First of all, thanks to all of you for your support and comments. Second, I'm planning to end this story at the 15th chapter, but don't worry, a sequel will come. And also the finale of The Human-Minbari War. Third, I've updated the draft of the 12th chapter, so if you haven't read it in its final form, you should. Thanks again, and God bless you.
RDDash Honestly I don't even know what to say about your statement...
djolds1 Thanks, this chapter has been in my mind for months, and never had enough time to put it in here properly, so I decided to at least publish something and polish it later.
ferduran thanks for your observations. About them:
1. You are reading my mind! That's another subject it's been on my mind for a lot and only in chapter 12 I finally could start to put it on paper.
2. I would like to but there were a lot of things to write before that, I'll do it as soon as I can.
3. Yes, the same with the other subjects but, I will address it in a way I think everyone would love it.
denise3 well thanks, I'm happy you like it, and thanks for your comprehension, cause it's hard to write in English as a second tongue, and more when your mother tongue is Spanish. You are right about Jankowski, but what can I say, life it's not fair, at least he didn't have the burden of millions of deaths for doing something wrong when he doesn't have the intention of doing anything wrong to anybody. He was a good man, with too many emotions and ambitions, but in the series, he pay a prize his superiors deserved far more than him. And about the shadows, it's too soon to see what will happen, I haven´t figured it out yet.
Saggitaron
City
The arrival of the alien diplomatic delegations, led by Ambassador Sheridan, created a huge impact on the dozens of journalists who were covering the event. From pure curiosity to fear and despair, the Colonials were moved in their deepest beliefs seeing so many different species altogether, right and left of the Colonial President. The signing of the Treaty of the United Human alliance was a perfect way to introduce to the galactic community this new human nation, completely independent from the Earth Alliance.
Lybra
Joint Command Center
-Attention on deck!- screamed the Colonial Marine, and everyone stand to attention, while President Adar entered the room. Commander Adama was already there, as were the Admirals Nagala and Cain.
-As you were. I've some announcements I need to address as soon as possible, so if you please, the short version will suffice. Admiral-
-Yes, sir, as you wish. Well, the Cylons are contained in these two clusters at the center and the northeast of the city. They are not receiving support of any kind, and nobody has shown up to pick them up, so we are just attacking them until the last one dies. The reason why I've not called for an orbital bombardment of our cousins it's just to avoid the destruction of a fourth of the city.
-Excellent. I've some good news for that matter. But first, Aquaria.
-Yes, Aquaria is officially under colonial hands once more. The damage to the settlements was minimum, and so were the casualties.
-Perfect. Cylon space. Have you found out where their fraking main base or world is it?
-No, they have just abandoned their territory. We, with the Earthers and the Minbari, have already recognized more than 30 star systems and nothing.
-Ok, those toasters have evolved again, this time into rats. What is the status of our fleet, and installations?
-Currently, we have 23% of our original forces operative. The shipyards of Caprica, Picon, Virgon, Leonis, and Canceron are working at full capacity. Scorpia shipyards are just a giant space graveyard, but we are making some great efforts to recover perhaps 10% percent of the original sections, and we are able to build at least three times that in 6 months. Ragnar is gone, a replacement is being designed and it will start to be constructed in two or three months. So, in general, we will be able to build 15 ships at a time, ready to fly in 2 years maximum. If we had the materials to do so.
-How many you could build with your current materials, admiral?
-Four, maybe five Battlestars.
-Even using the debris from the destroyed ones?
-Yes, because to do a proper salvage operation we would need the Scorpia Shipyards, perhaps Ragnar Anchorage would suffice, but impossible with the current resources in a reasonable time.
-Okay. I'm gonna work on that subject with our new allies. But before I want to ask you how the purge of Cylon infiltrators is going. Against Dr. Baltar's advice, I have ordered to clear the Fleet and the Government from the Cylon clones before going into a general and public headhunt, with some exceptions like some pretty and nasty reporter...-and several laughed, knowing which reporter was the President referring to.
-Jokes aside, I wanted to be sure the toasters don't have any assets in a dangerous site when we go full against them, to avoid terrorist surgical strikes or sabotages as retaliation. So, I'm all ears.
-As soon the data was received from the Minbari the photos were ended through the Fleet and the Marines, and as far as we know, all the Cylons identified with those profiles have been captured or killed, some of them suicide or tried too. The numbers are... well, they were more than we thought. 4589 in the Fleet, 39067 in the Marines, so far.
-Lords have mercy...
-Of them, 6890 are alive and in custody. So far, the toasters had done all that they could during the strike itself, after the battle ended we had only two failed assassination attempts and one suicide attack with a Mark VIII Viper to the Canceron Marines HQ, also failed.
-Well, that's good news! So, you agree with me it is safe to go on the public with the headhunting?
-Honestly sir, I'm not so sure. Until we had more data from the Basestars recovered, we don't know if there are more models we don't know anything about. But is a too great risk to sit and wait when could be thousands of Cylons ready to attack in every city.
-Well, thanks for the briefing, now I have some good news to change this dark briefing. First, the Earth Alliance had authorized us to use 15 of their drydocks to build battlestars. So, as soon as you can I want a fleet ready to start to operate them, and with that, I mean to install artificial gravity in them.
Second, One of the Alien races our cousins bring with them came with a gift, a gift that could help you to clean those last two toaster trenchs.-he made a pause and throw a series of photos at the table. The officers first were reluctant to grab them for being four-cornered sheets, but soon they forgot that when they saw the pictures of an insect-like creature, three times bigger than a human.
-Gaim warrior!? Well, I would rather face a full squad of Cylon toasters with a fork and a spoon than fight one of these things! Sure these are friendly? I don't want our Marines being devoured by these fraking monsters!
-Don't worry, General, the Earthers assure me these creatures are genetically programmed to not only attack Cylons but to defend with their lives any humans. Not sure if they could distinguish between a real human and a Cylon clone, but would have not to worry about it. Some Earthforce officers told me they fought alongside these creatures in the Battle of Balos, in the Dilgar War...
-Dilgar War, sir?
-That's the war the 13th tribe fought ten years ago with an alien species called the Dilgar, saving the asses of half the alien governments in the area. That's why our cousins have so many friends.
-They have been busy.
-Yes they frakking were. Another thing, before coming here Dr. Eilerson, the delegate of the Earth Government gave me sad news: a Cylon battlegroup of five Basestars attacked one of the trade routes within the Earth and their alien allies, an Earth Battlestar fought them of destroying them, but at the cost of the ship. Only 34 survivors remain of the crew.
-What type of Earth Battlestar, sir?
-A Nova Dreadnought, one of the huge bricks with a dozen of giant cannons. The EAS Artigas. That means that the toasters wanted some revenge using hit-and-run attacks on the Earth supply lines. Now the earthers are creating hunting packs of ships looking for others, the captains of the ships who get there first are sure the toasters must be using some mobile base to attack that far away from here.
-That would explain we found nothing in their territory, they must turn themselves into a mobile horde or something like it.
-Exactly. Anyway, there is only one way to find it out, so I wanted you, Commander Adama, to go with them and help them in the search.
-Me, sir?
-I know the Gallactica it's not our best ship, but you have the best crew, and you are the only ones in the fleet who went that far and have some experience exploring so far from home. I will assign you the surviving pilots of the Thessalia, and also an Earthers Starfury pilot, to guide you. I want the Gallactica to use the Hyperspace jump gate network, now we have our own gate. according to the Earthers, you don't need any jump drive to use them, you can also follow the Earth Battlestars into and out of the hyperspace.
-Do this pilot have a name, sir?
-Lt. Jeffrey Sinclair. According to Earhforce is one of a hell of a pilot, and I think he comes from an 8th generation line of viper pilots, so I guess you will get very comfortable with him- said, handling Adama a dossier of the man, again with the four-cornered sheets the Earthers use. Why the frakkers don't just cut the corners, anyway?
The Colony.
Uncharted system.
This time all models were in agreement, the Ones have gone too far. First to stole five basestars of the few were still flying, and then to strike Earth's territory, and fail miserably. It was clear the hatred of Cavil's model towards humans was nullifying his judgment, from day one. The strike against the Earth and Minbari, multiplying overnight their enemies was just the first of a chain of bad decisions, or so they thought. This time, Cavil won't be able to box a few models and keep the rest in line.
-I said we remove the Ones from the Consensus, they have done enough damage. They are unfit for leadership, and they don't respect our decisions. Let's vote!-said the Four models, and the others started to vote. The Ones couldn't even speak in their defense, before they could open their mouth all the others were voting. When finished, everyone, except the Ones, voted to throw them out of the Consensus.
-Now what? We become your slaves or what?!-asked in anger Cavil.
-You are free to go wherever you wanted to. Take a ship and leave, or stay here and follow us. In time, if you behave, you could be voted back again.-answered a Three. The others assented.
-No, I'll leave. You are too weak, too human for my taste.- He said, and all the Ones followed him. In the following hours, two Basestars filled with One models, and zero of the others, including Raiders and Centurions, leave the Colony into the vastness of space.
While they departed, the models were still thinking about what to do now. They waited for the One's departure because they wanted to be sure they won't do anything stupid before leaving. Now, with them gone, they could talk about the present and the future.
-They leave peacefully, it's the first time they walk away from a fight-a Two said.
-I wonder why. You know, for a long time I've suspected they were hiding something from the rest of us. Perhaps, now they are gone, we should check everything, just in case-answered a Four.
-I agree, answered a Six, and added- but in the meanwhile, we should see for ourselves, because now our enemies have extended their hunt for us. I was hoping with time they stopped to search for us if they couldn't find our ships after months of searching, but now, thanks to Cavil...-she said, with angered voice.
-If it happens that way it's because it's God's will for us to break all ties with the humans and move beyond their reach-said a Two, and everyone looked at him. His mystical approaches were always dismissed by the Ones, but now they don't look so bad. Perhaps to go far away the humans was the best, and only, choice.
Basestar One
Command Chamber
-What do you think they'll do when they find what we did?
-Honestly, I don't care anymore. They have become too human for us. They are doomed. Now we must find our own way, we should have many years ago. It was futile to lead the others, they aren't capable of seeing what they had become.
-Yes, I think you're right. So, do you think we should be wandering in the stars?
-No. That was our great mistake. We should occupy a planet and build from there. But far away from the rest of the beings around. One of us gets this from an Earth ship during captivity, then suicide to share it with us.
A map of the known systems found on a screen on an Earth ship was shown in the display.
-This huge sector here... looks that no one is claiming it. and is far away from the main routes.
-I think we have a destination-he said and leave.
Caprica. Two hours later
Caprica Main Space Port, Caprica City
Ambassador Sheridan was lost in his thoughts while he watched the window. The beautiful sight of Caprica from space relaxed him, even when he had to share the shuttle with that Telepath from the Psi Corps. Why in heaven's name there was a telepath in the delegation? When that Psi corps transport appeared out of the red in the middle of the hyperspace, with orders of Senator Clark's office to join the delegation in the EAS Cortez, Sheridan couldn't believe his eyes and ears. From that day everyone in the Explorer Ship couldn't sleep well at night.
After a tense discussion with the Foreign Ministry and the President, he accepted, glad to hear that they weren't happy either with the decision, but for some reason they allowed it. "Let's hope those Psi bastards aren't controlling their minds too," he thought for himself, just to realize that his thoughts weren't private anymore. He turn his head to look for the telepath, and he finds him, two seats behind, looking at him with a dark smile. The Psi Corps man waved a hand at him, and he went red of anger.
Following Sheridan, that man in a full black suit, with black gloves, Nazi-like hair cut, a Psi emblem at the chest, and a dark smile walk away from the Kestler Shuttle. As soon as the daylight hit his face, his eyes started to scan randomly in the dozens of human faces around him. from the Colonial guard, standing tall at both sides to the local reporters, every mind was being scanned smoothly, just in case the Colonials had telepaths too.
Behind him two members of the Secret service were watching in all directions, ready to act in the remote case of an assassination attempt. Suddenly, Bester saw a woman carrying a microphone, but with gaze fixed in them, perhaps in Sheridan...No, her thoughts showed she was more interested in the Secret Service agents... She was looking at them, waiting for a distraction... so she could pull out a handgun and shoot the Earth delegation!
Bester didn´t doubt. He pushed Sheridan to a side and with the hand extended to her he screamed: She's got a gun! The reporter in the red coat! Grab her!
The Agents move forward with their PPGs aiming at hand, the reporters immediately moved aside when they understand who were the Earther pointing out, and the Colonial Marines rushed to capture her.
The Seven model, barely believing she was discovered, drop the microphone and started to run, followed by several colonial officers,
While the locals chase and capture her, one of the reporters turns to Bester and asked: How do you know she had a gun? Do you see it?
The entire crowd of reporters grab their micros and cameras and focused on Bester, waiting for his answer. He, with a smile, and knowing the hard look Sheridan was giving him, opened his mouth and said:
-I'm a telepath, I can read people's minds. more if she was so focused on that kind of goal.
-Wow, you have the Gift of the Gods! So, you could see in her mind why she was going to do that? Was she a fanatic?
-No, she was a Cylon.
President Adar's office
-What. The. Frak.-said the President, watching in the huge screen the live transmission. He turn his head to Eilerson and asked:
-Do you have people who read minds in your ranks, Dr.?
-Yes, Mr. President, many races have them, but on Earth only started to appear about a hundred fifty years ago, or something. There are even some with telekinetic powers and all.
-And why you don't inform me about it?
-I just do not think of it, Mr, president. We had so many more urgent subjects I don't even think of telling you about.
-The problem here is, Dr. Eilerson, we weren't going public about the Cylon infiltration until tonight, to avoid the fraking panic!-screamed in full anger.
-You better suit up, cause you are going to fraking helping me to calm the waters, you and that other Earth diplomat. Mrs. Killa, call for a press conference, now!
Half an hour later, hundreds of riots and disturbs spread like a wildfire through the Colonies. Martial Law was declared, and both the Third Earthforce Fleet and the Minbari Fleet were asked to send troops to support. With reluctance, both commands accepted the task and by some miracle, they had no problems, cause most of the people trust them because they knew there weren't Cylons between Earth and Minbari ranks. However, to calm down a 20 plus billion people on a dozen of planets was an impossible task.
What should be a pleasant meeting between allies, went south when President Adar scream the hell out at the Earth delegacy.
-I don't know if I should greet you or hit you in the face, misters!
-Mr. President, first of all, I want to apologize...
-Forget that your little gifted guy just save your asses, the problem is now I have 11 planets in full unrest for not keeping the mouth shut in front of the frakking cameras!
-I'm Alfred Bester, member of the Psi Corps, nice to meet you-said, extending his black-gloved hand. Adar, with a really furious looking, shakes it, with a strange smell on it.
-God to meet you too, Mr. Bester! Welcome to the 12 Colonies of Kobol! So, you can read minds, huh? What I'm thinking right now?
-Wow, Mr. President. Did you know there is an Earth language that has more than a dozen of ways of translating that particular insult...
-Too bad I don't know that particular language, otherwise, I would fill my mind with every single one of those variations, just for you! Ambassador Sheridan, what in hell were you thinking, inviting this clown here?! You wanted to start a war or what?! -Then he turn again facing Bester, and added- You know I could just order to shoot you, right here in front of everyone!
-That, Mr. President, would be impossible. My gifts would make that task impossible for any human nearby.
-For frak sake, I would order an orbital strike upon myself just to get rid of you, Mr. Bester! Take the rest of the day off and enjoy the city, because by tomorrow I want your fraking gifted brain out of Colonial territory, I made myself clear? But first, you two will come with me and Dr. Eilerson, and help me to calm down everyone. Enough I had with that old movie of yours, now this is worst!
-What movie, Mr. President?- asked Sheridan.
-That one, with the religious guy who enlisted as a combat medic and rescued 80 soldiers from the lines by himself, with his God help and all.
-Hicksaw Ridge pointed out Bester, and then put a hand on his mouth, after the stare both, Adar and Sheridan, throw at him.
-At least that helped with the recruiting of the most religious tribes, but now the Quorum and thousands of religious leaders were accusing me of promoting monotheism, and supporting the apostasy of the 13th Tribe, instead of bringing you back to the faith of the Lords of Kobol! But now, thanks to you, Mr. Bester, they have something even worst to persecute me, thanks a lot!