Chapter 5
Troy
Mining Headquarters station Paydirt
Attack +2 days
With three Navies represented, four counting the former pirates. Two governments there was a problem and the highest ranking members of the four factions knew it. Arranging a meeting on the mining HQ station Paydirt the four leaders met. President Jacob Aequitas representing Leonis King Regulus IV of Virgon, Captain Caleb Blyth was representing the Pirates, and lieutenant Colonel Jacob Ward as senior surviving colonial officer as the commanding officer of the Odin carrier Thor.
The discussion began with an interruption as the heavy cruiser Hoplite's CO Colonel Kevin Cooper came rushing in. saluting first his president then the king finally the colonial "Sir I apologize for my tardiness I was supervising crew transfers to bring the ships my task force recovered from Nike up to strength." The four leaders looked curious as the Regulus IV of Virgon asked "Son, what ships were you able to recover from Nike?" looking around the king continued "from the time Mr. wards ships arrived the president and this pirate here and I were discussing how to run things here we can't survive separate just like in the first war. So we didn't see your arrival." Clearing his throat and pulling out a sheet of paper he began. "Due to the cylon assault on the entirety of the colonies they must have been spread thin or they didn't consider Leonis a big enough threat. We were attacked by three of the Basestars they used forty two years ago with their usual swarm of raiders back up by what we are calling Raider Mk2. One basestar was destroyed when they appeared in the same spot as two of our destroyers Phoenix and Griffin lost with all hands. Hoplite was ordered to take the first batch of civilian evacuation ships to Troy. After getting the first group settled in the various orbital projects when my executive officer brought up the topic of Nike and the reserve fleet there after some discussing we off loaded every viper and raptor and filled our hangers with crew taken from both other warships and civilian ships coming up with just over three thousand and then we jumped bac…" as he was getting ready to continue the president motioned for him to stop "Yes sir Mr. President?" the president held up a small stack of papers "We have the gist of what's been going on thanks to Fleet Admiral Burkes report. We are pressed for time so all we need is the ships you recovered to see how best to allocate them." Looking embarrassed Cooper for the sheet of paper in his hands "Yes Sir we recovered a total of ten ships
Tylium mining/refinery hybrid ship
2 Zephyrs Spearhead and Arrowhead
2 Europa's Centaur and Lamian
Everson starliner armed
Colonial mover
the Zephyrs and Europa's are confirmed as ships we as in Leonis were forced to mothball after the last round of Adars force reduction mandates the others had no information even their computers were wiped and nameplates removed." Looking at the list again the Everson was heavily armed for a ship of its size as well as its hanger outfitted for almost a squadron of vipers even though there were none aboard." Looking at his list again glancing at the king "the last ships we were able to grab.." clearing his throat "was the Palace class cradle Kensington…" seeing the king begin to stand he rushed to finish "with a complete battlecruiser aboard" finishing just in time "Mr. President I demand that your Colonel Cooper to turn over those ships immediately." The president looked at the king "Your majesty you should know I had received word of this shortly after the Colonels arrival when he was notified of your presence. That's the reason he was late transferring our personnel off the cradle in preparations of your childish temper." At the mention of a temper the king began to stutter about a duty to protect his people when he was cut off. Yes your highness I understand wanting to help your people that's all any of us want after the last two days" motioning around the table. "look at the Captain Blyth his pirates specialize in arming movers you don't see him throwing a fit about getting that ship for himself the same with the Colonel Ward two of his destroyers are so badly damaged we received word they are in progress of offloading the crew to strip one to get the other into combat readiness he isn't complaining. He didn't even complain when you revealed that wreck of a Battlestar. So why are you?" The sudden realization struck him with a wave of guilt. "Your right of course my apologies the fear for my people caused me to speak without control"
As everyone looked around the table now that emotions had settled. President Aequitas made the most sensible suggestion to run this resistance as a co-leadership until we are strong enough to stand alone we will stand together. The king nodded as did Colonel Ward shrugging Captain Byth "the only way we can survive this is by working together so might as well." After ironing out the smaller details everyone came to an agreement settling the deal with the distribution of the recovered ships.
With the Immobile and Zero flight capability Battlestar Titan nearly worthless as a warship. Her surviving crew was loaded into the Zephyr Class light cruiser Spearhead and the Europa Class Escort destroyer Centaur. The Titan would be joining the pair of Palace class cradles Kensington and Buckingham to become orbital repair yards
The newly acquired mover had already been handed over to the pirates and modifications were already under way. Captain Byth made the subtle inquiry about snatch and grab on colonial and colony wreaks to salvage intact weapons and munitions. To more quickly arm the Mover. And to get desperately needed trained personnel who might be still alive.
The Zephyr Class light cruiser Arrowhead and the Europa Class Escort destroyer Lamian were slated to become training ships to ensure there is a constant stream of new recruits to man new ships and replace combat casualties.