2671.012 Briefing Room of TCS Excelsior: The 3 men in the room were awaiting the arrival of their guest, and the tension in the room was palpable. Captain Daniels looked at General James Taggert, "Sir, forgive me for speaking out of line, but are you sure about this?"

Paladin looked at the Captain, "I understand that there are a lot of bad feelings about this mission Captain, but the Senator here has made a valid point to the Admiral and Confed High Command. When, not if the cylons come, they will not stop at just killing the humans in this part of the galaxy."

Senator Tigh Leonas looked at the Captain now, "Captain, the cylons won't be satisfied with just wiping out the humans, but any sentient species that they encounter will be seen as a threat. That's one of the reasons why we are here today. Plus from what I hear, our guests are some of the toughest warriors this side of the Borellian Nomen."

The comm. panel beeped, and Captain Daniels activated it, "Yes Lt.."

"Sir, our guests have arrived, and are sending a shuttle over. ETA 3 minutes."

"Very good Lt. have security escort them to the briefing room."

"Yes sir."

As the shuttle arrived, the guests were escorted to the briefing room. As the door opened, the first one in was a tall Kilrathi warrior in a Confed marine uniform. Another Kilrathi wearing simple yellow and orange robes followed him. The Kilrathi marine stopped and saluted the two officers in the room, and they returned his salute.

"Major Kirha hrai Hunter nar Aussie reporting as ordered General. I am honored to present Shin tar Melek nar Kiranka, leader of the Kilrathi."

Taggert walked up to them "It's good to see ya again Major. And it's a pleasure to meet ya Shin tar."

Taggert turned and introduced the two men in the room; "It's my pleasure to introduce Captain Jakoub Daniels of the TCS Excelsior, and Senator Tigh Leonas of New Kobol."

Melek bowed to the two men, who bowed in return. "The senator has asked for this meeting with you Shin tar to brief you on a problem faced by all of the beings in this part of the galaxy."

Tigh came forward and activated the monitor, "Sire, I want to show you something."

The group was silent as they watched the data on the Cylons, and how they treated sentient races that they had come in contact with. There were scenes of the destruction of various worlds the Cylons had destroyed or made unlivable, including the 12 colony worlds of Tigh's people. When the presentation was done, Tigh looked at Melek.

"Sire, my people have been on the run from the Cylons for 25 years now, any race that we had contact with was wiped out. Now we believe that they are on their way to this part of the galaxy."

Taggert stepped up, "When the Cylons first entered Confed space they attacked and destroyed an explorer outpost. When our forces made it to the area, we discovered Tigh and his people, and also found 3 base-stars in the system. In a combined effort, our forces along with the colonial warriors were able to destroy the Cylons there. Afterward, we sent Scouting units back along the flight path of the colonials. We found Cylon communication relays in each system, and worse, we found that they are building ships less than 10 jumps from Confed space."

Tigh looked at Melek, "The system the Cylons are using to build their ships in was once inhabited by humans, the planet was called Terra. There had been 5 billion humans on Terra, now according to scans, there are no life signs anywhere on the planet."

Melek had watched everything silently, now he looked at Tigh, "I can see the danger that you and your people have faced, these machines do not fight as honorable warriors. They seek only to destroy what is not like them. Even we Kilrathi would allow an honorable warrior to leave the field of battle if he or she were unable to fight. But this new enemy has no honor. What is it you seek from me and my people?"

Taggert looked at Melek, "The Kilrathi are some of the fiercest warriors that I've ever had to fight. Confed command is helping the colonials to rebuild their ships, and we have people who can man the ships along side our colonial cousins. What we need are warriors, who can take the fight to the enemy, up close and personal." Both Melek and Kirha nodded their heads.

"General, Senator, I agree with you, these Cylons are indeed a great threat to us all. But most of my people are still not comfortable working with humans."

Tigh looked disappointed, "So you can't help us then?"

Melek gave Tigh what appeared to be a smile. "I said most of my people Senator, not all. I will send the Hunter hrai to you, they are some of our finest warriors, and they are all from Ghorah Khar."

Taggert's face lit up with a huge smile. "Shin tar, I knew you would see the wisdom in helping us."

As the general was talking to Melek and Kirha, Tigh leaned over and asked Captain Daniels about Ghorah Khar.

"It was the only Kilrathi colony to defect from the Kilrathi Empire, and ask for Confed protection. The people of Ghorah Khar have become some of the toughest warriors on either side of the Kilrathi war."

Tigh walked up Melek, "Sire, I have a gift for your people." and he had Captain Daniels present several data modules to the Shin tar.

"This is data on our technology, and how we have been able to blend it with Confed technology. I think that your people may find it of some benefit."

Melek bowed to Tigh again, and Tigh bowed in return. "I thank you Senator on behalf of my people. And I would ask for one other favor Senator."

"Just name it Shin tar."

"We have heard much of this new drink from your people, 'Ambrosia' I believe you call it. I have only had it once at a dinner for the new Confed ambassador. I found it very delectable, but we can not seem to get any sent to us."

Tigh smiled, "Shin tar I think I can arrange something for you."

Melek now looked at General Taggert, "General, who may I ask will be leading the Marines?"

Taggert looked a little worried now, "I don't know Shin tar, most of the generals in Confed won't like the idea of working with Kilrathi."

Major Kirha spoke, "If I may Shin tar, General. I know of a man who would be perfect for the job."

Taggert looked at him, "Who Major?"

"The only human other than Lord Hunter that I would call my friend, Carl Dekker. I met him in a POW camp during the war, and we became friends. We helped each other to escape the camp, and managed to extract 100 fellow prisoners"

General Taggert thought for a moment, "I remember him now, but I think he retired after the war."

"No General, the Col is serving in the Border World Marines as an instructor."

"Well then, it looks like we have found our new Marine Commander." the five of them then spent the next few hours going over the details of the troop movements and other aspects of the plans for the mission.