Chapter 20

RELIGION, THE RACE, AND POLITICS

Star system: Tau Ceti II

Location: Home:

Day Eighteen: post invasion (Colonial Departure Scheduled Day Nineteen)

Located in the exact center of the city of Preffilo was the seat of power, the Emperors palace. From that point the city stretched three hundred kilometers in every direction. Two hundred kilometers west of Prefffilo's center resided tens of millions of the Race. From there the city's satellite townships extended another one hundred twenty kilometers. The city served not only as a testament to the efficiency and age of the Race but also as a testament to its huge and ever growing population. Home was home to more than twenty two billion Lizardians and it was this population explosion that gave incentive to the Race to expand to the stars in search of space to grow.

When the numbers of the Race reached a critical mass, the leaders invaded their neighbors. Those invasions happened twice, with the Race invading the star system of the Rabotev some fourteen thousand years ago, and the Hallessi a mere five thousand years ago. Invasion by the Race would have occurred a third time, but it was thwarted by the Terrans of Earth. The Race quickly discovered that the Tosevites, or Terrans, or Tau'ri, or humans, (or whatever they eventually decide to call themselves), were more advanced than they and had space ships that could deliver bombs that could very likely turn Home into a massive grave.

To say that this came as a shock to the Race would be a laughable understatement. To say that it was the worst thing to happen to the Race would be an overstatement. Instead of doing what the Race would have done if the circumstances were reversed, the Big Uglies, a derogatory term used by the Race to denote Humanity, didn't wipe out the Race's conquest and colonization fleets and literally gave the Race a planet that was perfect for their needs. Instead of opening the lines of communication between the two, it only frightened the Race leadership more. Humans were more advanced than the Race had assumed and that made them dangerous to the extreme. The Terrans also literally defined the Race's term bad neighbors. Good neighbors were worlds filled with beings that the Race could conquer.

Why couldn't the Tosevite have been good neighbors?

Being the bad neighbors that they were, the Terrans also informed the Race that there were many other species out there more powerful than they Race. Most members didn't believe it, in fact thought it impossible as their history of conquering two star systems had shown that the Race was one of the most advanced species in the galaxy. Sadly, the Terrans had shown them otherwise. This unfortunate truth was most eloquently proven by the invasion of Home by another faction of Big Uglies who called themselves Kobollians. They had conquered Home and now the Race had an inkling of what the Rabotevs and Hallessi had felt so long ago.

By the Emperor's reasoning, this was so unfair. The Race was the one who conquered others, not the other way around. Reality thought otherwise, proving itself to be so as the Emperor-in-hiding Runshan took survey of his great city.

Caprica

High Priestess Livia Sytomia had no real desire to listen to the news reporters redress the same issues over and over again, but for some perverse reason, she, like the other high priests and priestess with her, couldn't turn away from the video transmissions. Every single reporter and commentator had an opinion and they couldn't keep it to themselves if the gods themselves personally told them to shut up. Those people did nothing to calm an already tense situation and some were apparently trying to precipitate a fight. Alarmingly, there were a significant number of brainless idiots calling for all-out war against Earth, the Tollanians, the Goa'uld, and the Alliance at the same time! Fools! They had no idea what they were doing and most likely didn't care since it wouldn't be them or their protected families forced to kill and be killed. No, it wouldn't affect them personally. There were always ways for the affluent to avoid the vulgarities of war. What these idiots didn't realize was that the war they were so eager to have would be different from anything ever experienced by the colonies. Everyone would be affected; not one of the twelve worlds would survive war unscathed.

Those calling for votes of no confidence and mass resignations of the government were in her opinion just as ignorant and dangerous. It wasn't only the self-righteous, opinionated, so-called experts, but those members in the Quorum as well. Rants by officials advocating for war had not only disturbed Livia but frightened her as well. That last outburst originated from that self-proclaimed atheist Quorum leader Cornel Minas. Sending a Colonials taskforce to search out and punish the Tollanians for their indiscretions, and forcing a political shift of the magnitude he had voiced at the same time was beyond stupid.

Livia had met the man on numerous occasions and although loud and obnoxious, he was by no means a fool and could read between the lines just like she could. Livia suspected that Minas was grandstanding to get the sympathy of the people to better position himself when he ran for the presidency in two years. The people weren't being told everything. Like any good politician, Goesel had hedged some of the facts behind this sudden conciliation to the Apellai and the Tollanians. As president he had knowledge that even Livia's sources wasn't privy to. However there was one thing that, unofficially, everyone was in unanimous agreement with: The Tollanians were a very dangerous Terran-loving faction likely working under the direct authority of the Apellai, independence claims notwithstanding. Of course, no one would admit it in public, not even her.

The woman scowled at the thought of Minas in control of the most powerful office in the Colonies. Having that man in charge of the Colonial military made her shiver. She could easily see him making a rash decision that could turn the capital and several other cities to ashes while he tried to figure out what happened. Although he didn't know it, his life was hanging by a thread. If he was somehow to become candidate of choice, then he was effectively a dead man. No way would the pontiffs of the gods allow such a person to ascend to the office of President. Goesel may not be under her full control but she had every expectation that he would do what was best for the Colonies of Kobol. But the elimination of a fool was a future concern. She needed to concentrate on the present crisis.

All of her work, all of her carefully prepared strategies had been uprooted in a matter of days. Those monotheistic-minded, Apellai had ruined plans years in the making and she couldn't do anything about it. Her accountants calculated that the Temple of Athena's Beloved had lost billions in credits, credits lost because Earth's millions upon millions of followers couldn't be reached. She pitied them and could only imagine the persecution of those poor people trapped under the yoke of the Tau'ri. However, for the time being there was nothing she could do to protect them. So many plans – ruined.

High Priest Roger Stemus of Sigittaron looked like he was ready to have a stroke. His double-sized cheeks were turning in interesting shade of purple every few minutes like clockwork and Livia could almost time his outbursts by the intensity of their colors. The old man needed to be careful or he would wind up suffering stroke.

"Everybody knows that the Apellai are behind this!" he bellowed. "The Tollanians have to be a secret colony of theirs who does their dirty work for them. They should be put down like rabid dogs!"

Like several others in the room, High Priest Aquinas Howard of Aquarion nodded in firm agreement. They all knew the truth. "There isn't any real proof that the Apellai had anything to do with it but their fingerprints are all over this. I pray that the gods punish them for their wickedness. Thousands of our people have given their lives and the Apellai leaders will get away with it."

Livia had to admit that it was a stroke of inspiration by the Apellai to use their previously unknown Tollanian lackeys to attack the Colonials, letting the blame fall on them as opposed to the Earth people. She could tell that Goesel was intimidated by Tollanian and Apellai firepower and she believed he was right to be so. The Thirteenth Tribe was too strong for them to effective oppose at this time. Unlike many others however, she held her temper in check; but also like the others she was absolutely furious by these developments. It made some of her highest ranking spiritual leaders doubt their commitment and closeness to the gods. All of the prayers, all of the assurances to the politicians and some military leaders that the gods were on their side, wasted. Even allowing for unforeseen events, things hadn't come anywhere close to fruition. Millions in currency could be potentially lost as a result of prayerful donors abandoning their tithes and offerings to the gods.

One couldn't help but see the lesson in this.

The conclusion was obvious. The reason why the gods hadn't approved of her plan was because they apparently favored a more long-term approach. She would talk to her nephew who must already have something, some type of contingency plan in the works. As for her own spiritual welfare, she vowed to become more humble in her prayers and supplications so that she might better hear the gods' will in such matters.

Nevertheless, Livia had to admit she was used to getting her way quickly; therefore it frightened her to think that it possible that neither she nor her president nephew might live long enough to see the final fruits of their labor. But she had faith that the gods would allow her people to prevail and bring Earth, and the Tollanians, and every other human under the loving embrace of the rightful gods of the universe.

"The works of the gods are mysterious," she said slowly using the catch-all phrase that tasted sour in her mouth. "However we know that setbacks are not indications of failure. It's just that what we want in our time frame is not necessarily the will of the gods."

The primary objectives were beyond reach at this time, but she couldn't blame any of this on her adjutant Priest Iblison. He did his best under impossible circumstances and from the encoded messages he had sent to her, he had secured new friends in the military, true devotes of the gods. This was always good. He also confirmed to her that the lizard creatures could be very useful. But what she didn't approve of were some of the reports she'd received from the CDF briefs passed on by well-placed sources. Iblison was acting somewhat too aggressively for her tastes, but they were leaving that world and any problems that might have arisen could be brushed under the rug so to speak. There was no need to sully his reputation, thereby indirectly sullying the church.

"We must be patient," she continued. All things work together for good even if we don't see them immediately."

"I've come to the same conclusion," added Yarinna High Priestess of Leonis. "The plan is ordained and sanctified according to the gods' will. We do have to be patient. But we must also stop this talk of war. It's not in our best interests and we have to prepare for the enemies to come."

"Do you believe the president is speaking the truth concerning these new enemies and the threats they pose?" asked Rodger.

"Rodger, the President is telling the truth," Livia confirmed. "As the President's confessor I've known details about them for a while now and he is right, they will come. It wasn't well-known to the general public, but our forces did encounter the creatures called the goa'uld. The fighting was much harder than the general public will ever know. I've read the reports and they conclude that it was only through superior Colonial training did our forces prevail, that and orbital bombardment. This, mind you all was against a small force of Jaffa. The Jaffa, "she continued, looking at Rodger's confused face, "are humans modified, genetically changed and forced to serve creatures that pretend to be the gods themselves. The rumors of the Lucian Alliance is more than just disturbing. According to several sources including the Apellai, we can best depict them as mobsters, pirates with their own governments and spaceships. On this both the Apellai and the Jaffa aliens agree. Also we know that the Tollanians hate them with a passion. That Alliance of savages wouldn't hesitate to attack us, take what they want and leave our world desolate. The Jaffa nation are but one of many factions and is not to be trusted. All of them are threats to a lesser or greater degree." The seriousness that she tried to project towards her fellow pontiffs was real and she prayed that they understood the threat coming at them. Sooner or later the Colonials were going to be engaged in a war like no other in their known history. "This is why I have pushed for reunification with the Apellai despite their stubbornness."

"…One of the reasons, anyway," Aquinas muttered loud enough for Livia to hear.

"The souls of Earth are more important than the wealth they possess. The gods will rebuke you if you allow this sinful attitude to continue unchecked," the Livia replied. Folding her hands piously, as was her habit she continued. "It pains me to say this but we need them and they need us however," and here her voice turned harsh, "not on their terms. Their monotheistic attitudes and mistaken beliefs offend the gods and needs to be cleansed, or the gods will never sanction us as one people!"

"It's a sad, sad state of affairs, especially now that those systems have been denied us," High Priest Aquinas added. "I hate what has happened to our people. Such a waste of lives, but I was also counting on the closeness of those systems to be the first step in evangelizing the Apellai. I had such dreams. So many millions are searching for the enlightenment we could bring to them. They must be starving for the truth."

"Now, my friend," Livia intoned. "We knew that it would be years before our missionaries could make the journey to Earth to begin their sacred duties."

Aquinas stared at Livia, eyes acknowledging the truth of her words. But the truth still hurt. However where Aquinas expressed extreme sorrow, the Gemenom High Priest was nearly bursting with unrepressed anger.

"Yes," Tyberi Patrenus conceded. "But, it's so exciting to be at the tip of the spear, standing on Earth beginning the glorious challenges of saving souls from those monotheistic blasphemies. Being so close, we could have started transmitting the words of the Lords of kobol to the masses. There communication is so open and widespread. We could blast through any jamming that the Tau'ri have. The word of the true gods could have stretched across their world. The Apellai people would have flocked to hear it."

"The same people who can't speak Caprican standard," Quiton quickly jabbed.

"Our missionaries are learning the Americana Englanda language," the Gemenom priest huffed. He had made it sound easier than it was. It really was difficult and fluency was going to take time for many of his young devotees but then again, everyone knew in the beginning that this part of the plan was more long-termed. "We know that soon, the people of Earth will be speaking Caprican standard as well as any other colony. A few years of transmitting to the Earth masses and they would have been tearing down their government trying to get to us." Thinking about it made him smile wispily. "In my dreams I imagine arriving on Earth and personally spread the truth to all of the nations."

"Nice dream, but we're nowhere near that point yet, although I can imagine a certain satisfaction speaking to the Earth masses in heavenly worship," added Januse of Virgon.

"That's been my dream since this ill-fated plan began," Aquinas muttered.
"Since we're all dreaming," Yarinna said, "what part of the planet would you have begun the great work?"

"Well," Aquinas began. He was smiling now since this was something that he was planning for a long time. "I would have brought my acolytes to one of the smaller countries. I've heard of an area that has religious strife for decades if not longer. Both sides are monos but they follow different gods. In the country called Isrealin, I think it's called, and the Palestine faction there's constant fighting. They have no concept of the truth of the true religion. That's where I one day hope to start. Once they hear the truth, I know in my heart that they would turn from their wicked deeds and embrace the true gods of Kobol."

"Our studies of Earth indicate that that region is violent and the people probably worse than the Gemenons, no offense given."

"None taken. I understand what you're saying. We are a passionate people when it comes to our beliefs."

"It is a nice thought, Aquinas," Roger said. "But it would take time and as long as the Tau'ri government is in power we can't get close enough to Earth to send clear transmissions let alone personally save souls."

"And meanwhile millions of souls will be lost and Zeus, Hera and Athena will lose the tribute that's rightfully theirs."

"But Athena is a patient goddess," Livia announced. "All of must remember that even we must follow her example." The others nodded. "The gods will be done in their own good time."

"As I think upon our dilemma, it am coming to the conclusion that we're going about this the wrong way, "Januse's quiet voice interrupted. What if we just ask Earth if we can send missionaries directly? Not only will we be able to comfort those who need us but this could establish a solid bases for better communication between our two peoples."

"I'm amused by your innocence, Januse," Rodger smirked. "Earth government would never allow such a thing."

"I wonder? This is a matter of the spirit, not politics. We're interested in saving souls. This request isn't politically motivated and whether they are monos or not, this request could be seen as a test. Both sides have threatened each other but there's been no actual shots fired since the Great Calamity."

"Ah, I see someone has forgotten the Tollanian incident already," Tyberi said.

"No, I haven't," the priest testily replied. "For argument's sake, let's say the Apellai are being truthful and the Tollanians did act on their own initiative…"

"Not likely."

"Let us say it's true," Januse argued. "Would the Tau'ri be so afraid of a few missionaries on that great big world of theirs that they would refuse to at least consider the idea?"

"But if they allowed it, wouldn't the Apellai want to send missionaries to our worlds?"

"I don't want monos from Earth to be allowed to set foot on Caprica or any other one of our worlds," Rodger growled. "The very name sounds makes me think of disease."

"So you're saying that the faith our people share is weaker than theirs? Are you implying that our religion can't withstand a few misguided missionaries from Earth?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying," Rodger almost bellowed. He felt as if he were losing the argument. "I'm saying that the people may revolt and kill them for their blasphemies."

"I'll admit that some of our more conservative elements may try something, but it would be our duty and our government forces responsibility to protect them even as we would have to trust that Earth would do the same for our people. And maybe that's just what we need. Too many have fallen from the faith, becoming agnostics. Too many of our own people are forsaking the gods for the false gods of science and materialism. Having Earth religions introduced here may be just the vaccine that out own people need to get them to remember who the true gods are."

"Do you know what you're asking?" asked an incredulous Aquinas. "All-out war would be easier to handle!"

"Look at it from a logical point of view," Januse started. "There's going to have to be a balance. If we ask this of Earth then they will ask the same thing of us."

"That's a given but what you asking for is difficult," insisted Aquinas.

"It's an honorable request and they can say no, but if you look at the benefits then it's worth the gamble. If it's a failure, even that will help us. We'll learn more about them and them us. Eventually we will be able to assimilate them into the colonies. Once that begins then any resistance they would have would ultimately be futile. We'd come together as one family."

Aquinas frowned. "I've heard something like that before, but I can't remember exactly where. In any case the gamble just might be worth it in the long run, if both sides can maintain some form of control against the unstable elements attempts to kill everybody who disagrees with their views."

"I wish we had thought of this earlier. Think of the money and headaches we could have saved."

"And the lives, don't forget that," Livia grumbled. Enough of this headache, she said, silently agreeing that headache was the perfect word. "Maybe we have complicated our primary goals to spread the word. Januse, your suggestions have merit as well as danger. I suggest we meditate upon it and make a decision in two days' time. Is that acceptable?"

Everyone slowly agreed.

Livia smiled as her mind calculated the odds of success in spite of the recent disasters. Things weren't a total lost and in fact they had a viable contingency plan.

The city of Prefillio

Colonial engineers quickly and efficiently removed the last of the industrial air-conditioners in the private suite under the watchful and hate-filled eyes of High Priest, Pontiff and once governor of Home, Tyberiaus Iblison of Scorpia. From the heights of power to dust in the desert winds of this place, it had been his. Life and death, the power of the gods themselves had been his and now it was gone and the priest felt hollow and empty at its lost.

"Sir, that's the last of your personal things," said one of the technical staff. "With your permission we'll take it to the transport now."

Iblison merely waved him off as he rarely spoke to the hired help at the best of times. . They weren't his equals and knew little of the gods except what he had told them. They were faithful, but ignorant in the ways of the gods and he didn't speak to the ignorant unless it was necessary to encourage them for the sake of their immortal souls.

There was an almost palpable gloom to him as he walked around taking on last look at his room; formally the emperor's living quarters. Other than the fact that the ceiling was a bit low for his tastes, the suite had been most satisfactory for his purposes.

Twelve days of being absolute ruler, seven days with which to run; it was almost too much a humiliation to bare. Oh how, he had raged in this very room after the ultimatum had been pronounced by the Tollanian lackeys of the Apellai. Their actions had to be directed by Earth. There could be no other explanation. It had to be a bluff by the thrice-cursed Earthers but he couldn't dare call their bluff. The man would never admit it to anyone, he had been as frightened as the rest of crew when that floating warhead on its way to the fuel storage section, phased right through the bulkhead less than two meters from him. It looked like some type of fantastic hologram but holograms didn't make the noises that came from the object. The entire experience was frightening yet exhilarating to know that such technology existed. If only he could lay his hands on it, for the greater good of the gods, of course. But that was fantasy and the reality was staring him in the face. The Colonials were leaving, running from heretics – again.

With the air-conditioning removed things were retuning back to the way it was before he claimed this suite as his own. The stifling heat of Home was already beginning to creep back into the room. His guards were already sweating no doubt following his example. It was time to leave this dreadful place, but as ex-governor there was one last thing that he was going to do.

Iblison had to address his former servants and he dreaded it. Summing up strength he strolled into the main chamber. The powerful cooling units had been removed, much to the relief of the males of Home, and as with the suite, the oppressive heat was working its way back in. The look on his face radiated with hatred because of what he had to do as his last act in office and the Race knew it.

They were frightened. None of the members of the Race knew what had happened in space. They only knew the alien invaders were leaving. Iblison had struck fear into those that knew him and he was also known by the Race's leadership to be very petty and vicious when males didn't respond as he wished. Males that displeased the superior Big Ugly, no matter their status, were known to quickly disappear never to be seen again. The aliens' security guards were greatly feared by the males.

Usually, there was an arrogance in his step, not so now. However as the big ugly straightened, towering over the males in attendance, the feelings of anxiety felt by the Lizardians there, increased.

In spite of the heat Iblison was in full regalia, having no intentions of showing weakness to his once-subjects. "Males of the Race. The Kobollian people have decided that you are no longer worth our interests. We shall leave you. One day we shall return to reclaim your world forever."

The male Gradell stood frozen for a second and then did something that made Iblison nearly scream.

He laughed.

"You conquered Home, but you could not keep it, superior sir," he said in Lizardian. The words dripped with scorn and derision, angering Iblison more. "You have wrecked Home but we will survive and we will not forget."

Iblison's trembling hand moved towards Gradell close enough to almost touch him. Moving closer the human towered over the small lizardian but the alien wouldn't back down.

"Emperor, the gods will rebuke you and punish you for your insolence," Iblison whispered softly in the same language. "I will not forget and when I come return, I promise you that you will be known as the last emperor of Home. I swear this upon all of the gods and all of your ancestral emperors," he mocked.

Gradell whispered back at him. "I am not the true emperor. It has been a deception. You big, ugly creatures never captured the true emperor."

The others hadn't heard Gradell's gloating, but to his horror Ssumaz Ryssan had. "No," the aged male yelled. What had Gradell done? It wasn't over yet! "Say nothing!" hissed Ryssan.

It was too late. Iblison stood frozen in shock as he processed the words. He slowly wiped the sweat off of his brow and rubbed his face which was almost paralyzed from anger at the gloating creature in front of him. "You are not Runshan," he stated.

"Truth," Gradell hissed with all the sarcasm he could muster. "More than truth, superior sir."

The ex-governor couldn't help but laugh which he did long and hard. The sound of his voice echoed throughout the chamber. "You are a more devious species than I was led to believe." He stopped laughing. The sound ceased like a light switch being turned off. "Where is he?" asked a soft-spoken Iblison.

"You will not find him. He is safe," Gradell hissed triumphantly. "Does it really matter where he is?"

"No, it doesn't matter," Iblison answered. "But I do applaud you for your deception. It was masterfully done. I was deceived completely. But," he added menacingly, "I'm going to have you killed for it. That's a pity, don't you agree?"

Gradell and the other members of the Race who heard the proclamation panicked.

"You will never find him. There is no reason to kill us, superior sir!" Gradell all but screamed.

"I beg to disagree," smiled Iblison. "You deceived me. You pretended to be the emperor. There must be a punishment for your wickedness against your superiors. You defiled the representatives of the gods and now they decree that you must be chastised." Slowly he turned to the guards ordering them to raise their weapons. Those weapons were pointed towards the alarmed males in the room. "What is the phrase that you are so fond of?" His smile made the Lizardians collectively hiss in fear. "Oh, yes. It shall be done."

Continuing to smile, he nodded his assent to his guards.

I made some editing corrections in chapter 19. Next chapter- more setting up as we hear more about the Pontiffs and the Race. It comes to a head as the Colonials retreat to safer pastures and the Race. By the way Iblison is not insane. He is evil.