Disclaimer:

This is a crossover of Battlestar Galactica: The Original Series, Highlander: The TV series, and Stargate. I own a lot of stuff. Unfortunately these 3 properties are NOT amongst my possessions. It's a shame really.

Gatherings

There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis.

Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive somewhere beyond the heavens.

Twenty-five Yahrens ago:

No one had been in this section of the Battlestar Galactica in some yahrens. It was not easily accessible in this huge starship, which guaranteed a certain amount of privacy. That is why this peoples, these Immortals, gathered here. It was used to settle ... disputes. At this moment, however this eclectic group convened for another purpose. The impromptu meeting began after securing the only four bulkheads to this section.

A tall muscular, dark haired man banged a makeshift gavel. The sound rang out causing the low murmuring amongst those gathered to slowly die away. These men and women were members of each of the Twelve Colonies of Man. There was a rattling of swords, broad swords, sabre's, and katana's as their attention turned to the leader of the proceedings.

"Let's bring this meeting to order." He called out softly, yet strongly. His steel blue eyes commanding attention the speaker began, "As per the minutes of our last meeting I would like to open the floor about our discussion. To wit, do we or do we not reveal ourselves to Commander Adama. Comments?"

A woman, lithe, athletic, and blond, gracefully stepped forward. "Artemis, I admire the Commander." She declared. "He pulled the remnants of humanity together even in the face of personal tragedy." Her deep blue eyes bore into her fellow Immortals as she reminded them, "First he lost his youngest son Zack and then his wife on Caprica in the Cylon Assault. For that reason alone I feel the man is more than capable of handling our revelation. That Immortals walk amongst Humanity and that we are here to help insure humanities survival!"

She met the eyes of her compatriots during a moment's silence. As she turned her attention to the podium Artemis remarked, "Thank you Diana. I agree with you and would like to further comment that Commander Adama is a True Warrior. I am sure that if he were an Immortal that he would truly be 'The Only One'! Any more comments or should we put this decision to a vote?"

There was a scuffle of feet, a shifting of weight, and a slight harumph from the general group. Then a tall stocky and scruffy Immortal stepped forward, his red hair loose and wild.

"Ah, Zeus." Artemis stated with a raised brow. "You have the floor."

Zeus cleared his throat and speaking clearly and stridently espoused, "While several of us, including myself, are not comfortable with this ensuing decision we will bow to the will of the Majority. There will be a truce amongst us. We will not pursue 'The Game' until we reach the Thirteenth Colony." His piercing cobalt blue eyes glanced around as he continued, "Like everyone here I respect and admire Commander Adama. I personally think that it would still be best for us to operate as we have. Quietly and from the shadows." Zeus stepped back in relief relinquishing the floor after having spoken his mind.

Stifling a smile Artemis declared, "Then I motion we call a vote. Any seconds?"

"I second the motion Artemis." Perese called out somewhat impatiently her pretty face pinched in a pout, "Let's get this over with."

"Very well, all those in favor say 'aye'" Artemis called out.

A chorus of 'aye's' resounds in the chamber. He then inquires, "All those opposed?"

Silence.

Banging the gavel Artemis states, "The 'Aye's' have it. So, by vote of the majority we go to inform Commander Adama of our existence and offer our experience and assistance."

Dropping his officious air Artemis leans comfortably forward and jokes, "So! Who is going to be the 'sacrificial lamb led to the slaughter'?"

The next morning found Diana and Artemis outside of Commander Adama's quarters. Exchanging nervous glances Artemis pressed the call chime to announce their arrival. Afraid someone would see them they skittered inside double quick! The duo breathed a sigh of relief once inside. Glancing quickly at them the Commander stood; stepping around his desk. He stopped and simply considered them for a few moments.

"Am I to believe this, this fairytale?" Commander Adama finally blustered. striding powerfully forward; gesturing with the paper he held in his hand waving it around as if to rid himself of some odor. Artemis winced for the paper had been carefully written and crafted by the more studious Immortals, himself included. He was justifiably proud of the brief as it gave a succinct history and background of the Immortals nature.

Standing side by side Diana and Artemis exchanged an exasperated glance. Stepping forward Diana implored, "Commander, please give us just a few microns of your time. We can prove it to you."

Returning to his desk Commander Adama half-turned and gazed into their eyes. He seemed to be weighing the consequences of their truth. Nodding once he decisively stood in front of his desk.

"Very well." He declared as he faced them. He gestured for his guests to take his hands. Sharing a confused glance Artemis and Diana each took one, clasping their hands with Commander Adama's. Standing ram-rod straight Adama closed his eyes in concentration.

There was silence.

Suddenly, the two Immortals felt the hair rising on their arms amid the prickly feel of static electricity. The Commander's skin became suffused with an ethereal glow. It was so faint that at first they believed it was their imagination. But before their wondering eyes the Commanders profile glowed ever brighter. The Immortals could feel the Commanders spiritual and mental strength reach out to them.

After a timeless time the Immortals felt the Commander essence recede. The nimbus slowly faded as he let go of their hands. Artemis and Diana gazed at each other and the Commander in wonder.

"I knew it." Artemis whispered excitedly, leaning closer to Diana. "I knew we were right to entrust the Commander. I had suspected that he would have sensed our Immortality."

Before Diana could respond Commander Adama's eyes snapped open. "You are Children of Kobol." He stated wonderingly. Striding purposefully to the shelves behind his desk he searched amongst his books. "Aha!" He exclaimed as he pulled down an ornate album. He opened it to a certain section and searched amongst the pages as the two Immortals slowly ambled forward.

The Commanders searching fingers finally alighted upon a certain page. He noted Diana and Artemis' approach and invited, "Please my friends, sit. Sit!"

Commander Adama's hands hovered above this Book of the Lords of Kobol. He intoned reverently, "In the first days of Kobol, after the exodus through the Chappa'ai, it was revealed that Immortals walk amongst us. These Immortals are of a different branch of the House of Kobol."

"The Book goes on and on. The philosophers of that time were very long winded!" He uncharacteristically joked. Concern colored his face and voice with his next words, "However, there is a passage here that I think you will be interested in. It has to do with an Immortal that Ascended by taking the heads of others of your kind." He paused dramatically. "He did all of this on Earth, before he migrated with the Lords of Kobol."

"On Earth?!" His guests exclaimed. "The Human Race came from Earth?" Artemis queried. "I thought Earth was the Thirteenth Colony?"

"In a way it is ... yet it isn't." Commander Adama hemmed. "BUT! That is beside the point. This Immortal's name was ... Iblis."

Artemis and Diana could only stare at Commander Adama in stunned silence. The Commander smiled gently and consoled them in low tones, "I understand that this is something of a shock to you." He slowly rose with the album in hand. As he gently, reverently replaced the Book he soothed, "You came here expecting me to be overwhelmed with the news of Immortals." Pointing at Artemis he stated, "You probably expected to have to kill yourself in order to prove your truth."

Sitting down at his desk once again Commander Adama stated, "That won't be necessary. What I will need is a list of all Immortals in this fleet. I will need to know what they can do and what they know. I believe that Kobol's Immortals will be a great boon to the survivors of the Twelve Colonies!"

All-in-all, it went better than the Immortals thought.