Part 5: Baltar's return

Rhea walked into the cafeteria the next morning and glanced around for Toni. The tall woman was usually already in the cafeteria waiting for her. Today was no different, but here was a difference in the tension in the room. It was a little bit tenser then it had been in other mornings. Rhea figured that it had to do with the fact of the failed revolt.

Toni glanced up and watched the small blonde make her way through the line and then on over to where she sat with a tray of food. Toni had made sure to save a seat for Rhea each morning. It was the reason she went to the cafeteria in the mornings.

"Good morning," Toni said as she gave Rhea a quick kiss.

"Morning," Rhea replied liking the kiss that she had received and hoped that it was a morning ritual that they would continue.

"It seems that things will be tense for a while," Toni said as she looked around. There were several who looked at her strangely. She made no apologies for her actions and they had demanded none from her. The lines had been set and everyone knew where they stood.

"Are you on patrol today," Rhea asked looking over to Toni.

"Yeah, I had a patrol of the rear positions today," Toni replied. They both knew that the rear was where they would expect to see the Cylons if they caught up to the fleet.

"Be careful," Rhea replied.

"I will, I have someone special to come back to," Toni said seeing a blush make its way up Rhea's face causing Toni to smile.

They finished up their breakfast with a little bit of time to talk outside the cafeteria before Toni had to report to the briefing room. After a few minutes Toni said her good bye and went to the briefing room.

Toni walked into the room to see Sheba standing there waiting for her. There were already several others already in the room and Toni walked over to where Sheba was standing.

"What's up," Toni asked as she approached the other woman.

"The commander told me what happened a couple of hours ago," Sheba said. "I know who was in it and who was not, but now I have to unite us again."

Toni nodded her head in understanding. There might be a time when the pilots would need to trust each other with their lives in combat. They would have to get over what had happened.

"All right everyone sit down," Sheba said as the last person come into the room. "We have something to discuss before the first patrol."

Toni stood next to Sheba showing the others that the command group was united in what was going to be said. Toni just wished she had some warning about this before hand.

"As many of you know Councilman Uviris was killed about ten hours ago. He was part of a group that planned to take over the Hyperion and then the fleet. They wanted to settle down and live on the next available planet," Sheba said telling them the truth.

"I know that many of you want to live where there is room and not on a ship, I do too," Toni said hearing the rumbling of people agreeing with what Sheba had said.

"As nice as that sounds the Cylons are still too close to us to allow that to happen," Sheba said. "For that reason we still have to be on our guard. If they do appear then we must be ready to defend ourselves."

"That means we must be able to trust each other to do their jobs," Toni said looking at Sheba. "We will be watching each of you to make sure that you are doing your jobs."

"Toni is right, you are all able pilots and your training is going along ahead of schedule. We must keep that up," Sheba said. "If we are divided and the Cylons catch us then we will not make it."

"Now on to business," Sheba said turning the attention to who would be in the simulators and who would be flying patrol.

Toni noticed her name and then looked at the name of her wing mate. It was one of the newer recruits. It would be his first flight which meant that Toni would be the veteran for the flight. She smiled a bit at how easily she filled the roll of a leader and how good it actually felt.

She listened as Sheba went over the rest of the schedule for the pilots and Toni then went in search of her wing mate. He was a smaller man standing only about five foot five, but he was still taller than Rhea. Toni smiled at that, most people were taller than Rhea.

"Feeling nervous," Toni said clapping the man on his back.

"Yeah," the man replied honestly.

"I don't think you have much to worry about, you posted good scores in the simulations. Just remember to take a deep breath and relax. If you freeze up is when accidents can happen," Toni told the man who took a deep breath.

"I try and remember that," the man said as he glanced up at Toni.

"Come on, let's go check out our vipers," Toni said



Rhea sat down grateful that the meeting was over. Commander Omega had called the meeting to discuss the events that had recently happened. He was making sure that everyone remember the real reason for their jobs, and that was to protect the fleet from any hostile invaders most notability, the Cylons.

Rhea took a glance at the patrol list and noticed that Toni's name was first. She was the flight leader of the patrol. Rhea briefly wondered if Toni had received the same speech that Commander Omega had given her and the rest of the bridge crew.

Rhea turned to her station and began her work. She had a feeling that Colonel Bobbie was watching her for some reason. The only thing that she could think of was she was part of the group that tried to overthrow the chain of command on the Hyperion. If she knew that Toni was involved then the woman might have a grudge against her as well. Rhea knew that it was no longer much of a secret that she and Toni were seeing each other.

Rhea was brought out of her musing by a familiar beep that indicated that the patrol vipers were ready for launch sequence.

"Core command to gold patrol," Rhea said hoping that Toni would be the one to answer.

"Gold patrol, ready to receive patrol coordinates core command," Rhea heard Toni say and she had to stop herself from saying anything too personal.

"Rodger gold patrol, transferring patrol coordinates," Rhea said.

"Transfer acknowledged and complete core command," Toni replied.

"Core command transferring launch sequence to gold patrol, launch when ready," Rhea said turning her head to watch the launch of the vipers.

"Acknowledge core command, launching when ready," Toni said and Rhea saw the two vipers fly out of the launch tubes. She silently wished Toni good luck.



Toni calmly piloted her viper through the fleet as they approached their first patrol point. The two of them passed the current on duty combat patrol in case of a sudden attack. Toni had learned that since the destruction of the fleet there were usually at least two vipers on patrol at all times within the fleet.

Toni knew that her day would come when she would have to fly that patrol as well. Sheba had told her that it was boring and exciting at the same time. It was boring in that you did not go anywhere but you saw every ship in the fleet and any of the patrol ships coming and going from the battlestar, or in the case now battlestars.

Toni made her flight out to the sector that she was to patrol. The flight for the most part was quite boring. They had gone through most of the patrol sector and were about to head back when her wing mate broke the silence.

"Gold two, this is gold five. Something just appeared and disappeared on my scanner," the man reported.

"What coordinates," Toni asked and the pilot relayed them.

"I'm going to check it out, stay here and keep track of me. If I disappear or tell you to get out of here you head back to the fleet at full throttle and warn the fleet," Toni said feeling a bit of excitement as she turned her viper towards the area.

Gold five kept an eye on his leader and waited for anything. He had almost not said anything but he had happened to catch a glimpse of a quick blimp on his scanner.

Toni kept her eye on her scanners for any possible alerts. Not finding anything she turned around and headed back towards Gold five.

"I didn't see anything, but I'll let other patrols know to keep their guard up," Toni replied. "It might not be anything, or it could be something from another space faring race to a group like the Alliance."

"Right," her wing mate said knowing that the unsaid part was it could also be Cylons.



A single patrol craft veered away from an asteroid that it had been hiding behind. It had watched as the fighter had flown around its area then went away. It had gotten a positive identification of the fighter.

"Report to base, Vipers spotted," the leader of the patrol said.

A single signal was sent back.



Rhea was about at the end of her shift. Toni would be headed back soon from her long patrol. Then the tall pilot had the night off after her debriefing. She had hoped that they could spend a bit more time together.

Rhea rubbed her eyes and then focused on her screen again. As she looked a momentary blip appeared. 'What was that,' she thought to herself. It was on a communications channel that she was not familiar with

"Battlestar Hyperion to the Battlestar Agamemnon," Rhea said hoping that Rigel was on duty today.

"This is the Agamemnon, go ahead Hyperion," came Rigel's voice.

"Rigel, did you just see something come over the communications on your scanner," Rhea asked.

"Hmm, just a moment," Rigel said as there was some silence for a few minutes before she came back. "No one here saw or heard anything, why?"

"I had a communication blip just a few minutes ago," Rhea replied.

"Any idea as to its origin," Rigel asked.

"It seemed to come from somewhere behind us," Rhea said. "But I'm not even sure about that."

"It could have been an echo or something," Rigel said. "I'll talk to Athena and we'll all keep and eye out behind us for anything else."

"Thanks Rigel," Rhea said as they closed the channel.

"This is gold patrol requesting landing instructions," came a familiar voice over the intercom.

Rhea had to contain the smile that threatened to come out before she replied. She gave a quick check of the activity before giving the landing bay. "Gold patrol proceed to landing bay alpha one."

"Acknowledged core command, landing bay alpha one," Rhea heard Toni reply as she spared a few moments to watch Toni land her viper.

Rhea's shift replacement arrived and she reported to Omega that she was going off duty. Omega watched her go and noticed that she did not seem to be headed back to her quarters. Rhea headed towards the pilots room. She had a feeling that she would be able to catch Toni there.

Rhea walked into the room just as Toni was giving her report about the strange blip on the scanners that her wing mate had seen. Sheba listened to the report and was glad that nothing was found in the closer inspection.

"Hey," Toni said as she saw Rhea standing there. Walking over she gave the smaller woman a hug which was returned gladly.

"How was your day," Rhea asked.

"Not bad yours," Toni replied.

"Normal except for one strange incident," Rhea replied. "There was a glitch in the scanner or something. I thought I heard a communications but none of the other ships heard it."

"Sounds like the equipment is working out the bugs in it," Sheba said having heard what had happened.

"That's a good idea, but I want to keep my eyes on it anyways," Rhea replied.

"Good idea," Sheba said

"Is there anything else that I'm needed for," Toni asked watching as Sheba replied no.

"Let's go, I'm hungry," Rhea said.

"By all means, lead on," Toni replied.

Rhea and Toni's off shift went by much like many others had. They just spent in each other company.



The IL Series Cylon walked into the room and noticed that his commander was sitting on his chair. Lucifer wondered how Baltar would react to the latest news.

"Report Lucifer, have we found the Galactica," Baltar said as his chair swung around to face the Cylon.

"Our scout reports two Colonial Vipers have been encountered," Lucifer replied.

"Vipers, excellent," Baltar said as he leaned back and thought about what this meant. "Were our scouts noticed?"

"There was no indication that they were," Lucifer said.

"Very good, we have them just where we want them," Baltar said.

"One basestar against the Galactica has not proven to be enough in the past," Lucifer said. "And we lost a basestar to the Galactica in the last known contact."

"Quite right Lucifer, but as you know I already have a plan," Baltar said.

If Lucifer could have sighed he would have, but he could not. "I await your plan Baltar."

"Tell me Lucifer, are there any Tartarus class basestars left in the Cylon fleet," Baltar asked.

"Tartarus class, oh you mean the battle basestars. Hmm, I know we have one, but I do now know the exact position of it right now," Lucifer replied.

"We need it along with four other basestars," Baltar replied. "When my trap is sprung the Galactica will not survive," he said with a grin on his face. Revenge was within his sight.

"By your command Baltar," Lucifer said heading out to carry out Baltar's orders.



Toni made her way back to her barracks after dropping Rhea off at her room. It was the one part of her day that she did not like. She wanted to be closer to Rhea more. An idea swirled around in her mind of what she wanted to do.

"Get a grip of yourself, it's too early for that," Toni mumbled to herself as she walked into the barracks.

"What's too early," Sheba asked.

Toni glanced up to look at Sheba. She had just gotten out of the shower and looked to be in a good mood.

"Nothing important, you're in a good mood, talked with Apollo lately," Toni asked.

"We talked earlier in the day," Sheba said.

"This is going to be rough on a relationship on different battlestars," Toni asked wondering if they would be able to keep it going.

"We needed our space, and I think it's bringing us closer than we were now," Sheba said.

"Make then see what their missing right," Toni said sharing a grin with Sheba.

"Something like that," Sheba replied.

"Well I've got training tomorrow, see you in the morning," Toni said headed to her bunk.



"Report Lucifer," Baltar said hoping that his orders had been carried out already.

"By your command Baltar," Lucifer said with a bit of a bow. "You were correct, there is one battle basestar. It is currently only a few galaxies away. It can be here in two days and four other basestar can be here even before than."

"Excellent, have them report here," Baltar said. With the overwhelming support of three additional basestars he would overwhelm the Galactica's warriors. The Tartarus class basestar would make quick work of the Galactica. It was build for combat against ships not against fighters.

"By your command," Lucifer said and walked out of the room.



Rhea had been keeping a close eye on her scanners and other sensors to make sure that she did not miss anything. Everything had been quite. The crews were beginning to settle into their roles aboard the battlestars.

Rhea still did not want command duties but Omega wanted her to learn some more. He had been impressed with her abilities that she had demonstrated. She led by both her heart and her mind. A great combination as she would be able to make the command choices that she needed if a time ever came for it.

"Core command, orange patrol group ready for transfer of coordinates," came the voice of the orange leader, Bojay.

"Core command transferring patrol coordinates to orange patrol, acknowledged," Rhea said.

"Transfer complete," Bojay replied.

"Core command transferring launch controls to orange patrol, launch when ready," Rhea said and watched as the two vipers launched out of the bay and headed off towards their patrol zone.

"So where's Toni today," Janiel asked.

"Working with the training simulators, how are you and Bojay doing," Rhea asked.

"Well, you see, I uh," Janiel stumbled uncharacteristically.

"You like him don't you," Rhea said with a smile.

"Is it that obvious," Janiel whispered.

"No, I just know you better that's all," Rhea replied to her roommate.

"Great," Janiel shot back.

"Just ask him out," Rhea said. "The worst thing he can say is no, but he'll never say yes if you don't ask."

"Why doesn't he ask me," Janiel said.

"Maybe he feels like you do," Rhea said.

"All right, I'll try," Janiel said.

"Good, now you've got a shuttle coming in," Rhea said as they went back to work.



"Report Lucifer," Baltar said watching as the IL Series Cylon came walking into the room.

"By your command Baltar," Lucifer replied. "All of our units are in place as per your orders."

"Excellent," Baltar said with a smile. "Now Adama you and the Galactica will be destroyed. Is there anything else Lucifer."

"Just that the Galactica is sending out a large number of patrols," Lucifer replied. "It's almost as if."

"As if what," Baltar said interrupting Lucifer.

"Oh, nothing Baltar," Lucifer said.

"Don't give me that Lucifer, what," Baltar said pushing Lucifer on the thought.

"It reminds me of the ways a Colonial war fleet would patrol," Lucifer said.

"They must have found a new area for fuel so they can patrol a larger area now," Baltar said reasonably.

"Of course Baltar," Lucifer replied.

"Tell all ships to attack," Baltar replied.

"By your command," Lucifer said then turned to carry out Baltar's orders.



Rhea watched her screen for anything unusually. So far the day had been very normal. There had been no repeat of the glitch that she had seen several days earlier. None of the other controls had come across anything either so she had reluctantly put it off as a glitch in the system.

Rhea paused during a break to think about Toni. Recently she had been acting a bit different around her. It was not anything to do with how they felt for each other, but something was going on in Toni's head and Rhea was determined to find out what it was.

"Hyperion, this is the Agamemnon," Rhea heard Rigel's voice say. Rhea thought that Rigel's voice sounded a bit strained but did not think anything more about it.

"Hyperion here, what can I do for you Rigel," Rhea asked.

"I've lost contact with one of our patrols, I was wondering if you could have better luck," Rigel said.

"No problem," Rhea replied as she was given the patrol group that was missing.

Rhea tried a few times to contact the patrol without any luck. Glancing at the scanner she made a decision.

"Battlestar Hyperion to orange patrol group," Rhea said and waited for Bojay to reply.

"Orange patrol here," Rhea heard Bojay reply.

"There is a change in flight path. We've lost contact with a patrol in quadrant six," Rhea said.

"On it," Bojay replied.

"What's up," Rhea heard a voice behind her say.

Rhea turned to see Colonel Bobbie standing behind her.

"We lost contact with a patrol and are investigating it right now," Rhea replied.

"It's probably nothing, order the patrol back to their normal course," she told Rhea then walked back to the center of the bridge.

Rhea hesitated for a second feeling that it was not the right thing to do. Bobbie repeated her order when she noticed that Rhea had not carried it out.

"Hyperion to Orange patrol come in," Rhea said.

When she did not hear anything she decided to repeat herself. Just before she did a reply came from Bojay.

"Orange patrol to fleet, we're in trouble," Bojay said over the intercom. Rhea could hear a bit of static in the line and wondered what was going on. "It's a Cylon trap."

The words chilled Rhea as she realized what they meant. The Cylons had finally caught up with them.

"Sound the red alert," Rhea said over her shoulder at Bobbie.

"Why, there is nothing around here," the woman replied as she walked over to where Rhea was standing.

"Orange patrol has run into a Cylon ambush," Rhea replied back watching as Bobbie's went pale at the news.

"They must be mistaken," she said in a rush.

Rhea ignored her and got Rigel on the line. "Rigel, Orange patrol says they have run into a Cylon ambush," Rhea said.

"What's going on," a male voice said behind them and Rhea was relieved when she heard Omega's voice.

"Orange patrol has run into a Cylon ambush," Rhea said.

"Get me Commander Adama, now," Omega said.

"Commander Omega," Adama said as the screen came to life.

"Adama, our patrol has run into Cylons," Omega said.

"Cylons here," Adama said not liking what he had just heard.

"It looks like it," Omega replied.

"Sound red alert and have all vipers ready to launch," Adama said signing off to talk with Tigh.

"All right everyone, this is it, red alert," Omega said.



Toni was taking it a bit easy for a few seconds as she waited for her review of her simulation. She had run a simulation on one of the hardest levels there was. She had thought she had done a good job.

Sheba came walking into the room and walked over to where Toni was. Sheba thought about the tall woman and how much of a warrior she was. There was some inner fire that burned in her that reminded her of her father.

"You take your work seriously don't you," Sheba said as she walked over to Toni.

"Yeah, I guess I do," Toni replied. "It's something that I've always done."

"It reminds me of my father. The fire to succeed at any cost," Sheba said knowing that cost was in the end. She had thought about it for a while and had come to the realization that it was for the best. Her father and Adama would have clashed.

The legendary Commander Cain was an attacker, and they needed a defender now. Commander Adama was the best fit for this job. It had taken the survivors of the Pegasus a while to wrap their minds around that.

Toni was a bit taken back by that. She had never been compared with such a legendary figure like Commander Cain. What made an even bigger impression was the fact it was his daughter who said it.

"I don't know what to say," Toni replied.

"It's a compliment and a curse," Sheba said with a grin. "He was brilliant in warfare, but too stubborn for his own good most other times."

Sheba was about to say more when something she dreaded happened. The red alert lights came on as the battlestar went to red alert.

"There's no drill scheduled," Sheba stated to Toni as they looked at each other. "Everyone to their vipers this is the real thing."

Toni and Sheba were the first ones out of the room followed by the rest of gold squadron.

End Part 5

Continued in Part 6