Recordkeeping time:

Note: this is the first of four chapters that begins three days post the Asgard introduction to the Colonials. They will explain why the Asgard did this and what the situation is that forced them to do it. The rest you will have to read to find out.

In between time I am starting work on Roads Paved in Shadows. These two upcoming chapters will deal with the Race/Cylon conflict, what happens, how the Colonies are faring and what President Clark feels about well, everything. Most but not all is going his way and he doesn't know where the faux (SG) Earth is because his associates haven't told him yet. But he is working on it. And Earth discovers the murderers of the Tok'ra and goes after them.

(Skipper 1337): You're right about the Goa'uld. In reality they are a complex species, used to being in control and now find themselves dealing with other major powers that can hurt them. Their rebuilt empire is big and became vast but is nothing like it was before with the System Lords of old. Plus, they hate the Terran/Tau'ri and anyone who doesn't submit to them. The Colonials are much like Americans, very proud and sure of themselves. But at the same time, highly resistant to change. Some have embraced it; others will have to die out before the can accept what is facing the new reality (too late then). But change must come. In the upcoming chapters we will see the changes in Race society (and how it is more advanced in Roads, and how it got to that point as well). The Colonials like Americans and like our real world, will come around kicking and screaming for many of the younger generation. Others will never change. But that is how life is. As you said, we all have to open our minds, in this case the Terrans as well. There are a lot of Earthers who hate the idea of aliens of any kind coming and contaminating their beautiful planet. The Kinsey children are an example of this. Let's not even mention the word 'change' to the males and females of the Race…

(Tyler Hoechin): I would respectfully disagree. Just because you don't like someone doesn't mean that you cut off all ties with said person. Burning bridges tends to come back to bite you in the future. The Earthers, Colonials and the Race are adapting. This does not mean that everything is smooth sailing, but they aren't killing each other again-yet…

Now, a very special letter…

(Guest): I want to thank you for reading this particular story and I am pleased that you enjoy it so much. However, I feel that this story has become a burden to you and is causing you some form of grief that I am powerless to do anything about. Sending me comments as to when the next chapter will come out or if I have abandoned the story, serves no purpose because as someone once said, I am disinclined to acquis to your request by posting when you believe I should. It won't work that way; therefore we are at an impasse.

I have no wish for you to continually suffer in agony waiting day in and day out to the point where you feel the need to comment about what I should do across several different stories you are not interested in simply because you want this one out sooner. Your innuendos may make you feel better as it gets your feelings off your chest, but it only causes me to respond in a way that could best be described as indifference. No author or storyteller should ever suffer that kind of attitude, especially to his or her patrons.

So, I have two recommendations that may well help this situation. The first is – for your own health and well-being, stop reading this story. Headaches and ulcers waiting for a new chapter are not conducive to good health and neither is complaining because-being polite here-it won't help whatsoever.

The second suggestion which I mentioned to you once before, write your own story and share it with the rest of us. Don't wait for us, the writers to supply your fix. Sit down and work on something yourself. Do not wait for others. That is one of the reasons why fanfiction net was created. In other words, stop whining like a child. It will not help.

Now, on with the story which you (Mister Guest) do not or perhaps should not read-that is up to you).

Chapter Twenty-Four

'The Worst Possible Time"

Part A

Colonial Star Station Makaria

Thirty-Six Light-Years from Sol Sector

Authenticate Code One-Six Zeus One Alpha One confirmed: Flash message, subspace relay. Aborted attack on United Colonies. Ashtorath Goa'uld. Terran assist in preventing conflict. Colonies in a state of war with Goa'uld Empire. Possible Goa'uld activity against convoys on way to Makaria sector territory. Military assets escorting convoys on alert. All waystations on alert. Addition military assets unavailable at time of message. Have requested Terran assistance concerning convoy safety...

A ramrod straight and very serious Rear Admiral Mettlar continued reading the rest of the flash message to the forty-five assembled commanders and flag officers seated inside the conference room onboard the huge space station. As she continued reading the flash message, there was a collective grimness permeating that room that only grew in intensity when she finished speaking. Her voice shook as she spoke to them directly. "I received this flash message a half hour ago. I will stress that our meeting is being held to address the agenda set before us however the flash message is relevant to our discussion. As you are aware, the lag time for communications between the Colonies and Makaria is standard three days. Three days have passed since I received this message," she stressed again. I've sent an urgent request for more information, but I am sure that Makaria will be receiving details in the coming hours which I will pass on to your commands."

She looked around at the collective faces staring at her with controlled worry. She understood what they were thinking as she was thinking the same thing. "The answer is 'no', I don't know if the Goa'uld have actuated an attack on the Colonies. I do believe that the Terrans would tell us as they have superior communications capability." Her eyed tightened at her own understatement. She didn't mention their superior capability of spying on the Colonial territories since there wasn't a need to acknowledge what everyone already knew was true.

"A few minutes ago, I made the decision and by my authorization and sent a formal request to the Terran Government that they provide, on a temporary basis, a communications system capable of reaching the Colonies in real time." There was a murmuring amongst the senior officer's present. whether her statement was received positively or negatively, she couldn't tell at the moment, but she was the top officer here so what she said went. "I am waiting to hear their response. I have taken the liberty not to inform elements of the New Picon government's military or their civilian counterparts of the current situation. Their actions in the previous two months is the reason why we are holding this secured meeting here today."

This time, there was a discernable, collective sigh of relief felt throughout the room. The situation between New Picon, Makaria station, Makaria Prime, and Pontu-Nika had deteriorated rapidly in the last couple of months. Mettlar narrowly escaped assassination twice from New Picon defense forces affiliated personnel. In both cases, the clumsy assassins were captured. And in both cases, they committed suicide, not that their deaths helped cover their identities. Both were members of Governor Iblison's personal guards, low-ranking throwaways no doubt ordered by Iblison to kill Mettlar. It was well known that there was no love lost between the admiral and the governor and many were surprised that Iblison would dare do something so obviously foolish.

That stupidity was one of the reasons in which Iblison used to excuse and deflect his guilt. Hiding behind religious platitudes he proclaimed his innocence, but also implying that if he had planned such a cruel and vicious act that, 'the plan would have been far more efficient, don't you agree'?

As predicted, the governor of New Picon denied any involvement, instead suggesting that the reasons the now-dead perpetrators acted independently of any wishes that he had to harm a fellow Colonial governor (which under Colonial law was what she was as the leader of Star Base Makaria territory in that system which included Makaria Prime. Makaria Prime had its own official governor, but he was effectively under Mettlar's thumb and everyone knew it and really didn't complain), because of Mettlar's refusal to stand up to the Terran's oppressive actions against Colonial territories and interests. Iblison implied that the 'cowardly' retreat from Home by Mettlar and Westergyne was seen as a personal insult that the Colonial people could not abide by. However that belief only answered a small part of the truth.

This was driven home as once more, Iblison suggested that the military should have resisted the Tollanians to the death if nothing else than to prove to Earth that the Colonial people would not lie down to Earth and their Tollanian lackeys. The loss of the fleet was a small price to pay to show Colonial resolve. To Mettlar, those words proved how crazy and dangerous tis man was. His resistance against the established government became clearer day by day.

This suspected breakaway was strengthened when Lizardian officials arrived at Makaria, New Picon officials aggravated the delicate negotiations, arguing that because the Race were conquered by the Colonials, they were in fact Colonial property in perpetuity. New Picon authorities then demanded the Lizardians immediate surrender and extrication to New Picon for processing. That request was instantly refused. The New Picon officials then tried to arrest them and extricate them to their colony world. Westergyne put an immediate stop to that attempt, furious that they had dare do this in front of other Colonials, officials, the Lizardians, and several members of the United Coalition who were there as observers during the meetings.

.

That overt action was the first real shot across the bow of what was being called an unofficial civil war between the newly minted colony planets of Makaria sector. New Picon colonists were actively hostile to the other worlds, infuriated that the colony worlds would dare to dictate what they could or could not do with their lives and their property, in this case, the Lizardians. The restrictions put in place by the governor on free communications between his world and the others helped promote the hostilities between the new colony worlds, but the fact was that the majority of the people approved of the actions of their leader. The aliens were considered little more than smart animals, creatures without souls, and could be done with as humanity pleased. They were considered assets, no more than farm animals, the private property of the people, not subjected to the whims of the other colonies. These beliefs were the primary reasons why most of the people had left the Twelve Colonies in the first place. The incoming flux of immigrates had a choice of worlds they could come to. Iblison's 'promotion' appealed to many and the numbers of Colonials arriving and planning to immigrate to New Picon was significantly larger than those coming to the other new colony worlds. Iblison's insinuations about the dangers of Apellai imperialistic actions touched on a deep-seated belief held by a lot of people already settled on New Picon, although supposed Apellai aggression hadn't stop them from fleeing the Twelve.

Mettlar had every intention of changing this disastrous trend. The ones already here, she couldn't do anything about. Trying to change their minds was almost impossible. Those who disagreed with the NP government had already applied for transfer. Disturbingly, there were many you wanted to leave for New Picon from the other worlds having liked the nonsense Iblison was spewing.

But the attitudes of the newer crop of incoming settlers just leaving had already changed. More and more of her people were running, running to the new colonies and perceived safety–under the perception that Earth could protect them better than the Colonies could during these uncertain times. The last few years were hard on the people who were frightened of change in general. The amount of changes happening, the fact that they were no longer alone in the universe and the unknowns in the dark were almost too much. The government seemed unable to allay the fears of the people of the terrors of the night.

The overall lack of trust of the military by the people chaffed at Mettlar, but begrudgingly, she could see their points especially after holding in her hands the flash message that could very well signal the end of the Colonies as she knew it. the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol could be happening at this very moment, while she was stuck here, impotent to do anything to try to stop it.

Just as concerning was the current headache threatening to erupt into a super migraine. The military had split down the middle and she couldn't do anything about it. New Picon Defense Forces broke off from the legitimate Makaria government, creating their own independent rebel military. What shocked Mettlar and her people was that a slight majority of the CDF located in Makaria sector sided with New Picon. In the last month, a tense standoff had begun.

It was Mettlar's opinion that this opened rebellion was stupidity in the extreme. The military and civilian elements were scheduled to begin arriving in force starting in nine months. They were already being told to keep away from New Picon. She intended to cut off and isolated the colony until Makaria received orders from the President (she prayed) to deal with the rogues with force. By that time, Mettlar would have to the forces to overrun any rebellion forces. This was a forgone conclusion. Unless the President decided to isolate them, they would be crushed. There was no way that NP would be allowed to act up near Terran territories. The agreements between Earth and the colonies, specifically Makaria, were clear and Mettlar was loathed to do anything that would piss the Terrans off especially as relation were improving, albeit slower than she would have liked.

New Picon officials certainly knew what she was planning and were stocking up, even hijacking several Colonial freighters. So far, no non colonial ships were targeted, and she dreaded what would happen if they were foolish enough to try. New Picon knew what was coming and they were preparing for a bloodbath. Mettlar's greatest fear was if she was forced to pacify New Picon, Iblison would threaten to attack Earther territories in retaliation effectively pulling Terrans into the civil war and war in general with the Colonies. She was unsure how the Terrans would react. New Picon had that card up their sleeves and wouldn't hesitate to release it if pushed too hard. Meanwhile they could do whatever they wanted in preparation for a war they couldn't win. It seemed likely that Iblison wanted New Picon isolated from the rest of the Colonies. Threatening to attack Earth's interests if they were attacked was certainly a real possibility that could keep the Colonies from dealing with Iblison.

A month earlier, Mettlar would have never believed that the attempted destruction of Flight 107, a Terran civilian liner, which was almost fired upon by the Battlestar Synara was anything more than a mistake, an irresponsible, almost devastating one that would have started a war, but a mistake, nonetheless, one that cost the Commander his commission, one which Iblison quietly re-instated…

Frack.

The commander of the Synara claimed that his ship's Threat computer detected an imminent launch of anuclear missile at the station. Terran weapons were notoriously fast and extremely deadly so he alleged there wasn't time to confirm his data. If the liner had fired a missile at Makaria, the station would have ceased to exist. The commander didn't take into consideration that the liner had no missile launchers or weapons. This was the one of many red flags that Mettlar hadn't connected together.

The Synara came within a hair's breadth of blowing up a Terran civilian liner making a registered, scheduled stop at the station transporting the Vice-President of the Colonies of Kobol, several sanctioned high-ranking Colonial government and corporate officials, missionaries, and diplomatic envoys of the newly formed Coalition!

Gods! Earth and its allies could have been at war right now! Makaria would be nothing more than irradiated particles of dust, journeying aimlessly throughout the system.

The newly repaired Galactica forced the battlestar from firing on the Terran liner by threatening to immediately destroy it if they attempted any aggressive action against it. The commander of the Battlestar Tiryns echoed the sentiment and the Synara backed off claiming a computer glitch gave false data. A review proved that it was a computer error giving false data to the commander who based his actions on said data.

No one believed it for a second, but they couldn't disprove the claims, either. No one disagreed that it reeked of a coverup.

She still had nightmares of what could have been…

Mettlar was more than suspicions but she never conceived that this was a carefully prepared insurrection that went so deep that it was not until the rebellion openly reared its ugly head had she fully understood the seriousness of the problem. A lot was missed however one thing became clear.

All of this, from the actions he perpetrated on Makaria that almost caused the station's destruction by irate Terran forces, to this latest incident was instigated by Iblison, but as to the reason why, it was anyone's guess. Mettlar's priority was to find out what that maniac was really up to because nothing was obvious about this man and his motives.

Iblison had all of the cards for now and he had no intentions of surrendering control of New Picon or the Race. Civil war was coming at the worst possible time.