Chapter 3: Lost in Space!



In Moya's Medical area, Jool injected Sheba with the translator microbes. The Colonial warrior was amazed being able to communicate freely with the aliens on the ship now within a few microns. Jool also asked permission to draw some blood and to run some type of medical wand over her body. Sheba knew that they had some doubts about her story but was now willing to take any steps to help to relieve their suspicions.

After the quick tests, Sheba found herself playing twenty questions with everyone, especially the Human named John Crichton as they awaited the results of Jool medical examination.

What you're describing is impossible. John said leaning in closer, eyeing Sheba for any sign of deception. For one thing you're speaking English and on my world that's a relatively young language that couldn't have existed around the time of your Kobol.

You would be right, Sheba agreed, sitting on the edge of the medical bed. Over a yahren ago we found a derelict ship in space. Its design was completely unknown to us. We boarded the vessel and found the alien crew dead. Searching through the ship, we managed to download their logs and data files. So far, we learned these aliens called themselves the Asgards, a very old and advance race. They had so much information stored within their computers about the known galaxy that it would have taken us forever to go through all of it but our people noticed a file name which stood out from the rest, the Tau'ri!

John just stared at her, shrugging his shoulders. And that is?

That's the name of the thirteenth tribe! These beings had visited Earth and contacted our long lost tribe. Sheba exclaimed, pointing to John. You are the Tau'ri!

Well, I've had enough of this fahrbot, I'm getting something to eat! Rygel said steering his hover throne out of the room.

Sheba was becoming frustrated by being dismissed so out of hand. I am telling the truth! I'm not lying!

Easy, easy. John said softly. Just tell us the rest.

Taking a deep breath, Sheba went on with her story. The file on the Tau'ri was huge, it had everything about Earth, from the description of the planet, medical records on the Humans who lived there, various cultures and different languages so vast that we couldn't believe it. So far, the only thing we couldn't understand were the co-ordinates they used for Earth. They have six strange symbols to illustrate its location. What they mean is anyone's guess.

That's too bad. John said, wishing he could examine those symbols for Earth's location but that'll come later, if she was telling the truth. So these alien recordings is how you learned to speak English?

Yes. Adama thoroughly believed the alien information to be very true. He even had some of us to try to learn some of the languages in the event that we should encounter Earth. Also, it was a great help to break the monotony for the refugees to study the Earth languages. Thankfully, there were some audio recordings of the various languages that made learning to speak them much easier.

Sheba laughed briefly. What was surprising is that something that started out as curiosity about everyone wishing to speak Earth tongue ended up saving us from the Cylons.

Those are the machine people that your own people are fleeing from? Chiana asked.

Yes, and being machines, they had a nasty habit of breaking our codes. Once, they nearly had us beaten because they were obviously reading our coded transmissions and stopping our counter attacks. Then Athena hit on the idea of speaking in Earth tongue and before the Cylons knew it, they had no idea what we were saying. After that, we managed to regroup and kick the Cylons, or what was left of them back home. Since then, Earth tongue had become our adopted code. We mainly use English but it's becoming standard within the fleet now. Eventually we'll be using Chinese, Russian and French for military codes.

John smiled. It sounded a lot like what the US did in the second world war when the army used Navajo Indians to speak in their native language during the Pacific war to help beat the Japanese. It was one of the only codes unbroken during the entire war.

Now, will you go over the intriguing story about my Earth being the thirteenth colony? John asked, with a hint of amusement.

Sheba was confused that he didn't know the story of Humans original homeworld of Kobol. Could some disaster have befallen the thirteenth tribe to cause them to forget all knowledge of their ancestry? She tried her best to explain.

Long ago, our home world Kobol, was dying, and the thirteen tribes of humanity were forced to flee to another home. The first twelve Human tribes were able to reach the colony worlds that had been chosen by our ancestors as new our homes. Unfortunately, the thirteenth and final tribe, the last to flee Kobol, was lost in the voyage to the twelve colony worlds. No trace was ever found of them. However, a myth spoke of a lush world far from the colonies, a world called Earth. It was believed by a few that the last tribe had made it to Earth. Since you admit that you are from Earth, then it is obvious that your tribe, the Tau'ri, was able to reach Earth.

That's a whale of a tale you're telling me there, Cowgirl. John smirked. Got another?

What is a Cowgirl? Was that meant to be an insult? Sheba thought. No matter, she still had to convince him.

We have gathered some limited knowledge of your Earth from the Asgards recordings. Your planet is the third planet from the sun with one moon orbiting it, correct?

John nodded.

And your solar system is called Sol with nine planets orbiting the sun. Right?

Yes again.

Then how do I know this?

I don't know, you could have been in my head. That has been happening so often I just might start charging rent. Anyway, you'll have to do better than that. John demanded. He gave her a chance but her story was too much for John to wrap his mind around. Especially after having Scorpius playing in it.

It was then a Jool returned with her test findings. I ran probe scans on her bone structure, skin, major organs and she appears perfectly Human, at least compared to your medical file, John. Her DNA also when compared to yours, also indicates that she is Human within a 99.98 percent probability.

For a moment, Sheba thought that John would believe her after the medical evidence. He stared at her for moment and she saw that his eyes wanted to believe but something was holding him back. Was it the fear of taking that leap of faith. Rubbing his forehead, John slowly turned and walked away to the far corner of the room, trying to digest everything he'd heard.

You have to believe me. Sheba jumped off the edge of the bed and stepped after him. What else can I do...

Sheba found her path blocked by the one called Aeryn Sun. The former Peacekeeper stood before her with arms crossed, almost daring the Colonial warrior to challenge her.

Aeryn's voice was cold. Just leave him alone for a moment.

For several seconds, the two women were nose to nose, neither one backing down until Sheba finally decided to blink first. She turned away while throwing her arms up in frustration.

She wanted John to believe her and most certainly not to pick a fight with his friends.

The huge alien name D'Argo stepped next her, drawing her attention, asking. We heard your distress call, what happened exactly?

My patrol encountered several alien ships that fired upon us. I lost my friend and wingman Bajoy and they almost got me, Sheba said sadly, still feeling his lost. I just barely escaped. They just attacked us with no warning or reason.

Jool said.

I don't know these Peacekeepers but I have the data of the attacking vessels recorded in my Viper's sensor logs. I'll make them available to you. Sheba offered, then asked the big question.

I'm also wondering if you can take me back to my ship. I have to get word back to them about the possible danger and just importantly that I may had found Earth. If that's all right.

Suddenly, John walked back to face her. If we take you back to your friends, would they offer any serious proof of what you're saying, about Earth?

Sheba said, glad that John is now at least willing to listen again. Commander Adama knows more about the legends than me or anyone else for that matter and we can show you the Asgard files. If that does convince you, will you lead us to Earth?

It was then Sheba noticed John became at little edgy. What's wrong? You can take me back to my ship?

Well, Sheba. We can take you back to you ship but... John scratched the back of his neck, wondering how to break the news. I don't know how to say it...

For crying out loud, just say it! Chiana cried. He doesn't know where Earth is.

Sheba smiled uneasily. This is a joke right?

Thanks for spilling the beans, Pip. John decided to tell her the entire story. No, it is not a joke. About three cycles ago...

I'm sorry but what's a cycle? Sheba looked puzzled.

John forgot that he's talking to a Human now. It's about a year.

What's a year?

John groan in frustration. Despite being Human, Sheba was still from another planet with a different culture and a different way of doing things.

What is it with people from other planets and their need to have their own way of tracking time? John thought.

He started over again and told his story, how he came to this area of space by a worm hole and met everyone on Moya. Sheba listened patiently and when he finished, she did something unexpected. She laughed.

After all these yahrens and being the first Human from Earth we should encounter, you just happened to be lost in space!