USS Saratoga Bridge SCVN 2812

Kappa Reticuli System 18 June 2071 02:30 EST

"Commodore Masteman Sir we are approaching the designated coordinates of Kappa Reticuli." the navigation officer said

"Very Good secure the Eckerly drive and rig the ship for sub light running." the commodore ordered.

"Aye sir." he said to the commodore then turning to the 2 enlisted helmsmen who controlled the sub light and FTL drives he said. "Crewman reduce power to the Eklerly field to nominal sub light levels" then turning to the second crewman "once that's done proceed to waypoint 1 at half sub light thrust."

"Aye sir" both crewmen complied carrying out his orders.

"All ships report they have safely transited from FTL to sub light speed sir" the communication officer reported.

"Very good, Lidar any contacts?" The Commodore asked.

"No one hear to great us sir." the lidar operator said sounding almost disappointed.

The commodore thought, so far so good " XO Launch the combat air patrol and the reconnaissance patrol, I want 2 AWACS positioned at the Port and Starboard edge of our sensor range, Also have the Tecumseh drop back 70,000 MSK's and cover our rear…we don't want anyone sneaking up behind us. But should that happen I want a ship that can handle herself should things get dicey." The Commodore stated.

"Aye sir." Commander Lisa Bentine said as she issued out orders to the appropriate personnel.

"XO you have the bridge I'll be in the briefing with Admiral Ross contact me should anything happen." the Commodore said.

"Aye sir." she said as commodore Masterman departed the bridge.

Flag Plot CIC Saratoga 02:45

"Admiral I have arranged the fleet per your instructions." Commodore Masterman reported as he entered flag plot CIC. Admiral Ross Stood staring at the Chart before replying "Thank you Commodore."

Admiral Ross stood studying the board in front of him for several seconds before turning to Regard Commodore Masterman.

"Commodore Masterman who's the stealthiest ship we have in the Fleet?" Asked Admiral Ross. "The USS Ruben James sir she's one of the new Phantom class stealth destroyers run off of the Suel Fuel sir." the commodore replied.

"Gettysburg's last known position was 16 AU's from Aris along this line of approach, which puts our search pattern within a 20 AU grid square from that point." The Admiral stated as he drew a line from Aris to Gettysburg then a grid square where Ruben James would conduct a passive search for Gettysburg.

"Now I know it's risky but I want Reuben James to detach from the main group and proceed on a course perpendicular to Gettysburg. Tell Captain Reynolds he is to proceed at full EMCOM but should anything crop up he is to use his best judgment to deal with it.

"Aye sir." the Commodore responded.

"When will be in range to launch a recon patrol to Aris?" Admiral Ross asked.

"At present speed just over a day sir" the commodore answered.

"Very well that will be all for the time being Commodore." Admiral Ross said dismissing Commodore Masterman.

"Aye si.r"

USS Ruben James Capt James Reynolds Commanding

03:00 18 June 2071 Kappa Reticuli System

"Sir COM traffic from Saratoga." the Communications officer reported

"Download to my terminal." Captain Reynolds ordered. After several minutes of reading the Admirals intentions and what Ruben James role in them were the Captain summoned his XO.

"XO I want the ship rigged for silent running full EMCOM procedures. Then set course for the last know position of Gettysburg."

"Aye Sir." the XO said turning to the rest of the bridge to issue out orders.

"Lidar secure from active scanning passive emissions only. Communications disengage the IFF and cease all outgoing transmissions. All hands initiate full EMCOM Procedures, Helm set course for Gettysburg last know position ahead 2/3rds thrust."

With the Orders carried out Ruben James disappeared from the Lidar screens of the fleet as she broke away toward the last know position of the Gettysburg.

Cylon Occupied Aris Kappa Reticuli System

18 June 11:00 Hrs EST.

Aaron Doral watched the slowly approaching form of #6 as she exited the remains of the housing complex of the Mining station.

"Well?" He asked as soon as she was 3 feet from him.

"The Language the women speaks is almost identical to Modern Caprican, however there are distinct differences in the Grammar and syntax." # 6 reported.

"Has she said anything of Value?" Doral asked

"Not much but She did state she was from Earth…shortly before she expired." #6 replied evenly.

At hearing this little bit of news Aaron Doral stiffened slightly. Earth was nothing more than a myth! A fable Adama told the remnant to give them hope…hope that was only delaying the inevitable Cylon victory. But still if the possibility existed then the great Cylon victory would be incomplete. It would mean that the war would start again, and the Cylons had experienced first hand what humans were capable of with vengeance in their hearts.

"Did she provide the coordinates for Earth?" Doral asked

"No her heart gave out before we got to that point." #6 replied regretfully.

"Then for all we know she could be a decoy planted by Adama to divert our attention away while the Colonials escape our trap." Aaron Doral contemplated.

"I doubt that." #6 answered "I did an analysis of her DNA it showed remarkable differences that we have not seen before. From her bone density and red blood cell count I have concluded she is from a planet with 10 stronger gravity and about ¾ oxygen content of Caprica or any of the other colonies, to put it simply she was not a Colonial. Reported #6

"What about computer records?" Doral asked

"The humans were quite thorough in destroying all documents and computer files; there was nothing left worth salvaging." She answered regretfully.

"Then we are left with nothing!" stated a very frustrated Doral.

"Perhaps not." #6 said with her seductive voice before continuing "the ship we destroyed undoubtedly belonged to these Humans. Logically they will send an expedition to find their missing ship. "When they do then we should properly greet them." #6 suggested.

"It took 2 basestars with their full raider compliments to destroy that ship, our attempts to infiltrate their networked systems utterly failed!" Doral replied heatedly.

"Yes they did but now we have a greater understanding of how their computers work, the next time we will successfully penetrate their networks." #6 replied ignoring Doral's heated reply.

"You assume too much." Doral retorted.

At this rebuke #6 said nothing; yes it was troubling that a ship less than half the size of the Galactica could have the firepower to fend off 2 Basestars. The ship used some form of energy weapons the Cylons had never seen before not to mention a means to counter them. Though the ship had been destroyed it had crippled both Basestars while reducing the raiders to half their numbers. And this was with the element of surprise in their favor!

"We will have to subdue and capture one of their ships for study as well as to interrogate the crew for any valuable information." Doral Stated.

"I have already posted 3 Base Stars with full Raider support in ambush around the wreckage."#6 responded.

"Then I await news of your success." Doral stated before walking away.

"By your Command." 6 whispered