Commander Thorin exited a transport chamber into the main command center, known to those who frequented its chamber as the command hub. Thorin reached the center of the room and stood by the command chair, he was going to be spending a lot of time there he thought over the coming months, years, and decades. He observed a sense of foreboding on what was to come in those around him as they busily worked to bring systems online, he was not without his own concerns however, for an almost overwhelming feeling of excitement and fear filled his being as a new beginning beckoned.
Nearby at the front of the hub chamber technicians were inserting and adjusting crystals into a tray on the wall, several moments later the crystals of various blue yellow and red color combinations came to life humming and resonating with energy. Once the technician had sent the tray back into the wall he activated his wrist tool and after manipulating the holographic controls a wave of white energy rose from the ground on the chamber wall rising upwards towards the ceiling, leaving behind it a view of the outside world. It was an advanced view screen that spanned the entire surrounding chamber wall, the entire cityscape could be seen basked in orange light as well as the mountains and twin suns in the distance.
"At least we can now see where we are going," he commented as he nodded to the technician as he passed.
"Are my flight capabilities not sufficient commander?" a voice echoed as the form of the hologram woman appeared at Thorins side.
"Hello Astria," he said as he smiled to her before turning back to the view, "Have the diagnostics that you have been tasking our resources with for the past hours been completed or have you come to discuss the view?" he asked, knowing she could not have a true appreciation for it.
"They are complete commander," the hologram added in response, "Primary systems are fully operational, secondary systems are 60 percent operational, power is currently being generated by energy modules until primary power can be activated," Astria advised.
"We are using a great many transport chambers in rapid succession over a protracted period, are power levels sufficient?" the commander questioned.
"Indeed, although power is being drained at a rate of 0.1 percent per wave of colonists, upon completion of the evacuation sufficient power will remain to achieve orbit. However activation of the hyperdrives will require extended use of primary power," the hologram explained.
"Understood ... You may attend to the final preparations," he said as he nodded to her.
"Compliance," the hologram stated in reply as her form evaporated into nothing.
To the rear of the hub Commander Kaelus had arrived and walked towards the center of the chamber nodding in respect to the technicians passing her until her eyes came upon the view in front of her.
"If I had known the view was this magnificent I would have come sooner," she said as her eyes examined the image before her.
"I thought you would like it," said Thorin, a smile of pride on his face as he did so. "Is the evacuation proceeding as planned?" he asked.
"It is, we have almost half our populace and that number will grow to completion within 2 hours," she answered.
"Then all we need is primary power and we can finally be on our way," he commented.
Kaelus pondered for a moment but decided to take the initiative over his remark to contact the lead engineer to get an update on his progress.
Commander Trelius was hard at work manipulating many holographic panel controls in front of him, observing their readouts and occasionally barking out orders to technicians surrounding him at other panels nearby, he stood in front of a large vertical device in appearance seeming not unlike an energy module, only this one was of a much greater size.
A ping sounded off from his wrist tool as he continued to work dismissing it the first time, however by the third he was noticeably distracted and answered it's call.
"Yes!" he shouted as he continued working on the controls.
"Trelius, we are expecting to leave in 2 hours, is that going to be a problem?" the voice of Commander Kaelus sounded.
"It will be if I keep getting interrupted commander!" he said clearly frustrated by the task ahead of him. "I apologize," he said as his work slowed a little, "But if you know of another capable of stabilizing a pocket of space-time at a rate faster than I please direct them to me, I would appreciate the help," he said.
Noticing some of the other technicians around him slowing their work to eavesdrop on the conversation he gave a pointed look to which they responded by giving their complete attention back to their task. Trelius now casting his attention back to what he was doing continued the conversation.
"If we connect the conduit before this variance is under 0.64 percent the primary systems will overload and we will come crashing down on the city ship, if you wish to avoid this then please interrupt me no further," Trelius added firmly.
Kaelus lowered her wrist tool from the vicinity of her mouth with a slight frown seemingly annoyed at the commanders abruptness, Thorin took notice of this and attempted to reassure her.
"Forgive Trelius commander, for he has worked almost without reprieve on the construction of this vessel, he has done remarkable work under the duress of many more interruptions than I care to count and although he works well under the strain, sometimes he does feel the need to release it upon others, he bears no ill will," he explained.
Kaelus nodded in understanding and again looked out to the cityscape with a brief smile.
"Why did you not simply ask Astria for the update?" the commander questioned.
"Astria is a tool, not a replacement for a living feeling mind," she replied.
"You do not trust her abilities?"
"I do not trust her judgment as she is a virtual construct, incapable of feeling fear, or any other emotion for that matter. She is not driven by any need other than logic." she elaborated.
"She may not fear for our safety but that does not mean that she will fail to protect us."
"Against the challenges to come, or from ourselves?" she added before taking her leave back to the transport chamber. Thorin had chalked the conversation up to worry for the future and the obvious regret of leaving behind all they had known for thousands of years, he knew she would come to terms with this of her own accord.
His attention was now drawn to tactical as a new crystal tray was activated by the technician present earlier.
"Commander, integration with astrometrics is now complete, syndication of the sensory arrays can now be displayed on the main viewer."
"Demonstrate," the commander asked, excited by the prospect.
After manipulating a few holographic controls he caused another wave of light to rise up the chamber wall, overlaying sensory information over the image already present as it scaled the display. He had overlayed icons relating to the elements the mountain were composed of directly over the actual display of the mountains, but then saw a few of the transport ships leaving the city ship flying upwards towards the atmosphere. As the ships came into view the sensory overlay placed an almost schematic view over the visual of the ship, showing 22 occupants moving around various sections of the ship and the flight staff in the bridge section, you could also see the energy flow from the ships core to the conduits around the ship.
"It seems that some have chosen to remain," the commander noted.
The technician adjusted controls to expand the image and the focus shifted inside the ship to the cargo section where some occupants were sat, some were huddled together in embrace, seeing the solemn look on the commanders face he re-adjusted the focus back to an external view, shortly after the left and right rear sections of the vessel had an overlay of building energy.
"They are initiating hyper launch commander, course indicates Altera," he cited.
"Do not despair, for they have made their choice of their own will, something the Ori would deny us. I bear no resentment towards them, I wish them well," Thorin added noticing the technicians sympathetic look.
He watched as a hyperspace window was formed and the three ships jutted forward one by one, the window reverted to nothingness as the final ship entered it.
Thorin turned and began to walk towards the transport chamber as the technician watched for a moment before his attention was brought back to the tactical console, the sensors had picked up an incoming transmission.
"Commander," he shouted, "We have an incoming transmission."
"The council?"
"No, it is an encoded textual message, ident code confirms message origin as being the Divinity commander."
Commander Thorin was now had a puzzled look on his face, the Divinity was a prototype stealth cruiser, designed to be very fast with minimal weaponry or defensive capabilities. Its purpose was to gather intelligence on the Ori fleet being assembled in the furthest regions of the galaxy and in any way possible without loss of life, negate or sabotage their ability to attack or build more. Although the ship was crafted by Astrian engineers the ship itself was under the command of the council as a whole, of which Thorin was a member but updates were given with the entire council present and the reports were made public to the remaining Alteran colonies as an early warning system. Knowledge was their only real weapon short of civil war.
Thorin now visibly concerned as only one logical thought crossed his mind as to the reason only they were contacted, the technician read the message aloud once it had decrypted.
"Astria. I hope this message does not reach you too late to act, we have been investigating intelligence that an Ori fleet was forming near the Orlus expanse. Upon arrival we detected the presence of 15 Ori vessels and before we could act a hyperspace aperture was formed and the vessels departed. We are certain they did not detect the Divinity, however what is disturbing is their intended course, they are coming. We cannot stop them but we can get there before them to help defend your colony, we will arrive within the hour, the Ori will arrive merely minutes following. Prepare yourselves."
The other technicians overhearing the message had stopped what they were doing and now looked visibly worried.
"Long range sensory array is currently not operational," he added.
"Astria," the commander said abruptly, the hologram of the advanced construct appeared in the center of the room, "How long before the evacuation is complete?" Thorin asked, fearing he already knew the answer.
"Not soon enough."