Battlestar Galactica Fanclub2024-03-28T21:02:46ZLT. Tony "Aeneas" Carvellhttps://battlestarfanclub.com/profile/TonyCarvellhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2535316285?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://battlestarfanclub.com/forum/topic/listForContributor?groupUrl=the-adventures-of-the-battlestar-raven-battlegroup&user=3uqxymkw0mrcl&feed=yes&xn_auth=noDeath of the THEMISTOCLEStag:battlestarfanclub.com,2020-01-20:4960814:Topic:2385132020-01-20T04:10:53.435ZLT. Tony "Aeneas" Carvellhttps://battlestarfanclub.com/profile/TonyCarvell
<p> </p>
<p>" <em>Raven battle group within weapons range,arm all weapons.........Those who live by the sword shall die by many........prepare to move omega basestar to within lethal range,nuclear trigger armed.........The messenger of victory shall be the bearer of bad news........Prepare to launch all raider groups for mass attack........He who laughs last shall shed no tears..End of Line."</em></p>
<p>Several weeks after the end of the Kronos Battle,Cylon Model Zero has finally caught up…</p>
<p> </p>
<p>" <em>Raven battle group within weapons range,arm all weapons.........Those who live by the sword shall die by many........prepare to move omega basestar to within lethal range,nuclear trigger armed.........The messenger of victory shall be the bearer of bad news........Prepare to launch all raider groups for mass attack........He who laughs last shall shed no tears..End of Line."</em></p>
<p>Several weeks after the end of the Kronos Battle,Cylon Model Zero has finally caught up with the Raven and her Fleet; How did they find them..Infiltrators? A question for another time....</p>
<p>Model Zero's Fleet of 10 ships fills the DRADIS of every ship in the Battlegroup...</p>
<p>" <em>ACTION STATIONS! ACTION STATIONS! SET CONDITION ONE THROUGHOUT THE FLEET! LAUNCH THE ALERT FIGHTERS! ALL SHIPS WEAPONS ACTIVATE!"</em></p>
<p>The Raiders strike first;Those who break through the wall of vipers sent out to meet them concentrate on the Raven and the other capitol ships,Railguns blazing against them...</p>
<p>But what are the basestars waiting for...? Soon,they have their answer:</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3827453684?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3827453684?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>The Omega Basestar,actually, A Hades class basestar left over from the first war over 40 years ago, Converted into A 100 Megaton Nuclear Bomb,designed to be placed in the middle of A major fleet or facility and detonated,causing massive destruction and damage to it's intended target; The Raven Air Wing encountered such A ship while probing A starless void years ago;The Detonation of the ship at the entrance to the void sealed it up.</p>
<p>Many of these basestars were converted as such;There are unconfirmed reports of one being used to obliterate Colonial Fleet Headquarters on Picon.</p>
<p>Now, Cylon Model Zero has the Raven Battlegroup in her sights;Two of the newer Basestars flank the Omega,controlling it,moving it towards The Battlegroup,while the Raiders distract the bulk of the fleet;The other basestars begin opening fire to further distract them....</p>
<p>" <em>Distance closing ...prepare to detonate.."</em></p>
<p>However, Alarms scream on the Raven...</p>
<p><em>" RADIOLOGICAL ALARM!........THAT THING IS LARGE BOMB!"</em></p>
<p>Admiral Dragonlady puts an immediate call:</p>
<p><em>" RAVEN TO FLEET,CONCENTRATE ALL FIRE ON THE LARGE BASESTAR.....EVERY GUN AND MISSILE!"</em></p>
<p>Every armed ship opens up on the omega..but it still keeps coming....</p>
<p>Unknown and unseen,one of the Raven's stealth craft,known as 'Blackbirds', Jumps to just underneath the omega;The Pilot is Lt. Kelly 'Kellbell' Ranson,daughter of Cdr.'Leonidas' of the Gunstar Trireme, and Capt.Alice Ranson,Chief Engineer of the Battlestar Themistocles; Kelly carries A Tactical Nuke to try to stop the omega before it gets any further; She lines up on the target,aiming for the large ventral vent underneath...she arms and fires....the missile flies dead center up the vent...she then jumps out quickly...</p>
<p>The omega shudders....as if having stomach problems.....then....</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3827479738?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3827479738?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>The omega disintegrates in A massive fireball,sending chunks of debris in every direction;The first the feel it are the two flanking basestars;One is destroyed,the other is severely damaged and drifts away from the battle zone; Unfortunately, some Colonial ships are hit too; The Battlestar Themistocles suffered the worst damage,and is crippled;Even worse, she is isolated;Model Zero aboard her ship sees this,and decides to pick the helpless Themistocles off; She touches the matter stream and fires A missile...</p>
<p>Most of the command crew on the Themistocles are already dead;The ship is drifting helplessly,no chance will she receive help in time; Alice Ranson,the last officer alive,grabs the intercom:</p>
<p><em>" All hands ABANDON SHIP!....REPEAT,ALL HANDS TO ESCAPE RAPTORS....ABANDON SHIP!"</em></p>
<p>She repeats the order several times..it is even heard in the fleet...</p>
<p>Then....the Cylon missile finds it's target.....</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3827494941?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3827494941?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Themistocles dies in flames</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3827496120?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3827496120?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Only Two Raptors manage to launch in time....</p>
<p>On the Gunstar Trireme,Cdr. Leonidas drops his PA phone as he now realises his wife is gone...</p>
<p>Kelly,who just jumped back to the fleet,watches in horror as she flies past A chunk of debris with the name 'THEMISTOCLES'...</p>
<p><em>" Mom! oh, gods no...!"</em></p>
<p>Cylon Model Zero withdraws her fleet...thinking she has crippled the Raven Battlegroup beyond repair;She will finish them off later....</p>
<p>The shock passes...The Battlegroup recovers and begins to asses the damage...and the Losses...</p>
<p>The Two Themistocles Raptors land aboard the closest ship..the Trireme; Aboard are just 23 survivors...some needing medical attention;The Raven is requested to send A shuttle to the Trireme to transfer the badly injured to the Raven.</p>
<p>One of the Raptor pilots is Lt. Ali 'Covergirl' Larter;Leonidas trained her when he was on the Themistocles years ago;At that moment,he had slight hope perhaps....?</p>
<p>Covergirl just shook her head " I'm sorry sir.....she didn't make it...she gave the order to abandon ship...but never got to A raptor...I'm truly sorry..."</p>
<p>KellBell piloted the shuttle from the Raven and had just landed;She was looking for her father;Then found him and covergirl in the hangar deck;The look on their faces confirmed the worst for her; She fell on her knees,sobbing;Leonidas picked up his daughter and took her into A tool room..</p>
<p>" Listen to me Kelly....There will be time for tears later...right now, all of what is left of the human race needs to stand together and fight like hell to survive...right now, let that sorrow turn into purpose..."</p>
<p>" You're right,dad...absolutely.....I vow before the Gods that I will KILL every Damn Toaster in existence...until there are no more.."</p>
<p>" ....Good...."</p>
<p>How much more tragedy can the men and women of the Raven Battle Group endure?</p>
<p>As much as it takes...</p>
<p> Music for this particular Episode: youtube.com/watch?v=JKBmE8sD_fo </p>
<p></p> Fates of the Fleettag:battlestarfanclub.com,2018-12-13:4960814:Topic:2306422018-12-13T20:25:15.486ZLT. Tony "Aeneas" Carvellhttps://battlestarfanclub.com/profile/TonyCarvell
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="text-align: center;" xml:lang="en-US"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/347869303?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/347869303?profile=original&width=500" width="500"></img></font></font></a></p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3">After the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, the fate of humanity…</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" style="text-align: center;" xml:lang="en-US"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/347869303?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/347869303?profile=original&width=500" width="500" class="align-center"/></font></font></a></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3">After the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, the fate of humanity rests with the Exodus Fleets of the survivors. They fight for the continued survival of humanity, to preserve civilization and to someday overcome the looming threat of the Cylon.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><br/>Within these fleets of civilian and military vessels, each and every ship has its own unique story. An unlikely veil of survival through the nuclear hellfire of the Fall.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><br/>The stories of their fate will be told in this series of one-off chapters and artworks, exploring many different ships and offering decisions on how to integrate them to the fleet and how to bring their stories to an end.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" style="text-align: left;" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><br/>All members of the fan club are welcome to participate in the polls posted with each newly added ship and to suggest future vessels which we might find roaming the Cyrannus System.<br/></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" style="text-align: left;" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" style="text-align: center;" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace" size="3">SO SAY WE ALL</font></p> Chapter Two - Operation Hermóðrtag:battlestarfanclub.com,2018-11-10:4960814:Topic:2290232018-11-10T17:50:15.928ZLT. Tony "Aeneas" Carvellhttps://battlestarfanclub.com/profile/TonyCarvell
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>The Twelve Colonies of Kobol have fallen.</em></p>
<p>What is left of the human race is scattered on surviving ships, hiding on the fringes of the Cyrannus System. On their own, the civilian refugee fleets stand no chance to outrun or hide from the Cylon threat. Their only hope lies in the remnants of the Colonial Fleet. For the humankind to live on, the last Battlestars must engage the enemy, harass and weaken the Cylon so they may not hunt down what little…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>The Twelve Colonies of Kobol have fallen.</em></p>
<p>What is left of the human race is scattered on surviving ships, hiding on the fringes of the Cyrannus System. On their own, the civilian refugee fleets stand no chance to outrun or hide from the Cylon threat. Their only hope lies in the remnants of the Colonial Fleet. For the humankind to live on, the last Battlestars must engage the enemy, harass and weaken the Cylon so they may not hunt down what little remains of the erstwhile colonial civilization.</p>
<p><em>Faced with the return of humanity's children, the Twelve Tribes have chosen Theomachia – to remain close to the Cyrannus System and built a future for humanity out of the ashes of a fallen era.</em></p>
<p>Battlestar Raven and her fleets will seek victory beyond vengeance for the Fall. The mission of the Battle Group BFC 002 is to preserve those who fled, rescue those who remain on the fallen worlds and ultimately, to find a future to live in a universe freed of the threat of another Cylon Invasion.</p>
<p>Hope lives on within the hearts of those who fight on. Hope, to regain what was lost and preserve the memory of all those who may not live to see this future.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/133969462?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/133969462?profile=original&width=500" width="500" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.deviantart.com/martechi/art/Operation-Hermes-772027438" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(full sized image)</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Operation Hermóðr</strong></span></p>
<p>If any future for humanity is to come to pass, those who remain must stand together. Flung far from the orbits of their fallen homes, the many fleets of survivors, of last battalions and battle groups are isolated, alone. Out far from the inner planets, where our suns appear as no more than faint dots of light, it is easy to become a victim of despair.<br/>As reports indicate, that the communication relays of the colonies have not been compromised, the temptation to call for other living souls is all too great. But most assuredly, it is a trap. Distress calls are nothing but the easiest way for the Cylon to pick off what is left of us.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">...</p>
<p>This much is common knowledge in the Raven's CIC. The comms console is deserted, even the aether among the ships is nothing but white noise. Signals are exchanged via directed light signals, ancient interval code has replaced the high tech communications. Humanity's last survivors need a plan. And to coordinate, they will need a voice. This will be the goal of Operation Hermóðr.<br/>Twenty-Three hours after the battle of Aerilon, things are set in motion for the first campaign of the Second Cylon War.</p> CYLON MODEL ZERO: Sisters under the skintag:battlestarfanclub.com,2018-11-07:4960814:Topic:2288382018-11-07T00:39:10.780ZLT. Tony "Aeneas" Carvellhttps://battlestarfanclub.com/profile/TonyCarvell
<p>Years ago, Lt. 'Baroness', A pilot with Spartan squadron,of the Battlestar Raven,and one of the air wing's trainers,attempted to assassinate then Raven CAG 'Leonidas';The attempt failed,exposing her as A Cylon sleeper agent.</p>
<p>She was subdued,and placed in the brig under heavy guard; She was later transferred to A holding cell at the Ragnar Anchorage,To await transport to A military prison on picon,where she would be interrogated and studied;The fact that she was A cylon infiltrator was…</p>
<p>Years ago, Lt. 'Baroness', A pilot with Spartan squadron,of the Battlestar Raven,and one of the air wing's trainers,attempted to assassinate then Raven CAG 'Leonidas';The attempt failed,exposing her as A Cylon sleeper agent.</p>
<p>She was subdued,and placed in the brig under heavy guard; She was later transferred to A holding cell at the Ragnar Anchorage,To await transport to A military prison on picon,where she would be interrogated and studied;The fact that she was A cylon infiltrator was kept secret,outside those who knew.</p>
<p>She was about to be taken to A prison barge when the cylon invasion began; A small group of cylon ships jumped in and quickly overwhelmed the garrison;While the bodies of the dead were being gathered up to leave no traces, Cylon Model Zero approached the brig,with A secret:</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311570241?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311570241?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p> As she approached the cell,Baroness stood up with astonishment on her face "Who the Hell are you?" she asks; "It's obvious you don't remember...I am your twin sister.." " THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! I HAVE NO SISTERS!" " That's because that was never programmed into your memory.."</p>
<p>Zero continued " You see, you were the ONLY copy of me that I allowed to be made; There are 12 different cylon models,and many copies of seven of those;However, I wanted only one copy of me to make sure that our face is not recognized so easily as the others might be;The humans don't know that we have now perfected their form,and we will now bring about the destruction of the human race."</p>
<p>"WHY?" Baroness shot back " We were simply defending ourselves! We signed an armistice,and were willing to put the war behind us! And, you never even bothered to show up to maintain diplomatic relations! We were defending the colonies from the likes of you!"</p>
<p>Zero laughed " That's what we WANTED you to think! So, you could be among the humans and gain intel on their capabilities;In the meantime,we were getting stronger,and biding our time until we were ready to wipe out the humans once and for all!" She then ordered A centurion to rip off the door to baroness' cell.</p>
<p>"Why have you come for me?" Baroness asks " We know you were in one of the Raven's elite squadrons.." Zero answered " ..we know you were one of the most trusted pilots under Col. Leonidas ; As we speak, the attack on the colonies will begin shortly; We will shut down their entire fleet and turn the colonies into wastelands; My fleet will ,first, destroy the shipyards at scorpia;Then I will pummel Fleet HQ on Picon;Finally, I will personally destroy the Raven Battlegroup; They have been causing too many problems for us for too long;That stops today!"</p>
<p>"I still don't understand what that has to do with me."</p>
<p>"Dear,I'm giving you A chance to survive;And, we can better serve our race as God intended us to."</p>
<p>"No...I cannot and will not be A part of that...humans are not perfect...but then again,we may not be either....exterminating them is not the answer.."</p>
<p>Astonished,zero asks " What are you saying? You would prefer those who tried to subjugate us as slaves to those who would set you free? I know you had A sense of loyalty to Leonidas,but his job is to kill us all;We need to end him before he ends us!"</p>
<p>" That's still not the answer! The sacred scrolls clearly warn that all this has happened before,and it will happen again;The cycle must end somewhere,but not like this!"</p>
<p>"I'm sorry dear,but that's not your decision ;The decision is being made right now."</p>
<p>"In that case,you had better kill me right now; I will not betray those I have lived with and fought with side by side,no matter what my 'Programming' tells me! I am loyal to the Colonial Fleet,and my shipmates on the Raven!"</p>
<p>With A sad face,zero enters the cell " So be it;Forgive me,my sister." and snaps Baroness' neck with one quick motion;She then orders A centurion to dispose of the body.</p>
<p>She then turns to A Leoben: " You will stay here;Sooner or later A colonial military ship will come here for supplies and ammunition;Keep them occupied until our reinforcements can arrive;Then,we will crush them."</p>
<p>"By Your Command' Leoben answers</p> Crossroadstag:battlestarfanclub.com,2018-10-28:4960814:Topic:2286012018-10-28T20:05:36.951ZLT. Tony "Aeneas" Carvellhttps://battlestarfanclub.com/profile/TonyCarvell
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><strong>Crossroads</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Decide the Path of Battlestar Raven</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Attention Fleet!<strong><br></br> <br></br></strong> Having just survived the Fall of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, the Raven stands at a crossroads: Shall we flee or stay? <br></br>This decision will determine the long-term…</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><strong>Crossroads</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Decide the Path of Battlestar Raven</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Attention Fleet!<strong><br/> <br/></strong> Having just survived the Fall of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, the Raven stands at a crossroads: Shall we flee or stay? <br/>This decision will determine the long-term goal of Battlestar Raven and thus, the theme of future chapters. <br/> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>VOTE HERE: <a href="https://www.strawpoll.me/16733152">https://www.strawpoll.me/16733152</a></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Staying in the Cyrannus System: THEOMACHY</strong><br/>By choosing the path THEOMACHY, the Raven will dedicate itself to stay with the Fallen Colonies. <br/>The short-term goals will include the search and aid of survivors, as well as mounting an increasingly organized resistance against the Cylon occupation force. Adventures will take place on and around the Twelve Colonies, as well as some neighboring systems and Cylon territories. <br/>The long-term goal of the Theomachy will be the eventual defeat of the Cylons and the liberation of the Twelve Colonies. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br/> <strong>Fleeing the Cyrannus System: DIASPORA</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">By choosing the path DIASPORA, the Raven will abandon the Fallen Colonies in favor of searching for a new home. <br/>The short-term goals will include the gathering of a large exodus fleet, shaking off the Cylons in pursuit and the search for a potential distant world to settle. Adventures will take place in uncharted territories. <br/>The long-term goal of the DIASPORA will be the founding of a new 13th colony beyond the reach of the Cylon. <br/> <br/><strong><span>BOTH PATHS will include aspects of the other. We'll still have some Rag-Tag Fleet themed scenes and exploring distant systems when choosing to remain, and of course, there can be an attack on the Cylon territory on the Diaspora path. The Path will, however, set a focus on the long-term goals of these Adventures!</span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311571381?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="500" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311571381?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500" class="align-center"/></a></p> Chapter One - Flight of the Raven [finished]tag:battlestarfanclub.com,2018-08-25:4960814:Topic:2258512018-08-25T20:00:19.880ZLT. Tony "Aeneas" Carvellhttps://battlestarfanclub.com/profile/TonyCarvell
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><b><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311570763?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311570763?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500"></img></a></b></font></font></p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace" size="3"><b>The Full Story in PDF Form is now…</b></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><b><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311570763?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="500" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311570763?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500" class="align-center"/></a></b></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace" size="3"><b>The Full Story in PDF Form is now available!</b></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><a href="https://www.mediafire.com/file/a1aajyhee694yzh/01+Flight+of+the+Raven.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link 1: Mediafire</a></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><a href="https://www.docdroid.net/Sxvd5Sd/01-flight-of-the-raven.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link 2: Docdroid</a> (Preview included)</p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><b>Prologue:</b></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><b>Flight of the Raven</b></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3">This is the story of how the Battlestar Raven escaped the Fall of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><br/>High above the Colony of Aerilon, two fleets are intertwined. The planet's vibrant colors outline the stark silhouettes of two Battlestars, accompanied by escorts and trainee vessels. Between the two imposing giants, squadrons of vipers are caught in the intricate dances of battle. Markers flare up, blank shots explode on impeccable armor, where the most daring pilots compete not a wingspan apart. <br/> <br/>During the war-game exercises, the CIC of Battlestar Raven remains calm and silent. The occasional chatter of pilots is interrupted by orders and maneuvering directions, as the course of battle unfolds on DRADIS screens. <b>For the purpose of maneuvering exercises, all networked systems have been deactivated</b> and run a complex simulation under the close supervision of the admiral. It takes a printed note, handed to her from the communications officer, to relay news addressed to her from beyond the battlefield. <br/>She is the first to learn that bombs have fallen.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="justify" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Courier New, monospace"><font size="3"><br/>By the time the admiral has read these lines, the pilots are blinded by a cascade of flashing light far below. Explosions like red, blossoming flowers, erupt from within the atmosphere. Sirens howl, the chatter of the simulation dies, there are screams from those few who see it with their own eyes – Aerilon is burning. <br/> <br/>Through the aether echo panicking messages from the Guardian Fleet, then suddenly, their voices fall silent.<br/> <br/> <b>Humanity's children are returning home.</b></font></font></p>