Operation Exodus

2:3 Ouroboros Part II: End of Journey for the Battlestar Galactica

Galactica passed Trinity and Hoplite, and together with the rest of her fleet proceeded to Avalon. Battlestars Titan and Victorious and their escorting gunstars turned around and headed back to the outer part of the system to continue their patrol, while Argona remained in front of the fleet leading the newcomers to Avalon. With time more and more dradis contacts appeared, some of which were stationary which Commander Thompson explained were warning buoys and large defense platforms under construction.

Battlestar Atlantis C.I.C.

By the time of Galactica's arrival Atlantis was still not fully ready for duty. A lot of her firing controls and new weapons were still not installed, but she was capable of moving on her own. Admiral Stryker wanted to make a good impression and ordered for her to get out of the dock and moved her in Avalon's stationary orbit . Several ships, mostly gunstars, were placed around her as escorts.

No matter what, he would probably go to Galactica, Stryker wanted his ship to be present when Galactica arrived.

Admiral Stryker walked through the CIC. This was actually his first time here since he left her after the fight at Picon. He was amazed to see how much of the new tech had been added. The entire CIC was reconfigured. Commander Haller was present during her retrofiting and repairs so he was not suprised, but he enjoyed watching his superior officer while Admiral Stryker inspected every inch of the C.I.C.

"Well, at least she is moving under her own power now," Admiral Stryker said.

"Yes sir, she is capable of moving on her own, but it will take a while before we install and pass all checks and trials for the antimatter engine. Then we can do trial jumps," Commander Haller replied.

"I almost forgot that new revolutionary engine will be installed on her, with that engine, presuming it works and doesn't blow us to pieces or cause a jump like the Sanctuary, will indeed increase the power of our ships tenfold," Admiral Stryker said.

Commander nodded and asked, "Sir I still don't understand why you insist that we move Atlantis out of the docks, you know quite well that she is not ready," Commander Haller said with confusion in his voice.

"Because Commander, this ship was responsible for the colonization of this planet, and for bringing all these survivors here. Atlantis always led the charge first, always led in every battle, and she won and survived all of them, with little or sometimes more damage but she survived. She is an icon, and one day if she meets her time for retirement, she will be probably be turned into a museum. I could take the Theseus or the Rycon, but I want Atlantis to be the ship that welcomes Galactica," Admiral Stryker said.

"What will happen with Galactica once she arrives, I mean, do you plan to have her upgraded or retired?" Commander Haller asked.

"There's no doubt that William Adama would like her to remain in service; upgraded with modern weaponary and defenses, she would probably be capable of serving for some time to come. But I plan to rename one of those two new Battlestars and give her to Bill as the new Galactica. He would probably not be happy giving up the old lady, but considering her replacement is the newest ship in the fleet he'll have little room to complain," Admiral Stryker said.

"I understand sir. And what about you sir?" Commander Haller asked watching the Admiral.

"Don't get ahead of yourself Commander, being a Fleet Admiral doesn't mean I plan to move to some office and do paperwork, no way in hell," Admiral Stryker said and started laughing so hard that the entire CIC looked in his direction.

"Sir, Galactica and her fleet are approaching. Argona is turning back, she's heading back to her position in the outer part of the system," the dradis officer said.