{"id":4592,"date":"2023-02-01T04:42:26","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T04:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/battlestarmercury.com\/wordpress\/?p=4592"},"modified":"2023-02-20T14:33:50","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T14:33:50","slug":"chapter-12-fuel-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/battlestarmercury.com\/wordpress\/?p=4592","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 12: Fuel Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mercury Pilot briefing theatre<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admiral Lawson was standing at the podium in front of the big monitor. On the monitor was the targeted tylium refinery. It was not the closest, some six jumps away. It was deep in Cylon space. Recon had indicated that due to the distance, it had lighter defenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Commanders of the Athena and Saturn were present, along with the two Mercury class ships Commanders of the air group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur original plan,\u201d Admiral Lawson began, called for three Mercury class battlestar groups. Sadly, the Athena is not ready. She is at a secret location with the rebuilt mobile shipyard. The repairs will take approximately 4 weeks. The shipyard lacks the mineral resources to build new Valkyrie class ships.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey will be able to repair two damaged Valkyrie class per week. To prevent the Cylons from getting the mobile shipyards location nobody but the ships scheduled for repair know the location. Theere is a planned meeting point which we plan to rejoin with the fleet in five weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo the fleet assigned for repair,\u201d Commander Evans of the Athena asked. \u201cWill be assigned as guards?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIndeed, correct. Commander Evan’s we have a raptor ready to take you to your duty which is to get the Athena ready for battle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo say we all!\u201d Evans said. \u201cMay I applaud your elegant solution Admiral.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawson smiled and met his eyes. \u201cKissing my ass will not give me the power to promote you to Admiral.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery other combat capable ship in our fleet has an assignment for this operation. Because of the infiltration by Cylon humanoid models, nobody but Mercury and Saturn actual know the assignment. Also our XO’s. This mission is necessary for survuval. We take the refinery or less than half the fleet has the fuel necessary to make the jump to the planned meeting in five weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Todd Matthews call sign \u201cToddler\u201d of the Athena spoke up next. \u201cSome of my pilots are wanting to volunteer to fill open slots in your squadrons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawson smiled. \u201cWe have deactivated several Atlas and Artemis class to carry passengers. We will have nearly 80% of our rated Mark 7 viper complement aboard Mercury and Saturn. We already have scouts out looking for te matereials to build more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthews had one more question. \u201cAny word from those we left behind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawson looked stricken. It hurt her more than she could describe with wordsd to leave anyone behind. \u201cWe heard they are still fighting, which diverts forces from surrounding and destroy us. I’m sorry we I am sorry I can not give you better news. Everyone we left behind is a hero, young, old, even children. We wish them good hunting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone else in the room murmured. \u201cSo say we all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawson looked down at her watch. \u201c60 minutes to combat jump. Everyone, good hunting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louder and more clearly everyone spoke. \u201cSo say we all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CIC Saturn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commander Ramirez: “We jump in 30 minutes at 0645 hours. Good Hunting?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pilot: “Why are we light on fighters?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Co: “Other operations are in progress.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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