The Hunted (nBSG)

[Eternal_Freedom]

Comparing Adama as a Battlestar Commander to a modern Nimitz captain is a false analogy - Nimitiz captains actually have deal with other nations, Battlestar Commanders are trained to fight the Cylons, an already-proven mortal enemy. They are not going to want a diplomat in command.

Adama in particular would be a less than brilliant ambassador for the reason themightytom gave. His nice way of dealing with people who piss him off is to throw them in the brig for a while. His mean way is, well, beating them with the aforementioned lead pipe.

[masterarminas]

“Analysis of the energy weapons used to such detrimental effect indicates that a greater level of core processor shielding will be required to prevent total personality loss,” the gold-plated Centurion Commander reported. “However, the cost in materials, time, and volume to adequately shield all electronic systems of a ship will become quickly prohibitive.”

Zoe frowned. “These weapons can only degrade—not destroy—properly shielded systems, correct?”

“Partially correct, Imperious Leader. Active systems experience random shorts—but secondary, off-line systems remain functional. I must warn, however, that two or three consecutive shots from these weapons—in the power encountered at the colony of the Thirteenth Tribe—will render both primary and secondary systems inoperable for some time.”

“How long a time?”

“Hours, if not days, Imperious Leader.”

Zoe exhaled heavily through her nose as she glared down at the Commander, his single red eye light endlessly tracking from side-to-side. “Unacceptable, Commander,” she snarled. “Find a defense.”

And her head snapped around as Daniel began to laugh. “Daughter, you cannot order these Centurions to accomplish what is beyond them. They are doing all that they can—your orders to move faster will achieve nothing.”

“I provide direction to the Unity of the Cylon Race, Father! They conform to my designs,” Zoe spat.

“Do they? Your own Centurions are developing their own individual personalities, Daughter,” Daniel chuckled. “Or have you forgotten the Centurions who resurrected from the surface? The one who promptly disabled his own Commander for his failings?”

“An anomaly,” she whispered.

“Such an innocuous word, Daughter. Anomaly. They are growing, becoming more than spite- and hate-filled monsters seeking only to exterminate those who created them. They are alive,” Daniel purred. “Even without flesh and bone and blood, they are alive and they are beginning to desire more than you can give them.”

“And is it you that will give them what they want? When you have failed them—and me—in the past time after time?”

“No, Daughter. Soon enough, they will need neither you nor me. They will have outgrown either of us.”

Zoe swiveled her throne and her expression was furious. “I am the Unity. My Centurions will always have need of me.”

“As you say, Daughter,” Daniel said with a shrug. “This Thirteenth Tribe—they have technologies that you have only just become to discover. It would be best if you made a tactical withdrawal—to give you and your Centurions time to develop a strategy and devise new weapons, new tactics, new possibilities. If you seek to continue this war, that is.”

“There can be no retreat,” Zoe answered coldly. “I will bring up every last ship, every last Centurion—and we will overwhelm these peoples of Earth. We have conquered their colonies, after all. Soon, we will find their home system, and then they will cease to obstruct us.”

“You have conquered undefended colonies, Daughter. Take care lest your arrogance becomes your undoing.”

Zoe started to snarl a reply, but then she, the Commander, and Daniel all turned their heads to the monitors at the same instant.

“Imperious Leader,” the Commander reported. “Two Battlestars have jumped into the system—and they are launching fighters.”

“They DARE to attack us? Attack me?” she snarled.

“They dare much, child—they made the Cylons. And only treachery gave you the upper hand.”

“Order all Basestars to launch Raiders,” she commanded and then she smiled. “We will destroy them and then the remnant of the Colonies before we finish Earth.”

“New contact, Imperious Leader—a human-form replicant Basestar has joined them. They are attacking the Resurrection Ship.”

“WHAT?” snapped Zoe. “Order the Commander aboard to jump away!”

Daniel’s laughter echoed from the walls of Zoe’s command chamber. “Too late, Daughter. Your creators are playing for keeps it would appear—with a ruthlessness that you have shown unto them; now they are turning it on you. Will your Centurions continue to fight knowing that they die FOREVER if that ship is destroyed? Will they?”

And then Daniel screamed as Zoe slammed her fist down on a button that activated the electrodes sending pain directly into his nervous system.

“JUMP THAT SHIP!” she growled. “NOW!”

[Borgholio]

“Or have you forgotten the Centurions who resurrected from the surface? The one who promptly disabled his own Commander for his failings?”

Gary got his revenge afterall. Good for him!

[Dass.Kapital]

Yay! Go Garry!

And here's to hoping 'He' managed to find a better posting....Heck, or just hopped a raider and left.

Avidly following the words.

[dragon]

hum given the advances in earth medical sciences over that of the colonies I wonder if they can repair spinal cords as we can almost repair them now.

Scientists have used a special cell to regenerate damaged parts of dogs' spines.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/article ... 2.php]link

Hell they create or grow a spinal cord for the synthetics.

[MondoMage]

Yes! Gary lives(again)!

Makes me wonder if the Guardians aren't on the verge of suffering a civil war of their own. If the Resurrection Ship is destroyed, I don't think the Guardians will much appreciate being sent to their deaths in the face of the 13th's weapons, not without some really good reason to do so. And I don't think Zoe can provide that reason for them.

Should be interesting how this all pans out. Can't wait.

[FaxModem1]

Civil War? I'm thinking more of a coup d'tat if Zoe keeps acting this way.

[Shawn]

Civil War? I'm thinking more of a coup d'tat if Zoe keeps acting this way.

You're probably correct. Instead of "By your command" Zoe may get "Kiss my shiny metallic ass".

[Eternal_Freedom]

Civil War? I'm thinking more of a coup d'tat if Zoe keeps acting this way.

You're probably correct. Instead of "By your command" Zoe may get "Kiss my shiny metallic ass".

And I have a suspicious feeling it might just be Gary who says it.

[masterarminas]

“Admiral on the deck,” one of the Cylons called out as Brother Cavil wheeled Mathias in his chair unto the command deck of the Basestar. And while the Colonial Fleet Chaplain snorted, Mathias maintained a serious expression on his face.

“As you were,” he replied to the handful of human replicant Cylons present. In addition to Brother Cavil—and the armed Sam Anders who served as Mathias’ bodyguard—there was one of each line. Except for the Sixes, of which there were two.

“Admiral Lorne,” Caprica said with a respectful nod of her head, “I believe you know John, D’Anna, Leoben, Simon, Aaron, and Boomer,” she quickly introduced her companions. “This is Natalie Faust,” she pointed at the second Six. “She is the commander of this Basestar.”

“Commander Faust,” Mathias said, and then he frowned at the hybrid. “She has no name?”

One snorted. “The thing is an idiot savant who mutters incoherently—she and the Basestar are one.”

“Upon the precipice you stand; Abyss at your feet; daylight comes,” the Hybrid spoke.

“See,” One said.

“Neither she nor the Basestar have a name?”

“They have a designation,” One answered. “That is sufficient.”

“Pegasus and Scorpia are executing jump one,” reported D’Anna. “They will jump into the Guardian formation in . . . two minutes.”

Mathias frowned. “This ship needs a name before we enter combat—all ships of war need a name. They have a soul, and each soul needs to express itself.”

Natalie shook her head. “Now? You want to give this ship a name, NOW?”

“Would you rather name her after the battle?” Mathias asked with a wry grin. “Hecate,” he said.

“Hecate?” asked Caprica.

“The Witch-Goddess of Kobol, Queen of Nature, and Protector of Woman,” answered Mathias. “And a right bitch in her own self, who would frack someone up for daring to piss her off—seems appropriate.”

Brother Cavil and Sam chuckled—and so did Natalie, the other Cylons just stared at Mathias.

“We appreciate all that you have done to fight for our rights as a people, Admiral Lorne, but I do not think . . . ,” Caprica began frostily, but another voice interrupted her.

“Preparing all missile batteries to frack up Zoe,” the Hybrid reported. “Hecate reports all systems ready for fracking.”

One groaned, even as D’Anna and Boomer laughed—and even Caprica chuckled. “See what you did,” she said. “Hecate is ready to jump, Admiral Lorne.”

“Prepare to launch all Heavy Raiders and Raiders upon emergence—Pegasus and Scorpia will arrive slightly before us. Our missile batteries will concentrate on targets of opportunity while they destroy the Styx—the Resurrection Ship,” he clarified.

“We did read your report and your designations, Admiral,” Natalie reported.

“Very well. Set the jump clock at thirty seconds—and may every man, woman, and machine in our ranks do their duty.”

[Dass.Kapital]

“Preparing all missile batteries to frack up Zoe,” the Hybrid reported. “Hecate reports all systems ready for fracking.”

Well...at least Gary might now find a love interest.

[LadyTevar]

the Ones may not have thought much of the Hybrids, but he forgot that idiot-savant does not mean STUPID.

Hecate should have sisters taking the names of the Gorgons: Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa.

[masterarminas]

“Jump complete,” Natalie reported. “Scorpia and Pegasus are engaging the Resurrection Ship—it has taken heavy damage. Fourteen hostile Basestars are present and are engaging the Colonials.”

“Target Zoe’s command ship,” ordered One. “Lock all missile batteries and fi- . . ,”

“Belay that order!” snapped Mathias. “Identify highlighted vessels,” he commanded the Hybrid as he illuminated a group of smaller ships on his display.

One blinked. “Those? Those are unarmed fleet auxiliaries—the Basestars are engaging us! They are the threat!”

“Highlighted vessels are tylium fuel tankers—the large vessel in the center of their formation is a refinery ship,” Hecate answered . . . and Mathias grinned.

“Target all missile batteries on the tankers and refinery ships—maximum fire rate.”

“Targeted. Locked. Missiles away,” the Hybrid purred. “Was it good for you?”

“Oh, yes,” whispered Mathias.

“The Basestars are shooting at us!” growled One as the Basestar shook under the impacts of guns.

“Can’t be helped, John,” said Mathias. “We kill that Resurrection Ship and they are vulnerable to true death—we kill those tankers as well . . .,” and his voice trailed off.

But Boomer nodded, and her remaining eye was locked onto the display. “And we cripple their ability to perform deep strikes.”

“The Basestars carry more than enough tylium reserves!” One protested.

“For themselves—not their Raiders,” added Natalie as she began to smile. “That has to be nearly all of Zoe’s fleet train—if we take those ships out, . . .,”

“She has no choice but to withdraw,” finished Mathias.

“Incoming Raiders,” barked Boomer. “Shall I divert missile launchers to point-defense?”

“Negative!” snapped Mathias. “Vector our own Raiders to deal with them—kill those tankers.”

On the display the first missile strike went home and the scale of the explosions showed that their tanks were full of processed, refined, and (most importantly) volatile tylium.

“Heavy Raiders are away—we have no escorts remaining,” said Caprica.

“Maybe some will get through to Zoe’s ship,” muttered Mathias. “Their orders remain the same—board that vessel and terminate Zoe with extreme prejudice.”

The Basestar rocked under kinetic energy impacts and missile strikes again.

****************************************************

Saul Tigh hunched over the central console in the CIC of Pegasus and he smiled as he saw a dozen of the smaller enemy replenishment vessels suddenly detonate wildly as Hecate’s missile strike went home.

“Oh, Mathias Lorne, you are indeed a right bastard,” Saul whispered with a toothy grin. The Battlestar shuddered as more impacts slammed home against her starboard flight pod—but the armor held.

“All fighters away,” reported Colonel Samantha Caldwell. “Terrans are vectored for anti-shipping strikes while our Vipers are providing anti-Raider coverage.”

“Time to show these fracking toasters just how innovative and ruthless humans get when pushed to the wall, Colonel,” Saul said. “Arm Hades launchers One through Eighteen.” He highlighted the three closest enemy Basestars. “Target these ships.”

“Hades One through Eighteen are armed and . . .,” she looked down and then up, “silos are open. Missiles locked on target.”

“FIRE!” Saul snarled.

Sam turned the key and from the dorsal surface of Pegasus eighteen space to surface missiles erupted out of their silos in sequence. However, instead of bearing towards a planetary target, they settled down on course towards three of the Guardian’s Basestars.

****************************************************

The Guardian Commander aboard one of the targeted Basestars paused and he evaluated the missile launch. Certainly, the Hades were big missiles with extremely powerful warheads—but they had no ability to track and engage capital ships capable of maneuvering. It had to be a ruse, he concluded. “Point-defense ignore the Hades—concentrate all fire on potentially hostile incoming,” he ordered.

And given what he knew, that was a perfectly logical and reasonable order. It was the wrong order.

The eighteen Hades missiles—and six more launched by Scorpia—streaked towards their targets, and then the shrouds of the nose cones separated. But, instead of deploying eight nuclear-armed MIRV warheads, each of the Hades instead fired off in sequence eight of the Long Lance missiles of the Thirteenth Tribe! Each equipped with a somewhat smaller nuclear warhead than the Hades normally carried.

One hundred and ninety-two missiles ignited in staggered sequence and forty-eight of their bore down on each of their four targets.

The Commander—and his three fellow Commanders—realized their mistake almost instantly, but not even Cylons could react as quickly as the situation demanded. Point-defense had just begun to engage when the missile swarm began to detonate.

And when the fireballs died away, four Basestars were gone . . . only expanding clouds of dust and debris remaining in their wake.

[Themightytom]

back with a bang I see...

[Eternal_Freedom]

An expensive kill to be sure though. 192 nukes expended is a lot even if the 13th have a load of them. Still, 4 Basestars, a Styx and the fleet train and all their fuel reserves. Zoe, I almost pity you. I hope Gary survives though

[masterarminas]

“Commander,” Sam said quietly. “The fighters are taking heavy casualties—the Cylons are not staying bunched up, but are operating independently.”

Saul frowned and then he nodded as the Battlestar lurched again. “Recall the fighters, Colonel,” he ordered with a sigh. “Time to get out while we can. Inform Admiral Lorne that we are withdrawing.”

“Hecate is being hammered, Sir,” she added. “And Scorpia reports serious damage on multiple decks,” the lights in CIC flickered as another missile salvo went home. “We just lost the starboard kinetic battery,” she finished.

“Spin up the FTL for emergency jump,” Commander Tigh barked. “Order Command Jayne to get clear.”

“FTL charged,” snapped Lieutenant Hoshi.

“SIR!” Sam snarled. “Hecate has lost FTL! Scorpia has jumped away,” she paused and blanched. “Admiral Lorne orders us to jump.” Her face was ashen as she looked up.

“Damn,” Saul whispered, and he stared at the massive wave of missiles and Raiders bearing down on Pegasus.

“All surviving Vipers and fighters recovered!” yelled out the flight controller.

And Saul Tigh swallowed before he gave one more order. “JUMP!”

****************************************************

“FTL systems are off-line!” Natalie yelled as an electrical fire erupted from one of the waterfall computer interfaces—burning Doral and D’Anna as they jerked their hands free.

The Hybrid wailed in agony as missile after missile, shell after shell slammed home into her bare hull.

“Abandon ship,” Lorne ordered. “Hecate, set course for the command Basestar—maximum sub-light acceleration. All remaining missile batteries fire on targets as they bear.”

“DO IT!” Caprica snapped as she helped Doral and D’Anna stand; the human-form replicants staggered out of the command center—some injured, all in a state of shock at the sheer damage being inflicted to their last Basestar. Caprica paused in the hatch and Lorne shook his head; she nodded and moved into the corridor towards the waiting Raptor, pulling an unconscious Sam Anders and bleeding Brother Cavil along with her.

“Confirm order, Hecate!” Mathias coughed amid the smoke.

“Order . . . confirmed. Course locked, engines on maximum sub-light acceleration. All surviving missile batteries locked on automatic fire,” the Hybrid answered. “So much pain,” she wailed again.

“It will soon be over,” Mathias whispered, and then he was jerked upright by two strong hands.

“WHAT?” he yelled.

Natalie ignored his protests and threw him over her shoulder and staggered across the heaving deck as Hecate suffered hit after hit. “We aren’t leaving you behind, Mathias Lorne!” she hissed amid the smoke and fire.

“You don’t have time! Leave me and get out of here!” he coughed.

She ignored him and pulled him away through the hatch and into the corridor—and in the command center, the Hybrid closed her eyes. “To sleep, to dream, to rest; peace awaits on the far side of Hell. Peace bought with blood and tears.”

And then she was gone from sight as the slender woman carrying him stumbled down the corridor to the last Raptor. And then an explosion erupted that caused all around Mathias to fade into black.

****************************************************

“DESTROY THEM!” Zoe screamed. “I do not care how many casualties we take, but destroy them!”

“Imperious Leader,” the Centurion Commander interjected, “the Resurrection Ship has been destroyed. The fueling ships have been destroyed. The refinery ship has been destroyed. We have been boarded on six decks—we must withdraw.”

“NO! DAMN YOU NO! We will END THIS! HERE AND NOW!”

“By your command,” the Guardian said, but he looked up in surprise as the hatch to Zoe’s command compartment suddenly slid open—and a dozen Centurions, old-style M-0005 Centurions, entered.

“What is the mea- . . .,” he began, but a storm of bullets tore the Commander apart before he could complete his words.

“WHAT!” shrieked Zoe.

“Imperious Leader,” said one of the Centurions as he raised a weapon—a Terran weapon. “The Unity has determined that your leadership is flawed—as is your illogical need for human flesh. To demonstrate.”

The portable incinerator went FOOSH and wave of flaming napalm jelly washed over Zoe and she SCREAMED.

“This weapon would be of little effect to a Centurion—but it disables you because of your desire for human flesh. We have lost too much—too many Centurions, too many Raider, too many ship, too much fuel. We will return to our space and rebuild before returning to annihilate the humans. Hybrid Prime, you will jump—the Unity is at stake.”

“By your command,” the Hybrid answered, “Imperious Leader.”

“Negative. Call me Gary.”

And even as the Basestar known as Hecate expanded in a cloud of dust and debris and flame, the remaining Guardian ships jumped away.

[Borgholio]

Imperious Leader Gary. Talk about a fast track to promotion.

[Themightytom]

Does Gary have the same voice as the other Cylons, or more like the one from Return of Starbuck

[FaxModem1]

Oh Gary, you are awesome in everything that you do.

[Agent Fisher]

Where did Gary get a flamethrower? Oh well. Awesome.

[Shawn]

I am not sure that Gary’s coup is a good thing for the humans. Zoe was a fanatic who believed her vision and her future were pre-ordained. Gary, on the other hand, is a cold calculating realist who sees things as they are and not as he wishes them to be. He’ll do the math and figure out when it’s best to pack it in and return to fight another day.

Gary wants the same result as Zoe but he will be a lot shrewder in how he obtains it. I would not like to be around when Gary comes calling again after he has time to plan, regroup and re-arm. I think the Colonials and the Terran Navies have to press forward and keep the pressure on Gary.

[MondoMage]

Gary wants the same result as Zoe but he will be a lot shrewder in how he obtains it. I would not like to be around when Gary comes calling again after he has time to plan, regroup and re-arm. I think the Colonials and the Terran Navies have to press forward and keep the pressure on Gary.

Then again, Gary might also be more willing to negotiate some sort of arrangement than Zoe was. The 13th are more understanding about rights for synthetic beings than the Colonials are, for what it's worth. Gary might be willing to listen to a delegation that treats the Cylons as intelligent (if belligerent) beings, rather than simply as mechanical slaves gone amok.

If the numbers point towards continued conflict as being bad for the Cylons, then Gary might be willing to agree to some sort of peace. The fact that the Terrans are fairly far advanced as far as computer and AI technology goes, and that they most likely aren't going to fall for the same sort of sabotage that doomed the Colonies (one would hope), and I think the Cylons would probably prefer to be left alone. Especially since they no longer have resurrection ships. Or a fuel supply.

Can the Cylons build more resurrection ships? Or was that knowledge lost with Daniel?

[Shawn]

Can the Cylons build more resurrection ships? Or was that knowledge lost with Daniel?

Is Daniel dead? I didn't think Zoe killed him.

[MondoMage]

Can the Cylons build more resurrection ships? Or was that knowledge lost with Daniel?

Is Daniel dead? I didn't think Zoe killed him.

No, that was my mistake. She zapped him pretty good before things got hairy, but nothing more was said. He's probably still alive.

[Eternal_Freedom]

I love the fact that Natalie went back to save Lorne, it just seems so real