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 also a 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 Ficton; some chapters rated NC-17 by Tyval Tyval@webtv.net Chapter 2: Wildstar was actually a bit embarrassed by all the attention he was getting. To these people Dragonflame was salvation. Commander Adama introduced him to everyone. Wildstar shook hands warmly with military men and women like Col. Tigh, Lt. Boomer, and Lt. Sheba, and coldly with the 'Council of 12'. More than a few people kissed him, he grinned as he saw all the members of his party, including Metron getting the same treatment. Wildstar was also getting lots of 'bedroom eyes' looks from a number of women, including many he found attractive. In truth he cut a very dynamic figure in the red 'dress uniform' he wore. His handsome face and wiry steel hard muscles had always caused more than a few female hearts to flutter. But the only Galactica woman Wildstar felt attracted to was the dark haired beauty named Lt. Athena. Wildstar could have mindscanned her, just as he could have Apollo and Starbuck, but he was a man of honor and long ago had made a vow not to use his powers to invade the minds of others unless absolutely necessary. He did learn that Athena was Commander Adama's daughter in conversation with a Lt. Bojay. Other eyes watched the mutual glances between Wildstar and Athena. " Guees we just became a foursome," Callisto sighed to T'lee. " Well, he is man enough," T'lee grinned. No one who saw T'lee grin knew just how rare a sight that was. Seeing a Vulcan smile was like seeing a Klingon kiss a Tribble. " Please, you don't have to go to any trouble with a feast," Wildstar said as the welcome continued," I am sure that food is in short supply and your people are not completely safe yet." " What do you mean?," Athena asked. " Your enemies, the Cyclons I believe a few people have mentioned. What if they are behind you still? The Federation will have to find suitable planets for your people to settle on," Wildstar said," We'll also need to fight them." " Your Federation will help us won't they?," Cassiopeia asked. " There is no question of that," Wildstar said," The Federation will fight for you, as we would any band of refugees." Another cheer went up for that. A ragged cheer to be sure. The party from the Dragonflame were led into an area that had been hastily turned into a 'Ballroom'. The music was odd, but light and danceable. Wildstar and Athena had several dances together, it seemed that formal dances were similar enough for the Federation men and women to adapt to them. Wildstar spotted an instrument similar to a guitar. Peridot had also noticed it and made her way to Wildstar. Peridot had been the 'Britney Spears' of Gelatia before she had joined her older sister on Earth in the ealy 21st century. The 2 of them made their way to the makeshift stage. " With everyones permission, Peridot and I would like to sing a few songs for you," Wildstar said," We like the music of some 300 years ago, and we hope you will not think that they are too strange." The music of long ago rock ballads, while strange to the Galactica, was a hit. Especially with the younger audiance. ................... Dragonflame and Galactica were much closer now. Close enough that communication no longer threatened the ships systems now. Captain Lung smiled as he read Starfleets message. He knew that the refugees would be welcomed and he was right, although the speed of the reply surprised him. Normally, an answer to an inquiry from thiis distance would take weeks, but there were 2 science ships in the quadrant who had relayed Dragonflames initial message down the line faster than normal. An emergency meeting by the Federation president had been unusually quick as there had been quick assent with no desenters. ' Now that was a miracle,' Dragon thought,' For once something that nobody could object to.' " Miss Chekov," Dragon began," Hailing frequencies open. I have excellent news for those people. Have Captain Apollo and Lt. Starbuck join me as well." The message came across all screen in the weary refugee fleet. Hope became outright jubilation. Wildstar and all the the members of the 'Away Team' were hugged almost to oblivion. " Attention! To the refugees of the 12 Colonies, to the Battlestar Galactia and her valiant crew, to your distinquised Commander Adama," Dragon began as he appeared on the screens, Apollo and Starbuck just behind him," I have just recieved this message form the Federation President and I would like to read it to you. ' To our brothers from other worlds, we, the United Federation of Planets, do hereby, and unanimously do offer you refuge and protection under the law of brotherhood. Two science vessels are enroute to escort your fleet, first to 2 small habitable planets where you may rest or some may choose to stay, then to any planet you desire. All 437 worlds of the Federation offer you sanctuary. Orders to the Dragoflame are to take a rear guard position as a precaution against your enemy. Welcome to Freedom!" The years drained from the face of Commander Adama. He had done it! He had led his people to safety and to freedom. Adama danced with Callisto then, his rich laugh made her smile. Col. Tigh and Adama then hugged. All throughout the ragged fleet the joy could not be contained. ................. Two days had passed as Commander Adama watched his fleet leave. He had chosen to also stay until all his people were safe. The unarmed science vessels had been joined by 4 Federation transports who were taking on people from ships that couldn't go any farther. Apollo joined him in his quarters. " Only a few more to go father," Apollo said with a rare smile. " You know this isn't the end of it," Adama said," The Cylons will find us. More people will die." " Father, we were 12 planets that fell to treachery," Apollo said," They are 437 planets who will be prepared for an attack." " I pray that you are right,"adam turned to his son, a half smile on his face," I have faith in them if they are all like Captain Lung. He is clever despite his youth. He has hidden his ship behind that asteroid. If an attack comes, he will hit them from the rear." " He is well liked by his crew, a natural leader," Apollo said. Overthe last 2 days the crews of the 2 warships had struck up many friendships. While some had gasped at the sight of Gorns, Andorians, and others at first they now shared drinks and lies freely. " Father, I am going to 'Seal' with Lt. Sheba," Apollo blurted out," I talked to Boxey about it, he is quite fond of her and approves." " Your son is quite remarkable," Adama grinned," He has had to grow up so fast, and seen so many things a boy his age shouldn't see. He is just like his father." Apollo and Adama hugged each other. ................... " It is as you suspected Lord Baltar," Lucifer said," The void is indeed growing thinner. Since we are unburdoned by having to escort run down civilian craft I believe we are now closing in on the humans." " Good," Baltar sneered as he swiveled his chair to look at the robot," Soon I will make them all pay. How long?" "I suspect no more than a day at full power," Lucifer answered. Lucifer did not tell Baltar his suspicions. Lucifer suspected that Galactica had stopped or slowed to a crawl. But why? Commander Adama could have no idea that they were so close. And if he did know, for what purpose. Galactica was a match for a single Basestar. With luck or skill the Galactica might even get 2 Basestars. But 3 was beyond what any Battlestar could handle. Adama was no fool. Without the Galactica his mangy little fleet would be picked apart at Balters liesure. Lucifer was smart and this troubled him. ..................... " We've got company," Dragon said as the superior sensors of the Federation picked up the signals of the 3 huge Basestars. Had they been the size of Dragonflame perhaps Baltar might have gotten the surprise attack he wanted. But Basestars the size of asteroids were a dead giveaway. " Three against 2, not good odds," Wildstar grinned," For them." " Miss Chekov, contact Commander Adama," Dragon smiled, also relishing a good fight," I want a meeting of all major officers from both ships." " Oooooo, I've seen that look in your eye before Dragon," Kelly laughed," That stunt you pulled on your 'Kobayashi Maru' test almost made you another James T. Kirk." " You almost won the 'Kobayashi Maru' test?," Lt. Saavik's asked, her eyebrows arching up. " With this ship I would have won," Dragon smiled," And it was with most of this crew. With you and a few others who have joined up since it woud be possible. But only with this ship and this current crew could anyone win." " How did you do it?" Saavik asked. " Something my ancestor called a squeeze play," Dragon said," You must remember, I had Peridot, Wildstar, Kelly, Lt. Kang, and Sgt. Asaurus with me. Well, you'd have to see it." Lt. Saavik had a very funny feeling that she was about to. .......................... end of Chapter 2