vipers, it will also test the fighter command on the bridge as well.”
“I look forward to the tests,” Pratt said.
*****
Mike walked up to the bridge of the Colonial Bound and looked around. On one side of the bridge stood both Gunther and Scott. Gunther spotted him and walked over to see what Mike wanted.
“Anything wrong,” Gunther asked.
“No, I was just a bit bored today,” Mike replied. “I was just wondering what you guys do up here all day.”
“Nothing much,” Gunther replied. “I’ve been going over the latest from the Colonies. It looks like we’re going to miss Commander Cain though.”
“Will that put anything in jeopardy,” Mike asked.
“No, we’ve got other contacts that we’ll meet up with at the Colonies,” Gunther said.
“I do have something to ask,” Mike finally said. “In your journey here or on the way back did you encounter any strange spacecraft?”
“One, but it was from them that we got the S-metal. We helped them out with their engines,” Gunther said.
“Oh, I see,” Mike replied. He really was not sure what type of answer to expect.
“How’s our clone doing,” Gunther asked finally.
“Keeping to his duties,” Mike said. He had been keeping a close eye on the man just in case.
“I notice that you’re keeping an eye on him,” Gunther said.
“Someone has to,” Mike said.
“I know but this might help end the current war that Earth is involved in,” Gunther said.
“Still a risky plan,” Mike said.
“Well, some are also keeping an eye on you as well,” Gunther said.
“Afraid that I might blow something up,” Mike said. “I made a mistake, I don’t like to make a second mistake.”
“Good,” Gunther replied. “The captain and I really are not that worried about you. We know that you’ll do your job.”
“Thanks,” Mike said walking off the bridge.
“What was that about laddie,” Scott asked as Gunther walked back over.
“He was a bit bored today,” Gunther said. “He also asked if we had encountered any strange spacecraft when we came from the Colonies.”
“Interesting,” Scott said rubbing his chin in thought.
“Something come to mind,” Gunther asked.
“Just thinking about something,” Scott said. “Let me think about it some more before I say anything.”
“All right,” Gunther said.
*****
Bri walked though the hanger where several pilots were standing by. Troy was right next to her as they walked to the front of the group. She looked over the group before speaking. She knew that for many of them this would be their first time flying out of a battlestar for real and not just a simulator.
“Many of you are probably nervous but you should do just fine,” Bri said. She looked at each person directly in the eye before continuing. “The next step is to launch from the battlestar. All of you are also receiving new fighters, the new Viper Vs. These fighters are faster and more maneuverable than what you are used to so be careful.”
“All right everyone, get to your vipers and prepare to launch. Once out there is a group of targets that we’ll be attacking to evaluate you’re performance,” Troy said. “Lieutenant Bri and I will be launching ahead of you so that we can see how well you’re doing. Captain Jax will be on the bridge to see how you do from there. Let’s go.”
Bri and Troy walked to their vipers ready for what was going to happen next.
“Do you think they are ready for the launch yet,” Bri said.
“Its always a shock the first time launching from the launch tube,” Troy replied.
“I remember my first time,” Bri said. “I think I was scared out of my mind.”
“Try doing your first launch into combat,” Troy said.
“Ohh, that must have been nerve wreaking,” Bri replied.
“Yeah, the battle of Cannon six,” Troy said.
“A rough battle,” Bri said.
“I think it was three basestars and two battlestars slugging it out,” Troy said. “They managed to sneak up on us but we were better that day.”
“You also had Commander Cain on your side for that battle,” Bri replied.
“Sometimes I think he can win a battle just by his presence,” Troy said. “In fact I think that’s why they attacked. To try and kill him.”
“Could be,” Bri said as she arrived at her viper. “Well, I’ll see you out there.”
“Count on it,” Troy said as he continued on.
Bri climbed into her viper and waited until she had permission to launch. The controller on the bridge told her that everything was ready. Then she was finally told that she could launch when ready.
Bri pushed down on the turbos and was accelerated out into space. She was followed a short moment later by Troy. They formed up on each other while getting into position to watch the launch of the others.
The first viper launched without any trouble and Bri could only hope that the rest of the day went like this. A few seconds later the second one went flying out.
“How do they look,” Jax said over the intercom.
“Not bad so far,” Bri replied. “Nothing that isn’t normal for a first time launcher.”
“Okay, the first two have looked good so far,” Jax said. “We’ll see when it comes to landings.”
Bri knew that would be another problem. A battlestar was not easy to land on that was for sure. On the other side it was not like landing on an aircraft carrier on Earth as a person did not have to worry about falling into the ocean. A pilot could fly into the landing bay with little speed. The one thing that they tried not to do was to land at high speed.
“Next pair launch,” Bri said to Jax as the other two who had launched were not performing a series of tests with Troy. It was going to be a long day.
*****
Ares walked onto the bridge knowing that today was the day that he would be heading to Centari One for the official commissioning of the Daedalus. The battlestar would be a welcomed addition to the fleet. Then there was the Panther which was approaching completion here at Earth. The latest report was that the ship would be ready at the end of next month. There were some delays in some materials as a person had miscalculated a cut on an important piece. The construction had to wait as the piece was redone and brought to the yard.
He looked down at the paper which had the latest drawing of the next class of battlestars. They looked flatter but had more weapons on them. Some of the designers were still wondering why they could not integrate the computer systems. Ares had finally told them the truth about the Cylons. He was glad that General Pakrov was there to help him out with that one.
“Commander, incoming message from Centari One,” Rebecca said.
“Put it up here,” Ares said wondering if it would be Peter or Pratt. He was not that surprised when Pratt’s face appeared.
“I thought that I would find you still on board the Argo,” Pratt said.
“Yeah, well I was about to head on over to the Hermes to head to Centari One,” Ares replied.
“I just wanted to tell you the results of the latest test on the Daedalus,” Pratt said. “Everything went great and the pilots are getting the feel of flying off a battlestar.”
“Good,” Ares said. “I am looking forward to being able to have a second fleet to work with.”
“Its a bit different than home,” Pratt said.
“Yep, I am using everything that Cain and Bakkus told me,” Ares said. It had been a while since he had really thought about Commander Cain even though he was the one who suggested him for this mission. He had gone from wanting to find help for the Colonies by finding Earth to protecting Earth. It was a strange twist of fate if he thought about it too hard.
“Any idea as to how long the mix up delayed the Panther,” Pratt asked.
“End of next month,” Ares replied.
“Any sign of the Arbus,” Pratt asked.
“No, and that worries me,” Ares said. “I’m thinking of sending the Argo on a mission towards Arrbus space to find out what’s going on.”
“That could raise questions about the Colonial Bound then,” Pratt said.
“I know, I’ve thought about that already,” Ares said. He could say that because they had not heard anything from the Colonial Bound that it was another mission with a larger ship that would increase the chance of success.
“Commander, shuttle one is waiting to transport you to the Hermes,” Rebecca said interrupting the conversation between Ares and Pratt.
“I’ll be right there,” Ares said to her. “Gotta go, otherwise Rebecca might launch the shuttle without me.”
“Sounds like someone is taking lessons from Bri,” Pratt said.
“I think so,” Ares replied.
“I’ll have the full report ready when you get here commander,” Pratt said.
“I look forward to having the ship combat ready,” Ares said as the communicator went dead. He got up and walked off the bridge and headed to the hanger where the shuttle was waiting.
*****
Ares stood in the observation lounge of the space station that was orbiting near the dockyard. Next to him was a couple of news reporters along with their cameramen. They were there to document the occasion for future generations. They had been given strict orders not to tape the dockyard and what was being constructed. This was in case the Arbus were still watching on Earth.
“Commander Ares,” a female voice said. He looked over to see a newswoman heading towards him with a cameraman and a microphone in her hand. “A moment of your time please commander.”
Ares wanted to disappear at that moment but knew that an honest relationship with the press could help out later on.
“Sure, but I don’t want to miss the ceremony that’s about to begin,” Ares said.
“No problem, just wanted to ask you how you feel about the commissioning of the Daedalus,” she asked.
“Well, it basically doubles the protection that Earth has right now,” Ares said. “It will allow for more balanced rotation of the ships in and out of front line service. This will allow upgrades to be fitted on board the ships too.”
“Why is this base so secret,” she asked.
“It’s not really a matter of keeping it secret from our own people but secret from the enemy. The less they know the better our chances are,” Ares said.
“Okay I think I can deal with that for now,” she said before asking her next question. “Have we learned anything new about the Arbus?”
“Nothing lately which is unfortunate as it might give us a clue as to why they are attacking us,” Ares said.
“Is it true that an ancient ship was discovered on this planet,” she asked.
“That is true, and some of the writing on it resembles ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. We have a team of experts working on it right now to see if we can find anything out about it,” Ares said.
“Do you think that it might hold something about the Arbus,” she asked.
“I find that highly doubtful as the ship is really old and the war with the Arbus just recently started,” Ares said.
“Thank you commander for your time,” she said. They turned to see that the commissioning ceremony was beginning.
Ares excused himself and made his way to the platform where many people were waiting to help commission the ship. A few speakers would be talking about the ship and the crew. The group would then be shuttled over to the Daedalus where the final ceremony would take place. On the hanger deck a bottle of champagne would be broken in the hanger to represent an ancient tradition on Earth. Then the Daedalus would be fully commissioned and ready for battle.
Ares looked on at the familiar shape of the battlestar. It was strange to be seeing a new battlestar being commissioned when the Quarm of the Twelve would not order the building of a new battlestar to replace current losses. He could only hope that the war with the Arbus did not last much longer.
End of part 44