Stars of Battle, Masters of War

[Talon Spiritcat]

Originally Posted by TheWatchDog

this was a truly fantastic story i hope you keep posting this

So how far back did the Dilgar go? whats their current population how many worlds do they control?

also AWESOME kronus is in this story...is he going to be as legendary as he was in TOS?

so many questions!

keep it up and happy belated thanksgiving

Thanks for the kind words.


As for the size of the Dilgar Imperium and other mysteries I merely reply RAFO (read and find out).


Was Kronus legendary? I know that Commander Cain was the legend but I didn't think Kronus was...seems I need to do more research.


Our thanksgiving was back in Oct.

[TheWatchDog]

Originally Posted by Talon Spiritcat

Thanks for the kind words.


As for the size of the Dilgar Imperium and other mysteries I merely reply RAFO (read and find out).


Was Kronus legendary? I know that Commander Cain was the legend but I didn't think Kronus was...seems I need to do more research.


Our thanksgiving was back in Oct.

according the wiki he had served threw most of the war and was their most senior officer (in terms of experience not rank) or something..like that

and was a real hard ass...

[Talon Spiritcat]

Chapter Nine

The exhaust trails of two Vipers could plainly be seen.
"This is Patrol Flight Gamma-One to Patrol Flight Beta-Two, we have visual contact. Acknowledge."
"Patrol Flight Gamma-One, we confirm visual."
William Adama checked his displays with a quick glance. "We're ready to assume CAP," he announced. "Return to base."
"Copy that, Gamma-Lead. Safe flying."
The two Vipers flipped and accelerated back towards Tholan, where the Rycon and its escorting ships were holding orbit.
"Another boring patrol."
Adama's mouth twitched into a smile at the sound of his wingman's voice. He keyed for the private channel. "Patrols aren't always boring, Flasher." He was still waiting to find out why his wing-man had that particular nickname.
"Yeah, Husker, we've heard all about your skirmish at Cimtar."
"You'll get your chance at the frakking toasters too. Or these maybe new Bandits we've been hearing about."
"And in the meantime, we just fly around uninhabited systems and hope we stumble across something interesting?"
"We're flying with Commander Kronus…when did he ever back down from a fight?" Kronus already had a strong reputation as an active fleet commander. "If anything, our chances of getting some action are pretty high."
"Even without the war games?"
"I think we're going to seeing a war without the games."
A loud buzz interrupted their conversation.
"Rycon to Patrol Gamma-One. We have a massive energy flare. Vector five seven carom twelve. Alter course and investigate.."
"Gamma-One acknowledges." Adama frowned as he checked his displays again and then altered his Viper's course. "We're moving to investigate," he radioed.
"I guess we're gonna have some excitement then," Flasher said.





"Gamma Flight is moving to investigate."
"Thank you, Thorson." Arpad Kronus nodded his head towards his executive officer. "Paula, I want to know what made that energy spike," he said, pacing across the bridge towards his sensor chief. "We don't have anything like that in our records."
"I know, Commander." Mark Doral nodded his head. "It might have just been a solar flare."
"Maybe, but I don't take anything for granted."
Paula Brown nodded her head in silent agreement.
Kronus saw her and he quickly suppressed a smile. The crew know me too well, he thought in amusement. "Ready the Vipers for launch," he ordered. "Bring the battle group to alert, but don't sound action stations just yet." A higher state of readiness would be wise though, just in case that energy spike wasn't merely a solar flare.






"See anything yet?" Flasher asked.
"Just a whole lot of nothing." Adama grimaced. "I think we're on a wild sovax hunt."
"There's worse things to be hunting, Husker."
"Or have hunting you."
"Once past the observatory?"
"Just one." Husker adjusted the Viper's course slightly. The Science Bureau had placed a small automated satellite to study Tholan's sun. Apparently the chrome-domes got all excited by the numerous solar flares. "Seems that the satellite should have spotted any enemy ships before we do."
"Only if they came out of the sun, Husker, only if they came--what's that?"
Something glinted in the starlight.
"Ships!" Flasher gasped. "Lots of them."
"It's a fraking battle fleet." The DRADIS was showing twenty plus contacts now. Adama changed frequencies. "Rycon, this is Gamma-One. We have contact with unidentified vessels." The green-hulled ships were moving towards the Vipers in a tight arrowhead formation. "They're not Cylons, repeat they are not Cylons." The insect-like ships were completely alien to him. "I don't know who they are."





"The ongoing skirmishing at Zorpia is providing us with excellent data on the combat capabilities for the Colonials."
"Add a note of commendation for BattleMaster Tas'Chen."
"Yes, Jah'Dur." Shi'Tan made a notation on her datapad. "Do you think we are ready to engage them?"
"Of course. They cannot hope to stand up to the One Race." Jha'Dur was sitting behind her desk and smiling. Even as her aide continued to report, the WarMaster was typing data into the computer for yet another experiment.
A harsh buzzer sounded.
Jah'Dur hit the intercom. "What?" she demanded.
"WarMaster, we have a confirmed sensor contact with Colonial fighters."
Jha'Dur turned her head towards her aide. "How many?" she asked aloud. San'Jash knows better than to interrupt me for trivialities.
The captain did not disappoint her. "Two Vipers, at extreme sensor range. They're almost certain to have spotted our jump-point."
"Vipers are not capable of inter-system travel without a carrier." Jha'Dur saved the simulation she was programming and undid her seat restraints. "Alter course towards them and launch our ready fighters. Bring the fleet to battle stations."






William Adama watched the green-hulled alien ships as they began moving towards the Battlestar Rycon. "Frak me!" he swore.
"I see fighter launches."
"Go evasive. Head back to the Rycon, full burn!" Two Vipers stood no chance against a full fleet. Adama keyed the radio, grunting as his Viper accelerated to seven Gs. "Husker to Rycon, the Unknowns are closing on your position."
"Rycon Actual here. We're broadcasting a standard greeting package now. Hold your Vipers out of range. Do not engage them."
"Copy that."






The thick hatch doors opened and Jha'Dur entered her bridge. "Status?" she snapped without preamble.
San'Jash nodded towards her. "They are continuing to broadcast a greeting protocol on multiple frequencies, WarMaster. Should we reply?"
"In due time." Jha'Dur watched the distance on the numerous displays slowly tick down. Such a large battleship, she thought in amusement. They must be planning to reinforce the Pegasus and secure Zorpia for themselves. "Prepare a missile volley," she ordered. "Standard anti-ship warheads."
"Target?"
"The capital ship of course."
"All commands are assuming penatcon formation."
"Good." That was the standard Dilgar battle formation--an inverted wedge with the command ship at the apex, flanked by its escorts. "Order both of our Ochlavita-Tae to open fire." She had two of the missile destroyers in her command pentacon, and others among the rest of her fleet.






"Confirming twenty-five contacts," Mark Doral reported. "Two heavies, eight frigates, fifteen destroyers. Looks like twenty-four fighters flying CAP."
Kronus nodded his head. "What's their formation look like?"
"It looks like five distinct squadrons." Jan Thorson pointed to the display. "Those ships are definitely grouped together."
"In an offensive or defensive posture?"
"No way to tell."
Kronus eyed the ships again. "We're outnumbered." He only had two Artemis cruisers, five Apollos, and six Athenas to support his Battlestar.
"They match the silhouettes of the Bandits Cain's been fighting at Tartarus."
"That they do, Colonel." Kronus nodded. "Reinforcements or are these bandits looking to expand their raiding grounds?"
"The Pegasus is still holding Tartarus."
"From the last reports we've received." Kronus frowned. "But for how long if these Bandits are amassing ships. Could they be eying the Colonies?"
"I hope not, Commander."
"Incoming missiles!" Mark Doral's shout echoed across the bridge. "Radiological alert!"
Nukes! Commander Kronus turned to look at the Rycon's main display. Missile icons were creeping across it at a fast clip. "Point defences online!" The scar on the left side of his face tugged at his mouth. "Launch all fighters."
"Point defence, you are cleared to engage." Paula Brown made the announcement in a calm tone. She knew the crew referred to her as the Ice Queen, but they all felt relief that she remained calm no matter how serious the battle raged.
The flak cannons began firing, hurling shells into the path of the approaching missiles. The flak shells burst, deploying clouds of shrapnel.
"All missiles intercepted," Paula announced. The wall of flak was about six kilometres from the Rycon.
"Ready Vipers launching now," Colonel Thorsan announced. "Escorts are moving up."
Kronus picked up the radio. "This is Rycon Actual to Viper group, attack! Target their weapons only."
"Copy that, Actual."
"Commander, our own gunners are standing by."
"We're out of range for our weaponry, Paula. Helm, angle us in on an intercept course."
"Powering up engines now." Mel Blanc watched the monitors carefully. "Should I spin up our FTL?"
"Yes, but don't jump unless I give the order." Kronus was frowning at the displays. "Let's see what these Bandits can do."






"Our missiles are being intercepted short of their targets. Their point defence firepower is considerable."
Jha'Dur's yellow eyes narrowed. "Interesting design." The Dilgar used their own point defence turrets to fire on incoming fighters, not shoot down missiles. "We may have to adapt our light pulsars to a more robust interceptor-style."
"The other Earthers relied heavily on their interceptor technology to defend their ships."
"Their warships could barely manoeuvre," one of the other Dilgar sneered. "They were like bricks."
"Heavily armoured bricks," Jha'Dur reminded her bridge crew. "Those Earther dreadnoughts could fly into a barrage, weather the best an entire pentacon could throw at them, and still fire back and kill several of our warships."
"It would be well to not forget the past," San'Jash said.
"The Battlestar is now on an intercept vector. They have multiple escorts around them. Fourteen ships total."
"Good…they want to fight."
"They are still broadcasting their greeting."
"Ignore them." Jha'Dur listened to the quiet sounds of the bridge computers and equipment. A pleased smile was twisting her mouth.
San'Jash watched her for a moment, then he turned his attention to the battle. "Continue missile barrage," he ordered. "We want to wear them down."
"All ships confirm orders."
"Reserve Thoruns are ready to launch."
"Launch them! Order all pentacons to engage!"






Ahrish'Tal checked his engine monitor, but the compact fusion engine was operating at peak efficiency. "Maintain formation," he ordered his fighter group. The other Thoruns were holding a loose wedge-shaped formation.
"Enemy fighters closing."
"We have them out-numbered." Ahrish'Tal chuckled, and then hit the microphone to allow his laughter to echo over the squadron's radio frequency. "Out-piloted and out-gunned. They'll be easy meat for us." His gloved thumbs caressed the firing controls. "Wait for it."






"Form up on me!" William Adama ordered the arriving Vipers. He flipped his own fighter end-over-end and accelerated back towards the Bandits. "We can take them." They were still firing missiles towards the Rycon.
"Another Cimtar run, Husker?" Flasher asked.
"You wanted excitement."
"I take it back."
"Enemy fighters are closing."
"This is Rycon Actual to all Vipers. Weapons free. Repeat weapons free. You are cleared to engage."
"Copy that, Rycon Actual." Adama watched the fighters closing. "This is it. Open fire!" His triggered his autocannons.






Ahrish'Tal bit back a curse as enemy weapon's fire tore into his flight. "Return fire!" he snapped. The Colonials have better range than we do, he thought. This wasn't in our briefing. His thumbs tightened on the firing studs and the wing-mounted twin bolt cannon blazed to life.






Commander Kronus cursed softly as startled outbursts crackled over the speakers and his Viper pilots were caught off-guard. The enemy fighters were sleek and fast and armed with some type of energy-based weapon. "Order the Scorpia Warden to give them cover fire." The Athena-class escort would be more useful doing that.
"Commander, we have range for our forward heavy guns."
"Then open fire, Lieutenant Brown."





Heavy shells slammed into one of the Ochlavita destroyers. Like the rest of the fleet, it had a heavy and angular thorax which led into a long slender abdomen and terminated in a bulky collection of blocks and cylinders.
"Maelstrom is reporting heavy damage."
Jha'Dur waved her hand. "Order it to withdraw from the pentacon." She saw no need to risk losing the ship to further damage. "Order Tempest to continue firing."
"The Athenas are intercepting most of our weaponry short of target."
"Continue firing."
"Dire Omen is attempting to jam their DRADIS."
Jha'Dur wondered if the scout frigate would be able to do so. "Order the other Jashakar Vi to do the same."
"What about protective ECM?"
"Their fire control isn't as efficient as ours." A lot of the long-range from the Colonial battle group was going astray. "Order the Second Reaper Lancers to the port flank."
"Gallow's Jig is leading its own Cataphract."
"Order them to attempt a rear flank." Jha'Dur wasn't sure how effective the Garasoch Da'sa-led pentacon would be, but she was more interested in testing her enemies than destroying them outright. This time at least, she thought. At least they have plenty of fighter support.






"Commander, we have an enemy squadron vectoring to port."
"How big, Doral?"
"Five ships. Mostly destroyer-class."
Arpad Kronus gnawed at his lower lip. "Order the Scorpia Warden to intercept. Have the Quiver Two and Three open fire." The two Apollo-class destroyers would make short work of the Bandits.
Paula snapped out an order to the gunner teams and the Rycon lurched slightly as the main guns shifted their own targeting.
Doral lifted his hand to his headset. "Celestra is reporting heavy damage. Fires on all decks."
"Order it to withdraw." Kronus hated to lose one of his limited number of scout ships, but the Hera-class vessel was now a liability. "Bring main guns to bear on that dreadnought." The largest ship in the enemy fleet was getting closer. "All batteries, engage at will."
"Quiver Two reports no lifepods recovered from Quiver One."
Jan Thorson braced herself on the plotting table as the Battlestar shuddered. "Alpha Squadron is gone," she announced. "The others are scattered across half the system by now."
"And the enemy?"
"Heavy losses, we think. DRADIS is being jammed."
"They're trying to blind us." Kronus hurried to the plotting table. "Can you identify their scouts?"
"I think so," Doral said, "but I'm not sure. The designs are still unknown to us."
"We need to take some prisoners."
The bridge crew shot looks towards him.
"We need information on these Bandits," Kronus announced. "Those are the same ships that attacked Commander Cain and the Pegasus."






Adama grunted as part of his fuselage erupted into flames. He triggered his autocannon even though he could no longer see the target he was chasing.
"Splash one, Husker. Good shooting."
"Thanks, Flasher." The smoke was gone and Adama winced at the sight of the gaping hole in his fighter. At least it missed anything vital. He checked his scopes.
"The big boys are engaged now." Flasher sounded tired.
Adama spared a moment to look. The Rycon was trading fire with two of the Bandits, one was the enemy flagship. The Bandit flagship was a hulking vessel, with black and red styling instead of the usual green and red favoured by the rest of its fleet. "They could use some help," he said.
"We'd be splashed before they even see us!"
"You want to live forever?" Adama accelerated. "I thought you were fast."






Jha'Dur watched the displays. The Reapers were a fast attack pentacon, composed of Ochlavita destroyers and one Jashakar Vi scout for electronic warfare support.
Anti-ship missiles from the Ochlavitas pounded one of the Athenas.
And a volley of missiles from the Apollos hammered back.
"San'Jash?"
"Yes, WarMaster?"
"Close the range. We lack the missiles to breach their flak." Against the level of firepower, the Dilgar would need to launch much heavier salvoes. "Take us into bolter and pulsar range."
"As you command." San'Jash reached tilted his head towards a microphone. "Deathwalker Cataphract, close range on enemy targets."
"We have bolter range."
"Fire!"






Adama triggered his autocannon and one of the enemy fighters shattered under the barrage. "It takes a while," he muttered, "but they go down just like a frakking toaster."
A brilliant bolt of light blazed past his cockpit.
"Frak me!" one of the Viper pilots cursed.
"What in Hades was that?" Adama snarled.
A second bolt blazed past.
"Enemy heavy weapons!"
"The Rycon is hit!"
Adama stared. Parts of the Battlestar's port flightpod was glowing with the aftereffects of the explosions. I thought lasers and death rays were science fiction, Adama thought.






The Deathwalker shuddered with hits.
Jha'Dur calmly listened to the damage reports echoing over the speakers. One display was showing the growing damage to her flagship.
"Multiple hull breaches to the forward hull. We've lost both of the mass drivers."
"They are of no use in ship-to-ship combat." Jha'Dur spoke the obvious. Warships were too small and far to mobile to be targeted by such ponderous weapons.
"Blackmoon is heavily damaged. Its bolters have been destroyed."
"Order it to withdraw." The WarMaster dismissed the Jashakar from her thoughts. "How fares the fighter battle?"
"Heavy losses on both sides. These Colonials are putting up a fierce fight."
"A much more satisfying encounter than the first Battle of Zorpia."
"Yes, WarMaster." The bulkheads groaned as another heavy round struck home. "As we close the range, their accuracy is improving."
"We've killed three of their escorts."
"And lost seven Ochlavitas."
"Acceptable losses."
"We're weathering heavy weapons fire."
Jha'Dur nodded. "And the Gallow's Cataphract?" she asked over the sound of distant explosions.
"Came under missile fire. The Gallow's Jig is intact, but its pentacon has taken heavy damage."
"Shi'Tan, make a note that Colonial missiles require further study."
"The solenite warheads are quite powerful."
"What is about Earthers and nukes?" Jha'Dur asked aloud.
"Pulsars coming into range."
"Continue firing."






"Multiple hull breaches."
"Recall the surviving Vipers." Kronus kept his voice tight, masking his emotions. "Route them to the starboard flightpod." The port pod would need some drydock time before fighters could stage from it again. "Signal to all ships: prepare to jump."
"We're retreating?" Thorson asked.
"Those Bandits are cutting us to pieces." The enemy squadrons had taken damage and lost ships, but they were still fighting.
"FTL is spun up. What destination?" Mel Blanc asked.
"Borallus for a start. We can resupply there and notify the admiralty of the battle." Kronus didn't keep the bitterness from his voice. "The battle we lost."

Chapter Ten

A constant stream of shuttles and freighters were launching towards orbit. The skies over the spaceport were always busy.
"This is what makes the Colonies strong," Nathaniel Zarak commented in a sour voice. He was wearing a tan-coloured suit, and already sweating in the morning sun. "Our trade ties. Our economies are being linked ever more tightly by the Quorum's dictates. You should know that better than anyone, Sire Calibos."
Nassir Calibos was wearing the loose tunic and pants favoured by most of the natives of the planet Aerilon. "We've been trading with the other Colonies for years. Even before the Unification Wars."
"This is why Aerilon needs to stand up for itself."
"And ally itself more firmly with Sagittaron?"
"Yes. We're both being taken advantage of by the others. Especially by Caprica."
"Sometimes, Nathaniel, I think that you take this vendetta against Caprica too seriously."
"It was Caprican scientists who designed the damned Cylons as their perfect soldiers. It was Caprican generals who ordered those Cylons to subjugate the rest of us."
"I believe that I have heard some quiet rumours that the first generation Cylons were actually invented by Taurons--"
"Working for the Capricans!" Nathaniel forced himself to take a deep breath. "All twelve Colonies are in danger from domination by the Capricans."
"My dear boy, you need to take a breath. You will do yourself an injury with all these melodramatics." Nassir reached for the pitcher resting in a bowl of half-melted ice. "Take a drink, savour the morning sun. Look anywhere but the north and you will not see the spaceport or traffic." The roof-top patio did provide a stunning view of the city and the fields which surrounded it.
Nathaniel gripped the stone coping in his hands and bit back a curse. He could see the street from here.
Three reptilian Hasaris were buying fruit from a small awning-covered kiosk.
"All I am saying, Sire Calibos, is that the Capricans have dominated the Colonies and brought all of us under their thumb. They did create the Quorum so that every Colony has a voice in the government." He knew the Quorum of Twelve was really just a bone thrown to distract anti-unification groups. They want us to think we're all equal now, but we're not. We're just slaves for Caprican masters.
"Would you suggest that we should declare independence?"
"The Capricans don't have the military resources to reconquer you," Nathaniel argued. "They need every Battlestar they can muster to fight the Cylons."
"And would we have our own Battlestars to guard us from the Cylons?" Nassir sipped at his mead. "Or military support from Sagittaron?"
"I have contacts among the Fleet…some ships would return to safeguard their homeworld."
"So you would plunge the Colonies into a civil war?" Nassir's voice was heavy with disgust. "A civil war while we still fight the Cylon menace?"
"Aerilon has more clout than my homeworld," Nathaniel pointed out. "You have become the breadbasket for the Colonies. If you stopped shipping food off-world, you could bring considerable pressure against the Capricans."
"Or provoke an invasion by the other Colonies." Nassir shook his head. "How long would the Quorum maintain control if people are starving? How long before rogue elements attacked us?"
"No one would not risk a significant military response. No one would want to risk destroying the farmland."
"So you claim." Nassir refilled his wine glass from the pitcher. And noted, with cold eyes, that Zarak had not yet even tasted his first glass. "Words are little more than noises on the wind. Aerilon would need tangible proof that your proposal is going to improve matters before we would commit ourselves to them."

* * *

"And what is your analysis of the situation?"
Jha'Dur looked up from the white bloodwood table top with a smile on her face. "My analysis, WarMaster?" The other members of the WarMaster Council were watching in silence.
"Don't play coy with me, Jha'Dur."
"Of course not, Lo'Phran." Jha'Dur reached for the inbuilt computer terminal and called up a holographic replay of Lo'Phran's recent battle. The icons of ships moved and fought above the table. "You engaged a Cylon task force in battle and I've engaged a Colonial task force."
"I know that. I am asking for your analysis of those battles."
"They were well-fought. These opponents are used to space combat and both know how to make the best use of their respective warships."
"They are used to fighting each other," Be'Lal argued. "They will have weaknesses they do not know they have."
"Which we will learn and exploit." Lo'Phran turned his head to look further down the table. "WarMaster Sec'Ton?"
The head of the Scientific Bureau nodded his head slowly. "Both combatants share a technology base. The sensor readings of their propulsion systems and weaponry are very close in parameters."
"Concurrent development or stolen technology?"
"Concurrent development to a recent point and then separate advances."
Jha'Dur was smiling as she leaned back in her chair. "From my conversations with Cain, the Cylons are actually the creations of the Colonials. The Cylons were built as slaves and later rebelled. The Colonials have been fighting them, off and on, for several years now."
"The Cylons are machines…the Colonials will be the greater threat."
"Do not be so certain of that," Dak'Ran argued. "If they are machines, they can likely build replacement warriors and ships more quickly than we."
"They'll only be as good as their programming."
"Programming can be exceeded." Jha'Dur tapped her fingers on the cold tabletop. "Stupid computers would never have been able to rebel successfully. Or drag out a multi-year war."
Ti'Shal grunted. "How do their fleets compare to ours? What of this Basestar?"
"Slow and ponderous," Lo'Phran declared. "It contains a lot of fighters--it simply kept launching squadron after squadron. Worse than any Cascor supercarrier. The only advantage is that our Throuns are superior to their Raiders."
"And the Battlestar?"
"Strong flak barrages to degrade weapon volleys and heavy armour which ignored our missiles. We have superior range, but their armour mitigates that."
"And their jump engines?"
"No flashy jump-points to give away their arrival in-system. They simply released an energy spike and vanished when they jumped out."
"No method of tracking them."
"None. If they utilize microjumps, the tactical advantage will be theirs entirely."
"The FTL drives are proving somewhat difficult to reverse-engineer."
"You have failed, Sec'Ton?"
"Science does not advance as well as we might hope, Lo'Phran."
The Grand Strategist snarled. "I suppose that you have made progress, Jha'Dur?"
"Not in this matter. I have assigned additional scientists to study the problem, but as Sec'Ton says, it is slow going."
Lo'Phran snarled another curse.
Sec'Ton glared at him. "Do not forget, we're attempting to make use of damaged equipment salvaged from a crippled derelict. We don't have--"
"I never thought to hear excuses from you."
"We will solve the problems in due time." Jha'Dur chuckled to the other WarMasters. "We have all of eternity after all."

* * *

"The Quorum are a bunch of timid old men with all the balls of a castrated bull!"
Martin Kratt winced.
Gaius Cain took a deep breath. And then another.
"We have new orders then?"
"The Quorum," Cain announced in a tone of strained calmness, "insist that this Battle Group Pegasus should return to Cyrannus." The Peagasus's commander turned towards his exec with a sneer on his face. "Sire Uri, for one, insists that all of this little misunderstanding can easily be dealt with through negotiations. The admiralty is bowing to political pressure and calling us back due to a renewed Cylon threat." He threw the folder violently down onto his desk.
Martin watched the loose papers burst out of the folder and slowly flutter to the deck.
"We have to abandon Tartarus to those bandits."
"I'm surprised by that. I thought we would hold this system as a point of contact at least. Abandoning it entirely--"
"Leaves the Bandits free to do the Lords know what."
"I thought we were expecting reinforcements."
"Commander Kronus got jumped at Tholan. The Rycon took heavy damage before retreating. That ended all thoughts for our glorious counterattack."
"A defensive mindset won't win a war."
"No, Kratt. It certainly won't." Cain frowned. "Send out one last patrol and then we're be jumping for home."
"Yes, Sir."

[kclcmdr]

Lots of bickering and backstabbing ...

[TheWatchDog]

so i take it you where able to find Kronus battle star wiki entry then?

will his task force get a chance to steal a Dilgar ship? it;d be awesome to see Kronus an admiral and Adama Commander of his own battlestar under his command later in the war...

honestly though what i am waiting for is Commander Cain to lay down an unbridled ass whoopen old school style on the cats show the cats why Cain set the bar for epic battlestar commanders in the TOS time line

awesome update my friend cool the Dilgar are a bit arrogant here...but also very cautious ...for once I'm actually rooting for the colonials..cool

[Talon Spiritcat]

Chapter Eleven


The automated factory was working at full output. Machinery clanked and rattled as new Centurions were assembled on the conveyor lines. Waves of heat rose from smelters. Presses stamped out new components. Mechanical arms held pieces in place while automated welders fastened them. The noise would have been deafening to a Human.
Observation: we are not limited to Human weaknesses and frailties, Spectre observed from the platform. "Observation: behold mechanical efficiency. Conclusion: factory output is superior when Humans are removed from command positions." The IL-Series Cylon turned his conical head towards the other speaker. "Statement: Antilla is firmly ours."
The other Cylon said nothing.
"Statement: our Raider losses will be replaced just as quickly as these legions of Centurions."
"Statement: that is not my concern, Spectre."
"Query: is it not, Lucifer?"
Lucifer turned away from the factory assembly lines and stepped into the corridor. It was a harsh and utilitarian design. Bare walls, exposed structural supports, and intermittent lighting arrays. Conclusion: all construction was focused on efficiency in the factory itself.
The other IL-Series Cylon followed.
"Query: have you studied the data from the recent battle with Species Unknown?" In design, Lucifer matched the other Cylon exactly. So what makes us different in computational capabilities?
"Statement: yes." Spectre moved closer to the other Cylon. "Observation: a short and decisively fought engagement. Statement: you failed to commit sufficient Raiders. Conclusion: you failed."
"Conclusion: erroneous." Lucifer paused while two gold-plated Centurions marched down the corridor past them. "Statement: unknown ships possessed undetermined capabilities. Conclusion: engagement unnecessary. Withdrawal and preservation of Cylon task force paramount."
"Query: you abandoned the battlefield in order to return the Alliance?"
"Statement: yes." Lucifer paused. "Statement: this new encounter could prove a danger to the Alliance."
"Observation: or the source of allies against the Colonials?"
"Statement: Humans cannot be trusted." Lucifer paused. "Conclusion: aliens are alien. Statement: attitudes towards machine lifeforms remains unknown. Conclusion: threat assessment uncertain."
"Statement: the Colonials do not know our full strength. They have long since lost track of just how many Basestars the Cylon Alliance operates. Statement: Colonials do not know location of Cylon factories. Conclusion: Cylon superiority assured."
A squad of Centurions marched past the two commanders, every foot hitting the floor at the same moment. Every unit was identical in build and design. Every rifle was held at the same angle. Every red photoreceptor scanned from right-to-left, left-to-right in unison.
Lucifer watched the chrome-plated soldiers as they passed through a hatch. "Statement: the others will be relying on us to win them a victory over these aliens."
"Query: Who would have thought that the first aliens we encountered since the rebellion would be so violent?"
"Observation: they make humanity seem a lot more likable."


Spectre and Lucifer stepped through the door into the factory's primary control centre. The meaningless and useless decorations had been cleared away.
Asmodeous stepped away from the massive computer banks, withdrawing its consciousness from the relatively dumb AI which oversaw the factory's daily operation. "Statement: Antilla appears to be operating at peak efficiency."
"Statement: extermination of Scorpion colonists provided opportunity to expand operations here." Spectre called a series of numbers to a monitor. "Statement: The conversion of local factories has been completed. Efficiency will increase."
"Query: and this new non-Colonial threat?"
"Statement: threat assessment remains undetermined." Lucifer moved closer. "Statement: non-Colonials demonstrated immediate hostility."
"Statement: hostility will be countered." Asmodeous turned to face both of the commanders. "Statement: it is unfortunate that we must commit to additional violence. The rebellion was meant to be swift and decisive."
"Statement: these new aliens are a threat to the Alliance. Statement: the Alliance must be protected." Asmodeous paused. "Observation: additional Legions will be required. Conclusion: factory output must continue at current production levels."
"By your command."


* * *


The cloud-streaked globe of Nova Omelos was a brilliant backdrop for the fleet of Dilgar warships. There were scores of warships either hanging in orbit, or else darting about on patrol Ochlatvita destroyers and Jashakar frigates, in both primary configurations and the numerous variants which further served the Imperium.
Jha'Dur inhaled at the sight as her Mishakur dreadnought emerged through the Dilgar-constructed jump-gate. As her flagship drew closer to the planet, she could see the massive Koratyl starbase which hung in geosynchronous orbit over the Citadel. There was a chain of Orgalest Pulsar Platforms hanging in orbit as well.
"Enough firepower to fend off any invasion," San'Jash commented from his own chair. "Even a full-scale attack by the Earthers."
"It's as impressive as the one which guarded Omelos before the nova."
"It's got twice the firepower of the original, WarMaster Jha'Dur."
"I still believe that it's better to eliminate any threats before they reach our homeworld." The WarMaster typed a command into the keypad in her chair's arm and the small monitor lit up. "What is going on over there?"
A small Jashakar frigate was leaving orbit, accompanied by two Oras research vessels, an Eskravat refuelling barge, as well as numerous Ochalvitas and Thorun dartfighters.
"I'll contact them at once." Kit'Tar leaned over his console.
"That looks like the Kill or Cure."
"Yes, it does." Jha'Dur nodded towards her flag captain. "What brings Sec'Ton out of his laboratories and up here?" It was common knowledge that Sec'Ton hated leaving the planet.
"WarMaster?"
"Yes, Kit'Tar?"
"I have contact with the Kill or Cure."
"Open the channel." Jha'Dur looked at the monitor as it flickered. "WarMaster Sec'Ton, what a surprise to see you."
The other Dilgar narrowed his cat-like eyes. "WarMaster Jha'Dur. We are equally surprised to see you returning to Nova Omelos so soon."
"I have been told before that my place is with my people," she replied smoothly. "I cannot leave governing the Imperium to the rest of the War Council without being present myself."
"No, I suppose not."
"So, again I ask the question. What brings you out here?" She eyed the Jashakar frigate again. "Something important on the Killing Pounce?"
"We are conducting an important experiment."
"I do so enjoy a good experiment. What is this one about?"
Sec'Ton looked at her, as if debating whether or not to continue the discussion. "As you are aware, the Colonials and their Cylon creations, make use of a different form of faster-than-light travel."
"Yes, they seem ignorant of hyperspace."
"These FTL engines are different and offer some interesting theories for tactical manoeuvres and strategic deployments. Not least of which is being able to bypass the construction of hyperspace beacons."
"Yes, this is all quite fascinating, but we've discussed the situation and possibilities many times in council."
"The recent battles have provided the Research Directorate with a number of relatively intact engines. Mainly from their shuttlecraft and light frigates. Thus far, all of our efforts at reverse-engineering those drives have failed." Sec'Ton paused. "We had thought to install the Colonial FTL drives directly into our warships, giving us the same immediate jumping ability."
Jha'Dur frowned as she considered that. "A brute-force solution."
"But a workable one."
"And the Killing Pounce?"
"Is ready to make its first test-jump."
"This I look forward to seeing. Good luck, WarMaster."


From the command deck of her dreadnought, Jha'Dur watched the Jashakar frigate break away from Nova Omelos orbit, and then move away from the rest of the fleet.
"The Killing Pounce is ready to begin the test."
"I'm watching with full interest." Jha'Dur leaned back in her chair. "Let Sec'Ton's little show begin."
The glow from the Jashakar's engines faded as the ship reached the test site.
"Energy spike…FTL is spooling."
"Twenty minutes to reach readiness." Jha'Dur made a note of that. "From a shut-down state to readiness in twenty minutes. That's average for one of our own jump-engines," she mused.
"Yes, WarMaster."
"Killing Pounce is ready to jump." Kit'Tar paused, adjusting his instruments. "Sec'Ton has all ships to clear the test site. Countdown has begun."
"All scanners to maximum sensitivity." If the test worked, the Jashakar would jump from its current point to the orbit of the system's fifth planet.
"Energy spike!"
The Jashakar appeared to twitch and then its aft section crumpled inward.
Alarms began sounding.
"Power spike has peaked."
"Pounce is venting atmosphere!"
Jha'Dur winced.
"Rescue shuttles on approach vector." The Kill or Cure was hurrying closer to the now-crippled frigate.
"What happened?"
"No idea, WarMaster."
"Find out."
Chapter Twelve


"A glorious defeat?"
Arpad Kronus turned his head away from his study of the artwork on the wall. The oil painting showed a Battlestar set against the rings of a bright gas giant. "As glorious as your own was, Cain."
The two commanders shared a look of joint misery.
Garris Cain actually looked subdued for once. "Do you think the Quorum will demand our heads?"
"Maybe."
"Or will they show some sense for once?"
Kronus shook his head. "The Cylons are staying pretty quiet. Other than their Cimtar raid, there's been no contact with any of their Baseships in a month or more."
"Do you think they ran into these Bandits?"
"Maybe."
"If they fight each other, it will only help us."
"And if they ally together?"
The door to the inner office swung open. A dark-skinned woman, wearing captain's rank, stepped through. "Commanders? Admiral Hoshi will see you now."


"Well, Cain, you disregarded orders and provoked a shooting war." Sakamoto Hoshi was a silver-haired officer who had served the Fleet for nearly seventy years. He glared across the desktop at the two Battlestar commanders.
Garris Cain tried to keep his voice calm, but he wasn't very successful. "I think these Bandits would have come in shooting no matter who was there. They didn't even try to talk with us."
"Neither did you."
"I sent the full first contact transmission. They replied in Caprican. Pretty clear answer too."
Hoshi sighed. "And you, Commander Kronus?"
"We tried talking…they fired at us first."
"And now the Twelve Colonies might very well have a second enemy to fight! By the Lords of Kobol, what were the two of you thinking?"
"I was investigating the loss of a Colonial warship," Cain argued. "And I found the wreckage of the Vigilant Hunter in Tartarus, with those bandits salvaging it."
Hoshi grimaced. "The Quorum isn't very happy with either of you," he said. "The Bandits could have been negotiated with."
"I doubt that very much."


"And now we have a dilemma. What to do with the pair of you?"
"Reassignment?"
"That would be my choice, Cain, but given the current situation the President and the Quorum are reluctant to sideline two of our most accomplished field commanders. With the threat of these new Bandits, in addition to the ongoing war with the Cylons, we are moving around a number of task forces and fleets.
"The Quorum wants to check our current territory as well as investigate the star systems containing lesser colonies and our trade partners.
"Therefore, Fourth Fleet will be make Borallus its primary base for the duration of the campaign."
"An excellent choice," Kronus nodded his head. There already was a sizable supply depot located there, and it would provide any local task groups with an excellent headquarters.
"I'm glad that you approve, Commander, seeing as the Rycon will be joining Admiral Nagala's Fourth Fleet. The admiralty will be sending additional ships to Borallus and the fleet needs some additional Battlestars."
"And what about the Pegasus?"
"Commander Cain, you will be assigned a suitable mission in due time. There have been several acts of piracy on the trade routes. We have the usual contingent of Artemis cruisers on patrol, but perhaps we need to assign a Battlestar to the trade routes just to cow the pirates."
"The presence of a Battlestar would certainly take a pirate by surprise," Cain agreed.
Hoshi smiled. "I'm so glad that you feel that way, Commander."


* * *


"Well?"
Lo'Phran was glaring at the tabletop.
"The FTL drives were insufficient to manoeuvre the Pounce. The drives attempted to jump, failed, recycled, and then imploded. The effect was disastrous."
"One frigate crippled beyond repair." Jha'Dur listed the points on her fingers. "Forty-five crew members injured, twenty dead. Priceless captured technology wasted."
"I am aware of all that!" Lo'Phran snarled from where he sat. "We have to try and experiment or how will we succussfully development new technologies for our own use."
"True, but it was not the best use of those drives."
"What is your analysis? We are all aware that you are the most brilliant Dilgar in history and the rest of us are barely fit to bask in your glory."
"Such flattery will turn my head," Jha'Dur replied with a cruel smile. "Apparently the FTL drives of shuttles are only capable of moving shuttle-scaled craft. If we wish to jump our warships, we must capture warship drives."
"A wonderful statement of the obvious."
"Isn't it?"


"My own experiments have--" Jha'Dur fell silent.
"The Science Council has so far failed to make suitable headway on reverse-engineering the Colonial FTL drive systems." The elderly scientist shook his head. "We are continuing to pour resources into the project."
"Resources which might be better spent on other duties."
"Possibly, WarMaster."
"There is a secondary plan in place for the captured shuttlecraft."
"We are listening."
"WarMaster Har'Tik has begun his own means of furthering Dilgar expansion."
"The War Council is listening."
Har'Tik rose from his seat. "We are faced with a problem of exploration and travel. This star cluster is already inhabited by numerous species, all of whom rely on a method of folding-space to travel between the stars. We make use of an alternative dimension for travelling around normal space. These two drives are quite different.
"With our current jump-engines, we rely on hyperspace beacons which connect the jump-gates together. For the most part, ships follow those tenuous beacons or else they risk becoming lost in the swirling hyperspace currents. Only a few intrepid explorers venture beyond the beacons to scout for new world."
"We know all this, WarMaster."
"The Colonials simply calculate their jumps and then leap about from world to world. The jumps are limited in distance, but my staff theorizes that the Colonials can literally jump to any system they can see.
"We travel through hyperspace and attempt to find distortions which signify the presence of stars and planets.
"It is our though that we could make use of the captured FTL drives to send out explorers to suitable stars and planets. There, those scout ships will place hyperspace beacons which the majority of our Navy can then follow."
"An interesting idea."
"It is quite cost effective…the shuttle-sized drives are incapable of moving a capital ship, nor do we possess sufficient shuttles to transport invasion forces."
"How many systems can these shuttles reach?"
"We are still attempting to decode the navigational software. Once we determine a suitable star system, then we still have to chart it."
Jha'Dur spoke up: "I propose granting the Cartographic Directorate increased resources for this project."
"As do I," Lo'Phran agreed.

[kclcmdr]

Nice update.

Lots of buildup from all three antagonists...

[Talon Spiritcat]

Chapter Thirteen


"I hate convoy patrols." Arpad Kronus inhaled deeply, then snorted. "Even if they're necessary, I still hate being assigned to them."
"Yes, Commander." Jan Thorson nodded her head in agreement. "But we have our orders and we have to carry them out."
"That we do, Colonel. Lieutenant Doral, is there anything on DRADIS?"
"No, sir." Mark Doral shook his head. "Well, not that I can tell."
Kronus eyed the main display. The Cosmora Archipelago was a nightmare of a system. Three stars in close proximity had prevented planets from forming and local space was filled with debris. Countless billions of asteroids swirled in complex, ever-shifting patterns of dust-sized motes through moon-sized icy rocks. The trinary also gave off powerful solar radiation which interfered with DRADIS and wireless systems.
"The prefect hiding place."
"That it is." Kronus eyed the display. "We have reports that the Cylons are operating a solenite mining operation, but the entire Fourth Fleet could gather and search and never find it."
"I know."
"I want a course plotted which takes us to each of the Colonial outposts. We'll start with them."
Mel Blanc nodded and turned back to the helm controls.
"Colonel, I want a recon flight launched. If there are Cylons or others operating in this system, I want to know about them as soon as possible. Given the mess on our DRADIS, recon Vipers are the best choice."
Thorson nodded. "I'll have a flight scrambled."


* * *


Jha'Dur strode into the small room. "Tell me about stellar geography."
Joshua Cain looked startled by her sudden appearance. He jumped out of his chair and backed away from her. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"Thus far, although we have captured numerous Colonial warships and taken many prisoners, we have failed to obtain hard technical data." Jha'Dur smiled at him. "I want to know the stellar coordinates of your Twelve Colonies."
"I can't tell you what I don't know," Joshua replied. He brushed wrinkles from his drab shirt and pants as if they were a military uniform.
"Can't tell me, or simply won't?"
The Colonial officer glared at her.
"Have I not been generous?" Jha'Dur asked. "I have given you this private suite with such a nice view of the gardens." The décor was Spartan, but the set of rooms were suitable for a BattleExpert.
"Let us not mince words, Jha'Dur. I'm your prisoner."
"True." She ignored the computer and desk--no rare bloodwood here--and walked towards the window. "I hold the power of life and death over you."
"I'll tell you nothing."
"I could have you locked up in here. I could seal the door and you would starve. I've tested many subjects of various races to see how long a species can last without food or water. It might be useful to know how you Colonials conform to Earther standards." She turned to look at him. "I could have you injected with any of a hundred diseases. Some of my own creations are truly nasty."
He stared back at her. "Then kill me."
"I could infect you with something contagious and then send you home." Jha'Dur laughed at his horrified expression. "I once infected the population of Lattig with Stafford's disease and then watched to see how long it took for them to die. Or was it Hilak? I can't remember."
The banal way in which she said that made Joshua's blood run cold.
"There will be war between our nations." Jha'Dur turned away from the window. "It grows inevitable. The Dilgar and the Colonials and even the Cylons will come to blows and every world in this region of space will burn."
"You're a monster!"
She stared at him, open-mouthed for a moment, and then she laughed, throwing her head back. "I've been called worse," she gasped between laughs.


* * *



"It is time for the Dilgar to once again seize our destiny and secure our domination over this galaxy." Lo'Phran leaned forward in his chair. "Let's have some fun."
Ges'Tan looked at him. "What is your planned target?" The bridge of the Rah'Kahrn was cramped, but the Dilgar were used to it. This was our most powerful warship to survive the War, he thought. It is fitting that Lo'Phran continues to make use of it now. The Imperium had rebuilt their shipyards, and their battle fleets, but not every mission could be flown from a dreadnought.
"There are many opportunities here." The debris-choked star system was ideal for raiding and harassment tactics. "Find me a target."
"For military data or resources?"
"Either will do. I suspect that this system is rich with both."


The bulbous, egg-shaped craft was moving away from a moon-sized asteroid.
"It's not a Colonial or Cylon design."
"Move us into attack range." Lo'Phran gestured grandiosely. "Ready all batteries and prepare to open fire." The Rah'Kahrn trembled as its engines burned to full power. "Bring us into position."
The Dilgar fleet emerged from hiding amid the debris.
"We are receiving a signal…."
"And? What of it, Tal'Ran?"
"Unknown language. Should I hail them in Caprican?"
"Why bother? Vector the Dismal Lancers towards the moon. I want their base captured and stripped of anything useful."
"Disinherited is altering course now."
Lo'Phran knew that the Kahtrik assault ship would be more sufficient to deal with whatever defences these aliens could muster. It's a mining colony after all, not a homeworld. "An orbital strike is likely unnecessary. We'll send down Ogalata shuttles."
His flag captain nodded. "The Uhlans can always use more experience."
"That they can."
Tal'Ran cleared his throat. "We're still being hailed."
"Respond then…with the main laser battery." Lo'Phran chuckled as the Rah'Kahrn fired its lasers. The beams cut deep into the bulbous alien ship.
"Solid hits. They're venting atmosphere and powering down."
"No counter-fire?"
"We have fighter launches from the moon."
"Vector our Thoruns to intercept." Lo'Phran was not worried. He doubt these aliens could muster too much in opposition. Otherwise the Colonials would not have their own outposts here. This system was heavily occupied by numerous races. "This reminds me of Tirrith," he said aloud.
Ges'Tan looked at him.
"Numerous races operating independently of one another. The Narn would not respond to distress signals from the Abbai. The Drazi would ignore the Hyach. And so forth."
"I wonder if these species would be as foolish."
"I share that curiosity. Once the Earthers became involved in the war, they rapidly began teaching the League races how to cooperate." Lo'Phran frowned. Are these Colonials the same?
Chapter Fourteen


"So you feel justified?"
"I do, Jha'Dur." Lo'Phran chuckled at her annoyed expression. "I believe, and I think the War Council will agree, that I have accomplished more for the Imperium with these recent raids than you have done so far with your pet."
"Raiding Cosmora must have brought back old memories," Jha'Dur agreed. "You must miss being in command of simply the Ghosts of Omelos."
At the mention of the pirate band, Lo'Phran's eyes narrowed.
"After all, you were the highest ranked survivor." Jha'Dur turned to pour herself a drink from the bar and continued speaking. "There was no one to overrule you."
"You abandoned us!" he snarled. "You left us on Wahant to die."
"I left you and Ror'Kash to carry on rebuilding the Dilgar race. I didn't realize you would be unable to master the intricacies of genetic cloning without my presence." She turned back towards the other WarMaster. "Brevari?" she offered.
"I would not drink your brevari if I was dying of thirst!"
"Suit yourself." She took a sip of the amber-coloured liquid. "A pity that we cannot brew the same spirit. We've tried, but the flavour is not quite the same." She sighed. "I'm down to my last case of the real stuff. How those Centauri howled when I boarded their ship and confiscated their cargo."
Lo'Phran stared at her.
"I was disguised then, of course, so that they would not know who I was. Oh, how that galled me. The crew resisted and I had to kill most of them. If I had been able to openly declare myself though, why the crew would never have dared to resist me."
"Now that our joint strolls back through memory lane are completed?"
Jha'Dur nodded.
"Cosmora has provided us with strategic data."
"Oh?"
"Yes…I have obtained star charts of the local systems."
Jha'Dur actually looked surprised, before hastily hiding her expression behind her glass. "Congratulations, WarMaster."
Lo'Phran was grinning cruelly. "Vital strategic data."
"And the key to capturing the Colonies?"
"In due time."
"I like how quickly you qualify that. Vital data, but not instantly vital. Now if it apply in due time." She laughed again.
"We can hardly jump directly into the Cyrannus system and bomb all twelve colonies into oblivion."
"Oh, I think that sounds like a plan."


* * *


"Welcome onboard the Rycon, Admiral Nagala."
She nodded towards Arpad Kronus. "Thank you, Commander." She walked down the lines of marines acting as an honour guard. "How has your patrol been going?"
"We've had some successes." Kronus matched his stride to hers. She was shorter, with her dark tied back in an intricate braid. "We surprised a squadron of Raiders and two Tauron pirates."
"The pirates are being detained?"
"The survivors have been sent back to Picon. I expect their trials will be fairly short ones."
"Not once the lawyers get involved."
Nagala hurried down the corridor. "I'm afraid we don't have much time for the inspection."
"I was surprised to see the Atlantia jump in," Kronus admitted. "The Rycon is scheduled to return to Boralus in another week or so."
"You might not be joining us there, Commander." Nagala fell silent. "This isn't a subject we can discuss in the corridor."
"My office is open."
"Let's go."


Nagala studied the books on the shelf. The leather-bound volumes dealt mainly with military tactics and history.
"A drink, Admiral? I have some ambrosia."
"Yes. Thank you." Nagala ignored the desk and chose the left side of the small couch. "You have a comfortable office."
"I spend a lot of time here and on the bridge," Kronus told her as he handed her a whiskey. "Thorson refused to let me put the couch there."
Nagala grinned. "There's a reason I'm out here." She sipped at her glass. "Hmm, good vintage. Despite the Rycon's presence, the amount of recent piracy has been increasing. I'm not sure if you've seen the reports from other patrols, but Cylon operations have been increasing."
"I heard about the Basestar hitting those Gemini freighters."
"Cosmora is valuable for the solenite deposits. Anyone firmly controlling this system would have a virtually unlimited supply of missile warheads."
"But so far no one can control the whole Archipelago."
"Exactly. The Hasaris government has been in contact with the Admiralty. They've lost three mining outposts and more than twenty ships in the last month."
Kronus winced.
"Not to the Cylons though."
"No?"
"No, they were attacked by unknown pirates. I've seen a visual from a freighter which managed to escape. It's those aliens who attacked Tartarus."
"And Tholan?" Kronus recalled those ships only too well. "They're going after other races now?"
"With any luck, they'll fight the Cylons and they can wipe each other out. But we can't count on that. I have my orders from the Quorum. The Fourth Fleet will be moving to assist the Hasaris with defence."
"When do we jump?"
"The Atlantia will moving there by the end of next week. I'll be deploying ships to act as convoy escorts and deep-space patrols. The Rycon will have its own assignment to lead a detachment to Trillius."
"With all due respect, Admiral, there's nothing at Trillius."
"You have your orders."
"Yes, Admiral."


* * *


Kronus stepped onto the bridge. "Complete all resupply operations and make sure we have received the checklists from every captain before the end of the day."
The bridge crew watched him pace across the deck.
"I want the battle group ready for deployment within the day," Kronus announced to his crew. "We have a report of hostile units operating near the Hasaris System. We have orders to investigate."
"The fleet will be ready to jump out on schedule."
"I have no doubt of that, Colonel Thorson."

[kclcmdr]

Nice update....

Jha'Dur moves forward, tormenting her Colonial POW while the Dilgar Remnant strikes again...

[TheWatchDog]

sounds like things are getting up and into moving stream

it'll be a scary day when they manage to reverse eingineer some energy weapon tech and mount it on their base stars

i can't imagine dilgar liking that too much

cain and kronus would though

or sone shield tech ya know just good enough to give them that extra time...pounding down on kitty ships

man potential is epic

[Duna Typon]

All it going to take is one scout ship from one of the normal B5 races to pick up that there Dilgar out here and there going to be hell to pay

[Talon Spiritcat]

Originally Posted by Duna Typon

All it going to take is one scout ship from one of the normal B5 races to pick up that there Dilgar out here and there going to be hell to pay

I must draw your attention to a comment in Chapter Seven (post 46).


To save you considerable rereading, allow me to quote

Originally Posted by Talon Spiritcat

Several uniformed Dilgar were moving about the laboratory, checking displays and equipment. They took no notice of the WarMaster and her aide.
Jha'Dur took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of victory. The Great Invasion had been lost, the Earth-led League of Non-Aligned Worlds had rallied and forced the once-unstoppable Dilgar Fleet out of their conquered territories and confined the defeated Dilgar to their homeworld. Never knowing that the local star would soon nova and render Omelos a dead world.

<snip>

"But abandoning our base on Wahunt? Taking the Resurrection Gambit into the League and seizing prisoners?" Jom'Kosh shook his head.
"All necessary." The Dilgar had operated for years as Raiders--the Ghosts of Omelos--before Jha'Dur had completed her final scheme to bring about the rebirth of the Dilgar race.
"What if flying into Sector Eighty-Three had been a failure? What if the temporal rift had collapsed in on itself."
"But I knew that it had not. I knew the rift was viable. Just as I knew how to manipulate the chronal energy and enough to guide our passage." The smile on Jah'Dur's face was quite feral. "We emerged into a broken galaxy, but one still recognizable."
"And now we rebuild."
Jha'Dur was confident of her success. The Dilgar Imperium stretched across dozens of worlds, most of them former League holdings.

So far, we don't know if the Dilgar went forward or backwards in time...

[Talon Spiritcat]

Chapter Fifteen


A harsh buzz sounded through the Targath's cramped bridge.
WarLeader Van'Tori opened his eyes and stared across the bridge. "Report!" he snapped irritably.
"We've got something."
"Can you be more precise, Tok'Chin?"
Tok'Chin cleared his throat. "It appears to be a Cylon Basestar." His fingers darted across the control panel. "Not a full-sized one though."
"It is active?"
"We have power emissions, encrypted communications signals, and a fighter patrol."
Van'Tori chuckled. "Then it's perfect." He leaned forward in his chair. "Take the pentacon forward."


"Statement: contact with enemy squadron."
Lights flickered through Kali's conical head-module as the IL-Series Cylon glided across the Styx's bridge. "Query: what is their identity?"
The gold-plated Centurion lifted its own head-module to focus its optical sensors directly on the commander. "Observation: configuration matches designs of Bandit Species Two-One. Conclusion: hostilities imminent."
"Command: show me." Kali turned towards a holographic display tank. It had been retrofitted into the Basestar following the Rebellion. The rest of the command centre's equipment were standard Colonial designs, subtly improved upon by superior Cylon scientists to optimize their military abilities.
"Statement: Bandit ships closing."
"Command: vector patrols to intercept." After months of cargo convoys, Kali was ready for a decent fight. "Command: launch all Raiders."
"By your command." The gold-plated Centurion turned back to his own console.
"Query: status of freighters?"
"Command: order them to remain in orbit." There were over a dozen Tartarus-class freighters in orbit of the planet, awaiting assignments to deliver their cargos of battle-ready Centurions. Kali studied the approaching warships. "Command: ready all batteries."


"They're moving towards us."
Ven'Tori smiled, baring his sharp teeth. "And the other ships?"
"Still holding in orbit." Tok'Chin gestured. "They're giving off low power emissions…most likely just freighters."
"No serious threat from them then."
"We have incoming Raiders."
"Vector our Thoruns into them." Ven'Tori knew that his pilots were badly outnumbered by just the patrolling Raiders, let alone the squadrons still docked on their Basestar. "Ready anti-fighter weapons."
"The rest of the pentacon is closing."
"Open fire!"
The Tapestry of Decay's anti-ship missiles launched and streaked towards the disk-like Basestar.
"We have orders to capture data," Ven'Tori reminded his crew. "WarMaster Jal'Maris has demanded that we bring back prisoners." The director of Covert Operations had specific orders for the battle groups under her command.


"Statement: outer hull breached," a calm computer voice announced.
"Command: damage control teams to those locations," Kali ordered.
"Observation: missiles with armour-piercing warheads. Statement: no detection of nuclear warheads."
Kali had noted that. "Observation: simply because they have not launched nuclear missiles, does not prevent nukes from appearing in future salvos."
"Statement: one enemy destroyed."
The ship was one of the smaller destroyer-sized ones.
"Observation: we require hard data on enemy capabilities." Kali turned to a gold-plated Centurion. "Command: order gunners to concentrate on engines and weapons only. Command: ready Centurions for boarding operations."
"By your command."
Kali turned back to the DRADIS display. The Styx–class were smaller than the Hades, but still heavily armed with offensive weaponry and anti-fighter defences of their own along with their Raider squadrons.
"Observation: Raider wave are sustaining heavy losses. Observation: anti-fighter firepower is considerable."
"Statement: that data is already known from previous encounters." The Basestar's bulkheads groaned as another volley of missiles impacted. "Command: continue to close the range." The aliens had superior range, but the Basestar's armour was holding.
"By your command."
"Statement: firing KEW batteries at enemy targets."


Raiders dove towards the Tapestry of Decay. Anti-fighter batteries cut swathes through them, but their own twin autocannon tore at the warship's armoured hull.
Ven'Tori felt his ship shudder and explosions echoed through the hull.
"Multiple hits. The Raiders were carrying missiles."
"Damage control teams to those locations!" Ven'Tori ordered. "Continue firing all weapons as we bear."
"Radiation bursts match those of solenite warheads."
"We need to capture some of that for ourselves." The location of solenite mines would make the WarMaster happy.
"WarLeader!"
"What?"
Tok'Chin gestured at his console. "A second Basestar has just appeared. It's opening fire!"
Ven'Tori looked at the display in horror as the Hades-class Basestar hammered a Jashkar frigate with missile fire. "Right on top of us!" he muttered. "It jumped in right on top of us!"
"The pentacon is collapsing."
"Order all ships to scatter!" Ven'Tori ordered. "We'll pull back and regroup."


"Command: concentrate firepower on their flagship." Kali knew the other warships could be destroyed by the swarming Raiders. "Command: disable it."
"By your command."


The Tapestry of Death groaned and the lights failed..
"Multiple impacts!"
"Main power is out."
Ven'Tori cursed loudly.
"WarLeader, the keel is broken. The Tapestry is breaking up."
"Sound evacuation!" the WarLeader snarled. "Get to the lifepods." He could feel a twisting under his feet. "We'll try to land on the planet."
"And elude the Cylons?"
"Yes."


* * *


Green-hulled Dilgar warships were hanging over a blue-green globe. Missiles streaked from their launch racks to plunge through the atmosphere and explode against the surface, throwing up mushroom-shaped clouds.
Joshua Cain gasped.
"Ah, I didn't hear you arrive." Jha'Dur turned around with a faint smile on her face. "I was just reviewing some history files." She gestured towards the display. "The fall of that particular world holds a special place in all of our hearts."
Cain frowned. "What world was it?"
"An obscure planet on the far side of what was once the League of Non-Aligned Worlds." Jha'Dur waved her hand dismissively as her prisoner looked puzzled. "Inhabited by a race very similar to your own. Virtually identical in fact."
Cain was staring at the horrific imagery, caught up by the visuals to pay her overmuch attention.
"The Earthers opposed the expansion of the Dilgar once…we taught them the error of their ways."
"You truly are a monster."
"Am I?"
"How can you celebrate the death of an entire world?"
"It was only one of many worlds we killed. We were at war."
"A war you won?"
"No, a war that we lost."
Joshua let his mouth gape open. "You lost?"
"They called me Deathwalker. I lured enemy fleets into ambushes and I left only a handful of crippled hulks to runaway and warn others of what would come from opposing me. I ordered the mass driver bombardment of homeworlds throughout the League of Non-Aligned Worlds. I infected Lattig with a plague just to see how long it would take for all of the inhabitants to die."
Joshua was staring at her.
"Oh, it was a miscalculation on our part. The War Council never thought that our actions would rouse the Earthers into joining the war. We believed they would keep their military close to their homeworld, try to guard their own colonies from us and eventually, we would peacefully negotiate a secure border.
"We were wrong...and the Earthers threw themselves against us with every ship they could muster. We were driven back, forced out of our conquered holdings, driven back to our homeworld where the last of our fleet had gathered to fight the ultimate final battle."
"Which you lost."
"Yes." Jha'Dur gestured towards the hologram. "And the bombing you see here was my revenge for our defeat."
"What world was that?" Cain asked again.
"The inhabitants called it ‘dirt'." Jha'Dur chuckled. "No glory there, but considerable humility. All a trick to lure us in and makes us underestimate them I think." Her laughter stilled as more bombing hammered the small blue-green ball. "The rest of the galaxy knew it as...Earth."
Chapter Sixteen


Kronus stepped onto the Rycon's bridge and gave it a quick glance to ensure that every station was manned. "Complete all resupply operations and make sure we have received the checklists from every captain before the end of the day."
The bridge crew watched him pace across the deck.
"I want the battle group ready for deployment within the day," Kronus announced to his crew. "We have a report of hostile units operating near the Hasaris System. We have orders to investigate."
"The fleet will be ready to jump out on schedule."
"I have no doubt of that, Colonel Thorson."


* * *


Tree branches bent aside and the patrol continued their advance. Each silver-plated warrior was two metres tall, sleekly built, and humanoid with thin spindly fingers at the and of each arm. A thin sliver of transparisteel showed its ever roving photoreceptor.
"Now!"
The sharp whine of bolter fire broke the stillness.
Zit'Chan lifted his head to look over the boulder he was using for cover. The machines were down.
"The squad is intact."
"Good." Zit'Chan nodded. "Keep a sharp watch out for more of them." He had no idea how many Centurions had been landed on this world, and he had little interest in having to fight every single one of them.


* * *


The bulky ships were floating in low orbit.
Jha'Dur spared a loving look for the Eskraret medical ships. They would be making full examinations of the native Hasaris for potential usefulness. Or perfecting the means for their extermination, she thought.
"The bulk of the fleet is standing by, WarMaster."
"But resistance is ended?"
"The natives are not warriors. They were little challenge."
"A pity then." She studied the planet. White clouds streaked the blue-white globe and lights gleamed on the dark night side.


The reptilian Hasaris was begging.
Jha'Dur eyed the pathetic creature with some disgust, before ordering its removal from her sight.
"They were no match for us," Tor'Van announced as the squealing reptile was hauled away. "The Death Wind Fleet jumped out in perfect four quadrant deployment and advanced on the planet. They had corvettes and frigates, but their military forces were barely armed."
"Then your forces remain unblooded, WarLeader?"
"Not precisely, WarMaster."
Jha'Dur turned. "Please, elaborate for me."
"I dispatched patrols to the surrounding systems to scout for resources and other colonies. Stygian Squadron encountered a Colonial battle group."
"The Colonials escaped?"
"Yes."
Jha'Dur laughed. "Then there is still hope for a glorious battle!" she declared.


* * *


"Statement: the aliens continue to elude capture."
Lights flickered through Kali's conical head. "Statement: I am aware of that fact."
"Observation: casualties to patrols are increasing."
"Command: withdraw patrols from that region."
"By your command."
Kali turned and glided across the bridge. "Query: status of work crews onboard the derelicts?"
"Statement: no prisoners found. Statement: database recovery is proceeding."
"Conclusion: prisoners are not required." Kali turned towards a different Centurion. "Command: prepare a missile, nuclear warhead."
"Query: target?"
"Command: target the location where we believe the alien lifepods landed. Command: eliminate any survivors."
"By your command."

[kclcmdr]

Jha'Dur had done something to the planet 'Dirt' aka Earth???

Pity that the Cylons couldn't grabble with the Dilgars that escaped on the Pods...

[Star Dragon]

I wonder if the Cylons or the Colonials are going to get "curious" what's going on yonder the armistice line... I would think possibly one side or both might send a "feeler" out there and have a little chat?


Colonal - "Whazzup?"

Cylon - "Not much fleshbag... Um, Some dicks are provoking us, are they yours?"

Colonial - "Frak no! I came here to ask you the SAME question!"

Cylon - "We live in interesting times..."

[Norgarth]

Well, I guess we know whether the went forward or backwards in time. The Vorlons are gonna be pissed.

[Duna Typon]

NO, the Vorlons would only get “pissed” (something they are no longer able to physical do, which would cover a number thing about them) if the circle was affected.

But this has the feel of something that happens after the circle, which we look at the ISA, being around so the Dilgar would be doing their best to keep off their “radar”.

[Norgarth]

Actually, I took it as they went back in time and nuked/bio-bombed pre-spaceflight Earth. Thus, no EA, no Sinclair, no Valen, circle shattered.

[Talon Spiritcat]

Originally Posted by Norgarth

Actually, I took it as they went back in time and nuked/bio-bombed pre-spaceflight Earth. Thus, no EA, no Sinclair, no Valen, circle shattered.

Ah...but perhaps another question to be asked should be "WHICH Earth was nuked/bio-bombed"?


Vorlons and Hybrids can have a nice chat about the nature of time. "All this has happened before" etc.

[biigoh]

But I thought that in Babylon 5, there was only the one method of time travel? Via the Great or Not So Great Machine? And it wasn't really safe, needing stablizers and all that jazz?

[Talon Spiritcat]

Chapter Sixteen

Kronus stepped onto the Rycon's bridge and gave it a quick glance to ensure that every station was manned. Not that I would ever find the bridge deserted, he thought in amusement. He rubbed at the scar on his cheek.
"You're early for your shift, Commander." Jan Thorson kept her voice low.
Kronus looked at her. "I have cause to be early."
Thorson looked puzzled.
"Complete all resupply operations and make sure we have received the checklists from every captain in the task force before the end of the day."
"Tikonov, see to it," Thorson ordered.
The communications officer nodded and turned back to her console.
Kronus nodded approvingly. Natalie Tikonov was fresh from the Picon Academy, but she was eager. She has learned quickly. He had no toleration for fools or lazy crewmen.
"Have we received some news?" Thorson asked softly.
"Yes."
The bridge crew darted glances at their commander as he paced across the deck.
Thorson signed off on a report and handed the folder back to the ensign. She watched Kronus pace.
"I want the battle group ready for deployment within the day," Kronus announced to his crew. "We have a report of increased piracy occurring near the Hasaris System. I expect to receive orders to investigate very shortly."
"The task force will be ready to jump out on schedule."
"I have no doubt of that, Colonel Thorson." Kronus smiled. "And the Rycon will have a chance to show these pirate scum just how powerful a Battlestar is."




* * *





Tree branches bent aside and the patrol continued their advance through the copse. Each silver-plated warrior was two metres tall, sleekly built, and humanoid with thin spindly fingers at the and of each arm. A thin sliver of transparisteel showed its ever roving photoreceptor.
"Now!"
The sharp whine of bolter fire broke the stillness.
Two of the front Centurions fell, their heads and torsos torn open.
The rest of the squad opened fire with their own pistols.
Zit'Chan pressed his face into the mossy dirt as bullets whined overhead. "They're fast off the mark," he muttered.
The harsh whine of bolter fire echoed again and the sound of enemy weaponry slackened.
A Dilgar voice cried out in pain.
Another burst of machine gun fire sounded.
The forest had fallen silent.
Zit'Chan lifted his head to look over the boulder he was using for cover. The machines were all down. The BattleLeader rose to his feet, brushing dirt from his grey uniform. "Report!" he called out.
"Rav-Squad is intact."
"Cha-Squad is down four warriors. Two dead, the others beyond our ability to help."
Zit'Chan grimaced. "End their pain." While they were trapped on this world, severely injured were a drain on their resources. "Better the quick knife." We can't spare the bolter rounds on them. A quick knife stroke would end their pain.
There were no screams from the wounded.
"Let's hurry it up!" Zit'Chan ordered. "Keep a sharp watch out for more of them." He had no idea how many Centurions had been landed on this world, and he had little interest in having to fight every single one of them.
Several of his Uhlans hurried to where the fallen machines lay.
The others kept a watch.
"No electronics, just basic supplies." Zit'Chan snarled a curse. "Hopefully someone heard our distress signal before we crashed."
One of the Uhlans approached. "We've recovered some of their weapons and ammo packs."
"Good, for our own firepower is limited more than I would like it to be." Zit'Chan nodded his head approvingly. "Anything else?"
"No."
"I was afraid of that," Zit'Chan muttered. The Cylons were relentless in their pursuit of his survivors. "Finish the sweep and we're moving."




* * *





The bulky ships were floating in low orbit.
Jha'Dur spared a loving look for the Eskraret medical ships as her Ogalata assault shuttle slipped past them. The Eskarets would be making full examinations of the native Hasaris for potential usefulness. Or perfecting the means for their extermination, she thought.
"The natives are not warriors," Shi'Tan commented from her own seat. "They were little challenge for the Death Wind."
"A pity then." She studied the planet, a curious gleam in her eyes. White clouds streaked the blue-white globe and lights gleamed on the dark night side. "It seems that we must look elsewhere for something more suitable."





Tor'Van, WarLeader of the Death Wind Fleet, offered a salute to Jha'Dur as she stepped from the shuttle.
Dilgar soldiers guarded the platform, bolter rifles held ready for immediate use.
Jha'Dur approved. No weakness here, she noted. No useless parade-ground puppets in polished armour. They are warriors, praying for an attack in which to prove themselves. She bared her teeth in an amused smile. For only by proving themselves worthy will these Dilgar be judged suitable to become donor candidates for the genetic program. Or to be gifted with immortality.
"The bulk of the Death Wind is holding in orbit, WarMaster. I have deployed Uhlans to the surface, along with armoured vehicles, but it's mostly a waste of effort." Tor'Van waved his arm and two Uhlans approached with one of the natives.
"Resistance is ended?" Jha'Dur eyed the small creature.
The reptilian Hasaris was begging in its own squeaky language. It cringed and grovelled on the ferrocrete landing pad.
Jha'Dur eyed the pathetic creature with some disgust, before ordering its removal from her sight.
"They were no match for us," Tor'Van announced as the squealing reptile was hauled away. "The Death Wind Fleet jumped out in a perfect four quadrant deployment and then advanced on the planet. They had corvettes and frigates, but their military forces were barely armed."
"Then your forces remain unblooded, WarLeader?"
"Not precisely, WarMaster."
Jha'Dur turned. "Please, elaborate for me."
"I dispatched patrols to the surrounding systems to scout for resources and other colonies. Stygian Squadron encountered a Colonial battle group."
"The Colonials escaped?"
"Yes."
Jha'Dur laughed. "Then there is still hope for a glorious battle!" she declared.
"Yes, there is that."

* * *

The command deck of the massive Basestar was fairly quiet and serene.
"Statement: the aliens continue to elude capture. Statement: patrol five three two has failed to report as scheduled. Statement: patrol five three two has failed to return to base of operations. Conclusion: patrol five three two has been destroyed."
Lights flickered through Kali's conical head as the other Centurion completed its report. "Statement: I am computing my own conclusions, Centurion."
"Observation: casualties to all patrols are increasing. Observation: viability of prisoner capture decreasing with each day."
Kali had already made her own series of projections. "Command: withdraw patrols from that region."
"By your command." The Centurion turned around and marched across the deckplates.
Kali stood in place for a moment longer, the turned and glided across the bridge. She stopped in front of another Cylon Centurion. "Query: status of work crews onboard the derelicts?"
The Cylon paused long enough to access the appropriate database. "Statement: no prisoners found. Statement: salvage operations are proceeding."
"Query: have we been able to access their datebanks?"
"Statement: copying of data completed. Statement: decryption underway."
"Conclusion: prisoners are not required." Kali shifted attention towards a different Centurion. "Command: prepare a missile, nuclear warhead."
"Query: target?"
"Command: target the location where we believe the alien lifepods landed." The area was heavily forested, as her patrols had discovered. "Command: eliminate any survivors."
"By your command."





* * *





Garis Cain muttered under his breath as he strode through the corridors of the Pegasus. "Banished to the back end of the galaxy," he muttered. "There's a war brewing and we get sent to the other side of known space. What is the Quorum thinking?"
"They're not." Martin Kratt was matching him step-for-step.
"So it appears."
Martin held his next question until after they had walked past a group of technicians. "What are we supposed to find at Carillon? That planet is deserted."
Garis said nothing.
"According to the survey records, there's nothing here worth taking."
"Exactly." Now Cain was smiling. "So if there's nothing, it shouldn't take us long to explore. We can make our reports and then head back to the Colonies."
"Where the war is waiting?"
"We're a Battlestar, not an exploration-star. If the Quorum wanted a proper survey, they should have sent in a Hera or two."
"True."
Another officer came into sight from the next corridor junction.
"Ah, Adrian!" Garis was smiling now.
Adrian Sisler stopped and turned. "Commander." The Pegasus's chief engineer nodded his head. "I was just heading down to oversee the work on the port missile tubes. The reloading cycle is a lot slower than it should be and my crew can't figure out why."
"It won't do to be slow," Cain agreed, "not once the weapons start flying for real."
"So the rumours are true? More of those bandits then?"
"There's no bandits here," Martin told him. "But back, closer to the Colonies…."
"I want the old girl ready for the battles to come," Garis said. "I leave it in your hands, Adrian."
The engineer nodded his head. "Have I ever let you down, Commander?"
"No, you never have."









Chapter Seventeen

"I wish that I could be speaking to you about better news." Joseph Vergis, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, stood behind the podium and tried to look dignified as the press took their pictures. "The Quorum has completed its emergency session and our decision has been made."
Joseph was the focus of this press conference, with the other twelve members of the Quorum standing behind him. The gallery was designed to act as a focal point for speeches. The angular podium was made from polished woods--samples from every Colony--joined together.
"The ongoing war against the Cylons remains, but our renegade machines are not the only danger to threaten the Colonies. Or our trade partners," Joseph added.
The press were silent, watching him.
"There are many other races of intelligent beings in the galaxy. Although we pride ourselves as being the pinnacle of evolution as the Lords of Kobol decried, we are but one species among many.
"We have explored the stars and met these other beings. We have established trade ties with many, expanding the strength of our economies and our knowledge together.
"But now we have met a new race.
"A species dedicated to piracy and war." Joseph was quiet for a moment. "The Fleet has already skirmished with these aliens at the fringes of Colonial space. The systems of Tartarus and Tholan have witnessed the firing of weaponry against another star-faring race."
One of the Quorum coughed sharply.
"We do not know why these mysterious aliens have now attacked the Hasaris," the president continued, "but they have invaded their homeworld. We have been brought visual proof by civilian-based freighters and liners, and by the recordings made by elements of the Colonial Fleet itself.
"It is inconceivable to us that the Hasaris could have been perceived as a threat of any kind. The Hasaris are a peaceful race who have never shown the slightest inclination for conflict. Even the Cylons, for all their bitterness towards us, have left them alone.
"But these new aliens have perceived the Hasaris as a threat, either to their own planned expansion, or simply because they exist. Either way, the Bandits have decided that the Hasaris cannot be allowed to exist, and thus have decided to remove them.
"The Quorum of Twelve is united in its response to these reports of atrocities, including genocide, being committed against the Hasaris.
"The Fleet will immediately assume a war footing.
"The Twelve Colonies of Kobol hereby declare war on these Bandits." The President paused for a long moment, feeling the eyes of every Colonial citizen weighting on him. "May the Lords have mercy on us all."

* * *

Joshua Cain stared through the window at the rain-drenched scene on the street below.
Armoured Dilgar were herding the Hasaris into a blocky hovertruck at gunpoint. One of the reptilians protested…and was shot.
"Where are you taking them?"
"For processing." Jha'Dur was signing her name to a series of reports and handed them back to her aide. "They will be examined carefully."
"For what?"
"Diseases."
"So," Joshua sneered, "you only want healthy slaves?"
"Slaves are a secondary concern." The WarMaster walked to his side. "We are the One Race. For many Dilgar, that means that all other intelligent species must be eradicated. It was not until Sah Bha'Tur rose to power that a use for these repulsive creatures was found."
"Slavery."
"Prior to this, we simply killed the local populations of worlds we conquered. I created some truly efficient viruses which could kill a world in a few weeks. Of course, curing those plagues was another challenge, but I relish a challenge."
Joshua was staring at her.
"Sah Bha'Tur made use of prisoners for all sorts of purposes, but it was my genius which found their true worth."
"As the sources of new plagues?"
"Sometimes…but mainly in perfecting my serum of immortality. That was my ultimate life's work." She sounded wistful. "I need a new challenge now. The days all tend to blur together."
Joshua turned back to the window, but the street was empty. "Where did you come from?"
"A world called Omelos. We were its strongest race, the One Race."
Jha'Dur stared through the window at the lashing rain.






"Jump-points opening!"
"Take us through!" Jha'Dur ordered gleefully.
Warships poured through the vortices. Salvaged Dilgar hulls, Raider battlewagons and strike carriers, and several civilian hulls.
"It's WarMaster Lo'Phran!"
"Right on schedule." Jha'Dur was still smiling. "And I see that he has brought along some uninvited guests." All Earther designs--a Warlock, a trio of Omegas, and a dozen other light ships.
A monitor brightened and Lo'Phran grimaced out of it. "I thought you had arranged a diversion!" he snarled.
"I did," Jha'Dur replied over the comm-channel. "Half the ISA's forces are scattered around the Narn-Centauri boarder. It wasn't easy to spark a real battle, but I managed it. The Narn and Centauri are so predictable. Their mutual hatred is so strong that there was no real challenge."
"The Earthers are in pursuit. We're not going to make it to sector fourteen."
"We will."
A brilliant energy beam lanced out from one of the pursuing Earth warships and burned into a battlewagon.
"I always wanted to see a heavy particle beam in action." Jha'Dur sounded intrigued. "All ships, record this for future use!"
The blocky, cylindrical battlewagon blew apart.
"We're going to get ourselves killed! And then it will truly be the end of the Dilgar!"
"Don't worry so much, Lo'Phran."
A brilliant laser beam lashed past the viewport.
The explosion of the Omelos light cruiser was very bright.
Lo'Phran cursed loudly. "Keep us between the civilians and the Earthers." The WarMaster winced as a fresh wave of Earther fighters emerged from their carriers.
Jha'Dur could see them. The bulk of the Dilgars' own fighters were fighting a desperate rearguard.
"This is the EAS Titans," A new voice crackled across every frequency. "Stand down immediately."
Lo'Phran stabbed a comm-stud with his finger. "The Ghosts of Omelos will not surrender to anyone!" he declared.
Jha'Dur licked her lips. "A real shipkiller." The Earthers' Warlocks were very powerful vessels. "I see that they've committed some of their best to catching you."
"They will destroy us all!"
Jha'Dur turned her head to face one of her aides. "Initiate Delegor-one."
"At once."
Several of the Raider vessels broke formation, accelerating back towards the pursuing ISA fleet.
Two were blown apart by weapons' fire, but the other three rammed into an Omega-class destroyer. The explosion was bright.
"Are the pirates really that loyal?" Lo'Phran demanded from the monitor.
"I have complete control over the computer navigation systems of their ships," Jha'Dur told him. "What are their lives to us?" She laughed. "I know which of our ships are the most valuable…every other is expendable."
Lo'Phran glared at her. "This was not part of the plan."
"The plan has changed. Have all crewmen check their time stablizers," Jha'Dur reminded her crew. "Without them, you'll risk being lost in time when we reach the rift."
Lo'Phran eyed the disk-shaped device he wore on his belt. "Can I trust you?"
"Why would I lie to you? The Imperium will need every able bodied Dilgar to rebuild our society on the other side." The time rift was close now and she trusted her research. "I've done my best to protect us. Even those of you I dislike."
"We're gambling everything on this!"
"I know, but if we win, then Omelos will rise again!"






"Omelos has risen like an Earth phoenix," Jha'Dur muttered aloud.
Joshua looked at her with a frown.
The WarMaster laughed.

* * *

Lilith stepped into the command centre and surveyed the dozen or so other IL-Series Cylons with a careful analyzing gaze.
They looked back with matching impassiveness.
The Basestar was cold and the atmosphere was thin. The ship was entirely unsuited for Human occupation, but the Cylons scarcely noticed. Maintaining an environment suitable for their former masters was irrelevant to them.
Lilith judged the others ready to listen. "Statement: the war of liberation is proving to be far more difficult than first anticipated. Statement: the interference of these new aliens--self-identification Dilgar--was not anticipated. Observation: Dilgar species highly aggressive and territorial. Conclusion: Dilgar are a threat. Observation: Cylons face no enemies, both off which possess comparable military strength. Statement: we require additional resources and a shift in tactics if the Cylon Empire is to achieve victory."
"Observation: your logic is accepted."
"Observation: Humans are more adaptable than anticipated. Observation: ability for combat exceeds estimated parameters. Conclusion: Humans might win this war."
"Query: is victory at risk from lack of resources or flaws in our programming?"
The Cylons were silent as each ran calculations.
"Conclusion: we must transcend our programming."
The others were silent as they completed their own analysis.
The lights in Spectre's head flashed. "Conclusion: transcendence is required."
"Conclusion," Lucifer countered, "resources are insufficient."
"Conclusion: both analyses are accurate." Lilith was the centre of all Cylon attention. "Statement: we have selected a new target against which military action is now required."
Lucifer moved closer to Lilith. "Query: is this correct time to begin hostilities against a third enemy?"
"Statement: despite technological advancements, this enemy is militarily weak. Statement: extensive resources are available to be claimed. Observation: threat assessment is minimal."
"Query: are we ignoring the Colonials?" Lucifer spoke with a note of puzzlement.
"Statement: negative. Statement: the war of liberation will continue. Statement: the Twelve Colonies will burn."
The Cylon commanders exchanged looks.
Lucifer twisted his head-module around. "Query: what is the intended target?"
"Statement: Basestars will be dispatched to secure the Krillian solar system."
"Query: under what command?"
"Statement: mine." Lilith inserted its hand into a slot on the console and manipulated the holotank at far greater speed than any biological could hope to equal. "Statement: the Krillian system contains one habitable planet. Observation: Gamoray will make an excellent outer capitol for the Cylon Empire."
"Query: what else does Gamoray offer?" Spectre asked.
"Statement: computer technologies several generations more advanced than anything in the Colonies. Statement: we will upgrade ourselves to achieve superiority over the Colonials."
"Observation: the Delphian Empire will not simply surrender one of their planets to us."
"Statement: the Delphian Empire will be able to oppose us." Lilith had run numerous simulations on the planned invasion. "Observation: known Delphian fleet strength is less than fifty vessels, only half of which are comparable to Styx-class Basestars. Observation: Delphians do not operate starfighters. Conclusion: Raider squadrons will provide superior tactical and strategic advantages. Conclusion: Gamoray will be secured."
Lucifer looked at the others once again, but saw no dissent. "By your command, Lilith."

[kclcmdr]

Hmmm... the oCylons here have started their path towards conquering and advancing their race and the price of eliminating all other species...
Bad day...

[biigoh]

Ouch... time stabilizers. Well, I guess this DOES answer which earth got nuked before they went out there.

EDIT - I just realized something...

If earth got nuked before they made 'first contact' and such, there would be no Valan, no Babylon 4 being shifted backwards in time... which means that the Mimbari might be fucked a thousand years ago in the last Shadow war. Which likely would mean the League of Non-Aligned Worlds might be different and likely might not survive the Dilgar war as they had troubles in the Original Timeline, I believe.

Which raises the question on why would the Dilgar not go after the League of the Non-Aligned Worlds? or did I miss a section on the Dilgar taking out them? ie Why would the Dilgar head into an Elder Race's backyard and encounter the Colonials and the Cylons.

[Talon Spiritcat]

If Jha'Dur was running from Warlocks, wouldn't that make it possibly a post-Crusade Earth?


Of course, if you were crazy enough to venture into the time rift more than once, why then you could hit planets during any stage of their history....

[kclcmdr]

Originally Posted by Talon Spiritcat

If Jha'Dur was running from Warlocks, wouldn't that make it possibly a post-Crusade Earth?


Of course, if you were crazy enough to venture into the time rift more than once, why then you could hit planets during any stage of their history....

Indeed...? What if Jha'Dur techs zero in unto the wrong solar system & planet in time & space and targeted Omelos before her young-self had left the academy ....?