Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 17:21:10 -0400 (EDT) From: The Snake's Wing I would prefer doing this as a bunch of stories in a series called, BATTLESTAT GALACTICA: THE NEXT GENERATION The surviving MAIN characters are IMMORTAL!!! They cannot be killed, but they CAN be temporarily disabled/comatose, if you get my meaning. That will be the only main character permitted. Any volunteers to kill off Baltar? That is also another death of a main character permitted. Crossovers are permitted, but BE CAREFUL!!! A crossover with: . Captain Kirk's Star Trek, . Star Trek: The Next Generation, . Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, . Babylon 5, . Space: Above and Beyond will put an end to the series (Because they would have found Earth!) Advisable crossovers may be with: . Star Trek: Voyager, . Perhaps a lost Klingon or Romulan vessel of some sort trying to find its way home. . Space: 1999 . Star Wars would probably be a great one... . Or, even the U.S.S. Hera. In an episode of ST:TNG ("Interface") It was commanded by Captain Sylvia LaForge, and has a woman chief engineer. It was never found. . Or, a run-in with Q? . A crossover with Lost in Space may be good. Remember that the Galactica cannot ever find Earth so that we can keep adding stories. Also, keep in mind that this takes place about 15 yahrens after the original BG series, and of course, ignoring BG80. I'll write the first story. e-mail me at jchin01@kepler.poly.edu to get on the list to write a story. It took about 2 months to write this. (Actually 3 months because I had to scrap the previous story I started.) My first plan for the first story was going to be another encounter with the Pegasus, kill off Tigh and have Cain die of a stroke as basestars approached, and have Starbuck as the new Pegasus Commander. Then I decided that if I did this, I'd get complaints that I ended up doing the best of the lot leaving everyone else with trying to think of other ones that... well you get the point. And that it would not be the same with Starbuck and Apollo working together in the same room. Therefore, I leave some else to kill off Commander Cain who would be older, but still very active, and juggernaut commander of the Pegasus. And, whoever does this encounter with the Pegasus, don't you dare have him running all over the place whacking people on the heads like a grouchy old lady:) Well, Here we go... #1 There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the heavens. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE NEXT GENERATION THE THIRTEENTH COLONY'S REST STOP Written by J. Chin Based on Battlestar Galactica Created by Glen A. Larson Commander Tigh slowly paced around the bridge of the Battlestar Galactica, his mind wandering. It has been several yahrens when Adama died, right where he was pacing. Colonel Apollo, dressed in his black uniform, was standing almost next to Athena, and they both watched the only person who outranked him pace. Apollo noticed that his kinky hair was completely grey, more like white kinky hair, contrasting with the dark skin of his late father's best friend, who he could consider their second father. When they had escaped from their homes, he was a younger man, but then, Apollo himself got older and wiser, and higher in rank, as well. So was Captain Athena. He then said, "Commander Tigh, Right where you are pacing is where my father died." Tigh looked around and said, "Yeah, right." He then approached Apollo and Athena and said, "You still miss him too, huh?" They both replied, "Yes, Tigh." "The Frakkin' Cylons killed him! Even if they didn't fire a shot yet," cried Apollo. Boxey, now a man and a colonial warrior, approached onto the bridge with Starbuck. "What's going on here, guys?" asked Starbuck. Tigh said, "We're just thinking back, Captain." Boxey asked, "How DID my grandfather die? I mean, I don't remember seeing any destruction on the bridge or a repair crew, but it was ten yahrens ago." All eyes were on Apollo. He said, "Well, now that you're old enough to understand, the Cylons did not really kill him, but... As they approached, his heart started to give him problems." (Apollo was about to run off the bridge as battle alarms sounded and the lighting on the bridge went red. The next thing he heard was a cry of excruciating pain, and then Athena screaming into the com system, "I need a medtech up here on the bridge! IMMEDIATELY!! It's Commander Adama! IT'S MY FATHER!!!") (He remembered himself and Athena clinging to each other, crying and Cassiopeia's sad and cracking words, "I'm sorry, Apollo... Athena. Dr Salik and I did all we could." Tigh then said, "I need you HERE! On the bridge... Colonel Apollo... Let Starbuck lead the viper squadrons!") (After they fought off the Cylons, Cassiopeia said, "Commander Adama's last words were, 'Tigh is hereby promoted to Commander...' He also said to give Commander Tigh his congratulations." Tigh turned to Apollo and said, "Well, it looks like I need a colonel. Apollo. I hereby promote you to Colonel. Congratulations, Colonel Apollo." They then shook hands, and then gave each other a hug.) Boxey said, "I guess that from a certain point of view, the Cylons did kill grandfather Adama. Their coming here to attack us killed him." "They also attacked and destroyed six of our 220 unarmed ships," said Tigh. Sheba and Casiopeia came onto the bridge. 1 boy and 1 girl whose facial features were very much like Cassiopeia's, holding her hands. The older, the boy, looked about the same age as Boxey was when he had to leave the homes of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol. Sheba, too, was holding the hand of an older boy, and a younger girl, about the same age as the other boy and girl respectively. He resembled Apollo, and she resembled Sheba. Starbuck squatted down and said, "Hello, Dillon... Hello, Pandora." "Hello, Father," said the boy. "Got a hug for your father?" "Yes." They both practically jumped on him, almost making Starbuck lose his balance. After letting go of each other, Starbuck got up and the younger one went running back to Cassiopeia. The older one went up to Tigh and Apollo, and said, "Hello, Commander Tigh. Hello, Uncle Apollo." They both responded, "Hello, Dillon." The boy with Sheba walked up to Athena and said, "Hello, Aunt Athena. Whatcha doing?" "Hi, Troy. I'm just watching the con here. Do you want to watch with me?" The boy said, "Yeah..." Apollo turned to Tigh and said, "It's a pity... Troy and Helen will never get to meet their grandfather. Troy was just born just a few centons before Adama died." "Yes it is, Apollo... I liked it better being a colonel. Now I'm stuck with the important decisions that may mean life or death of us." "Commander, you must have more confidence in yourself. You've gotten us THIS far. But, I must admit that I liked flying a viper better. I felt that I was doing more for us by fighting a band of Cylon raiders and being on the edge of the seat in a viper." Starbuck came up and said, "Now, I am in command of the squadrons... It's not the same without Apollo beside me." Sheba said, "Well, you've got me, Starbuck... and Boomer and Boxey." "Yeah, that's true, but if anything happened to you... or Boxey for that matter, I don't think that I'd ever hear the end of it from Apollo... and now I'm the one that has to go and tell families that their mother or father, wife or husband, son or daughter, was killed in his or her viper by a Cylon raider. And then try to console them. Even then, Sheba, you're the captain of Silver Squadron." Tigh said, "Speaking about the Cylons, we haven't heard from them in awhile. I fear what they may be up to." "I do too, Uncle Tigh..." said Apollo. "Me too." Aboard a Cylon basestar was the sound of glass being scraped. The doors to the command center opened, and Lucifer walked in, saying, "By your Command." The large commander's chair turned, and Baltar, with his hair, at least what was still on his temples, gone gray, said, "Speak, Lucifer... Have we finally found the Galactica and their pathetic fleet?" "Yes, Baltar... And two more basestars said that they're on their way to confront them. And, these two basestars are the newer ones with better defense systems and more raiders. The Imperial Leader himself also sent two more top-of-the-line basestars." "Very good, Lucifer... Let me know when they all arrive, and tell me when we're ready to confront them." "By your command." Lucifer then proceeded to walked out. "I'm picking up transmissions similar to ours," said Athena. "Relay it," said Tigh as he stood beside Apollo. Athena pushed a button on the conn, and heard, a woman's voice saying, "Joy g'en," and then a man's voice responding with the same thing. Then Apollo looked again and said, "There's an unidentified ship in our path, Commander. It seems to be on an intercept course." After taking another look, he gasped, "It's at least as large as the Galactica! It just... appeared into view. First there was nothing there, and then suddenly, there it was." "Full stop," said Tigh. "Right in front of it." From space, the Galactica came to a stop facing the white ship. It was a hull with two large cylindrical propulsion tubes on its sides connected to it by four arms. The front of it was the head of a dragon, with its mouth partially open. Also, from the above the eyes, were two long, straight cones that came points pointing in front of it. Its eyes were lit. Near the rear of the 'tubes,' there were four mysterious characters. Dead in the center of the tube was a blue square with a white twelve-point sun in it. "I'm picking up a signal from that vessel," announced Athena. "Open a channel," responded Tigh. Tigh saw a man with what looked like slanted eyes and long, black hair on his head that went back. Apollo and Athena looked over Tigh's shoulder to get a look at this person. The man started talking harmoniously, and his tone sounded like he was asking a question, but no one could understand him. The expression on his face also seemed to show curiosity. Tigh, Apollo, and Athena looked at each other. Athena said, "Aside from his eyes that look like they are slanted, they look human." Tigh then asked him, "Who are you?" The man backed away from the screen, and another approached. He asked, "Ah you flom... Kobol? Who- ah you?" Tigh said, "I am Commander Tigh of the Battlestar Galactica. We are from the Twelve Colonies of Kobol." "Yeah? Twelf Colonies?" "Who are you?" "I General Wong of da Battleship Bok Loong, flagship of the Chin Empire. Legend has it dat... we were visited dousands of you yahren ago by a colony heading fo' Erff." He turned to the first person that backed away from the screen, revealing his long black hair in a pony tail halfway down his back, and that he was wearing a red robe. They conversed in their language. Starbuck had joined then on the bridge. Starbuck said, "My, they almost sound as if they are singing to each other in their language." Apollo and Tigh looked at each other. "Yeah, Starbuck's right," said Apollo. They looked at each other, and Starbuck and Apollo simultaneously said, "Earth?" General Wong came back to the screen, and Tigh said, "General Wong, why don't you come over to the Galactica?" "Why don't you come to da Bok Loong, Commanda? Come have a dinner wit us on ah planet. Follow us. Our Imperial Leader will be glad to meet you." The Galactica and the Bok Loong were in orbit around a bluish planet. From the Galactica, three vipers and a shuttle emerged. Also, from the Bok Loong, two shuttlecraft emerged. The four Colonial craft followed the other two craft to the planet. Apollo and Tigh climbed out of the shuttle, and Sheba, Boxey, and Starbuck, out of their vipers. Boxey looked around and saw a few pagoda-like structures in front of them. General Wong and a woman with a long red dress approached them. The woman was about to put something on Tigh's right ear, but he backed away. Wong said, "Commander, that is a duhvai that will make commoonicashun easier." Tigh stood still as she installed the device on his ear. Then she put a necklace around his neck, with a disk-shaped object in the front. She did the same with the other Colonial warriors. When Wong first spoke, they heard nonsense, and then they heard Wong saying from the earpiece, "Can you understand me?" They all said, "Yes." "Come... We will now take you to our Emperor." They all followed him. They approached the largest pagoda, and the many guards around it made fists with their right hands in front of their chests, and then placed their left hands over them, and then bowed, murmuring, "General..." The two closest to the doors went and pushed on them so that they opened. Wong did the same gesture, bowing to the guards, saying, "Thank you." Then they all walked in. They entered a very large room with two large chairs. In front of them stood a man with a gold helmet, and a bright-red robe, and a woman wearing a gold dress and her long black hair brushed behind her. Wong got down on his right knee, put his right fist into his left hand, bowed to the Emperor and said, "Emperor Lee. I bring guests from the Twelve Colonies of Kobol," as he stared at the floor directly below him. The Emperor ran down the step and grabbed Wong's shoulders, lifting him onto his feet. "General... General Wong. I've said that a general or an admiral never has to kowtow before me. They have shown their loyalty to me and our people by acquiring their ranks." Tigh said, "How about us? Do we have to... kow-tow before you? I am unfamiliar with the customs of your people, and I don't want to offend you or your people." He then approached Tigh, removed the device off his ear and said, "I em Emperor Lee... Welcome... to Jung G'ork, the capital city of the Ching Empire." "Thank you, Emperor," responded Tigh. "I am Commander Tigh, of the Battlestar Galactica, representing the Twelve colonies of Kobol. And-" The Emperor nodded to him and said, "To answer ya question, in da name of daplomacy, we not require visitas to kow-tow befo' us. An', Colonel, fer dee occasion of ah second visit flom people of Kobol, we feast. Come wi' us to da dining hall. We FEAST in your honor." Lucifer entered the command center, and said, "By your command." Baltar turned his chair around and faced Lucifer. "Speak." "It seems that the Galactica and the entire human fleet established orbit around some planet, Baltar." Baltar looked at Lucifer in amazement. "I wonder what they found there? Send a patrol to take a look, Lucifer." "Baltar," responded Lucifer. "The Imperial leader already knows. He said not to take any action until the reinforcements arrive. And if the fleet decides to move on, just keep track of them." "Lucifer, the Imperial Leader means not to attack yet... There's nothing wrong with just... taking a look. Now send out that patrol!" "By your command." Lucifer then walked out. Boomer and Omega were on the bridge with Athena. Athena said, "Boomer, I just picked up something from way behind the fleet." Boomer and Omega looked over her shoulder, and said, "Cylons, right?" Athena said, "Yes." "Contact Commander Tigh and tell him, if you can reach him." "I'll try, Captain." The Emperor and his wife, General Wong, and a few others, along with Commander Tigh, Apollo, Starbuck, Sheba and Boxey sat a a long table, eating. The Emperor explained, "The Duh-teence Colony under Commanda Adam had to stop'ere to fix one of deir smaller ships. So it crash-landed on our woold." Apollo then said, "Well, I guess that the Thirteenth Colony may not be a legend after all." "Not unless," said Starbuck, "that both of our people conjured up the same legend." "Quiet, you two," said Tigh. "I want to hear this." "Deir ship was fixed, but dey could not go because it had no fuel," the Emperor continued. "So, since we had plenty of usable metals an' sources of fuel that cood not be used by da ship, we helped dem build anudder, a bigger one. During deir long stay, we learned deir technology, and we learned each udder's languages." Tigh then said, "Well, the fact that you speak our language proves that the Thirteenth Colony existed, Emperor. We thought that it may have only been a legend. Many among my people thought it was just a legend." "Yes, Commander. Also at dat time, General Chin wan-ed to take ovah the government. Dat was because while we were just experimenting wiss going into da skies an' beyon', Emperor Fu was against going out dare, while the General wann-ed to explore wha' was beyon' ah woold." Sheba said, "That would have been a loss..." The Emperor said, "Yeah, Emperor Fu di' realize dat latah." He then continued. "Da Emperor decided dat he would help da colonists build another ship but dat wooh be all. General Chin helped out, and wann-ed to build more, for our woold, and the Emperor, uh- err-" He then tapped the device on Tigh's ear and then said, "Please turn on the tolanslators." Apollo, Starbuck, Boxey, and Sheba tapped their earpieces, and then resumed listening. Then the Emperor continued. "It took three of your yahrens to build their new ship, and Emperor Fu was going to have General Chin, his family, and his followers executed for crimes against the Empire. In the end, Emperor Fu allowed dem to journey with the colonists. But, aftah awhile, we lost contact with them. The last message we got was that they found Earth. They were about to go through some kind of asteriod field between the fourth and fifth planets' paths of orbit around a yellow star." "While they were here, Commander Adam died on our world, too weak to live. He had lived a long life. Then one of your yahrens later, Colonel Chronus carried on the trip to Earth. Then the Emperor agreed that General Chin was correct about space exploration, since our world was getting overpopulated. Since then, another two of your yahrens later, we built more ships, and colonists also went to Earth. We lost contact with them as well, It was around the same place. They encountered the asteriods, and then that was it." Tigh then said, "Wow... I guess that there is a thirteenth colony out there, along with your colonists. We thought that it was only a legend." "That thirteenth colony is no legend, Commander. The proof is that we still teach your language after thousands of your yahrens, and the fact that we have space ships." Tigh then said, "I'll tell you our story, Emperor Lee." "Please do, Commander..." Lucifer reported back to the command center and said, "By your command." A few seconds later, Baltar, annoyed, turned around in his chair. "What has our patrol found, Lucifer. You did send out a patrol as ordered, did you not?" "Yes, Baltar. We found more humans on that planet. They have only three ships, but no weaponry on them." "Oh, more humans? I wonder what the Imperial Leader will have to say about that?" A gold Cylon walked in, saying his mechanical monotone, "By your command." Baltar said, "Speak, Centurion." The Centurion said, "The basestars that the Imperial Leader sent have arrived." Baltar's eyes lit up and said, "Good. Now we must await the other two. Then we will overwhelm the Galactica, and then destroy that entire fleet." Two more basestars approached a full stop beside the other three. Squadrons of Cylon raiders emerged. Boomer was pacing on the bridge of the Galactica. "Have you had any luck contacting Commander Tigh or Colonel Apollo?" "No," said Athena, she looked back at the controls. "Omigod! Cylons raiders approaching!" Then the lighting on the bridge turned red. From outside the Galactica, vipers could be seen emerging from the viper bays. The Emperor and General Wong walked Commander Tigh, Colonel Apollo, Captains Starbuck and Sheba, and Boxey back to their landing site. Tigh looked up and saw the three Cylon raiders approaching. He pushed Emperor Wong away fast and got hit by a laser blast from the raiders as everyone else scrounged for cover. The three raiders then headed for the pagodas. General Chin pulled the Emperor up and they ran to his shuttle, and then Starbuck, Sheba and Boxey jumped into their vipers and took off. Apollo pulled Tigh into the shuttle and said, "We'll get you back to the Galactica and you to the life center." "No time for that... Apollo..." He struggled and pulled his Commander's pin off himself and said, "Apollo... Come here." Apollo went to him, and Tigh spoke. "Not even Doctor Cassiopeia's... skills combined with... the late... Doctor Salik's can... help me now." He held the pin out to him and said, "Commander Apollo... Save the Galactica... Save the Twelve Colonies of Kobol... Save the people... of this... world." His hand then dropped, and Apollo went and got the shuttle started. Meanwhile, General Wong's shuttle was headed for the large ship. Once inside, the eyes on the head of the Bok Loong closed. Apollo emerged from the shuttle screaming, "I need medtechs... IMMEDIATELY!! It's Commander Tigh!" Rigel ran up to him saying, "OK, Colonel... They're on the way. Boomer needs you on the bridge to take command." Apollo nodded to Rigel and went running. Back outside, Captain Jolly, in his viper was being pursued by three Cylon raiders. *I can use some help here,* he said into his helmetcom. Starbuck said, *Boxey, go for the one in the middle... Sheba, go for the one on the right...* He opened fire and destroyed the raider on the left, and Boxey and Sheba did the same with their corresponding raiders. Then Starbuck yelled, *Woo Hooo...* *Thanks, guys,* said Jolly. *Good to be of help,* said Starbuck. *Oh, and welcome to the party, Captain Starbuck.* *Affirmative, Jolly.* Apollo arrived on the bridge and Boomer said, "Colonel Apollo, where's Commander Tigh?" "In the life center... Give me a status report, Captain." "There are four Cylon basestars out there, Colonel. It also looks like that the Bok Loong is in the battle." Boomer then said, "Colonel, I would like to join the squadrons as one of their captains." "No, Boomer. I need you on the bridge with me.... Unless some great miracle happens and Commander Tigh walks on to take command like nothing happened." Three Cylon raiders repeatedly fired its lasers at the side of the Bok Loong, all which detonated nowhere near it. The outline of its invisible shield showed as the detonations took place. Then many small bright blue beams merged into one powerful beam fired from it three times, slicing the three raiders in half from front to back and causing the total of six pieces to explode. Back on the bridge on the Galactica, a surprised Boomer said, "Colonel, did you see that? The Bok Loong's lasers just sliced three Cylon raiders... like a razor through paper." "I didn't know that they had weapons," responded Apollo. Athena said, "No weapons systems appeared on our scans of the vessel, but their defensive shields are more advanced than ours. I'm sorry, Apollo. I'll try to be more thorough next time." "Their weapons systems must have been too advanced to have registered on our scanners, Athena. Don't worry about it," said Apollo. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Three Cylon raiders are approaching us," said Athena. Boomer jumped to his console, manipulating it with both hands. Three Cylon raiders approached the Galactica, firing at it. A turret fired eight shots before destroying all three of them. A red ship, similar in shape to the Bok Loong, but smaller, shimmered into view, cruising at high speed past the Bok Loong itself, and then the Galactica, and headed towards the basestars. Besides being smaller, this Ching vessel's "tubes" on its sides was connected to it by "wings." The five basestars fired its lasers and missiles at it, but its detonations revealed an invisible forcefield around it, doing very little or no damage to the vessel itself. Cylon raiders also approached the red vessel, firing its lasers doing very negligible or no damage. Three of them even crashed into the invisible forcefield, leaving six raiders. Several small blue beams converged into a powerful cutting beam that sliced them, causing their destructions. Then from the two 'horns' in the front, two cutting beams merged into a powerful beam, slowly cutting through upper hull of one of the basestars. Baltar was standing, leaning on a walking stick, at the control center of the basestar, and watching the battle in progress. On a screen, he watched the red cruiser slowly slicing the upper hull of the basestar. All of a sudden, the blue cutting beam stopped and then resumed, separating the upper hull from its lower one. He also saw that their laser fire and missiles had no effect on it. On another screen, he watched as Cylon raiders' weaponry seemed to have no effect of the Bok Loong and the its cutting beams slicing Cylon raiders like a swinging sword slicing through a strand of hair. Baltar looked at Lucifer and said, "I thought that you said that their ships were unarmed, Lucifer." "The patrols did not pick up any kinds of weaponry on those ships. Also, this one just appeared out of nowhere, as if it just materialized and headed for us. I believe that their kinds of weaponry were just too advanced for us to notice." "Too?... advanced?... to notice?? Well, if your incompetent patrol had been competent enough to pick them up, we would have called and waited for more reinforcements, or awaited until the Galactica had left them, and then we could have stood a better chance of wiping out Adama and the pathetic fleet... And then those pathetic, slanted eyed humans residing on that planet." On the planet surface, gun barrels were sticking out the windows of the pagodas. Three Cylon raiders approached, firing its lasers. The laser shots detonated, showing a forcefield. Inside one of the pagodas was the Empress watching everything going on and three others aiming cannons. The room lit up as a volley of Cylon laser shots detonated. "Da lay yah!" yelled the Empress. {Get them!} "Hai yah!" responded several of the gunners, and proceeded to fire into the sky. {Yes!} Outside, three beams from the windows of the large pagoda converged into one, singeing a Cylon raider and causing it to smoke until it exploded. From the Bok Loong, emerged several shuttles. They approached the battle between the vipers and raiders, and then two of them opened fire with its blue cutting ray. The middle one of three Cylon raiders that was in pursuit of a viper was singed across the upper part of the craft in the middle. It slowed down and then blew up. A viper destroyed the one on the left, and then two cutting beams merged into one from the shuttle, slicing a piece of its left side off the last one. That raider then exploded as the stronger beam hit it right in its middle. The Bok Loong itself approached the battle between its red sister ship and the basestars. One of the basestars, in two separate hulls, showed fires and explosions throughout its hulls as the red vessel chose another and fired its cutting beams at it. The Bok Loong itself fired two beams from its nostrils and two more from its horns that converged into one beam and started slicing the lower hull of the damaged basestar. The basestar that was gradually being sliced by the red ship approached the enemy vessels. Then the lower hull of that first basestar exploded. Then the Bok Loong commenced slicing the upper hull, continuing the job that the red ship started. Baltar said to Lucifer, "Perhaps as they approach those two ugly ships, the force of their destructions may destroy or disable them." "My thoughts exactly, Baltar." "And launch a missile at that large white one." A centurion answered with its metallic monotone, "By your command." Apollo and Boomer looked on as the two vessels approached the basestars. They watched as a missile emerged from one of the basestars and headed towards the Bok Loong. It detonated in front of it, revealing the forcefield. Its impact did no visible damage. "Wow," said Boomer. "That missile didn't even touch the Bok Loong." "Take the Galactica in, Boomer... We're gonna fight." "Alright, Colonel." Boomer then manipulated his console. The Galactica started moving upwards and forwards, and then opened fire with its lasers. Athena said, "I'm picking up a signal from the Bok Loong, Colonel." "Relay it, Athena." On the screen was the Emperor. *Do not approach the basestars, warriors of Kobol. The battle cruiser and this battleship have formed a defensive forcefield for YOUR protection. WE will handle the basestars. That is the orders from Emperor Lee himself.* Then the channel was cut off. Boomer looked at Apollo. Apollo then said, "We've better stand down. Seeing the weaponry of those ships, I don't want a battle with them as well." "Alright, Colonel." said Boomer, "But I don't like this...". The horde of Cylon raiders headed towards one of the other ships, firing on it. The vipers were in pursuit, side-by-side with the Bok Loong's shuttles, taking out the Cylon craft one-by-one. Fires were visible on the unarmed ship. All of a sudden, a shiny gold ship identical in size and shape as the red one shimmered into view, slicing Cylon raiders as they approached. Some of them did get past it and continued firing its lasers at the unarmed, damaged ship. Three vipers pursued those raiders, firing on them. Several more Cylons made it past as well and started shooting at a viper. That viper hit its turbos. Sheba's voice said, *I can't shake'em.* Starbuck voice said, *Boxey, with me.* The two vipers fell behind. While that happened, a blue laser beam sliced the center raider in half, and the two pieces exploded. One of the vipers fired, destroying the one on the left while the other took out the one on the right. *Yah Hoo!* Starbuck's voice said. *YES!* yelled Boxey. Three of the Cylon raiders headed on a collision course towards the unarmed freighter, firing its lasers. A viper destroyed the one in the middle, and then Sheba's voice said, "Gotcha!" The other two raiders did a 180 but passed Sheba's viper. Sheba hit her turbos and did a 180, firing her lasers, destroying one of them. The other one pursued her, but right after missing, it was sliced in half by a blue beam, and its two halves exploded. *Thank you, whoever you are,* said Sheba into her helmetcom. By now, the red cruiser was halfway through slicing the hulls of the basestar it was working on, backing away as the basestar being damaged approached it firing its lasers at it. The lasers were just absorbed by the red cruiser. The Bok Loong was backing away, slicing through the lower and upper hulls at a faster pace. That basestar approached as well, firing its lasers, and a missile. The missile exploded against the defensive forcefield of the Bok Loong, doing negligible or no damage. A silver-gray cruiser shimmered into view and opened fire with its blue cutting beam at the upper hull of another basestar. "Prepare a shuttle, Lucifer," ordered Baltar, as he hobbled across the control center on his walking staff. "By your command." Back aboard the Galactica, Athena said, "Another one of their ships appeared, right next to a basestar, and is cutting away at it. Apollo, who was also watching beside Athena, said, "Yes. It just... appeared... out of nowhere. Amazing..." The red cruiser was still backing away from the approaching basestar it was carving. It stopped its cutting beam, and the basestar exploded. Pieces of it bounced off the cruiser's forcefield, some actually got through and did some visible damage. One of its 'horns' broke off, and it just drifted backwards in space. The Bok Loong, still backing away from its approaching basestar prey, cut off its cutting beam and then emitted a red beam that repulsed the basestar. All the while, tiny points of lights flickered as Cylon raiders were also 'being used as target practice' by other weaponry of the Bok Loong. As the she accelerated on reverse course, it stopped the red beam, and then the basestar exploded, sending pieces bouncing off its forcefield. A few pieces got through the forcefield, but did not do any visible damage. When the explosion cleared, it moved forward and started to carve the last basestar. Then the silver-gray cruiser accelerated backwards as tiny explosions took place on its basestar prey. After it was far away enough, another beam shot from it, and then the basestar exploded, some of the pieces just bouncing off its forcefield. The Bok Loong's converged beam separated, and just kept firing all over the basestar. The basestar was just drifting in space. Aboard the Galactica, Athena said, "Another incoming message from the Bok Loong, Apollo." "Let's hear it." The Emperor's face appeared on the screen on the console. *Colonel Apollo... Commanda Tigh... Dest'loy that Cylon basestah. Mos' its weapon systems have been deactivated, so it should be easy. In the meantime, I have a fliend to help.* "Alright, Emperor." Then the channel closed. Apollo said, "Take us in." The Galactica moved forward, firing its lasers at the disabled, drifting basestar. The laser shots detonated on the basestar. The white Ching battleship approached the drifting red cruiser. At the same time, a dark-gray battleship, identical in size and shape to the Bok Loong shimmered into view and fired a red beam at it, stopping it from moving. Then both battleships each emitted a red beam, one on each side of the red cruiser, and then headed for the planet. The Cylon raiders all around the gold cruiser all turned around, with the vipers and the allied shuttles in pursuit. As they all headed for the Galactica, the gold cruiser turned, continuing firing its blue beams. Blinking points of lights that were Cylon raiders being used for target practice were being taken out. The Galactica continued firing, and finally, the basestar exploded, first the lower, and then the upper hull. A closer look at the Galactica's starboard side showed a laser turret firing at three Cylon raiders firing its lasers at the Galactica. Two raiders were destroyed, and the last one crashed into the viper bay on that side. Boxey fired on three Cylon raiders in front of him. After twelve shots, he got all three. He took out the center one on the third shot, the one on the right on the ninth, and then the last on the twelfth one. All of a sudden, there was a laser detonation on his right. Three Cylon raiders were in pursuit of Boxey's viper. He hit his turbos and went into an upward arc and made a full circle. The center and left raider followed him, firing at him. He opened fire and destroyed the last one. *I could use some help here,* he said into his helmetcom. *Hang on, Boxey,* said another voice. One of the Galactica's laser turrets opened fire, taking out another. By that time, he and the last raider was too far away to be helped. He again hit his turbos and went into a downward arc, but still, the last raider followed. A cutting beam from one of the shuttles singed the raider, and caused it to slow down. Boxey then went in an upward arc, and then a full circle. Then he opened fire and destroyed that last raider. The gold Ching cruiser maneuvered itself to the port side of the Galactica, blue beams emerging from all over it, and blinking points of light from the destruction of Cylon raiders, and raiders crashing into its forcefield. On the starboard side, the fight between the Cylon raiders against the vipers, Ching shuttlecraft, and the Galactica's weaponry also continued. On that side of the Galactica, a few fires were visible. A green Ching cruiser shimmered into view on that side, firing its blue cutting beams at the Cylon raiders, slicing them in half and having the pieces explode. Aboard the Galactica's bridge, Apollo yelled into the com system, "Status of port viper bay." *Fires have been contained, but it is unusable,* was the response from the com. "Keep me updated." *Acknowledged, Colonel.* Athena said, "Another one of their cruisers just APPEARED in our starboard side... Apollo." Apollo looked at Athena's com and said, "It seems that their ships don't approach..." Boomer said, "Yes, they appear." There were only a few Cylon raiders left; the gold and green cruisers shimmered as they vanished from view. The vipers, Ching shuttles, and the Galactica's laser turrets finished off the battle. Apollo, Boomer and Athena watched as a large space station shimmered into view, and the two battleships towed the red cruisertowards it. The red beams were cut off from the battleships, and the space station fired three at it to dock the disabled cruiser. Cassiopeia came onto the bridge saying, "Apollo..." "Yes, what is it, Cass?" "I'm sorry, Apollo, but we did all we could." Her face showed disappointment, as did Apollo's. She handed him Tigh's pin and continued. Commander Tigh's last words were, 'Tell Apollo, that he is thereby promoted to commander of the Galactica.'" Apollo reacted by turning and walking off the bridge. Cassiopeia was about to follow him. Boomer stopped her and said, "Leave him, Cass... His father died ten yahrens ago when the Cylons attacked, and now Tigh, who he has really grown fond of. He just needs to blow off steam." Apollo waited by the viper bays to see who would return. Ever since this long voyage, he had lost his brother, Zac, friends on the viper squadron, his father, and now, Tigh, who filled in the role of Commander of the Galactica, and as his father (actually, more like an uncle). Tigh was very much his second father. He thought back... ("Ashes to ashes... Dust to dust," said Tigh to a roomful of warriors, including Apollo, Starbuck, Athena, Boomer, and many others. "Adama fought for us on this long voyage that has lasted ten yahrens so far. After the Cylons attacked Caprica, all he had left were: - his children, and of course, the Battlestar Galactica..." He had a tear comming out f a eye that he wiped off with the sleeve of his black uniform.) Rigel's voice was heard over the com system, *Silver Spar squadron... You're clear to land.* That was Captain Sheba's team. Green squadron has already landed, except for their captain. As vipers landed one at a time, his mind wandered again. ("You wanted to see me? Colonel- er Commander Tigh?" He saw Sheba, Starbuck, Cassiopeia, and Athena on the bridge with Tigh. "Yes, Apollo. Now that you're all here, I have a few things to tell you... First of all, Apollo..." He handed Apollo a pin, and a black uniform, neatly folded and said, "Apollo... As the new Commander of the Galactica, as well as filling in the role of the President of the Council of Twelve, I hereby promote you to Colonel." Athena, Cassiopeia, and Sheba each gave him a kiss on the cheek, and then Sheba said, "Congratulations, Apollo." Starbuck also gave Apollo a pat on the back. "Congratulations, Colonel Apollo." "And Starbuck," continued Tigh. "You are now captain of blue squadron." Tigh looked at Cassiopeia and said, "Commander Adama had a last few words, that she told Cassie." "Well, Commander Tigh..." started Cassiopeia. "This was really a message to you...") He was jolted back to reality when he realized that Silver Spar Squadron returned, without their captain. *Red Squadron, you're clear to land.* said Rigel's voice. He ran over to help a viper pilot out of his viper and asked him, "Sergeant, what happened to Sheba? and Boxey?" "I'm not sure, Colonel... It was a mess out there... But we were not separate squadrons, we were one squadron under Captain Starbuck. I'm not sure what happened to him either, or your son, Boxey." Seeing that she did not return with her squadron, he murmured to himself, "You Cylon hunk of circuits and metal... You killed my wife... And my son." He stepped back to lean against a wall that was further back than he thought, and found himself sitting on the floor. (*If you're playing this message,* the tape of his father said. *I assume that I am dead, and Tigh would be the new commander of the Galactica. I am sure that Earth really exists. And, Colonel... I mean Commander Tigh, You and I have been friends for many yahrens, even helped me and my wife with my children, Apollo, Athena, and daughter-by-marriage, Sheba, and Starbuck, whom I've cared for as one of my own sons... And my grandchildren, Boxleitnes and Troy. Please, take care of them for me.* He looked at Tigh to see that he was in tears.) Apollo was jolted back to reality when he heard Rigel's voice say, "Squadron Captains... You are now clear to land." That was a sign of hope, and he found himself with the energy to get up and stand proud. As soon as the first viper from that final wave came to a full stop and shut down, he ran over to it as the cockpit opened. He was in for a surprise. "Boxey??" "Father," he responded as he climbed out of his viper. "I asked Sheba and Starbuck if I could to wait with them since I still had plenty of fuel in my viper and most of the others were running on fumes." "Well, Don't scare me like that." Another viper came in, stopped, and shut down. They both went running over, and out came Captain Jolly. "Jolly," said Apollo, "Where's Sheba and Starbuck?" apparently, not hearing Boxey saying 'Sheba and Starbuck.' "Right behind me," said Jolly. "They're OK, father," said Boxey. "Well, It's good to see you back. And how about Greenbean?" "Yes, he's not here? He landed right before me." "Oh, OK. Well, Jolly... Like I said, glad that you're OK." "Yes, Colonel." The last two vipers had landed and Apollo approached them as their cockpits opened up. He went to Sheba and held a hand out to her. She took it and pulled herself out of her viper, and landed in Apollo's arms. She removed her helmet, and held it in one hand while hugging Apollo with the other. Apollo kissed her on her face, to the right of her right eye. Starbuck approached. "Apollo... Why are YOU down here? Is Commander Tigh back on duty already? Who's in command on the bridge?" After Sheba looked at his face, she said, "Oh, no." Then they heard Athena's voice on the ship's com. *Apollo, Please come to the bridge... Emperor Lee wants to talk to you.* Starbuck looked at Apollo, and said, "Apollo, let's get to the bridge." Apollo, Sheba, Starbuck, and Boxey walked out of the viper bay. The Emperor's face was on the screen. "Kerno Apollo, it look like that yer in command now, just like seven dousand yahren ago, like kerno Cwonus. I'm solly. Tigh wuzza GOOD man, actually givin' his life fo' mine." "Thank you, Emperor," said Apollo. "Da reason dat I contacted you was... I wan-ed to let you know dat one o' your ships was attacked by the Cylons was severely damaged and is repaired. It wasa milacle dat no one died on it." "Thank you for your help, Emperor... I... " His words just trailed off. After the screen went blank Apollo looked at Boomer and asked him, "Boomer, how did he know that Commander Tigh died?" "He asked how he was," answered Boomer, "and I told him. I'm sorry if I did the wrong thing, Colonel- uh- I mean Commander." "No, Boomer, it's OK." Apollo walked right off the bridge. Starbuck, Sheba and Boxey looked back and forth at each other. "He's really taking this hard," said Boomer. Sheba said, "I've better go to him. My husband needs some support." As Sheba started walking out, Starbuck said, "Wait up, Sheba... I'll go with you." He and Boxey started following her. Then Boomer yelled, "Wait!" Starbuck and Boxey turned around, and Boomer tossed him the Commander's pin. "This now belongs to Apollo!" yelled Boomer. Boxey caught it and said, "Thanks, Boomer," and then ran to catch up with Sheba. The trio found Apollo in the meeting room, sitting down at the table with his face buried in his hands. Boxey held out the commander's pin to Apollo and said, "Father, Boomer said that this was yours." Apollo ignored him. Sheba gently ran her fingers through Apollo's hair. Apollo gently took her hand and gently pushed it away, which got her angry. "Apollo, if you're going to be like that, then YOU CAN SLEEP HERE INSTEAD OF OUR QUARTERS!!" Then she stormed out of there. Boxey then tried. "Apollo, you have a wife who loves you, and needs you right now... And, whether you know it or not, you really need her support as well." Apollo reacted by jumping up out of his chair, sending that flying back, yelling, "LEAVE ME ALONE!!! THAT'S AN ORDER!" Boxey then left the room, leaving the commander's pin on the table. Then Starbuck started in. "You annihilate your wife and your eldest son, both of them who need you. And Apollo, we need you, Commander... ALL of humanity is leaning on you for support. What will others think-" "FRAK! Starbuck, YOU TOO!! CAN'T I GET A FEW CENTONS ALONE!!!" "Just let me know when you're ready to take command for real, my friend," said Starbuck, and then he walked out. Boxey sat on the edge of his bed with Troy and Hera, both of them sitting on his lap and an arm around each one of them. He was saying to them, "Mommy loves you... She's just not well right now." He paused. "I'll tell you what..." The two children looked up at him. "Why don't you come to my place... and play with Muffey?" They both excitedly responded, "YEEEaaaaa..." Then he led them both by the hand out of their room. Boxey led them into his room, and Muffey was there to greet them with its bark. "RHAPH-RHAP-RHAP..." Muffey then ran around in circles, making the two kids laugh. Then Muffit stopped and looked at them. "I'll be back," said Boxey. Boxey stepped into the life center, and Dr Cassiopeia almost walked right into him. She stopped, "Oh... Boxey... I'm sorry. I almost did not see you. What can I do for you?" "Err- Nothing much. I just wanted to see Commander Tigh." "He died, you know." "Yes, Apollo told me- No... He didn't tell me, but somehow, by the way he was acting, and Boomer tossing me a commander's rank pin and saying it belonged to Apollo and-" "It's good to see SOMEONE's thinking logically around here," said Cassiopeia. They started walking. "By the way, how are Troy and Hera?" "They're at my place, playing with Muffey." She looked at Boxey and said, "Oh, how sweet..." "How about Dillon and Pandora? If you want, they can also come and play with Muffey too." They approached the biobed, and Cassiopeia removed the sheet covering Tigh's body. Troy stared, and took Tigh's cold hand. "Gosh, he looks so much at peace." He then said to him, "Commander, thank you... thank you for everything... I will never forget you, old friend." Troy replaced the sheet covering him. He looked at Cassiopeia and said, "I'll get Dillon and Pandora, Cassie... They'll be alright at my place." "Thank you, Boxey..." she said to him as he walked away. The door to Starbuck's quarters opened, and Boxey walked in. Dillon and Pandora were just sitting on the bed, moping. "What's wrong, you two?" Boxey said to them. "Father's mad at us," said Dillon. "And we didn't do anything wrong," said Pandora. He squatted down in front of them and said, "He's angry, yes. But he's not angry with you... He's angry at the bad Cylons. Not you. I'll tell you what... Why don't you come with me... I'll take you to my place, and you can play with Muffey, with Troy and Hera, OK?" "Yeeaahhh..." said Dillon and Pandora. "I think we should ask father first," said Dillon. "Will you come with me?" "Yes." They went into the master room, and found Starbuck sitting on the bed, slouching and leaning his elbows on his lap. He murmured, "Yes, Dillon... Have a good time, OK?" "Thank you, Father." "Talk to ya later," said Starbuck. He gave both kids a hug before they ran off. Boxey went to Sheba to find her lying on her front and her arms around her pillow, and face buried in it. "Sheba?" She lifted her face off the pillow and murmured, "Yes, Boxey." "Um... There's a new commander of the Galactica. He may not realize it now, but he needs his loving wife... more than ever." "Please, Boxey," said Sheba. "Leave me alone." "Sheba," Boxey said, almost whispering. "You used to tell me great stories about your father, and you and Apollo also told me stories about Adama. Now, ask yourself... 'What would each of them do right now?' I'm sure Commander Tigh would have never wanted this to happen... best friends under his command hating each other." She responded by getting up, pushing the hair out of her face, and asking, "How YOU holding up, Boxey... You seem to be acting more mature than any of us." "It never gets any easier, does it?" "No, Boxey. It never does... Let's go." Boxey and Sheba walked into the meeting lounge, to find Apollo staring out the window in space, with the commander's pin in his hand. "Father?" Apollo responding by jumping and letting out a loud "WWHHAARRHHH!!" He turned around and said, "Boxey! Don't scare me like that." "Sorry, Father... I didn't mean to scare you." "I know." Sheba went up to him, and they held each other. Apollo whispered to her, "I'm sorry for the way I treated you before." "Under the circumstances..." Her voic trailed off as they embraced. Athena's voice over the com system said, "Commander Apollo... To the bridge..." Boxey turned to walk out, but Apollo yelled, "Boxey?" "Yes, Father." "Round up all the captains..." "Yes, Commander." Apollo met with Athena and Boomer on the bridge of the Galactica. Boomer said, "Commander, Emperor Lee of the Ching Empire wants you to meet him on the planet." "All right, Boomer. Have Starbuck, Sheba and Boxey meet me in the viper bay." Apollo got placed his helmet on, and got into a viper. Then he hit the three turbo switches. Then he heard Rigel's voice in the helmet com, *You are clear to launch, Colonel, uh, Commander.* He then hit the turbo on his joystick. As the four vipers headed for the planet, Apollo's voice said, *Gosh, I fly a viper for the first time in several yahrens, and I become Commander of the Galactica...* Boxey's voice said, *I think that I already know this one, but... who will be the new Colonel?* Apollo's voice said, *Uh...* Starbuck's voice said, *You, Boxey!* Then there was laughter from the four of them. Back on the Galactica, the bridge was full of viper captains. Greenbean asked, "Boxey said that Commander Apollo wanted all of us captains assembled, but where is he?" Bojay looked around and said, "And where's Starbuck and Sheba?" Athena said, "He had to return to the Ching Homewrld... The Emperor called here and asked Apollo to meet him." "I wonder what he wanted us for?" asked Jolly. Boomer said, "You remember when Adama died?" Bojay said, "Yes, Tigh called us in for a meeting to choose his Colonel, and-" Greenbean finished it for him. "And naturally, it was Apollo." Apollo walked side-by-side with the Emperor, saying, "I'm sorry that we brought our enemy along, and for getting you involved with our war." The Emperor said, "Dink nuddin' o' it, Kerno..." The Emperor looked and noticed the pin on him and said, "I mean Commanda. My men were itchin' for some REAL togget pra'tice anyway." They stopped, and the Emperor reached for a staff, about the length of an his arm. It was black with a gold bulb on each end of it. He gave it to Apollo. "Diss used to belong to Commanda Adam... Kerno Chwonus had given it to Emperor Fu as a gift, after Commanda Adam died. We kept it in good condition all dis time. I now give it to you, Commanda... May you voyage to Erf be a safe one." He then put his right fist into his left hand and bowed to Apollo. Apollo, Starbuck, Sheba, and Boxey returned the greeting. Apollo said, "Goodbye, Emperor. Thank you for all you have done for us." "Haf a safe journey." Apollo, Sheba, Starbuck and Boxey walked onto the bridge, meeting with the captains. Everyone watched him as he strolled across to the other side with the seven-thousand year old staff. Bojay said, "For a moment there, Commander Apollo, you reminded me of Commander Caine." Apollo looked at his right hand. "Oh," said Apollo. "This was a gift from the Ching Empire... It used to belong to Commander Adam seven thousand yahrens ago when they stopped there on their journey to Earth." He passed it to Bojay, who inspected it, and then passed it to Boomer. Boomer inspected it and passed it on to Greenbean. Apollo then spoke. "This was a very tough decision for me to make, Captains. The task of selecting a Colonel. We all have been in the academy together, and I have had the pleasure of working with all of you. And, I also need you all at your present positions. My first choice would have either been Starbuck or Sheba, but my wingmate for many yahrens and my wife, I felt that my judgment may have been biased. Boomer also performed well on the bridge also. I also know that Greenbean, Jolly, and Bojay are all capable Colonial warriors." He took the Colonel rank pin and placed it on the console, and said, "So, I'm going to do this in a way that no battlestar commander has never done before. YOU will choose the next colonel." He then walked out, leaving everyone with their mouths agape. Halfway through the doorway, he said, "Call me when you all have made a decision." Boxey followed him out. Starbuck said, "Personally, I think that Sheba should be the next Colonel... with a father who is a legend." Sheba said, "We may all be captains here, Starbuck, but we all have taken and obeyed your orders as if you were a superior by rank." Boomer said, "That's true..." Boxey and Apollo sat in Boxey's room, watching the four kids sleeping on the floor with Muffey, using the daggit as a pillow. "Do you think that was wise father?" asked Boxey. "For all we know, they may try killing each other off until only one survives to be the colonel." "Well, I'm not sure if it was WISE... But, I know that they would not do that. We have worked together for too many yahrens for that, and from my time with them, I know that they would choose wisely. I think that if it ever came to it, I would have chosen Starbuck... But then, I probably would have wanted my wife beside me. It would have been a tough decision to make. All in all, I think that they will choose Starbuck." "Yes, Father... I believe they will." Athena's voice interrupted them saying, *Commander Apollo... To the bridge.* Apollo and Boxey walked onto the bridge, and Sheba handed him the staff he left there. "Have you guys decided?" Starbuck said, "Yeah... We choose Boxey." Everyone laughed, and Boxey blushed. Apollo saw that the Colonel's pin was no longer on the table, and looked at each of them, starting with Athena. He looked at each of them, and saw that Starbuck was wearing it. Starbuck said, "We also took the liberties of choosing another one to train new viper pilots... We chose Sheba... if that was all right with you." Apollo nodded his approval. "I just have to check with the Council of Twelve... I'm sure that they'll approve it." Sheba then said, "There is a viper pilot that really held up pretty well during a time of crisis, Commander..." She turned her head and looked at Boxey, who was standing beside Starbuck. She continued, "Especially while we had lost our heads over Commander Tigh's death." Apollo said, "Ah, yes. I'll be right back." Starbuck slapped Boxey on the back and said, "Nice going, Kiddo." Then Apollo came back out, holding a pin in his hand. "Boxleitner." "Yes, Sir," responded Boxey. "I hereby promote you to Lieutenant." Apollo gave him the pin. His face lit up as he said, "Thank you, Sir." Apollo then said, "No one has ever made it to Lieutenant faster than you did, Boxey... Keep up the good work." Boxey looked at everyone around the room, and then back at Apollo, and said, "I had some fine teachers." That brought more laughter from everyone. Sheba then asked, "Is it over? I have two children to apologize to, namely, the younger son and the daughter of the Commander of the Galactica." "Yes, this meeting is adjourned," said Apollo. Everyone left, leaving Apollo, Boxey, Starbuck and Athena on the bridge. The white Ching battleship, Bok Loong, took off, making a U-turn, and then shimmered out of view. Then the Galactica started moving, along with the rag-tag fleet of ships following. After a generation of fleeing from Cylon treachery, the last battlestar, Galactica, leads a ragtag fugitive fleet on a long and lonely quest. A shining planet known as Earth. Notes: Although I watched the series about 17 years ago, I remember, that I have not seen a single Oriental... Just Whites and Blacks. This should explain where the Chinese and other Oriental people and their culture came from. The only things that we have seen with the Cylons were Lucifer, Baltar, and a centurion or two. There was no actual human-to-Cylon combat in this story, but it now takes at least three laser shots to shoot down a Cylon Centurion instead of just the one like in the original 1978-79 series, and those three shots must hit squarely in the middle of its torso.