After three computer simulations seemed to prove conclusively that to Valkyrie had sufficient firepower but lacked a large enough flak field to defend the reconnaissance missions supply ships, the Artemis class battlestar, Fearless was given the tactical plans and orders to catch up with the task force and assume command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Fearless had been stolen during the last shipyard raid prior to the exodus from the \u201cNew Settlement\u201d. Originally tasked to carry civilians, it was converted into a munitions factory several weeks after the second exodus had begun. As the production of Valkyrie class ships had been slowed by logistics and supply chain issues, other warships, particularly those with accurate guns and good flak capabilities, it was decided that the munitions factory would move to a larger Atlas class ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The battlestars frame was nearly 60 years old, having an unremarkable combat record in first Cylon war. As the Tauron saying went, \u201cPanhandlers can’t be choosers\u201d. After the capture and cyber cleaning of large depots filled with Cylon spare parts, particularly FTL components, Admiral Lawson had ordered FTL upgrades on all military ships, starting with the flagship, the Mercury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually, Fearless, which had been converted to a training ship after the move of the munitions factory, had reached the top of the list. Fearless was loaded with a full fuel and ammunitions load and given to a new commander, Charles \u201cPirate\u201d Emerson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAdmiral Lawson,\u201d Emerson smiled at the video link screen. \u201cI would appreciate it if the next time you assign me command of a task force that it wait for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe shipyard was not certain if we could get your ship ready for you on time. The computer upgrades were particularly troublesome. Something about heat exchange problems and the chips melting. I’m just a lucky fighter brat. Earned one or two promotions above my station. Apologies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAway we go,\u201d Emerson held the channel open for the customary good bye greeting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood hunting Pirate,\u201d Lawson nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you Admiral.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emerson was thirty, and had been pulled out of flying vipers due to a problem with vertigo. He could no longer handle the high gees of flying the viper.\u201d He fancied himself a bit of a swashbuckler, so he had painted a pirate on his helmet and given the call sign \u201cPirate\u201d eight years ago after graduating the academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the Fearless was ready, he had been promoted straight from captain to commander. His command crew had been working together for quite some time. Though some of them resented him as an interloper, their mission was too important to tolerate infighting. The mission was to do reconnaissance of \u201cThe Settlement.\u201d This was the name given to the colonies established after the first exodus and abandoned at the start of the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPut me on ship-wide,\u201d Emerson ordered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The old style alarm sounded, echoing through the vessel. \u201cThis is the commander,\u201d he said. Pausing to let the echo of his voice fade, he continued. \u201cI’ve never been big on titles, and formality. We have been given a mission. We are to take over the task force heading back to the settlement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was a stain on our honor that we left so many behind. Now we need more labor, so we are going back to see if anyone survived. So now I am Fearless actual. My call sign when I was a viper pilot was \u201cPirate.\u201d That is how I think of myself, and that is how I wish to be known.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll systems report ready for jump Commander,\u201d his XO reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTry again,\u201d Commander Emerson corrected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCommander Pirate. We are ready to jump. We have recon and the task force is waiting for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen commence jump,\u201d ordered the commander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
* * *<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6:17<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commanders log, Battlestar Artemis, Commander Emerson recording. \u201cWe have caught up with the reconnaissance task force assigned to \u201cOperation Flashback, the mission to potentially rescue persons left behind by the second exodus. My viewpoint is its unlikely there will be significant numbers of survivors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat view has a strong counter argument. Our fleet has maintained a hack into the Cylons communications network for quite some time. We have found no traffic relating to the persons left behind in ‘the settlement’. That makes is intriguing to me. We have calculated a jump plot using new FTL technology to reach this settlement in 10 jumps.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am quite suspicious of this new technology. If anything has been missed, this mission could end, badly wasting lives and accomplishing nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CIC Fearless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fleet wide wireless channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is commander Emerson. We are off to right the wrong, to rescue those persons we left behind. I want maximum data collection to insure this new FTL technology is not giving away our position. Our primary mission tactic is not to kill enemy ships. Our mission is to maneuver and evade, surviving to make contact. We expect to encounter the enemy. Still, I must say, good hunting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7:10<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll ships show green, ready to jump sir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCommence jump number 1.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n