The Aphil
by AJ Marks
Part 2 (conclusion)
Apollo acknowledged the bridge after getting permission to launch. His viper shot down the launch tube followed closely by Boomer who took Starbuck's usual place. Starbuck remained in medlab as they decided not to put too many new people in there with Zanis. So far Apollo had only heard she spoke an ancient language and knew nothing of Earth. Communicating appeared to be the biggest problem so far.
"All set?" he asked Boomer.
"Ready to go, not so ready to see any Cylons," Boomer replied honestly. Apollo had to agree, he hoped they found nothing as well.
He turned heading in the direction of where the basestar had appeared on the scanners.
"Galactica to patrol one," Rigel's voice said a while later
"Patrol one here," Apollo replied wondering what the Galactica wanted.
"We're tracking a fast inbound heading straight for the fleet, transferring the path to your viper. The commander wants you to intercept," Rigel said.
"Understood," Apollo replied glancing down at his scanner to gain the information. He turned his viper slightly with Boomer and headed out to see what strange ship was heading towards them. A few moments later the ship appeared on his scanner moving very fast towards the fleet. He had never seen anything move so fast.
"Is that it?" Boomer asked.
"Looks like it," Apollo replied watching the incoming ship rapidly close the distance. The ship passed by never stopping flying right into the heart of the fleet as Apollo and Boomer turned to give chase.
"Galactica, I'm not sure what type of ship is, flew by us without stopping," Apollo replied. He looked back down at his scanner realizing that he now could see the Cylon basestar retreating away from the fleet. He briefly wondered if the unknown ship was some new Cylon weapon. If so he had no way to stop it.
"Patrol return to the Galactica," Rigel said.
Apollo turned his viper back to the Galactica, heading back at full throttle. He had no idea what the ship was doing or what its mission was. He felt like the ship had nothing to do with the Cylons, simply because of the design of the ship and the speed.
"Whatever it is, some sort of intelligence is behind it," Boomer said.
Apollo had to agree as they watched the ship maneuver in and around the fleet, before suddenly stopping beside the Galactica. A few minutes later Apollo and Boomer finally caught back up, passing the ship, allowing Apollo to get a good look at the ship. It had a black hull and a sleek triangle shape to it. It was about half the size of the landing bay, and sat silently in space. The hull remained smooth with few identifying features to it.
Apollo could make out nothing else to indicate if the ship was a warship of some sort or something else. The ship suddenly turned around and sped off back in the same direction where it had come from leaving a confused fleet in its wake.
"Patrol, return to Galactica," Rigel said.
"Copy," Apollo said turning the viper back to the landing bay. It ranked as one of his weirdest patrols ever.
BSGBSG
Adama sat looking around the table at the group hoping for some sort of answer to the questions he now had. A strange alien ship had been encountered and no one seemed to know what the purpose was.
"Several ships were scanned, including the Galactica. In fact it seemed extremely interested in the Galactica," Tigh said. "After it finished, it left."
Adama nodded at the information. He knew that already but the fact that other ships had been scanned intrigued him. "But they didn't scan the rest of the fleet?"
"No, only the ships on the way before stopping at us," Tigh said.
"What did you make of the ship Apollo?" Adama asked looking over at his son who probably had the best view of the unknown ship.
"I don't know, it was interesting, yet I could find no weapon systems on it," Apollo replied. "It was almost as if its sole purpose was to quickly scan other ships."
"Interesting theory," Adama replied thinking it over. True the ship had arrived and was in and out before they could really do much. But they could still track it and engage it if needed. "Could our mysterious visitor be linked to the destruction in the system?" Adama watched as both Apollo and boomer thought about that.
"I don't know," Apollo said.
"It's possible," Boomer replied.
"True, but there was so much and if the unknown ship is a civilian craft it could be impossible to tell," Apollo finally stated.
"All right, I want everyone on alert status for the moment," Adama said.
"Oh one more thing," Apollo said speaking up. "I noticed a Cylon basestar on the scanner at the edge of the Galactica's scanner. It was turning away from the fleet but it was there."
"Then we need to conclude that the Cylons know of our position," Adama said. He sighed knowing that escaping the Cylons now would be extremely difficult. "Our first duty is to find a way to escape the Cylons. Our mysterious visitor can wait for now."
He listened, but no one had any good ideas. He also knew, he had to inform the council of the latest developments something he really had no reason to want to do especially considering he had no plan on how to deal with the Cylons.
"Any new information about our mysterious guest?" Apollo finally asked after a moment of silence.
"No, communications is still proving a problem. Cassiopeia is making some progress, but so far we've learned little, aside from she was taken prisoner by some group," Adama stated. "We haven't been able to get a clear idea on why she was captured."
"War prisoner?" Boomer asked.
"It's possible," Adama said. "Of course, its also possible she is a dangerous mass murderer as well," Adama said, knowing he did not have the answer.
"What if our mysterious unknown ship is a guard ship looking for her to put her back in prison?" Tigh asked.
"We'll keep a guard in medlab and outside then. I have a council to inform. Tigh keep an eye on any Cylon movement and see what is around that the fleet might be able to use for a defensive position," Adama said. "Let's get moving then."
He watched the group get up and head out to carry out the orders. He mentally prepared himself for the upcoming meeting and the questions he knew they would ask.
BSGBSG
Starbuck watched Cassie and Zanis try talking some more. So far he knew they had talked about some things. Like the fact she grew up on a planet called Zen but aside from that nothing much else of importance. Zanis' golden eyes still caused him some pause because they were so unusual.
"Hey doc, is she human?" Starbuck asked Dr. Salik. Starbuck watched the doctor think about that for several seconds before finally replying.
"Define human," Salik replied back to Starbuck, who stood unsure of what to make of the answer. "Simply put, she's close, in fact her blood is similar but this is what's strange. We can't give her blood but she could give any of us her blood with no problems."
Starbuck thought about that for a few seconds along with his limited knowledge of the human body and understood that what Salik said was not normal.
"I've run tests on her DNA and its like it was a template for ours," Salik said uneasily. "Or it could be a strange quirk of the universe."
Starbuck watched the doctor's face for a few more moments before speaking up. "We don't know much about those on Kobal. Maybe this is how they were and through experiments in DNA and such they were forced to leave and the groups of humans who left were different by what they had done to the DNA?"
"Possible, but then it brings us to what is a normal human?" Salik stated.
"Interesting," Cassie said causing Starbuck to look over. "We've made another discovery, her planet wasn't space bound. This is only the second spaceship she has been on."
Starbuck frowned not sure what to make of that. Things seemed to be getting complex.
BSGBSG
"Report centurion," the basestar commander said as the centurion walked in.
"By your command," the centurion automatically replied. "Scanners have tracked the unknown ship away from us moving at speeds we cannot match."
"And?"
"It seemed to take interest in the Colonial fleet but our scans revealed no human life on board," the centurion replied.
"Send a report back to the Imperious Leader," the commander said. "Are our basestars in position?"
"Almost, the Colonial fleet will have no way to escape," the centurion said.
"When all basestars are in position tell them to attack."
"By your command."
BSGBSG
"Well, there's a face I'm surprised to see," Apollo said watching as Starbuck walked into the lounge. Apollo figured as long as Cassie remained in the medlab Starbuck would remain there as well.
"Ah, needed a break," Starbuck replied, grabbing a drink and sitting down.
"I take it you've heard the latest?" Boomer asked.
"What? Oh, you mean the strange ship and the Cylons, yeah, Jolly told me," Starbuck replied.
"I'll be the first to say this doesn't look good," Apollo said. "We have no cover, no suitable nearby planets or anything else that we can use. They caught us out in the middle of nowhere."
"We should be able to take on one basestar, it's after that, that worries me," Boomer said.
Apollo had to agree with that. Now that the Cylons knew where the fleet was they could continue to bring up additional basestars until they were overwhelmed.
The sudden red alert caught them all by surprise but each reacted quickly racing towards the hangar and their vipers. Apollo had hoped the Cylons would wait before attacking a bit longer.
"What do we have?" Apollo asked as he reached the hangar.
"Inbound Cylon raiders from several different directions."
That caught Apollo's attention and he quickly got in touch with the bridge.
"It doesn't look good Apollo, by the looks of the number of raiders coming in there must be at least four basestars attacking," Omega's voice said.
Apollo did not like the sound of that. That many basestars would overwhelm the Galactica and the fleet unless they were very lucky. He quickly went to his viper wondering what he would say to the squadrons. They would be in for the fight of their life. If they lost humanity would be doomed.
BSGBSG
"What's the news general?" the man said.
"Here is the scan," the general said.
The man took the information reading through it before stopping. "Are they sure?" he asked.
"They scanned it three times to make sure. An Aphil is on board."
"And the other information, is that accurate?" the man asked, wanting to make sure.
"Yes sir, it's begun already," the general said. The man could tell the general was anxious.
"Send the First Fleet's A squad, and prepare the Starfortress for my arrival," he said.
"Of course sir, it shall be done," the general said, walking away with a purposeful stride.
The man looked one more time at the information before turning to leave the room. He quickly boarded the shuttle, watching out the windows at the fleet that surrounded him as he headed to the Starfortress.
BSGBSG
Adama watched the battle rage all around the fleet, even as basestars began to appear on the screen. The original estimate of four had proven wrong. They were now surrounded by no less than seven basestars. The information had given him grief, as he could see no way out of the battle without dying. His warriors were strong and battle-harden yet even against these odds they would eventually be overwhelmed.
"Fresh wave incoming," Tigh said.
Adama noticed it. They would continue attacking in waves not giving his warriors time to refuel or rearm. He also realized that the Cylon basestars would be in firing range shortly of the outer positions of the fleet. He had already moved the Galactica to the closest one but it still left the fleet vastly unprotected.
"Commander, I'm picking up something strange," Athena said.
Adama walked over to look at the information even as the Galactica and Cylon basestar began to engage. The ship rocked slightly with the first hits even as he tried to process the information on the screen.
"An energy build up, from where?" Adama mumbled more to himself.
"That's just it father, it's not localized," Athena said.
Adama wondered what would happen next.
BSGBSG
Starbuck turned his viper towards another raider quickly destroying it. Nearby a Cylon basestar was closing in and he hoped to damage it's weapon systems before it could do too much damage. He lined up another raider when his scanner suddenly went white.
"What the frack?" he said, hearing several other pilots start yelling about the same thing. He tried to make sense while going to visual to continue to engage. He managed to line up the Cylon raider and destroy it. He looked down concerned that the Cylons had managed to somehow interfere with the vipers scanners. If the Cylons had developed such a thing then the situation had gone from bad to worse.
"They've stopped firing,' he heard Sheba state.
Starbuck glanced around slightly realizing that the Cylons had indeed stopped firing. Whatever was happening seemed to be effecting the Cylons as well.
"I'm not passing up an opportunity," Starbuck replied taking a few more shots destroying another raider.
"With you there," Greenbean said.
Starbuck destroyed one more when a dazzling white light erupted out of nowhere. He had to shut his eyes hoping nothing crashed into him. The intensity became so bright he threw up his arm to help block the light. Slowly the intensity would down and he lowered his arm and snuck a peek. The light seemed to condense in front of him into a large form.
He blinked before finally the light solidified into a ship. The shape reminded him of the destroyed ships he had seen ruined in the nearby solar system. The ship was also the largest ship he had ever seen, and quite possibly several times larger than the Galactica.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Starbuck asked.
"You mean the ships that suddenly appeared in front of me, then yes," Jolly said.
"Good," Starbuck said, gaining a better look at the ship. The one in front of him appeared mostly organic, with a cylindrical hull, large engines at the back and rows upon rows of turrets. On the top and bottom a row of slightly larger turrets with duel guns were stationed. Along the sides he counted eight openings that looked like hangars.
He looked down at his scanner which finally started working again. The scanners could not identify the ships and appeared confused about the lifeforms. For a second it would identify the lifeforms as human then revert to unknown.
He looked at the scanner finally realizing how many ships had appeared. He watched as the ship's front split apart and an energy build up began. Seconds later it released the energy heading straight towards the Cylon basestar. Starbuck had to blink as the basestar exploded with one shot.
BSGBSG
Adama looked at the scanner in shock. In a spherical formation around the fleet the unknown ships had appeared. Around that another sphere of ships enclosed the entire battle. The number of ships easily went into the hundreds, possibly thousands.
Against such numbers the only way the Galactica could survive was cooperation with the Cylons and hope their technology was superior. That thought was crushed a moment later as one Cylon basestar was destroyed.
"I'll be the first to say, this doesn't look good," Tigh said.
Adama stood not saying anything but knew Tigh was right. The firepower of the unknown ships appeared completely overwhelming. He was not sure even at the height of the war against the Cylons that both the Colonials and Cylons could take this fleet on.
"Incoming message," Athena said.
"Put it though," Adama said. They listened as a voice spoke.
"Attention Cylons, you are ordered to retreat, now, or you will be destroyed," the voice said.
"Fighters launching from unknown ships," Rigel said.
Adama could see hundreds of fighters pouring out of the ships. He waited to see what the Cylons' would do next. He wondered if they had ever been so outclassed in their entire existence.
"Cylon raiders retreating sir," Athena said.
Adama nodded realizing that indeed the raiders were headed back to the basestars. "Recall our warriors to rearm and refuel," Adama said. He had no idea what might happen next.
"Another energy spike," Athena said. Adama waited to see what would happen this time. "One ship, appearing next to us."
"Open blast shield," Adama said. He turned to see the shield going up so he could see the ship. It appeared to be about as long as the Galactica and with several turrets as large as two shuttles on the front and two massive thrusters in back. He could see what appeared to be a hangar on the side. A large single barrel turret was on the top and bottom of the hangar.
"New communication from the ship," Athena said.
Adama turned to the communicator to hear what they had to say.
"Commander of the Battlestar Galactica, my name is Accic and we have a lot to talk about. I request, if you wish, to come over so we can talk. I also ask that you bring with you the passenger you picked up in from the nearby system," the voice said.
Adama glanced over at Tigh before making up his mind. "Responde I'll be there, prepare a shuttle and have Zanis meet us in the hangar," Adama said. "Also contact the council as they'll want to be represented as well."
"I'll get it ready," Tigh said.
Adama had no doubt and walked off the bridge to prepare for an encounter with a race that seemed to already know who they were.
BSGBSG
Adama felt the shuttle land and glanced over at Starbuck, Cassiopeia, Uri and Zanis who were seated in the shuttle along with him. Starbuck and Apollo were piloting the shuttle and now they were aboard an unknown warship. He walked out of the shuttle first not wanting to expose his crew.
He walked off to a very organized hangar. He could see rows of fighters in the far part of the hangar. Standing in front of him a medium sized man dressed in dark brown pants and a tan shirt with short, straight black hair. Adama looked into the man's brown eyes knowing he had to be the ranking official of the group waiting for him.
"I'm Commander Adama of the Battlestar Galactica," Adama stated sensing the others beginning to exit the shuttle.
"I am General Scedon," the man replied. "Commander of the Zen warfleet."
Adama turned to see his son walk up to him. "This is Captain Apollo, behind him Lieutenant Starbuck, Senator Uri, medtech Cassiopeia, and Zanis," Adama said turning back to look at Scedon who now was looking at Zanis with interest. Adama watched as the general walked up to the smaller blonde-haired woman and looked into her eyes.
Adama thought he saw some fear in the woman's eyes before another man came walked up. Adama turned to look at him stopping slightly at the blonde haired man's eyes. He too had golden eyes and now walked over towards the general and Zanis. They then began speaking and Adama knew his limited knowledge of the ancient language was useless. Perhaps if they had written it he could keep up. The man then turned to address Adama.
"Commander Adama, I am Accic, I wish to thank you for helping Zanis out. Now I know you probably have questions so if you'll follow me," Accic said.
Adama nodded following Accic out of the hangar into the interior of the ship. They walked to one side of the hangar where a doorway melted into view. Adama wondered what type of technology was required for metal to act that way. He glanced at the doorway as they walked through noticing the thickness of the armor protecting the hangar from the rest of the ship.
Adama looked at the hallway noticing the extremely large ceiling and he figured it to be close to sixteen feet high. A bit unusual for a ship as space would a premium on board. The answer to the question quickly came into view as a group of very tall warriors turned into the corridor. They stood easily twelve feet towering over everyone.
"Emperor, general," they all replied before their gazed stopped on Zanis. Adama noticed a sudden change in their demeanor. "Aphil?" one asked looking at Accic who nodded. "A pleasure," they said bowing down to her before continuing on.
Adama glanced at the rest of the group who shrugged. Had they somehow managed to rescue a princess or something? The questions raced through Adama's mind as they passed other corridors. Then they passed by a strange bluish tube which seemed to almost call out to him. Adama thought it strange but continued on before they reached a room and walked in.
"Hmm, a bit small, but that's no problem," the man said the walls melted away to increase the size. The smaller tables disappeared into the floor only to be replaced with a larger table and chairs. "There we go. Everyone please have a seat."
Adama sat down looking at everything wondering if somehow he was imagining it all.
"I think you had some questions, correct?" Accic asked.
"Um, yeah, who are you?" Adama asked. The basic question that needed to be answered.
"The Zen, a race far older than any other race you've ever encountered," Accic said. "Yes, even the race you know as the Beings of Light, we know them, and have treaties with them."
Adama thought about that in small wonder. "So, is Zanis part of your race, and are you human?"
"Zanis, yes, we'll she's a Aphil, a true Zen. As to your other question, not really," Accic replied. Adama thought he heard something strange in the tone Accic used. Adama filed that away for later.
"Do you know where Earth is?" Adama asked. He waited as Accic seemed to ponder the question.
"I will tell you that you're on the right track," Accic finally said. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you in accordance with treaties. They are vital as even though we have scanners though out the system we still need others to keep an eye out in case they return."
"They?" Adama asked.
"In your language they are called the enslavers, they have no other name. They enslave entire races for no other reason then they can. The Zen have fought them for a long time," Accic said.
"Then you fought them in the nearby system?" Apollo asked.
"Yes, one of the major battles of the war before the Enslavers vanished into another dimension," Accic said. "At the height of the war both sides employed cloning technology and could produce fleets of warships very quickly. Small battles incorporated thousands of warships, major battles included millions until the final battle at the Enslaver's homeworld. That battle had over a billion warships fighting for the universe. When it became clear they were going to lose they fled into another dimension. We've improved and waiting for them to return ever since."
"How long ago was that?" Starbuck asked.
"Before your race made their first sharpened stick," Accic said. "Yes, I know all about your race, the Cylons and your war."
"You know the Cylons could use their advantage in computers to take over your ships," Adama said. It was one reason they kept the computers separate for different systems.
"Our computers are biological, and the power source is very picky about the user. But I'm sure you noticed that as we passed it, the blue tube. It either called out to you or repulsed you," Accic said.
Adama felt a bit of shock at that. "Your power source is biological?"
"In a way, it's complex, and obeys only a few. It has various, side-effects. Infusing with it slows growth and allows greater genetic manipulation. The Zen are almost entirely clones. Those of us with golden eyes are Aphil, or true Zen. Zanis is an Aphil and the clones are genetically bred to protect the Aphil at all costs," Accic said.
"All right, I'm lost now, if these Enslavers have been gone for so long then what about the ship we found?" Apollo said.
"Ah, the Enslaver prisoner ship," Accic said. "Yes, she is from way back, actually from the beginning of the war. With our power source our ships actually move through space by bending it. It requires a tremendous amount of power. A side result is sometimes ships are lost in time when caught in the backwash of the jump. It is as such that she came to be here. I would like to give you what the Enslaver ships look like, and how to contact us if you run across another such ship. Such information could save the universe or destroy it."
Adama sat back lost in thought about what he had been told. He really was not that sure what to think about it all.
BSGBSG
Apollo had listened to the conversation as Accic and his father talked. He thought about the power source on the ship that Accic had described. Apollo could remember passing a blue tube and a slight feeling of calling. So it would not reject him, but he frowned slightly in thought about that.
"You have a question?' Accic said, Apollo looked up to see them all looking at him.
"Ah, well, just your power source, if it calls out to you, can you use it?" Apollo asked. "I mean if it does that could be dangerous to you."
"Maybe, perhaps I should clarify that, it calls out to many in that form. Producing it is extremely difficult and so far few have been able to," Accic said.
"Why's that?" Apollo asked wanting more information.
"A quick summary, to produce it requires extracting it from a biological source through a process that to start requires a person of certain mind, state and DNA. If anything is missing the energy will not come out," Accic said. "If that person is captured, they can still produce it but it doesn't mean it will be usable. Like I said, it's extremely picky and like us, aware of what's going on."
"A live, thinking, energy source," Adama said.
Apollo was fascinated by that.
"What will happen to Zanis?" Adama asked.
"She will be allowed to do whatever she wants. We have contact with other civilizations, where other Aphils live," Accic said. "Now, I do have one other pressing matter commander. I will be contacting the Cylons directly, in case they encounter the Enslavers."
"They won't care," Adama said. Apollo had to agree.
"Yes, I know, but still, it's something I must try to do," Accic said. "The other thing is you, and your fleet, are welcome into our territory. For as long as your travels take you in our territory, the Cylons will not be welcomed, all races deserve a chance to survive."
"I see," Adama said. Apollo wondered how large the territory was.
"Now, I'm afraid that I have other issues that require my attention, one of my men will give you the ability to contact us if you spot another enslaver ship," Accic said.
Apollo watched as Accic left and General Scedon took the head position.
BSGBSG
Starbuck walked into the lounge making his way over to where Apollo was telling a group what happened over on the Zen warship. They had left not long ago and Starbuck was looking forward to some relaxation.
"So they knew where Earth was but didn't tell us because of a treaty?" he heard Jolly ask.
"About right," Apollo answered.
"What about the Cylons, they won't take the destruction of one of their ships lightly," Boomer said.
"When you have the firepower they have, I highly doubt they are worried about the Cylons," Starbuck said.
"My father asked them, they are contacting the Cylons directly. I think they are going to make the same type of treaty with them as we have. Keeping any eye out for any Enslaver ships," Apollo said.
"What about the Cylons behind us," Greenbean asked.
"Accic mentioned that the Zen have said that we are under their protection for as long as we're in their territory," Apollo said. "And the Cylons are not welcome."
"That's interesting news. Thought they might just leave us on our own and vastly outnumbered," Starbuck stated.
"I did too, they didn't exactly welcome us, but didn't reject us either," Apollo said. "Accic mentioned something about giving people a chance to survive."
"I got the feeling his people didn't get that chance," Starbuck said.
"Yeah, but I know I'll take any bit of good luck that might come along," Jolly stated.
"Did Doctor Wilker ever get any information from the computer he took?" Starbuck finally asked after a few seconds of silence.
"The encryption is difficult, and add in the fact he doesn't know the language it will take time. He's still working on it. Should keep him busy for a while," Boomer said speaking up.
"Any idea how large their space is?" Jolly asked.
"Nope, but I'll take all the help we can get right now," Apollo stated. "Especially considering Accic stated the ships we saw consisted only a small portion of their fleet."
Starbuck watched the others struggle to grasp that idea.
"Well, I'll take any help I can," Jolly said.
Starbuck had to agree as did the rest. He had enough excitement to last for a while. Now he wanted to relax for a while. He hoped that the fleet would be able to lose the Cylons while in the Zen territory. He figured only time would tell.
The End
