Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate or Battlestar Galactica: 2003.

Another Road not Taken

Chapter4: Odyssey

January 10th 2006
Uncharted Territory
Deep Space
Battlestar Galactica
Adama's Cabin

"It couldn't have been that bad," Adama said as he pored himself a drink at the table.

"You weren't there Bill," Roslin shook her head. "When I told the Quorum what Doctor Jackson told us they went nuts; the Earthers are heretics who have abandoned the gods."

"They seemed to focus on science more than religion judging by their team," Adama commented as he brought the drinks over.

"It's only a matter of time before the fleet hears about this," Roslin said as she took the drink offered to her. "At least we've finally found them...though they're nothing like I was expecting."

"What were you expecting?" Adama asked curious.

"...I don't know," Roslin shook her head and downed the drink. "I mean...they've offered us sanctuary and I'm grateful but...I can't help but feel uneasy about these people."

"We did lead the Cylons right to them," Adama said after he finished his own drink. "They don't trust us and we don't trust them but they need us because we know more about the Cylons than they do and we need them because we just don't have the manpower or the resources to do anything other than run away."

"...The Quorum accepted the offered," Roslin spoke after a moment. "The fleet is going to settle down on the planet where the Tau'ri have an outpost and as my assistant tells me 'lay down their burdens.' I would have never gone along with it if the Tau'ri hadn't said that they would keep sending us supplies."

"I imagine the Gemonese and the Sagittarons didn't like that idea," Adama said knowingly.

"You'd be right," Roslin nodded. "They were very vocal about it but the others want to settle down and finally stop running from the Cylons," silence filled the room a moment later. "Is something wrong?" she asked him.

"...None of the other raptors have returned yet," Adama spoke up. "The only one to return was Racetrack's meaning the others are either still on course for Caprica or have run into a problem."

"...So what do you plan to do about it?" Roslin asked after a moment.

"I'm thinking of asking the Tau'ri to send a ship to aid them just in case they run into trouble," Adama replied.

"We don't know them well enough yet Bill," Roslin shook her head.

"I was originally planning to send the Galactica back but your right I don't trust them yet," Adama nodded. "Think of this mission as a test...either they send a ship and rescue our people back on Caprica...or they betray our trust and we'll leave them behind."

"Risky," Roslin commented. "But intriguing...do it," she gave the order.

"Yes Madam President," Adama nodded.

January 10th 2006
Sol System
In orbit above Earth
USS Odyssey
Main Bridge

Sitting in orbit of Earth was the newest capital ship constructed by the United States which had finally had been completed and ready for active service. The Odyssey was a DSC-304 like the Daedalus which was currently assigned to Atlantis and the Pegasus galaxy leaving the Odyssey as Earth's primary long-range vessel. The Astrea was acting as Earth's guard ship and the Prometheus was currently still stationed over P3X-493 or New Caprica as the Colonials had begun calling it just in case something happened with the Colonials.

"Sir, I have General Landry for you," Major Kevin Marks spoke up as the ship's commander entered the room.

"Patch him through," Colonel Paul Emerson nodded and turned towards the main screen. The screen flickered on and displayed the image of the General in charge of Stargate Command.

"Colonel," Landry nodded. "How goes the shakedown?"

"All systems are operational," Emerson confirmed. "Care to take a ride?"

"Maybe some other time," Landry said jokingly. "The Colonials have sent a fleet of their raptors back to their colonies to rescue survivors and Admiral Adama has formerly requested that we send assistance to them."

"And the IOA approved?" Emerson asked raising an eyebrow.

"Of course not," Landry denied. "The IOA is only allowing this mission in order to identify any possible targets for 'retrieval' in the Cyrannus System."

"Isn't that grave robbing sir?" Emerson inquired.

"Yes it is but it got the mission approved at least," Landry shrugged.

"Estimate...four hours sir," Marks spoke up.

"We'll get it done General," Emerson confirmed.

"Glad to hear it...SG1 and one of the Colonial pilots will be going with you in order to contact the raptors. Be advised that Prometheus will be remaining on station at New Caprica and Astrea will remain here at Earth so you'll be on your own," Landry told him.

"Understood sir," Emerson nodded.

"Good luck," Landry smiled.

"Thank you sir," Emerson nodded again.

"Landry out," the screen flickered off.

"Major Marks, as soon as SG1 and our guest are aboard set a course for the Cyrannus System. And take us into hyperspace," Emerson gave the order.

"Yes sir," Marks acknowledged.

January 10th 2006
Cyrannus System
In orbit above Caprica
USS Odyssey
Main Bridge

Suddenly and violently the space above the planet tore open and deposited the Odyssey into orbit before closing behind the Tau'ri battlecruiser. It quickly accelerated into a stable orbit above the planet and came to a stop.

"Several ships on sensors sir," Marks informed. "They look like supply ships and troop carriers however I am detecting no Baseships in orbit."

"And the rescue raptors?" Emerson inquired.

"Scans place them in the forests near Caprica City," Marks replied.

"Get their radio frequency," Emerson ordered.

"Done," Marks said a moment later.

"Lieutenant Edmondson, if you please," Emerson said as he gestured to the Colonial pilot.

"Starbuck, this is Racetrack please respond," Racetrack said into the comm. "I repeat this is Racetrack...frak Starbuck please answer."

"How do I know this isn't a Cylon trick Racetrack?" Starbuck asked over the sound of gunfire.

"The old man sent us as backup," Racetrack told her. "Frak Starbuck I can't say anything to make you believe me but...it's me and we've got a ship in orbit to help get you and the survivors off the planet."

"Oh really? Well that's great...except we're pinned down by dozens of toasters right now! We're cut off from the raptors," Starbuck shot back.

"Major Marks, give Colonel Mitchell the go ahead to launch," Emerson gave the order.

"Hang on Starbuck, help is on the way," Racetrack reassured her.

"Alright people, let's go," Cam said as he strapped his oxygen mask on.

"Eagle Squadron, you are go for launch," a female voice spoke through the comm. "Good hunting," she added.

Sixteen F302s quickly launched from the two hangars on either side of the battlecruiser one by one and descended into the atmosphere of the planet. They quickly broke through the atmosphere and passed through the clouds a moment later.

"We're coming up on the target now," Cam spoke as the F302s passed a cluster of mountains covered in trees.

"Targets have pinned down friendly forces," the woman told him. "Deployment of warheads has been authorised...proceed at your own discretion Eagle-1."

"Roger that," Cam confirmed as they closed in. "Target locked...Fox-three," he let loose with a single missile which was soon followed by missiles from the other fighters. The F302s quickly pulled up as the missiles struck their targets, lighting up a line of fire and carving out destruction on the irradiated forest below.

"What the frak was that?" Sam Anders asked as he looked over at the range of destruction the military fighters had left behind. The missiles that had rained down had wiped out the entire range of centurions that had been shooting at them and left nothing but clusters of smoke trailing off into the air.

"Frak if I know...let's just get back to the raptors," Starbuck AKA Kara Thrace said before reloading her sidearm and motioning for the group to move out.

"Starbuck? Are you alright?" Racetrack asked through the comm.

"Yeah we're fine," Starbuck confirmed. "Alright, assuming this isn't some over elaborate Cylon trick...what the frak is going on?"

"It would be better if the Admiral or someone else explained everything to you," Racetrack responded. "Long story short we have a ship in orbit to provide support for the rescue raptors and the survivors. It's got an infirmary to treat the wounded so you might want to hurry up and get up here...before a Basestar jumps in or something."

"Alright, we're on our way," Starbuck said as she entered the raptor. "ETA damn quick so leave the porch light on for us."

"Are you sure about this Kara?" Anders asked from behind her.

"No...but I'll take my chances on this one," Starbuck replied as the raptor started to lift off.

January 10th 2006
Cyrannus System
In orbit above Caprica
USS Odyssey
Main Bridge

"Sir, a Baseship just jumped in directly ahead," Marks reported.

"Recall all 302s and ready all railguns for defensive fire," Emerson ordered.

Cylon raiders soon descended on the Tau'ri battlecruiser and rained dozens of small calibre rounds down upon it. The Asgard-designed shields of the Odyssey effortlessly shrugged off the barrage which was soon followed by a volley of ship-to-ship missiles.

"Shields are holding," Marks informed.

"Prepare to transport one of our mark three warheads aboard the Baseship," Emerson ordered.

"I can't seem to get a lock on the Baseship sir," Marks reported shaking his head.

"They're generating an electromagnetic field around their ships," Carter explained as she leaned over the console. "It's the same tactic that the Wraith used to stop us from nuking their ships...we won't be able to beam over the rest of the warheads unless we know their jamming codes."

"Inbound nukes," Marks reported.

Missiles from the Basestar and the raiders slammed into the shields of the Odyssey and detonated in nuclear fire. The energy barrier around the battlecruiser absorbed most of the impact however some of it bled through and fried several consoles across the ship causing them to spark and die.

"Damage report!" Emerson demanded.

"Shields are holding however some of the damage bled through the shields," Marks reported. "Damage is minimal but I'd rather not see how they fare against a sustained assault like this for much longer."

"Get us in closer...ripple fire," Emerson ordered.

The Odyssey quickly accelerated towards the Basestar and fired off several missiles one after the other. Several were destroyed by passing raiders but two struck the central frame and shattered its neck and dorsal arms even as more raiders continued to pound against the Odyssey's shields. Suddenly another two Basestars appeared in flashes of light on either side of the Tau'ri battlecruiser.

"Two more ships have just jumped in," Marks informed.

"We're no match for another two ships," Carter told him.

"What about the rescue raptors?" Racetrack questioned.

"The raptors have just landed in the bays with the 302s," Marks reported.

"Then get us out of here," Emerson gave the order.

The Odyssey quickly broke away as raiders continued to pepper its shields and disappeared into hyperspace. The two Cylon Basestars remained and quickly dispatched a message to the rest of the Cylon Empire notifying them of the vessel that resembled a Battlestar in design...

January 11th 2006
Graystone System
Cylon Prime
Central Node
Control Center

The Graystone System as the Cylons had named it was originally an uninhabited star system when the Cylons had found it forty years ago and decided to rebuild their empire. The closest planet to the star was a small rocky planet barely larger than the average moon while the second planet was a massive gas giant with dozens of moons, some the size of planets.

The third planet was a desert world which was barely habitable because of the heat however since the Cylons were machines they were mostly unaffected and had turned the planet into a mining world for gathering resources. The fourth planet in the system was the most habitable planet the size of Caprica named Cylon Prime and acted as the Cylon homeworld.

The Cylons had settled down here after the First Cylon War ended and the Armistice Line was signed. The planets beyond Cylon Prime were barren and cold rocks orbiting around the star covered in dozens of Cylon mining facilities to gather their resources. In orbit above Cylon Prime were numerous Basestars and the massive Cylon Colony, a mobile Cylon planetoid built just in case they lost the system and were forced to flee into deep space.

Though they hoped they'd never have a need for it...

"This is unprecedented, unacceptable," a One raged. "These 'Tau'ri' have already destroyed five of our Basestars with ships smaller than the Colonial Olympic Carrier."

"They used some kind of matter teleportation technology to deliver their nukes directly to the Basestars," a Four mused. "We have already taken countermeasures in order to prevent this from happening again and judging by this most recent engagement it appears we were successful in preventing them from transporting their warheads aboard the Basestar in orbit of Caprica."

"And yet they still destroyed the Basestar," a One shot back. "Their nukes measured a lot more than the ones we or the Colonials use."

"Our spies in the fleet are saying that these 'Tau'ri' are the Thirteenth Tribe," a Three spoke up. "If they are then it's clear that we can no longer force the Colonials into submission like we could before."

"It doesn't matter if they're the Thirteenth Tribe or not," the One sneered. "We'll just have to wipe them out like we did the rest of the Twelve Colonies and take whatever advanced technology they seem to possess."

"I still can't believe that they have working energy shields," the Four shook his head. "We are not even sure if we can hurt them judging by our last two engagements with them."

"If we can't get through their defences then we'll work around them," the One smirked. "Or have you forgotten we beat the Colonials without firing a shot until we were right down their throats?"

Author's Notes:

The Cylons are machines so they will adapt quickly to whatever tactics their enemies' use which is demonstrated by their ability to jam Asgard transports in this chapter. I hope you liked the Odyssey's first official mission in this fic and the foundation of trust between the Tau'ri and Colonial peoples. And then of course there is the introduction of the Cylon home system because only having the Colony would just be stupid.

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