Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any of it characters, they all belong to Disney. I do not own The Walking Dead or any of its characters, they all belong to AMC and Robert Kirkman. I do not own Destroyermen or any of its characters, they all belong to Taylor Anderson. I do not own Battlestar Galactica 1978 or any of its characters, they all belong to Glen A. Larson and Universal. I do not own Battlestar Galactica, The Re-imagining or any of its characters, they all belong to Ronald Moore and Universal Pictures. I do not own Jurassic Park or any of its characters, they all belong to Universal pictures, Amblin Entertainment, and the estate of Michael Crichton. I do not own Legend of the Galactic Heroes or any of its characters, they all belong to Takaya Kagami.
Escape from Hell?
Chapter 15
The arrival of 31,761 starships was quite the occasion and everyone who was anyone from the three versions of Earth was on hand as was anyone else who beg, borrow, or steal a seat on a spaceship that day. Commander Tigh's Baseship, the Leonis, and part of his ad hoc fleet arrived first between Luna and Earth 2 since their jump drives was a bit faster than the FTL drives which both the Imperial and Free Planets' Alliance ships used. Notable in their absence were the Warstar commanded by Commander Cain and the nine Baseships he captured at the beginning of the new Cylon war. Lucifer stayed to help their allies recover the remaining damaged and destroyed Imperial and Alliance starships and Cain stayed to help too, but also to keep an eye on the IL series Cylon robot and his Centurions.
The Imperial ships arrived first in perfect formation a million miles from Earth 2 followed several seconds later by the Alliance of Free Planets' fleet a hundred thousand miles to their port. Then two thirds of the ships from both fleets powered up their in-system drives, began to move toward Earth 2, and ultimately to the portal to Earth 3. Not knowing the effect on the portal the ships entered it one at the time with a one minute delay between each. The third which would go on to Earth 4 went first. It would take nearly two weeks for all the ships to traverse this portal and a week for the others. Some ships from the remaining third went directly to several shipyards in orbit of Luna, Earth, Mars, and Venus to fix problems not completed before they left or others that developed in flight from Astarte. This would be done in the other solar systems too.
The flagships of the two fleets remained and within several hours entered orbit of Earth 2 in the same orbit as the Leonis. Half an hour later several shuttles were launched from all three command ships and escorted by both Heavy Raiders and Raptors to the great city of New Zootopia on the North American continent. The ships landed at the main spaceport and taxied to a private terminal. A group of Animals, humans, and their alien allies awaited them. A certain Rabbit and Fox were out of the first Raptor that had stopped and powered down.
"Maria!" Judy yelled and leapt into the Gazelle's arms.
Maria kissed her cheek and of course Judy's ears turned red. Nick chuckled.
"So was it interesting?" she asked and saw Nick smile.
"Just a slew of new humans and new ships with a new type of FTL for you to have a look at," he said.
The Gazelle chuckled and set the Rabbit back on her feet. Then she watched as the people disembarked and started toward them. An interesting group, she thought and looked at Judy.
"Well I see Tigh came with them," she said. "Who's the blond fellow with the cape?"
"The High Admiral of the Imperial Fleet, Reinhard von Lohengramm." Judy said,
"Let me guess," she said and looked at unassuming man with different uniform with a Lemurian beside him. "The man wearing the beret beside him is the Admiral of the other fleet."
"He's a Commodore, but yes he commands the other fleet," Judy said, "Yang Wen Li."
"Well then let's go meet them," she said and started toward the newcomers with Daryl and Michonne beside her.
Reinhard looked out the portal and noted the people waiting to greet them and smiled. As soon as their shuttle powered down they deplaned and started toward them led by a – and had to think for a moment – tall Gazelle, two humans, Rabbit, and Fox. He felt Kircheis tense and put a hand on his friend's arm.
"This ought to be interesting," Yang said and Blacky patted his arm.
"I couldn't agree more," he said and stepped forward. "It's my first trip to Earth."
"Mine too," Yang said and Reinhard chuckled.
Kircheis said nothing and concentrated to the people coming to meet them. The Gazelle stopped before them and smiled. Tigh walked behind the newcomers and smiled too, having a good idea what was to come.
"Maria Dixon," she said and then continued in German, extending a hand. "Welcome to Earth 2. This is my husband Daryl and his wife Michonne."
He raised an eyebrow and then took her hand. Afterward he shook the other's hands too.
"Please call me Reinhard," he said and shook. "You speak my language quite well."
"Thank you," she said and released his hand. Then she turned to Yang and extended a hand to him. "Welcome to Earth 2." This time she spoke in Mandarin and saw surprise on his face. "I speak quite a number of languages."
"And quite well too," Yang said and took her hand. "Why do you and Michonne carry swords?"
"Old habit," she said and took it off her back. She saw a few surprised faces. "Does everyone speak English?" Most nodded and a few took out pads. "Almost everyone here on Earth 2 goes armed. We fought the walking dead for ten years and from time to time they still turn up." She handed the sheathed sword to Yang. "Safety first." The sound of sword's ring as it was being withdrawn from its scabbard drew everyone's attention. "You've used a sword?"
"I learned when I was younger and still keep in practice," he said, testing its balance, and then looked down the length of the blade. "A fine weapon."
"Thank you," she said, returning it to its sheath, and returned to her. "Reinhard?"
"I learned the saber," he said and she handed to him.
The blade rang again.
"Maybe later we could have a sparring session," she said and both men looked at her. "I have some fine wooden swords."
Michonne chuckled.
They boarded two buses and with their security escorts were taken into the city. After a twenty minute drive they stopped at a security checkpoint and as they'd approached it looked to Reinhard to be the tallest building in the city. A large door opened and then buses entered and pulled up to a row of elevators. The doors opened and Gazelle entered their bus.
"Please follow me," she said and winked at Yang.
He smiled at the Gazelle and stood.
"You seem to have made a friend," Reinhard said and patted him on the back.
"Maria is interesting," Blacky said, "and she has a beautiful voice."
Yang felt his face warm and Reinhard chuckled. They stepped off the buses and soon stood before the elevators.
"We should all fit," Maria said and pressed the button. A new model Centurion stood at the back of each one and she noted the look of each of their guest faces. "These Cylons are some of our security."
"And I fell much safer already," Yang said and everyone laughed.
"You may enter," the centurions said in unison and gradually they did.
Reinhard, Wen Li, and Kircheis entered and ended up in the back beside the Centurion. Kircheis looked at the Cylon.
"You're sentient," Kircheis said and felt the car move.
"Correct."
"I do want to thank you and the other Cylons for helping us at Astarte."
"I personally wasn't there, but I do have access to the memories of those who were," it said. "Since it is in my memory all the other Cylons shall eventually know of your sentiment."
"May I ask you a question?"
"You've already have asked me several," it said and Kircheis heard several people chuckle. He also felt Reinhard pat him on the back.
"I think he has you there," Wen Li said.
"Your question?"
"What do you think of the organic Cylons?" Kircheis asked.
"I assume you mean the Reptilian ones."
"True."
"It's interesting they exist in three universes, but only created us in two of them."
"Maybe since the one in this universe never came in contact with humans it wasn't necessary."
"Very logical," it said. "There will be some of them here for this meeting and I think I will talk to several of them when I'm not on duty."
"They let you have free time."
"We're citizens not just machines."
"No offence."
"None taken."
"I think I would like to join you when you do if you don't mind."
"As would we," Reinhard said and smiled at Wen Li.
"It'll be interesting."
Just then the elevator arrived and dinged.
After the door opened everyone gathered around the Gazelle.
"Welcome to my home," she said and smiled. "I think we have enough rooms for everyone although some people may have to double up." She pointedly looked at the Wen Li and the Lemurian. "But first we'll have supper."
She led them to a staircase.
"So your home takes up both top floors," Reinhard said.
"The dining room and the bedrooms are up here."
"And this floor?" Wen Li asked.
"Certain diversions and recreational activates – a theater, game room, dojo, workout room, etc.," she said as then reached the second floor. "Any of you many use them. I'll give everyone a tour after dinner and show you my collection of weapons."
"What do you have?"
"Pretty much any weapon developed by our friends and enemies," she said and opened the door to the dining room. "You'll see, but first we eat."
Then the smells of dinner hit them.
"God that was good!" Reinhard said as he leaned back in his chair.
"I agree," Kircheis said.
"Me too," Tigh said and his pad translated.
"I guess I'll make it unanimous," Yang said and smiled.
"Just wait till I cook you some Lemurian foods," Blacky said and smiled.
They relaxed for a while, speculated on how they'd gotten there, later spoke of what had happened since they'd arrived, and what they wanted to do in the future. Maria rose and walked to the front of the room.
"Well I hope you enjoyed the food and the pictures we've shown you from the four versions of Earth," she said and indicated the large monitor at the front of the room. "To our newcomers you and your crews many visit any of the Earths when you have shore leave. Everyone will be issued a pad computer which will have contacts on all three Earths along with information and histories on each. Also there will be information and tactical data on our ongoing war will the Cylons in the Earth 4 universe. Your insights on that would be appreciated. Thank you." Then she walked over and sat with the fleet commanders. "So it looks like you enjoyed the meal." They all smiled. "Good."
"I still wonder how all the animals from Earth Prime are intelligent," Wen Li said and she smiled.
"Our scientists have done a lota speculation on that, but I think maybe it's just the way God wanted it," Maria said and shrugged. "So you ready for the tour or do you wanna go to your rooms and rest?" They and most of the others followed her back down to the first floor. They walked by the theater first. "I thought a bit later we might watch a movie, but as I said there are other things too."
"What's the movie?" Judy asked.
Maria whispered in her ear and the Rabbit danced in delight. Nick knew it exactly which movie it was and sighed. They had to watch it and a few of its sequels at least once a month. As the tour progressed a few people remained in one of the various rooms, but in the end most stayed with the group as it ended with the theater. They sat and drinks and snacks were brought around.
Reinhard thought the wine was excellent and settled back and the theater darkened. He read the words that first came up on the screen and cocked his head – "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." Then marshal music played and words began to crawl up the screen. He heard Yang chuckle several times and sighed. Apparently Maria had an odd sense of humor.
"Reinhard, time to get up," Kircheis said and touched his shoulder. He yawned, stretched, and then sat up. "The meeting is in two hours and I think breakfast will be ready soon."
"A shower first," he said as his feet hit the floor. Half an hour later he returned and Kircheis helped with his uniform. "Someday you'll make an excellent valet."
"Thank you sir," he said and chuckled. "I'll have to keep that in mind."
Reinhard laughed.
"Let's get going," he said and Kircheis preceded him and held open the door. "You know that was a joke, right?"
Kircheis chuckled again and followed his friend and commander, pulling the door shut behind him. They met Wen Li and Blacky along the way.
"I hope you enjoyed the movie last night," Wen Li said and smiled.
Reinhard looked at his friend and smiled. Kircheis cleared his throat.
"Our conflict..." Kircheis began.
"Is done," Reinhard finished.
"I didn't mean to upset you," Yang said.
"You didn't," he said. "Our hostess' point was aptly made and from now on you and I and these people will have to work together. Can we agree on that?"
"Certainly," he said. "I only wish we could've agreed before we ended up here."
"We Lemurians had to work with Captain Reddy and his crew and each other to defeat the Grik or we'd have been eventually been destroyed," Blacky said.
They looked at the Lemurian and she only shrugged.
"In hindsight I havta agree with you," Reinhard said.
"Maybe this is our punishment," Kircheis muttered.
"Quite possibly," Yang said.
"I knew the Empire was corrupt, but I served it anyway," High Admiral von Lohengramm said.
"And the Free Planets' Alliance wasn't that much better."
"So now you and your people have a chance for a new start," Maria said, coming up behind them. "It could've been worse. Think what would've happened if you'd ended up in the Earth Prime universe and had to face the Cylon Centurions alone and without any support." She looked at both me and raised an eyebrow. "Come let's eat and we can talk some more."
When they and their staff officers entered the conference room both Commodore Yang and High Admiral von Lohengramm stopped for a moment and looked at the assembled leaders from the three versions of Earth – Humans, Animals, and aliens. Humans from his universe couldn't work together, but these diverse people obviously could and did. He'd read a bit of their history from his pad and they did have wars, but even during those wars they did work together to fight a common enemy. Of course he'd also read more about the current war with the Cylon robots.
They found their designated seats and he looked at his pad to see if the agenda had change since last night. With a quick scan only a few items had been added. Also, it now not only named and displayed a picture of the people attending the meeting, but now showed where they were currently sitting. Reinhard quickly looked around the room matching names with faces and then one of men stood.
"Gentleman and Ladies, it's now 9am and it's time we got started," the general said and looked at him and Commodore Yang. "I sure you've read who everyone is by now, but I'd still like to introduce myself to our new allies. I'm General Dwight Eisenhower and I was the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe until the armistice and later the same in Asia until Japan surrendered on Earth 4. I see from the history you've provided of your universe you also had a Second World War on your Earth with most of the same people."
Several others did the same and his pad translated if and when necessary. He stood and looked at the people around the room.
"I am High Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm in command of the Imperial fleet and I must thank you all for helping both of us."
Then he indicated the Alliance Commodore.
"I am Commodore Yang Wen Li was given command of the Free Planets Alliance Fleet after the Vice Admiral Paetta was severally wounded. He's still unconscious."
"And you're still in command," Eisenhower said.
"At least until the Admiral is able to again resume command."
"If any of our doctors can help please let us know," he said. "I've read in your history by your calendar you are a millennia and half ahead of us."
"Yes, it would be the year 3597 CE on our calendar," Wen Li said. "Our medicine is far ahead of yours. I don't mean to sound pretentious, but... anyway we'd both would gladly transfer information to your doctors along with some of ours to help."
"Thank you very much," Eisenhower said and clapped. The other people in the room joined him. "Since the war on Earth 4 recently ended we still have many hundreds of thousands of men still injured. The Colonial doctors have helped a great deal and your doctors will get to work with theirs and of course ours."
"Also it's much the same on Earth 3 from the wars there," Captain Reddy said.
"On Earth 2 our doctors of course had no experience with humans and had to learn how to treat them 'on the fly' as the humans say," Ben said. "We are getting close to finding a cure to the disease that caused the apocalypse."
"We'll definitely help you with that," Reinhard said and Yang agreed.
"First are the damaged and destroyed ships in the Astarte system," Eisenhower said and the screen at the front of the room showed the new shipyards brought in by the Quads and now the reptilian Cylons of that Universe. "As you see several dozen of your ships are in those docks being repaired and the other waiting nearby are in the process of being accessed to whether they are to be repaired or disassembled for parts. The Quads are excellent shipwrights and now currently build about half our ships and now they have both kinds of Cylons to help. There's a also Colonial presence there along with some of your people too." He looked at Reinhard and Wen Li. "Periodically they will be delivering some of your ships us here and also keep examples for themselves. They do have a penchant for exploration."
"They will also be installing the new jump engines in those ships too," Commander Tigh said.
"And they'll have both," Wen Li said.
"Correct," Tigh said. "Of course your engineers will have training in their use and maintenance."
"Once the ships that are unrepairable are stripped of anything useful the hulks will be recycled to build new Colonial ships," Eisenhower said. "Unless you have specifications of other Alliance and Imperial ships you'd like built."
Reinhard looked at his Alliance counterpart.
"There are some that might be useful," Reinhard said.
"Of course we need to see the Colonial ships specifications," Wen Li said.
"And the Cylon designs too," Caprica Six said. "From all four Universes."
Wen Li looked at Reinhard and smiled.
"We never had to deal with any other spacefaring species in our galaxy," Wen Li said.
"And we found several fairly near Earth in all three version of the Milky Way we have access to," Ben said. "Of course on Earth Prime there were tens of thousands of sentient species."
"Other than the war with Cylons we need to explore all three galaxies," Eisenhower said. "Just to make sure there's nothing worse out there."
"And to find new allies," Wen Li said.
"So that leads to my last question," Ben said and looked between their newest allies. "Just what do you want to do?"
Some of the Imperial and Alliance crews on each of the ships had been give shore leave on all three versions of Earth, but apparently an Admiral's work was never done even though they were no longer at war. Reinhard assumed it was the same for Wen Li also. After several weeks he felt like he would like to take a bit of shore leave himself.
"Sir, we have visitors," Kircheis said and Reinhard looked at his friend and raised an eyebrow. "General Clawhauser and his wife."
"The Cheetah."
"Yes sir," he said and Reinhard noticed a small smile on his friend's face, "and his wife."
He'd known Kircheis since they were children and they were best friends. This was odd. He followed Kircheis into his cabin's receiving room. He noticed Ben immediately and then the blond woman beside him. He looked between them several times and the woman burst out laughing. The Cheetah shook his head and rolled his eyes."
"Beth Clawhauser," she said and extended a hand. "And yes I'm his wife."
He looked at Ben again and then at her.
"Oh."
This time they both laughed and he looked at his friend who stood a ridged attention. He could tell that Kircheis was biting the inside of his cheek, trying his best not to join them. Reinhard sighed inwardly.
"Please have a seat," he said and they did, still holding onto each other chuckling.
"Maybe some tea," Kircheis said and glared at the other man. "Or maybe something stronger."
"Maybe a lot stronger!"
"Yes sir," he said and hurried off.
The Clawhausers finally subsided and smiled at him.
"Ben," she said and the Cheetah looked at his wife. "Maybe we ought to introduce the Admiral to Mr. Muldoon."
That only started them laughing again and he thought he could just hear Kircheis laughing too.
Kircheis brought a silver tray with three crystal glasses and a bottle of red wine and set it on the table. Then he popped the cork.
"Get yourself a glass too," he said and Kircheis looked at him questioningly. "Yes, go!"
Kircheis returned a minute later with a fourth glass and poured for them all. Everyone lifted their glass.
"Peace," Beth said and then they touched glasses and sipped the wine.
"I certainly hope so," Ben said and squeezed his wife's hand. "At least once we've dealt with those Cylon robots."
"I agree," Reinhard said.
"But the three galaxies are large and virtually unexplored," Kircheis said.
He looked at his friend and smiled.
"Forever the optimist."
"The three galaxies contain well over a trillion stars so there many possibilities," Kircheis said.
He turned back to his guests.
"Thank you for coming," he said and smiled. "Anything to get me away from that paperwork."
"We have an invitation for you – I mean both of you and some of your men," Beth said and he cocked his head and stared at her. "Several of our Battlestars are returning from the war zone for shore leave and we are having a welcome party for them and their families. "We thought you might like to meet them – informally of course."
"We've already spoken to Commodore Yang and he agreed," Ben said.
He thought of the paperwork again and looked at his friend.
"I think we'd be honored to join you."
Both he and his men and Wen Li and his and Blacky boarded a Colonial shuttle for the trip to Earth 4. Of course they had to pass through the portal to Earth 3 first which was at least for today currently on the surface. The two thirds of his and the Alliance ships had completed their transits and were now on station near the other two versions of Earth or some of the other planets in their respective solar systems. He'd even given some of his modified ships permission to 'test their new FTL drives' by jumping to nearby stars.
He'd only seen pictures of Easter Island's Moai statues, but before they'd crossed over the pilot slowed and came to a stop and hovered for several minutes near a group of them. Then they flew on through the portal.
"This is where I was working when we met the Animals," Blacky said and the others looked at her. "Judy and her daughter, Sophia, captured me, another Lemurian, and two humans and took is back to Earth 2 and we met Ben. He talked to us and we took him back to meet or commander here on Earth 3."
"And you just started working together?" Wen Li asked.
"Pretty much," she said and grinned. "We really needed their help since we were fighting three wars at once."
Again they slowed over a harbor where several dozen naval ships sat at anchor.
"Do they have a wet water navy on any of the Imperial worlds?" Wen Li asked and leaned closer to the window.
"I think they must, but I've never seen one."
"I have," Kircheis stated.
"Where?" Reinhard asked, looking at his friend.
"Before we moved we lived in a city near the ocean and there was a naval base there," he said and looked out the window. "They had some ships, but nowhere near as large as these. I think they were more of a coast guard than a navy."
"I kinda wish we could go down and have a look," Wen Li said.
"I'll ask and maybe we can do it on the way back," Reinhard said.
"Good," Wen Li said and smiled. "Reinhard, you know it's odd seeing you out of uniform."
"I'm not an Admiral twenty-four hour a day," he said and smiled.
"Somehow I always imagined you sleeping in one," Wei Li said and they all laughed.
"His pajamas do have Admiral's stars though," Kircheis said and grinned.
Reinhard made a face and they all laughed again. A few minutes later the pilot announced that they should he strapped in and the ship began to angle up toward space. Then half an hour later they saw several Colonial, Imperial, and Alliance ships in orbit together.
"I never thought I'd see that," Wen Li said and smiled. "I prefer peace."
"I agree with you on both counts," Reinhard said.
"I think I'd like to do a bit of exploring," Wen Li said.
"Me too, but only after the Cylons are dealt with."
"So you've decided to fight alongside our hosts?"
"I think from what I've read we must."
"Unfortunately I must agree with you," Wen Li said and leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
Twenty minutes later they passed through the second portal to Earth 4.
They orbited the planet for half an hour and then their shuttle slowed and dove into the atmosphere. Wen Li looked out over the wide Pacific Ocean and could see from China to the western coast of North America. Then he looked at Blacky and she smiled and squeezed his hand. As the atmosphere thickened they slowed more and seemed to be headed to the midpoint of the vast ocean.
"We'll be landing in Hawaii in forty minutes," the pilot announce over the cabin speaker.
Thirty-five minutes later they were only a few thousand feet above the ocean's blue waters when he saw a ship which seemed to be heading in the same directing they were. He looked ahead and could just glimpse land. On time the shuttle stopped midair and hovered for a few seconds. Then the engines grew louder and it began to decent. The landing skids touched the ground with just the slightest bump and the engines began to spool down. As soon as it was quiet the ground crew rolled out stairs. Then the flight engineer opened the outer door.
"After you," Reinhard said and indicated the door.
"Thanks," he said and walked to the threshold.
He felt the warm air and smelled the salt from the ocean. Then he noticed the hotel and the black sand beach in the distance. He and Blacky stepped down and were soon followed by Reinhard, Kircheis, and rest of their men.
The hotel was set back from the beach and consisted of one larger building and several dozen smaller ones build in the traditional Hawaiian style. The buses stopped in front of the larger building and they were lead into the lobby.
"Welcome sir," the desk clerk said. "Name."
"High Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm," he said and man checked the list of reservations.
"Here's your key," he said and handed it to him, "and please follow him." He indicated one of the bellhops. "Your baggage will be delivered within twenty minutes and please have a good stay."
"Thank you," he said and followed the man to one of the smaller buildings. The bellhop opened the door and ushered them in.
"This bungalow has two bedrooms and each has their own baths," he said and indicated each. "There is a kitchen and one of our cooks and can come in and prepare a meal for you, a meal can be brought in, or you may come to restaurant in the main building. There is a phone and Wi-Fi for your personal computers. Please call the main desk if you need anything and have a good stay."
"Thank you," Reinhard said and handed the man a tip. Bellhop gave a small bow and left. Reinhard looked at his friend and smiled. "Well I feel like a shower and then we can go and have lunch."
"Of course," Kircheis said and retired to his room.
Just as he finished dressing the door bell rang and their luggage was delivered. Reinhard took has bag into his room and unpacked. Kircheis came out a few minutes later and retrieved his. When his friend returned he was looking over the itinerary for weekend.
"Ready?"
"Yes," he said and Reinhard smiled as friend bit back the 'sir.'
"Let's go."
They entered and were soon seated at a table by the window.
"Gentleman," the waiter began, "this restaurant is a bit different."
"How so?" Reinhard asked.
"We don't have a menu for our entrees," he said and smiled. "We'll bring small samples of each for you to try. Then you pick which you like and we'll bring out a larger portion." A few seconds later another waiter arrived with cart with a dozen small dishes. "Please try these and I'll return in a few minutes."
Reinhard look at his friend and took the nearest plate.
"When in Rome," he said and took a bite and Kircheis soon did the same. "So what do you think?"
"Different, but I like it."
They continued until they'd tried each one. As promised the waiter returned and Reinhard noticed Wen Li and Blacky as they entered.
"Are you ready?" the man asked.
"Just a moment," Reinhard said and rose.
He raised a hand, getting Wen Li's attention, and walked over to his ex-adversary.
"Would you two like to join us?" he asked and indicated their table.
"Certainly," he said, looking at the Lemurian for a moment, and sat across from Kircheis. "It looks like you've already started."
"Well yes and no," Reinhard said and smiled. "As our waiter told us this restaurant is a bit different."
Wen Li looked at the waiter and the man smiled.
They'd gone to his bungalow first and there wasn't any answer when she knocked. Then Command Tigh consulted his pad.
"This is listed as his room," Tigh said, showed her the pad. "Maybe they went to the beach."
"It is lunch time here, isn't it?" she said.
"I think so," he said and consulted his pad. "There's a restaurant in the main building."
"Let's go see," she said and took his arm. Then they turned and started toward the main building.
Five minutes later they stood at the restaurant's entrance and she spotted them.
"Wait here," she said and smiled at the handsome Commander. "I want to surprise them."
"May I join you?" she asked and smiled.
Reinhard looked up at dark haired, tall, tanned woman. She looked familiar, but...
"Annerose!" Kircheis shouted, stranding and knocking over his chair. He lifted into air and spun her around. Then he hugged her. "Annerose! Annerose! Annerose!" Then she kissed him and after a moment he returned it.
Wen Li looked at Reinhard and raised an eyebrow. He began to rise and Wen Li put a hand on his arm. Blacky looked at Wen Li and then the couple. Reinhard somewhat reluctantly sat and noticed that seemingly everyone in the restaurant was now watching them. As most good things eventually do the kiss ended and the lovers turned to the two men sitting at the table.
"Annerose is here!" he said and grinned. "I thought I never see her again!"
Reinhard looked at his sister and noticed Tigh walking up behind the lovers.
"Annerose how?" he said and hadn't noticed the waiter return.
"Sir, would you prefer a private room?"
"Yes, I definitely think so," Reinhard replied and stood.
When they were again seated he took his sister's hand and gently squeezed it.
"Annerose, please tell me how you are here," he said and she smiled.
"I finally had enough and escaped that perverted old bastard," she said and he stared at his sister.
He heard the Kaiser called a number of things, but never that. Years before is father had actually sold his sister as a concubine for the Kaiser. He and Kircheis been allowed to visit her several times over the years, but she'd never said anything about her 'duties.'
"How'd you get here?" Kircheis asked.
"I've been planning this for a year now," she said and winked. "Since the war was heating up I knew the Kaiser and everyone else would be paying more attention to that than me. Also, I had a little help both inside and outside the palace. Once I escaped I changed my appearance," she chuckled, touching her hair, "and took a commercial ship to Phezzan. There I already had a ship waiting which I'd bought over the last year." She smiled. "You may not know this dear brother, but private ships are expensive!" He chuckled. "Just as we arrived in Astarte we must have passed out like everyone else. I was unconscious until four days ago."
"Astarte was a war zone!" he said forcefully and felt Wen Li's hand on his arm again.
"That's where you were," she said and smiled. "And Siegfried too."
She looked at her lover and he blushed.
"And I'm certainly glad you're here," he said and looked at his friend and smiled, "as is Kircheis apparently." His best friend's blush deepened.
"Sir, I..."
"Quiet Kircheis," he said and waved a hand. "You think I didn't know you were in love with her." His blush deepened even more and Reinhard looked at his sister. "I'm happy for you two."
She looked at other man beside her brother and he smiled.
"Yang Wen Li," he said and extended a hand, "and this is Blacky."
"Ah yes, the commander of the Alliance fleet," she said and took his hand. "I heard about you at Astarte and I also heard you have a truce with my brother."
"And it's a permanent one too, thank God!"
"Also that we have new allies," she said and looked at Commander Tigh and then the Lemurian, "and new enemies."
"The Cylons," Tigh said.
"I met some of the reptilian and humans ones at Astarte, but the robots were off by themselves."
"They're our allies too," Reinhard said.
"It sounds all very complicated," she said and chuckled. Then she looked at Tigh. "How do you keep track?"
"Just barely," he said.
The lovers walked behind them as they returned to their bungalow and he turned to Tigh.
"Thank you so much for you to personally bring my sister here," he said. "You must have a busy schedule."
"It was the least I could do," Tigh said and smiled. "I do get a few days off once in a while and I want to meet some of my friends returning from the war."
"I would like to meet with some of them too..."
"And find out more about the war."
"Yes."
"So you made your decision to help us."
"I think I must."
"And Commodore Yang?"
"Well, you're just going to havta ask him," Reinhard said and winked, "but I think so."
He woke and looked at the clock. There was only eleven minutes until the alarm went off and he sighed. Why couldn't it be an hour so he could lay there and relax for a while? He sighed again, got up, turned off the alarm, and then went into the bathroom. He looked in the mirror and thought Wen Li you're getting old. He chuckled and then heard the shower from the other room. The turned on his and waited for it to warm. Then he looked in the mirror again. Maybe one of those rejuvenation treatments he'd heard about, he thought and smiled. He noticed the steam from the shower and entered, first making sure it wasn't too hot. The heat felt wonderful and he just stood there, letting it soak in. After a while it began to feel a bit too warm so he turned and started to soap up.
He just finished dressing when he heard a knock at the door and turned to answer it.
"Come in," he said, without thinking.
The door opened and Blacky came in wearing only a towel around her waist. Wen Li stared for a few seconds and noticed her smile.
"Would you dry the fur on my back and then brush it?" she asked and walked passed him toward the bathroom.
Again he only stared and after a few seconds followed. Then she handed the hair dryer and turned away from him. He turned it on and started moving it across her back.
"If you move the fur around with your other hand it'll dry a lot faster," she said and felt him tentatively touch her. "You can do it harder than that. I won't break."
"OK," he said and continued until her fur had dried.
"Thank you," she said and handed him a brush. "Please just brush it straight down."
"OK," he said and began.
"Please do it just a bit harder," she said and he complied. Soon enough he finished and she inspected his work in the mirror. "Very good." She turned to him and smiled. "We Lemurians usually say what's on our minds. Wen Li, I like you."
"I like you too," he said and smiled. "You've helped me a lot and I hope you can continue."
"I like helping you, but I meant I like you as a male," she said and watch his eyebrows rise.
"I'm human," he said and she smiled.
"I've noticed and it makes no difference to me."
"Oh," he said and she stepped closer and touched his face.
She pulled his head closer and stood on her tip toes. Then she kissed him and after a few seconds he returned it. A moment later her towel fell to the floor.
Later they heard a knock on the front door and Wen Li quickly dressed. Blacky went into her room and did the same. Then he answered the door.
"You weren't still asleep, were you?" Reinhard asked and smiled.
"No, not really," he said and Blacky joined them.
"Really for breakfast?" Reinhard asked.
"Sure," Blacky said.
Apparently the restaurant was a bit more traditional during breakfast since it now had menus.
"I wonder if anyone else interesting is going to show up today," Wen Li said and smiled.
"Don't tempt fate!" he said and Wen Li and Blacky laughed.
"So where's your sister and your aide?"
"They went off somewhere earlier."
"Can I ask you a personal question?" he asked and Reinhard looked at his onetime adversary.
"Yes," he said after a few moments.
"I know you told them that you were happy for them, but how do you feel about your sister and Kircheis?"
Reinhard sighed.
"They're both adults."
"I think they like each other," Blacky said and smiled at Reinhard.
"That's not really an answer," Wen Li said and Reinhard looked at him and then passed him.
"You just got your wish," he said and Wen Li turned to follow the other man's gaze to see Commander Cain and Lucifer walking purposefully toward them.
They stood.
"May we join you?" Cain asked in English and extended a hand.
"Yes," Wen Li said and then looked at Reinhard who indicated the single chairs. An attentive waiter quickly brought another.
Cain first shook Wen Li's hand and then Reinhard's. He nodded at Blacky. Reinhard looked at the Cylon and held out a hand to it. Somehow he thought it looked surprised and after a moment took his hand. Afterwards Wen Li did the same as did Blacky. They sat and within a few seconds the same waiter appeared with menus. He handed one to Cain and looked at Lucifer.
"I do not eat," it said and man looked at Cain.
"I do," he said and smiled. "Please give me a moment."
"Do you need a hand with the menu?" Lucifer asked in Colonial Standard.
"I've learned enough English to read a menu," he said and grinned, "and of course there are pictures too."
Reinhard's pad translated and the others chuckled.
"I'm glad you have one of those," Cain said in his native tongue. "I don't think my English is good enough to discuss military matters."
"I could translate," the robot said, sounding somewhat pleased with himself.
"I suppose you could," Cain said and just then the waiter returned.
"As could I," the Lemurian said in perfect Colonial. Everyone looked at her and she smiled.
Cain ordered in passable English and by pointing at each picture simultaneously. Then the waiter took the others' orders, thanked them, and headed for the kitchen.
"So what shall talk about?" Reinhard said, looked at Cain and then the Cylon.
"Please tell me about your war," he said, surprising both men.
"Us," Lucifer said and looked at Cain.
Cain rolled his eyes.
"Yes, us," he said.
Reinhard smiled.
"I can do better than that," he said and picked up his pad. "Let's start with our most recent battle." He touched several keys. "Astarte." A three dimensional hologram sprang to life above their table. "This is how our forces were arrayed as the battle began." He let the battle play through and only paused for timely comments from himself and Wen Li. Only after the conclusion of the simulation did he notice that several dozen people had stood and moved closer to watch. "Would you like to see it again?" There were many nods and affirmative responses. He restarted it and also expanded it so that filled the restaurant above their heads to the ceiling. "The resolution will be a bit off, but it's the best I can do with this computer."
After he finished the presentation again many people came to him again saying that they'd contacted other people in the various militaries who wanted to see it too. Afterwards they arranged with the hotel for the use of their largest ballroom for the next evening.
"I didn't expect this!" Reinhard said as he looked at the large crowd.
There were people standing in the back and some sitting on the floor on the sides.
"Apparently you've became famous," Wen Li said and chuckled. "You know like Maria."
Reinhard rolled his eyes.
"Thanks."
"Ready?"
"Yes," he said and stepping out on the stage with Wen Li beside him. This applause went on for several minutes. He looked the other man who only shrugged. Then he raised his hand of silence and gradually the audience quieted. He took the microphone off the stand. "To be honest I didn't expect this!" He swept his arm across the audience and laughter rippled through the crowd and then several people raised their hands. "Ok, I'll take a few questions before we start." He pointed to some near the front.
"Tell us about your empire," she said.
"Well that's ..."
"Was it evil?" someone yelled from the back and he thought about the movie he seen at Maria's home and then laughed. He heard Wen Li join him. "No, it was mostly corrupt and incompetent." That drew quite a bit of laughter from the crowd too. "But the Empire did have something comparable to the Death Star."
"The Iserlohn Fortress has a diameter of 60 kilometers and a mass of nearly 60 trillion tons," Wen Li said and Reinhard looked at him, raising an eyebrow. The other man only smiled. "Its primary weapon was enormous x-ray laser named the Thor's Hammer." A picture of the fortress appeared in the middle of the room.
After that pronouncement the crowd grew quiet and Reinhard told and them some of the battles fought against it. Their talk went on for another three hours with several breaks, covering the state of the war between the Empire and the Free Planets Alliance.
"I need a drink," Wen Li announced.
"Well I need several," Reinhard said and smiled.
"Me too," Blacky said. "I do have some Seep back at our bungalow."
"I'm sure this hotel has a bar," Reinhard said and the Lemurian shrugged.
"Well then let's find it!" Wen Li said.
When they entered they found it was full and Reinhard guessed more likely their audience had had much the same idea they did. He saw Commander Tigh waving them over to their table.
"Please join us," he said and pointed to the empty seats.
"You must've anticipated our arrival," Wen Li said.
"A good Commander anticipates everything," he said and smiled.
"Well almost everything," Reinhard said, seeing his sister and Kircheis heading their way.
"Reinhard!" she said, coming up to him and giving him a hug. "Your talk was excellent!" Then she looked at Wen Li. "I mean you both were."
"Thank you," he said and then she hugged him too.
"Kircheis, what did you think?"
"I must agree with Annerose," he said and smiled. "It was interesting and correct on all points."
"Please sit," Tigh said.
"Is there room for two more chairs?" Reinhard said.
"We just came over to congratulate you," she said and hugged him again. "See you later."
Reinhard watched them go and sat. He looked at the men and women and nodded.
"These are some of my crewmates off the old Galactica," Tigh said and began introducing them.
Over the next few hours he, Wen Li, and Blacky listened to their stories about fighting the Cylon robots in their original universe and the ones here. Intermittently they asked questions and also told relevant stories of the wars they'd served in. Just before they were about break up for the night Commander Cain and Lucifer enter the bar.
"Sorry I would've been here for your talk, but I had to take care of a problem on the Pegasus."
"I'm sure someone recorded it," Reinhard said.
"Good," Cain said.
"When are you returning to Cyrannus?" Wen Li asked.
"Ten days."
"We'd like to join you and see the war with our own eyes," Reinhard said. "We'll take only a thousand ships along and attach themselves to your fleets."
"Only a thousand ships," Cain repeated and chuckled.
"When we get a feel for these Cylons and their tactics we'll draw a plan with your approval and commit our united fleet," Wen Li said and put a hand on Reinhard shoulder.
Afterwards Reinhard thought the Cyrannus star cluster with its twelve habitable planets was most interesting place he'd ever visited. He'd brought along Annerose at her instance, but he was going do it anyway since it was far from the frontlines and of course he wanted to keep Kircheis happy too. He chuckled to himself as their shuttle flew over Caprica City and ten minutes set down at the city's spaceport.
They pulled up to the gate and had to wait a few minutes since the ship didn't quite match the extended walkway from the terminal. Once that was settled it was announced that they now could disembark. He noticed the flight engineer waiting at the hatch. The security contingent had gone ahead of them.
"Sir, as you see the shuttle is a bit higher so you'll need to step down," the man said, sounding apologetic.
"No problem," he said and hopped down.
Kircheis came next and then Annerose who was gently lifted down by his best friend. They held each other for a moment until they noticed him smiling at them. Then they released each other like they'd become too hot to touch. He turning, chucking to himself, and started down the walkway.
"Sir," the flight engineer said and he stopped and turned, "we'll have this fixed before you're ready to leave."
"Good," he said and followed his security.
When they reached the waiting area they were met by a delegation of Colonials, Cylons, and aliens from all four Universes. While greetings were being exchanged Wen Li, Blacky, and his security made their appearance.
"This is Commodore Wen Li," Reinhard announced and Rachael and Blacky translated.
"As I understand it from the information provided by Admiral Adama you and he where..." the Colonial Chief of Staff of this universe said.
"Adversaries," Reinhard finished, "but we've reached a truce and will be working together with you, the Cylons, and everyone else."
"You've brought you some of your respective fleets."
"Only 500 from each of our fleets and our personal command ships," Reinhard said.
"Many of our ships were damaged at Astarte and so far 32,928 are back in service," Wen Li said and looked at Reinhard.
"With more being returned to service daily," Reinhard said. "Many are unrepairable and are being salvaged for parts. Whatever remains will be used to build new ships."
"Would it be possible for some of our engineers to go to Astarte to learn your designs and of course help," the Colonial said and looked at his Cylon counterpart.
"We would ask the same thing too," the Reptilian Cylon said.
Reinhard looked at Wen Li.
"I don't see why not," Wen Li said. "Maybe you could send some of your younger officers and crewman too. We have volunteers from the three Earths of course, but we still need some people to fill out our crews and it'll give your military some experience with ours."
"We'd gladly do that," the Chief of Staff said and the Cylon nodded.
Like the other two Colonial star systems Caprica was their capital world and Caprica City the seat of the Colonial and Cylon combined government. The journey to their capital building short one and they with the Colonial and Cylon military leaders were quickly ushered inside. Then they were taken to conference room where this government's political leadership and Admiral Yamamoto and his staff awaited them.
"Fleet Admiral Yamamoto," he said, standing and facing both men, and extended a hand.
"High Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm," he said and took the other man's hand.
"Commodore Yang Wen Li," he said and took Yamamoto's hand.
"Annerose von Grünewald," she said and smiled at Yamamoto. He looked back at Reinhard and could see the family resemblance. "The High Admiral is my younger brother." Reinhard rolled his eyes and Yamamoto looked back to her and chuckled.
"Do you serve in the Imperial Navy?"
Annerose laughed.
"Sir, women only serve as doctors, nurses, and in administrative posts and certainly not in any frontline positions."
"It's the same in the Alliance military," Yang Wen Li said.
"I've heard from Blacky here," she said and touched the Lemurian's shoulder, "it's somewhat different in your military."
"She's quite correct," Yamamoto said and she looked at her brother and smiled.
Reinhard looked a bit uncomfortable and Kircheis looked at his lover. Annerose only continued to smile. The introductions continued and afterwards Reinhard, Wen Li, and their respective staffs were then seated.
"Thank you for joining us," Fleet Admiral Yamamoto said in English and then smiled, "and for helping us in this war."
"To be honest with you we really didn't have much choice," Wen Li said and Blacky translated for the Colonials and Cylons and Rachael for the members of Reinhard's staff. "If Centurions were to win all organic life would extinguished in this galaxy and possibly in the others too."
"Wen Li and I and our staffs have reviewed the records on the history and current state of the war," Reinhard began, "and with addition of the new Colonial and Quad ships the war is turning in our favor."
"Also with the introduction of Commander Cain's method of disabling the Baseships and their crews using the same electromagnetic radiation put out by the portals has worked well, but in time the Centurions will eventually insulate their ships against it," Wen Li said. "Also, the jump drives used by the Colonials and Cylons from the Earth 3 have also given us a great tactical advantage too."
"You haven't yet determined the size of the Centurions' space," Reinhard said.
"No," the Cylon Chief of Staff said, "but we know which star systems the Cylon Empire held before the Centurions revolted. We've also discovered some Centurion occupied solar systems unknown to us during our war."
"Then we can I assume they've taken others as time has passed," Wen Li said, "and I would guess they wouldn't care if those worlds would be habitable or not.
"That's very lightly," the Colonial Chief of Staff said.
"Then what Wen Li and I would like to do is to determine the extent of the space they occupy and also look for allies."
"We'll also begin exploring away from this part of this galaxy," Wen Li said, "and in the other two universes further afield than Commanders Adama and Cain did. We'll also have the help of our allies here and there too."
"And I and my crew intend to volunteer and help," Annerose said and both her brother and lover sighed.
Yamamoto laughed.