"Over the past few days, I've been inputting all the data concerning the Imperials' double jump-gate technology into our computers, and with a little luck, I think it could run using our engines," Torres explained.
"Are you sure?" asked Janeway. "Our engines are so different from Imperial designs."
"As are ours," added Adama.
"But the principle is basically the same," Torres continued. "I've run simulation after simulation. Every one has come out positive."
"I don't like it," said Kane. "If this technology does work, you could leave the Galactica and the Pegasus high and dry out here. With the Cylons' new allies, we'd be in big trouble!"
"We have no intention of leaving you behind, Commander Kane," said Janeway. "But now may be the time to put the computations into a practical experiment. So far, they have only been done using our engines. If the test is successful, then we will return and try to alter the variables for your engines."
"It sounds like a logical thing to do," said Adama. "We need something to get us to Earth quicker. This may be it."
"Then begin your final computations, Lieutenant Torres," said Janeway. "Let us know when everything is ready."
As the Lord of the Isles sat in space, Drathro sat at the main computer station.
"Have you managed to project his most likely course yet?" Magus asked.
"I think so," Drathro replied. "If he stayed on the same heading we last saw him on, then he would have entered an uncharted star system with a solitary Class-M world not far away from here."
Magus seated himself at the sensor station and began to operate the system.
"The long-range sensors have picked up the planet now," he said. "Several large bodies of water, several landmasses covered mainly by forests. Hello! What's this? Buildings!"
"What sort of buildings?" asked Drathro.
"It appears to be some sort of military base."
"The Imperials are there?"
"I can't be sure. We'll have to take a closer look. Mister Burton, please set a course for that star system."
From the helm position, Virdon began to operate the panel. Moments later, they were on their way.
"You're doing well, Colonel Virdon," said Magus. "Perhaps when we get back to the Time of Legends, we'll be able to find a job for you after all!"
After sleeping for two hours, Watt got up and went for something to eat. After eating a dish he had never heard of before, he was found by Bel Iblis. The General told Watt he had something to show him.
Bel Iblis led Watt to the hangar bay. There, spacecraft of various design and configuration were all over the place.
"I guess being a rebel means you can't get a constant supply of ships," said Watt.
"Yes," Bel Iblis replied. "That is why I've had my engineers working on a little pet project of mine. It's just over here."
Bel Iblis led Watt to the far side of the hangar to a craft covered by a sheet. Bel Iblis pulled the sheet back to reveal an X-wing fighter.
"Looks like just an ordinary fighter to me," said Watt.
"It's more than just a normal X-wing," said Bel Iblis. "I've increased the armor, its speed capability has been increased to warp nine—nearly as fast as one of your starships—and I've tripled its fuel capacity."
"What about weapons?"
"The main blasters are now directly channeled through the warp engines, thus increasing their power."
Watt walked forward and began to look over the ship. As he did this, Bel Iblis noticed a change in him.
"All I'm looking for now is a good pilot to fly her," said Bel Iblis. "My men are good, but not as good as you."
"How do you know how good I am?"
"I've heard the stories. Some of them are legends to us. Think of it. This ship was almost made for you!"
Watt began to move back.
"The time is not right," he said. "I may have returned, my memory may have returned, but things have to be right. I'm sorry, General. Maybe later."
As Torres sat at her engineering station on the bridge, she entered the final variables into the computer.
"That's it," she said. "We await your orders, Captain."
"Janeway to Galactica. Commander Adama, we're ready to begin the process. Is the marker buoy in place?"
"Ready two minutes ago, Captain. Good luck."
Janeway nodded to Torres.
"Engines are coming up to full power."
"Mister Paris, open the first jump-gate."
Paris operated his console, and on the screen before them, the jump-gate began to form.
"The first jump-gate would take us to the next system," said Torres. "Normal time of arrival at warp nine would take us four days."
"Calculate where we would normally have been in seven days at warp nine," said Janeway. "Then feed the coordinates to Lieutenant Paris."
The destination calculated, Torres gave the coordinates to Paris as he opened the second jump-gate. Moments later, Voyager entered. The expected shaking of the ship began soon afterwards but passed after a few seconds. Janeway was surprised that the ride was so smooth.
"What's the energy drain on the engines like?" she asked.
"Minimal," Torres smiled.
Before she could say anything else, the jump-gate exit was soon before them.
"We're here!" said Paris. "We made it!"
"Did you ever doubt me, Tom?" asked Torres.
Tuvok's sensor panel began to light up like a Christmas tree.
"I'm picking up a ship nearby on the sensors," he reported.
"On screen."
The image was soon before them, and no one could believe what they saw. A rickety-looking ship, looking more like an old-fashioned steam locomotive than a space-going vessel, appeared.
"What is that thing?" asked Paris.
"What's more important is, how the hell did that thing get into space?"
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