Chapter One==

Author's Note: I have been working on this story off and on for the better part of 10 years now. After many attempts to finish the original story i have decided to start from scratch and do a final and complete rewrite. I have decided to not pull any punches so to speak about the real life "What if's" that happen in this story.

Battlestar Galactica is owned by Universal Studios and was created by Glen A Larson.

"It is fatal to enter a war without the will to win it."
― Douglas MacArthur

Chia Prime

City of Kings

Imperial palace

He hated waiting, hated it with a passion, but if anything Fleet Commander Braken Napan has learned in his 27 kee in the military, is that waiting was part of ones job especially when it came to the Emperor.

As he sat in a rather uncomfortable but beautifully ornate chair, he thought back to his childhood. His father the legendary Bria Napan would often bring him gifts from his campaigns. It could be a toy from the planet Kria or a battle helmet taken from the head of the president of Yen. He learned to cherish these gifts as far and few in between as they were.

His father was tall for an Chiatian, standing over 2 and a half metis tall, He was easily a head taller than those around him. he carried his 300 stone bulk effortlessly. His thick chest and massive arms flexing with each move of his body. Long greenish black hair flowed below his shoulders, the only blemish that he could remember was a scar that ran from his right eye across his nose down to his left neck. "A souvenir" his father would reply every time Braken would ask him about it.

Braken on the other hand took more after his mother. While he has almost two metis tall, He lacked his father's bulk and He kept his hair close cropped almost to the point of being bald. he had the typical dark eyes of an Chiatian. his Grey skin was almost pale due to the lack of sunlight as he spent most of his time on-board his flagship the "Emperor Kwian".

He glanced at his chronometer to notice he has been waiting for almost a hora. Time was moving slower than he would like it. After receiving the message this morning that the Emperor would like to meet with him at his earliest convenience, He dropped everything including his morning nourishment and flew his personal shuttle to Kings, now his stomach was reminding that he has skipped both morning and noon meals.

Shaking his head to dissipate the thought of food, his thoughts quickly returned to his father. He tried his best to live up to the expectations those had of him as the son of a legend. his instructors at the academy were especially hard on him, with most of them being former shipmates of his.

He took more beatings during his first year there than he did the first 18 kee of his life. soon he learned that it didn't matter who his father was. soon he was giving more beatings than he received. he developed a nasty reputation as one you didn't mess with. It was during his third year when the beatings finally stopped. he then concentrated on his studies earning top marks in all his classes.

Upon graduation he entered flight school as was soon flying war-hammers off the old Battle-cruiser Vigilant. The Vigilant was well past her prime. A garbage scow to be sure, but he was still proud to have served on the ship. For it was on the Vigilant that he came closest to death, after a rather nasty fight with the Brayea in which half of his squadron had been destroyed.

After receiving a near miss hit to his fighter, an electrical fire erupted in the cockpit! The fire suppression gear failed to activate and fire started to engulfed him. Somehow he managed to find the portable fire extinguisher and put the fire out himself.

With no instrumentation and severely burned hands he somehow managed to land his fighter, but it came at a cost of two fingers. holding up his right hand he looked at the remaining three fingers and calmly said to himself "A souvenir"

"Excuse me Fleet Commander, the Emperor will see you now on the great balcony." came a voice breaking his thoughts.

He looked up and saw the old hag who was the Emperors personal Valet, her eyes downcast as she turned and started walking away not waiting on him to reply. Quickly standing he straightened his uniform then took off behind her.

The grand balcony centered halfway on the top floor lived up to its name. Some thirty metis in length it overlooked the great gardens. The gardens themselves were over a thousand kees old dating back to the first emperor Kiwan.

As the valet opened the doors that led to the balcony a nervousness befell him. questions raced through his mind. "What did the emperor want with him?" "Had he done something to raise the emperors suspicions of him?" He paused briefly before stepping onto the balcony.

The brightness of the sun briefly blinded him. Shielding his eyes, he looked for the emperor. He found him to his right sitting at a simple round table. The rumbling in his stomach intensified as he noticed the table had two place settings!

As he approached the emperor his nervousness ceased. "Fleet Commander Braken reporting as ordered your majesty." He announced as he saluted with his right fist over the center of his chest.

"Ah Commander so glad you are here, please be seated and join me for my morning meal." the emperor said smiling gesturing to the empty chair across from him.

"Thank you sir" he replied as he sat down. a nearby servant took his cover and vanished behind a golden tapestry. a few moments later another servant returned carrying a crystal pitcher of golden liquid.

"Some Priva juice Commander?" asked the emperor

Knowing better than to refuse he said "yes thank you sir!"

As their glasses were filled he glanced the emperor over. By the Gods he was old. over 300 kee if he remembered correctly. The Emperor's skin had turned nearly black with age. His long hair a stark white. His Grey-green eyes still showed the fire of life, but the rest of his body looked as frail as a newborn.

He waited till the emperor took a sip first then followed suit. the sweet liquid sent a cascade of pleasure to his palate. Priva usually did that to you. made from the fruit of the Pria tree, the alcohol tended to leave one euphoric.

After taking another sip, he was still unsure where to begin. His stomach knotted as the sweet liqueur settled in his stomach. he took a napkin and wiped his face just as more servants appeared bringing with them trays of edibles for them to sample. he graciously accepted a franberry pastry and some smoked Jillian, the emperor he noted went the simple route, some bread and franberry jelly along with some more Priva.

They ate quietly, making small talk. mostly about the weather and gardens below. He still wasn't sure what the emperor wanted with him, but he wasn't going to press the issue. "All in good time" he told himself.

As they finished, the dishes were taken away and more Priva was poured. The Emperor stood and motioned for him to follow. "Walk with me Commander for we have much to discuss."

"Finally" He thought

They walked to the end of the balcony where the emperor entered a lift that had been called for them.

"I thought we could talk better in the gardens" the emperor explained "Too many ears in the palace."

Napan nodded in agreement as they exited the lift. He had never seen the gardens close up. he had heard tales of their beauty. various flowering plants and bushes from all 49 worlds of the empire were here. they started a slow but steady path the emperor stopping to touch a flower here and there.

They walked for a little bit longer, the Emperor walking with his hands behind his back like he did not have a care. before long they approached an open area of the gardens. A single bench.

"Here we go Commander" he motioned towards the bench. "Let us rest for a moment while we discuss why I have sent for you."

"Here we go" thought Napan as he approached the rather plain bench. it was made of what looked like Yerta wood. its deep dark tones aged from the years.

As they settled down on the bench the emperor slapped both hands on his thighs and chuckled.

"So tell me Commander, what do you make of our new allies?" asked the Emperor as he pulled a small flask from the folds of his robes.

"The Cylons sir?"

the Emperor nodded as he took a swig

"I don't trust them sir." he said

"Neither do I commander, as a matter of fact I suspect they have an alternative motive." he took another sip and continued "But they did give us a break from those damn Brayea. destroying their 3rd fleet at the most opportune time"

"Yes sir" he acknowledged "With the Brayea's 3rd fleet destroyed, we was able to capture the Bro-guard Passage. with that passage open we are now able to exit out of this arm of the galaxy."

"Which leads us back to the Cylons. Remember your Campaign Thesis you submitted for your consideration for Fleet Commander."

Napan's eyes widen. Were they going to approve his plan. quickly composing himself he asked "Earth sir?"

"Yes commander Earth, it seems the Cylons have something against the inhabitants of Earth or at least their species from what i have been able to gather in my brief encounters with them" he paused and took another sip. "That being said, we can ill afford to disappoint out new allies, don't you think Commander?

Braken quickly thought about the question then asked "Permission to speak openly, your highness."

The Emperor cast a stern look the nodded and said he may.

"Like you said earlier, we could ill afford to disappoint our allies, but nor should we trust them. While I'm sure a military victory is easily obtained, i would like to question why the Cylons cannot take care of this problem themselves instead of asking for our help."

"Excellent point Commander, I too thought of this and asked this myself, the answer I got was a just as troubling response. Lucifer told me it was "Because they wanted us too. and that the Imperious Leader would be truly appreciated."

"And if we fail?" asked Braken not wanting to know the answer

"then we all die Commander, every last one of us will die." the emperor replied with hint of self doubt in is voice.

"Rest assured your highness we will not fail, while our latest Intel on Earth is at least 8 kee old, I have my doubt they could advance that much in such a short time. Besides at last report the planet was just about ready to pull them selves apart as it was. I figure we will just help them along just a little bit." he smiled at the last little bit the rage of war was starting to course through him. He then asked "How long do we have sir?"

The emperor sipped some more Priva and replied "Within the next kee Commander, by this time next we should be assaulting the planet."

Braken frowned inside a single kee wasn't much time. so he needed to be off and soon.

"If there isn't anything else Commander I believe we are done here" The Emperor said turning his attention to a Jinkle who had popped his head out of some nearby bushes."Ah there you are Pinskle. haven't seen you for a few cycles. come I brought you some sweet bread" he said pulling the sweet from his many folds of his robe.

Sensing their conversation over he saluted the emperor who returned it with a wave of his frail hand. he turned just as the furry vermin jumped into the emperors lap. he hated the little pests. always squeaking and jumping around. but still he wouldn't dare let the Emperor know. some things are best left unsaid.