[center][b][h1]P R O L O G U E:[/h1]
[h3]T H E    E S C A P E[/h3][/b]
[sup][sup][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhqdQZGJJXU&index=8&list=PLkF5opKYwD3EWIanmIPzo7fEqM8WKjfLM&t=0s]Music[/url][/sup][/sup][/center]

[right][b]Five Years Ago: 21st April, 2216. Earth.[/b][/right]

William stood beside his command podium, a hologram of the [i]Vitae[/i] projected above the table. He eyed it, he had been aboard this ship since there was anything to be aboard. One of the very first people to live aboard [i]his[/i] vessel he knew it better than just about everyone, it was his job to know it. Not only was he responsible for the safety and wellbeing of it's crew, but he also had to worry about the passangers and the precious cargo. Those in cryo. He remembered when Admiral Constantine had approached him with the concept of the Ark, he had found it crazy. He detested the very idea of it, to run? Where as the honour in that. That was until he had seen the sensor readings, what was coming for them was far too much and so... they had to save what they could. Twelve Arks carrying the best humanity had to offer through the Eye of Thea, a FTL Gate. The very technology that had doomed them, was destined to save them.

He sighed, zero hour was approaching. Billions would die, his home would be destroyed. Amandas body, left behind and forgotten. Humanities survival was a heavy burden, but he couldn't do anything about that now. People were counting on him, he'd save them. He'd find them a new home they could all appreciate and when they did... their children and their childrens children would know of the sacrifice made by those who were left behind. "Status update." Different colours appeared on the hologram as N.O.4.H, the ships A.I, ran checks and calculations. William hadn't really worked with an A.I system before, having only worked with virtual intelligence systems, however he had to appreciate how intuitive Noah - as the crew affectionatly named him - was. In fact the A.I system was almost like a friend at this point.  

"All systems are reporting operational, ground control has cleared all Arks for launch and Admiral Constantine is requesting to open a line of communication to all twelve Arks." Locke nodded, turning his head to face his XO, Captain Joanne Carter. Blonde Bombshell, Brilliant Pilot and a pretty good strategist. He was truly lucky to have her. She was eyeing her own readouts, before turning to nod at him. Good, they both agreed. It's not that he didn't trust Noah, he had come to trust the system immensley. He kind of had no choice on that count, but it was still better to have facts checked and double checked when embarking on a mystery into the unknown. After all it wasn't as if they would get a second chance at this if something went wrong. 

William stepped forward and pressed a button on his console, whatever sound systems were active throughout the ship they all fell silent as a buzzer played. He spoke, crisp and clear. His voice echoing throughout the ship. "Attention all hands-" He inwardly minced. Force of habit, he'd have to think of something else to say when addressing everyone aboard. Not everyone was military, while he didn't like that he'd sure as hell have to get used to it. "-This is the Admiral. Shortly the Devastators will reach Martian Orbit, Admiral Constantine and the United Fleet are there to halt their advance and buy us time. Let us make no mistake, this journey will not be easy. It will be full of trials and hardships, but this crew consists of the very best humanity has to offer. We will find a new home, and we will honour the sacrifices made for us. Of this, you have my word." He took a deep breath, and noticed Joanne making eye contact with him. Returning it, she merely nodded in support.

"So man your duty stations, Civillians report to your designated areas for takeoff. Locke, out." He cut the feed and then raised his voice so that it could be heard over the organised chaos that returned to the room as soon as his speech was over. "Helm! Engage launch protocols, Navigation have backup jump co-ordinates prepared, and ensure a clear path to the Eye of Thea. There's a lot of ships struggling to find somewhere to go up there." He nodded as he heard the chorus of 'Sir!' to his orders. He tapped on the console before him, the hologram zooming out to a much more plain diagram showing where the [i]Vitae[/i] was now, in its berth alongside the other Arks, and where the Eye of Thea was. He could see the blips of various military and civillian vessels frantically moving around, despite all the preparation they had undertaken in the past twenty years panic still took hold in the face of the end. Nobody was ready for it, not really.  There was nothing he could do for those people though, they had to find their own way. Still wishing he was fighting instead of fleeing he hit the comms button, the hologram being replaced again. This time by the eleven other Ark Commanders and one other, in the centre of it all was the legendary War Hero. [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/29/0a/53/290a53dc55d5cafabf13fc76d8d0b8e0.jpg]High Admiral Roland Constantine.[/url]

Everyone watching the Hologram paused, William being visible via hologram actually saluted. As did the other Ark commanders. He nodded to the collection that he no doubt saw before him on a similar display, on the [i]Judicator[/i]. The biggest warship ever created by the human race, William felt they should have built more of them instead of the Arks but then that wasn't his call. "Ladies and Gentleman. The time is upon us, Genesis Protocol is now in effect. Begin your launch cycles immediately-" The admiral sighed. His demeanour changed from that of a rigid military man, to that of a tired man. Ready for the end. "-Our hopes go with you, godspeed everyone." With no more said, or needing to be said the hologram flickered out. William noticed that the command centre had went silent, everyone stood looking where the hologram had been moments before.

"Well you heard the man!" Joannes harsh voice cut through the silence. Before she could say anything else everyone had returned to whatever it was they were doing before. William had been skeptical about her, he had originally filed for Commander Elijah Ross to get the job as his XO. The highers up however felt it sent a better message if the commanding officer and executive officer weren't from the same place however, it probably didn't matter to the [i]pavers[/i] from Earth though. In their eyes both he and Joanne were colonists. He'd make it work, he had to make it work. He watched as the [i]Rejuvination[/i] pulled itself out if it's cradle, lifting gently towards the stars without effort. It's takeoff smooth and graceful despite its size, the Arks were truly magnificent. The entire Ark shook slightly below his feet as the engines primed and began to charge to full power. It wouldn't have been noticable if he hadn't been waiting for it for months, the moment where everything finally came together.

"Release docking clamps-" As he spoke he was bringing up an external hologram of the ship, seeing that as soon as he said an order the [i]Vitae[/i] was already detatched from it's berth. "-Fire engines." The ship shook more noticably this time before the inertia dampeners kicked in and the ship pulled itself skyward. 

There could be No Turning Back now.