AN: Witht this update, we're done for now with the Colonial and Cylon shenanigans. Next I'll be covering the UEG's response to the raid on Earth, the formation of Stargate Command, and its first tentative steps across the galaxy.
As far as the madness mentioned happening during the First Cylon War, if anything, that's understating the mess as presented in the BSG Deadlock game. It almost makes Cavil's OTL shenanigans look reasonable and sane in comparison. Narratively, these events have set up the stage for a potential clash between the Colonial military and the civilian government, which OTL culminated with the stealth incursion in Cylon space. As noted in this update, its success or failure wouldn't matter, both could be used by the military to get what it wants without having to trigger a civil war.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Stargate, Halo, or Battlestar Galactica movies, books, or games. They belong to their respective creators and/or copyright owners. This story is not for sale or rent!
Chapter 3
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Part 2
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14.02.1348
Scorpia Ancorage
Scorpia, 12 Colonies of Kobol
Day and night, the fleet yards above Scorpia bustled with activity—crews went on leave, and others reported to duty after enjoying a vacation or coming in for reassignment. Tens of thousands worked in three shifts covering each standard day, maintaining or repairing military vessels of all classes while building brand-new warships. A nearby newer annex to the fleet yards was focused on civilian construction. However, it could work on military vessels in case of conflict.
For the crews of warships that came in for anything from resupply to large-scale overhauls, even a brief stay at Anchorage allowed for a bit of shore leave upon completing their shifts. That was always good for morale because even serving on the largest Battlestars with more space for creature comfort, you were liable to begin climbing the walls after a long enough deployment.
This was no different for Commander Helena Cain. She was relieved to get a bit of downtime, a few shots of Ambrosia, and then some shut-eye. She may find a cute girl to chat up in one of the bars on the Anchorage among the many civilian contractors working in the yards. Patronage from family, friends, and allies, combined with the controversial legacy of her Grandmother during the war, meant that Helena enjoyed a meteoritic rise through the ranks. However, that also meant many eyes were on her, and she had to live up to the expectations everyone who backed her career put on her. Helena had to volunteer for the most challenging assignments and keep proving herself, which earned her enough recognition to validate the backing of her patrons. That led to alternating high-profile tours of duty with assignments that most people did their best to avoid, like long patrols on the edge of Colonial space. Helena hoped it would be all worth it. Rumor had it there was major reshuffling while she was on patrol with Huntress and her Battlestar group. That smelled like an opportunity or trouble, so Cain's first stop was the oldest officer's bar on the Anchorage.
The place was stylish and old-fashioned and not Helena's favorite drinking spot. However, it was ideal for quiet meetings and catching up with friends and allies without anyone disturbing you.
A valet, wearing an old-style Navy uniform in homage to the betrayed first iteration of the Colonial navy that burned above Caprica, met Cain at the door. His primary job was ensuring all visitors had a high enough rank or an excellent reason to visit the establishment. To qualify, you needed to be at least a Battlestar XO or be among their crew bringing important news.
"Commander, good to see you again. Admiral Hoffman is awaiting you in the Tauros room. Have a good stay, ma'am," he offered her a polite bow and stepped away from the door.
Considering how late it was in the local day, it was surprising how few people Cain saw while passing through the club's rooms and halls. It wasn't like Anchorage was mainly empty when her unit returned a few hours ago. Besides, this was the old guard's favorite watering spot, often packed with high-ranked navy and marine officers.
Cain finally reached the Taurus room, dedicated to Tauron's first Battlestar. Pictures of the Taurus hung on the walls, and copies of the commendations she earned before her destruction at Ragnar, shortly before the apocalyptic battle for Caprica. Helena first glanced at the right corner of the room where a sealed glass case held Tauru's dedication plaque salvaged from her wreck. Only then did she look at the people she was here to meet? Her uncle and his best friend sat on plush armchairs, sipping red Ambrosia glasses and watching Scorpia's glowing night side.
"Helena, I'm glad you could join us," Admiral Lucius Cain looked up at her and smiled, which made all the scars covering his face come alive like a moving mural. "Do come and join us!"
"How are you, uncle, Aunt Persephone?" Lucius might have been a rough, stern bastard. Still, for years, he was the only person in the whole galaxy who could make Helena feel safe after the Cylons butchered her family and took her sister. It wasn't for him; Helena wasn't sure she would have survived the aftermath of the war without going mad.
Lucius' best friend and Helena's honorable aunt helped as much as she could. Lieutenant Triton's unit then dug her out of the building the fraking toasters buried Helena's family under and made sure she lived to see the end of the war in the first place.
Now, after over forty years in the service, the two of them were in the twilight of their military careers. They had risen almost to the highest possible ranks in the Navy and Marines. It was largely thanks to their guidance and patronage that Cain was on the cusp of a promotion to Rear Admiral.
"We've been better, Helena, dear," her aunt said, pointing at a free armchair near their small table. Get a seat; we have much to discuss."
"I know this tone, Aunt. Who has fraked up this time?" Helena asked lightly.
"Who hasn't? Uncle Lucius snorted in derision. "We've discussed politics with you if rarely," He noted, without a trace of his usual levity. "much of the trouble at hand is due to politics, both in the military and the government."
"Helena, have you paid much attention to political news during your last two deployments?" Her aunt asked.
"Zarek's latest stunts overshadowed anything else the last time I was keeping up to date with politics," Helena admitted. After that, she spent a few months on extended patrol, with the primary contact with civilization being regular resupply ships. Someone had to look for pirates, illegal operations, and potential toaster incursions on the fringe abandoned after the war. Being ready to accept such assignments ensured that Fleet Command viewed Helena as a reliable commander who didn't let her familiar connections give her ideas of grandeur.
"As you know, we'll have near-simultaneous Quorum and Presidential elections next month. Many younger people who were fortunately never to experience war and true hardship are backing politicians promising to redirect significant funding from the military to programs that benefit these youth and the individual Colonies," Uncle Lucius explained. Don't get us wrong; you youngsters are the future, so supporting them and giving them more opportunities is for the best," he sighed.
"Not at the expense of keeping them alive and out of Cylon's hands!" Helena snapped.
"That's our position, dear," Cain's noted. "The difference is that this time, all polls point at a majority of the Quorum being voted in based on policies that will weaken our defenses. The same is true for Adar – he is likely to win on the back of the young voters, who are overwhelmingly on his side due to his campaign promises. From what we know of the man, he'll try to implement what he promised, which he's been doing since he entered politics. Usually, that would be a most commendable trait in a politician."
Helena stared, appalled at the people she trusted most in the world.
"To us old war axes, this painfully reminds us of the darkest days of the first war, when our esteemed political masters betrayed the military on multiple occasions."
That was part of Colonial history. The individual Colonial governments and their relatively new united one did their best to sweep under the rug and forget, blaming it all on radical elements. Officially, it was all on people who conveniently died in the war, who were either ready to capitulate to the Cylons out of fear or short-sightedly prepared to sell out the rest of humanity over their personal interest. Helena knew the truth wasn't so simple; the rot had become more widespread, though she was not sure how far it had gone back then. Hells, the first Colonial navy was crippled at Ragnar before being nearly completely annihilated above Caprica due to politicians selling out the navy. That was the dark truth every Commander in the navy got to learn shortly after their promotion. In Cain's case, due to her relatives and her Grandmother's involvement in that sordid mess as the colony's first Fleet Admiral, she got the whole truth earlier than most, including all the times her Grandmother failed to cover herself with glory.
That was also why Cain's aunt and uncle did their best to keep her out of politics for as long as possible. Cain's Grandmother nearly started a civil war right before the final betrayal that led to the fleet burning above Caprica…. And in hindsight, things might have been better if Galactica's first Commander hadn't dissuaded her. Or perhaps the Cylons might have won due to the resulting chaos.
More madness and betrayal followed in a way no fiction writer could publish without being called a hack. Hell, Helena knew that many people refused to believe the contents of various war stories backed by declassified documents due to how insane everything sounded.
"You are telling me this because the military's High Command intends to do something about it," Helena concluded.
"Intent? No, dear. It already happened, and we are all dealing with the fallout," Aunt Persephone said. A few weeks ago, the navy launched a stealth incursion into Cylon space. No matter the outcome, it was meant to give us an acceptable alternative to what your Grandmother nearly did."
"It really didn't matter if the mission succeeded or failed. Either outcome could be facilitated to push for war or increased military buildup, ensuring we could maintain our capacity to defend the Colonies. The mission failed. A few of our colleagues had to take responsibility and fall on their sword, giving the government a way to save face," Uncle Lucius explained. We are preparing to deal with a possible Cylon attack and should keep receiving the needed budget. However, some changes will be required to placate the public."
"Then things have turned out for the best?" Helena relaxed. The alternative was terrible. The way the Colonies and their military were set up meant that there couldn't be an apparent coup. Parts of the Colonial military wouldn't go along with it, fracturing it. Then there were the individual defense forces of each CColony from Caprica's National Guard to Virgon Imperial Guard, which included large numbers of ground units and powerful naval squadrons.
"That remains to be seen. The President is a former soldier, and he knows the reality of the situation. However, it remains to be seen what the new Quorum and Adar will decide in a couple of months after they're elected, sworn in, and have their hands firmly on the levels of power," Uncle Lucius elaborated. "If they decide to be unreasonable, we might have to do what it takes to protect the Colonies, even from themselves. We won't suffer another betrayal, Helena."
Was this how her Grandmother felt all those years ago? Helena's aunt and uncle weren't merely talking about a coup but an inevitable civil war. The key here was that they weren't actively fighting the toasters. If they didn't act, it wouldn't matter if the damned machines took advantage of a civil war or not; they would merely need to wait until the navy could no longer stop them either way.
In that regard, Helena had it easier, she decided.
"I've given a vow, Uncle Lucius. I will do whatever it takes to protect the Colonies from the Cylons or themselves if I must," Cain made her choice, and it felt right.
"Good. Due to the ongoing changes in command, Rear Admiral Julius will move to a staff position on Picon. This leaves the Pegasus and Battlestar Group 62 without an Admiral in change. We'll do our best to ensure you get them if your promotion comes through without a hitch," Admiral Cain promised. "Get a list of personnel from your current command you can rely on who is ready to be transferred with you, Helena."
"With the heavy topics out of the way, dearest niece, it is time to have a talk," Persephone leaned forward and looked at Helena with sparkling eyes. "Have you finally found yourself a good girl to bring home for good?"
"Are you going to be playing a matchmaker again, Persi? You are terrible at it!" Uncle Lucius groaned.
