Chapter 8

Contact

"Commander, I'm receiving a strange assortment of signals. It's such a mess; I can barely make out anything."

"Send it to my headset."

Athena sent up the signal. Adam listened intently. It was a jumble of sounds, nothing like he'd ever heard.

On her end, Athena kept monitoring it too.

Adama exchanged a doubtful glance with Tigh, who was nearby. He was just about to give up listening when a strong signal broke thru. "Home base, this is Shepherd, we have concluded our run and we're heading back, E.T.A. 10 hours."

"Athena, can you lock in a location for that signal?"

"Trying." A few moments later… "I think I've narrowed it down. It's coming from space, not a planet."

"I thought as much. Scramble Blue Squadron, and give them the co-ordinates, but tell them to stay as far out as possible, not to spook them."

Athena nodded and sent the signal to assemble Blue Squadron.

"Can you tell where the signal is going to, Athena?"

"I only have a general direction, not a concise location."

"Keep on it."


The next few hours went smoothly for Colonel Shepherd. The puddle-jumper followed his commands effortlessly.

They were still a good distance away when he received a message. "Colonel Shepherd, we're tracking several bogeys on your six."

"Yeah, they keep darting in and out of my scope. I've noticed them there. They are small, probably darts. There's probably a hive ship somewhere about."

"We're getting some confusing data. They don't read as they have in the past."

"Well, I can't tell how many there are, but I can give them one helluva surprise. Shepherd out."

He turned the cloaking device on and turned around, to head at them dead on.


"Apollo, my scanners must be mal-functioning. The ship just dropped off."

"Starbuck, don't you know the meaning of radio silence? I can see that. I don't have a location either."

"It was there a micron ago, and just vanished. Where did it go?"

"I don't know, just everyone stay on formation."

The squadron pilots flew blind.

Shepherd flew the jumper right at them. When he got into visual range he sat back in his seat. "Huh! Those aren't darts. What are they? Scan vessels."

The jumper responded and displayed on-screen. Shepherd was not expecting this answer. "Hey, the onboard scanners say they are human!"

His copilot, Major Lorne, looked at him with wide eyes.

"Double check that." The computer confirmed the earlier report.

"Well, check all the frequencies; is there any sort of communication?" The computer ran through all the known frequencies. The screen changed colors to indicate something. "What's that?" Shepherd looked at the screen with one eyebrow raised quizzically.

Major Lorne just looked at Shepherd and shook his head.

"Oh, what the hell…cloak off."

"Frak!" Apollo and Starbuck spoke in unison and peeled off in either direction when the jumper de-cloaked.

All Shepherd heard was something unintelligible. "Who are you? Where are you from? Why were you following me?"

"Where did you come from? You just appeared out of nowhere! Who are you?"

Shepherd sighed. "Well, this is getting us nowhere. I'm Lt. Col. John Shepherd. Who are you?"

"I'm Captain Apollo."

"Well now, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

After a short debate, the two leaders agreed to set down to meet on a nearby planet.

Guns drawn, but not pointing directly at each other, the two teams eyed each other warily.

Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer, Jolly, and Sheba squared off against Shepherd, Lorne, McKay, Teyla, and Ronon.

No one spoke for a long time. They just sort of stared at each other.

Finally, McKay spoke up. "So, are we just going to stand here like idiots?"

Shepherd gave him a sideways glance and a semi scowl. "What would you like me to do, McKay? Should I throw rice?"

"Well, no, but I mean we're not getting anything accomplished here just standing around. And I haven't eaten yet. I just want to get this over with so I can meet with Jennifer for dinner."

"Always thinking with your stomach." Ronon mumbled.

"Well, at least I don't look like a Wookie, Chewbacca."

"That's enough you two." Shepherd lowered his weapon of choice, the P-90, and stepped forward slightly. "I'm Lt. Colonel John Shepherd." He introduced the rest of his team.

Apollo lowered his blaster and also stepped forward. "I'm Captain Apollo, team leader of Blue Squadron." He introduced the rest of his team.

"So, what can I do for you, Captain Apollo?" Shepherd asked simply.

Apollo looked uncomfortable. "We've been traveling for a long time, and we haven't seen anyone. We wanted to make contact with others like ourselves."

"How long have you been traveling that you haven't seen anyone?"

"A long time, a long way, too long. We just want to know that we have brothers and sisters out there somewhere."

"Well, um, here we are. So, now what?"

"I should get in touch with my father. He's the leader of our people."

"Your…people? Just how many are we talking about here?"

"About 6000, there's only about 6000 of us left."

"What do you mean…left?"

"We were attacked and we were left decimated. We had 12 colonies, and we're all that survived."

"When you say 'colonies', what exactly do you mean?"

"We had a system of 12 planets."

"By the Ancestors!" Teyla breathed in disbelief.

"So, where are you heading?" Shepherd asked.

"We have a sister colony, a 13th colony. We were hoping to be welcomed there."

"I see. So, you're just passing through here then?"

"Well…" Apollo looked uncertain. "We've been out of contact with our sister colony for a long time. I don't think anyone remembers exactly where it is."

"What's the name of this colony?"

Apollo looked into each of their faces, at his own team, and back to Shepherd. "Earth."

Shepherd's jaw dropped.

"Have you heard of this place?" Now, Apollo became anxious.

"Well, um…You know, maybe you should talk to your father a little more about things. That'll give me time to contact my leaders as well. How about we meet back here tomorrow"?

"When's tomorrow?"

Shepherd looked incredulous. "Tomorrow, you know, the day after today."

Apollo paused for a time, thinking things over. "Agreed, but how long is a day?"


"YOU WHAT?" Commander Adama shouted at his son.

Apollo looked uncomfortable, as did his squadron members.

Adama paced while he thought. "We have to work fast. You've tipped our hand. No one is to speak of this. If the Council finds out, we're done. They will take over and ruin everything. Can you fly me out to meet one of their leaders?"

"Is that wise father?"

"If there is any chance that these people can lead us to Earth, it's a risk worth taking."

"Of course. I'll reach out and see if I can raise them. I'll arrange for a meeting if I can, but I'm going to escort you myself."

"And, I'm his wingman." Starbuck stepped forward, hand raised to make his point.

Adama smiled. He knew he could count on his son and Starbuck. They were the best in the fleet.

It took a bit of maneuvering, but Apollo managed to arrange a meeting with his father and Col. Shepherd's commanding officer, which just happened to be a civilian, Richard Woolsey.

The two men faced each other.

Richard Woolsey began the meeting with his usual diplomatic aplomb, and Commander Adama responded in his usual thoughtful, logical mannerism.

The two men sat down to talk.

In the end, they hashed out an agreement that would bring the Colonial fleet to Atlantis, and they would remain in orbit while negotiations were conducted in the city. Atlantis would be the liaison between The Colonists and the Stargate Command Council.

Adama left and prepared the news for his own Council.

Adama met with the Council and they were suddenly at attention. Questions flew back and forth with ferocity until Adama quieted them with his authoritative, baritone voice.

"We have been invited to orbit their planet while we conduct negotiations. We have been given leave to let some of our people in rotating order come down to interact and get to know them. An escort will be arriving soon to lead the way."

More questions flew about the room, which Adama did his best to answer. He did not reveal that he had already met them, and he had requested that no one from Atlantis reveal that fact either. Mr. Woolsey understood, and assured Adama he could count on the staff of Atlantis.

Chatter among the ships of the fleet was rampant, and an excitement filled the decks. Maybe their long travel through space would be coming to an end.

They had traveled countless distance, and lost some good people along the way. It was time to heal.


In Adama's quarters, Zara had little knowledge of what was going on until that night.

Adama came home and went right to his computer, and began dictating notes into the tiny, attached microphone.

She was on the sofa as usual. She watched him as she always did. But this night was different. She first heard it in his voice, an excited tone, and then in his words. Home. We might be arriving at our new home soon.

Her breath caught in her throat.

He finished up his notes and moved to the sofa. "I don't want to make promises I am not certain I can keep, but we've made contact with people who may be able to take us to our new home. I am going to be even busier than usual, so I may be coming back very late. I am going to try and arrange someone to look in on you, make sure you get meals. Do you understand?"

Her face showed uncertainty and anxiety.

He reached out and took her hand. "I know you understand my words…"

She shook her head and cried out in a mournful wail, jerking her hand back from him.

"I've spoken to you about how we were attacked, and that our people were fleeing for their very survival. I'm in charge of trying to find them, US, a safe place to live; a home they can call their own, a home for you too. You are one of us now."

She looked at him, her lower lip quivering, her eyes welling up. She signed to him her answer. You have told me.

"I know that you're afraid. You don't have to be anymore. I promised that I would take care of you, and I have."

She nodded her head. She brought up her hand again. Don't leave me alone.

"I promise you that I will have someone watch over you and make sure that you get meals. If I have to be away overnight, I will have someone stay in here with you."

Her eyes grew wide at the thought. Then she leaned forward and hugged him, her tears finally falling.

He held her while she cried.

Adama rested his face on the top of her head, and squeezed her gently to him. "I promise I will do all that I can to keep you safe. I only have my two hands, but I will do that which is in my power to do so, but I need your help. Will you help me?"

She pulled back from him, and stared up into his dark brown eyes, and weathered face. He had never asked anything of her until now. Her head nodded up and down. I will try.

His hands cupped her face, wet with tears. "I know you are afraid, but I ask you now to be strong. You must be a strong woman; otherwise you could not have survived as long as you have. Just give me the time I need, just be strong just a little longer, and then I promise, you'll never be afraid again."

She nodded, but inside, her heart was breaking. 'What if he goes away and never comes back?' She thought.


Cassie heard Zara crying in Adama's quarters when she arrived, and let herself into the bedchamber. Cassie walked slowly to her, not wanting to add to her emotional state.

When Zara didn't run or draw back, Cassie came and sat on the bed. "I'm going to stay here with you. Did Adama tell you?"

Zara nodded.

"Good. I'll sleep in the office. If you need me for anything just come to me and I will do what ever I can to help you."

It was a rough night for both women.

The sofa in the office wasn't really made for sleeping, but it sufficed in a pinch. Alone, without Adama, Zara slept poorly as well.

In the morning, Cassie had food cubes delivered and went to work.

Adama was gone for 2 nights before he returned. He seemed tired, and only made brief notes into his computer. He called lights out pretty early.

She didn't mind. She was tired from worry and sleeplessness.

In the morning, he headed out once again.

"I doubt I shall return for sleep period. I'll have Cassie come and stay with you again. The Council members, for all their collected knowledge, are fools. If I'm not there to keep order, well, I fear the worst. I'll come back as soon as I can. Do you understand?"

She nodded; the sadness and disappointment evident on her face.

He brushed his fingers lightly over her face.

"I will come back."

Then he stood, picked up his bag, and left.


Zara was staring out the window trying to catch a glimpse of any other ships or any of the Galactica's shuttles or Vipers. It was how Cassie found her.

"Are you still looking for him?"

Zara sat down, a sad look on her face.

"I doubt he'll be back for sleep period. I hear the talks are getting much more involved now. Rumor has it that the people from the smallest ships will start being processed down on the planet and then sent on to Earth. The crew of the Galactica will remain onboard until every last person has been processed through. There are also rumors that some crew will be coming aboard to train with us here."

Zara looked at Cassie and sniffed audibly. 'What this has anything to do with me, I don't know'. She thought to herself. 'I guess it's just to fill the silence.' Zara hated silence sometimes. It gave her too much time to dwell on the pain and loneliness of her past. At least Adama filled the time so she didn't have to think about it so much. She sighed sadly.

"Our meals should be here shortly."

Zara nodded, but she wasn't at all enthused about having to choke down those horrible food cubes. As if on cue, a soft knock sounded at the door. Cassie got up to answer it and, sure enough, it was "dinner".

Zara took the tray Cassie handed to her, and scooted back onto the sofa, while Cassie settled into the desk chair.

Zara looked up briefly at Cassie. She was so beautiful, with her wavy, long blonde hair, and delicate features. Her eyes were beautiful too. Zara had never given much thought to eyes until she saw Cassie's. Adama's were dark brown. Somehow, Zara always associated dark eyes with anger, and punishments, even light brown eyes turned dark and intense when the owner was angry at her. She'd just seen too many eyes filled with rage and hate in her life. She felt a great sadness that there had been so few eyes that looked upon her with kindness. Zara set her tray down and got up on her knees, not to look out the port window, but to see her reflection. She could only bear the blurry image for a scant moment or two. Her own blonde hair was ragged layers. She ran her fingers through it, and when she drew her hand away, a strand or two fell away with it. Snarls, always snarls in it.

Her eyes looked hollow to her. It had been a lifetime ago when she had anything other than fear and sadness in them. The child that she was, well, she was long gone now. Carefree emotions were a thing of the past, alien to her. She had glimmers of hope now and again, but they were getting dimmer since Adama was gone.

She sat back down, defeated by herself. If it were really true that they had reached the end of their journey, what did this mean for her? She sighed softly, sadly. 'It means a whole new world for Adama, a world filled with possibilities, and potential new mates, just like it was for Gaion, and I'll be shuffled off to yet another place, and I'll be alone again.'

She picked up the glass filled with water and hurriedly shoved the nearest cube in her mouth, washing it down as quickly as she could without tasting it. She repeated the process until all the cubes were gone, and swallowed the last of the drink.

She sat, waiting for the feeling of nausea to pass before setting the glass back down. She shivered a little, and then settled down.

There wasn't anything to talk about. Zara didn't speak, and Cassie couldn't understand her version of sign language. Zara pointed to the door to the bedroom, and pressed her palms together to the side of her face. That one meant sleep, and Cassie knew that one.

She nodded to Zara, who just got up and left the room.

Once inside, she changed into her sleeping clothes, but sleep was far from her tonight. She sat on the bed cross-legged, and stared out at the expanse of stars. She wondered if one of those was Earth. Of course, she couldn't have known that Earth wasn't visible from Atlantis. She continued to ponder for some time before settling into a troubled sleep.