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Geitona Sector
Darkspace
Day 178
Azeban
Population 4532

"I am pleased to announce that the Azeban is now ready to resume combat operations and with the 12 shuttles that we will be able to maintain a CAP at all times protecting the fleet" said Governor Maxon.

Captain Beth Drakos was glad for the opportunity to become the XO of the Azeban. Major Limaki while aware of his shortcomings due to lack of bridge officer experience was hardworking and cares about his crew. However these speeches have been going on for over an hour. That a Supplystar is getting as much ceremony as if it is a new Battlestar shows that politicians even amateur ones like to waste time.

Still this had been the topic of the last few months in the Fleet. Councilor Nisus had gotten many people's backs riled up about whether to hold off on fixing up the Azeban or work on speeding up the Minx as the third food ship. Or more accurately the idea of switching ships. The reasoning of "it really doesn't gain anyone anything to switch priorities" and "we need to stay alive and yes potatoes get boring but it's better than being killed by the Cylons" had solid logic and everyday switching became more pointless. So it became about "Commander Jasper and the military ignoring the people's wishes" which might have been enough for Nisus to win the election.

Or until the newest grisly discovery. 17 days ago in System 01682 the Atlis had found the remains of a pair of Aerilion missiles colliers with 6 civilian ships all destroyed by the Cylons. How long ago this had happened was uncertain but a distress signal had been found saying that they had over 1100 people onboard and were requesting help as they were critically low on supplies and being chased by a Cylon Baseship. That the Cylons brutally murdered what were 2 barely armed ships (that would be lucky to destroy a dozen Raiders) and their civilian ships turned the topic back to "we need to be defended." Councilor Nisus had then attempted to turn the topic into "Deltans vs. Betas" but even most of the Deltans didn't buy it. Or at least do not appear to. The election is in 2 days but Nisus appears to have given up as he didn't even bother to come to the Azeban (the biggest social event of the last few months of the admittedly limited entertainment available in the Fleet) as he would have to either praise the military (upsetting his supporters) or bash the military (upsetting the bulk of the voters).

The Azeban would serve more as a "catchall" ship. The "Badger Squadron" under the command of now Captain Tomas "Melon" Gavin with LT Lynn "Beeker" Gibbs as his second in command were the main mission and the 12 shuttles of various designs would allow a doubling of the CAP at all times. 2 Vipers and 2 shuttles (along with whatever Raptors could be spared) were not optimal but a lot better than what they had before. Also the Marines with their graduates were able to be split into two groups. One would be on the Atlis with the remainder here as back up or training new members.

The biggest problem remains that it couldn't fire it's weapons more than a few kilometers and hope to hit anything smaller than a moon due to the irreparable dradis systems (frakking Chosen assholes) being fried. 'Well not like a Supplystar would be able to do much against a Baseship anyway' thought Captain Drakos. 'Well nothing smaller than a pair of Rangers should go up against a Baseship anyway according to doctrine' she thought with a snort. The Cylons clearly wouldn't fight "fair" (if such a thing even has meaning at this point) and would use their overwhelming numbers much as they did when attacking the Cyrannus System.

Drakos realized with a start that people were clapping. Now that she is the XO it was her job to be the hard-ass so hopefully no one noticed her lapse of attention. 'Looks like I am in the clear. Time to make sure this all gets cleaned up.'

Geitona Sector
System 01835 Planet 2 "Kokkinos"
Day 186
Atlis CIC

"Kokkinos" or Scarlet is so named because all the plants are red and very poisonous to humans. Along with the 51 hour days and 122% gravity the cost (and the moral issues of having to destroy a unique biosystem) and generally poor position in regards to stellar cartography and low metal content meant that this planet even if it was on the "potential" list of future Territories was unlikely to ever have humans put on this planet. Before the Cylon attack this planet often had several scientific crews and ships in orbit. Of course half a year later any theoretical scientists would have left. The vague hope that a Picon Survey Corps (PSC) ship would still be here (unlikely but incredibly helpful) had been suggested by Carl Maxon.

Colonel Marton was looking at the data feed from the planet. The PSC had left about 8 months ago and generally showed up every year to collect various meteorologist information along with various camera feeds from the heavily protected cages on planet surface. The animal life on Kokkinos was truly fascinating (very different than pretty much all life everything found elsewhere) and was popular with various scientists and in certain popular culture groups. Probably not useful but people are bored and even raw footage might have some entertainment appeal.

"Sir I am picking up something" said Ensign Coulter. Just then a pair of Heavy Raiders popped into existence.

"Colonel Marton this is Deonna Breanne. I am going to power down my ships but we need to talk it's urgent" said a female voice.

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Thank you for reading. Any questions or comments are appreciated.