Operation Exodus

1:5 Sanctuary

22 days before the fall

Avalon, First City Under Construction

Miral Skhan, Commander Stryker, and Commander Krasner walked between the digging equipment and made plans that Commander Krasner would give to the engineers.

"Commander Stryker, I must say that the hyper data link that we installed in our buoys works perfectly. Instead of 30 days, it's averaging around 5 to 10 hours to receive and send information between us and colonial command," Commander Krasner said.

"Yes, I know. I've already sent a message with all the details from the last month, as well a report on the colonization process, plans, and everything else," Commander Stryker replied.

"Commander, if I may ask, when are Atlantis and her escorts scheduled to return home?" Governor Miral asked.

"Atlantis and Pleiades are ready. We will need a few days to remove the docks from Argona's flight pods; once we transfer the docks to Invictus, all three ships will head home. Do not worry governor; with a mobile dock like Invictus, Battlestar Sword, and all the Gunstars, you will have adequate protection until the orbital defenses are online," Commander Stryker replied.

"Sir, I believe that some of the Gunstars will also be in the fleet that is returning home?" Commander Krasner asked.

"No, they will stay behind, because this is an opportunity to use our engines at 120% capacity. Instead of 11 months, it should take us 2 months at top speed to reach the colonies," Commander Stryker said.

"You are aware sir, that those modifications on our engines have never been tested. The ship could blow up when we try to jump or it could jump to the wrong place. Those modifications were made on the engines used by the Sanctuary Heavy Warstar, and look what happened: she disappeared," Commander Krasner said disapprovingly.

"We are aware of the risk, but this is an excellent opportunity to test them. Besides; new security measures were added, and the ships will be flying in V formation with the leading ship giving information to the remaining two ships. In short, all the ships have their targeted jump coordinates handed by the lead ship with the best Navigation systems for the most accurate jumps, so there is no chance that anything will go wrong," Commander Stryker said.

"To add to Admiral Nagala's orders; Governor Miral is in charge of the civilians, and Commander you are in charge of the military while I am gone, or until someone else come to replace me, is that clear?" Commander Stryker asked.

"Yes sir, but with Sword preparing for an engine upgrade on Invictus and the Gunstars; Illiad, Novalis and Fortune in for upgrades, it leaves only Cygnus and Onyx to protect the colony," Commander Krasner said worriedly.

"Yes, but even with only those two Gunstars you have a fully functional mobile dock capable of defending itself, and for god's sake you will not be tearing apart those ships, they are only being upgraded. Their weapons and defenses are still active enough to be useful in an emergency. Now, I've sent several raptors to scout around to see what we have in our neighborhood. They will start to return soon, and I don't want to miss their reports," Commander Stryker said and started moving toward the Raptor that was nearby waiting for him.

"Damn, I don't like this, only two active ships and the rest down for upgrades," Commander Krasner said unhappily.

"We will be fine Commander, relax, I trust Commander Stryker. He is a capable officer and he knows what he is doing, and so do you so just relax. Your job is relatively simple; my job on the other hand is not. Managing the civilian colonists to work on the first city and work on other structures on Avalon will require a lot of effort," Governor Miral replied smiling.