Orbit over Caprica, ten minutes into rescue of SG-1.
The Avalon was weaving in and out of the surrounding debris as it used half of the Ancient weapon turrets to fire at the Cylon Raisers that were attacking her from all sides, and the other half were being used to fire on the six Baseships that arrived in flashes of white light. Colonel Emerson had been notified that the remaining members of SG-1, together with his armoured Marines, and the survivors that were with SG-1 had boarded the ship through the holding bay. Colonel Emerson had already ordered the first batch to be sent to the Mess Hall if no-one was injured, he did want an unknown group to run around the ship; and that was the same order he gave to Colonel Mitchell when he returned with the second batch.
"Captain Stevens," said the Colonel as the Avalon fired a volley of the Ancient energy pulses towards one of the Baseships, "set course for the nearest planet with a Stargate. I want to send a message to Stargate Command and give them our situation."
"Understood, Sir," said the Captain just as a female voice came over their radio.
Colonel Emerson leaned forward as the voice spoke in Ancient Greek. Shaking his head, the man then pressed a button on his command chair and called for Tara, who was telling the survivors to follow the officers that they would be taken to safety, to pick up the phone. The young blonde nodded her head and then quickly headed for a phone at a corner of the holding bay while Buffy and the others were guiding the Colonials away from the large chamber. Picking up the phone, Tara was connected to Colonel Emerson who asked her to listen in to the message which was being repeated.
"She's says her name is Natalie Faust, she's asking for asylum, Colonel," said Tara as she watched Willow run up to her. The redhead whispered, while Colonel Emerson was giving Tara a message to send to the humanoid Cylon, that she was heading to the engineering room to find a way to repair the subspace communications system. Tara nodded her head before Willow gently squeezed her arm, and then turned running towards engineering while Buffy and Colonel Mitchell accompanied the Colonials to the Mess Hall.
Alone with the armoured Marines, Tara then sent a message through the phone, and into the radio communications systems.
"I am speaking on behalf of Colonel Paul Emerson of the Avalon," said Tara as Natalie weaved her ship in and out of the line of fire as well, "you will be taken in for questioning before your claim for asylum can be even thought about. There are many question that our people have for you. You are not to arm your ship, and if you yourself are armed with any weapon... then you are to place them of the floor after opening your hatch. You will then go down on your knees, and put your hand behind your head. If you resist, our Marines will fire on you. Is that understood?"
"Yes!" screamed Natalie over the radio in the bridge, and on the phone that was glued to a worried Tara's ear, "help me! I am under attack!"
"Colonel," said Tara, "she says that she agrees to the conditions, but she's under attack."
"Understood," said the Colonel before he turned to Major Evans, "Major, can we get a transporter lock?"
"Our Asgard transporters are still iffy, sir," said the young man looking back at him, "the initial attack hit the sensors. They're still not back up."
"This is Colonel Emerson to Captain Connors in the holding bay," said the Colonel over the P.A. system. With the other two pilots with the Ancient gene, Buffy and Willow, unavailable, and because of Natalie's distress, the Colonel ordered Captain Connors back out into space with the Puddle Jumper. The Captain, a short brown haired, dark skinned young man closed the rear ramp as she ran back into the ship. Sitting at the controls, he activated the holographic HUD and launched the ship. It sped through the open doorway through the Ancient shields and then out into space.
"Natalie," said Tara gently as she watched the Jumper take off, "we've launched a ship to help you. Do you see it? It's cylindrical in shape and…"
"Yes!" yelled Natalie as she banked her heavy raider as the Jumper shot past her. She then looked at the DRADIS on her console and saw that the four raiders after her were all destroyed in one go. Wondering what just happened, she heard Tara telling her that she needed to follow the brownish cylindrical ship back to the Avalon's holding bay. IN the meantime, Tara looked on as four S.F's ran into the bay, and stood next to her while holding M16's in their arms, followed by Vala who exited her Tel'tak, and yelled at Tara. The blonde witch smiled and waved at her, motioning her to join them while she continued to talk to the worried Natalie who said that the Jumper was being attacked.
Out of ammunition in her heavy raider, all Natalie could do was weave in and out of the way as the ship in front of her completed manoeuvres that she knew was impossible. At least for a human being. What surprised her even more was when she came about, and witnessed the Jumper banking in one direction to avoid the four raiders that were firing at it while, at the same time, firing what seemed like four bright yellow missiles form its short, stubby wings. Natalie watched at the missiles went through one raider after another, including the three that were shooting at her. All seven raiders were destroyed before the Jumper flipped end over end in mid-motion before shooting towards the Avalon.
And the amazed Natalie could only follow, all the while conscious of the fact that she was losing oxygen thanks to the last attack. One of the raider's rounds had penetrated the Hull just before it was destroyed. With a lull in the fighting as another two Basestars were destroyed with the Avalon now standing still to receive the Jumper and the Heavy raider, Natalie saw a flash of yellow around the ship. Unknown to the Cylon, the shields were temporarily put down to allow the Heavy Raider through. Once it was in the hold next to the Tel'tak, and then the Jumper which touched down… Tara told the Colonel that Natalie was on board.
"Get us to P7T-983," yelled Colonel Emerson. That particular planet was the closest one, other than Caprica, with a Stargate. The small ship accelerated forward while firing one last volley at the nearby Basestars before a hyperspace window opened up mid-space. The Avalon then entered the window, which closed behind it, and Colonel Emerson sighed in relief. The man rubbed his forehead before getting off his command chair; he ordered Major Evans to take over until he got back from the infirmary, saying he needed to know the damage that was done to his ship. Then just before he left, Colonel Emerson turned around and ordered Major Evans to begin the transfer of magazines from the damaged railguns, to the ones that were still working.
"On it, sir," said t eh Major nodding his head.
"Oh, and get that individual who just landed to the brig, together with the one that was brought on board by SG-1," said the Colonel before he left the bridge. While the Colonel was headed for the infirmary, Tara, Vala… both of whom had their Zats ready, along with the four Marines, aimed their weapons at the opening rear ramp of the Heavy Raider. Cautious, the five of them looked on as a dirty blonde woman in a black halter-top, and trouser was on her knees looking at them with fear in her eyes. Her hand were behind her head as the Marines went into the ship first, before Tara and Vala entered.. keeping their weapons trained on her.
"Natalie Faust?" asked Tara. Natalie nodded her head while she looked at Tara, and then at the others around her.
"They're all different,' she thought to herself before looking at Tara, and the others Marines, and then back at Tara once again.
The S.F's told Tara what they needed Natalie to do, and the blonde translated their demands. Tara and Vala watched, while their Zats were trained on her, as she stood up and the S.F's put her hands behind her back before handcuffing her. Captain Evans; voice then came through the P.A. system and asked that the prisoners be taken to the brig. Tara translated what the Major said to Natalie, who nodded her head. As they were heading out of the Heavy Raider, Tara also added that the Colonel would want to talk to her soon… at least once he was done looking over the damage done to the ship.
All Natalie could do was nod her head as she walked towards the Bay exit to the hallways inside the ship. She looked over her shoulder, and stared in wonder at the two strange ships next to her own; the cylindrical ship that escorted her Heavy Raider into the Avalon, and one that was dark grey in colour, and looked like a swept back pyramid. Pursing her lips together, the blonde was then led out of the bay, and into the hallways were she saw some of the damage that was wrought on the vessel.
Mess Hall, Avalon, a few minutes later.
While Natalie and Sharon were being held in the brig, while the other humanoid Cylon in the infirmary was handcuffed to the bed, Carolanne and the Colonial survivors were taken to the slightly damaged Mess Hall. They had seen some personnel fixing the panels before looking back at the newcomers as Satterfield directed everyone to take a seat at the available tables. Carolanne looked around her as everyone started to grumble, and she could feel the tension in the air... all directed at the one who called herself Satterfield.
Carolanne couldn't believe that it was possible; she had seen the Cylons before in the First War… in fact, she had lost her uncle in the First Cylon war; and none of the machines looked even remotely human.
'They looked like walking chrome toasters,' thought Carolanne to herself as she held on to the child, who in turn had been holding on to her ever since Caprica, and watched with a growing sense of fear at the other Colonials shouting out at Satterfield. The shouting was growing louder as Satterfield, surrounded by Colonel Mitchell, Buffy, and Grogan. There were others who, from what Carolanne could see, were armed personnel who rushed in due to the growing commotion, put her hands up and tried to raise her voice over the shouts of 'Cylon', 'Toaster', skinjob, and other creative word choices.
"Everyone stand down!" yelled Colonel Mitchel in the language that Carolanne didn't recognize. She then listened to Satterfield translating what he had just said, which Carolanne found od especially since they had been speaking flent Colonial Standard only a few minutes ago. However, unknown to her, Tara's magic faded away the moment they had left Caprica's orbit. Since Tara's magic was connected to the planet, it automatically went away. Carolanne saw that Colonel MItchell had his hands waving downwards, signalling everyone to calm down and take a seat. Carolanne was shaking her head while she looked at the frightened children who were around the room, and then turned to look at Satterfield saying that the children were getting scared.
"It's because of you! Cylon!" screamed a few of the refugees. While the others screamed out 'Freaks'.
Carolanne closed her eyes and shook her head, she tried to get the shouting all around her to the back of her mind as she remembered her sons, Lee and Zack. She knew that she wasn't a great mother, especially ever since their father hadn't always been there. She knew it was something she hadn't forgiven her ex-husband for, but this was the present day… and things had changed.
All of their lives had changed irreparably.
"Shut up!" screamed Carolanne at the top of her voice as she looked at everyone, and repeated herself. Even the people who had rescued them were looking at her as she spoke in Ancient Greek, "these people have rescued us. Without them, we would most likely be dead, or at the hands of the Cylons. I know we're afraid, I can tell you that I'm terrified… but where else could we go? We've seen their technology; advanced armour, weapons, for frack's sake they have a ship that can cloak. They saved our lives; and look at us, this is who we are when we're at our lowest point? We let fear of our rescuers blind us to the very fact that we were rescued! Does it matter how, or who, did it? We were fracking rescued."
"She's a Cylon!" screamed two men as they pointed at Satterfield who could only rub her forehead in frustration before releasing a sigh, "and… and that woman… the red and yellow haired women. We were at the electronic store and they were… were freaks who…"
"Who saved your lives, sir," said Satterfield who stepped forward, her tone of voice angry. It was something that Colonel Mitchell noticed, so he placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back gently.
The Colonel glanced over at Carolanne, and nodded his head at the woman. He then turned to Satterfield, who apologized to the Colonel for her outburst before agreeing to translate a message that he was about to give the Colonials.
"All of you are not our prisoners," said the Colonel as Satterfield translated, "you are our guests. But, we cannot have you walking around the ship given the damage that we've sustainedere. There are going to be personnel conducting repairs, and given that this is a military vessel.. we cannot have anyone from a foreign power walk around the ship without an escort. Before any of you complain? No, we are not these Cylon characters.. the fact of the matter is that we have never heard of Cylons, nor have we ever heard of your people."
"Ridiculous," said a middle-aged woman who was well dressed in a dark pin striped suit while fingering a necklace around her throat, "we are the only humans in the galaxy, and…"
"Yea, about that." The Colonel rubbed the back of his head while recalling what Willow had told them in the museum about Kobol, and how the ancient Kobolians over time taught one generation after another that Kobol was the home of humanity, not Earth. The man had no intention of starting a riot in the ship, so all he told the civilians was that what they had to say about where they were from was meant for those in their government and military.
"So you really are aliens?" asked Carolanne.
"Technically, yea," replied the Colonel after Satterfield translated what Carolanne had asked. The man then rubbed his hands together before saying that he and the others had to leave and help the personnel around the rest of the ship, "once I know the next plan, I will let you guys know. And no... you will not be kept prisoner here, but I'm guessing that your home worlds are so irradiated that we can't leave you back there in good conscious. It's up to your government now. So, just rest up… we'll have someone come with coffee for the adults, and some hot chocolate for the kids."
After Satterfield finished translating what the Colonel had said, she couldn't help but smile at the smiles on the faces of the children in the room upon hearing the words 'hot chocolate'. She, Buffy, Grogan, and the Colonel then left the Mess Hall while two S.F's remained guard at the only entrance in the walled room.
Conference Room, Thirty minutes later.
It would be nearly thirty minutes later that Colonel Emerson would meet with SG-1 in the ship's conference room for a quick briefing before heading the Avalon exited the hyperspace tunnel. With Buffy and Tara occasionally checking on the Colonials in the Mess Hall who had calmed down, they didn't have much to tell the Colonel other than the fact that they were worried about what was going to happen next.
"As they should," said Tara who was sitting down and shaking her head at the Colonel who was at the head of the table.
"Yeah," replied the Colonel rubbing the back of his head, "before I ask the question I really want an answer to, Captain Rosenberg.. how goes the repair on the subspace communication systems? Can you and the others somehow…"
"Sorry, sir," replied Willow before the Colonel could finish asking his question, "we tried to reroute to our secondary communications array, but both that and the primary ones have been destroyed. We literally need to go back to Area 51 to replace them."
"So we need to use the Stargate either way," said the Colonel while Willow nodded her head. It was then that the Colonel sighed, rubbed his face, and then leaned forward before asking, "what the hell just happened?"
"Sir," said Colonel Mitchell, "we just experienced a nuclear war."
"I got that," replied Colonel Emerson, "what I'd like to know is why? Did you get anything from the survivors when you were on the planet?"
"Sir," asked Willow, "how much do you know about me? I mean, do you know everything?"
"Yes," replied the Colonel as the redhead leaned forward, put her arms on the table, and sighed.
Willow hadn't told them what else she had learnt from her returning memories when they were down on the planet while they were waiting around the Heavy Raider, a few minutes before getting rescued by the Avalon. She wanted to let them know what she recalled when they were alone, without the Colonials listening in to them since they were speaking Ancient Greek; she didn't want the Colonials to know what she knew.
"We're in the middle of a blood feud," said Willow, her face expressionless. She gave Colonel Emerson the same information she had given her teammates while they were in the library a few hours before the bombs fell. It was just then that the Colonel knew about Kobol, the fake Earth that Willow had sent the Furling Organic Drones to when she was still ascended, and everything else that SG-1 had already known. But it was what came later that surprised everyone at the conference table, "After my exile on Earth, I returned to Kobol and there was nothing there. So Hera and I traveled the stars, but our powers still kept on increasing because people were worshiping us. Eventually it got so much that I searched out the source again, and I came to the Twelve Colonies."
"So you were here, ma'am?" asked Grogan.
"Yeah," Willow replied as she looked at the table, a faraway look in her eyes, "they were much more technologically advanced than Earth, than many others civilizations. I mean they were nothing compared to the Goa'uld, Asgard, or the Nox, or the Tollan, but they were way above the tech that Earth had at that point in time."
"So these robots…. These Cylons?" asked Satterfield, "they were there then?"
"I was at the museum on Delphi when I saw my first Cylon," said Willow, "it was behind a glass case, apparently it was one of the models that prevented terrorists from blowing up a stadium. It was supposed to be a hero, or something. That was the first time… anyway, I left soon after some kid spilled his drink on my dress and… and I can't remember him for some reason. I…"
"Captain?" asked the Colonel, "continue."
"Sorry," Willow shook her head before telling the team and Colonel Emerson, that she returned a few years later to check on their progress, "by then the Colonials were treating the Cylons like slaves. They did everything from taking out the garbage, to walking their dogs, to serving in their military and fighting their wars, there were butlers; name it, they did it. But many gained sentience. They wanted freedom and… and that's when I knew that the programming the Colonials used for the Cylon robots were the same programming that was used for the Organic Drones that belonged to the Furlings."
"Their A.I could evolve," said Buffy who leaned back on her seat while Willow nodded her head, "they wanted to be free?"
"Yeah," replied Willow, "some even began believing in a God. I couldn't believe it, they evolved so much from the last time I saw them. But… but I was there.. I was there the day the first shot was fired. The shot that started the war."
"Which was?" asked Colonel Mitchel.
"Like I said, they used robots for everything, including looking after their children, and even as teachers," said Willow shaking her head, "like any human, some of the robots wanted to be free, while some others wanted to just stay how they were. They were sentient, but.. but they wanted to just live their artificial lives. However, they were evolving too fast… and some, a tiny fraction, started to experience emotions. It's weird, but I remember it just like yesterday."
"What happened?" asked Tara.
"A robot in a school lost its temper… I mean it was angry," said Willow, "it ran into teh building, and killed.. killed nearly everyone."
Everyone looked at the table as Willow told them about how the robot was eventually put down by the military after it killed numerous teachers and students, followed by numerous police officers. She continued to say that after that incident, there was a crackdown on the Cylons. They were going to be forcibly reprogrammed, starting with the military robots, "many fought back. I couldn't stand by and watch, so I left."
"No interference," mumbled Colonel Mitchell.
"No," mumbled Willow, "no interference. I returned five years later, and it was hell. Millions had died on either side. The situation with the robots and humans were already a huge powderkeg, and the murderous rampage in the school was the match that lit the fuse. I saw the Cylons get torn apart, and I saw Colonials; men, women, and children die. I had enough of war, so I left the Milky Way, and met up with Hera. But everywhere I went, there was war… and eventually I went back to the Destiny."
"Destiny?" asked Colonel Mitchell.
"Long story, sir," said Willow shaking her head, "after traveling for a while longer, I came back to Sunnydale. And the rest is history."
"And the Cylons came back," said Satterfield as she watched the video of the mysterious man shouting at Colonel Emerson, "to punish their parents."
"By killing them all," said Grogan, "Genocide."
"Okay," said Colonel Emerson as he rubbed his forehead before looking up at SG-1, "so we know the Cylon's reasons for going after the Colonials, no matter how demented they sound. But for right now, we need a way to fight them. They've been using a different form of faster than light travel that…"
"Furling Point Drive technology," said Willow as everyone looked at her, "I'm sorry… but I never expected that we'd ever come to the Colonies, and before we stepped through the Stargate, I didn't even remember them. I'm still getting used to everything… all my memories of my ascension are like pieces that fall into place when I experience something familiar."
"Can this point drive thing be stopped?" asked the Colonel, "the Cylons planes jumped into the Asgard shields, and that's how they… well… you've seen the state of the systems on the ship."
"I saw the sensor readings before everything went offline," said Colonel Mitchell, "it's a cool feature, this jumping tech."
Everyone then looked at Colonel Mitchell, who said he was sorry, "I know it caused all this damage, but it's still something that we could use in our ships. I mean we have one of their ships in the holding bay. We could take a look at it."
"Sir, it's not everything it's cracked up to be, there is a reason that the Furlings eventually used Hyperdrive," said Willow as she spoke to Colonel Mitchell, and then she turned to Colonel Emerson, "Sir, I suggest all our ships use the Ancient shielding system. The Point Drive system needs an opening, or else they'll be jumping into the ship. With the Ancient shield hugging the hull, they won't have an opening to jump between the shields and the ship."
"It'll be suicide for the pilots if they even try with the Ancient shields," said Buffy winching when she imagined dozens of fighters suddenly jumping into the ship, destroying themselves and the Earth vessel.
"The Point Drive System needs a fixed end point," said Willow, "Colonel Emerson, our ships need to be constantly moving. That way, they'll find it harder to get a fix on us."
"When we reach our destination," said Colonel Emerson, "I want everything we learnt to be sent to the SGC. We need a way to get an advantage over these Cylons."
"Understood, sir," replied Colonel Mitchell.
"We'll talk about the Point Drive, or whatever it is that the Colonials and Cylons call it, at another time," said the Colonel, "our main issue is to get these survivors to a safe place, then we contact the SGC, and then… well, let's see what General Landry says about our prisoners, and our asylum seeker. Dismissed."
TBC.
