Empty Space: A Battlestar Galactica Crossover

"Changelings? Here? Already?" Luna barked, as though gruffness might alter the facts.

"Yes, ma'am. The warning buoy has the data from Pegasus. Wait, there's more... Pegasus will be unable to assist. Their sub-light drive is wrecked. We're on our own, ma'am. Against a whole Changeling battle group." The tension in CIC rose dramatically. Changeling jump drives were more precise than Colonial ones. And the continuous broadcasts from Earth made the planet easy to locate. Any way you looked at it, the Changelings were coming. And soon. The alarm klaxons blared and crew rushed to their battle stations. "The fleet has emergency jump rendezvous programmed in, Colonel."

"You want to just abandon this planet, chief? The planet we crossed half the fracking galaxy to find?" he demanded. "And what about our ponies on the ground?"

"They have the coordinates, too. And a phoenix, sir."

"Get the admiral on the line."

Chief Nakura went back to her board and did not like what she saw. "Ma'am. There is some form of interference. I cannot raise the admiral or his ship."

"Then try what you did before. Go through the Earth comm net. And put it on speaker."

"Yes, ma'am. There is an access point outside the zone of interference. I am using the same interface access as before..."

The disembodied voice spoke again, setting all their nerves further on edge. "Thank you for using Comcast Cellular." A pause. "Your call cannot be completed as dialed. There is a fifty million bit outstanding balance on your account. Please deposit fifty million bits or swipe your credit or calling card now."

Nakura, ears burning red and conscious that the fate of the ship and a whole world rested on her shoulders, struggled to establish a connection. "I cannot bypass it, sir. It wants fifty million bits, or we cannot get through." She jumped slightly as the voice spoke again.

"If this is an emergency, please say, 'Emergency.'"

Chief Nakura looked over to the XO, who nodded curtly. "Emergency." she said distinctly.

"Just a moment, please." It took longer to connect than Nakura had wanted.

An earth pony voice came on. "911. What is your emergency?"

Nakura searched the room for guidance, found none, and ventured, "Invasion."

"Home invasion? What is your address?"

"No, um, planetary invasion. Please connect us with ICANN right away."

"Ma'am, this line is for genuine emergencies."

"What could be a bigger emergency than this? We need to speak to ICANN, over. Are you there? Please acknowledge."

"We have bigger problems," announced the DRADIS watch officer. "The Changelings are here. Fleet ships jumping away to the designated rendezvous point. Inbound raiders from all four base ships, missiles too. Our fighters are vectoring to engage. Should we call them back? Are we jumping?"

"And leave our people turf side with no warning? And our fleet with no destination?" She squared her shoulders. "No. No more running. No more hiding from our own shadows. Today we stand our ground. Today we fight. Evasive action on the inbounds. Light up the point defenses. Arm the Could-eat-a-pony-in-one-bites" He strode to the tactical plot, whispering under his breath. "By the gods, Armor, I hope this is what you want. But I can't just leave you. Not after everything you've done for me."