Chapter 8: Say a Prayer
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:12 pm
News about having located the cylons spread to everyone on the ship. The next morning when Assuras walked into CIC, everyone became exceptionally quiet. Each person present was wondering what was going to happen next and how the decisions in the command meeting would affect him. Bridgeford acknowledged the Major’s presence, placed Reeves in control of CIC and escorted her into the Admiral’s office. As those present stood at their posts staring momentarily at the door, the Captain rolled his eyes and barked an order for everyone to get back to work. Anyone with a need to know would find out soon enough.
“Had lieutenant Cain not been killed by a deactivated toaster, I would have just recommended we do a couple of flybys with a raptor and grab some more scans. And then maybe send in a boarding party of marines.’ So said Hallis. “However, I don’t need to tell you that things have changed.” The colonel was next to speak and he underlined the problem was the lack of available data on the enemy. Making it clear that no one aboard the ship was old enough to have fought in the first war. Major Assuras sighed and began to volunteer a possible plan.
Having spent several hours last night with captain Reeves, they took the Colonel’s analysis of the tactical problems and devised a work around. “I hope I wasn’t out of line asking for help from Mr. Reeves, I couldn’t sleep and was just spinning my wheels.”Hallis just looked at his C.A.G. waiting for her to continue and Bridgeford commented that the captain needed to get his mind off his friend. Assuras continued, “We use the raider to go aboard the basestar. If we take a hauler and tow the craft back to where it was picked up by the ice fragment, we can fly it back to it’s mother ship without leaving a flight record of where it came from.”
The Admiral inquired if this wouldn’t be better as a recon mission. “No sir. The one thing Cain’s death has shown us is that the toasters can reactivate given the right circumstances. If we go with a full group aboard that craft, we run a greater risk of turning them on.” Colonel Bridgeford agreed that a smaller unit stood a better chance of getting in and out with intell.
They would take a team of 4 people in the cylon fighter. Even though the raider was originally designed to carry only three centurions, the robots are slightly larger people, so although it might be a cramped ride, it should easily accommodate everyone. This left the decision about whom the crew should be and immediately the old marine volunteered 2 men under his command. But the major had specific personnel in mind and dismissed the idea. “As for pilots I would use a top gun for this. Normally I would recommend Ford. But the doctor won’t release him and I doubt you will give him his wings back. So I’m going to personally take command of if. For the other pilot I’m checking out the raptor airmen. Captain Reeves recommended filling the next two seats with technical and this is where it’s the Admiral’s choice.”
Hallis looked at Assuras and inquired about what his choices were. “Well the first is a toss up between Lapointe and Reeves. Technically both of them are trained systems analysts. However, they have different experiences and specializations. The Lieutenant is more of a programmer and network engineer, whereas, the captain is more of a hardware expert and electrical engineer. There is a lot of overlap in their skills, so it’s a tough choice.” The Admiral looked at the Colonel and asked for an opinion. “I recommend you send Mr. Lapointe. The toasters are all computer networks. And frak, this ship is apparently all hardware with no network. Besides Mr. Reeves is a senior officer with command experience.” Admiral Hallis thought the argument made sense and agreed.
Moving on to the final person proved to be controversial and Cupcake had to clear her throat before she spoke. She proceeded to explain she wanted chief Forester. Both Bridgeford and Hallis sat wide-eyed looking at her for a moment and wondered if she had been sniffing aviation fuel. Pointing out that he is the best man for the job because he is an electrician has over 500 hours of space walk experience and hull repairs and that he can handle cutting torches. Shaking his head the admiral’s initial words were, “Frak me!”
The major calmly asserted that to the best of both her and Reeves’ knowledge there was no close second available. But the old man remained resolute, “No fraking way am I going to put a man who just watched his wife get killed on a mission.” The Colonel finally swayed the old man, saying that due to circumstances beyond his control, the Chief is sitting in the brig and that perhaps work might be something he needed. They should at least ask him. With a growl in his throat, the Admiral gave consent. “I don’t like it, but I suppose if someone has to cut through the hull, it sounds like he’s the person to do it. Send the captain down to talk to him.”
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Forester sat quietly with his knees up to his chest when the Colonel and Reeves entered the jail. Immediately the X.O. started yelling as he noticed that someone had locked the gate on the chief’s cell.
It was obvious his sympathies were with the grieving husband and he saw it as morally wrong to treat him like a criminal. When the guard in charge quoted that it was standard procedure, Bridgeford snapped and rewarded him with 3 weeks duty on waste recovery. The chief mumbled about having been incarcerated for the past 5 days because Ford murdered his wife. The marine brushed aside the comment and personally unlocked the door.“So I guess since the piece of crap was high it exempts him from being charged? Or is it because major A-hole is such a great pilot he gets to kill anyone he doesn’t like?”
Bridgeford decided to not engage chief Forester in conversation and simply apologized then stood behind Reeves. The captain calmly explained the current situation and told him they required him on the mission, but Julian hostilely interrupted. “Go frak yourself Scott!! Alana’s body has been sitting on ice and you won’t even say the words. Some fraking friend.” The Colonel became confused and his expression conveyed this fact.
“She prayed to Athena every day of her life. There is no priest here and you know the damn words.” Captain Reeves shook his head and began to protest that he was an atheist and Forester flew into a range grabbing his friend by the shirt. “You’re a liar! I heard you ask the goddess for help when we rescued the Poseidon’s crew! Without a priest, you are all she has!” Tears welled up in Reeves’ eyes; his bottom lip began to tremble and he shook his head to say no. “Scotty please, I’m begging you. Let me close her eyes and put a coin in her hand so that she may pay the ferryman for passage into the underworld. Help me bury my wife and I’ll do your fraking mission.” Having heard enough, the marine snapped in his silent composure, stating that he would make easy for the captain to rectify his religious issues. He ordered him to perform the service and promised the grieving husband he would do all in his ability to help, saying he understood. Then turning abruptly, he marched out of the room forcing down his own emotions as he went.
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Lapointe read over the mission profile with Clubber in CIC, as the funeral service for Lieutenant Alana Cain proceeded on the starboard flight deck. He couldn’t get over the fact that captain Reeves had to be ordered to do the religious service. The captain knew Cain for almost 10 years and Forester for more than that. So close to them, that he performed a non-authorized civil marriage ceremony to join the two. He couldn’t understand what possible problem a man could have with the gods, so as to turn his back on his friend, particularly in a time of need. Finally he spoke up, “What is up Reeves butt lately?” The Lieutenant calmly commented, “The man has issues. Don’t dwell on it too much or you will end up with issues too.” But Mr. Lapointe continued in his bewilderment, “Fine, the man say’s he is an atheist but frak; Alana Cain was like family to him. And weren’t his parents Athenian clergy?”
Clubber looked the man in the eyes, shrugged and said that perhaps that was the problem. But he preferred they drop the conversation because he wanted to finish quickly so he could pay his respects to the chief. Lieutenant Lapointe simply agreed and the pair returned to their work without further dialog on the subject.
Meanwhile the starboard pod had been temporarily cleared of all manufacturing equipment and over 150 enlisted men plus officers were in attendance. As the ritual proceeded, many people, mostly of the former scrap yard, wept openly. If it hadn’t been evident before, it was now obvious to those from the
Poseidon that Alana was well liked and her death would deeply affect them. Prior to the war, their world was less structured than other military establishments. There was only 1 officer to report to and everyone spent long periods of time with each other in close contact.
Looking around and observing the faces of the men and women that served under captain Reeves, the admiral began to understand that these people were more like a family than soldiers serving side by side. Hallis smirked because as he looked at Reeves, he saw a man that was a soldier first and foremost. Other men in his former position might have forgotten their sworn duties and refused to engage. But when the war began, he didn’t and he reminded everyone that they still wore the uniform. The survivors of the Poseidon were living proof, that he was willing to take any risk when called upon. And as such it didn’t matter what the command was; the Captain would obey it.
Hallis further studied the man who’s personal issues with the gods ran so deeply that despite the close bond he had with the deceased, he would have preferred to see her corpse sit in the morgue instead of performing this rite. Captain Scott Reeves used to have his admiration for what he accomplished with the Argus. But today, he earned the admiral’s respect.
Finishing the final anointing of the body to prepare it for its journey into the underworld, emotion finally overcame Reeves as he spoke a few final words. “As we say goodbye to our departed sister…” He stopped momentarily and wiped tears from his eyes. “I want everyone to remember how great Alana was. I think about the day she first showed up and reported to me for duty. Her face was green and she looked like she was going to be sick. She had eaten some 30-year-old rations while on the transport to the yard and being admiral Cain’s younger sister she was trying to be strong. And as I filled out her paperwork, she passed gas and sighed in obvious relief. I’m not certain why but I was honestly surprised that she did that. But she just laughed and said she was just trying to be one of the guys.” There were smirks; a couple of quiet chuckles and several people nodded their heads remembering the woman. “She always worked hard, cussed when things didn’t go right, and organized pyramid games.
Then there was the day that her and the much older chief Julian Forester got together. Using my office and desk, apparently she accidentally kicked on the squawk system. As if wasn’t bad enough you could hear her through a closed door, she had made certain the entire yard knew.” Forester’s legs gave out and the Colonel grabbed him preventing his fall. He sobbed openly at the memory. “Doing my job, I demanded an explanation. Her response was she always had a problem being loud and in the future would always use a pillow to preserve the peace.
No matter how much discipline I gave out, she and Julian weren’t going to be separated. Finally I gave up, married them and never regretted it, because they suddenly became discreet.” The Captain walked over to the body, pulled back the cover and gently bent down to kiss the cheek of the dead woman and looked out to everyone one last time. “She was a best friend to some, sister to others, mother to a few and a lover to one. Remember her life and not the meaningless way she died.”
The room grew silent for a moment as everyone bowed their heads for a personal prayer and waited for Reeves to speak the customary words of, “so say we all.” But as the minute passed he continued to stare at the floor. It was finally Cupcake’s voice that was heard as she stated Lieutenant Cain’s death wasn’t pointless. It taught them to never drop their guard around the enemy. The Admiral picked his head up and saw the depression and sorrow on the faces of many. He spoke loudly and authoritive,
“That’s right! Her death was stupid, unnecessary and preventable. But it wasn’t without meaning!!” Walking to where the Captain stood, he took charge of the event. “She was a solider and in war, soldiers die. And it isn’t always a glorious death.
We lost many people from the Poseidon, left them floating in space for the enemy to peg them off. There was nothing noble or great about how they died. Like Cain they forfeited their lives because we dropped our guard. We let it down because after over 40 years of nothing from the cylons, we forgot they were out there. Peace exists because those that wear the uniform are forever vigilant and forever standing guard. When we frak up, people die!”
Abruptly he went over to Alana’s body and passed his hand over it. “Remember lieutenant Alana Cain and the crew of the Poseidon. Give their sacrifices meaning by never letting this happen again!” Hallis then fixed his gaze on the chief and in a matter of fact like tone directed his comments to him directly. “Because of recent events I haven’t given the mission an official designation. Chief Forester, this one is for your wife.” He then barked out again at those assembled, “It’s time we take the fight to toasters. Operation Cain begins at 10h00 tomorrow. So Say We All!!” Everyone responded in kind, but to Bridgeford, who held onto Forester, they sounded like children. Picking up his head, he bellowed he couldn’t hear them. This time the crewmen shouted back, “SO SAY WE ALL!!!” And the body was launched into space ending the service.
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It had been a long night and the day began early for captain Reeves. He had an unexpected morning meeting with admiral Hallis. The two men saw each other’sperspective and both agreed there were currently more important matters than what might have occurred during the captain’s command prior to the war. As such, it was now 08h00 and he was on his way to talk to Scuds and Max. Hell’s Honey was gone but the Ass Haulers were still a squadron and someone had to take command of them. Arriving at the duty lockers he noticed there were 5 men present and demanded they all come to attention as he entered.
“I’ll make this brief. Max, report to the ready room at 09h00 and Cupcake will brief you. Scuds, you’re off the mission.” As chief Maxime gave a nod that the command was understood. The other hauler operator looked at the captain and demanded to know what was the fraking problem; Reeves responded that they could talk privately later. “You’re going to start training chief Price to fly your equipment.” Unfortunately chief Samuel Cudrows was accustomed to pushing his weight around and he wasn’t prepared to drop the issue. As far as he was concerned, after Cain, he was the senior driver. Plus Price was a member of the Poseidon crew and he didn’t like that at all. Corporal Doug Lexley was a member of the scrap yard gang and was being trained to fly when the war started. He would be a better choice in his opinion.
The Captain glared at him and he licked his teeth before he spoke. “Yea, he can learn to handle the equipment but the last I checked, Lexley wasn’t a chief and no one below that rank operates a hauler. And Price has operated similar machines. But since you decided to question my orders, I’m going to lay it on the line for you.” Captain Reeves took a couple of steps forward and stood in chief Cudrows’ personal space. “Max is going to start officer training because you’re a mouth, a pain in the ass, and you need to learn you’re place on this ship. People like you get other’s killed, so you will get with the program or I will lock you in the brig for the entire war.” The others in the room were surprised but not shocked. Like it or not, they were no longer the Perseaus and Poseidon crews. They were now the men and women of the Argus, or at least until assigned elsewhere.
Cupcake heard the captain discipline chief Cudrows and intercepted him as he went down the hallway. She had two unofficial concerns to discuss before the mission briefing. The first was the last minute change of Max instead of Scuds and assured him that she could handle the insubordinate man. Reeves responded that chief Cudrows might be the better operator but that his big mouth is ultimately because he was a coward. The role of the hauler pilot might be minor but since they were dealing with the enemy, there was no way he was going to use a man that couldn’t be trusted to watch her back. A little shocked at the frankness of captain Reeves comments, she made mental note of the information dropped the issue.
Her second reason for the conversation was more a request. The last time she engaged the toasters, they had gotten their butts kicked and since the captain was the closest thing to a priest, she hoped he could perform a blessing on the crew before they left. Without stopping his stride, he responded to her request by saying that he had no intention of spending this war chanting prayers and casting superstitious spells. “Unless it’s an order, I’m sure you can make your own destiny.” He then saluted her and proceeded down a different corridor. Major Assuras stood momentarily with her mouth open watching him disappear in the distance, noticing she had arrived at the ready room; she opened the door and walked in.
The lieutenants, Lapointe and Turin, (aka. Clubber), as well as chief Maxime and Forester were already present and seated. Saying that it was good to be working with Max again, the major dismissed formalities and proceeded with the breakdown of the operation. “I’m certain you have all read the profile and know your roles. Hauler 3 will be replacing hauler 2. It’s going to tow us in the enemy craft into the theatre. We have a pretty good idea were it was originally captured by the iceberg’s gravitational pull. At which point Clubber and myself will start the engines and fly it to the basestar. The bird has been stripped of its center seat and the mission equipment has been loaded on.” Looking at Mr. Lapointe and chief Forester she told them to do a double check before departure. After all, we can’t go back for anything forgotten. “Try and get comfortable because it’s going to be a cramped ride.
All data says that the enemy’s home is shut down, but as we know, that doesn’t mean the toasters won’t reactivate. With luck they stay off and we won’t have a problem entering. But if for some reason we do have a problem, the chief will exit the raider and hopefully create a solution. Explosives will not be an option for fear they might re-enable the toasters.”
At this point in the briefing lieutenant Lapointe took over. He explained that once inside they had one primary objective and 2 possible secondary ones. In all matters, due to lack of Intel, they had complete discretionary power on how to proceed. Primarily, they are to locate the computer systems, access and acquire a copy of the navigational records. This was the only objective they were expected to complete at all costs. Secondary orders were to find sensitive places to plant explosive charges to disable the ship’s flight systems and communications. The colonel’s men have instructed Forester and Turin on how to do this. Finally, find any information on enemy locations or involvements.
You’ll have 7 hours from drop off to rendezvous with hauler 3. Cupcake spoke up again and drew the meeting to a close. “We leave at 10h00. 7 and 1/2 hours after dropping us Hauler 3 is to assume we failed and return to Argus. Cylons aren’t good hosts, so lets not frak around and just focus on the job. Now if there are no questions; suit up!” Only Turin had anything to say and that was to ask if Cupcake spoke to captain Reeves about saying a prayer to which chief Forester snorted that it was a fat chance unless he was ordered to. Assuras sighed and just walked away.
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Despite the raptor data, the planning and the simulations, no one really knew much about the enemy. It was an old basestar that had most likely been in the last war. As such had they been back at the colonies it would have been a simple process of walking into a library and checking out a history book. Everything from floor plans to wiring schematics and how many centurions aboard would have been available. All of which could have made their tasks a lot easier, but given the current situation, they were facing a potential suicide mission. Therefore, unlike operation icicle, this mission was void of the any military pomp. Whereas the previous was a struggle for the survival of everyone aboard the ship, this one only directly affected those involved in the operation. Only 4 people came to the flight deck to give their best wishes. Everyone else that might have been working close by made a point of keeping themselves occupied with their tasks instead of acknowledging what was about to begin. To them the combatants were known in unofficial terms as dead men walking.
Standing outside of the raider, in addition to the five people undertaking the task, there were another group of four men, Hallis, Bridgeford, Reeves and the strange civilian that the colonel was charged with protecting. No one thought anything of the presence of the commanding officers, but everyone found the protected person’s attendance very strange or uncomfortable. He never complained, pulled his own weight and never caused any problems. But he had a very unsettling way of being in a room when someone thought they were alone and appeared to always be watching or studying everyone around him. When they factored in that he rarely spoke and no one knew his name, it made him appear to be downright creepy. Why he was present was anyone’s guess. “This one is for your wife chief, but that doesn’t mean you have permission for any unnecessary heroics. Keep it simple and get what you’re going there for.” The Admiral dropping his normally stern demeanour was almost parental in his concern for his men.
He made it clear that he didn’t believe in luck, so he wished them good hunting instead. The Colonel echoed similar sympathies as the unknown civilian stepped forward and presented major Assuras a small plastic black box. Cupcake accepted the gift and wondered if it was a day timer or music player for the trip. The stranger smirked, “Need to know basis. All you need to know is keep it with you at all times. The flashing led light means it’s on and if you suddenly find yourself surrounded by raiders, you might want to considering holding your fire and see what they do first. Push hard on the bottom of it and the unit will self-destruct within 3 seconds. And don’t worry I have another so whatever happens, do NOT let the enemy get their hands on it.” Without even a handshake or further word he just turned and walked away, leaving everyone bewildered.
After a last check to make certain that everything was loaded everyone prepared to enter the plane. The Major wasn’t without one last comment, it was directed at Reeves in a rather sarcastic tone. She inquired if he was going to bless their mission for good luck and in a monotone voice the Captain responded, “Athena, these people need to perform miracles and not royal frak ups.” Chief Forester looked at his friend and responded with, “So say we all.” Although there was no doubt that in anyone’s mind that the prayer was without sincerity, it was quickly echoed by all. And Forester walked over and embraced his old companion. “Scott, it doesn’t matter if you lost your faith in the gods. They still have faith in you. There is an after world and Alana is there, waiting for us.” Reeves responded by holding back his words and emotions. Then stepping back and saluting as everyone entered the enemy bird. And without further incident the ship was towed out into space.
“Had lieutenant Cain not been killed by a deactivated toaster, I would have just recommended we do a couple of flybys with a raptor and grab some more scans. And then maybe send in a boarding party of marines.’ So said Hallis. “However, I don’t need to tell you that things have changed.” The colonel was next to speak and he underlined the problem was the lack of available data on the enemy. Making it clear that no one aboard the ship was old enough to have fought in the first war. Major Assuras sighed and began to volunteer a possible plan.
Having spent several hours last night with captain Reeves, they took the Colonel’s analysis of the tactical problems and devised a work around. “I hope I wasn’t out of line asking for help from Mr. Reeves, I couldn’t sleep and was just spinning my wheels.”Hallis just looked at his C.A.G. waiting for her to continue and Bridgeford commented that the captain needed to get his mind off his friend. Assuras continued, “We use the raider to go aboard the basestar. If we take a hauler and tow the craft back to where it was picked up by the ice fragment, we can fly it back to it’s mother ship without leaving a flight record of where it came from.”
The Admiral inquired if this wouldn’t be better as a recon mission. “No sir. The one thing Cain’s death has shown us is that the toasters can reactivate given the right circumstances. If we go with a full group aboard that craft, we run a greater risk of turning them on.” Colonel Bridgeford agreed that a smaller unit stood a better chance of getting in and out with intell.
They would take a team of 4 people in the cylon fighter. Even though the raider was originally designed to carry only three centurions, the robots are slightly larger people, so although it might be a cramped ride, it should easily accommodate everyone. This left the decision about whom the crew should be and immediately the old marine volunteered 2 men under his command. But the major had specific personnel in mind and dismissed the idea. “As for pilots I would use a top gun for this. Normally I would recommend Ford. But the doctor won’t release him and I doubt you will give him his wings back. So I’m going to personally take command of if. For the other pilot I’m checking out the raptor airmen. Captain Reeves recommended filling the next two seats with technical and this is where it’s the Admiral’s choice.”
Hallis looked at Assuras and inquired about what his choices were. “Well the first is a toss up between Lapointe and Reeves. Technically both of them are trained systems analysts. However, they have different experiences and specializations. The Lieutenant is more of a programmer and network engineer, whereas, the captain is more of a hardware expert and electrical engineer. There is a lot of overlap in their skills, so it’s a tough choice.” The Admiral looked at the Colonel and asked for an opinion. “I recommend you send Mr. Lapointe. The toasters are all computer networks. And frak, this ship is apparently all hardware with no network. Besides Mr. Reeves is a senior officer with command experience.” Admiral Hallis thought the argument made sense and agreed.
Moving on to the final person proved to be controversial and Cupcake had to clear her throat before she spoke. She proceeded to explain she wanted chief Forester. Both Bridgeford and Hallis sat wide-eyed looking at her for a moment and wondered if she had been sniffing aviation fuel. Pointing out that he is the best man for the job because he is an electrician has over 500 hours of space walk experience and hull repairs and that he can handle cutting torches. Shaking his head the admiral’s initial words were, “Frak me!”
The major calmly asserted that to the best of both her and Reeves’ knowledge there was no close second available. But the old man remained resolute, “No fraking way am I going to put a man who just watched his wife get killed on a mission.” The Colonel finally swayed the old man, saying that due to circumstances beyond his control, the Chief is sitting in the brig and that perhaps work might be something he needed. They should at least ask him. With a growl in his throat, the Admiral gave consent. “I don’t like it, but I suppose if someone has to cut through the hull, it sounds like he’s the person to do it. Send the captain down to talk to him.”
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Forester sat quietly with his knees up to his chest when the Colonel and Reeves entered the jail. Immediately the X.O. started yelling as he noticed that someone had locked the gate on the chief’s cell.
It was obvious his sympathies were with the grieving husband and he saw it as morally wrong to treat him like a criminal. When the guard in charge quoted that it was standard procedure, Bridgeford snapped and rewarded him with 3 weeks duty on waste recovery. The chief mumbled about having been incarcerated for the past 5 days because Ford murdered his wife. The marine brushed aside the comment and personally unlocked the door.“So I guess since the piece of crap was high it exempts him from being charged? Or is it because major A-hole is such a great pilot he gets to kill anyone he doesn’t like?”
Bridgeford decided to not engage chief Forester in conversation and simply apologized then stood behind Reeves. The captain calmly explained the current situation and told him they required him on the mission, but Julian hostilely interrupted. “Go frak yourself Scott!! Alana’s body has been sitting on ice and you won’t even say the words. Some fraking friend.” The Colonel became confused and his expression conveyed this fact.
“She prayed to Athena every day of her life. There is no priest here and you know the damn words.” Captain Reeves shook his head and began to protest that he was an atheist and Forester flew into a range grabbing his friend by the shirt. “You’re a liar! I heard you ask the goddess for help when we rescued the Poseidon’s crew! Without a priest, you are all she has!” Tears welled up in Reeves’ eyes; his bottom lip began to tremble and he shook his head to say no. “Scotty please, I’m begging you. Let me close her eyes and put a coin in her hand so that she may pay the ferryman for passage into the underworld. Help me bury my wife and I’ll do your fraking mission.” Having heard enough, the marine snapped in his silent composure, stating that he would make easy for the captain to rectify his religious issues. He ordered him to perform the service and promised the grieving husband he would do all in his ability to help, saying he understood. Then turning abruptly, he marched out of the room forcing down his own emotions as he went.
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Lapointe read over the mission profile with Clubber in CIC, as the funeral service for Lieutenant Alana Cain proceeded on the starboard flight deck. He couldn’t get over the fact that captain Reeves had to be ordered to do the religious service. The captain knew Cain for almost 10 years and Forester for more than that. So close to them, that he performed a non-authorized civil marriage ceremony to join the two. He couldn’t understand what possible problem a man could have with the gods, so as to turn his back on his friend, particularly in a time of need. Finally he spoke up, “What is up Reeves butt lately?” The Lieutenant calmly commented, “The man has issues. Don’t dwell on it too much or you will end up with issues too.” But Mr. Lapointe continued in his bewilderment, “Fine, the man say’s he is an atheist but frak; Alana Cain was like family to him. And weren’t his parents Athenian clergy?”
Clubber looked the man in the eyes, shrugged and said that perhaps that was the problem. But he preferred they drop the conversation because he wanted to finish quickly so he could pay his respects to the chief. Lieutenant Lapointe simply agreed and the pair returned to their work without further dialog on the subject.
Meanwhile the starboard pod had been temporarily cleared of all manufacturing equipment and over 150 enlisted men plus officers were in attendance. As the ritual proceeded, many people, mostly of the former scrap yard, wept openly. If it hadn’t been evident before, it was now obvious to those from the
Poseidon that Alana was well liked and her death would deeply affect them. Prior to the war, their world was less structured than other military establishments. There was only 1 officer to report to and everyone spent long periods of time with each other in close contact.
Looking around and observing the faces of the men and women that served under captain Reeves, the admiral began to understand that these people were more like a family than soldiers serving side by side. Hallis smirked because as he looked at Reeves, he saw a man that was a soldier first and foremost. Other men in his former position might have forgotten their sworn duties and refused to engage. But when the war began, he didn’t and he reminded everyone that they still wore the uniform. The survivors of the Poseidon were living proof, that he was willing to take any risk when called upon. And as such it didn’t matter what the command was; the Captain would obey it.
Hallis further studied the man who’s personal issues with the gods ran so deeply that despite the close bond he had with the deceased, he would have preferred to see her corpse sit in the morgue instead of performing this rite. Captain Scott Reeves used to have his admiration for what he accomplished with the Argus. But today, he earned the admiral’s respect.
Finishing the final anointing of the body to prepare it for its journey into the underworld, emotion finally overcame Reeves as he spoke a few final words. “As we say goodbye to our departed sister…” He stopped momentarily and wiped tears from his eyes. “I want everyone to remember how great Alana was. I think about the day she first showed up and reported to me for duty. Her face was green and she looked like she was going to be sick. She had eaten some 30-year-old rations while on the transport to the yard and being admiral Cain’s younger sister she was trying to be strong. And as I filled out her paperwork, she passed gas and sighed in obvious relief. I’m not certain why but I was honestly surprised that she did that. But she just laughed and said she was just trying to be one of the guys.” There were smirks; a couple of quiet chuckles and several people nodded their heads remembering the woman. “She always worked hard, cussed when things didn’t go right, and organized pyramid games.
Then there was the day that her and the much older chief Julian Forester got together. Using my office and desk, apparently she accidentally kicked on the squawk system. As if wasn’t bad enough you could hear her through a closed door, she had made certain the entire yard knew.” Forester’s legs gave out and the Colonel grabbed him preventing his fall. He sobbed openly at the memory. “Doing my job, I demanded an explanation. Her response was she always had a problem being loud and in the future would always use a pillow to preserve the peace.
No matter how much discipline I gave out, she and Julian weren’t going to be separated. Finally I gave up, married them and never regretted it, because they suddenly became discreet.” The Captain walked over to the body, pulled back the cover and gently bent down to kiss the cheek of the dead woman and looked out to everyone one last time. “She was a best friend to some, sister to others, mother to a few and a lover to one. Remember her life and not the meaningless way she died.”
The room grew silent for a moment as everyone bowed their heads for a personal prayer and waited for Reeves to speak the customary words of, “so say we all.” But as the minute passed he continued to stare at the floor. It was finally Cupcake’s voice that was heard as she stated Lieutenant Cain’s death wasn’t pointless. It taught them to never drop their guard around the enemy. The Admiral picked his head up and saw the depression and sorrow on the faces of many. He spoke loudly and authoritive,
“That’s right! Her death was stupid, unnecessary and preventable. But it wasn’t without meaning!!” Walking to where the Captain stood, he took charge of the event. “She was a solider and in war, soldiers die. And it isn’t always a glorious death.
We lost many people from the Poseidon, left them floating in space for the enemy to peg them off. There was nothing noble or great about how they died. Like Cain they forfeited their lives because we dropped our guard. We let it down because after over 40 years of nothing from the cylons, we forgot they were out there. Peace exists because those that wear the uniform are forever vigilant and forever standing guard. When we frak up, people die!”
Abruptly he went over to Alana’s body and passed his hand over it. “Remember lieutenant Alana Cain and the crew of the Poseidon. Give their sacrifices meaning by never letting this happen again!” Hallis then fixed his gaze on the chief and in a matter of fact like tone directed his comments to him directly. “Because of recent events I haven’t given the mission an official designation. Chief Forester, this one is for your wife.” He then barked out again at those assembled, “It’s time we take the fight to toasters. Operation Cain begins at 10h00 tomorrow. So Say We All!!” Everyone responded in kind, but to Bridgeford, who held onto Forester, they sounded like children. Picking up his head, he bellowed he couldn’t hear them. This time the crewmen shouted back, “SO SAY WE ALL!!!” And the body was launched into space ending the service.
-----
It had been a long night and the day began early for captain Reeves. He had an unexpected morning meeting with admiral Hallis. The two men saw each other’sperspective and both agreed there were currently more important matters than what might have occurred during the captain’s command prior to the war. As such, it was now 08h00 and he was on his way to talk to Scuds and Max. Hell’s Honey was gone but the Ass Haulers were still a squadron and someone had to take command of them. Arriving at the duty lockers he noticed there were 5 men present and demanded they all come to attention as he entered.
“I’ll make this brief. Max, report to the ready room at 09h00 and Cupcake will brief you. Scuds, you’re off the mission.” As chief Maxime gave a nod that the command was understood. The other hauler operator looked at the captain and demanded to know what was the fraking problem; Reeves responded that they could talk privately later. “You’re going to start training chief Price to fly your equipment.” Unfortunately chief Samuel Cudrows was accustomed to pushing his weight around and he wasn’t prepared to drop the issue. As far as he was concerned, after Cain, he was the senior driver. Plus Price was a member of the Poseidon crew and he didn’t like that at all. Corporal Doug Lexley was a member of the scrap yard gang and was being trained to fly when the war started. He would be a better choice in his opinion.
The Captain glared at him and he licked his teeth before he spoke. “Yea, he can learn to handle the equipment but the last I checked, Lexley wasn’t a chief and no one below that rank operates a hauler. And Price has operated similar machines. But since you decided to question my orders, I’m going to lay it on the line for you.” Captain Reeves took a couple of steps forward and stood in chief Cudrows’ personal space. “Max is going to start officer training because you’re a mouth, a pain in the ass, and you need to learn you’re place on this ship. People like you get other’s killed, so you will get with the program or I will lock you in the brig for the entire war.” The others in the room were surprised but not shocked. Like it or not, they were no longer the Perseaus and Poseidon crews. They were now the men and women of the Argus, or at least until assigned elsewhere.
Cupcake heard the captain discipline chief Cudrows and intercepted him as he went down the hallway. She had two unofficial concerns to discuss before the mission briefing. The first was the last minute change of Max instead of Scuds and assured him that she could handle the insubordinate man. Reeves responded that chief Cudrows might be the better operator but that his big mouth is ultimately because he was a coward. The role of the hauler pilot might be minor but since they were dealing with the enemy, there was no way he was going to use a man that couldn’t be trusted to watch her back. A little shocked at the frankness of captain Reeves comments, she made mental note of the information dropped the issue.
Her second reason for the conversation was more a request. The last time she engaged the toasters, they had gotten their butts kicked and since the captain was the closest thing to a priest, she hoped he could perform a blessing on the crew before they left. Without stopping his stride, he responded to her request by saying that he had no intention of spending this war chanting prayers and casting superstitious spells. “Unless it’s an order, I’m sure you can make your own destiny.” He then saluted her and proceeded down a different corridor. Major Assuras stood momentarily with her mouth open watching him disappear in the distance, noticing she had arrived at the ready room; she opened the door and walked in.
The lieutenants, Lapointe and Turin, (aka. Clubber), as well as chief Maxime and Forester were already present and seated. Saying that it was good to be working with Max again, the major dismissed formalities and proceeded with the breakdown of the operation. “I’m certain you have all read the profile and know your roles. Hauler 3 will be replacing hauler 2. It’s going to tow us in the enemy craft into the theatre. We have a pretty good idea were it was originally captured by the iceberg’s gravitational pull. At which point Clubber and myself will start the engines and fly it to the basestar. The bird has been stripped of its center seat and the mission equipment has been loaded on.” Looking at Mr. Lapointe and chief Forester she told them to do a double check before departure. After all, we can’t go back for anything forgotten. “Try and get comfortable because it’s going to be a cramped ride.
All data says that the enemy’s home is shut down, but as we know, that doesn’t mean the toasters won’t reactivate. With luck they stay off and we won’t have a problem entering. But if for some reason we do have a problem, the chief will exit the raider and hopefully create a solution. Explosives will not be an option for fear they might re-enable the toasters.”
At this point in the briefing lieutenant Lapointe took over. He explained that once inside they had one primary objective and 2 possible secondary ones. In all matters, due to lack of Intel, they had complete discretionary power on how to proceed. Primarily, they are to locate the computer systems, access and acquire a copy of the navigational records. This was the only objective they were expected to complete at all costs. Secondary orders were to find sensitive places to plant explosive charges to disable the ship’s flight systems and communications. The colonel’s men have instructed Forester and Turin on how to do this. Finally, find any information on enemy locations or involvements.
You’ll have 7 hours from drop off to rendezvous with hauler 3. Cupcake spoke up again and drew the meeting to a close. “We leave at 10h00. 7 and 1/2 hours after dropping us Hauler 3 is to assume we failed and return to Argus. Cylons aren’t good hosts, so lets not frak around and just focus on the job. Now if there are no questions; suit up!” Only Turin had anything to say and that was to ask if Cupcake spoke to captain Reeves about saying a prayer to which chief Forester snorted that it was a fat chance unless he was ordered to. Assuras sighed and just walked away.
-----
Despite the raptor data, the planning and the simulations, no one really knew much about the enemy. It was an old basestar that had most likely been in the last war. As such had they been back at the colonies it would have been a simple process of walking into a library and checking out a history book. Everything from floor plans to wiring schematics and how many centurions aboard would have been available. All of which could have made their tasks a lot easier, but given the current situation, they were facing a potential suicide mission. Therefore, unlike operation icicle, this mission was void of the any military pomp. Whereas the previous was a struggle for the survival of everyone aboard the ship, this one only directly affected those involved in the operation. Only 4 people came to the flight deck to give their best wishes. Everyone else that might have been working close by made a point of keeping themselves occupied with their tasks instead of acknowledging what was about to begin. To them the combatants were known in unofficial terms as dead men walking.
Standing outside of the raider, in addition to the five people undertaking the task, there were another group of four men, Hallis, Bridgeford, Reeves and the strange civilian that the colonel was charged with protecting. No one thought anything of the presence of the commanding officers, but everyone found the protected person’s attendance very strange or uncomfortable. He never complained, pulled his own weight and never caused any problems. But he had a very unsettling way of being in a room when someone thought they were alone and appeared to always be watching or studying everyone around him. When they factored in that he rarely spoke and no one knew his name, it made him appear to be downright creepy. Why he was present was anyone’s guess. “This one is for your wife chief, but that doesn’t mean you have permission for any unnecessary heroics. Keep it simple and get what you’re going there for.” The Admiral dropping his normally stern demeanour was almost parental in his concern for his men.
He made it clear that he didn’t believe in luck, so he wished them good hunting instead. The Colonel echoed similar sympathies as the unknown civilian stepped forward and presented major Assuras a small plastic black box. Cupcake accepted the gift and wondered if it was a day timer or music player for the trip. The stranger smirked, “Need to know basis. All you need to know is keep it with you at all times. The flashing led light means it’s on and if you suddenly find yourself surrounded by raiders, you might want to considering holding your fire and see what they do first. Push hard on the bottom of it and the unit will self-destruct within 3 seconds. And don’t worry I have another so whatever happens, do NOT let the enemy get their hands on it.” Without even a handshake or further word he just turned and walked away, leaving everyone bewildered.
After a last check to make certain that everything was loaded everyone prepared to enter the plane. The Major wasn’t without one last comment, it was directed at Reeves in a rather sarcastic tone. She inquired if he was going to bless their mission for good luck and in a monotone voice the Captain responded, “Athena, these people need to perform miracles and not royal frak ups.” Chief Forester looked at his friend and responded with, “So say we all.” Although there was no doubt that in anyone’s mind that the prayer was without sincerity, it was quickly echoed by all. And Forester walked over and embraced his old companion. “Scott, it doesn’t matter if you lost your faith in the gods. They still have faith in you. There is an after world and Alana is there, waiting for us.” Reeves responded by holding back his words and emotions. Then stepping back and saluting as everyone entered the enemy bird. And without further incident the ship was towed out into space.