Arriving to a New Home
Mobile Shipyard Eternity – En Route to Avalon
Admiral's Log
It's been almost eleven months since our journey from the colonies started. Many months have passed now since my last update and many things have happened. I'll start at the beginning.
After we started our long journey to Avalon following the battle on Picon, we found out that someone was transmistting our location using a signal burst that after almost an entire month of searching was found on board one of our transport ships. Things were even weirder when we found the machine that created the signal bursts was operated by a man, from all the Cylon profiles we've collected he was not a cylon, however there was something strange about him. We put him in one of the cells on board Eternity and convinced one of our cylon guests to see if she could help us with identifying the unknown man. She didn't recognize him, but she warned us that existing cylon models may have used surgical changes to themselves to blend in with humans; since we know all of their models faces except the final five which are believed to be with Galactica's fleet, something that we didn't know when we sent Commander Belzen on his journey.
After a series of scans we finally found proof that it was a Cylon, more precisely one of the number five copies. No doubt his mission was to transmit the signal burst so a Cylon ship would follow us at a safe distance to find Avalon. I dispatched the Stealth ship Banshee to find and destroy ship the ship that was following us. It didn't take them long to find a Cylon patrolstar, and the ship was destroyed, but I was still not convinced that the Cylons sent only a single ship to follow us. There had to be more I thought, but the Banshee was unable to find any. For now I have ordered her to stay in stealth mode and scout behind us in search of more Cylon ships.
There were a few other things that I should have added a long time ago to this log, but with all the work and recovery therapy I've had, I haven't had time so I made notes to put it all in order now.
Work on the Atlantis is going so nicely that I can barely recognize her, and once finished she will be one hell of a ship to take on. All other ships that were damaged have been repaired and put back into service. Battlestar Trinity's repairs, Battlestar Phoebe's refit, and Battlestar Sleipnir's construction were completed. The six Destroyers reclaimed just before Operation Firestorm being repaired aboard Eternity were completed, and they were put into the fleet shortly after. Of the salvageable wrecked Battlestars from Caprica and Picon; 9 battlestars were completely repaired, with the others being scrapped and used to repair and refit our other Battlestars. Using the scrapped Battlestars, several Battlestars had their armaments doubled in cannons, point defense, and missle launchers; Battlestars Pleiades, Poseidon, Caprica, Independence, Titan, and Rycon. Of the remaining salvaged wrecks of miliatary ships from Caprica and Picon; 10 gunstars, 5 destroyers, 5 heavy cruisers, 5 battlecruisers, 5 lightcruisers, 4 strikestars, 4 firestars, and 4 escortstars were completely repaired and crewed – with the remainder being scrapped from heavy damage and used to repair the others. Thousands of recruits from volunteers in the fleet have been trained and mixed among veteran personnel throughout the fleet. All viper and raptor wing squadrons have been replenished along with the latest load of pilot recruits, though the pilots will still need extensive training with veteran pilots in order to to take on an actual combat situation.
Unity and Eternity's main docks are almost finished with the two new heavy Battlestars. However construction of those two ships hasn't passed without problems; Delegate Campus as usual tried to convince the general public that the military was spending too many resourcess building new ships for the fleet and that the civilians were getting nothing. There were reports of multiple thefts, beatings, robberies, and other forms of crime rising on ships to the point that the military was forced to intervene. We created a police force consisting of civilians who had military or any other kind of professional experience that allowed them to carry and use firearms.
Unfortunately Delegate Campus and a few others started revolting, which ended with Campus and two other delegates being confined to their quaters with armed guards on their doors. I wanted to put them into a cell, but the other admirals believed public opinion would probably go in Campus' favor if he was locked up. For now, the problem known as delegate Campus is over.
About Belzen and his mission, there have not been any kind of messages, but that's understandable. I hope they find Galactica and bring her to Avalon safely. I haven't had any more visions created by Athena. No matter how much I want to believe it was only a dream, it wasn't. I ordered some old ships that were sitting on Hera station and the lower docks on Eternity and Unity to be scrapped, they were useless but their materials can be used for repairs of other ships and to make new ships.
We are closing on Avalon, and I believe we will arrive in a week. But I am still worried about the safety of the fleet. Given that we entered into unknown space full of those drones-harvesters I ordered all ships to work with minimal power with the exceptions being life support, gravity, FTL engines and limited scanners. To ensure that we do not have gaps in dradis and sensor networks, around fourty raptors outfitted with scanning modules were launched and deployed around the fleet creating a protective ring. If anything tried to jump into range, it would be detected to give us a warning. For now it works, I hope it will work until we get to Avalon.
Lieutenant Brentonm, one of the officers on board Olympia, presented me with his idea and schematics for a new space superiority fighter. A fighter which will no doubt reinforce, if not replace, Vipers; especially the older versions. Vipers with FTL drives are also being tested and created aboard the R&D section to match the Cylon Raiders, and possibly give our fights the ability to jump from in front of Cylon Raiders to right behind them, or otherwise be able to escape enemy fire. A replacement for our Raptors is also being researched aboard R&D, to hopefully better match up against the Cylon Heavy Raiders with several heavy KEWs and rapid fire missile launchers aboard like the Heavy Raiders. The Heavy Raider Kathy and Leoben brought to the fleet is being looked over to help with this research.
End Log
After finishing his log, Admiral Stryker took a sip of Ambrosia in the glass near him and then slowly stood up, finally healed of his injuries he slowly walked until he came closer to the large picture of his family.
"If you were only here, to see where I've come to, that little cadet you knew," Admiral Stryker murmured quietly, thinking of his lost family.
A few minutes later he heard knocking on the door.
"Come in," Admiral Stryker said.
The door opened and Admiral Thorn walked in.
"Well you old devil I haven't seen you in two days, what are you up to this time?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"I was busy with the research division. And I have very good news for you," Admiral Thorn replied smiling.
"Go on," Admiral Stryker said, intrigued.
"You are well aware of the colonial antimatter technology devlopment; new engines that would allow us to jump almost anywhere, or at least at a much much faster rate, without a need for recharging the jump drive. While the engines would also give enough energy for the entire ship and all of its systems," Admiral Thorn said.
"I am aware, but we both know what happened to Sanctuary; that ship's engine was full of glitches, it was a miracle that the crew, well most of them, survived that blind jump," Admiral Stryker said.
"Indeed, however the people in the reaserch department created a prototype that works, which we installed upon Theseus some time ago. We've been jumping quite a bit on our way to Avalon, and so far the new engines are working perfectly according to the proper engine design Sanctuary was originally suppsoed to get. As you remember, she had the schematics for her engines changed before her launch for a cheaper design according to Adar's wishes from an engineer working under the original designer for the anti-matter reactor: and clearly the new design failed miserably. The original design is working perfectly though and we've begun testing its capabilities on Theseus. And with your premission it will be installed on Atlantis," Admiral Thorn said.
"You want to install a piece of technology that is still a prototype on my ship? Are you mad?" Admiral Stryker asked angrily.
"The engines and the reactor that we are putting in are needed if you want all of those new toys to work; those pulse cannons need lots of energy, and not to mention that new armor which is powered by energy as well," Admiral Thorn said.
"I wanted normal battle armor on my ship, but you and your engineers convinced me that the new armor would be much stronger and more resilient. That it would be able to withstand a direct nuclear hit even from the enormous megaton nuclear missiles the cylons have - like what they used on Atlantis before," Admiral Stryker said.
"Yes, and you agreed did you not? You wanted that for Atlantis since it's the fleet's flagship and remains the strongest ship in the fleet, with the most advanced technology. That's what we are doing, outfitting the ship with the most advanced tech we have. We have spent enormous efforts and resources for it, and we need a ship to test more of the new equipment: what better choice is there other than Atlantis?" Admiral Thorn asked.
"I still don't like it. I don't want that on my ship on its first after-rebuild voyage. I do not want to risk Atlantis disappearing like Sancutary," Admiral Stryker said.
"And it won't, we checked and double checked all possiblities. Hundreds of tests and simulations all ending with it working as expected, if not better. You know as well as I do that the Cylons will never leave us alone. They will find us, and if not them, then those Harvester's will. We need this, and if it proves to be a sucess it will be installed in every ship in the fleet," Admiral Thorn said.
"Hmm, fine, but if something happens to my ship and its crew, you'll be responsible,"Admiral Stryker said.
"I'l take all responsibility for it if needed, but I assure you it will work. Even Admiral Sounders wants the new engines on Rycon," Admiral Thorn said.
"Hah, that doesn't suprise me, Rycon is still running on her original engines: it's amazing after all these decades that they still work," Admiral Stryker said grinning.
"So you agree to allow the new engines to be installed then?" Admiral Thorn asked.
"Yes, continue with the work on my ship and put those new engines on board. Anything else?" Admiral Stryker said.
"As usual, Delegate Campus demands to see you," Admiral Thorn said.
"He can demand all he want, after that little coup he tried I say let him stay closed in his quaters for a little while, to cool himself off a little," Admiral Stryker said coldly.
"And yes, I almost forgot, do you know about my little project on board the Unity?" Admiral Thorn asked.
"That new ship that you are building in complete secrecy, refusing to speak about it with anyone," Admiral Stryker said.
"Well I know that you would probably say it's a waste of time and resouces..." Admiral Thorn said drifting off.
"On the contrary, I want to see what you are up to now. Building a ship in less than three months was damn impressive. By the way what kind of ship did you build?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"It's a new kind of ship, a combatcruiser. Created for one purpose, and one purpose only: combat. It's eight hundred meters long. The entire ship is in one piece, not centered like battlestars on head, pylons, main body, engine block... It was made in one piece, with a head similar to the battlestar alligator style but more in the shape of those ancient lizzards. The engine block is fused into the body with four thrusters, two on each side, plus two additional in center. The entire ship is well armored and armed. With about eighty point defense pulse cannons for close range defenses. Fourty missile launchers that are capable to launch a swarm of any kind of missile depending on need; anti-ship, anti-fighter, even anti-missile interceptor missiles. Of course the ship possesses ten missile silos for nuclear warheads, however we haven't added nukes yet at this time," Admiral Thorn said.
"So far you've got my full attention, but I don't understand what did you put in if not nukes?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"As you know, nuclear missiles upon impact release radiation, especially after breaching armor, however there really isn't too much of a benefit used against Cylons since they simply download to new bodies. Of course the higher the kilotons of missiles used, the higher the chances that cylons won't download. Centurions are not really affected by radiation as well. We wanted something new; less obvious than a nuke, and we did it, we developed two kinds of projectile weapons. They are still being tested, but they will be implemented into the new classes of ships and all our other ships," Admiral Thorn said.
"Wait, wait how the hell did you initiate a test, when we haven't stopped anywhere. If you are creating a new weapon you need a test field, right?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"Not necessarily, but it would be of great use if we had one to see the devastation and effects in real time, but we used what we had, so we did only computer simulations," Admiral Thorn said.
"Simulations? And you plan to add weapons that are still entirely in the test phase?" Admiral Stryker said.
"They are working perfectly," Admiral Thorn said.
"Yes, but computer generated simulations are not the same as the real thing," Admiral Stryker said.
"I know, but half of the technology we now have were not properly tested in the times when they were invented," Admiral Thorn said.
"I am not sure that I want some un-tested weapons on my ships, and what if they failed in combat? We have to test those new toys of yours first," Admiral Stryker said.
"Agreed, but where? We are less than a week of travel from Avalon, and this area of space isn't safe, you know well why. If we start testing now, we may get ourselves into deep trouble. And even when we arrive at Avalon testing could be dangerous. But I assure you we can use them, they are perfectly safe," Admiral Thorn said.
"When the time comes we will see about that, now continue," Admiral Stryker.
"Alright. As I said before, there are two types of weapons, which also can be used in both missile and torpedo designs. The antimatter torpedo was one of those two weapons. Torpedos are larger and sluggish, but much more powerful than missiles. And antimatter ensures that whatever it hits remains in pieces after the blast, no radiation residue, no danger from it, however the boom is larger than a nuclear blast and more concentrated," Admiral Thorn said.
"Antimatter, we've barely scratched the surface on that field of technology and you made it into a weapon? Also, why torpedos, they haven't been in service for over fifty years?" Admiral Stryker said.
"First, it would be unstable to put antimatter, even a few micro-grams, into a missile's housing. However torpedos are better shielded and larger, enough to place an entire mechanism inside. We also found that if we add some crystals, like Abyros, it makes the antimatter much safer, and we already can produce about fifty grams of it on our main reaserch facility aboard Olympia," Admiral Thorn said.
"Which is enough for torpedos but not enough for a battlestar engine," Admiral Stryker added.
"True, but a few grams of it in each torpedo would equal the force of at least 200 kilotons from a nuclear warhead. However we have other ways for the ship engines, so don't worry about that," Admiral Thorn said.
"And the other weapon?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"Fusion missiles. Purley a kinetic weapon, capable of hitting the target with a large force but concentrating the damage into the place of impact. Depending on settings it can burrow itself in the enemy ship and explode, or explode on impact; either way, in swarm they can obliterate a Cylon baseship in seconds. They are faster than our standard anti-ship missiles, so there is a better chance of avoiding enemy defense fire. They are also highly modular, depending on the mission a special warhead can be added; EMP, high explosive, or even corossive," Admiral Thorn said.
"Corossive?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"We still don't have those, but in theory once the weapon burrows itself into the hull, it explodes and starts melting everything metal within fifty meters around itself," Admiral Thorn said.
"That would be a nasty surprise for the Cylons, or harvesters," Admiral Stryker said.
"Indeed. Fusion missiles were designed to work in swarms, and they use a system of friend or foe. Since we would add Cylon engine exausts into their small nav computer once launched, depending on the target, they will stay on the target until they are destroyed or they destroy the target. They are cheaper than current missiles. Also the ship will have fourteen heavy kinetic turrets, purely long range anti-ship weapons. With four being intergrated into the foward section of the ship. There are also additional weapons that we orginally planned to install; such as a plasma heated beam capable of melting everything, and even piercing energy based shields in theory," Admiral Thorn said.
"Originally?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"Well we haven't developed a prototype yet, but with all the other weapons on board this new battlecruiser, there isn't a need for it," Admiral Thorn said.
"So, well protected with a powerful armored hull and energy armor, and well armed, plus fast and manuverable for it size, it may even retire gunstars from defense positions," Admiral Stryker said.
"Yes, but the ship doesn't carry any fighters in it," Admiral Thorn said.
"No fighters?" Admiral Stryker asked astonished.
"No, because they are not needed. There is a dock on the right flank, but for shuttles, and support ships. It is capable of carrying up to seven or eight fighters, but there are no facilities on board for their maintanence. Only shuttles, and possibly small gunships, but nothing more. It's purely for combat; not to work as battlestars do - carrier and battleship in one," Admiral Thorn said.
"How long till this prototype is built and what name did you give it?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"It's almost complete, and the name of the prototype is Audacious," Admiral Thorn said.
"Strong name for a strong ship. Have you thought of who you will put in charge of it?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"As a matter of fact I did: your sister," Admiral Thorn said.
"My dear sis, but she..." Admiral Stryker said drifting off into silence.
"She's proven herself many times and she is a fine colonial officer; there is noone better than her, and from what I've heard she likes tough ships so this is the perfect spot for her," Admiral Thorn said.
"Hm, yeah she's gonna like it alright. Alright then, you have my permission. I want to see that ship out in space as soon as possible. And if possible a few more of them," Admiral Stryker said.
"It will be done, but the ship won't be launched for the next two weeks," Admiral Thorn said.
"Good, is there anything else?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"No, thats all," Admiral Thorn said.
Cylon mobile shipyard
At one of the viewing windows Jack stood watching the new classes of ships that were being built, some of which were already finished and ready to lauch. He smiled silently, his plan worked, they managed to convert every new baseship to colonial standards with no need for hybrids anymore. They would be less functional, but far more powerful.
The next time he meets Admiral Stryker, he'd defeat him, and destroy what was left of humanity. He wouldn't fail again. But he was also thoughtful, there was something bothering him. A few months ago they had lost the signal from the colony ship.
The colony ship had a burst-data device that activated a faster than light energy burst toward Cylon space, more precisely hitting the large transmitting satellite. However it had stopped broadcasting.
To Jack it meant two things, three actually. The colony had been destroyed, how and where not known. Attacked by alien races and boarded, less likely. Or gone too far for the signal to reach back. Ultimately, he could not know what had happened, and he may never find out.
There was one happy thought; if the colony really was destroyed John was probably killed and would probably not be a threat to him again. Some of the other Cylons wanted to send ships to search for the Colony, but he refused on the grounds that sending ships was a waste of resources. No, it was better to concentrate on ship construction and launch one big assault on the remaining colonial forces. It had proved to be a good idea that he moved the baseship following the colonial fleet, as the patrolstar following the fleet was destroyed. It was too dangerous to have it to follow so close to the colonials. That bloody stealthship Banshee was a pain in the ass, but all he can hope was that the baseship would survive long enough to pinpoint the colony. Nevertheless it would take at least another year before the new fighting force was ready and gods only knew what suprises Admiral Stryker will have. But Jack also had a few suprises of his own. The Colonials would never expect a new kind of ship, and the Adonis is just what he needs; well armed, armored and manuverable. It lacked the scores of raiders of the other baseships, but who cares, they can jump on their own anyway having enough tanker ships with the fleet and they wouldnt have problems. And of course if that moron Gary didn't lose that dreadstar, he would have his command ship during the final assault on that colony of theirs.
Jack was disturbed from his thoughts when one of the number two cylons came up to him from behind.
"What is it?" Jack asked, not even looking at the newcomer behind him.
"Report from Gary," the number two said shortly and darkly
"From the tone of your voice, Gary failed again, right?" Jack asked.
"I wouldn't call it a total failure, but yes he failed again. Four baseships destroyed, two crippled; Admiral Turner launched a surprise assault with stealthstars which crippled another two baseships and moderately damaged the dreadstar, but the ship is operational," the number two replied.
"Failure is still failure; he lost four baseships and another four crippled, thank the gods he had that resurrection ship, or, did he lose the resurrection ship again?" Jack asked angrily.
"Thankfully he didn't, he had six baseships guarding in tight formation around the ressurection ship. He tried to make the dreadstar a main target for Admiral Turner, however Turner didn't attack, so both of his Novas were untouched. And we still dont have any idea where his colony is," the number two said.
"Wonderful," Jack said, continuing to watch outside where the ships were being built.
"I am sure he will eventually find Turner. Also upgrades on those old Hades are going nicely, they will be ready soon. However even with upgraded weaponry, engines, and armor they won't stand a chance against colonial battlestars," the number two said.
"Hmm, that's not their purpose at all, their purpose is to convince the colonial's that they are our main attack force; that we've lost too many of our new baseships and we desperately want to destroy them with the ships we have left. Of course we will add a few new baseships so that they do not become too suspicious. But first things first," Jack said.
"Even when they reach the colony, we can't wait too long or they will make defenses, they won't allow themselves to be caught by surprise like last time," the number two said.
"Of course they wont, and for sure our old strategy of sending in spies won't work either. No, it will be one last attack, with everything we've got. If we fail, we will be destroyed. Our resources are thin, no matter what kind of mining and resources gathering we do. The Colony was the heart of Cylon, without it we must do what we can. We can't create new versions of human-form Cylons, neither an we build new Centurions. However, the good thing in all this is that we still have over five hundred thousand centurion minds stored, and even without the Colony we can build less advanced Centurions programmed to kill humans. We won't lack in centurions. For now continue with ship building and upgrades on existing ships. Also how is work going on project Corsair?" Jack asked.
"Excellent, the first field tests were promising," the number two replied.
"Good, continue with it," Jack ordered.
The number two left, and Jack returned to his thoughts. No matter what or how long it took he would destroy the humans: something that John didn't succeed in doing in the first place.
...
Seven days later...
"Welcome Admiral," Admiral Thorn said when Admiral Stryker entered the Olmypia's CIC.
"Are we ready to commence the last jump Admiral?" Admiral Stryker asked.
"Yes, all ships are ready. We recieved a message from Commander Krasner. The Battlestar Sword and two gunstars were sent to the edge of Avalon's perimeter to greet us," Admiral Thorn replied.
"Good. Commence jump in proper procedure, we don't want any accidents, not now," Admiral Stryker said.
"First group confirms they're ready for jump, second group ready, and finally third group ready too," the comms station officer reported over the next few minutes, calling out when each group was ready.
"Tell the first group to jump in ten seconds, and each following group ten seconds later," Admiral Stryker ordered.
"Right, countdown now," Admiral Thorn said.
One of the officers started the countdown; ten seconds, nine, eight, until finally hitting zero and the first group jumped away. They reappeared in front of the Battlestar Sword and two escorting gunstars. Battlestar Rycon leading the first fleet.
"Signal recieved, the first group is clear," the comms officer said.
"Alright prepare second group," Admiral Thorn said.
Once again the ten second countdown passed and the second wave of ships disappeared. Minutes later the second signal was recieved.
"They are in," the comms officer reported.
"Well it appears it's our time, whenever you are ready Admiral," Admiral Stryker said.
"Alright Unity, Eternity, Oylmpia and remaining ships are ready for jump, ten second countdown. Now!" Admiral Thorn said.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, jumping!" the comms officer said.
Moment later the remaining ships, shipyards and stations appeared behind the rest of the fleet.
"Jump complete, we are right at our programmed coordinates," the comms officer said.
The entire CIC burst into applause, laughter, and joy; after so long they had finally arrived to their new home. It was a burst of emotions.
"Well as you promised sir, you brought us here," Admiral Thorn said, shaking hands with Admiral Stryker.
"We all did it. I am proud of each man, woman and child in this fleet, for all their sacrifices, and losses: here is the prize," Admiral Stryker said aloud, while everyone else fell silent listening to him, and watching on the main screen - seeing a planet in the distance.
"Our new Home, finally at last," Admiral Stryker said, looking at Avalon in the distance.
To be continued...