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What if a smaller Colonial ship survived the Fall of the Colonies? Follow the Centaur Class Chiron
Chapter 5
10 minutes after leaving the Ofis system
Chiron CIC
Jasper was trying to think. They were probably now safe since they were in the middle of nowhere. The Ofis stars were merely pinpricks of light at this distance. Still best to plan another jump and also need to coordinate with the civilian ships and see how safe Colonial Space is.
"Major I want you to work with navigation and plot a jump within Raptor range of local waypoints. Also have the Raptors rearm and refuel. They are going out in a few hours. Take the ship to Condition 2. I am going to my office to contact the civilian ships."
"Yes sir" said Marton watching the Commander step away to her small office off the CIC. "Lt. Anders take the ship to Condition 2. Let's get those frakking missile tubes reloaded and start fixing the damage. Also get Lt. Tonis to the CIC."
After Lt. Tonis arrived he called over tactical and navigation. "LTs we are going to jump to an area within Raptor range of several waypoints. I am wanting everyone here to come up with a plan."
After a few minutes of plotting things out a jump spot was picked within range of 5 waypoints. Darkspace was never popular but the Cylons should not be able to find them. Or more accurately have no reason to look there. "Lt. Tonis have your pilots to now be on ready 10." This would let the Raptor crews to be able to get some relief before they were sent out again. After the "yes sir" everyone got ready for the next jump.
Chiron Commander's Office
Contacting the Respite had only taken a few moments. Clearly Maxon was waiting for this call. "Miss Maxon we are planning on jumping soon. If there are any issues with your ships let me know" said Jasper.
"Commander I can do that. Would you like me to do the same with the other 3 ships?" Jessi Maxon said. "My ships should be good unless someone was bullshitting me and we can check on them."
Jasper did think that would be convenient. "Yes Miss Maxon that would work as long as you and your people understand that all ships are to be treated fairly. We are jumping in 2 hours. Get the surveys please.
Chiron Launch Bay Ready Room
Lt. Tonis said, "Listen up Raptor Jockeys we are going to jump to the waypoints in pairs and then drop a passive sensor. We will go in as quiet as we can. Do not engage the Cylons if you can avoid it. If you find any Colonials you are to send one Raptor back to the Chiron and then wait for response. You have a list of other jump spots if the Chiron has to jump. Any questions?" Tonis left out the part that everyone knew this was going to suck for them with dozens of jumps every day for the next few weeks.
A round of "No sir" and the Raptor crews went to their ships.
Chiron CIC
"And jump" said Jasper
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Author's notes.
Waypoints aren't really points exactly. They are agreed upon spots to jump too. Most Colonial Civilian ships jump in somewhat shorter "hops". It's cheaper, easier, and less of a strain on the people and equipment. The reason that waypoints are used is there is always a small chance that your ship will jump and then have a mechanical breakdown. If you jump to nowhere and break done well there is a LOT of nowhere in space. You probably will float in space until you run out of air or food. A waypoint gives you a better chance that another ship will come along and rescue you.
These type of breakdowns are very rare (think airline safety percentages) but cheap owners skimping on repairs missing ships happen every year or so. And well sensationalistic stories of "cannibal space ships" it's more or less expected for civilian ships to use waypoints. This in a way causes a bigger problem of piracy but the Colonial Navy keeps it under control most of the time and the waypoint are big. Like the distance between the Earth and the Moon big. Almost always a ship can jump out before any would be pirate is able to board and steal from them.
Now why I am using waypoints is again space is really big. I kind of need the plot to move forward and I think the general idea make sense for a somewhat low level technology group that has instantaneous jumpdrive. Darkspace is just space outside any solar system. Few people like it as it's "unnerving".
Now we know the Cylons can somehow track ships since 33 happened. What the Chiron knows is that a ship needs to face the general direction it is heading. Whether that's a light second of light years it's still going in that direction. Whether this is true I kind of doubt it but hey all the Colonials ships almost always face the same way. Maybe it was more than "it would look goofy if they didn't" and again "plot" needs to move forward.
If you have any questions of comments please leave them in comments. Thank you everyone for reading.