Start Mission 1
- Location
- Kiel; Germany
Arachnia O'dill was a daur-looking woman. Her mouth formed a never-ending frown, and she almost disapproved of anything the crew did. She was a slave driver, a tyrann - the perfect first officer. When Hercule Wardson stepped through the airlock onto the deck of the Amazon's Bow, he received a sharp salute from her and a clipboard with reports about the ship.
"Sir, welcome on board," she said with a slight nod. "We're almost ready to leave Deidalos. The last crewmembers and equipment get loaded just as we speak."
As if to underline her point, large crates were moved past the two officers, and young crewmembers came on board. Quickly saluting them as they saw the highest ranked officers of the ship. Their large eyes and quick reaction betrayed them as fresh recruits. Hercule quickly returned the salute and started to walk towards the CIC with Arachnia O'dill at his side.
"And the crew?"
"Ready, sir," the woman replied, then pointed with her chin towards one of the open bulkheads they passed. Behind it, a crew dormitory was full of fresh faces lacking the signs of veterans. They were putting away the last of their things in their lockers under the watchful eyes of a crew chief. "Luckily, BuPers gave us an experienced crew; only a few lower ratings are fresh from training. Most have at least two or more ships behind them. They know how it is; give them a few weeks, and they will work like well-oiled toasters."
"Good to hear," Wardson replied as he skimmed through the reports as they walked. "What about the Vipers?"
"No luck. The quartermaster insists that the Mk. II's are held back for, and I quote here, more essential operations. Whatever that means, I haven't heard about any planned offensive operations. Do you, sir?"
"No, XO, nothing I've heard." Major Wardson replied absently as he looked at the following report. "He didn't even give us guided missiles? Just torp's?"
"Also held back," the first officer said as they saluted back to the marine guards of the CIC. Stepping over the bulkhead threshold, they suddenly stood in the small, compact heart of the Amazon's Bow. Hercule Wardson quickly noticed how fresh all consols looked, with no marks of field repairs or scratches left behind from intense usage. Some of them still had the protective foliage on them. The room also lacked the smell of sweat and blood, only the faint odor of computers working.
"What do they expect us to do? Hunt down a Nemesis with torps?" Wardson asked as he moved to the plotting table in the middle of the CIC. He put his clipboard down on it. "I guess we can be glad we got so many veterans assigned."
"Aye, sir, that we can. Better leave port before BuPers realizes that they made an error."
"Better is," Hercule agreed with a chuckle. "When is the official ceremony taking place?"
"In two hours, sir. Admiral Cain will visit us and give a small speech," O'dill said, making a face. "I was told there would be reporters."
"Wonderful," Wardson said sarcastically. The reporters would put Cain in even worse mode than her usual self. If the gods had mercy, she would take it out on the reporters, not the Amazon's Bow or her crew. "Let's get over the readiness reports together, XO. I wish to get underway as fast as possible."
"Yes, sir," Archnia said. "First off, the pilots. We have an entire squadron on board, with the pilots to boot. All of them have combat experience. Additional four reserve machines and a shuttle, standard fleet configuration. Captain Simon Phillips, a double ace, commands the flight group. He says his squadron is ready and can't wait to take the fight to the toasters again."
"I can believe that," Hercule said with a sad smile. "I know him from the Olympus. He was still a fresh pilot doing the Cylon Exodus. But showed promise even then. Before Olympus was destroyed, that is."
"I remember seeing the burning and drifting wrecked of the Olympus before the globe of Caprica in the holobands. It was heartbreaking seeing her among the wrecked of the Exodus aftermath. Made me join the Colonial Fleet when it was founded," the XO said in a lowered voice. "The battle must've been horrible."
Hercule stopped momentarily and looked up from the report about the Marines. He looked into the eyes of Arachnia O'dill without really looking. Images flashed through his mind, and he could smell the odor of a dying ship, hear the cries of the wounded and the screeching of breaking steal. Underlined by the faint sound of distances, small arms fire. Then the moment was over, and he was again in the CIC of the Amazon's Bow.
"It was a hard battle," he said slowly. Carefully flipping through the report of the Marine detachment, he took a moment for a few deep breaths. When he looked up again, he had regained his composure after almost losing it. "I would prefer not to speak about it again, XO."
"Yes, sir."
"Good, the Marines?"
"A whole phalanx, fresh from Gemenon. All part of a warriorhood, sworn to Ares," Arachnia continued. She shrugged. "They have built a boxing ring in their barracks and offer fighting lessons for anyone who wants some. Other than that, they can't wait to get close to the toasters."
"I'm sure that they will get their chance soon enough," Hercule commented, then rolled his shoulders. "Right, I think the rest can wait. Keep up the good work, XO. I'm going to take a walk around my new command. Get a feel for her and the crew."
The walk through the Amazon's Bow quickly revealed what Herulce had already learned from the reports was accurate. It was a new ship with a new crew from several different ships or training facilities all over the Colonies. And yet, the higher number of veterans was evident in all areas. Their uniforms might not look too clean and had been modified to sit more comfortably, but the duty stations were all tip-top. And not just because they came straight from the manufacturer. Fresh out of training, younger ratings were quickly taken under the wing of the more experienced, learning all the tricks that no one wrote into the textbooks. It would take time until a proper esprit could be found in the crew of the Amazon's Bow, but the foundations could be found all over the place.
But Major Wardson also found out that, despite how new and fresh everything was, the Amazon's Bow already had some quirks of its own. For example, the group showers on Deck 13, either having too much pressure or too little. Then there were the speakers on Deck 8, which, for whatever reason, played a chiming sound when the CIC received a long-range communication packet. But luckily, nothing significant was found by the Major. The start of the Amazon's Bow wouldn't be delayed, which was a great relief for Wardson. Just like any other first-time ship commander, he had been anxious that something would come up last time that would prevent a clean start for his first mission.
After he inspected his new command, Hercule Wardson returned to the CIC. With just half an hour left until Admiral Cain and the reporters were scheduled to board, he should introduce himself to the warriors now under his command.
Gripping the intercom handle and pushing the button that triggered the attention-all signal sent through the ship, all work on the Amazon's Bow stopped simultaneously. Eager faces looked up to the speakers, and Major Wardson began his speech.
"Warriors of the Amazon's Bow, I'm Major Wardson, your new commanding officer. In half an hour, the official ceremony will take place. Lovely, encouraging words will be spoken to bolster the morale at home. It will be a field day for the Ministry of Defense. They will milk it. So, I'm going to tell you the truth. Most of you're veterans of this war; you know it anyway. This won't be easy; this won't be light. Chances are high that we die doing our duty. But we will not shrink it. Every warrior on this ship will do the duty lying ahead of us. Because this time, there isn't a single Colony that isn't attacked; this isn't a squabble about some frontier world; this is a war against all of humanity. We will fight, we will bleed, we will die. But we will have victory! So say we all!"
"So say we all!" The answering chorus was loud and clear.
The Crew was ready to take the fight to the Cylons.
The press conference and the official ceremony in which Major Hercule Wardson was given command were just as cut and dry as he had expected. Many platitudes were exchanged, some questions asked that weren't too difficult to answer, and Admiral Cain even attempted to smile. Hercule didn't know what could top that. When the dust finally settled, and the stomped of reporters and Admiral Cain had left the Amazon's Bow, it was time to leave port.
The convoy was already forming above Libra and only waited for the Amazon's Bow to take up its escorting position. With this in mind, Hercule Wardson ordered his ship to leave Deidalos station and move to the jump point. A quick request from the IDRIS network gave the Adamant-class ship the needed jump coordinates, and it vanished with a small explosion of light.
Only to appear in the orbit of Libra a moment later.
What followed was standard protocol as the Libran Space Guard challenged the Amazon's Bow and then cleared them after the right codes were sent. Barley, an hour later, the Bow was united with its convoy of four ships and moving towards the jump zone. According to Libran Space Guard, the planned route was free of any Cylon units.
How fast should the convoy jump?
[ ] Standard Civilian Protocol.
After each jump, the FTL drives are entirely powered down and checked for problems. This takes twelve to eighteen hours. (Renown +20)
[ ] Standard Protection Protocol.
After each jump, the FTL drives are quickly checked over but not powered down. This takes five hours between each jump. (Renown +10)
[ ] Military March Protocol.
The FTL drives have just enough time to cool down between the jumps. This leaves one hour between each jump. This will strain the FTL drives of the civilian ships. (Renown 0)
[ ] Combat Jump.
The jumps are completed as quickly as possible, leaving just half an hour gap between each jump. This will massively strain the FTL drives of the civilian ships. (Renown -10)
What condition is set for the Amazon's Bow?
[ ] Condition 1
All hands are on battle station. The highest possible readiness level a warship has.
[ ] Condition 2
Combat is possible; the essential stations are crewed, and the Vipers are sitting in the tubes, ready to be launched.
[ ] Condition 3
Combat is not expected; standard operation protocols are in effect.
"Sir, welcome on board," she said with a slight nod. "We're almost ready to leave Deidalos. The last crewmembers and equipment get loaded just as we speak."
As if to underline her point, large crates were moved past the two officers, and young crewmembers came on board. Quickly saluting them as they saw the highest ranked officers of the ship. Their large eyes and quick reaction betrayed them as fresh recruits. Hercule quickly returned the salute and started to walk towards the CIC with Arachnia O'dill at his side.
"And the crew?"
"Ready, sir," the woman replied, then pointed with her chin towards one of the open bulkheads they passed. Behind it, a crew dormitory was full of fresh faces lacking the signs of veterans. They were putting away the last of their things in their lockers under the watchful eyes of a crew chief. "Luckily, BuPers gave us an experienced crew; only a few lower ratings are fresh from training. Most have at least two or more ships behind them. They know how it is; give them a few weeks, and they will work like well-oiled toasters."
"Good to hear," Wardson replied as he skimmed through the reports as they walked. "What about the Vipers?"
"No luck. The quartermaster insists that the Mk. II's are held back for, and I quote here, more essential operations. Whatever that means, I haven't heard about any planned offensive operations. Do you, sir?"
"No, XO, nothing I've heard." Major Wardson replied absently as he looked at the following report. "He didn't even give us guided missiles? Just torp's?"
"Also held back," the first officer said as they saluted back to the marine guards of the CIC. Stepping over the bulkhead threshold, they suddenly stood in the small, compact heart of the Amazon's Bow. Hercule Wardson quickly noticed how fresh all consols looked, with no marks of field repairs or scratches left behind from intense usage. Some of them still had the protective foliage on them. The room also lacked the smell of sweat and blood, only the faint odor of computers working.
"What do they expect us to do? Hunt down a Nemesis with torps?" Wardson asked as he moved to the plotting table in the middle of the CIC. He put his clipboard down on it. "I guess we can be glad we got so many veterans assigned."
"Aye, sir, that we can. Better leave port before BuPers realizes that they made an error."
"Better is," Hercule agreed with a chuckle. "When is the official ceremony taking place?"
"In two hours, sir. Admiral Cain will visit us and give a small speech," O'dill said, making a face. "I was told there would be reporters."
"Wonderful," Wardson said sarcastically. The reporters would put Cain in even worse mode than her usual self. If the gods had mercy, she would take it out on the reporters, not the Amazon's Bow or her crew. "Let's get over the readiness reports together, XO. I wish to get underway as fast as possible."
"Yes, sir," Archnia said. "First off, the pilots. We have an entire squadron on board, with the pilots to boot. All of them have combat experience. Additional four reserve machines and a shuttle, standard fleet configuration. Captain Simon Phillips, a double ace, commands the flight group. He says his squadron is ready and can't wait to take the fight to the toasters again."
"I can believe that," Hercule said with a sad smile. "I know him from the Olympus. He was still a fresh pilot doing the Cylon Exodus. But showed promise even then. Before Olympus was destroyed, that is."
"I remember seeing the burning and drifting wrecked of the Olympus before the globe of Caprica in the holobands. It was heartbreaking seeing her among the wrecked of the Exodus aftermath. Made me join the Colonial Fleet when it was founded," the XO said in a lowered voice. "The battle must've been horrible."
Hercule stopped momentarily and looked up from the report about the Marines. He looked into the eyes of Arachnia O'dill without really looking. Images flashed through his mind, and he could smell the odor of a dying ship, hear the cries of the wounded and the screeching of breaking steal. Underlined by the faint sound of distances, small arms fire. Then the moment was over, and he was again in the CIC of the Amazon's Bow.
"It was a hard battle," he said slowly. Carefully flipping through the report of the Marine detachment, he took a moment for a few deep breaths. When he looked up again, he had regained his composure after almost losing it. "I would prefer not to speak about it again, XO."
"Yes, sir."
"Good, the Marines?"
"A whole phalanx, fresh from Gemenon. All part of a warriorhood, sworn to Ares," Arachnia continued. She shrugged. "They have built a boxing ring in their barracks and offer fighting lessons for anyone who wants some. Other than that, they can't wait to get close to the toasters."
"I'm sure that they will get their chance soon enough," Hercule commented, then rolled his shoulders. "Right, I think the rest can wait. Keep up the good work, XO. I'm going to take a walk around my new command. Get a feel for her and the crew."
The walk through the Amazon's Bow quickly revealed what Herulce had already learned from the reports was accurate. It was a new ship with a new crew from several different ships or training facilities all over the Colonies. And yet, the higher number of veterans was evident in all areas. Their uniforms might not look too clean and had been modified to sit more comfortably, but the duty stations were all tip-top. And not just because they came straight from the manufacturer. Fresh out of training, younger ratings were quickly taken under the wing of the more experienced, learning all the tricks that no one wrote into the textbooks. It would take time until a proper esprit could be found in the crew of the Amazon's Bow, but the foundations could be found all over the place.
But Major Wardson also found out that, despite how new and fresh everything was, the Amazon's Bow already had some quirks of its own. For example, the group showers on Deck 13, either having too much pressure or too little. Then there were the speakers on Deck 8, which, for whatever reason, played a chiming sound when the CIC received a long-range communication packet. But luckily, nothing significant was found by the Major. The start of the Amazon's Bow wouldn't be delayed, which was a great relief for Wardson. Just like any other first-time ship commander, he had been anxious that something would come up last time that would prevent a clean start for his first mission.
After he inspected his new command, Hercule Wardson returned to the CIC. With just half an hour left until Admiral Cain and the reporters were scheduled to board, he should introduce himself to the warriors now under his command.
Gripping the intercom handle and pushing the button that triggered the attention-all signal sent through the ship, all work on the Amazon's Bow stopped simultaneously. Eager faces looked up to the speakers, and Major Wardson began his speech.
"Warriors of the Amazon's Bow, I'm Major Wardson, your new commanding officer. In half an hour, the official ceremony will take place. Lovely, encouraging words will be spoken to bolster the morale at home. It will be a field day for the Ministry of Defense. They will milk it. So, I'm going to tell you the truth. Most of you're veterans of this war; you know it anyway. This won't be easy; this won't be light. Chances are high that we die doing our duty. But we will not shrink it. Every warrior on this ship will do the duty lying ahead of us. Because this time, there isn't a single Colony that isn't attacked; this isn't a squabble about some frontier world; this is a war against all of humanity. We will fight, we will bleed, we will die. But we will have victory! So say we all!"
"So say we all!" The answering chorus was loud and clear.
The Crew was ready to take the fight to the Cylons.
The press conference and the official ceremony in which Major Hercule Wardson was given command were just as cut and dry as he had expected. Many platitudes were exchanged, some questions asked that weren't too difficult to answer, and Admiral Cain even attempted to smile. Hercule didn't know what could top that. When the dust finally settled, and the stomped of reporters and Admiral Cain had left the Amazon's Bow, it was time to leave port.
The convoy was already forming above Libra and only waited for the Amazon's Bow to take up its escorting position. With this in mind, Hercule Wardson ordered his ship to leave Deidalos station and move to the jump point. A quick request from the IDRIS network gave the Adamant-class ship the needed jump coordinates, and it vanished with a small explosion of light.
Only to appear in the orbit of Libra a moment later.
What followed was standard protocol as the Libran Space Guard challenged the Amazon's Bow and then cleared them after the right codes were sent. Barley, an hour later, the Bow was united with its convoy of four ships and moving towards the jump zone. According to Libran Space Guard, the planned route was free of any Cylon units.
How fast should the convoy jump?
[ ] Standard Civilian Protocol.
After each jump, the FTL drives are entirely powered down and checked for problems. This takes twelve to eighteen hours. (Renown +20)
[ ] Standard Protection Protocol.
After each jump, the FTL drives are quickly checked over but not powered down. This takes five hours between each jump. (Renown +10)
[ ] Military March Protocol.
The FTL drives have just enough time to cool down between the jumps. This leaves one hour between each jump. This will strain the FTL drives of the civilian ships. (Renown 0)
[ ] Combat Jump.
The jumps are completed as quickly as possible, leaving just half an hour gap between each jump. This will massively strain the FTL drives of the civilian ships. (Renown -10)
What condition is set for the Amazon's Bow?
[ ] Condition 1
All hands are on battle station. The highest possible readiness level a warship has.
[ ] Condition 2
Combat is possible; the essential stations are crewed, and the Vipers are sitting in the tubes, ready to be launched.
[ ] Condition 3
Combat is not expected; standard operation protocols are in effect.
Last edited:
