Operation Exodus

1:2 Path to the Unknown Part II

12 Days Later Battlestar Atlantis C.I.C.

Orbiting Lobo Negro Station

2 Days Before Planned Departure

In the Atlantis CIC everything was quiet as everyone waited for the last ship to finally arrive. When suddenly...

"Sir, Argona just jumped in and it's not alone," the communications officer said.

"Finally, and what other ships are with the Argona?" Commander Stryker asked.

"The Medstar Caduceus and two Cygnus class Heavy Gunstars; the Cygnus and Onyx, along with the Mobile drydock Invictus," Colonel Haller said, "Admiral Nagala assigned those ships to our expedition believing that a fully equipped Medstar could help us a lot with establishing the colony, and those two Gunstars are only for additional support."

"Hmmm... I see. Well I'm not too happy to have so many ships under my command; after all, that's a job for an Admiral and not for a Commander," Commander Stryker said worriedly running his hands through his hair, wondering to himself if he was up to the task of leading such a large fleet.

"Sir! If Admiral Nagala put you in charge then you clearly are ready for it and deserve it," Colonel Haller said reassuringly.

"And yes sir, I almost forgot, Commander Thompson said that the mobile support dock has successfully docked with the port landing bay," Colonel Haller said, running through the messages to Atlantis from the Warstar Argona.

"Is there a mistake? Admiral Nagala said that the Argona would serve as a mobile platform with docks on her side, but now we have a fully equipped drydock?" Commander Stryker asked in confusion.

"No sir, it is not a mistake; Argona has had a small modification to her pods, but the admiral wanted us to have a fully equipped mobile dock for our ships. Having the Argona refitted into a full mobile dock was not possible due to time restrictions. From what I see from the messages Argona sent here, the mobile dock Invictus is the first of her kind and can hold any ship in our fleet, including the Argona itself. Additionally; she has 600 vipers, 200 raptors, 24 stealth raptors, 24 scimitar bombers, 12 heavy shuttles, and lots of tools, supplies and all the other stuff we could possibly need!" Colonel Haller replied, his eyes bugging out at the mobile docks capabilities.

"There's also 3,000 people on board that ship to add to our numbers. Admiral Nagalas orders are that when we reach the coordinates of the planet, Invictus will serve as a command base for repairs and protection. Once we arrive and establish the colony; Pleiades, Atlantis, and Argona are to return back to the fleet base. With only the Battlestar Sword and her three Gunstars to serve as the defense forces for the colony until the others return," Colonel Haller said.

"I see," Commander Stryker said and added, "Well then it seems everything is ready, open a channel to all ships."

"Channel open sir!" the communications officer replied a few moments later.

"This is Commander Stryker from the Battlestar Atlantis. With the last ships having arrived and all of our supplies and materials taken onboard, we are ready for a long voyage into the unknown. Our goal is to set up a new colony on a world that one of our probes found. Our Journey will take about 11 months if everything goes as planned. Military personnel for this mission were assigned directly by Colonial Command, and the civilians are volunteers for this mission. If anyone of you wants to back out: now is the time. Our mission is crucial for the colonies. I expect everyone to fulfill their duties and stay attentive to their jobs. I hope our journey will be blessed by the gods. So Say We All!" Commander Stryker said.

"So Say We All!" could be heard all around fleet.

"Colonel, give the coordinates for the first jump to all ships and inform all ships to be ready to jump in five minutes," Commander Stryker said turning to Colonel Haller.