Just a quick note. I want to thank everyone for the reviews. I was nervous about posting a story, as this is my first attempt at writing. I want to let you know that I have been taking your reviews to heart, and have even rewritten portions of the story based on your comments. Again thank you for your reviews, and I will be posting more very soon. And to any Grey 17 readers, I'm sorry that I threw off her writing schedule.

7375.322/2669.322 Battlestar Galactica Alpha landing bay: The Confed shuttle set down in the landing bay without even a bump. As the door of the shuttle opened, the first person to exit was Captain Eison. He was followed by Captain Lewis of the Armstrong, Col. Blair, Dr. Iverson , Lt Chang , Ensign Hera and Chief Technician Coriolas. All of them were in formal dress uniforms. Flint had loaned hers to Hera. They were greeted by an honor guard of 24 Colonial warriors in dress uniform. 12 on either side, forming a corridor for the Confederation officers to walk down. Captain Eison waited for Ensign Hera to step up next to him, and then they proceeded toward the Colonial dignitaries. Ensign Hera performed all of the formal introductions. Awaiting the Confederation officers were Commanders Apollo and Athena, Majors Bojay, Greenbean, Jolly, Sheba and Starbuck, Senior Medical officer Cassiopeia, and Senior Technician Virgil. Behind them waited President Tigh, and the members of the quorum of the twelve. After the formal introductions, Apollo suggested that they adjourn to the quorum chambers to continue their meeting in private.

"So Commander Apollo, Ensign Hera tells us that your people have been fighting the cylons for over a thousand yahrens. And that up until now it has been pretty much a stalemate.".

"A what Captain?",

"It just means that your pretty much evenly matched.".

"I agree Captain, so how do we break this stalemate?".

Rachel stood up, "Commanders, Ladies and Gentlemen. I've been going over the specs that you sent to us, and I think I might be able to help refit your Vipers with some of our equipment. Specifically shield generators and enhanced armor coating.".

"Good luck lady. The viper doesn't have any room on it for more equipment." Starbuck said smiling.

Virgil looked at Starbuck, "That isn't true Major, there is the bay in the bottom of the viper that's used for placing probes and mines.".

Captain Eison stood up, "It seems that we each have a lot that we can offer each other. I believe that together we can show the cylons a fight that they can't win.".

President Tigh stood now, "Captain Eison, I personally am all for defeating the cylons, but I also have to think about what will happen to our people afterwards. We have been in space for 25 yahrens. Most of our newest generation have never even been on a real planet. We need a home Captain.".

Chris had Vagabond bring up a map of the Confederation and Border Worlds Union on the computer screen. Everyone was silent for a moment. Col. Blair stood up now,

"There are hundreds of systems with inhabitable planets within the Confederation. Even more along the frontier area's. I'm sure that your people would do well on anyone of those planets.".

Sire Belloch stood now, "Col.. Your people have shown us the area that your Confederation covers. It would take us several more yahrens to reach any of these worlds that you offer us.".

Ensign Hera stood up slowly, "May I speak?".

President Tigh nodded at her.

"While you are correct, Sire Belloch, that it would take us several more yahren to reach these worlds. Your assuming that we would be traveling as we always have. We use jump corridors to move from one system to another, and the travel time in the corridors is anywhere from a cycle to half a yahren."

She looked at Vagabond,

"Can you bring up the system we're in now and the one we were in this morning for me.".

Vagabond narrowed the map to show the Xytani and Rygannon systems.

Hera walked to the map, she pointed at Xytani.

"This morning, the Confed ships were in this system, now they are here in this system." she pointed at Rygannon.

"If our fleet were to travel this distance, it would take us 142 cycles. They did it in 3 centons.".

All of the colonials were amazed by this. Vagabond stood up now and addressed them.

"Our people use an engine that we call a jump drive. It's similar in theory to the way that you use jump corridors. But your people use Matter/Antimatter explosives to open the corridors. We use antigraviton particles to create much faster corridors. And our people have mapped out most of the jump corridors in this part of the galaxy. By theory Sire Belloch, your entire fleet could move from here to the other side of the Confederation in a matter of a few months."

Commander Athena stood up,

"So it seems Captain, that your people can offer us quite a lot. Help to defeat a common enemy, a new home and a faster way to get there. If my father were here with us, he would tell you all, that this is the answer to our dreams and prayers.".

She looked at the quorum members now.

"Before we can do any further negotiating with the Confederation, you have to vote yes or no. I implore all of you to think of our people before you cast your votes.".

President Tigh looked at Apollo and the others, Apollo and the colonial warriors stood up,

"Captain Eison, would you and your people follow us please.".

Then they left the quorum chambers, except for Athena.

"Well it looks like its up to the politicians now." Starbuck smirked.

Col. Blair looked at him, "It always is Major, even for us.".

That made all of them smile, then Starbuck looked at Apollo,

"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I could sure use a drink about now.".

"That sounds like a good idea Starbuck, why don't you take our guests to the officers rejuvenation center. I'm sure that they could use a drink as well.".

"Yes sir Apollo. If you folks would follow me, I know of a nice bottle of ambrosia that would be perfect for right now.",

"Ambrosia?" Chris asked.

Vagabond looked at Chris, "Believe me Col. you're going to like it.".

Captain Eison looked at Apollo, "Will Commander Athena be joining us?",

"After the vote Captain, she's on the quorum.".

As they entered the rejuvenation center, the group split into 3 smaller groups. Col Blair, Captain Eison and Captain Lewis sat with Apollo and Sheba, Virgil and Rachel sat at another table and began discussing ways that they could help each other. The rest of them sat at a larger table. Starbuck looked at Vagabond,

"So Lt., did you ever play Pyramid?".

"Sorry Major, but I don't know that game.",

"To bad Lt. I think you would like it.",

"How about if he watches a few turns Starbuck?" Hera said smiling.

"Sure Hera, no problem.".

As the other warriors played the card game, Vagabond watched the game and the players, while Hera whispered the rules of the game to him. After a few turns, Starbuck looked at him,

"Well Lt.. Care to try?".

"Why not Major.".

After just over a centar, Commander Athena and President Tigh joined them in the rejuvenation center. Apollo saw them enter, he also saw Athena smile at him.

"Well big brother, the quorum has agreed, we are to enter into a full alliance with the Confederation.".

Everyone there was smiling at the news. President Tigh then walked over to the bar, and got 2 glasses of ambrosia. He walked over and handed one to Athena.

Now he stepped to the middle of the room, and tapped his ring on the glass. The tone instantly had everyone's attention.

"People of the Colonies, and People of the Confederation, your attention please. Today we embark on a new journey, which if we are successful, will see an end to all of our struggles. We will finally defeat the enemy who has been hounding us for 25 yahrens, and we will find a new home for our people.".

Everyone cheered, and Tigh then quieted them down with a look. As everyone fell silent, he thought to himself,

"I've still got it.".

"But now, I wish to offer a toast to our alliance, and to our future success's. But most importantly, I wish to thank the two people who made the most convincing arguments to the quorum of the twelve.".

Tigh walked over to the large table.

"Everyone, raise your glasses to Lt. Winston Chang and Ensign Hera."

He then raised his glass to them in salute, as did everyone else in the room. Then everyone drank their drinks. Afterward Tigh bent down and kissed Hera on her cheek,

"Both of your grandfathers would have been proud of you today. Cain, because you took the initiative to speak your mind as he always did. And Adama, for the grace and tact that you used in your argument.".

Hera didn't realize it, but she had a tear running down her cheek.

"Thank you Tigh."

As Tigh sat down , Apollo looked at Captain Eison.

"So Captain, how soon can we start getting our people working together?".

Captain Eison looked at Virgil and Rachel, who were off in their own world of tech talk.

"It looks like we already are Commander." the people at the table just laughed for a moment.

"What I suggest Commander, is that we get all of our techs working on refitting your vipers as soon as possible, and then see about getting your civilians out of harms way.".

Sheba spoke up "If our Vipers are out of commission , who's going to protect the fleet.".

Col Blair looked at her, "We will. Major. I've got a full fighter compliment that will be pulling patrols of the areas around the fleet, and we are going to be rotating a stealth patrol in the Rygannon system itself."

Rachel and Virgil then came over to the table.

"So Rachel what do you think?. Captain Eison asked.

"Well Captains, Commanders, we've gone over the specs of the vipers a little more closely. I believe that with Virgil's crew and mine, we can have most of the Vipers reoutfitted in about 4 days.".

"Sooner Commanders, if your warriors don't mind getting their hands greasy." Virgil said.

Apollo looked at him, "Well Virgil, I don't think that will be a problem. With the warriors helping, how long will it take.".

"About 2 cycles, if we work non stop.".

Athena smiled, "That's great news, then we can really go after the cylons.".

"Now hold on Commander, that was the good news, but there's bad news as well. Rachel's only got enough shield generators to outfit 150 of our vipers. So one of the squadrons isn't going to get done."

Athena looked at the two of them,

"That's not a problem. You outfit Red and Blue squadrons and Silver and Gold Spar squadrons with the shield generators and the armor spray. Then you outfit Copper Spar squadron with just the armor spray. We then use Copper Spar for fleet defense when we go after the cylons."

Cassiopeia looked at the Commanders,

"If you'll excuse us, I promised Dr. Iverson a tour of the life station.",

and they got up from the table. Just then they all heard a small cheer coming from the larger group. Apollo looked over, and saw Starbuck just shaking his head in disbelief. He asked him,

"How much Starbuck?".

Starbuck looked at him, "A whole sectons pay.".

Then Apollo saw the smiles on both Vagabond's and Hera's faces., and just turned around.

"That Lt. of yours is full of surprises Captain.".

Captain Eison just looked at Apollo and Col. Blair,

"I guess we should have warned your Major, that Vagabond has an uncanny knack for card games.".

This caused them all to start laughing. "It looks like we're off to a good start Captain."

Athena said between smirks.

"Besides, it's good for Starbuck to get the pants beat off of him every once in a while, it keeps him sharp in the air.".

Chris felt a brief moment of nostalgia come over him, Major Starbuck reminded him of Hunter. Another lost friend who hadn't made it through the Kilrathi war. Chris could swear that they even smoked the same type of cigars.

Captain Eison now looked at Tigh.

"Mr. President, I'd like to have engineering groups from the Victory and the Armstrong start checking out the other ships in your fleet, to make sure that they will be able to travel through the jump holes.".

"That's a good idea Captain, I'll have some of the engineers from the forge ship assist them, after all, they've been keeping this fleet flying for the past 25 yahrens.".

Chris turned to Apollo "Perhaps our engineers can take a look at your scanners, they might be able to boost the range on them as well.".

Athena looked at everyone at the table, "So when should we get started on all this?".

Captain Eison looked around the table, "No sense wasting time.".

The senior officer's of the Colonies, and Confed, sat at the table, and hammered out a rough time schedule. As they stood up, they all shook hands, there was a moments awkwardness , as their handshakes were different, but the Confed people shook as the Colonials do. They spread around the room, gathering their people and then proceeded onto their separate tasks. Vagabond thanked Starbuck for teaching him Pyramid, and promised him a rematch. Soon everyone was just about gone, and Hera and Vagabond had a moment.

"It's going to be hectic over the next few days Hera.",

"I know, but if we're lucky, will have a few minutes alone.".

He just looked at her, then they kissed each other passionately. What neither of them realized, was that Apollo had seen them from the door. He just turned and quietly walked back down the corridor.