Interception of Cylon Tankers
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| Interception of Cylon Tankers | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Interception of Cylon Tankers | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Conflict: | Escape from the Cylons | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Date: | 2 yahren after Battle of Molecay | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place: | Krillian Star System | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Result: | Tankers destroyed Cain relieved of duty | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Battle Chronology | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The Interception of Cylon Tankers is an engagement between Vipers and Cylon Raiders during a planned interception of two Cylon Tankers before they arrive at Gamoray. This is the first of only two joint operations between Galactica's and Pegasus' Viper squadrons.
Planning
A meeting of Commanders Cain and Adama convenes on Galactica, during which a plan is proposed by Adama to intercept Cylon Tankers to provide desperately needed fuel for the Fleet. Cain agrees to the plan reluctantly, preferring to seize fuel by attacking the Cylon base on Gamoray instead.
Adama also orders the combination of Galactica's Blue Squadron and Pegasus' Silver Spar Squadron in order to boost morale and further integrate the two fighting forces. Cain initially objects on the basis of Silver Spar's greater experience in such hit-and-run attacks, but later concedes to Adama's order while boasting that his Warriors would be glad to pass along their experience to Galactica's Warriors.
Operation
During pre-launch aboard Pegasus, Lieutenant Sheba discovers that Commander Cain has joined the mission, effectively assuming command of the operation. This also surprises the pilots of Galactica's Blue Squadron who were also uninformed about Cain's participation.
Prior to detecting the tankers, Cain noted that he could "sense them" before they appear on scanners.
Cain orders the two squadrons to split up in two groups. When closing to the Cylon tankers directly Blue Squadron is intercepted by Cylon Raiders by surprise. Blue Squadron seems at the mercy of the Cylons until Silver Spar Squadron engages. The tide turns and only two raiders get the chance to try an escape. Cain orders Blue Squadron to pursue the fugitives while he goes off to take care of the tankers.
Cain destroys the tankers against orders, deliberately hoping to force Adama's hand in attacking Gamoray. Following Apollo's return to the tankers' last location and noting that Cain had been attacking, Cain informs the disbelieving Apollo that he had been firing at a Cylon fighter, claiming it to have been "clear as the Nubian sun" (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I").
Aftermath
The after-action report notes that the tankers were destroyed by "incidental fire," which had been supported by Pegasus pilots, including Sheba. However, Adama saw through this and Cain's destruction of the tankers briefly cost him command of Pegasus replacing him with Colonel Tigh. Refusing to attack Gamoray, Adama orders the distribution of Pegasus burgeoning reserves amongst the Fleet.
With Adama's refusal to attack Gamoray, the sole survivors of the Colonies might well have ended near the Krillian Star System without any fuel in a hopeless battle with Baltar's three base ships. Fortunately, Adama's caution and Cain's "tactical wizardry" save the day.
Notes
- Pegasus executed similar operations in the past in order to secure fuel and other war materiel to hassle the Cylons.
Unanswered Questions
- Why don't the Cylons scuttle their tankers during the engagement? Was an attempt made to do so?
- Why did the last two Raiders retreat instead of trying to destroy the tankers?