Death High Above Who: Callie Morgan & Jilleen Simmons Where: Locker Valley Lodge, Aerilon When: Evening - Y03-01-07
Jilleen left the rest of her group watching the newscast which was recorded by the manager of the lodge earlier in the day. It was too much to watch the city where she grew up burning to the ground. There was a mass exodus from the capital. The highways leading out the city were jammed with traffic. Aerilon did not have great cities of the likes found on the other colonies, but Casperon was the largest. The live reports had ended shortly after large base ships with their squadrons of raiders were sighted descending on the city.
It was agony to know all these terrible things were happening on her colony, and there was nothing she could do about it but wait for this stupid winter storm to past. It was hard to imagine that only hours ago she was flying over the burning city of Tawa, Sagittaron on her way to the flagship of the Colonial Fleet. Then an instant later her raptor was forced to make an emergency FTL jump which saved the life of herself and passengers from certain death. It did not go unnoticed that her being here was short of a miracle. If it had been a few inches in one direction or a few seconds too long, she would have died today.
She poured herself a cup of coffee. The adrenalin was wearing off and she was feeling tired. What is a warrior supposed to do on the first day of war? It did not feel right she should sleep, not right now.
Callie could not bring herself to believe the reality of what was happening around her and not just the winter storm keeping them cooped up. Base ships, raiders, the Cylons had returned and they were not stopping. Listening and watching the newscast only reiterated a desire to get out there and fight as she was trained to do but her priorities right now were her niece. The only thing she could think about with any purpose was protecting her niece.
With everyone still in shock, Callie pressed a hand on her niece’s shoulder and started towards the coffee deciding she could do with the boast of caffeine. She had not slept since, either from the duty she felt to all these people around her or just because the shock in her own system prevented her too so right now she was living on coffee.
She grabbed a cup and stood next to one of the newest arrivals on the colony if you go by the story told, Jill Simmons. With a glance over her shoulder back at her niece and the other warm bodies, warm meaning still alive, Callie held out her cup. “We can’t stay here.”
“We’re leaving as soon as it clears,” said Jilleen allowing the hot mug of coffee warm her hands. “Going to try for the base at New Ostia.” She recognized the woman from earlier when they arrived.
“If it’s still there,” Callie commented.
“Let’s hope so,” replied Jilleen before a careful sip of her coffee. It was very likely the base was struck, but there was still hope it remained in Colonial control. “We have to get the commander back to the Admiral’s side.” It did not necessarily mean she would be joining him. This was her colony, and if she had to fight, she would prefer it be for her home world.
“What about you? Did you mention something about serving in the Forces?” Her memory was not clear, so much was on her mind at the time.
“You could say that. I was the recruitment officer here. Just never thought I’d be recruiting people like this.” Callie really had regrets about leaving Avalon, a good ship now that she could really be of use up there. She just hoped that frakking Achilles had what it took to keep it together.
“I’m sure you will find your job much easier now. You won’t be short of volunteers here.” Jilleen remained positive in public. No matter how bleak it seemed, there was a chance the Colonials would regroup and beat back any invasion. Aerilonians were proud people.
Callie scoffed, “I’m no recruiter. I’m a pilot. I should be up there fighting but...” Responsibilities had brought her here to this place and she knew this was where she should be even if her desires were to be up in the air with some guns under her.
Jilleen paused a moment looking at the woman. “A pilot, you don’t say?” There was no reason for her to be surprised. Pilots are not always assigned to a cockpit during their careers. “I hear ya. The last time I flew a viper was on the Peggy,” one of Pegasus’s nick names.
“Avalon for me.” It was one thing to miss the past, it was a whole separate thing to regret not being able to do anything to help her friends and family up there fighting with her old ship. Avalon had a good crew, some fine pilots and Callie knew under the doubts that they’d give some hell.
For a brief moment Jilleen’s eyes lit up, “ My …” Just as quickly her eyes went dull. At that moment, in her mind she saw her husband’s face. Lieutenant Wallace had told her of a confirmed report that claimed the battlestar destroyed, but she didn’t believe it. Many reports are unreliable in the first hours of any war, but the young lieutenant was convinced. Jilleen still wore her wedding band to keep up appearances.
“What?” Callie had caught onto the fact that the woman had froze in sentence.
Jilleen sighed. “Last reports says she’s gone.” She let out a deeper sigh. It was a very possible after watching the news cast that Avalon was indeed gone along with her crew, and James. If she only knew ... “If you will excuse me.” She could feel her eyes begin to water.
Callie was stunned into a silence as she tried to comprehend the words just spoken. The Battlestar Avalon was gone. That was just impossible for her to believe. Too many good men and women served on that ship, it couldn’t be gone.
Before Jilleen could get away, someone shouted something from the patio which caught her attention. She went to investigate along with others who heard the call. Outside on the patio, everyone was looking up at the dark sky. Through the falling snow and clouds, there were flashes of light. No sound, except from those outside.
Along with everyone else, Callie observed through the window the light show, no sounds but then it didn’t need one because she knew what it was, what was happening outside and all around them. Armageddon had come. “I know what that is....”
“Death,” said one of the Marines.
Jilleen glanced at the Marine who said that, and then at the civilians and Callie who also gathered to see the light show high above them. She felt a chill deep inside, and it was not from the cold air. What he said was truth, with each flash it was likely someone was killed. “It’s a high attitude battle, maybe low orbit.” Just as she finished, there was a brilliant flash high above them that turned night to day.
Callie started at the marine for what he said, concerned of what her niece would be picking up and feeling but she couldn’t argue with the truth of the situation. Before she could really say anything, everyone was drawn to the outside again. “That’s no ordinary warhead.” Callie spoke softly while watching the brilliant flash in the night sky.
A second flash, just as bright as the last one appeared. Jilleen looked away. There was no telling which side shot the nukes or who was winning the battle above them. She could do nothing about it. The Gods could careless. Snow would continue to fall no matter the outcome of the battle above them.
With the second flash, Callie immediately looked around the faces and then at one of the marines, “Check our radiation meds. Think we are going to need them.” She stopped watching the flashes and started towards her niece who looked terrified to death.