Nyke 17 - Colonial Fire Drill

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Chama and the Pilots of Equus Squadron rocketed out of the makeshift launch tubes and away into the Zarlan Minor asteroid belt.

"Keep loose and look sharp." Chama said. "The patrol retreated into the thick asteroids for cover, but that terrain can work against us, too. So be careful and let's go waste some Cylons."

The Troops who came through the barricade were survivors of seasoned units, retired but still fit older men and constables who were switching services. Not a one of them was a stone killer, though they wouldn't hesitate to shoot in lives were in danger.

As the first in men looked through the hole in the barricade, one shouted "Colonial Militia! Throw down your weapons and come out with you hands up!"

They fired into some good hiding places trying to dislodge a potential ambush, but all that resulted was property damage amd more fires.

"let's get this over with." The other said. He stepped through the blasted entry and into the former office.

"I see some blood, but not much else." One of the men reported. "No one's here."

"The fell back when they heard you were massacring them!" Delgara sounded disbelieving.

"Good. We're evacuating the base. Apparently Cylons are on the way. "C'mon out and let's get out of here!"

The Soldier looked at the pockmarked and damaged furniture jammed in the doorway. "You sure did, didn't you?"

The Evacuation of the Zarlan Minor base was just as frantic is not as panicky as the evacuation of the Colonies.

Melanous felt sadness war with anger inside. Would his people have to get used to picking up and moving all the time? Were they condemned to lives of being refugees? He quickly put that thought out of his mind. There was plenty enough to worry about as it was without dredging up worries that had no solution.

Melanous had body guards, two soldiers from his militia. He didn't like the idea but once the evacuation order was given the crowds at the Shuttle bay were chaotic and untraceable.

"Mommy!" A small boy screamed. He seemed to be alone, except for a small pack of personal belongings.

A woman came up behind the boy. "Percival, you Mom's right behind us. She's been delayed, but she says she'll be right along and that you should come with us to the ship." She shot Melanous a look. Melanous knew at that moment that Percival's mother wasn't coming back. She had been a victim of the violence.

"I'm Lieutenant Colonel Melanous. I'm the boss of the Warriors." Melanous explained. "If I find your mother, I'll send her right along. It wasn't technically a lie.

"Mommy doesn't like you." Percival said. He looked at the woman beckoning him. "I better go with Kasha to protect her from you."

Percival quickly grabbed the woman's hand and the hand of a younger child. The little girl said "EWW! Percy, you're icky!"

The woman gave Melanous and his soldiers a look of silent thanks before heading off to the shuttles.

Gan died in a blinding flash of energy. Denja watched the explosion grimly. "That's two of us. Is Equus squadron on it's way?"

Kogarn checked his display. "Yes, they are. But there's better news than that. Most of the attack wing followed us. Even if we get wiped out, then we may have bought time for the Civilians to escape."

Denja gritted his teeth through a high g turn avoiding the firing arc of another attacking Cylon group. When he was clear he eased off and said "Do you think that made Gan feel any better?"

"If it's that important, ask him when you see him. Right now, shut up and fly." Kogarn advised.

Chama and Equus Squadron raced to catch the Cylon attack wing before it could mount it's earnest attack.

"Typical Cylons." Zippo reported. "They followed to patrol with most of the attack and sent light search parties out in an orderly search pattern."

"Thank the lords of Kobol for gullible Cylons." Riko said. "A thousand yahrens of War and they still believe you when you say things over an uncoded channel."

"That'll change when their commander gets within communications range." Chama said. "Let's recall who won that war, okay?"

Checking that we was indeed on a coded channel Chama explained. "If the attacker is a carrier or light carrier then we're in luck. If we can eliminate his attack wing and keep enough fighters ourselves, then we can counter attack with a fair chance of taking him down. Assuming he didn't launch a strike and run."

Chama continued "If it's that damned Basestar we've been playing tag with, then we're just out of luck. But taking down his attack wing is still a good thing."

Kagra asked "Let me get this straight. If it's just an attack wing, we attack aggressively. If it's an attack wing and a carrier we attack aggressively. But if it's a Basestar and attack wing we attack aggressively although admittedly hopelessly."

"That sums it up nicely." Chama said. "I don't think fighting the Basestar is that hopeless. Some ships may escape from that."

Zippo was excited. "We're entering the Asteroid belt now! I estimate contact with the Cylon attack wing in five more microns!"

Melanous approached the edge of the corridor that lead to the Amphitheater at the center of the Asteroid. Soldiers were crouched down out of the way of incoming fire.

"There are Cylons on the way!" Melanous yelled. "Let's settle this and get out of here."

"That was a terrible, terrible mistake. One that will not be repeated, I assure you. The indentured troops have already been evacuated from the base. All of us out here are regular Warriors and Militia."

"Does that mean you're going to be reluctant to order a frontal assault and risk the death of my remaining hostages?"

"I happen to have the only human friendly ship in this system and soon I will be gone." Melanous replied.

"Nice. Nice, but you see Melanous, I don't buy it. I think that a Cylon attack right at this moment is far, far too convenient for you."

"Immunity from prosecution for myself and my men. Your little indentured troops idea is cute but I don't see combat as much of a career option."

"For an under armed and untrained rabble, you're doing very well." Melanous said.

"I am willing to address the concept of power sharing with you, Melanous. Name me Prime Minister for Life. Allow me and my people to administer the civilian government of our little community here at Zarlan Minor. I'll support you and your military, while riding herd on the civilian population. We'll both profit and come out ahead."

"Our Community here was a memory the first moment you picked up weapons and turned them on your neighbors, Harmal. It's corpse is about to be brutalized by the Cylons." Melanous replied.

"Ah, yes, the imminent Cylon attack." Harmal sneered. "Why are you even bothering with that transparent bluff?"

"It's no bluff. Here is my counter offer. You and your people put down your weapons and surrender. I promise to treat you all fairly, with no massacres or torture at all. I will allow you on my ships one more time to escape the Cylons."

Harmal laughed. "Go ahead. Evacuate the base. Move the ships away. I think we have enough people and ships here to get back into business on our own terms."

"I am not leaving you any ships, Harmal. Not so much as an escape capsule. We're too poor on resources at it is."

"Don't be naïve! There are no more colonies! Their rules mean nothing anymore!" Harmal howled

"Then Good Bye, Harmal." Melanous said He turned and left the Amphitheater motioning his troops to follow.

Disclaimer: Universal Studios owns all things Battlestar Galactica. I claim original characters and situations in this story for me.

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