I'm sure some of you are wildly unhappy that the latest chapter took so long. For that I apologize, but I have been incredibly busy with work matters. Doing the job of four people by yourself takes far longer than I would like. Some of you have requested a number of things, which I will be addressing in upcoming chapters. For those of you who have asked for something Battlestar Galactica related, it is coming. The new galaxy is key. I should tell you though that BSG will be covered to a degree, and this is just to open the door for the crossover story that will be published soon in the SG/BSG section. All I'm doing is opening the door. The next chapter will be delayed for a few months. Certainly, that will not make most of you happy. It's a work thing, and I won't be home with those I care about, so I like it about as much as you do. Back onto the topic of this latest chapter, I originally envisioned it as a much larger chapter. Instead of making you wait, I broke things into pieces. Enjoy the chapter, and have a great week.

USS Hermes

Large Magellanic Cloud Galaxy

Three Weeks Earlier

Many within the scientific community had long lobbied for Earth to take its first step in this mysterious galaxy that closely orbited the Milky Way. For scholars, the Large Magellanic Cloud was an astronomical treasure-trove, and a laboratory of sorts where the birth and evolution of stars could be observed and studied.

This galaxy, the first to be traversed by Destiny as a shakedown run following her launch millions of years ago, was home to a limited network of Destiny model gates. These gates, acting as information sponges, gathered data on not only the planets upon which they rested, but also from surrounding regions of space. This data, when combined with sensor and navigational data collected by Destiny and the gate seeding ships, provided a comprehensive overview of a corridor of local space passing through the heart of this galaxy.

At a predetermined point in space, one well away from any planet on the limited gate network, Hermes came to rest. The reason for the selection of this point in space was due to the object several light years away; a black hole. This astronomical feature was necessary for what was to come. The tasks assigned to Hermes at this point in space were of paramount importance to future Earth efforts and ventures in this galaxy.

Before larger events could begin, a smaller but no less crucial event was scheduled. Within the starboard fighter bay of Hermes, the tools for this first and most long running of these tasks would get underway shortly. In the launch bay, Colonel Cameron Mitchell stood, looking over sixteen small craft unlike any other in use by Earth or her allies.

Developed by a joint team of human and Asgard scientists and engineers, with oversight by certain Ascended Ancients, the results of Project Wayfarer were impressive to say the least. Eighty-six feet in length, with a span of fifty-five feet across, with a tailless cranked arrow fuselage configuration, the Wayfarer craft were sleek, futuristic, and impressive to the former fighter pilot in Colonel Mitchell. Each was equipped with an incredible array of systems, from sensors and subspace communications, to a faster than light drive similar to that found aboard Destiny. Like Destiny, each of these craft would also extract their energy from stars encountered along the way, offering a near limitless supply of power for their purposes. Defensively, all each Wayfarer had to protect itself, and therefore its mission, was a cloaking device of sorts which would take the craft out of phase. Taking a page from science fiction, the final piece of the Wayfarer puzzle is what set these craft apart from others.

Throughout science fiction during the second half of the twentieth century, the concept of the Von Neumann probe had been raised many times. First theorized by a Hungarian American mathematician and physicist, the idea behind these machines was one of self replication. Traveling throughout a galaxy, a Von Neumann machine would replicate itself many times over, to constantly increase the reconnaissance footprint of the probe network.

Equipped with a limited matter stream creation suite, each of the Wayfarer probes would seek out feedstock materials during their travels. Once found, each Wayfarer would create an identical copy of itself, programmed to follow the overall and constantly evolving exploration plan. Following this path, the initial sixteen Wayfarer craft would soon become thirty-two, and then sixty-four. This replication cycle would continue until such time as every corner of the Large Magellanic Cloud had been explored. Along the way, in each solar system, a smaller Bracewell probe would be left behind, to monitor its home solar system far into the future. When the day arrived where every corner of this galaxy had been thoroughly charted, the by then larger collection of Wayfarer craft would gather, assembling themselves into a large collection of craft, and move on to the next galaxy requiring exploration. Given many millions of years, the possibility existed that these craft would cross the universe, and outlive the civilizations that had created them.

Touching his hand to the cold dark metal of the Wayfarer before him, Mitchell looked at his reflection in the smoothly polished surface. Inwardly, he marveled at the advancements achieved since the early days of the F-302 program. What was once a dream was now commonplace. These small craft would go places and see things that Mitchell could only imagine. Aware of their mission, Mitchell could not help but be amazed that the mission of these craft would start with his order, but would carry on long after his life was at its end. Pushing that thought aside, the Colonel tapped his earpiece.

"Bridge, let's get this show on the road. Commence launch operations when ready. Once complete, reposition for module emplacement. We have a schedule to keep, so let's get a move on." Mitchell ordered.

Twenty minutes later, with each Wayfarer prepped, launch operations commenced. In groups of two, the Wayfarer's exited the starboard fighter bay of USS Hermes. Once clear of their ad hoc mother ship, each of the sixteen craft took station around the Athena Class vessel. Despite being declared ready and given the order to deploy, each exploration craft performed a final series of diagnostics for all systems aboard. In each case, all systems were declared ready.

Drawing power from energy reserves already at maximum capacity, the faster than light star drives aboard each craft came online. Navigation systems already aligned plotted separate courses for each Wayfarer. These courses were communicated to all vessels, due to the networked nature of the sixteen craft. Extremely low powered shielding activated, enveloping each of the exploration craft. This shielding was not a defensive tool to foil an assault, but instead meant only to protect each Wayfarer from the many varied and destructive forces that would assault each fuselage during its acceleration to, and passage through space at faster than light velocities.

As one, the sixteen networked Wayfarer exploration craft activated their star drives, and accelerated away from Hermes. In seconds, each craft surpassed the velocity of light, and continued accelerating. To compensate from travel at faster than light speeds, time dilation systems aboard each craft activated. Through this mechanism, systems aboard each Wayfarer would remain able to monitor space in realtime, without worry of time dilation effects from the speed of travel. At all sixteen points of a sixteen point compass rose, the Wayfarer's raced away. Their mission had begun. Data from each would soon be transmitted to Hermes through subspace, in packets at preset intervals. Earth's exploration efforts in the Large Magellanic Cloud had taken it's first fledgling steps.

Her first task complete, Hermes turned on her axis and began to move closer to the small black hole in the distance. Over several hours at sub luminous velocity, Hermes repositioned herself into optimum position. Once in place, a simple beaming storage unit aboard activated, returning the first of ninety modules that would make up this galaxy's super gate to material form. Each of these modules, once returned to material form, were beamed away by the vessel's main beaming system. Around her, three gate modules at a time, Hermes constructed the doorway that would provide a permanent foothold into this galaxy for Earth and her allies.

As the gate neared full emplacement, Hermes maneuvered away. When the last modules were laid, a series of commands from aboard Hermes brought the newest super gate to life. Power rippled through each module, filling the space between each module with bolts of energy. A handful of seconds later, the massive gate completed the dialing sequence, establishing a direct connection to the Milky Way's own super gate. Through this open wormhole, Hermes broadcast a coded message to recipients standing by. This was done for two reasons. First, to test the function of the newest super gate. Second, to alert the receiving vessels that their doorway was now operational. Seconds after this transmission, the active wormhole collapsed.

A brief moment later, power again surged through each of the ninety gate modules. The first dial-in of this galaxy's super gate was underway. From a distance the bridge crew of Hermes took in the historic sight of this first dial-in of the newest gate in the growing super gate constellation. From the stable event horizon of the intergalactic gate, three vessels emerged in trail. The first to exit the gate was Canada's newest Athena Class vessel, HMCS Magnificent. Following closely behind was the Australian supply and replenishment ship HMAS Sirius. Emerging last was an American flagged Athena known as USS Bogue.

While Hermes had begun this expedition loaded with all manner of supplies that would be necessary to complete her mission, many other required materials and items were needed for the overall mission at work. These many tons of material and equipment were carried aboard HMAS Sirius. HMCS Magnificent and USS Bogue were present due to the matter stream creation suite carried aboard each warship. The presence of these two warships would greatly accelerate the construction time of Earth's latest Fleet Station. Hermes could have easily constructed the Fleet Station alone, but at a cost in time, and time was the most valuable commodity a ship commander could have.

At the fifty hour mark from arrival in this galaxy, Hermes and her newly arrived cohorts began the process of constructing Earth's newest Fleet Station. Over a period of months a great debate had raged across Earth as to what the new outpost would be named. While possible names were suggested and quickly cast aside, one had managed to slowly work its way to acceptance. Suggested in jest by a young Australian staff office, at first this name was met with snickering and sighed chuckles. Eventually, this name gained traction among many. Earth's newest outpost would forevermore be known officially as Fleet Station Farscape.

Working together, the three Athena Class vessels utilized their matter stream creation suites around the clock. At incredible speed Farscape took shape. As construction progressed from the bottom up, key pre-built systems were beamed from the many cavernous holds of Sirius to their final destinations aboard the station. Six days after the commencement of construction, much of the massive station had been completed, while much remained to be completed. Unlike her sister stations, Farscape would be the first to receive a new small craft. Instead of replying on 302s and UCAV's, along with the station's own integrated weapons site for defense, Farscape would also hold four of the new Stiletto Class fast attack craft. The addition of these craft would allow for Farscape to better patrol her local area in this galaxy, with the added benefit of having craft that could assist the colony worlds Earth would surely found soon.

By day eight of the planned ten day construction cycle, portions of Farscape's crew had arrived from Earth through the stations onboard star gate. Shortly after the arrival of these first plank owners of Farscape, duty rotations began. Around the clock this small first contingent of crew worked, aligning systems, performing diagnostics, and preparing the station for the arrival of the remainder of the inhabitants that would soon take residence.

Aboard Hermes, the data stream of each Wayfarer flowed in set intervals. This data stream was also received aboard Farscape, which relayed the data stream to Earth where it would be examined and shared with allies. While those aboard Farscape paid little attention to this data stream, aboard Hermes these periodic reports were scrutinized closely. Little more than a week had passed since the start of the Wayfarer mission, and already actionable data was flowing in. Little of note had come from the Bracewell probes left in a number of uninhabited solar systems, but one probe left within a clearly inhabited solar system was providing a wealth of information. This wealth of information was not cause for alarm, but what the Wayfarer had observed within the solar system was.

Only one planet of the eleven contained within the solar system in question was home to intelligent life. The presence of intelligent life was clear, due to the large number of electromagnetic emissions from the world itself, within clearly defined bands. What the Wayfarer passthrough revealed was something the inhabitants of this planet already knew; the planet and its many inhabitants faced an oncoming extinction level event.

In a briefing room near the bridge of Hermes Colonel Cameron Mitchell and his various department heads examined the data that had come in to date. Data from both the now departed Wayfarer, and the Bracewell probe left in its wake were reviewed. Hard data from the Bracewell probe, including magnetometer data showed evidence of dramatic solar wind deceleration in the comet's wake. Solar wind deceleration stemmed from ionized gas venting from the comet itself, which collided with high velocity particles carried by the solar wind. Over a distance of two astronomical units, this solar wind deceleration was present.

"Give me the long and short of the situation." Colonel Mitchell prompted.

"The short of it sir, is that this inhabited planet in this comet's path is in for a world of hurt. This comet nucleus has a diameter of slightly more than eighty-four miles, making it the single largest comet anyone from our world has ever seen. Stranger things are going on though. At its current point within the solar system the comet should have a relative velocity in the neighborhood of fifty to sixty kilometers per second, but this one is moving at closer to four hundred kilometers per second." Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed, the executive officer of Hermes explained.

"Pretend for a moment that I don't have your degree in astronomy." Mitchell suggested.

"The point I'm trying to make is that the velocity not only wrong, but impossibly wrong. These velocities are what you would see for a comet's escape velocity after passing near a star. To give you a frame of reference, Halley's comet has an average velocity on the order of seventy kilometers per second. That amount of speed differential can't be natural. The path this comet is taking through the solar system is also wrong." Ahmed clarified.

"Are you saying external forces are at work here?" Mitchell asked with a degree of uncertainty.

"Nothing else explains away these inconsistencies sir. It is my official stance that an unseen external driver is at work here." Ahmed confirmed.

"Did Wayfarer or the Bracewell probe detect anything to suggest a ship in the nearby vicinity?" Mitchell asked.

"Sir, none of the data even remotely points to that possibility. Admittedly, a cloaked ship could be present, but so far nothing suggests a ship or ships is present in the local area, or within the solar system. At the very least, should a ship be present under cloak Wayfarer or the Bracewell would have detected subspace communications, assuming any hypothetical craft made use of subspace communications." Another officer present interjected.

"If nothing is done to prevent the comet impact, what type of outcome are we looking at?" Mitchell inquired.

"This would be an extinction level event. The world has a population of just under two billion, plus an ecosystem roughly equivalent in number of species and diversification to that of Earth. In short, this would be a tragedy of high magnitude. Intelligence gleaned from the probe, through video signal intercept, points to the planetary inhabitants of this world launching an attempt to prevent impact. Based on the level of technology seen in the video intercepts, and what the Bracewell probe can detect, it seems likely that any such attempt will fail. The technology required to do this cleanly simply does not exist yet on this world, unless it is hidden from view of our probe, which is unlikely." Ahmed stated with clinical detachment.

"That seals the deal then. Send word to Magnificent and Bogue that we intend to depart the area to conduct humanitarian operations." Mitchell instructed.

"Sir, while I agree something should be done it is my duty as executive officer to bring up the uncomfortable fact hovering in the air. You and I are both well aware that our standing directive is to observe civilizations discovered in this galaxy until such time as the risk of first contact has been ascertained. Helping to save this world and its population is the right thing to do to you and I, but sometimes doing the right thing isn't doing the right thing. This could cost you your command sir." Ahmed warned.

"If our soon to take power one world government see's fit to strip me of my command for saving a civilization from extinction then so be it. I can't say I would want to serve any government that would make the distinction of allowing an entire people to perish in the name of playing it safe." Mitchell replied with heartfelt conviction.

"The distinction isn't clinically detached sir. You and I both know that. It is a safeguard to prevent a repeat of the cycle our planet has experienced in the Milky Way, and again in Pegasus. It isn't the timid play, but playing things smart for the very first time." Ahmed thoughtfully countered.

"Your concerns are noted, and will be annotated in the ship's log. From this point forward I am exercising commanders prerogative, and the burden will rest on my shoulders alone. I refuse to live in a world where we stand by with the power to help, and allow a civilization to perish so we can play it safe. Send word to Magnificent and Bogue. I want us underway in fifteen minutes. Upon arrival, we will observe, and allow the natives to make their move. If they fail, we will step in." Mitchell instructed with finality.

Ascension Island

Earth

Milky Way Galaxy

Across Earth, the many governments of the world were racing towards an appointed date of great importance. That date was one feared by some and longed for by others. On that date, the existing governments of Earth would lay down the large portion of their executive powers, and hand these over to a unified world government. Many preparations remained before that date was reached, but many were being dealt with now and that process had been ongoing for many weeks.

Ascension Island, an extremely isolated island of volcanic origin resting in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean is a place of rugged beauty and surprising history. In 1501, Joao da Nova, an explorer serving the Portuguese Crown, first discovered Ascension Island. Giving the discovery a different name, the remote island was soon forgotten. Two years later, another Portuguese explorer again sighted the island on Ascension Day, and renamed the location in honor of that day. Due to the remote nature, and at that time barren environment, Portugal never laid official claim to this strategic point in the South Atlantic.

Three hundred years later, the British garrisoned Ascension Island, due in large part to its proximity to Saint Helena, where Napoleon I was exiled to following his escape from Elba and subsequent defeat. Ascension Island became known as a stone frigate, and given the name HMS Ascension. During the early years following official claim of Ascension Island by the British, the largest changes to the island itself were made. A longterm program of flora and fauna introduction began. A years long stream of ships brought with them assortments of plants from botanical gardens throughout the empire, while Norfolk pine, bamboo, eucalyptus, and banana trees were also introduced. Through this effort, the landscape of Ascension Island was forever transformed.

Transformation was not simply a thing of the past for Ascension Island. Aware that a unified world government would soon take hold over Earth, the many nations of Earth had vigorously debated just where the capital seat of power would rest. Use of any existing capital was a nonstarter, as many felt use of an existing capital would lend a degree of owed to the union in which the capital sat. Construction of Earth's capital on a neutral off world site was similarly unacceptable for obvious reasons. A territory lacking an indigenous population, free from entanglements was needed, but such territories on Earth were so rare as to be virtually nonexistent.

The British government, at the behest of the Queen, offered to the world a solution palatable by all. Ascension Island, as an official British Overseas Territory and lacking an indigenous population while being geographically isolated from the many unions that the world government would be composed of met all of agreed upon criteria and more. To the world, and for the future of Earth, the British government offered up Ascension Island. It was hoped by the Queen that this act of benevolence would be remembered by generations moving forward as an example of British generosity. Even in a time of change, politics is still a motivation unlike few others.

Leading the effort to provide Earth with a new capital worthy of this world, its people, and its legacy was a brilliant architect named Ben Vincent. Through his vision of what form the capital should take, Ben had won the honor of designing this most important of projects, bypassing famed architects far his senior. In Ben's heart, he wished to give his very all to this project, and show what a young man from Windsor Ontario, who many felt was too young for such a prestigious project, could create. Into the plans for the capital, Ben poured his heart, soul, and very essence.

Weeks earlier, Ben and his team had arrived. With them came numerous ships of Earth's powerful fleet. Following the Synthetic Life Bill of Rights, it was felt that use of replicators for any phase of construction would be a mistake, and not in keeping with the intent of the Bill. From this capital the humans of Earth would govern the humans of Earth, and the colonies established in Earth's name. It was only fitting that construction rest solely in the hands of the humans of Earth, and not in the hands of valued off world allies.

Making use of the matter stream creation suites aboard the five warships assigned to the task, construction had begun in earnest. Ben's vision included not just a land based series of structures, but also structures on the waters surrounding the island. These outer structures were where the first portions of the capital took shape. Atop the deep blue waters surround the island, eight floating structures similar to those already found on Earth were built. These structures, belonging to a design known as Lilypad, and created by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut, could also be found in the waters off San Francisco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Cairo.

In their original configuration, each Lilypad was designed to house one hundred thousand people apiece. For the eight surrounding Ascension Island, that housing capacity had been reduced to one-fifth its original, to allow for re-utilization of space for many planned and unplanned government functions. Unlike the original Lilypad, these also differed in design insofar as the usable area of each extended far below the waterline. Beneath each Amazonia Victoria Regia water lily shaped structure, a glassed in cone structure sat beneath the waves, greatly increasing each structures amount of usable space. Unseen by those on the island, and far beneath the ocean's surface, was a heavily shielded ship docking station. This docking station's shielding system would protect each vessel present from the South Atlantic waters, and would also part the waters, allowing any arriving or departing vessel to pass from flight to rest without ever touching the cold waters around.

Fifty meters above the ocean's surface, enclosed tubes passed through each Lilypad. Contained within these transparent tubes, the island's mass transit system, composed of maglev trains running in opposite directions could be found. Within each Lilypad itself, transportation was provided by transporter booths, accelerating walkways, and automated pods belonging to a personal rapid transportation system traveling through the upper periphery of each structure.

As the sun reached its noontime zenith, Ben stepped away from the construction operations center housed in a building known as the Exiles Club. Making his way to Fort Bedford on Cross Hill, Ben broke for lunch. Upon reaching his favorite site on the island, an overlook, he began to eat his midday meal. From this vantage point, Ben could look out over the island. In the distance he saw Athena Class vessels silently floating hundreds of feet above the ocean, occupied with the building of the Lilypad structures, and the surrounding infrastructure.

A lover of films, Ben had often invested entire afternoons seeing any and all films his local theater might be playing. Here, involved in his current task, Ben had no time for films. His every waking moment was dedicated to the task at hand. Instead of films, Ben had found a new passion. Each day, from this vantage point over lunch, Ben imagined in his mind's eye the completed capital. Focusing on areas where construction had not yet commenced, he saw not soil and vegetation, but towering skyways, connecting massive structures. In the center of these, he saw an awe-inspiring capitol dome. Each of these buildings, in his mind's eye, reflected sunlight off of the smoothly polished marble like exteriors. The beauty found in these white reflective surfaces, broken up only by the purple veins running through the material was incredible, at least in Ben's imagination.

Looking out over this capital to be, Ben's heart swelled with pride. Not only was he watching history as it was made, but he was playing a key role in it as well. Here, in a capital conceived in his mind, the people of Earth would lead this world for generations moving forward. Born into a world divided, and at near constant odds with itself, Ben had often wondered what would become of humanity. Disclosure had changed everything virtually overnight. He considered it a privilege to be present in this time where humanity was finally coming of age. For the chief architect, he saw a future where anything was possible. That future, Ben thought, would make a wonderful film, or perhaps a trilogy of films.