I do not own Battlestar Galactica or any rights to the TV series, characters, or likenesses. I am not receiving any monetary subsidies for this writing. I am writing this solely for entertainment value.

This is an AU type story. I have utilized several characters and ships from other works to tell my story. I give all credit to the authors who created these works. What if Samuel T. Anders had a different background and found himself in a position of great authority before he realized that he was a cylon. How would he handle the situation? Would he stay dedicated to what he thought was his race or would he side with the cylons? How long could he keep this a secret?

Timeframe: 24 months prior to Cylon attack on the colonies

Chapter 1: The Proposal

The energy of the crowd seemed to fuel Sam's intensity as he watched his alma mater, the Fleet Academy Falcons Pyramid team, prepare for the possible game winning drive. As the clock was ticking down from 10 seconds, 9, 8, 7… the Falcons forward made a last second throw only to see it ricochet off the edge of the hole, dashing all hopes of a come-from-behind victory for the home team. Sam dropped his head into his hands in saddened frustration, when a familiar voice was heard from over his shoulder. "Bet you would have made that shot!" Sam looked up to see the face of Commander Jon Stebbins, his old Academy Commandant. Almost 10 years ago, while at the academy, Sam was a cadet and played forward for the Falcons' pyramid team. Sam seemed to have a physical edge over everyone playing at that time. He was just a little bit faster, stronger, and more agile than everyone else in his class. Even greater than his physical prowess was his ability to process everything around him, analyze all options, and then execute the correct plan of action almost every time. Sam's success at the Fleet Academy changed the way the university teams viewed the service school's abilities. What was once perceived as a sure win now demanded respect. But Sam wasn't just a jock at the academy. He had a special gift when it came to mathematics, physics, and computer science. His physical and academic gifts coupled with his adrenaline seeking personality is what drove him to want to become a viper pilot.

Sam turned to CDR Stebbins and with his boyish, confident smile replied "you bet your sweet ass, …SIR." The sir was almost an afterthought, but Sam noticed CDR Stebbins was wearing his casual dress uniform. "Always the modest one, eh Sam" Stebbins returned. "Just confidence sir, you know me." "Yes I do!" Speaking of that, do you have time for dinner and some conversation? I have a proposal you may be interested in." Sam smiled and replied "anything for you sir." CDR Stebbins gave Sam the address and told him to meet at the location in 2 hours. Sam agreed and went off to change into his uniform. If the CDR was wearing a uniform, it was military courtesy for Sam to be in uniform for a meeting as well.

CDR Stebbins had recommended a small quiet establishment on the outskirts of Kios, a city housing the colony of Picon where the Colonial Fleet Academy, also known as Picon Fleet Academy, is located. The CDR arrived early to review, one last time, the military record of one Samuel T. Anders. After leaving the academy, Sam was assigned to Red Squadron on the Battlestar Halcyon where he flew a MKIV viper and earned the call sign Ares. Sam became a star right away. His reaction times in the cockpit were phenomenal and he flew without any reservation or fear. He always said that he was only limited by the capabilities of the vehicle he was flying. Over the three years that he was a pilot on the Halcyon, he made several modifications to the viper design, improving how man and machine can optimize efficiency and performance. His design changes were implemented into future viper models. After his very successful tour on the Halcyon, Sam was transferred to the Battlestar Constitution where he became Squadron Leader within the first year. Three years later, Sam was promoted to CAG (Commander Air Group) when the original CAG left to become the XO of the Atlantia. Sam continued to excel in every aspect of his new position as CAG. He instilled confidence in his pilots and provided them with the skills he knew one day would save their lives.

In his late teens and early adulthood, Sam had always been part of a team whether it be in sports or flying with his squadron. But his personal life was a very different story. Sam's earliest memories started around the age of 16 and revolved around him attending Brentwood Preparatory (an all-boys prep school which often fed the Fleet Academy with cadets). When he was sixteen, Sam, his mother and father were traveling to a favorite family vacation site in the mountains when Sam's father's car hit a patch of black ice and skidded off the road into a ravine. Another car on the road called for emergency medical assistance, but Sam's parents didn't survive the crash. Sam was flown to the nearest hospital in critical condition. There was extensive swelling around the brain and he slipped into a coma. After several weeks went by, Sam's condition improved, the swelling around his brain was reduced and he revived from the coma. But the damage had been done. Sam could not remember anything before he awoke in the hospital. He was fully functional with the exception of the memory loss. While he was recovering in the hospital, the nurses helped Sam research as much information as possible about his earlier life. He had no memories or emotions about the past, only the knowledge that he was able to obtain during research. He found out that his father had been a successful businessman and had planned for possible tragedies by leaving a sizeable trust fund for Sam. Being an only child and having no living relatives, Sam became a ward of the colony and placed in the Brentwood Prep Academy until graduation when he entered the Colonial Fleet Academy.

Sam never developed any long term relationships with women. Of course, with his good looks and personality there were plenty of "short-term" relationships, but nothing substantial or meaningful. When asked why he preferred to live this way he often responded that you can never depend on relationships. What he loved most was flying vipers. Where math and physics combined to provide pure enjoyment and satisfaction every time. The Fleet benefited from Sam's devotion to his job with very little distractions back home. Most fleet personnel have to balance home life, family, and careers, Sam just focused on the job.

Major Sam T. Anders arrived on time wearing his casual dress uniform and took a seat across from CDR Stebbins. Sam looked like he had just walked out of any recruiting poster for the Fleet Officer's school; handsome, perfect uniform, and confidence dripping from every pore of his body. The restaurant was quiet and the table CDR Stebbins had selected provided some measure of seclusion that allowed them to speak freely without interruptions or their conversation being overheard. After ordering an ambrosia, Sam began "so what kind of proposal do you have in mind CDR?" Before CDR Stebbins could discuss any offers he needed to gage Sam's situation and make sure that it would be a good fit. Stebbins, "So I see that your tour as CAG on the Constitution is about up. Do you have any plans for your follow-on tour? Or is there someone special now that would demand you spend more time planet-side then off-world?" Sam laughed and said "the only special someone in my life is whomever I report to next." Stebbins asked "what if that someone was me?" Sam smiled and said "if you are offering me a job, I am interested. If you are asking me out on a date, then I would have expected roses when I first arrived." Stebbins just shook his head and wondered how such a talented and remarkably skilled officer could be wrapped up inside of such a brash and seemingly overconfident young man. Time to make the offer. "I need an XO, but the job carries with it very high expectations, deep security, and above all else, dedication to the Fleet. It will be a 24/7 demand on your life for several years with very little downtime." After only a few seconds thought, Sam replied "well you make it sound so delightful, how can I say NO!" Stebbins followed, "seriously son, you will be on the leading edge of something very new and very demanding. There won't be any time for fun and games and you won't be able to tell anyone about what you are doing. Are you sure about this even without knowing the specifics?" Sam said absolutely and extended his hand out. CDR Stebbins reached across the table and shook Sam's hand then said "well then, Colonel Anders, you are out of uniform and we have a lot to discuss. Meet me at Picon Fleet Headquarters in two weeks and we will discuss mission specifics. I will make all the notifications to your current Commander and have you transferred to my staff effective immediately." Sam asked "what is the name of your ship?" Stebbins only smiled and replied "that's classified."