Book 4 Chapter 15 “Highway to Helios”
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“Commander,” the officer of the deck reported. “We have verified the jump coordinates with the flagship. We have been ordered to sync our systems and jump.”
“All birds in the tubes. Prepare for a combat jump. We will launch on the other side.”
“We are synced commander. Countdown is in six seconds.”
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“What the frak is that commander?”
“It’s a comms array with FTL burst communications.” answered the commander.
“It looks like a giant can opener!”
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03:29
“Contacts! One heavy about a dozen unidentified ships. There is a lot of jamming going on in there.”
“Any orders from the flagship?”
“We have been ordered to launch all vipers.”
“Air wing. Go mission. Launch all birds.”
“We have inbound vampires.”
“Standby to turn and fire up our flak.”
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5:05
“Raptors are maintaining a forward missile shield commander. Cylons are running.”
“Signal the flag ship we are increasing to flank speed.”
“Yes Sir!”
“Commander’s log: Commander Indirah Modi recording.”
“Now that we know New Helios has survived the forty years we spent trapped in a gravity well, we have made contact with two patrol ships. With the updated FTL technology, we have managed to capture a Cylon Tylium refinery.”
“It is like taking a road trip back on Picon, except we bring the gas station with us. The mechanical Cylon’s apparently without a short term purpose, have built a vast network across the galaxy.”
“Our ammunition bunkers are full. Extra ammunition is being stored on the Celestra. The Mercury has begun manufacture of replacement armor. If we could evade the Cylon forces long enough to do some mining, we could make some progress with the extensive battle damage.”
“The decision to head back for New Helios is very risky. For forty years, the Cylons have not found this well hidden system group with 4 habitable planets. Now we are leading them there. I don’t know if the issue has even been discussed.”
“This Captain James Scott seems so self assured. With the ability to take very long FTL jumps, while using fuel more efficiently, Captain Scott seems to think we have no possibility of failure.”
“I certainly do not want to rush off into the darkness, leaving behind the only civilization I know.”
“The question I keep asking myself is what if that is the right thing to do?’
13:42
“Forward and topside guns switch to salvo mode!”
“Yes Sir commander.”
20:14
“Missile salvo ready sir!”
“Fire the salvo!”
“Firing Sir!”
24:04
“Commander, the area is clear. We have been ordered to jump to the next waypoint”
“Triple check the coordinates. Anything come up like debris from the Saturn or one of her birds?”
“Sir, we still have errors in the air wing inventory flying off this battlestar. I don’t believe we have reliable information on any other ships.”
“Well if we encounter one of their birds, the IFF had better work. Make it a priority. Begin jump prep and countdown..”
“This is the Admiral. We have captured new navigational data. We will be attempting to hide and make some repairs. Stand by for jump coordinates.”
“Commander Modi, raptor 559 is on wireless. They have just picked up a Colonial transponder.”
“Authorize them for a combat landing. Continue jump count. This is Solaira Actual. Raptor five five niner what do you have?”
“Its a Colonial transponder Sir. It was probably from a destroyed bird. No doubt about it sir, its raptor niner six one from the battlestar Saturn.”
“This is the commander air group Solaria. They’re swarming.They’re all over us!”
“Ready PPC for flak mode. This is Solaria Actual. Lead them in just like a training exercise. Pull back hard on the stick at the last second. Then we will snap the trap shut on them.”
“Aye skipper.Come on toaster follow me!”
38:29
CIC Solaria
“Commander, taking light fire in the bow, toaster gunship has us ranged.”
“Defensive posture. When we get a firing solution we can hit them with full offensive setting er um posture!”
“Aye commander. Posture to defensive.”
39:18
“Good shooting gun crews, Helm hard to port. Gun batteries in seeker mode.”
“Commander, both battlestars are taking heavy fire!”
“Helm, stand by turn to port. Maintain formation with Mercury.”
45:48
“Cylons are gone sir. Launching SAR birds. Medical bay, prepare for casualties.”
“Set ship to condition two. This is Solaria Actual to Mercury Actual. Board is clear of toasters. Requesting permission to drag in the wrecked Vipers. We need all the parts we can get.”
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