The Consequences Of Not Being Polite

by The Sidhe

The Colonials finally encounter their long lost relatives. However, they find out that their cousins are not quite what they had expected. Now AU due to progression in the recent season.

14. Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Cylon Base Star, Somewhere in Deep Space, Off the Edge of the Conflict Zone.

What Caprica Six and Boomer considered to be the most important conference in the history of the Cylon race started quite badly.

Nobody disagreed with Caprica Six's statement on the reason why they were having the conference: to determine what we do now that we've found the Thirteenth Tribe, and found out that things aren't what we thought they'd be. Oh, no, nobody disagreed with the purpose behind the conference.

What they disagreed about was what we should do about this. On that score things had degenerated quite quickly. And, as usual, it had involved religion.

The representative from the Simons had been remarkably quiet. His only contribution to the discussion was that "God's Purpose will be revealed." That, and his snarling response to the Cavil representative's snide comment about the Simon's statement.

D'anna Biers, as usual, was the representative from the Threes. She had also taken offence at the Cavil representative's swipe at the Cylon faith, taking the Simons' side very quickly. The Conoys had also joined the fray, while the Fives had quickly backed off. Their representative stood off to one side and watched the "discussion" with a worried expression on his face.

Caprica Six also watched in irritation. Could it be possible that, as a race, the Cylons are a bunch of morons? she thought to herself. She looked over at Boomer. Her irritation with the "proceedings" was also quite plain on her face.

Caprica Six had no problems with interpreting the thought behind Boomer's face: I wish I had my Colonial Fleet issue service pistol on me. She agreed entirely with the sentiment.

A Terran, if he or she had been observing the verbal fracas, would have come out with two sayings: Quarrelling like a bunch of Kilkenny Cats and It's enough to try the patience of saints and angels. It was more than likely that, once the meaning behind the expressions had been explained to her, Caprica Six would have agreed with them.

She did, however, decide to take some advantage of the situation. Motioning to Boomer, she moved over to the Five representative. "Do you mind if we tell you what we intend to propose once we manage to impose some order here?" she asked.

The Five looked at the both of them. "At this point in time," he said, "I would welcome anything that was even remotely constructive."

Caprica Six looked at Boomer, who gave her a thumbs up. "Well, this is what I and Boomer are going to propose we do." She quickly ran through what the two of them had worked out in private with Baltar. "What do you think?" she asked at the end.

The Five remained deep in thought, obviously consulting with the others of his variant. "Basically," said Boomer, "it is a variation on what we were doing when we were looking for the base star. All we are suggesting is that we add in establishing a forward base in a suitable system, but also that we prepare a line of retreat back to the Colonies."

"What about the idea of 'open negotiations' with the Terrans?" he asked. "I could see problems in getting some of our fellows to agree to that." He left unsaid which variants would react negatively to that part of their proposal: the Cavils and the Threes.

"We basically suggest that as an option that we should consider once we find out just what the real situation in this area of space is," said Caprica Six. "We could also add that both Adama and Roslin will by now have told the Terrans what happened back in the Colonies, and emphasise the need for a real 'new start', especially with the Terrans."

"And if the Terrans demand that we pay for our 'crimes' against the Colonials?" the Five asked.

"We come to that bridge when it's time to cross it," said Boomer. "What is important is that we have some kind of a plan in place now. Because if we don't we will be crushed, either by the Terrans or those giant lizards. And speaking personally, I would like to avoid either fate."

The Five representative's eyes lost their focus as he consulted with the others of his variant of Cylon. Eventually they regained their focus. He turned and faced both Boomer and Caprica Six. "Your plan is not perfect," he said, "but we'll support you. So far, it's the only proposal that seems to have a good chance of working, let alone being the only one so far." His tone of voice grew rather sarcastic as he said the last part of that sentence.

"Thank you," said Caprica Six. "Now to try and put some order into the proceedings."

The Five smirked. "Perhaps we should summon Baltar to chair this assembly," he said. "Of course, I do suspect that he may have had a hand in this plan of yours."

"Why, what makes you think that?" asked Caprica Six.

"The fact that it is very cautious, and free of some of the, ah, shall we say, monomanias that tend to affect some of our thinking," said the Five. "Mind you, that's not necessarily a bad thing." He turned to look at the squabble that was still going on.

Both Caprica Six and Boomer followed the Five's example and noticed that the argument had gotten more heated. Caprica Six sighed, and then strode up to the arguing quintuplet.

"Excuse me," she said. None of the four disputants paid any attention.

She cleared her throat. "Excuse me!" she said somewhat louder. Again none of the arguing Cylons paid her any attention.

Scowling, she took a deep breath. "Will you just shut the frack up for a moment?" she shouted.

That got their attention. Stunned, the quarrelling foursome looked in her direction.

Smiling, she acknowledged each one individually. "Thank you all so kindly for allowing me the chance to speak," she said.

The Cavil raised an eyebrow. "Getting some bad habits, I see?" he said. "I wonder where from?"

Caprica Six's eyes narrowed. "I think I can see one source of any 'bad habits' standing in front of me," she said in a dangerous voice.

The Cavil affected an attitude of mock indignation. "Who, Me?" he asked.

Biers shot him a look. "She didn't say who, Cavil," she said. "She just simply cut a suit from whole cloth."

The Cavil frowned at the human saying that Biers threw at him. He was about to open his mouth to retort when Biers forestalled him. "You wanted to say something, Caprica?" she asked.

Caprica flashed Biers a brief smile and nodded. "You've heard me state the reason for calling this conference," she said. All the Cylons present nodded. "Well, myself and Boomer have a proposal we would like to present to you." A murmur of astonishment sprang up from Biers, the Cavil and the Conoy. Interestingly, the Simon said nothing, but folded his arms and gave Caprica Six an interested look. "We got together and, acting on behalf of all of the Sixes and Eights, managed to put together a proposed plan of action to present to you at this gathering," Caprica Six said.

"Did Baltar help you with this plan?" the Simon asked.

Caprica Six shot him a somewhat querulous look. I wonder what prompted you to ask that particular question? she thought. Looking the Simon in the eye, she said, "As a matter of fact, we did consult with him on this proposal. After all, his suggestion helped us last time."

"Well, yes, he did help us find the missing base star and helped us avoid those reptilian nightmares," sneered the Cavil. He ignored the annoyed glare that both Caprica Six and Biers shot him and continued. "At least your pet human has proven that he is much more that a..."

"If you don't want to download into another body with the memory of an exceedingly painful, not to mention, embarrassing death, although I would suspect that the rest of us may find it amusing, you had better not finish that sentence," Caprica Six growled in a low, dangerous voice.

"If you're thinking of killing him in the manner that I suspect, Caprica," said Biers in an equally dangerous tone, "I may well help you."

Boomer stepped up next to Caprica Six. "I may even help you myself," she said. "After all, my Colonial Fleet training did teach me how to resist some... interesting techniques. Part of which involved me learning them in the first place." She gave the Cavil a faux sweet smile as she said this.

The Cavil looked at the faces of the three female Cylons. As far as he could see, they were dead serious. Slowly he began to back off, raising his hands in front of him. "Now, easy, er... I mean, I didn't really mean to insinuate anything, er..." His voice died away and he swallowed nervously. Throughout all of this the Simon, the Conoy and the Five watched with varying levels of amusement.

The Simon stepped forward. "You were going to tell us something, Caprica?" he asked.

Caprica shot him a grateful look. "Yes I was," she said. Quickly, she and Boomer told the other assembled Cylons what the two of them and Baltar had come up with. "So," she finished, "any comments?"

The Five that Caprica Six had approached stepped forward said "Basically it's a variation of the plan that we adopted when we were looking for the lost base star. I also like the part about establishing a base in this general area while we find out the situation in this area of space. I think we should adopt it."

"Thank you," said Caprica. She looked around the gathering. "Anyone else?"

"I think that it has much to commend it," said Biers. We establish a base in this area while we feel out the situation in this area of space. I agree: we should adopt it in its broad outline."

The way that Biers had said that gave Caprica some pause for thought. What are you up to, D'anna? she thought to herself

The Simon thought for a moment, and then said "I think that this plan will help further God's plan. We should do it."

Everyone then turned and faced the representative of the Cavils. He looked around at the others. "Before we go any further," he said, "I have a few questions. First, what precisely do you mean by 'open negotiations with the Terrans?' They're humans, for frack's sake! We can't negotiate with humans!"

"They may be humans," said Caprica Six," but it can't have escaped even your notice that they may be humans who are in the position of being able to wipe out the entire Cylon race without even trying. Those six warships we encountered should have told you that by themselves."

"What gives you that idea, Caprica?" asked Biers. Caprica Six said nothing, but instead indicated Boomer.

"The energy readings we got out of the DRADIS data were quite terrifying," said Boomer. "I've never seen anything like that. Plus, the fact that only two of those ships threw five hundred nuclear warheads at us! I think that shows what they are capable of."

"They may have, but they didn't hit us," said the Cavil.

"That's because they weren't trying to hit us," replied Boomer. "Those were warning shots. Even you couldn't be that obtuse!"

"Ok. So, assuming that we at least follow the part of the plan that says we establish our forward base somewhere in this vicinity while we locate the Terrans and the giant lizards, where do you suggest we place it?" asked the Cavil.

"Definitely not in the system we encountered the Terrans in," said Boomer. "That may be considered somewhat provocative. And, until we pretty much know what we are up against here, I would suggest we look at one of the other systems we encountered on our journey here."

"And just why do you think establishing a base in that particular system would be considered provocative?" asked Biers.

"The 'Commodore' said that her force was a 'light cruiser squadron'," said Boomer. "The Colonial Fleet used to have light units that they used for scouting and screening purposes. I would say that they were in that system on a scouting mission of some kind."

"Why do you say that?" asked the Simon.

"The fact that they didn't appear on our DRADIS until we moved to attack the Colonials," said Boomer. "I suspect that they were operating under some kind of stealth system that far surpass what I was familiar with as a Colonial Fleet officer. If they were doing that, then I would say they were out scouting for something."

"So, what do you think they were scouting for?"

"Possibly to see if there was any military presence in the system," Boomer replied. "And the only thing I can think of that would have that sort of presence other than the Terrans would be the giant lizards."

A brief silence fell across the gathering. Then, Biers said, "You think we may have stumbled into a war zone?"

"Quite possibly," said Boomer. "It's the only explanation I can see just why a force like that would be sneaking around in an uninhabited system." She then fixed the Cavil with her gaze. "And here's something else I would like you to consider: if those six vessels we saw are light fleet units, imagine what their version of something like a battlestar or base star would be like? I certainly would not want to run into something like that without any foreknowledge!"

An uneasy silence fell over the meeting as those present considered the implications of Boomer's last statement. The size and the technological superiority displayed by the Terran ships had been a major factor in the uncertainty that had settled on the Cylon race as a whole.

Biers shook herself and said, "I think in that case we may be better off accepting the plan that Caprica and Boomer have put forward. However, I would like to suggest some minor changes."

"Such as?" asked Caprica Six.

"We build two bases in this region," Biers said. "One in a suitable system along our path out here, but also one in the system we encountered the Terrans in."

"Are you crazy?" asked Boomer. "We can't build a base there! The Terrans know all about that system by now! And if they were indeed scouting for any kind of a military presence, our being there will be almost automatically seen as provocative at the least!"

"Maybe," Biers replied. "Or, they may see it as a 'gutsy move', something that could help us if and when we decide to negotiate with them."

"Wait a minute," said the Cavil. "What makes you think that we should be negotiating with the Terrans? Who are, may I remind you, humans?"

"Do you have some kind of objection to at least talking with them, Cavil?" asked Biers.

"Yes! The fact that it is in our best interests to find some way of totally exterminating the human pest once and for all!" said the Cavil.

"Given the fact that the Terrans are not only technologically superior to us but, according to all of the sources we have, have been in this area of space for thousands of years, just how do you suggest we go about doing that?" asked a very sarcastic Caprica Six. "After all, this is their territory."

"Well," said the Cavil, "we work out where the two local powers have their systems. Once that is done, we open negotiations with the lizards."

A stunned silence fell over the gathering. Then Caprica Six shook her head and said, "You must be displaying some kind of malfunction. Negotiate with the lizards? Need I remind you that they attacked our expedition out here unprovoked? While the Terrans fired what were basically warning shots and, because we were being quite offensive with them," (this, with a look at Biers), "warned us off? Personally, I think we would have a better chance negotiating with the Colonials than the lizards!"

"Well, how about this?" said the Cavil. "When we finally work out who is where, and we have our brand new bases all ready, you," he said, indicating both Caprica Six and Boomer" can go talk to the Terrans while I and whoever wants to come with me, go talk to the giant lizards."

"And what makes you think they would want to talk with you?" asked Biers.

"Their enemy is most likely our enemy. Meaning the humans, both Terran and Colonial," replied the Cavil. "We offer them some additional support in their fight against the humans. In return, we only ask for a share of the glory 'for the glory of God'," he finished. "How does that sound?"

Biers, Boomer and Caprica Six examined the Cavil, as did the others. Then, the Conoy stepped forward. "I think we should adopt both of these modifications to Caprica's basic proposal," he said.

The Simon stepped forward. "I think that God has revealed his wishes in this," he said. "I agree with the proposal and its modifications."

"I don't think that the basic proposal should really be modified," said Boomer. She looked at Caprica Six. "However, if we take suitable precautions in case anything goes wrong, then I would accept these modifications."

"What precautions should we take?" asked Biers.

"That the negotiating parties be as small as possible," Boomer replied. "And that the base we establish along our path here be well hidden and be the stronger of the two bases, just in case we get a response that is not what you," indicating both Biers and the Cavil, "expect."

Biers though about what Boomer had said, and then looked at Caprica Six. "What do you say, Caprica?" she asked. "It is your proposal."

Caprica Six thought about her response. Then she said, "If we accept the conditions that Boomer has stated, I see no problems with the modifications." Other than the obvious ones, she thought to herself.

Biers looked at the Five. He nodded his acceptance of the proposal. "In that case," she said, "Caprica and Boomer's proposal, as modified here, is accepted. Boomer, Caprica, Five, I would like to meet with you to discuss how to implement the basic strategy as well as where you think we should put the hidden base."

"Good," said the Cavil. "In that case, are there any objections while I go and plan out our mission to the giant lizards?"

"As far as I am concerned, you can lead the mission to the giant lizards," said Biers. The Cavil said nothing, but gave a sarcastic little smile and bow as he left the room.

"Ok, D'anna," said Caprica Six. "What are you up to?"

"Me, Caprica?" said Biers. "You think I'm up to something?"

Caprica Six didn't answer, but gave Biers a very droll look.

Biers grinned. "Well, maybe just a little bit," she said. "But I'm not going to have to do all that much. The Cavils will basically do all the work."

"To do what?" asked Boomer.

"To prove to the entire Cylon race once and for all that they are the biggest, most conceited group of prats the universe has been burdened with," replied Biers. She nodded in the direction the Cavil had taken. "Him, especially," she said.

A light suddenly turned on in Caprica's head. "You don't think he's going to have that much success with the giant lizards, do you?" she said.

"I don't expect him to succeed at all," Biers replied. "We just give him what he wants and..."

"The giant lizards do the rest," said Caprica Six. "That's... diabolical!" she said.

Biers shrugged. "Perhaps it might remove some of the more malign influence that line has in our society," she said.

"You intend for the Cavils to be 'boxed'?" asked Boomer.

"No," said Biers. "But I hope to remove much of the influence the Cavils have by showing the rest of the Cylon race an even bigger frack-up that anything I did." Caprica Six and Boomer said nothing, but nodded their heads. Whether it was in agreement or not, nobody could tell.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Colonial Refugee Fleet, Unnamed System.

Over the next few days the away parties from the Terran cruiser squadron fanned out over the refugee fleet. Although they could easily see that the ships that made up the fleet were in need of some serious time in a spacedock, they were quite impressed with how the fleet's engineering staff had managed, with limited resources, to keep the ships in quite good condition. None of the fleet's engineers, however, objected to the Terran squadron's own engineering personnel, with their far more advanced and capable gear, going over the fleet's vital equipment and making any adjustments wherever they were deemed necessary. Nor did anyone object to the Terrans fitting distress beacons to all the hyperspace engines in the fleet in case of any misjumps. Although they were warmed that the Raptors would also be able to detect them if they went off, the idea that the Terran ships would be able to home in onto their location was a reassuring one to many of the people in the fleet.

The Terrans also proved popular with the fleet's civilian population. Their quiet professionalism, combined with the courteousness they displayed whenever they interacted with any of the refugee fleet's personnel, when combined with the clear competence they carried out their assigned tasks, demonstrated clearly to the civilians in the fleet that they were in good hands. This was enhanced by the two officers who wound up being the public face of the Terran Imperial Navy's mission to the Colonial fleet: Commander Phan and Lieutenant Morgan. Phan, whenever he had to give a press conference or address a meeting of the fleet's captains, clearly gave the impression of a younger, Terran version of William Adama, while Morgan impressed people with the way he handled the questions that were thrown at him by the members of the Fleet's press corps, a skill that easily impressed Laura Roslin and her staff. Especially impressive was the way that he handled informing the members of the press about the war they had found themselves caught in the middle of. By the time he had finished, he had, with some help from Roslin and her staff, convinced the press that the best course of action was the one they were already taking: to get the Fleet in condition for the trip to Sandoval Base.

There was some difficulty involving the Terran's advanced computing abilities. Although the fleet had been warned that it was much better than anything they had ever encountered, it still took people by surprise when it was used in their presence for the first time. This led to what became known as "The Great Computing Lesson," or, more sarcastically (at least by the Terrans) as "Phan and Morgan's Epistle to the Colonials." In a live broadcast to the entire Fleet, both Commander Phan and Lieutenant Morgan demonstrated with their PortaPCs what they could do with them. Everyone was astonished at what they could do, but the real surprise was when Phan used both Morgan's and his PortaPCs to temporarily take over the Fleet's traffic control, giving guidance to the various small craft, including those that looked to Galactica, that was so exact that an astonished Captain Aaron Kelly asked if they could somehow establish a similar system for him to use. Commander Phan said that he couldn't make any firm promises, but soon afterwards some Terran computer technicians installed two networked PortaPCs in Kelly's station.

Kelly wasn't the only Colonial officer to be affected by what was termed "techno-lust." Tigh was right in saying that Tyrol would want a close look at the Terran's cargo handling frames. Tyrol was also impressed with the scanning abilities of the Terran PortaPCs, which enabled technicians to detect microscopic cracks in things like Viper airframes before they could cause catastrophic failures. He was also impressed by the laser welders the Terrans had brought with them and also by how, when he needed to have a Viper held up while a wing was replaced the Terrans simply came over, attached two small anti-gravity pods to the Viper and its affected wing and asked him how high he wanted it off the ground. As Tyrol said in Joe's Bar to some of the others, "So many toys!" The same disease also afflicted Cottle when he saw the wealth of equipment that Petrov and his medics had brought over from the squadron. As he said to Adama and Roslin in a private briefing in Adama's quarters, "Sickbay is now better equipped than Caprica City General Hospital ever was! And what they brought over is a temporary field surgery!"

Since the Terran engineering crews had not much to do in the Fleet in general, they had been largely redeployed to Nike to help in her refit. They had examined both her hyperspace and normal space engines, fixing any problems they had come across including the disharmony in the hyperspace engines. They had also managed to speed up the reestablishment of airtight integrity in Nike's fabrication section, which enabled the Colonials to start manufacturing various items the Fleet needed. (As a side benefit they had also managed to not only clear out the Raptor 'hack pack' but had also tweaked the manufacturing software so that the machinery was now more efficient than when the Cylons had owned the base star.) They also helped to render large areas of Nike suitable for human habitation, something which helped to ease the chronic overcrowding on Galactica.

There was some friction over the Terrans' wearing their skinsuits, but that was also explained in a press conference by Doctor Cottle and Lieutenant-Commander Petrov, who described in detail some of the diseases that the Terrans were afflicted by. He also described several incidents when isolated populations had come in contact with the Terrans without any regard for the chances of infection. The friction was eased when, after four days, both Cottle and Petrov announced that the Terrans would be able to wear their day uniforms. The Terrans, who began to wear their day uniforms, albeit with filter masks, greeted this news with some relief. This also enabled the Terrans to begin mingling more freely with the Colonials, even to the extent of staking out an area of Joe's Bar as their "informal mess." Payment for their drinks was no problem, as they often helped in maintaining some of the bar's facilities, even improving on them by using some of their technology. This helped to further ease any friction that arose between the Colonials and the Terrans.

The Terran uniforms aroused great interest. The engineers, when on duty, wore khaki-coloured coveralls with their rank insignia worn either on the upper sleeve or, in the case of the officers, on the shoulders. The normal day uniforms as worn by the officers, however, drew great interest. When Apollo and the others had asked about the officer's insignia, they were told that the thickness and number of rings indicated rank. To Apollo and the others the gold stripes they saw didn't look like rings. However, they soon changed their minds when they saw that in their day uniforms the Terran officers did wear gold rings on the cuffs of their tunics. The tunics themselves were of a dark blue-black material, which was clearly organic in nature, something that surprised the Colonials. They were also double-breasted and had a small standing collar, with two rows of gilded buttons, and hung to mid-thigh. On the left breast of the tunic were worn bits of coloured ribbon that were obviously some kind of military decoration.

The top part of the tunic was worn unfastened and folded back to reveal both a turtle-necked blouse and the colour of the lining, which, to the surprised Colonials, was not uniform. Enquiries revealed that the colours corresponded to the "department" the wearer belonged. Black was the Executive Branch, green Medical, purple Engineering, light blue Aerospace, Pursers and Quartermasters white, and Naval Constructors maroon. The other ranks all wore a similar style of tunic, but cut shorter and worn fully buttoned up. Badges indicating proficiency skills and length of service, as well as rank, were worn on the sleeves. Both officers and enlisted men had nametags and also had a shoulder patch with the name of their ship embroidered on it in Lingua Terra. They also wore blue-black trousers that were tucked into and bloused out over soft boots, with the exception of Lieutenant Morgan, who wore trousers of a similar cut and colour except with the addition of a gold side stripe running up the seam and polished black leather boots.

The Terrans were always smartly turned out, their uniforms neat and tidy, something which the Colonials couldn't help but notice in comparison to the worn condition of their own gear. To give the Terrans credit they soon noticed this and offered to help rectify the situation by giving the Colonials some "dhoby stations", which they translated as "glorified washing machines." Both Adama and Tigh accepted the offer; some machines were provided, personnel shown how to use them, and soon the appearance of the Colonial Fleet personnel began to improve, as did morale. Tigh was also proven correct in another sense: the Colonial Fleet personnel began to subtly sharpen up their behaviour under the influence of the example provided by the Terrans.

Most notable of all was the uniform Lieutenant Morgan wore. Although it looked similar to the standard officer's uniform, it was cut to just above the knee and had gold trim on the open lapels. The shoulders had a pair of buttons next to the high collar and gold straps out towards the point of the shoulder. When he was asked by President Roslin what they were for, he grimaced and said that they were for a fringed shoulder decoration called an epaulet "which, with all due respect, Madame President, I just hope I don't have any call for here." In place of the ribbons he wore what were quite clearly medals of some kind. He also wore a strange arrangement of gold cords on his left shoulder. When Roslin asked him what it was, he said that it was called an aiguillette and signified his status as a staff officer. He also added that as he was the military liaison to the President of the Twelve Colonies he was required to wear the dress version of the standard day uniform.

One custom aroused great interest in the Colonial Fleet personnel: whenever the Terrans came off duty, an old-fashioned whistle, called a "bosun's pipe" would sound out some calls. The Terrans would assemble and be issued small containers of liquid. When asked what was going on, they explained that whenever the enlisted personnel of the Terran Imperial Navy went off duty, they were issued what was called "grog." The Colonials asked if they could try some, and found out that what the Terrans were being issued was a form of alcohol, something that greatly surprised the Colonials. Asked about the origins of the custom, they were told that it came "from the wet-navies of pre-spaceflight Earth" and that the Terran Imperial Navy had decided to resurrect the custom as a means of not only helping the crews to relax, but also to give them a sense of tradition. However, it must be said that this was not a tradition that Adama and Tigh were willing to import into the Colonial Fleet.

Of course it all wasn't one-way. The Terran engineers were quite impressed with the design of both Galactica and Nike. Although the technology that both vessels employed was way behind that used by the Terrans they were quite impressed by the design philosophy behind both vessels. When Lieutenant-Commander Van Hysler asked Adama for permission to access any files the Colonials had on the design of both vessels, he turned him over to Tigh. Tigh, himself impressed by the Terrans' efficiency and flattered that they wanted to learn about the Colonial Fleet's mainstays, was willing to discuss the subject. Both men, joined by Commander Phan, spent several hours off-duty discussing both battlestar and base star design over drinks, a process that amused Tigh when he saw how the Terrans coped with handling drinks while wearing filter masks. ("Pretty damn impressive too," Tigh later said to Adama. "Whoever designed the things really knew what they were doing.")

The Terrans also took a close look at the Mark VII Viper and proclaimed it a design "that has a lot of potential to have our technology applied to it," something that chuffed Galactica's Viper pilots no end, as well as the coil guns that both Galactica and Nike were armed with ("Quite efficient designs. Actually better than the ones we use," was the verdict, which chuffed the rest of Galactica's crew.) However, what the Terrans considered the main discovery occurred in Gaeta's laboratory area during a working conversation between Gaeta and Lieutenant Van Der Westhuysen, the Terran astrogator.

Both men were working on the task of compiling all of the navigation data that the Colonials had amassed on their long voyage and converting it into charts that the Terrans could use to help the Colonials work out a course to Sandoval Base when Van Der Westhuysen noticed the formula Felix Gaeta used to plot a hyperspace jump.

"Excuse me, Felix," Van Der Westhuysen said to him, "can you perform that calculation for me again? Only this time, will you talk me through it?"

Gaeta gave the Terran a rather odd look. This was quite understandable, as the Terran had impressed the Colonial Fleet officer with his competence. "Sure," he said, and performed the calculation again, taking the Terran through it step by step.

The Terran officer looked at the calculation, then at Gaeta. Then he called up his holographic screen (in order to allow Gaeta to use it the Terrans had installed a Colonial Fleet keyboard with a mouse) and then called up a program.

Gaeta's eyebrows rose as he recognised it as a Terran code compilation program. "Something the matter?" he said.

"Not necessarily, no," Van Der Westhuysen replied as he began to operate the code compiler. Gaeta looked on and his eyes widened as he saw that the Terran was compiling a program that would run both the formula he was using, the one the Terrans used and would compare the resulting outputs. This could get interesting, he thought. "How come you're compiling a program?" he asked.

"Just testing a hunch," he said. He finished compiling the program, tested it, and then entered the navigation data the two of them were using. As the results came in he raised his eyebrows and let out a long whistle of amazement. He leaned forward to take a closer look.

"Well, what is it?" Gaeta said after a while.

The Terran indicated the screen. "If this simulation is correct," he said, "and I think it is, the method you people use to calculate hyperspace jumps is not only quicker and easier to use than ours, it is also a lot more accurate than the one we use. That could be of great importance in doing a multijump."

"A what?"

"Multijump," said the Terran. He looked at the stunned Colonial officer. "I'm not surprised you don't know about it," he said, "as we've only been using it for the past ten years. Helped us no end in planning our offensive against the lizards, but we had to be spot on in our navigation. The amount of reconnaissance we had to do just to get the coordinates right was truly amazing. The slightest inaccuracy in the calculations would have resulted in a pretty big error. But this," he said, indicating the side of the screen where the output from the equation Gaeta had been using all this time," would have helped eliminate a huge amount of both calculation and error." He looked back at Gaeta. "Do you mind if I send this over to the Squadron so they can double-check on their nav comps?"

Gaeta was stunned by what Van Der Westhuysen had said. "Er, do you mind if I go and talk to Colonel Tigh first?" he asked.

Van Der Westhuysen nodded. "Sure, go ahead," he said. As Gaeta got up and left the lab space, the Terran astrogation officer returned to his examination of the results from his comparison program.

Gaeta hurried through Galactica's labyrinthine corridors towards CIC. In his head swirled a confused mass of thoughts and emotions. Frack, the Colonel's not going to believe this, he thought. Hell, I don't believe it, and I was the one he told! Perhaps I should also speak to the Admiral? No, Colonel Tigh's the best one to make that call. It was with thoughts like these that Gaeta walked into Galactica's CIC. Looking around, he noted Tigh standing next to Adama in the centre, discussing something.

He walked over, "Er, excuse me, Admiral, Colonel."

Adama looked over, "Yes? What is it, Mr. Gaeta?" he said.

"Sorry for the interruption, sirs, but..." He then told both Adama and Tigh what had transpired in the lab space.

Both Adama and Tigh were astonished. "You mean to tell us that, despite the Terrans having their... 'advanced' computing capability, we possess a better method of calculatinga hyperspace jump?" asked an incredulous Tigh.

"Er, yes sir," replied Gaeta. "Lieutenant Van Der Westhuysen said that our method would have helped them in planning what he called 'multijumping.'"

"'Multijumping?' What in the names of the gods is that?" asked Tigh.

"I wonder if it's like what we had Athena do when we sent that rescue team back to Caprica?" mused Adama. "Consecutive jumps."

"Could be, Admiral,' said Gaeta. "He didn't really explain it to me, but he did say that the amount of reconnaissance and planning they had to do in working out their offensive would have been cut back if they had access to our methods."

"he hasn't sent his results off yet?" asked Adama.

"No, Admiral," said Gaeta. "In fact, he asked for my permission first. I said I had to speak to Colonel Tigh first and he accepted that."

Adama looked over at Tigh. "I suppose we had better go and see Lieutenant Van Der Westhuysen and hear what he has to say," he said.

Tigh nodded, and the three men left CIC. On their way out, Tigh looked at Lieutenant Dualla. "Lieutenant?"

"Yes, Colonel?"

"If anyone is looking for us, the Admiral and I will be in Mr. Gaeta's lab area," he said. He didn't wait for Dualla's response, but followed Adama and Gaeta out.

Suffice it to say that when Adama and Tigh spoke to Van Der Westhuysen they were sufficiently impressed with his explanation of both his results and of the idea of multijumping ("We devised it so as to reduce the Navy's reaction time to any Raptor incursion. Mind you, to make it work properly we had to completely design and build a new generation of hyperspace engines.") that they agreed to allow the Terran officer to send his results over to the Squadron for them to check in their navigation computers. When news on this development spread throughout the Fleet, it removed one more layer of friction between the two groups.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

What finally removed nearly all friction between the Colonials and the Terrans however was their reaction to Galactica's Memorial Hallway. A group of them were being taken on a familiarisation tour of the Galactica when they entered the Memorial Hallway. The officer in charge of the group, a sub-Lieutenant, asked their guide what it was. When they were told what it was and how it was formed after the attack on the Colonies, the sub-Lieutenant immediately drew his men up into to ranks, stood them at attention, turned towards the Shrine and threw a salute. Sometime later, after it was determined that there was no need for skinsuits to be worn, Commodore 'Abal contacted Adama and asked permission to "bring a section of Marines and several of my staff over to Galactica." Intrigued, Adama asked 'Abal why she wanted to do this. She said, "My officers have told me about your Memorial Hallway, and I felt that it was appropriate that, on behalf of the Squadron, and, through us, the Navy, to pay our respects in a more formal manner." Surprised at the reason, Adama granted permission and asked if it was all right with 'Abal if President Roslin could attend on behalf of the civilians in the Fleet. "Of course, Admiral, said 'Abal," I was going to ask you to invite her along in any case."

So Adama, Roslin, their respective staffs (including Lieutenant Morgan) and the Terran personnel on Galactica at the time, as well as the entire Quorum of Twelve, were waiting at another docking area for 'Abal to arrive on board what was termed Basilicata's "Pinnace", the Marines having arrived earlier by shuttlecraft.

Morgan was wearing the uniform he had been wearing ever since he had been allowed to take off his skinsuit, but with some additions to it. For one thing he was wearing a pair of fringed shoulder decorations in gold metal. Obviously, these were the much-dreaded "epaulets." And I can see why, though Adama.

Then there was the hat.. It was constructed out of the same cloth as were the uniforms, and had a woven metal badge as well as some kind of black visor on it. But the thing that surprised the Colonials was that Morgan had what was quite clearly a sword of some kind. It was attached by decorated black leather straps to an equally ornate belt, and was actually carried in the left hand. His hands were clad in white gloves and, of course, he wore his filter mask.

"Gods," said Tigh in a whispered aside to Adama. "And I thought that our getup was uncomfortable!"

The sound of marching feet came down the corridor as Galactica's Marines, also wearing their dress greys came towards the docking bay. Other members of the Fleet's military, pressed into service as traffic wardens, cleared a path for them so they could reach a spot that had been set-aside for them.

Adama had decided that the least the Colonial military and, through them, the entire Fleet, could do to repay 'Abal's gesture was to give her "an appropriate welcome" to Galactica. So he had consulted with Commander Phan (who was also present and wearing his dress uniform) and Lieutenant Morgan on how to do so. They not only gave Adama a verbal and, thanks to their PortaPCs a visual depiction of how a flag officer was welcomed on board a military vessel, they also printed off for Adama a hardcopy. He and Tigh then poured over it with Marine Lieutenant Burrell, Gunny Hadrian and Apollo. As a result, both Burrell and Hadrian had been drilling their Marines relentlessly.

Everyone's attention was drawn to the final approach of Basilicata's pinnace. It slid in and went through the motions of docking. Eventually the doors on the two sets of airlocks opened to reveal 'Abal and her staff in their dress uniforms and filter masks. 'Abal's uniform was similar to the ones the Colonials had seen Phan and Morgan wear, except that she had more decorations and wore two bands of gold lace on her cap visor.

The Terran officers stepped through the airlock door and 'Abal saluted the docking bay officer who, now well aware of the protocol observed by Terran naval personnel when visiting a ship, returned the salute.

Burrell barked out an order that brought the assembled Marines to attention. At a second order they brought their weapons to what the Terrans easily recognised as a "present arms" position. 'Abal hid any surprise she may have had at the Colonial Marines' actions, but returned their gesture with a salute of her own. She then walked slowly past the honour guard, keeping her hand up at the salute as she went and looking off towards them. When she finished passing them, she brought her hand down from the salute, and Burrell returned the guard to the "attention" position.

'Abal kept walking until she was face-to-face with Adama. "Admiral," she said, saluting him as she did so.

Adama returned the salute. "Commodore," he said. "Welcome aboard Galactica."

"Thank you, sir, for the welcome." 'Abal looked about and saw both Phan and Morgan standing in the waiting crowd. "I suspect that my two officers may have a hand in what just happened," she said.

Adama nodded. "They have been most helpful and not just in helping to arrange this little ceremony," he said. "Would you and your staff please step this way?" He indicated the awaiting crowd of dignitaries.

"Of course, Admiral." 'Abal and her staff followed Adama towards the crowd.

Adama stepped up to Laura Roslin. "I do believe you already know President Roslin," he said with a slight smile.

'Abal returned it with one of her own. "I do believe you are correct, sir." She stopped before Roslin, clicked her heels and gave a small bow. "Madame President," she said.

Roslin gave a smile and held her hand out to 'Abal. "Commodore," she said. "It is good to be able to meet with you in much better circumstances than when we last met."

'Abal took Roslin's hand and shook it. "I heartily agree, Madame President," she said.

"On behalf of the people of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, welcome and thank you for what you have already done for us," Roslin said. "We are in your debt."

"Hardly that, Madame President," said 'Abal.

Roslin stepped aside and indicated Tom Zarek. "May I introduce our Vice-President, Mr. Tom Zarek?" she said.

'Abal repeated the greeting she gave Roslin. "Mr. Vice-President," she said.

Zarek returned her greeting. "Commodore."

Both 'Abal and Roslin moved down the greeting line, greeting each member of the Quorum of Twelve in turn. Then, Adama took over and introduced his staff. Finally, Adama said to 'Abal, "Commodore, if you and your staff will follow me, we shall now head off to the Memorial Hall. I believe your Marines are already there." With that, the party of military and civilian personnel followed Adama through Galactica's corridors.

When they arrived at the entrance to the Hall, they saw the group of Imperial Marines standing in two lines of five. Standing nearby were two other Marines flanking a large floral wreath made out of red silken flowers, as well as three others who carried what looked like some kind of simple trumpet. It had no valves, but was just a simple coiled tube of metal with a bell end.

Those people who had not seen the Imperial Marines in their dress uniforms looked them over. The Marines all wore caps made out of a black-blue material with a red band. On the front were a woven badge and a black visor (which Lieutenant Morgan had whispered was called a peak). Their tunics were single-breasted and made out of a red material with blue collars and cuffs. They were fully closed. The collar was of a stand-and-fall type and, unlike the naval personnel, rank insignia was worn on collar patches worn at the front of the collar. The uniforms were finished off with black-blue trousers with a red seam-stripe (edged with gold in the case of the officers, who also wore swords) and worn over highly polished black ankle boots. The officers wore white waist sashes. Interestingly, they were armed with what were obviously antiquated bolt-action firearms, complete with bayonets.

At a command, the Imperial Marines came to attention. At another command, six Marines marched across the front of the memorial wall and positioned themselves in a semi-circle. They then faced away from the wall, and, in a slow, stately manoeuvre, rested the muzzles of their weapons on the toes of their boots, placed their hands on top of the butt, and slowly bowed their heads.

'Abal then stood in front of the wall. At a signal, the two Marine officers flanking the wreath picked it up and moved in front of 'Abal so she was facing the wreath. They then began to move slowly towards the wall, carrying the wreath with them, with 'Abal and her staff following. They stopped in front of the wall and 'Abal, stepping forward, helped them to position the wreath. She then stepped back and, as the two Marine officers stepped away, she came to attention, and saluted the wall. She then stepped away, facing the wall all the time. When she got back to her original position, the rest of the Marine guard presented arms, and the Marines carrying the small trumpets put it to his lips and began to play.

A brisk, but haunting melody echoed through the corridor. It lasted about a minute. After it finished, the Marines returned to the attention, and there was silence for another minute. Then, 'Abal recited some lines:

"They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old, Nor the years condemn. But at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We Will Remember Them."

'Abal's staff repeated the last line. "Lest We Forget," she said and again, her staff repeated her words. Then the three Marine musicians again raised their trumpets and they played another tune that lasted for a minute and a half. Then, it was all over.

The assembled Colonials found that this ceremony, performed by a human civilisation that was in many ways different to their own, profoundly moving. They instinctively realised that, in their own way, their Terran cousins had just acknowledged the Colonials' own losses with a ceremony that again looked as though it was steeped in tradition and meaning. I'll have to ask the origins of this ceremony, Adama thought to himself.

'Abal turned and faced both Adama and Roslin. "On behalf of the Thirty-First Light Cruiser Squadron and the Terran Imperial Navy, I wish to thank you for allowing us to pay our respects to your own fallen, both military and civilian," she said.

Roslin stepped forward and took 'Abal's hand. "On behalf of the people and, I'm sure that I also speak for Admiral Adama and his people, I thank you for the gesture you and your people have just made," she said. "I'm certain there are levels of significance here that we don't fully understand, but, as we get to know one another better, they will become clear to us."

'Abal shook Roslin's hand. "Thank you, Madame President," she said. "I'm also certain that once you reach Sandoval Base and things settle down, Sir Simon Templar will also wish to pay his respects as well."

"I'm sure," said Roslin. "In the meantime, we have a small reception prepared for you and your staff officers onboard Colonial One, which is currently docked with Galactica. Will you do us the honour and pleasure of accepting our invitation?"

'Abal smiled. "Certainly, Madame President," she said. "I only ask that you make arrangements for my Marines that are present here."

"I am assured that Colonel Tigh has asked Marine Lieutenant Burrell and his people to host your Marines," said Adama. "Indeed, Lieutenant Burrell and his people seemed somewhat eager to host them."

"Thank you for your kindness, Admiral," 'Abal replied. "If you'll allow me, I'll inform the officer in charge of your arrangements. Then I and my staff are at your disposal." With that, she turned and spoke to one of her staff, who braced to attention in acknowledgement of the order and moved off to inform the Marine guard.

"There! Now, once my staff officer comes back, you can lead us on," said 'Abal.