Chapter 2

Journey Entry 4595, 14th day of the 9th lunar cycle in the 30th year after the Cylon War

It has been a week since my last entry. I course has lead us to chart the next section of unknown space in this sector. Our probes have identified a series of small phenomena scattered over several light years but no massive anomalies. The scans, although not as detailed as we would hope for, have given us new potential possibilities. Two weeks ago, we left after exploring an asteroid belt that contained Tylium deposits that the colonies to mine later. So far, we have identified three habitable planets in two star systems, 14 pulsars, 2 black holes, 26 asteroid clusters for Tylium deposits, and three small nebulas. Space charts have been created over the areas that we have scanned and paths have been marked to ensure safe passage.

Our astronomers have been in a frenzy because they didn't have a lot of time to study one of the specific pulsars two months ago. One of the special characteristics is that this pulsar wasn't the normal pulsar beam with corresponding magnetic fields. This one was a circular pulsar that influenced gravitational rotation like a black hole. The concentric circle wave-like motion caused ships that ventured too close to the pulsar to get sucked through the pulsar and crushed. The statistics of the gravitational rotation has been taken by a group of 20 ensigns who want to look into this study for different applications. So far, about 200 personnel have decided to undertake research into several of the phenomena that we have found. Certain ones include movement in space from items like comets, asteroids, and meteors, tylium refining process, geological mineral composition, and stellar cartography.

Today, we passed into the next sector of space and discovered something very interesting. The first thing we found was a nebula but a quick survey from our basic scans determined an unusual phenomena.

Flashback (07:30)

"… arrival in sector in 3, 2, 1," stated the jump operator.

"SITREP," Commander Sandler stated.

"All ships report no issues," communication officer Jennings reported.

"Great, Jennings, tell Major Selig to set up a CAP and get the raptors in launch bay 2 prepped for Professor Jones preliminary scans of the designated areas. Then connect me to Jones," Sandler commanded.

"Yes, sir," Jennings answered.

Grabbing the phone, hearing "Professor Jones, here," he stated, "Jones, it Sandler. We are in position in the next sector, our CAP is getting set up and the raptors are being prepped for the scans in launch bay 2."

"Thank you, Commander. I will get my teams started and they should launch by 09:00," Jones stated.

"Roger that, Dominion Actual, out," Commander Sandler concluded.

Science Room Alpha (12:00)

"… we have just completed the first scans of quadrant A when some sort of phenomena appeared in quadrant H. I'm an unsure of what it is but it looks like it produces some sort of displacement. An asteroid about 10 km across exited out of it some ten minutes ago. Requesting further instructions," ensign Cramer stated.

Jones, contemplating the issue for several seconds, before stating, "Continue scanning the next quadrant. This phenomenon is something I need to see. I will give more instructions will later." Picking up the phone, he called the CO. "Commander Sandler, is it possible to swing the fleet near the coordinates of raptor 3?"

"It is possible. We can have the fleet jump over in 45 minutes. Is there an issue?"Sandler replied

"Some strange phenomenon has occurred that I want to look at in quadrant H of raptor 3's scan zone. I want to take a look at it because it might be a point on some type of displacement travel," Jones answered. "I want to take a look to see where it leads to."

"Copy that, I will give the order," Sandler stated.

Science Room Alpha (13:30)

"We are in position, get some detailed scans of that phenomenon. In the mean time, build a probe. I want that probe to be able to calculate its location compared to colonial sector. Once complete, I want that probe sent into phenomenon and with precise instructions to return immediately after achieving location," Jones instructed.

"Yes, sir," replied 100 ensigns.

Science Room Alpha (14:45)

"We will be sending the probe with Raptor 42. The pilot's instructions are to launch the probe and return to a safe distance. The probe should return in about 15 minutes. Then we will retrieve it.," ensign Wie stated.

"Good, now what about those scans?" Jones asked.

"Detailed scans are about 85% complete. The scans has indicated that there are gravimetric distortions which causes the phenomenon. The distortions are not unlike a black hole but they do not have the same type of pressure that the black hole has. This means that if we wanted to, we could possibly take a raptor in for more analysis," ensign Kerr replied.

"Very well, as soon as that probe returns, I want that data analyzed," Jones commanded.

"Sir, the phenomenon is opening up again and something is coming out. It doesn't look like an asteroid," Ensign Mallon acclaimed.

Everyone turned to look at the window port. Something metallic came out, maybe some type of scrap. "Ensign Webb, I want you to prep a raptor. We are going to take a scan to what it is," Jones stated.

"Yes, sir," Webb replied.

Launch Bay 2 (15:30)

"Sir, the probe has returned and raptor 42 is on the way to retrieve it," Ensign Wie stated.

"Thank you, ensign. Ensign Webb, are we ready to depart?" Jones asked.

"Yes, sir. All the necessary gear is on the raptor including the environmental suits. We can depart anytime," Webb replied.

"Good," Jones replied.

Raptor 43 (16:00)

"Sir, we are nearing the object," Webb stated.

"Ensigns Park and Tseng, continue with the scanning and the recording. I want live footage of this trip to show the admirals," Jones commanded while heading up to the cockpit. "By god, it is huge. It is looks like a ship. Look at that damage. I am unsure of what we may find on it. I want scans of the entire ship. Circle it several times if you have to. Park, Tseng, I want a detailed analysis of the ship plating. Find any access ports that we can dock with or if we need to, find us a place where we can safely get inside."

"Yes, sir," they replied.

Raptor 43 (16:30)

"Sir, analysis complete. The vessel has severe haul damage but looks structurally sound. We should be able to enter the ship through this bay." Passing over a printout, "As you can see, it seems like these are launch bays of some type. Some of them seem to be occupied. We can also enter through these ports here and here on either side of the ship," point to access ports on either side of the ship. "We have also determined that this vessel is titled 'U.S.S. Stargazer' as that is marked on the haul."

"Good. Return us to the ship. Then set up a several expedition teams to enter the ship tomorrow. I want this vessel search and anything you can find, categorized for research purposes," Jones commanded.

"Yes, sir" the ensigns replied before Webb turned the raptor to return to the Dominion.

End flashback

The phenomenon in question may be some form of quick travel from our quick analysis due to having found the exiting asteroids and this vessel, "U.S.S. Stargazer."More information may be found tomorrow. We will be going back and may spend a bunch of time studying this very carefully. I hope that whatever we may find will help us out significantly in the future. I will send a message to the Admirals if this is something very important.

A/N: I hope you enjoy this. I look forward to any reviews.