THE TAR-TERRIAN ENCOUNTER By Rick Perriguey CONDITION RED! CONDITION RED! On the bridge of the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, a worried Commander Adama studied the image on the view screen. "What do you make of it, Commander?" asked Colonel Tigh. "Definitely not Cylon," replied Commander Adama. The ship loomed huge on the view screen. "Better alert Red and Blue Squadrons just in case. Put them on hold but keep them ready." Then looking toward Athena, the commander said, "Try all hailing frequencies in contacting that ship." Meanwhile in the Officer's Club, Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer were interrupted from their Pyramid game by Colonel Tigh's voice on the intercom. "Alert! Blue and Red Squadrons report to launch bay immediately! Repeat. This is not a drill!" "Just when I had my best hand of the day!" exclaimed Starbuck. "We had it planned that way!" said Apollo with a wink to Boomer as he rose from the table. "I have the same luck with certain women, too," moaned Starbuck. Meeting Jolly and the rest of the two squadrons at the turbo lifts, the members of Red and Blue squadrons dashed to their waiting vipers. The GALACTICA had closed the distance between the two ships. The alien ship appeared to be deserted. "Still no answer from that ship?" Adama asked Athena. "No. Absolutely no response from it all," replied his daughter. "Do you want to send out both squadrons to check it out?" asked Colonel Tigh. The red alert lights on the bridge cast a reddish glow on Commander Adama's thoughtful face. "No, I think not. Too many vipers may cause that ship to lash out. Instead send out two vipers for a closer inspection," replied Adama. "Yes, Commander," said Colonel Tigh. Colonel Tigh's voice crackled in Apollo's head phone. "Captain Apollo, the Commander wants you and a volunteer to check out the ship circling the planet to our starboard." "Right, Colonel. Well, how about it, Starbuck, are you game?" asked Apollo. "No, Captain, but I can't let you go by yourself, ol' buddy!" replied Starbuck. Apollo and Starbuck ran through the computer checklist in their vipers. Once completed, Apollo contacted the bridge. "GALACTICA bridge, this is Captain Apollo. We are ready to launch." "Apollo, you are cleared for launch," Athena signaled her brother. Apollo's response was a thundering blast through the launch tube into space. Starbuck blasted out right behind him. Together, the vipers streaked toward the drifting ship. "Wow! Look at the size of that vessel!" exclaimed Starbuck. "I thought the GALACTICA was big but I have never seen anything that large in space," replied Apollo. "I don't know about you, Captain, but that ship gives me the creeps," said Starbuck. Athena's voice cut in, "Our ship's scanners indicate no known life aboard the vessel. The Commander wants you to circle once and return to the GALACTICA." "Roger, Athena," replied Apollo as he sped toward the drifting spacecraft. Within a few microns the two vipers were in the shadows of the huge vessel. "Turn on your viper's recorder and let's go," Apollo said as he led the way. Cutting their turbo thrusts, the vipers swept close to the surface of the vessel, then started back toward the GALACTICA. Suddenly, energy bolts lashed out from the drifting vessel seizing the two vipers. "Must be a tractor beam of some sort," said Apollo. "Hit the main thrusters, Starbuck, and let's see if we can't break away." "Okay, Captain," replied Starbuck. The pilots hit their main thrusters, and the two vipers bucked from the strain. "It's no use, Apollo. The vipers can't stand the strain," said Starbuck, cutting down on the main thrusters. "You're right. We'll just have to wait and see what we are up against when we reach the vessel," replied Apollo. Meanwhile on the bridge of the GALACTICA, Commander Adama, Colonel Tigh, Boomer and Athena watched on the screen as the desolate vessel drew the two vipers inside. Lighting up, the vessel came to life before turing a shimmering white and vanishing off the view screen. "Should we send a squadron out to search for Apollo and Starbuck?" asked Colonel Tigh. "No. We must keep moving. Long range scans indicate that we are being shadowed by at least three baseships. Halting to search for what can't be seen could prove fatal for us all. Let's pray that the LORD will watch after Starbuck and Apollo," replied Commander Adama. "But, Commander, we can't leave them out there alone!" insisted Boomer. "Boomer, I know they are your friends but we can't help them, at least not now," said Commander Adama. "Sorry, Commander," replied Boomer. Once inside the vessel, Starbuck and Apollo slid the covers off of their cockpits and climbed out of their vipers onto the floor. "What now, Captain?" asked Starbuck. Before Apollo could answer, the door to the landing bay burst open and three, armed Cylon centurions confronted them. As Starbuck went for his blaster, Apollo stopped him. "They could have blasted us in space if they wanted us dead." The Cylons, one in front and two behind, led Apollo and Starbuck out of the landing bay and into a long corridor. Starbuck pulled a cigar from his uniform and struck a match on the back of the Cylon in the lead. The Cylon abruptly turned around, his red eye glaring at Starbuck. "Where are you taking us?" asked Starbuck, ignoring the Cylon's glare. With a whirl, the Cylon turned and headed on down the corridor. "Not a very talkative bunch of tin cans, are they?" asked Starbuck. "That they aren't," replied Apollo. They arrived at the control room. The lead Cylon opened the door and stepped to one side. The two Cylons behind Starbuck and Apollo nudged them through the door. "Welcome aboard the STAR MAIDEN, Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck." Apollo and Starbuck looked around the control room and saw no one, no sign of life or movement anywhere. "Who said that?" whispered Starbuck. "I don't know," replied Apollo. "It was I," sounded a voice as a large computer lit up against the wall. "Well it's about time someone showed some hospitality around here!" exclaimed Starbuck. "You know us but who are you?" asked Apollo. "I am Commander Stone," replied the computer. "Why did you bring us aboard your vessel?" asked Apollo. "Well," replied Commander Stone, "I have a problem with which I need help. Since I am no longer mobile, I require someone who is." "You were once mobile?" asked Starbuck. "Yes. I was a man like you are," replied Commander Stone. "But..." stammered Starbuck. "But I am just a computer. Is that what you're thinking?" asked Commander Stone. "Well, yes," replied Starbuck. "Some two hundred years ago I was the Commander of the STAR MAIDEN and the dead planet which this vessel is now circling. But the foolish people of my planet destroyed themselves. Only those aboard the STAR MAIDEN survived. As the years went by, time began to catch up on us. When my body wore out, the scientists removed my mind and placed it in this computer so the ship could continue to function. Since then, all the crew have perished with the exception of one." "Just what makes you think we will help you?" asked Apollo. "Yes, Commander Stone, the GALACTICA will be here ripping this ship apart looking for us," snarled Starbuck. "For two reasons I think you will help me. One, I know that your ship is being stalked by several Cylon baseships. Two, look at the monitor," said Commander Stone. Starbuck and Apollo could see the GALACTICA moving off in the distance. Starbuck looked at Apollo in disbelief. "If you are wondering why they left you, it is because they cannot see us. The STAR MAIDEN has the capability of bending light rays around it, making it invisible," said Commander Stone. "If we agree to help you, what can we expect in return?" asked Apollo. "I will destroy the Cylon baseships if you will complete one task," replied Commander Stone. "Just what is that task?" asked Starbuck. "I need you to go to the computer control building on my home planet, TAR-TERE and reset the computer to turn time back to before my people destroyed themselves," said Commander Stone. "You think you can actually turn time back?" asked Apollo. "Theoretically, the computer should be able to do it," replied Commander Stone. "But why do you need us when you have the Cylons?" asked Starbuck. "When I captured the Cylons, they were pretty nasty until I could de-program them. But after they were de-programmed, they were too unreliable to risk all on this one shot that I have to change time and correct the problems of my planet so it won't happen again," said Commander Stone. "Where and how do we go about finding this computer office?" asked Apollo. "My daughter, Astra, will meet you in the launching bay and show you where the main computer is. In fact, she will reprogram the computer as I have instructed her," replied Commander Stone. "By the way, Astra is an android but has the mind of my daughter. Take good care of her." Starbuck and Apollo turned around and left the control room and headed down the corridor toward the launching bay. Both were quiet as they thought of the impending perils that laid ahead for them and wondered about the problems still facing Commander Adama and the GALACTICA. ** *** ** "Still no sign of that mysterious vessel?" asked Commander Adama. "No, sir. Our scanners cannot pick up that vessel. It just isn't there!" replied Colonel Tigh. "What is the position of those baseships?" asked Commander Adama. "Still maintaining their previous distance. They appear to just be following for some reason." "Commander, can't we slow the GALACTICA down until we can find Starbuck and Apollo?" asked Boomer, who had just came to the bridge. "Boomer," replied Adama, "we can't risk the lives of all members of the GALACTICA for the lives of two warriors. We have Cylon baseships stalking us like a shadow and I have an uneasy feeling about what lies ahead of us. In fact, I want you and Jolly to check out what lies beyond the scanner reach of the GALACTICA." "Yes, Commander," replied Boomer as he turned to leave the bridge. "Athena, have Jolly meet Boomer in the launch bay and get them into space," said Commander Adama. "Yes, Commander," replied Athena. Microns later, two vipers piloted by Boomer and Jolly blasted away from the GALACTICA. ** *** ** As Apollo and Starbuck opened the door to the launch bay, they saw Astra standing next to a Cylon raider. Starbuck's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open when he saw her beauty. "Remember, Starbuck, she is an android," whispered Apollo as the two strolled over to Astra and the Cylon raider. "This is Captain Apollo and I'm Lieutenant Starbuck." "I am Astra. I am to accompany you to my home planet, TAR-TERE, and to the main computer control room," said Astra. "Well, we're ready when you are," said Apollo. The trio climbed into the raider and buckled themselves into their seats. "Remember how to fly one of these?" asked Apollo. "Are you kidding! There's nothing I can't fly!" exclaimed Starbuck as the turbos roared to life. Hitting the thrusters, he blasted the raider out of the launching bay. Skillfully Starbuck swung the raider around towards the planet TAR-TERE and settled back as the trio streaked toward the planet that was growing closer on his scanner. After circling it, Starbuck landed on the rough, broken surface of a parking lot outside of the main computer building. The trio scurried out of the raider to take a look around. All about them were the ruins of what appeared to be an advanced civilization. Astra glanced around and wiped a tear from her eye. "How foolish my people are for destroying themselves!" she said as she headed toward the computer building. Apollo and Starbuck looked at each other and followed her inside and down the steps to the computer room, which was protected in an underground bomb shelter. Astra attempted to open the door, but it was securely locked. Apollo and Starbuck looked at each other again and drew their blasters. Aiming at the lock, they blasted a hole. Apollo kicked the door open. Astra walked over to the computer and flipped the switch on. But the computer did not respond. "Apparently the back up batteries have long gone dead," said Apollo. "Well," said Starbuck "I'll see if I can find some cable and maybe we can hook up to the batteries of the raider." Locating some cable in the maintenance room, Starbuck ran it from the computer room out to the raider. Apollo hooked the cable up to the computer while Starbuck hooked it up to the batteries of the raider. Walking back into the computer room Starbuck said, "It's ready when you are." "Well, here goes," said Apollo as he flipped the switch on. The computer lit up, then whirred softly. "There you go, Astra. It is ready when you are," said Starbuck. Astra fed the information into the computer. Suddenly the chronometer started rolling backwards as time slipped to the past. "Apollo!" exclaimed Starbuck as they watched Astra disappear. "She is yet to be born," explained Apollo. Then he added, "Let's get out of here before it's too late for us!" Suddenly red lights flashed and warning sirens wailed as the computer complex came to life. Starbuck and Apollo ran out of the computer room and out of the building. Starbuck removed the wire from the raider battery and started to replace the battery shield. "There's no time for that!" shouted Apollo as he pointed toward a crowd of soldiers rushing toward them. Starbuck hit the ignition and the raider roared to life. He headed toward the crowd and hit the thrust. Laser fire danced off the raider as Starbuck pulled it over the group of soldiers and took to the air. "Now where?" he`asked. "Well, let's head for the last known position of the GALACTICA and hope she headed straight out," replied Apollo. ** *** ** "Anything on your scanner, Jolly?" asked Boomer as the two vipers from the GALACTICA streaked through the stars and planets. "No," replied Jolly "My scanner has absolutely nothing on it." "Wait!" exclaimed Jolly. "I'm picking up a blip. No, two blips now. And my on board computer shows them to be Cylon basestars. Let's head back to the GALACTICA and warn Commander Adama." Swinging their vipers around, they peeled back toward the battlestar. As Jolly and Boomer approached the GALACTICA, Athena made radio contact with them. "Colonel Tigh wants you two to check out a lone raider approaching from behind the GALACTICA," said Athena. "Roger," said Boomer. "Will do, but tell the Commander that two basestars are dead ahead." ** *** ** "Frack!" said Starbuck. "We've got company coming." "Two vipers. Let's hope they don't fire until they're in communicator range," said Apollo. "Open a channel and try to make contact." "This is Starbuck and Apollo. Do you read me? This is Starbuck and Apollo. Come in!" said Starbuck. "Starbuck! Apollo! Is that really you?" asked Boomer. "That's right, Boomer. We are going to be coasting toward the GALACTICA because we're almost out of fuel," said Apollo. "Well, hang in there. We'll get you back," said Jolly. Shortly, the two vipers and the raider glided gently to a stop on the floor of the GALACTICA's landing bay. "Where's the welcoming party?" asked Starbuck as he stepped out of the raider. "Sorry, Starbuck, but the GALACTICA is still under RED ALERT. There are several basestars still behind us and Jolly and I spotted two basestars ahead. Needless to say, the Commander is between a rock and a hard place," said Boomer. "Let's get to the bridge and see if we can be of any help to the Commander," said Apollo. Taking the turbo lift, the warriors made their way to the bridge. A cheer went up as the four entered. The cheer was short lived as Athena cut in. "Two basestars are rapidly approaching from the rear of the GALACTICA," she said. "Commander, we are going to be pinned between four basestars," said Colonel Tigh. "Not if Commander Stone of the STAR MAIDEN keeps his part of the bargain," said Starbuck. "Who is Commander Stone?" asked Commander Adama. "Commander," Athena broke in, "long range scanner is picking up an unknown object." The mysterious object appeared on the view screen. "Ship's computer shows the object to be the same mysterious ship we encountered earlier," said Athena. "Look!" exclaimed Starbuck. Those on the bridge shielded their eyes as energy rays shot from the STAR MAIDEN, striking the two trailing basestars. Massive explosions followed as the rays ripped the basestars apart. The STAR MAIDEN turned a shimmering white and disappeared from the screen. "Thank you, Commander Stone," said Apollo. Turning to Commander Adama, he added, "I understand there are a couple more basestars we have to deal with." "Yes," said Adama. "Scramble Red and Blue Squadrons. Let's get those basestars before they escape." ** *** ** Bearing down on the remaining basestars, the GALACTICA opened fire with its heavy laser cannons. The basestars dispersed a few raiders to delay the vipers as they fled in opposite directions. The GALACTICA pursued one of the fleeing basestars. With the vipers knocking out most of the laser guns and a couple of well placed proton torpedos, the basestar exploded in a blinding flash. "Shall we pursue the other basestar?" asked Colonel Tigh. "No," said Commander Adama. "It is out of scanner range. We can't waste precious fuel and time chasing a single basestar and let the other ones catch up with us. Let us put some distance between us and the Cylons. This day let us celebrate the defeat of three Cylon basestars." "Yes," said Colonel Tigh. "Tonight we must honor our brave Warriors at the victory feast. Then Apollo and Starbuck can tell us of their adventure." With spirits running high, the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA turned toward deep space. Still fleeing from the Cylon tyranny and searching for a shining planet known as Earth! The End