Starships, Battlestars, and Jedi by Tyval Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship 'Dragonflame'. It's ongoing mission, to confront threats to the Federation when conventional methods fail. And this is the tale of war! War against a race of robots who seek to hunt down and destroy all within their path. And it is yet more! A tale of an even greater evil! One that threatens all! Science Fiction. Some chapters rated NC-17 by Tyval Tyval@webtv.net Chapter 1: Captains log; Stardate, well, I'll let the computer figure that one out. What was supposed to be a mere shake-down has turned into an adventure even my super hero ancestor would envy. My first command, my first mission, and I wonder if any of us will ever see Earth again. Let me start at the beginning. That's always best...... .................. Three weeks of training and patrol along the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy. Every system had actually performed better than advertised. The crew was in high spirits, but was hoping for some action. They were about to get it. Two of the Dragoflames 6 one-man fighters were launched. The thrill of the fast fighters was clear as 2 men taked to each other on a secret comm link that Kelly had devised just for them. " Oh man," Will said," This must be what China Dragon and Questar felt like when they went off on some mission. Best friends, just like we are." " Yep, but I bet they never had anything like these babies," Dragon grinned. " Hey, aren't we breaking regulations," Will said, not caring," After all, it was because of Captain Kirk and all his heroics that they re-instated the rank of Number 1. After all, Starship Captains are too valuable to waste, too hard to train and all that. I'm supposed to see all the action." " Of course we're breaking regulations," Dragon smiled," Since when did either of us give a damn?" " Since now," Will said soberly as the images came on his screen. There were 2 of them. Small fighters, but fast. They were at the very extreme edge of their sensors, barely detectable. " Well, we were wantng some action," Dragon said," Let's talk first though." ..................... " Do you see them?," Lt. Starbuck asked. " Barely," Captain Apollo answered," They're on the maximum range of our scanners." " It's obvious they see us," Starbuck said," They're coming in." " These readings don't make any sense," Apollo said," Power source is completely unknown. The design isn't from any Cylon ships though." " They're obviously fighters though," Starbuck said," It's been a yahren since we've seen anything. Might be interesting." " Attention, unidentified spacecraft," Will said as he ran through all available channels," This is Commander Wildstar of the Federation Starship 'Dragonflame'. Please identify." " This is Captain Apollo of the Battlestar Galactica," Apollo replied. " Please state your intentions," Will said, pleased that the man seemed resonable. " Our mission is peaeful," Apollo continued," We are in search of the Thirteenth colony of man." " Does this colony have a name Captain Apollo?," Will asked, curiosity getting to him. Captain Apollo hesitated. What if this was some kind of trick? After all, 2 fighters of that size had to have a base ship close by. Apollo weighed the pros and cons carefully as he always did. Fate intervined thanks to Starbucks well known rashness. " It's called Earth," Starbuck blurted out. " Well, you're in luck," Dragon grinned," Just came from there." " Wait a centon," Apollo said stunned. " Huh? What's a centon?," Dragon asked. Apollo and Starbuck were both in shock. Could it be? Could the end of their voyage really be at hand? The fighters the strangers had were of near enough advancement to mean possible help against the Cylons. And they had spoken of a 'Federation'. Did this mean they had allies? Could they really be strong enough to stand up to their enemies. Apollo launced a secret subspace message back to the Galactica. " Commander Wildstar, and your wingman," Apollo said sternly," I am turning all weapons systems off and requesting to meet with your superiors. Please, escort us to your ship under any circumstances you desire." " Take me to your leader huh?," Will grinned," Look, we know you a ship behind you, just like you know we have a ship behind us. Trust is a hard thing in the universe. If we went by the rulebook we would probably be shooting at each other by now. But, I think we'll throw the book out for now." Dragon grinned. ' I'm going to watch out that he doesn't become captain," Dragon thought. It was true, the book wasn't big on trust against unknown races, but Dragon was good at reading people, and somehow he knew that meeting these people was the right thing to do. ............... Their first view of 'Dragonflame' really didn't impress Apollo and Starbuck that much. Yes, it had sleek lines, but it was so small compared to Galactica. Dragon had radio'd ahead and requested certain personnel for the honor guard. Landing first so that he could change Dragon joined them. On the right was Lt. T'lee, Lt. Kang, Ens. Zan, and Ens. Yasha. On the left was Lt. Savik, Lt. J.G. Peridot, Lt. Cordon, and Sgt. Asaurus. Dragon wanted to show off the diversity of the Federation. In that he succeeded as Apollo and Starbuck quickly noted the various races. Now they were impressed. The pipe sounded as Apollo and Starbuck saluted Dragon who stood in the center and was obviously in charge. Dragon returned the salute. Apollo and Starbuck had left ther sidearms in their Vipers as a show of peace. " Welcome aboard the U.S.S. Dragonflame gentlemen," Dragon smiled warmly. Dragon shook hands with both men. He could read that these were men of honor. And something more, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. They were hunted! ..................... Onboard the Galactica: It had been a yahrun since the Galactica had entered the mysterious void in their attempt to escape the pursuing Cylons. Now word from their first patrol into this new Galaxy they had come to from the nothingness had come. And the word could not be contained by a people desperate for hope. Earth, and possibly a strong Earth was near. Commander Adama looked out the view port towards the many flickering lights that drew ever closer. Captain Apollo, his son, had excellent instincts. Born of 1000 battles Apollo would not be meeting with these strangers unless he felt deep in his gut that it was right. Word was sweeping throughout the rag tag fugitive fleet, weeping for joy and celebration could not be stopped. Adama felt that he was no longer alone. His oldest friend Col. Tigh had joined him. " I know you so well old friend," Tigh grinned," You're thinking, 'which one'." " You are worse than my wife was old friend," Adama grinned despite himself," I do wonder if this just another dead end, or if we truly have found salvation." " Commander Adama," came the excited voice of his daughter Athena," Please report to the bridge! We're being hailed!" " What?! At this range?," Col. Tigh was incredulous, they couldn't even pick up this 'Dragonflame' on their sensors yet. " It's true," Athena said, unable to contain herself," We'll have visual in less than 10 centons." Even Adama was startled. Was Earth that advanced? No one could ever remember seeing dignified Adama move that quickly. .................. As they toured the ship, despite being steered away from sensitive areas, by the book, Apollo and Starbuck had to admit that 'Dragonflame' was indeed a good ship. The general level of technology seemed to be slightly more advanced than theirs, and when Ens. Sulu came on the ships intercom informing them that they were almost in hailing range Apollo was very impressed. " Holy shit! There's a whole fleet out there," Will said as he looked at the sensors. " Mostly unarmed," Lt. Saavik said as she scanned the 200 plus fleet," Captain, I've never seen a reading like this. The main ship would make 10 Excelsiors." Dragon overlooked Saavik's mistake as he took his chair. Letting his guests know how large their ship was compared to the largest ship in the Federation was unwise, but then again, for all Apollo and Starbuck knew Excelsior could be Dragonflame's size. " We have communication, Captain, I can have visual in 2 more minutes," Ens. Yelana said. " Wait for visual," Dragon said," Captain Apollo, Lt. Starbuck, we mean your people no harm, if you would stand nearby. Number 1 to my right." " Hailing frequencies open Captain," Yelana said," Visual in 5-4-3-2-1. We have visual." On Dragonflames screen came the flickering, then steady image of a grizzled warrior. The years of command were etched in the face of Commander Adama, each line making him even more distinquised looking. " Greetings, I am Captain Jonathan Lung, this is the Federation Starship Dragonflame," Dragon began," I am from the planet Earth, but we are from many worlds, Vulcan, Gelatia, Gorn, Piciean. We welcome you if you come in peace, and are prepared to fight if we must." Saavik and T'lee had to admit that they were impressed. Everything they had heard about Dragon being a 'shoot first, sort the bodies later' type really was false. 'Then again,' Saavik thought,' Captain Kirk was differant from what I'd always heard about too. Humans are so complex." After all her years of being around them, Saavik was still surprised by some humans. Being around T'lee she was beginning to wonder about some Vulcans too. T'lee was all Vulcan, until she got around Wildstar, then she acted like a Deltan. On the Galactica wild cheers had broken out as soon as Dragon had said he was from Earth. Commander Adama was also quite adept at reading people, and what he read in the body language and tone of voice of Captain Lung, gave him more hope than he had felt in a long time. He could see Apollo and Starbuck, unarmed, but looking at ease. The radical diversity of races and species also eased the mind of the war weary leader. To be able to interact with such an assorment of races was something unknown even in the Colonies. " I am Commander Adama of the Battlestar Galactica," Adama steely replied," We have come here in peace. We wish no harm to you or your Federation." Adama saw a short pretty blond woman, obviously the Communications Officer whisper something in the Captain's ear. Captain Lung smiled. " My engineering officer tells me that we will be in transporter range within an hour, I don't really know what your translation is, I will check with your officers," Dragon said," This man is my Number 1, he is also my best friend. With your permission I would like him and a few of my people to visit your ship. Your officers can stay or go as they please. If they stay, they will be guests. I assure you, no harm will come to them." " After all, we are not big lizards that eat human faces off," Sgt. Asarus joked. Even Dragon couldn't keep from cracking up. He rather liked Sgt. Asaurus and his bizarre sense of humor. Sgt. Asaurus knew every dinosaur joke in the book and was proof that Gorns had a (warped) sense of humor. Commander Adama was slighly puzzled. Transporter? Was that a shuttle? " I will be happy to receive your officers. I do request that they be unarmed as mine are," Adama said. " You may speak to your men if you wish Commander," Dragon said," I think they will enjoy pizza night. I'm about to feed them if you are are unfamliar with that term." " Captain Apollo, Lt. Starbuck, I will expect a full report as soon as you return," Adama said flatly so as not to give away that Apollo was his son. " Yes sir," both men said. " In the meantime, you are off duty," Adama said," I trust Captain Lung that my men are safe in your hands." " I hope to be worthy of your trust Commnder," Dragon said. " Captain, we have some interferance, we must break communication for the moment," Ens. Yelana said as her strained circuts were at their maximum. " Very well, Miss Ray, please get the assistance of our guests to lock in co-ordinates for a location for the transporters," Dragon ordered," Number 1, ready your party, full authorazation. Commander Adama, my officers will beam aboard shortly." " I look forward to it," Adama half-smiled. " Captain Lung, out," Dragon said as he broke comminication. Turning to Apollo and Starbuck," Lt. Saavik, Ens. Chekov, please show our guests to the transporter room, then get them something to eat. Gentlemen, it's pretty damn obvious to anyone with a brain that you escorting refugees. I'm willing to bet that food is pretty scarce for eveyone. Mr. Kang, contact Starfleet for some escort ships, I think there are at least 2 class M planets nearby with no inhabitants higher than ants. Welcome to the Federation." Lt. Kang sent out the message. 'More humans,' Kang inwardly groaned,' Just what the Galaxy needs. Not.' But then he looked at Ens. Sulu who smiled at him. 'Then again, who knows,' Kang thought as he smiled back. ................... " Oh man, I have never tasted anything like that," Starbuck said in satisfaction. " Interesting food, this pizza, you call it," Apollo said. " I'm glad you liked it," Yelana smiled, especally at Starbuck. Starbuck had a certain wildness about him, much like Wildstar. But since T'lee and Callisto seemed to already have their hooks in him that seemed like a lost cause. Lt. Saavik noticed the cigar in Starbucks breast pocket. A cigar he pulled out and lit. " Not a habit I care for Lt., but some humans are known to enjoy those, I think we have some 'Cubans' aboard," Saavik said," Much like Romulan ale, it is said to be the best of it's class." " Forgive me for asking this Lt.," Apollo said," Would you tell us more about the Federation. I can understand your reluctance to give away anything that might be of military value, but our people are indeed refuges as your captain noted. We fought a war, we lost, and we fear our enemy may track us down." " I have taken the liberty of scanning your ships, Vipers you call them, they are most impressive," Saavik said," Your Battlestar is also impressive from what little I have been able to ascertain. Our levels of technology seem to balance. Perhaps slightly in favor of you in warfare, towards us in other areas. You seem to have no knowledge of transporters for example." " I still don't quite get that," Starbuck said. " You will," Yelana smiled. ........................... The word swept like wildfire all throughout the fleet. A man from Earth was due to arrive any centon. Commander Adama had arranged an honor guard to meet the party, and had instructed them to not over-react if any of the more unusual looking members of the Starship were among them. He had put Lt. Sheba in charge, and she had requested Adama's daughter Athena to join her, hoping that showing more women would also decrease any tension. Athena had readily agreed. Besides, she wanted to see that handsome big man who had stood beside the Captain of Dragonflame. Adama was unsure how the party would be able to arrive in such a short time. The answear caused everyone to gasp as 6 tubes of light appeared in their midst. Wildstar had chosen Lt.T'lee and Ens. Ryu Kobe to come with him on the 'Away Team' and reluctantly left Sgt. Asaurus behind so as to not panic the people of Galactica. The shock of what they had just done set and the people of Galctica cheered wildly at the display of technology. " Federation, present," Wildstar ordered. Wildstar, Peridot, Metron, Callisto, T'lee, and Ryu saluted Commander Adama crisply, earning more point from the Galactica with this show of honoring their military leader. The council of 12 started forward, Wildstar payed them no heed, he had little stomich for bearucrats. He knew who the true leader was as he stepped towards Commander Adama and offered his hand. " Commander Will Starr, Number 1 of United Federation Starship Dragonflame," Wildstar said. " Commaner Adama, welcome to the Galactica," Adama said, taking the mans hand. " A gift Commander," Lt. T'lee said," Romulan ale, I think you will find it most interesting." " How the good doctor keeps getting it, we don't know," Callisto chimed in smiling. A little boy ran up to Wildstar, a robotic dog like pet followed. " Mister, are you really from Earth?," Boxey asked wide eyed. " Yes son, born and raised," Wildstar smild as he knelt and playfully tossled the boys hair," Ens. Callisto and Ens. Ryu are also from Earth." " Sort of, in my case," Callisto smiled. " Yes, well, and Lt. Peridot is from Gelatia, Lt. T'lee is from Vulcan, Lt. Metron is from 'Toys 'R' Us' and 'Radio Shack'. " She's got green skin," Boxey said poiting at Peridot. " Um, that's what happens when you don't eat your vegatables,' Peridot said thinking quickly. Athena, Sheba, Cassiopea and many other women smiled at that one with knowing looks. In just minutes, the Federation members had already endeared themselves to the men and women of the Galactica. For so log they had lived in fear, now salvation seemed to be at hand. ................. " Are you sure we're on the right course?," the seated figure said. " Commander Adama is most clever to recycle, but not even he can hide all the debris left by over 200 ships," Lucifer said," We are very close." " Excellent," the figure said as he turned around. Half of his face was gone, his rightarm and left foot had been replaced by robotic ones. This had been his punishment for failure against the humans. The Cylons had tortured him for months before finally releasing him. Despite all this Count Baltar still hated his own kind more than he hated the Cylons. Things had drasticlly changed in the last yahren. Large cube shaped ships had destroyed the entire Cylon empire. Only Count Baltar and 3 Basestars survived. And only then because they had been away hunting for Galactica. With no Imperil Leader left, and no way to create another, Baltar was now Supreme Commander of the Cylons. " Soon Adama," Baltar muttered," Very soon." .................... end of Chapter 1.