This is a work of fanfiction written purely for entertainment and not for profit.
GUNSTAR TITANIA
Departure
Commander Jason Stone waited uncomfortably in the outer office next to Admiral Corman's conference room. He had been waiting for nearly an hour, sitting uncomfortably wondering what the Admiral in charge of the entire Colonial fleet could possibly want with him. He had only recently returned to Picon from a brief survey mission just shy of the Red Line on the Gunstar Ajiat. The mission had lasted four months and had involved surveying over twenty star systems for any trace of Cylon activity.
They had found nothing out of the ordinary, even though they had detected a few shadowy Dradis contacts in several of the systems. Upon closer investigation, the contacts had vanished when the Ajait had begun closing. In those far out systems Jason knew there was some privateer activity. Jason had felt confident it had only been a few privateer vessels out trying to make an easy fortune from the abandoned settlements and mining installations.
The door to the conference room opened and a Colonial officer with the rank of Colonel stepped out. "Commander Stone the Admiral is ready to see you now."
Jason stood up and straightening his uniform walked thorough the open door which the Colonel closed behind him. The Colonel did not enter the conference room and Jason found himself in the large room alone with the Admiral. Jason came to attention and waited for Admiral Corman to recognize his presence.
For a moment, the Admiral continued to shuffle through some papers and then seeming to notice Jason's presence, he stood up and returned the salute. "At ease Commander and have a seat, we have a lot to talk about."
Jason sat down across from the Admiral at the large conference table and turned with an inquisitive look at Admiral Corman. Jason still had no idea why he was here. He felt butterflies in his stomach as he sat waiting.
The Admiral looked at Jason as if studying the young commander before him. Commander Jason Stone, age thirty-two, graduated 2nd in his class at Picon Academy where he had excelled in strategy and fleet logistics. Graduated at the age of 24 and spent the next two years at Caprica Station the large fleet and civilian space station that orbited Caprica, the Capitol of the Colonies. After Caprica Station, he had spent four years on the Battlestar Pacifica where he had risen to the rank of Chief Tactical Officer. After the Pacifica, he had transferred to the Gunstar Ajait as Executive Officer and for the last year had served as the ships Commander.
"I have read the reports on your survey mission. You and your crew did an excellent job surveying the systems in question," Admiral Corman commented pointing to a large file in front of him. "Granted you were not expected to make a real thorough survey of the systems in question, just a general survey to make sure that the Cylons had not ventured beyond the Red Line."
"We saw no traces or evidence to indicate that the Cylons have ventured past the Red Line sir," Jason replied, his eyes meeting the Admirals. "There were only a few old mines and settlements from before the previous war in several of the systems and no firm indications that anyone had returned back to them, either Colonial or Cylon."
"I see in your report that your Dradis officer reported several possible contacts," Admiral Corman said looking down at the open report lying in front of him.
"Yes sir," Jason replied recalling the incidents. "It happened on four different occasions. Each time when we tried to close with the contacts they vanished."
"In your report you suggest it might have been privateers raiding the old abandoned mines and settlements," Admiral Corman continued looking at Jason thoughtfully. "Is that what you still think, after all you didn't see any sign of any activity at any of the old mines or settlements?"
"There was no evidence that it was the Cylons sir," Jason replied remembering the incidents clearly in the back of his mind. "We could not identify the contacts and based on the locations of where the contacts in question occurred, it made more sense that it was privateers."
"Yes I suppose it does," Admiral Corman replied nodding his head in agreement. "Each time it was in a system that contained an old mining settlement or an abandoned small colony. It could very well have been a privateer ship scouting the systems for possible salvage. I suppose we had better increase out fleet patrols in those areas. We wouldn't want privateers to start a new war with the Cylons by straying over the Red Line."
Admiral Corman paused before continuing. In the back of his mind, he wondered if perhaps it had been Cylons that the Commander's ship had detected. That possibility concerned him, particularly if they were venturing past the Red Line. It made what he was about to propose even more pressing.
"Since the last war we have pretty well kept our people here in the three home star systems of Cyrannus with only a few small mining outposts and military bases beyond that," Admiral Corman stated. "What do you think of that policy Commander?"
Jason hesitated a moment weighing his answer. "I feel that it is a mistake sir," Jason replied measuring his words carefully not sure where the Admiral was going with this. "While we are confining ourselves to just the Twelve Worlds the Cylons may be expanding rapidly into the systems beyond the Red Line."
"Perhaps," Admiral Corman replied nodding his head, pleased with the Commanders answer. "But if we establish any new colonies they may be an easy target for the Cylons if they do return. With the fleet reductions of the last few administrations it might be very difficult for us to protect a new colony."
Jason sat quietly knowing that the Admiral was correct. He still was not sure what the Admiral wanted.
"Commander Stone," Admiral Corman continued deciding that the young Commander was exactly whom he wanted for a special mission he had planned. He had checked the young officer's files very carefully and talked to the Commanders of the young officer's previous assignments. All had been very positive, particularly Admiral Clements aboard Caprica Station. "I am launching a deep space survey and colonization mission to the Delphi quadrant. The mission will take about two years and will involve several ships. If we can find a suitable planet, we might launch a major colonizing effort upon completion of the mission. I am offering you command of the mission if you are interested."
"The Delphi quadrant!" Jason replied surprised. The Delphi quadrant was on the opposite side of the Colonies away from the Red Line and would take over two months just to reach. To the best of his knowledge, no one had been out that far in generations.
"Yes the Delphi quadrant," Admiral Corman replied with a slight smile. "If we place a colony there it will be so far away from any Cylon threat that they will never find it. It will allow us to grow and expand our resources in case we reach a day where they are sorely needed."
Jason didn't really have to think too long. He had always dreamed of exploring and the recent survey mission of the Ajait had only increased that desire. "I accept sir," Jason said trying to keep the excitement out of his voice. "I am sure that the rest of my crew on the Ajait will feel the same way."
"Oh yes, the Ajait, well Commander Stone you will not be commanding the Ajait. You will be allowed to transfer part of your crew if you like, but this will be your new command ship." Admiral Corman flipped a switch and the room dimmed. The main view screen lit up displaying a much larger then normal Gunstar, obviously of recent construction, seeming to be floating in space.
"I don't recognize that ship design," Jason said surprised at the ship on the screen as he looked at it closely, noticing two small flight pods attached to it.
"This is the Command Gunstar Titania," Admiral Corman replied with a satisfied smile knowing he had surprised the young Commander. "She is a Titan class Gunstar and the largest and most modern Gunstar ever built. She is twelve hundred meters long, three hundred and fifty meters in width. As you can see, she has two small flight pods similar to a Battlestars. Each flight pod holds eighteen mark 7 vipers and six raptors. She has four heavy kinetic rail guns on the bow, four bow missile tubes, and twelve other missile tubes located along her length. She has twelve medium kinetic dual rail gun turrets capable of independent fire and forty point defense turrets. She also has twenty rapid firing interceptor missile batteries."
"Holy frak!" Jason exclaimed amazed. "She has the firepower of a Mercury class Battlestar!"
"She is also heavily armored and capable of taking a lot of punishment," Admiral Corman continued, pleased with how the new Command Gunstar had turned out. "The Titania is a very expensive ship, and the only ship of her class. We put everything we could think of into her. She has a crew of fourteen hundred with two hundred marines for security."
"Why has no one heard of the Titania?" Jason asked slightly confused. To the best of his knowledge, the government had killed the Titan class calling it too expensive a luxury for the military.
"The Titania has been constructed at a secret fleet facility that no one but a few key fleet personnel knows about. It has not been easy to build the ships we wanted for this exploration effort," Admiral Corman replied, aggravated at what he had gone through to get this accomplished.
"A secret fleet base!" Jason replied surprised. "How is that possible?"
A number of higher ups in the fleet came up with the idea," Admiral Corman replied, thinking back to all the effort that had gone into this. "We siphoned money and materials away from what we saw as wasteful projects that the civilian government wanted."
"Is that safe sir, surely they will notice," Jason commented feeling a little worried about what the Admiral had done and the fact he had just volunteered to become involved in it.
"Even though our fleet budget has been cut drastically over the last few administrations it is still very large," Admiral Corman replied leaning back slightly in his chair. "You would be surprised at just how easy it was to divert the necessary funds and materials."
"I understand the reason for it sir," Jason replied suprised at what had been done. "Especially considering how the current administration feels about the fleet and further exploration." He knew that President Adair wanted the fleet reduced even more and had come out publicly against any excursions outside the Cyrannus system.
"The only way we could make it work, we had to build new military ships that no one in the government knew about," Admiral Corman continued.
"That's the reason for the secret base, to keep the ships secret from the government," Jason said wishing it wasn't necessary to do such a thing.
"As you said, the Colonial government is stoutly against further exploration and has not been willing to allocate any current fleet assets to any type of major exploration or colonization effort," Admiral Corman said with regret in his voice. "That is one other thing Commander, no one in the government knows about this mission and must not learn of it. If the Cylons do return some day, and I believe they will, then this new colonization effort could be our best hope for survival and defeating the Cylons. Are you still interested in the mission?"
Jason thought for a moment. He agreed with much of what the Admiral had just said and he trusted the Admiral. "Yes sir I am. Just tell me where to report." He also wondered if he had said no just what the Admiral's response would have been after all that had been revealed to him.
Admiral Corman stood and so did Jason. "Well in that case since you will be commanding a small fleet I am promoting you to the rank of Rear Admiral and placing you in charge of the Delphi exploration fleet."
Jason felt his heart flutter for a moment. Did Admiral Corman just say he was being promoted to Rear Admiral? Holy frak he thought. He noticed a pleased smile on the Admiral's face.
"If you succeed in your mission Admiral Stone then this promotion will be very well deserved and I have every bit of confidence that you will succeed."
PART 2
Admiral Jason Stone stood in the CIC of the Battlestar Valkyrie as she neared a small gaseous nebula. They were a dozen light years away from the Colonies in an area of space abounding in small to large gaseous nebulas. The Valkyrie was currently holding stationary next to a nebula approximately two million kilometers across.
"Is the base inside of this nebula?" Jason asked, turning toward Commander Andrea Kross who was standing next to him watching a large view screen that currently showed a small segment of the gaseous nebula. Commander Kross was in her mid forties and had been Commander of the Valkyrie since Commander Adama had been transferred to the Galactica.
"Yes sir," she replied nodding her head slightly. "We have cleared a safe path to near the center of the nebula where the base is located."
"A safe path," Jason replied starring dubiously at the nebula that seemed to be a solid enough barrier before them. He knew that the gas from the nebula would be quite explosive when exposed to the Tylium residue from the ships sub light drive system. "Then how do we get in?"
Commander Kross smiled. "If you remember we developed some very effective camouflage systems toward the end of the Cylon war. The entrance to the nebula is protected by just such a field. The Commander turned and signaled to the communications officer.
The communications officer sent out a specially coded signal and suddenly an area of the nebula nearly 100 kilometers across vanished showing a clear passage. In its place sat a ring of twenty small defensive satellites and a small Gunstar. Jason recognized it as a Defender class which was 800 meters long, 135 meters wide, with a crew of 600. The Defender class also carried twelve vipers in her landing bay which was located on the underside of the ship. He could see from the Dradis screen that two vipers were currently flying CAP.
"As you can see Admiral the entrance is very well defended as well as impossible to locate when the camouflage field is on," Commander Kross stated with a slight satisfied smile. "Only the Valkyrie and a few other ships have the special code to shut the camouflage field down."
The Valkyrie crept forward followed closely by a fleet personnel ship. The fleet ship carried part of the crew from the Ajait who had volunteered to accompany Admiral Stone as well as some returning personnel to the base.
They were contacted by the patrolling Gunstar and afer a brief conversation with its Commander they continued on. Once past the Gunstar the ship sent out a signal reactivating the camouflage field.
Once inside the nebula the two ships picked up speed and in a matter of an hour, the base came into view.
Jason stared at what lay before him on the Valkyrie's large view screens with stunned amazement. A modified fleet supply station 1,500 meters in diameter seemed to float in space before them. Four large construction bays were attached to the station. Two bays on each side held in place by massive steel lattice works. Two more supply stations of the same size sat back a safe distance from the first surrounded by numerous ships. Jason was surprised to see four new Valkyrie class Battlestars holding position above one of the stations. In the distance behind the stations, he could see what looked like a number of small asteroids.
"Are those new Valkyrie class ships?" Jason asked in surprise, not expecting to find more Battlestars here. From all the ships that were visible on the view screens he was finding it difficult to believe that all this had been accomplished here at this secret base. The amount of effort and materials put into this was astounding.
"Yes," Commander Kross replied adjusting the main view screen so it showed one of the ships in a much-enlarged view. "They have been built for some special mission that Admiral Corman has planned."
Jason studied the ship noticing that it seemed to be much heavier armed then a normal Valkyrie. It also seemed to be covered in a different type of very dark armor. "Is that some type of new armor Commander?"
"Yes sir," Commander Kross replied turning to face Jason. "Supposedly it absorbs Dradis scans making it impervious to detection. Where those ships are going is top secret, no one is talking. The crews have been segregated from the rest of us to insure nothing gets out. Scuttlebutt has it rumored that it has something to do with the Cylons."
The Valkyrie continued toward the second supply station where a large group of ships could be seen below the station and slightly behind it.
"That's your fleet," Commander Kross stated as the view screen switched to show the Titania.
The massive Gunstar filled the screen. Jason held his breath as he gazed at his new command. He knew the ship was 1200 meters in length, with a crew of 1,600 counting the marines. He could see her two small flight pods and the weapon turrets she bristled with. He couldn't wait to get aboard and start getting his crew acclimated to their new ship. Nearly two hundred of his old crew had come with him as well as his Executive Officer Major Carolyn Dyson. Major Dyson was a brunette, with a nice figure, and just a few years older then Jason.
An hour latter Jason and Major Dyson arrived at the Titania's port flight pod in a raptor. Jason felt the raptor touch smoothly down and moments latter the door slid open. Stepping out he found several hundred members of the crew gathered and standing at attention.
Two smartly dressed officers with the rank of Captain and Major stepped forward. "Admiral arriving," the Captain announced in a powerful voice, saluting Jason and Major Dyson. "Captain Aaron Steele reporting sir, I am the ships CAG."
The other officer also saluted, "Major Steffen Franks reporting sir, I am the commander of the Titania's marine complement.
Jason returned the salutes. He knew that Captain Steele was twenty-eight years old and reputed to be one of the best viper pilots in the fleet. Major Franks he didn't know to much about. From his file Jason knew he was reported to be quite competent and an able officer. He was slightly older then Jason and his former commanders had been very positive in their evaluations.
Jason turned his gaze to the assembled crew. He noticed that many seemed quite young with a sprinkling of older seasoned hands. The crew seemed to be evenly split between men and women. Along the walls of the landing bay, he could see a number of Mark 7 vipers and several raptors, all looked brand new without a blemish marring them.
"I am looking forwards to getting to know both of you, we will be working very closely over the next few years," Jason replied. "This is my Exec. Major Dyson."
'We could only assemble part of the crew sir," Captain Steele said. "The bay is just not big enough for everyone."
"That's fine Captain," Jason replied nodding. "We have a lot to do over the next few weeks to get ready for our mission and I am sure I will have plenty of opportunities to meet the rest of the crew."
Turning to the crew, he spoke in a voice strong and confident enough to be heard by everyone that was gathered. "Men and women of the Gunstar Titania, we have been chosen for a journey of exploration the likes of which no ship from the Colonies has embarked upon in generations. In a few weeks, we will be leaving this station and setting forth into the unknown. I know that I can depend on each and every one of you to fulfill your jobs to the best of your ability."
"So say we all," Major Dyson barked, and the crew echoed the words back.
"Captain Steele if you would escort us to the CIC lets get this show on the road," Jason ordered, as the crew was dismissed. "I want to meet with all the ships Captains in the morning. Major Dyson has set up a series of drills that I want the fleet to become familiar with before we depart. We have two weeks to get ready; in that time we have a lot to do. Major Franks I would like to inspect your marines and discuss ship's security sometime tomorrow."
A few minutes latter Jason looked over the Titania's CIC. It was considerably larger then a normal Gunstars and unbelievably modern. State of the art view screens on the front wall presented views of the other ships of the fleet. The large situation table had high definition Dradis and information screens easily accessible. A dozen crew members currently staffed the different stations about the spacious CIC. Jason knew that the normal operating complement of the CIC during the mission would be closer to twenty. Jason had gone through several intense briefings at Picon Fleet Headquarters on the Titania and the rest of the fleet.
Systems Control, Communications, and Damage Control were on the left side of the CIC, while Dradis, Navigation, and Tactical were located on the right. Other stations such as Life Support, Power, Sensor both internal and external, along with other stations were on a second level slightly above and behing the first.
"I understand the ships computers are networked," Jason said turning to Captain Steele.
"Yes sir," the Captain replied. "Lt. Grimm please explain to the Admiral how our computer systems work"
A young blond female Lt. stood and walked over to the Admiral from her consul where she and two Ensigns had been running a diagnostic check on the ships systems. So much was new that she wanted to insure that everything was running lawlessly.
"The computer systems on the Titania are the most up to date in the fleet. They are years ahead of anything you will find in our other warships," she began.
"But isn't it dangerous to have them networked," Major Dyson interrupted. "The Cylons never seemed to have a problem in the war hacking our networked systems, that's why we got away from networking and have kept our computer systems more primitive."
"True," Lt. Grimm replied knowing the old arguments. "In the last few years the fleet has started going back to networking again, but safeguards have been put in place. We have installed new firewalls and other protections that should prevent the Cylons from hacking our networks."
"Bill Adama has refused to allow the Galactica to be networked; he still thinks the Cylons could hack any network if given enough time." Jason commented with a slight smile recalling how Adama felt about networked systems. He had met Commander Adama a few years back and had a lot of respect for the older Commander.
"True sir, but that is where the Titania and the other Gunstars are different," the young blond continued in a patient tone. "Our system has a tremendous set of highly developed firewalls; there is also a backup system that monitors those firewalls for any sign of a breach. If a breach is detected the ships networks are automatically disabled and all stations revert to manual control. The computers will still work but the network will be disconnected."
"What advantage do these systems give us over our old ones?" Major Dyson asked. "I mean why change something that is working just fine in other ships?"
"Easy," Lt. Grimm replied getting to the heart of her explanation. "Our weapons fire is better coordinated giving us more weapons on target, including or KEW batteries and missiles. But most importantly we can compute more accurately our FTL jumps."
"How much further can the jumps be?" Jason asked interested in this information. Computation had always been the limiting factor on FTL jumps.
"A normal FTL jump for a military ship is slightly less then seventeen light years," Lt. Grimm said. "With our new computers we can easily jump twenty five to twenty seven light years accurately, perhaps more depending on the density of the surrounding stars and stellar matter."
"That's a big improvement," Major Dyson commented impressed, thinking about the tactical possibilities.
"Not only that but it also allows for smaller more incremental jumps, which might be useful in combat situations," Lt. Grimm finished knowing this would interest both the Admiral and Major.
"Thank you Lieutenant," Jason said. "When you have time I may have you work with Major Dyson on some strategies involving incremental jumps. I can see where they could have their use."
Jason and Major Dyson spent the rest of the day and part of the evening familiarizing themselves with the Titania and talking to different members of the crew. Their old crew from the Ajait also came aboard and began to be settled in.
Early the next morning Jason stood behind the podium in the conference room looking at the various assembled ship Captains who sat around the table looking at him with curious stares. He knew they were trying to evaluate him wondering just what type of a Commander he would be. There were also a few civilian scientists mixed in including Dr. Andrew Carthews the project head of the civilian and scientific part of the expedition. His assistant Dr. Sylvia Graystone was also present.
Jason looked down at a list lying on the podium, which detailed each individual ship assigned to the fleet and their capabilities. There were 17 ships. The five Gunstars, including the command Gunstar, one Marine transport, 2 fleet Supply ships, 1 fleet Tender, 2 Tylium tankers, 1 Mining ship, 1 Agro ship, 2 Exploration ships, and the two Colony ships. Most of the ships were armed to some extent and the total fleet population was nearly 19,000. He had found out that only the Gunstars and the Colony ships had been built here at the base. The other ships had been brought in from being mothballed at various fleet Anchorages. They had been refurbished, armed, and brought up to date.
Jason looked at the group and began speaking. "In two weeks we will depart and begin our mission. During that time, we will engage in some fleet maneuvers involving our vipers and raptors flying CAP as well as various emergency drills throughout the fleet."
"Are the emergency drills really necessary Admiral?" Dr. Carthews interrupted. "We still have a lot to do on the Colony ships and the two Exploration ships, we don't have time for any more drills."
"Dr. Carthews," Jason replied trying to be patient with the man. He knew the man was supposed to be a brilliant scientist but had very little experience with military matters. "We will be going into an area of space that has not been explored in generations, and even then only few Exploration ships ventured into this area. We will be on our own and cut off from the Colonies. We will have to depend on ourselves to survive if we run into trouble. We can't count on the Colonies sending help."
"I am aware of that Admiral," Dr. Carthew answered frowning slightly. "There were two expeditions that ventured into this area around sixty years ago. They were small one-ship ventures that found very little, no sign of any dangers or anything for us to be worried about. I just don't understand why we have to take all these precautions."
"You just spoke the magic words," Admiral Stone replied. "Small one ship expeditions and they only surveyed a few systems before returning. We will have a much larger fleet and will be stopping at many more systems; we don't know what we may find out there."
"Perhaps the Cylons," Commander Addison of the Gunstar Nebula commented. "We haven't seen them for over 40 years, they could be anywhere."
"The Cylons!" Dr. Carthews said shaking his head dubiously. "I seriously doubt that Commander, the Red Line is in the opposite direction, I don't think we will be seeing any Cylons!"
"Perhaps not," Jason spoke. "But the point is we just don't know and we have to be prepared for anything. I will now be turning this meeting over to Major Dyson who will be explaining the drills we will be going through during the next several weeks, after that I will answer any questions you may have."
Major Dyson took her place at the podium and began going over in some detail just what the fleet would be doing. The civilians frowned when they realized the extent of the drills, the military men only smiled as they could see the thoroughness behind the planning of the drills.
When that was complete, Jason spent some time answering questions and getting to know his ship Commanders a little better. Colonel Adriane Stark of the Marine Assault Vessel Guardian impressed him the most. She seemed very professional and knowledgeable about just what they might be getting into.
"My marines have been specially trained for this mission sir," she said. "We will be accompanying the scientists on all exploration missions to any planets that we may find. We have the necessary equipment and should be able to handle any situation we run into."
"Just what we need," Dr. Andrew Carthews interrupted with sarcasm, "armed marines running around getting in our way. If we have to take marines down on potential planet exploration missions I request that we hold them to a minimum number so as not to foul up or contaminate what we are doing."
"I will make the decision on the marines Dr." Jason replied firmly. "What ever marine force that I and Colonel Stark seem fit will be sent depending on the security situation and there will be no argument about that."
For the next two weeks, the fleet practiced a number of drills, from repairing ship damage to protecting ships that had lost their FTL drives. They practiced various combat formations all in readiness for departure. The only thing that worried Jason was the fact that the area they had to practice in was severely limited.
On the day before departure, he was summoned to the shipyard for a final briefing from Admiral Kronus who was in charge of the secret facility.
"Admiral Stone," the aging Admiral began. "It looks like your fleet is ready for departure."
"Yes sir," Jason replied. "We have completed our drills and all supplies have been loaded."
"As you know Admiral Corman wants this mission completed successfully," Admiral Kronus commented looking appraisingly at the young Admiral. "What you have not been told is that while you are gone I will be building a much larger Colony fleet to go back to what ever starter Colony your fleet has set up."
"A larger Colony fleet that quickly," Jason said surprised. "I was not expecting that, I just thought we would set up a small colony and it would grow more slowly and secretly."
"Oh it will stay a secret but we want to build it up much faster, the very security of our Colonies may well depend on it," Admiral Kronus replied with a slightly worried frown on his face.
"Then you believe that the Cylons are coming back some day too," Jason replied feeling slightly concerned and wondering if there was something he didn't know, perhaps something that had been kept secret from him.
"Yes I do," Admiral Kronus replied looking gravely at Jason. "What we have not told anyone is that we have detected some worrisome signs across the Red Line. Several Battlestars assigned to patrol duty have on occasion detected massive energy bursts, which seem to indicate some type of weapons tests. They have also detected what appear to be new Cylon Capitol ships just on the fringes of Dradis detection."
"What is the civilian government doing about this?" Jason asked worried. "From the last reports I have they still plan on reducing the fleet."
"That is true," Admiral Kronus replied sadly. "They don't believe the reports. They feel it is just the military tying to use fear mongering to free up the purse strings to build more Battlestars. That is why it is so important that you succeed. You have been given the command codes for admittance to this facility upon your return. I will have the main Colony fleet and its escorts ready exactly two years from today. We will be waiting your safe return."
"I won't let you down sir," Jason replied confidently. "We will return on schedule and with our mission accomplished."
The next afternoon the Titania and the other sixteen ships of her fleet moved down the long tunnel inside the nebula. Once outside Jason sent a coded message and the entrance vanished looking like it had never existed.
"Prepare to jump the fleet Major Dyson," he ordered as he studied the Dradis and information screens above the operations table. "Send the jump coordinates to all ships and begin spinning up the FTL drives."
"Yes sir," she replied as she passed on the orders to the FTL navigation officer.
A few minutes latter and the ships were ready. At a nod from Jason, the ships began to vanish until only the Titania remained, one last glance at the now empty screens and Jason gave the order for the Titania to jump. An instant latter she vanished as the FTL system engaged. Their journey of exploration had begun.
SHIP DESCRIPTIONS
Command Gunstar Titania
1200 meters in length
350 meters in width
250 meters in depth
4 Heavy KEW bow batteries
4 Heavy bow missile tubes
12 Medium KEW twin turrets
12 missile tubes six on each side of the hull
40 point defense turrets
20 rapid fire interceptor missile batteries
36 Mark 7 vipers
12 raptors
Crew of 1400
Marines 200
Titan Class Gunstar Explorer Class (Searcher, Lodestar, Nebula, Defiant.)
1000 meters in length
275 meters in width
200 meters in depth
4 Heavy KEW bow batteries
2 Bow missile tubes
6 Medium KEW twin turrets
8 Missile tubes four on each side of the hull
30 Point defense turrets
24 Mark 7 vipers
8 raptors
Crew of 1,100
Marines 125
Marine Assault Vessel (Guardian)
1,600 meters in length
400 meters in width
300 meters in depth
4 Medium KEW twin turrets
6 Missile tubes three on each side of the hull
24 Point defense turrets
12 Archangel class bombers
10 Specter class assault shuttles
6 Mark 7 vipers
6 Assault raptors
6 Regular raptors
Crew of 1,200
Marines 2,500