Author's Note: I know I said the next chapter was to be Frozen. But this was a plot bunny I had a little while back. Originally it was going to be for Stargate: A New Hope. But my co-author for A New Hope felt it would better here. So I retooled what I had done for A New Hope and this is the result. I don't intend after this to bring in anymore OC races or crossovers. Future Federation members will be worlds in the Stargate universe. Though we may see the Cylons (those not allied with the Federation) as a baddie, maybe fighting alongside Anubis, or maybe they will join the Replicators, I really haven't decided.


Chapter 51: Galactica

February 2002

"Xander, set course for Earth," Buffy said.

"Course set and laid in," Xander replied.

"Engage the hyperdrive," Buffy ordered

The Enterprise entered Hyperspace and after several seconds dropped back out of hyperspace.

"Report?" Buffy asked.

"Hyperdrive simply cut out," said Sam. "Running diagnostics now. It seems that there was an external …"

"Colonel," Teal'c said. "I am detecting several small craft of different designs on an intercept course from opposite sides of the Enterprise."

"Put them on screen," Buffy said as a silver-gray vessel appeared. "Those aren't Goa'uld unless they've stolen tech from another race."

"Colonel," Sam said as she looked over the readings provided by her console she hit a switch and the image on the viewscreen changed to show the other ships, what could only be said to resemble fighter craft back on Earth. "It appears that they are not the same group. We may have stumbled into the middle of a war."

"It definitely seems so. I want a hyperspace window opened and I want us out of their field of fire but close enough to talk to the victor," Buffy said.

"I advise against attempting it," Willow said from her bridge engineering console. "Till we know why we dropped out of hyperspace, it may be better not to attempt entering hyperspace again."

"Alright," Buffy said. "Red Alert! All hands to battle stations. We won't take part in their little war unless fired upon. Sam, we need more information, can you tap into their communications?"

"I can try, Colonel," Sam replied.

The silver fighters closed in on the Enterprise as they watched. The two sets of ships engaged each other. .

"Have the Peregrines standing by and ready to launch on my order only," Buffy said. "Teal'c, can you give me an idea on weapons capabilities?"

"Both sets of ships are less advanced than either Federation or Goa'uld. They are on par with Earth though. I am scanning explosive projectiles," Teal'c responded.

"Explosive projectiles?" Jonas asked from where he sat in Daniel's former seat. "You mean bullets?"

"That is correct, Jonas Quinn," Teal'c replied.

"Which means they would pose no threat to us," Buffy replied.

One of the fighter ships fired at one of the silver-grey ships and it exploded, tiny bits of its hull was deflected off the Enterprise's shields. The fighter ships reoriented for another pass on the silver-grey ships and as they passed they opened fire, shredding the silver-grey ships.

After the last silver-grey ship was blown to scrap Sam spoke up. "Incoming transmission, audio only."

"Let's hear it," Buffy said.

"Unidentified vessel, this is Lieutenant Thrace, callsign Starbuck, Colonial Fleet. Transmit ID now, and state your intentions, or you will be fired upon."

Buffy nodded to Sam who opened the channel. "Unknown Starfighter, I am Colonel Buffy Summers, of the Federation starship Enterprise. We represent Starfleet, which is a peacekeeping force, and the United Federation of Planets a body that governs several worlds some of them human. We were on our way home from a recent mission when we dropped from hyperspace. Our intentions are peaceful. Requesting information though, we have never seen your ships or your enemy. We would like to know who and what you and they are."

"Ah, Colonel Summers, ma'am, as your organization is presently unknown to us and not a member of the Twelve Colonies, I will pass your request to Commander Adama, the commanding officer of the Battlestar Galactica."

"Understood," Buffy said.

A second later a new voice came over the comm. "Colonel Summers, this is Commander William Adama, of the Colonial Fleet Battlestar Galactica. I am transmitting a coded frequency to your vessel. Please switch to it."

Buffy looked to Sam who nodded indication they had received the frequency. "Confirmed Commander, switching now."

"Colonel Summers," Adama said a few seconds later, "you have entered a war zone between the Cylons, a race of machines, and the humans of the Colonial Fleet. My pilots will escort your ship to ensure you make no hostile moves, or come to any danger."

"I don't think danger is something we have to worry about," Buffy replied. "The size of your ships and those Cylons would hardly be a threat unless they managed to knock out our shields."

"Understood," Adama said. "Still please do not deviate from your present course. We have much to discuss. Especially your coalition that houses several human worlds."

Buffy looked around the bridge. "Xander, steady as she goes. Follow their flightpath. Opinions, anyone?"

"They spoke a rather accented form of English," Jonas replied.

"This Commander Adama sounded to me like he was a military commander," Jack added.

As they approached the area the fighters led them to, they found a small rag-tag fleet waiting for them. At the front of the small fleet was a larger ship, easily twice the size of the Enterprise.

"Colonel Summers this is Commander Adama," came Adama's voice. "If you will board a shuttle, you are cleared to land in our port flight pod."

"Understood," Buffy replied. "We will be there shortly." She looked around the bridge. "Jack, Sam, Willow and Teal'c you are with me. Xander you are in command till we get back."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy flew the runabout toward the Galactica's port flight pod. "Thoughts," she said.

"What do you make of their ship?"

"Mass Drivers," Willow said. "Thick armor, unknown composition, and I think the doors on the side of what they call the port flight pod are either missile tubes or a launch mechanism of some sort."

"The shape of this Battlestar Galactica," said Sam, "The symmetrical layout—it looks like something we might have built if we hadn't had access to Federation databases."

"I have to agree with that," Jack said. "I also think this may be the only military vessel in their fleet. None of the others make me think military like this one does."

"I am in agreement," Teal'c said. "The other ships have few to no weapons."

"And some of the ships look like they have had makeshift repairs," Willow said. "Like it's been quite a while since they were in drydock."

"This is no battle group," Sam said in agreement, "these are refugees. I'd say Colonel O'Neill is correct that the Galactica is the only warship in this fleet. If I hazard to guess those ships are a conquering enemy and they lost to them badly."

Buffy nodded as she looked at Jack "Which means you and I will be the primaries here. We offer an alliance and complete honesty if they can get us back to Earth."

"That said," Jack said. "We shouldn't go in unarmed though. We don't know what to expect."

"Agreed," Buffy said," phasers only, no phaser rifles. And Teal'c, you better leave your staff weapon here just in case."

The comm. system crackled. "This is Captain Kelly, Landing Signals Officer of Galactica, I am directing you to approach with constant velocity, you're designated landing area is marked with blue checkers. Please acknowledge."

"Summers here," Buffy replied, "Instructions received and acknowledged. Request a private channel with Commander Adama."

"This is Galactica Actual," said the gravelly voice, "Proceed."

"Commander, allow me to be blunt. I and three of my people are uniformed military officers, with the forth being a warrior allied with us. We will be boarding your ship as an envoy of military officers, with our sidearms. We will leave the ship the same way. While we very much hope to make a peaceful contact, I must warn you, any attempt to take us prisoner or coerce us in any way will be interpreted as an act of war, and be treated accordingly. My people will make no aggressive moves. Is this acceptable to you?"

"It is acceptable under our current Rules Of Engagement. Be advised that armed Marines will be-escorting you for the protection of my crew and the President."

Buffy nodded, aware of the necessity, "Understood Commander, I look forward to meeting you in person."

"Likewise, Colonel, likewise."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy set the runabout down in the Galactica's port flight pod. She moved to the hatch and hit the control and the hatch slid open. They stepped outside the runabout and came face to face with several human soldiers with what appeared to possibly be projectile weapons.

No one spoke for a few seconds as the two groups evaluated each other. Buffy, Willow, Jack and Teal'c took the time to examine the people before them

There was an attractive young woman with short blond hair wearing some sort of flight suit and three men wearing gray uniforms with a leather sash over the shoulder along with the compliment of marines that Adama had said would be there.

Buffy looked at the men, in particular an older gentleman with a suspicious glower, she was sure this was Commander Adama. "Commander Adama," she said as she stepped forward.

"Colonel Summers." The older man took a similar pace forward. He looked Buffy in the eyes, seeming to measure her. He walked up to Buffy, and shook her hand. "Welcome to Galactica, Colonel."

After making sure everything was secure Commander Adama nodded to a soldier, who spoke into an intercom in a low voice.

Four people entered the flight pod, the two were obviously bodyguards in the same uniforms as the soldiers, the third was an awkward young man possibly an aide. The fourth was a woman.

Commander Adama quickly made the introductions, using, to his chagrin, formal diplomatic phrasing. "Madam President, I present Colonel Buffy Summers, commanding officer of the Federation starship Enterprise. Colonel Summers, President of the Colonies, Laura Roslin."

Buffy, Jack, Sam, Teal'c and Willow inclined their heads and gave a brief bow.

"Colonel." The President extended a delicate hand.

"Madam President," Buffy replied as she took Roslin's hand. "As the guests on your ship, I think we should go first." Adama nodded. "My Executive Officer and team leader of SG-1, Colonel Jack O'Neill. My Conn officer and second in command of SG-1, Major Samantha Carter. My tactical officer and a member of SG-1, Teal'c. and finally my Chief Engineer and wife, Lieutenant Colonel Willow Rosenberg-Summers."

"My Executive Officer, Colonel Saul Tigh," Adama said as Tigh stepped forward, saluted, and shook Buffy's hand. "Captain Lee Adama, Commander of the Air Group." Lee saluted, and he shook hands with Buffy.

"Son?" Buffy asked the elder Adama.

"Yes," Adama replied.

"As you have guessed with the fact Willow serves on the Enterprise under me, Starfleet has no compunctions on families serving on ships," Buffy said. "But Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill are part of a military that we are allied with. Their military does frown on families serving together. Since Willow is officially under my command not theirs, they allow it grudgingly."

"The rest of our fleet," Adama said heavily, deciding to come clean about the fact that the Galactica was the only military vessel in the small rag-tag fleet. "Was destroyed in a surprise attack by the Cylons. Captain Adama had been temporarily posted to Galactica to participate in her decommissioning ceremony."

"Decommissioning Ceremony?" Jack asked. He of course knew what a decommissioning ceremony was; they had them for naval vessels back on Earth when they were retired from service. He just wondered why a ship that was to be decommissioned was the only warship to survive an attack.

"Yes. On the eve of the Attacks, the Galactica was scheduled to be decommissioned and turned into a museum."

Jack nodded. "I assume the civilian populations of your home worlds are either on this fleet or under occupation on your home worlds, and that the ships of your fleet were the only ones to escape?"

"You assume incorrectly, Colonel." Roslin said in a soft, pained voice, "They refused to accept the unconditional surrender of our government and used nuclear weapons on our worlds from orbit. We had twelve planets, numerous orbital stations, and over twenty billion people. Now we-" She paused. "Now we have less than fifty thousand, and we are running for our lives. You have met us at a desperate time, Colonel."

As if she had tempted fate, an alarm began to blare throughout the ship, and the phone on the wall rang. Adama grabbed it. "Port Flight Pod, Galactica Actual speaking, give me a sitrep."

"Sir," said someone from the other end. "Another forty Raiders just jumped in, as well as five larger craft. Size and thrust profiles are similar to Raptors. They are twelve minutes out.

"Very well. Set condition one throughout the ship and order the Fleet to jump to the standby coordinates. Instruct the Gun Captains to open fire at maximum range. Try and break up their formation and give us more time to jump. I'll be in the CIC directly."

He turned to the newcomers. "Lieutenant Thrace-" Kara saluted, "please accompany these people to Briefing Room Three. We'll get this sorted out on the other side. Please excuse me Colonel, Madam President-"

"What is this jump?" Buffy interrupted.

"It is FTL," Kara stated.

"Faster than light travel," Willow said.

"Will," Buffy said as she looked to Willow, "can the Enterprise enter Hyperspace and head for the coordinates they are heading for?"

"Without knowing why we were thrown out of hyperspace, I don't recommend it. We do have another option though," Willow replied.

Buffy nodded in understanding. The Peregrines. "Commander," she said. "If I may accompany you to your bridge. I believe I can help you."

"Of course," Adama said. "You have fighters?"

"Just give the word, Commander," Buffy said with a smile.

"Alright," Adama said. "You're with me." He led Buffy out of the pod as Saul followed them closely.

The moment they arrived on the bridge, or as Adama had called it CIC, he showed Buffy to the communications console. He had a quick word with the communications officer who then preceded to hand Buffy a headset.

"No need," Buffy said as she smiled. She took off her commbadge. "This device is a short range communications device. It has enough range to either reach a ship in orbit of a planet from the surface or from one ship to a neighboring ship that would receive on its frequency. It also acts as a translator and on the Enterprise it relays the vital signs of the wearer to the ships computer. Anything out of the ordinary and that information is relayed to the ship's chief medical officer."

Adama looked at the commbadge his eyes widening as she told him about the device. Something that small could contact her ship.

As of to demonstrate she tapped the commbadge. "Summers to Enterprise."

"Go ahead, Buffy," came Xander's reply.

"Xander, red alert, all hands to battle stations. There are incoming Cylon fighters. Launch the Peregrines and coordinate your defense of the fleet with the Galactica," Buffy replied.

"Acknowledged."

"Ingenious," Adama said. "A communication device so small, yet powerful enough to reach a nearby ship."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Xander looked around the bridge at each of the people there and then looked toward the ship's non-biological intelligence which was manning the tactical console. "Entara, status."

"Fighters approaching at impulse speeds," Entara replied not even looking at the console in front of her. Not that she needed to since her program resided within the computer's core. "They will arrive in five minutes. I am also detecting on extreme long range sensors a ship; I believe it may be the launch point of these fighters."

"Enterprise to Colonel Summers," Xander said.

"Summers here," Buffy said over the comm system.

"We have detected the possible launch point of the enemy fighters. Requesting permission to engage them while the Peregrines and the Galactica's own fighters deal with the incoming enemy fighters."

"Permission granted," Buffy replied.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"They detected the Cylon Basestar?" Adama asked shocked. "How? It's not even showing up on Dradis." He motioned toward a table in the center of CIC.

Buffy looked at the table and was sure it looked akin to a radar screen. "It is likely our sensors reach farther than your Dradis."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Peregrines are away," Jonas said from where he sat at the conn. He had taken over the position when Sam left with Buffy for the Galactica.

"Alright, helm," Xander said. "Warp 1 to the Cylon mothership."

"Aye, sir."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

The Enterprise has left the area at high rate of speed."

"We have multiple forms of faster than light travel," Buffy said. "Warp drive is the slower of the two. Our hyperdrive would possibly be akin to your FTL, though we don't jump from point to point. We travel through hyperspace." She moved beside Adama and Tigh, both of whom stood in front of the Dradis.

They watched as the Cylon ships wink out under the combined effort of the Peregrines and the Galactica's own fighters.

"What kind of weaponry do you use?" Adama wondered.

"Phasers, photon torpedoes, quantum torpedoes and naquadah torpedoes. The torpedoes are used primarily on starships though. So the fighters only have phasers," Buffy replied.

"Phasers?" Tigh wondered.

"Phasers are a particle-beam weapon," Buffy said. "The word phaser is short for Phased-Energy-Rectifer."

Tigh looked to Adama his eyes wide.

"I know," Adama said when he met Tigh's gaze.

"Know?" Buffy asked confused.

"You are obviously more advanced than we are in some ways," Adama said.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Major Harris, there are two enemy ships at the coordinates," Entara stated. "They are attacking each other."

"Bring us out of warp," Xander said. "Hail them."

"Receiving a response from one of the vessels only, audio only."

"On speakers," Xander replied.

\

"Unknown ship, this is an internal Cylon matter, we respectfully ask you keep your distance till this is resolved."

"They have closed the channel," Entara said.

Xander nodded. "Then we'll wait."

They watched as the two ships fought each other.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Now, is it possible that you could tell us about how you came to be out here?" Buffy asked. Once the Peregrines and the Galactica's own fighters had repelled the Cylons, she, Adama and Tigh had joined the others in the briefing room. "I'm sorry, I know it's painful to recount—"

President Roslin raised a delicate hand "But it is only fair…" she said, in a voice, which though soft, was full of pain, "Where would you like to begin?"

"Thank you, Madam President. Firstly, we'd like to know more about the Cylons—what exactly are they, and how long have you been in contact with them?"

"Oh, no longer than fifty years," She said quietly. "We created them you see, to make life easier on the Colonies … Or rather our ancestors created the Cylons to serve us. Historical records of the time are sketchy, but at some point just over forty years ago, they gained true sentience and began to resent their servitude. This led to a bloody and brutal uprising and culminated in a long and horrible war of annihilation."

Her voice ran down, and Commander Adama had to continue, though he sounded just as tired, as if all of the misery was balanced on his shoulders alone, while Col. Tigh passed around briefing packets with pictures of intimidating robots.

"It was war to the knife, but when the fighting was at its fiercest, the Cylons negotiated an Armistice and left to find a world of their own. Humanity was content to let things stand as they were. The Cylons went their way to live as they chose and we went ours. We let them go and built a station, a neutral meeting ground in case they ever wanted contact with us again."

He exhaled, and removed his glasses for a moment,

"Just before this ship was to be decommissioned, the officer from Armistice Station was overdue to report in. We didn't think anything of it until shortly thereafter, when the Cylon ships began to fire on population centers throughout the colonies. We lost fleet command at Picon first, then Tauron and Gemenon, along with a quarter of our fleet."

"What about the rest of your defenses?" asked Sam.

"What was left of the fleet regrouped around Colonel Nagala's Atlantia for a counterstrike," Adama said.

"That was when we began getting error messages," drawled Tigh, "Scads of 'em- toasters would shut down life support, or engines, and flight control, just as our people engaged them. We lost a squadron of our newest birds, our best pilots…" he snapped his finger, "Like that, like the godsdammed toasters just threw a switch. Only reason Galactica survived is because the Commander refused to allow any computer networks on the ship. And with those bastards from the Admiralty were forcing…"

"Thank you, Saul." Adama cut him off, and continued, "Our armed forces had recently upgraded their computer systems to the Colonial Navigation Program, a piece of computer software designed by a brilliant scientist named Baltar." Adama said. "We believe the Cylons exploited a backdoor in the program and used it to gain control of all of a ship's functions."

"Baltar made it back to the fleet due to one of my pilots giving up his seat during the evacuation of Caprica, and has been working to stop future Cylon incursions…" he turned to Tigh, "Speaking of Baltar, where is he?"

"On his way. Latest from Dee says he was fra-uh with Petty Officer Hall…"

"Well, I suppose there's no accounting for taste-Thank you Colonel."

"How'd they infiltrate in the first place?" Willow wondered. "You'd think a tall, gleaming robot with an evil red eye would be easy to detect."

Roslin, Tigh, and Adama simply stared at Willow, and the Commander's gaze made even more intense by the steel-framed spectacles he wore. Willow broke the stare first. Then Adama spoke;

"In the forty years since we saw the Cylons, they had managed to engineer models that looked like us. People. Flesh, blood, everything. Some of them are probably sleeper agents in the fleet. The only reason you haven't been held under suspicion is that you people are too strange. We lost a lot of good people in the attacks. Around twenty billion, to be exact."

They heard it all; the sad tale of an entire human culture nearly destroyed once because of their own hubris and lack of foresight, and completely devastated a second time due to poor executive leadership and a misplaced belief that they were no longer in danger of repeating the past. They

heard about the rally at Ragnar, the Galactica's steadfast stand to protect the evacuation of the civilians as they jumped into uncharted space, of suicide bombings and fears of infiltration, and as they took it all in, their respect for the leadership of President Roslin and Commander Adama grew.

"Our people are searching for a colony settled by a Thirteenth tribe," Roslin stated. "Earth, the ancestral home of humanity. Colonel, within the worlds of your Federation have you ever heard of such a world?"

Buffy, Jack, Teal'c, Sam and Willow looked at each other. The same thought running through their heads. Could it be these people were living breathing Ancients? Though Earth was named by humans, not by the Ancients, at least not that they knew of.

"We have," Jack spoke up. "In fact the capitol of the Federation is Earth, or rather a space station orbing on the dark side of our moon. But Earth was not colonized to our knowledge by any race. In fact many humans have been found throughout the galaxy seeded by our enemy, the Goa'uld, as slave populations."

"Doctor Baltar to see you sir," said the muffled voice of the sentry.

"Send him in," said Roslin, and the hatch opened to reveal a short, slight man in what appeared to be a state of perpetual disarray.

He was quickly introduced to everyone and then Jack was motioned to continue.

"We believe you might …" Jack looked to Sam.

"We believe," Sam said, "that you might actually be descended from a group of people that freed themselves of the Goa'uld several millennia ago, As does the fact that you speak a recognizable dialect of English. In fact Earth was found to be the original homeworld of human's. It is quite possible that people of your colonies originated from Earth."

Most of the Colonials went pale, but for Doctor Baltar, whose eyebrows shot up in surprise as he considered the new information. "Genetic testing could prove it if we can find commonalities," he suggested, "But the facilities on Galactica are-no offence, Commander, the facilities are ill suited for that sort of experimentation, especially with that …"

"We can do that," Buffy said. "Our medical facilities on the Enterprise would be able to determine if you are a genetic match to the humans of Earth or a parallel evolution."

"In the interests of both parties," Adama said. "Might I suggest that both groups conduct their tests?"

"That might be a good idea," Sam agreed. "Lieutenant Colonel Summers …"

"My mom," Buffy said when she noticed the Colonials glance toward her. "Remember I said we had no problem with families serving on the same ship. The only member of my family that isn't onboard is mine and Willow's daughter, Dawn. She's currently at the Academy."

"As I was saying," Sam continued. "Lieutenant Colonel Summers could beam over and do the tests while Commander Adama's medical staff does theirs."

"Agreed," Buffy said.

"CIC to Commander Adama."

Adama tapped the intercom next to him. "Galactica Actual speaking."

"Sir, the Enterprise returns with a Cylon Basestar."

Adama looked to Buffy and glared at her. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Let's find out," Buffy said as she tapped her commbadge. "Summers to Enterprise, Xander, explain to me why you have an enemy ship with you?"

"They are a rebel faction. When we neared the coordinates we found out there had been a second ship. And that it was fighting the ship we detected on long range sensors. They destroyed the first ship and then opened a channel to us to start a dialogue with not only us, but Commander Adama and the Colonials."

"Can he hear me?" Adama asked.

"He can," Buffy replied.

"Mr. …" Adama started, "Sorry I don't know your name."

"Xander Harris, Major Xander Harris, Chief Helm Officer and temporary CO of the Cylon Basestar."

"Major Harris," Adama said with a nod. "How can you be sure these Cylons do not intend us harm."

"I have with me a representative of the Rebel Cylons," Xander replied.

"I am Caprica Six," came a woman's voice. "I know trust must be earned on both sides. But seeing how the Enterprise's own fighters dealt with the other Basestar's Raiders. I felt that it was time to put animosities aside. I told my fellow Cylons as such and that we should try and broker a peace treaty. My fellow Cylons on the other Basestar disagreed and saw the Enterprise as a threat. So we turned our weapons on our brothers and sisters. Our fate is in your hands."

"Alright," Buffy said. "Xander, I'm beaming back. Have my mom beam over with everything she needs to run a blood analysis. Sam and Willow will explain more when she gets here."

"Understood," came Xander's reply.

"One to beam up, energize," Buffy said and she disappeared in a transporter beam.

The Colonials eyes went wide.

"Matter-energy teleportation?" Baltar asked.

"Yes," Willow replied.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy stepped into her ready room to find Xander and a woman waiting. "The Cylon?" she asked Xander who nodded. She looked to the Cylon. She moved around the desk and sat in her chair. "So far what we have learned from the Colonials is that you started the war and are bent on their annihilation."

"That is true," the woman said.

"Why should we believe you?"

The woman looked to Xander who sighed. "Caprica and her fellow Cylons," he said, "did not fire upon us when we approached. They gave us a warning to stay away, not to get involved as they attacked their brethren. Once the other ship was destroyed they immediately recalled their fighters and surrendered peacefully."

"If the Colonials," Caprica said, "told you anything about us, they would have told you my brethren would never surrender. Once they learn the majority of your crew was human they would annihilate you. Especially when it was revealed you came from Earth."

"Why?" Buffy asked.

"The Thirteenth tribe was believed to have settled on a planet they called Earth," Caprica said. "And my brothers and sisters would not want that to happen. Not only because the majority of you are human, but because they would not want the Colonials to reach potential allies as they want to exterminate the human race. My brothers and sisters of my ship have realized that we cannot survive as a race if the Colonials and the Cylons continue this war."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Joyce sat in the briefing room of the Galactica looking over the results of the tests she had performed on the Colonials. While there was some differentiation due to the time between themselves and their ancestors, they were a match for humans of Earth. She looked up at Sam, Willow, Adama and Roslin. "According to my results, there is of course some differentiation due to mitigating factors, namely time since your ancestors left Earth for Kobol. But you and us are a match."

Just then Baltar rushed in.

"Yes," Adama said.

"I have the results, while there is some differentiation. Our ancestors and theirs came from the same gene pool," Baltar said. "That of course does not say if our ancestors left Earth for Kobol or they are the thirteenth tribe that set out from Kobol. But based on what we have learned of this Goa'uld. It is likely possible that our ancestors were slaves and taken to Kobol. They revolted and buried this so-called Stargate."

"I have to agree with Gaius," Roslin said as she looked at Adama. "Both their tests and ours say the same thing. And they did give us a plausible explanation on how our ancestors came to Kobol. I believe what we've been searching for is not the thirteenth tribe of legend, which may still exist somewhere in the stars, but our original home."

"Summers to Rosenberg-Summers."

Willow reached up and tapped her commbadge. "Go ahead, Buffy."

"I have reached a treaty with the Cylons."

"What?" Adama said.

"Commander," Buffy said, "this basestar will cease all activities against you and has even agreed to join the fleet as another warship in defense of your people against their brothers and sisters. They will accompany you and us to Earth. From there I and General Hammond of Stargate Command will find a planet suitable for colonization for both you and the Cylons or two separate planets."

"Bill," Roslin said, "if they are willing to lay down their lives for us, then maybe it's time to put animosities aside at least with this particular basestar?"

Adama looked to Roslin and let out a sigh. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time, he was tired of running. He nodded.

"On behalf of the twelve colonies," Roslin said, "we accept the treaty."

"On behalf of the Federation," Buffy said, "I would like to make a proposal. One that has been accepted by the Cylons already with the provision that they do not break the treaty. I officially offer the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, membership in the Federation."

Roslin shared a look with Adama. "Colonel Summers, under my authority as the duly appointed President of the Twelve Colonies, I would like to accept your offer and on behalf of the Twelve Colonies officially submit our application for membership within the United Federation of Planets."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Two days later Buffy, Adama, Roslin, Caprica and Hammond sat in the briefing room of DS9.

"Welcome to DS9," Hammond said.

"Thank you," Roslin said.

"For over a year you have been searching for Earth," Buffy said. "Now it is time you saw it. Dawnara, if you please."

Images appeared on the view screen of Earth, of its cities, of its rural areas and of the planet itself.

"It is a wonderful planet," Roslin said. "Much like Caprica was."

Just then Willow walked. "Buffy," she said, "we've found a planet for the Colonials and the Cylons."

"Good," Buffy said. "How far is it?"

"It'll take about five jumps of the Colonial FTL to get there," Willow replied. "It currently has no Stargate. The Odyssey found it on a routine mission in the area."

Buffy nodded and looked at Roslin and Adama. "We'll escort you there and then escort the Galactica to Abydos Shipyards, where she and her vipers will undergo a refit. Bringing her up to our level of technology."

"So your hyperspace technology will replace …" Adama said.

"No," Willow replied. "You will keep your jump drive. I can see benefits to being able to jump out of a situation. And thanks to the fact you gave us the schematics for it. We are going to incorporate into Federation vessels, which the Galactica is now a part of."

"Galactica will not be alone either and neither will the Basestar," Buffy said. "Thanks to the schematics you gave us and the schematics the Cylons gave us. We will build a new fleet of Battlestar class ships as well as Basestar class ships. The USS Galactica is the first of her kind. And when the refit is done, she will be assigned to Earth with you in command, Captain Adama."

Adama blinked, "Captain?"

"Starfleet ranks," Hammond said, "are not like those of the Colonies. Captain is the equivalent of your Commander."

"Once the Federation is realized," Buffy said. "That will only be a stepping stone. We will need people to staff key positions in Starfleet and the Federation. Which means Captains," she looked at Adama and Caprica, "that the two of you will hold key positions in Starfleet. Myself, my mom, Willow and Xander of course will also hold key positions. And when the Federation is realized, the two of you will be promoted to Admiral."