The Commander’s Log – A Journey Through ‘Battlestar Galactica: Deadlock’ – Part 4

Written by Scott Murray

**CLASSIFIED** **EYES ONLY**

To Fleet Admiralty:

What follows is the official Colonial Fleet Intelligence Committee Report on the first use of nuclear weapons since the arrival of rearmament program missiles at forward-deployed fleets.

Cylon presence around a Colonial Fleet data center prompted immediate evacuation of all personnel. After evacuation, it was determined that not all data had been removed from the site during the evacuation. In order to prevent the enemy from acquiring classified data, Commander Murray was ordered to counterattack and destroy the data center before the Cylons could achieve access.

Cmdr. Murray tasked the 11th Fleet with this mission and Captain of the 11th Fleet Flagship Commander Sleeman immediately deployed the 11th to the zone. Upon arrival, it became apparent that the Cylon forces would need to be engaged before the 11th could move in range to destroy the data center. Thankfully, the Cylon force consisted only of a light scout fleet: under armed light carriers with token fighter escort, and a small gunship screening force.

Cmdr. Sleeman deployed fighters and pushed straight down the center of the Cylon line; he managed to anchor almost all Cylon forces away from the data center. However, Raptor reconnaissance discovered a single enemy Talon-class light carrier moving towards the data center; as the Cylon fleet still provided significant impediment to Cmdr. Sleeman’s ability to break through, Cmdr. Murray took personal command to authorize a nuclear strike against the enemy carrier.

After the Cylon demonstration of detonated nuclear weapons in border space, our rearmament program has been proceeding rapidly and smoothly, but nuclear missiles have not been deployed in combat until today. This firing of nuclear ordnance proves that the program has been successful, and the Colonial Fleet Intelligence Committee officially recommends that Admiralty authorizes Fleet Flagship Captains to utilize nuclear munitions when necessary and at their discretion.

The nuclear strike annihilated the enemy Talon carrier and successfully prevented access to the data center. Cmrd. Sleeman then performed a textbook fleet gunnery assault with fighter support on the remaining forces, and the Cylon fleet was cut to pieces in short order. Raptor flight was recalled, and Viper squadrons were sent to destroy the data center, while capital ships mopped up the remaining enemy forces.

Video recording of the engagement is attached.

---