What's this? A new chapter that didn't take me 6 months? It's a miracle!
What can I say - I've been in a writing mood recently and this story has been flowing, so I'm going to take advantage of this creative burst for as long as it lasts!
Tyrol looked out the window of the Normandy's Observation Deck and saw Galactica vanish through the relay. He felt a knot in his stomach that he was sure the Admiral was feeling as well - of seeing the ship, his ship, vanish into nothingness. Gone, with no way to be certain of where it was now. No way to contact and ask if they were all right.
"How long-" he began, then stopped, shaking his head. "There's no way to know, is there?"
"That's an awful lot of ships that have never used a relay before and have someone remotely guiding them," Liara said, her voice soft.
"Frak." On the other side of the room, the President was talking to one of the civilian captains, doing her best to calm his fears about the Cylons taking over his ship. Tyrol shook his head again.
"And this is only the first jump," Liara said after a few minutes. "Only to Arcturus. Then this whole process repeats."
"Why can't we go straight there?" Tyrol asked.
"There are two different types of relays," Liara replied. "Primary and secondary. Primary relays only connect to one other mass relay. Charon, the one in Earth's system, is a primary. It only goes to Arcturus, which is a secondary. Secondary relays connect to multiple other relays, either primary or secondary, within a few hundred light-years."
Tyrol took a second to turn this over in his head. "So, when we get to Arcturus, we're going to have to regroup and … tell the Arcturus relay where we want to go?"
Liara nodded. "That was in the information that EDI passed to the Cylons."
"So I guess now all we have to do is wait," Tyrol said. And, as they'd just discussed, that wait might be a while. Talking to her was the best way to pass the time, but he didn't particularly want to go back to the Cylon topic. "I don't suppose you could … tell me more about Earth? About humanity in this corner of the galaxy?"
"It would be my pleasure, Galen," Liara said with a reassuring smile.
The energy vanished.
It felt like a shock to Athena's system. One minute she had been filled with a powerful, ancient force, and the next she was back to just Galactica's sensors. She mourned the loss, even as she felt relieved to be back to the comfortable and familiar.
"Status report!" Helo shouted.
Athena pulled back from Galactica, centering herself in her body once more. She opened her eyes and looked at Gaeta's station, currently occupied by Lieutenant Hoshii.
"We're somewhere else," Hoshii said, turning in his chair to look at Helo. "I … have no reference as to where, sir."
"Frak," Helo cursed.
"It's okay. We're where we want to be." Athena hadn't known that until she spoke it aloud.
Helo turned to look at her, concern on his face. "We are?"
"The relay … it only goes one place," Athena said. "We made the transit. So we've made it to Arcturus Station. What used to be the center of human government."
"Used to be?" Hoshii asked, then belatedly added, "Ma'am."
"The Reapers hit it. Everyone there died."
"It's like the attack on the Colonies all over again," someone said, and a general murmur of agreement rippled through the CIC.
"Cut the chatter," Helo barked. "Athena. What's next?"
"The relay dumped us out a fair distance away from it, to avoid ships coming in too close to one another," Athena replied. "We need to head back and find an opening to use it again, to meet up with Fifth Fleet."
"Opening?"
"A point where there's not so much incoming traffic, from the rest of the Fleet, such that the relay can send us out again." Athena smiled at him, doing her best to make it a reassuring smile. "I'm up again."
"All right," Helo said, clearly skeptical, but just as clearly ready to let her go ahead with it. His willingness to respect her judgment and her limits was just one of the many reasons why she loved him.
The cord was still in her arm. All she had to do was return her attention to Galactica's sensors and do what she'd done before. She called out headings, course changes, thruster speeds - more confident this time, with a finer sense of where they needed to go.
When the blue energy of the mass effect field touched Galactica again, Athena reached out to 'talk' to the relay. It needed to be told where to send them, since it had multiple options - unlike the Charon relay.
She felt an ancient presence in the relay - it wasn't sentient, but there was some intelligence there, something that acknowledged her.
Here, Athena thought in its general direction. The data swirled in her mind, bright, vibrant. This relay. Hades Gamma cluster. It seemed a bit ominous that they were heading for a cluster named after the god of the underworld, but EDI had been clear that they would find the Systems Alliance's Fifth Fleet there.
The Arcturus relay took the data from her - a cold, impersonal, and powerful touch on her mind that left her feeling drained. She wanted to pull back, to sit down and rest, but she had to see this through.
"Hands off," she said, putting as much volume and force behind the words as she could manage. "Second transit in five. Four. Three. Two. One."
The relay activated, flinging Galactica into the blackness of space.
Her mind traveled with the ship, seeing the stars flying past them. Stars of many different ages, sizes, types. Dwarf stars. Stars that had gone nova. The second she registered their presence they were gone. She/Galactica was moving at an impossible speed. Beyond what an organic mind could comprehend.
… she wasn't an organic.
She was a Cylon. An Eight.
"Well, you have to be related," Liara said. "That's beyond question."
Tyrol frowned. "How are you so sure about that?"
"Two separate planets giving rise to the same species is highly improbable. I might even say impossible," Liara replied. "Humans evolved under circumstances very specific to Earth. DNA sequencing proves your evolutionary lineage. There are several species of great ape on Earth that share 99% of their DNA with humans. For your people to not be related to the humans on Earth, they would need to have evolved on an identical planet. The chances of two planets being identical to one another is essentially impossible. And since your culture has a mythology of having come from somewhere else, it seems likely that - somehow - your people were transported off of Earth and to the planets that would become the Twelve Colonies."
"Kobol," Tyrol corrected, then remembered that she didn't know anything about Kobol. "Our myths-" they didn't feel much like myths, these days - "say that there were thirteen tribes that left Kobol. Twelve to the Colonies, and one to Earth."
"Kobol, then," Liara said, nodding. "Do you think that I could get a map of your journey from your home to here? It would be very interesting to see the paths you took, the markers that you used along the way."
"You'd have to ask the Admiral or the President for that," Tyrol said, looking over at where they still sat together.
Liara nodded again. "I'll do that before they leave for Hackett's ship."
"Charon Relay is in range. Initiating transmission sequence," the Normandy pilot's voice came over the intercom.
"You'll probably want to watch this," Liara said. Still looking at the others, Tyrol saw that they had all risen from their seats and went to stand by the window, their gazes intent on the rapidly-approaching relay. A massive steel structure, wider than it was tall, with what looked like a pair of giant rings circling around a bright blue field.
"Thanks for talking to me," Tyrol said, turning back to smile at Liara before he stood.
"I hope we'll get a chance to speak more later," she replied, her responding smile bright. Tyrol tried to tell himself that her friendliness and enthusiasm was just because he was a novelty, someone who could give her information on this fascinating new culture that she desperately wanted to analyze.
"I hope so too," he said, then walked over to stand with the others. The Old Man nodded to him as he approached. No one spoke. They all stood there and watched the majestic structure approaching.
"We are connected," the pilot said. "Calculating transit mass and destination."
"Is he doing this for our benefit?" the Old Man wondered aloud.
"Yes, he is," Shepard responded from behind them. "I'm sure you're the only ones on board the Normandy that couldn't do a passable job of reciting the process from memory."
"The relay is hot, acquiring approach vector."
The blue glow of the mass relay seemed to intensify the closer they got. Tyrol found himself holding his breath. He reminded himself that the Normandy had been built to take this kind of journey, that it had surely done so a thousand times before he came onboard. There was no reason to be nervous.
Which, of course, didn't actually drive the anxious feeling away.
"All stations, secure for transit. Board is green. Approach run has begun."
The rings at the center of the relay were spinning, slowly but surely gaining momentum as the Normandy flew closer.
"Hitting the relay in - three, two, one -"
The entire ship was engulfed in that impossibly bright blue blaze, the tendril stretching out from the bright core in a delicate arc. Every one of the Colonials gasped at the sight. Then a loud roaring filled Tyrol's ears and he felt like a great weight was pressing on him. He was glued to the spot yet wishing he had something to hold onto. This was more intense than any FTL jump had ever been, and seemed to go on forever.
Then, abruptly, the roaring ceased and Tyrol felt like he could focus again. He heard the pilot running through a check of all the systems but didn't pay as close attention to him as he had before the relay transit. He was too busy staring at the all-too-familiar sight outside.
Arcturus Station had been huge. He could tell that by the size of the debris field. Twisted hunks of metal were everywhere, burnt and battered ships floating off in the distance. A lot of different kinds of ships. Fighters and their carriers, ships the size of the Normandy. They all looked human - no signs of the giant black ships that had been surrounding Earth when they jumped in.
That was when he started to truly understand the enormity of Earth's enemies - and how small Galactica was in comparison.
"EDI. Status report," the Admiral said. He sounded like he was back on Galactica, speaking to someone in the CIC. It gave Tyrol a chill.
"I am reading approximately 60% of your ships."
"What happened to the others?" There was a note of concern in the President's voice as she asked the question.
"It is likely that they have completed the second relay transit and are waiting on the other side."
"Likely. Can we get confirmation of that?" the Admiral asked.
"Not until we make the transit ourselves, Admiral Adama."
Adama sighed. "Then I suppose we just have to wait. Again."
"Sharon? Sharon?!"
The words came to the Eight's ears from a distance. Someone was calling her name. But she was a Cylon. She didn't have a name. She was an Eight.
"What's wrong with her?"
"I don't know. Sharon! Gods dammit, speak to me."
"Athena, what's wrong?"
Athena. Goddess of Wisdom. One of the Lords of Kobol.
It was someone's callsign.
… hers?
"Sharon. Please. I need you. Hera needs you."
Hera. Wife of Zeus. Another of the Lords of Kobol.
Hera. Her daughter.
Sharon Agathon opened her eyes and let out a gasp. Her body felt limp, and she swayed, starting to fall.
Helo caught her before she reached the ground. The cord that she'd plugged into her arm fell away, drops of blood trailing on the floor of the CIC.
"What - where -" she tried to form the questions, and failed.
"You just stood there," Helo said. "After we went through the relay. You didn't move. You didn't say anything. Gods, I was so worried -"
He helped her to her feet. She kept her arm around his back, trying to draw strength from him.
"You need to lie down," Helo said sternly, then bellowed in his XO voice, "We need a stretcher here!"
"Need to see - if we made it," Athena gasped, trying to stand up straight.
Helo tightened his grip. "You're in no condition to do anything. We'll know as soon as the Normandy comes through."
She wanted to keep arguing, but she simply didn't have the strength. Athena sagged against Helo, putting most of her weight on him, until the stretcher came and bore her away to the Infirmary.
Laura sat down when the Normandy's pilot announced that they were ready for the second transit, so Adama sat as well. She smiled at him and put her hand on top of his, gripping it tightly. He returned the smile, grateful beyond words that she'd finally acknowledged what had been growing between them.
He watched the relay approach, marveling at its size and power. A way to move between here and there in an instant. It meant that a good communications network was needed, to ensure that everyone could still talk to one another. Shepard had said that the Normandy had a quantum entanglement communicator that allowed for real-time, face-to-face discussions with people who also had one. It seemed like fantastically advanced technology.
Then again, little about this new world didn't seem fantastical.
The relay's glow expanded to include the Normandy. Seconds later, Adama was pressed into the couch by the force of the transit. He hoped this was something that one could get used to. He hated feeling paralyzed, even if only for an instant.
The transit finished, and Adama stood, looking out the window at the field of ships. The familiar forms were a very welcome sight, and he felt the worry lifting from him. They had made it.
"All ships in the Colonial Fleet accounted for, Admiral," EDI said from the speakers in the ceiling.
"Thank you," Adama replied, feeling uneasy at how she had volunteered the information. She was a fast learner, or a good judge of humans. He still didn't like thinking that an AI might have those qualities.
"Admiral Hackett is aboard the SSV Hong Kong. He is looking forward to seeing all of you."
Shepard caught Adama's eye. "We'd better head down to the shuttle bay," she said. "You have a pilot for your Raptor?"
"Yes. I will be piloting," Adama said.
"Still remember how?" Lee asked, grinning at his father. "I could give you a few pointers…"
Adama couldn't keep the smile off his face. "I thought you were a civilian now, Mr. Adama. Besides." He turned his gaze to Laura. "I did fly one not too long ago."
"You did," Laura agreed, smiling as she gripped his arm.
"So, the Kodiak will just be a bit cramped on the way back," Shepard said, bringing Adama's focus back to her. "It'll be a short trip. We can manage."
Adama nodded, following her out the door.
Williams and Starbuck met the group in the shuttle bay. Adama noticed that Starbuck was rubbing a point inside her left elbow, in a manner that suggested she was trying not to scratch that spot. He gave her a small smile when she clambered into the Raptor after them and tried not to dwell on the fact that this would be the last time he'd see her, or Lee, for an indefinite period of time.
Lee took the ECO seat in the Raptor, most likely out of long habit - they would hardly need an ECO for this short flight. Adama waited for Lieutenant Cortez to take the Kodiak out first before following, paying close attention to what he was doing. The unfamiliar flight decks were his primary concern. They were much smaller than those on the Colonial ships. There simply wasn't a need for the same amount of space, with those mass effect thrusters giving the shuttles greater maneuverability.
He continued to follow the Kodiak's path, maneuvering through space towards the Hong Kong. A frigate, Shepard had said. Adama brought the Raptor in for a successful landing, then opened the door to exit.
He was a bit startled when he didn't see a full turn-out to greet them. Perhaps the Systems Alliance was less formal than the Colonial military. Or perhaps they were just dispensing with the ceremony because they were at war. There was only a grizzled, white-haired man, about his own age, flanked by a handful of junior officers. This must be Admiral Hackett. Adama liked him instantly.
"Admiral Hackett," Shepard said, saluting him. Hackett saluted back, then grinned and offered Shepard his hand. She shook it enthusiastically.
"Good to see you in one piece, Commander," Hackett said. "Shuttle's on its way to the Normandy to pick up your prisoner. Dr. Eva Core is fairly high in the Cerberus hierarchy. Hopefully, we can get some useful intel out of her."
"Better you than me, sir. I don't really have the time or the facilities to do a proper interrogation," Shepard said. Adama had no idea what she was talking about, and figured that if it was important, he'd find out later. Then, for the first time in their admittedly short acquaintance, Shepard looked uncertain. "Sir… any news on …"
"I'm sorry," Hackett replied, shaking his head sadly. "Orizaba still hasn't reported in."
Shepard let out a long breath, then nodded, looking at the ground. Hackett clapped a hand on her shoulder, his face sharing some of Shepard's tension. "Don't give up hope, Artemis. Hannah's too tough to go down without a fight."
"Sir." Shepard swallowed, visibly composing herself. "You'll let me know?"
"As soon as I hear anything," Hackett promised. He looked over at the puzzled faces of the Colonials. "Captain Hannah Shepard, SSV Orizaba, is Artemis' mother. Orizaba's one of the many ships currently MIA."
Adama felt his gut twist at that news, and he looked over at Lee almost involuntarily. Both of them had gone through periods where they didn't know whether the other was alive or dead, so he had some idea of what Shepard was going through. His respect for her rose a notch. He'd never have guessed that her mother was MIA.
Hackett cleared his throat before turning to Williams. "Lieutenant Commander. I don't suppose I can convince you to take over one of the ships here? We lost some good people getting away from Arcturus."
Williams looked over at Shepard, then shook her head. "Thanks, but no thanks, Admiral. I'm sticking with Shepard to the bitter end."
Shepard's face lit up at Williams' words. "Thought you might say that," Hackett commented dryly. "Well, let me know if you change your mind." He took a step towards Adama, putting his hand out in greeting. "Admiral Adama. Shepard's told me enough about you to know that you're an equal, despite your reduced fleet size. Rest assured I won't be trying to give you orders. Suggestions and friendly counsel, but not orders."
"That's good to hear," Adama said, shaking Hackett's hand. "This is Laura Roslin, President of the Twelve Colonies, and her Vice President - my son, Lee."
"Madame President. Mr. Vice President." Hackett nodded at each of them.
"And this is Captain Kara Thrace, who's just accepted an offer to join Shepard's crew," Adama continued, indicating Starbuck, who'd taken a place next to Williams.
"Shepard offered you a place on the Normandy? You must be a hell of a fighter," Hackett commented, offering his hand to Starbuck.
"I do my best, sir," Starbuck replied, grinning as they shook hands.
Hackett laughed, then turned to look at Adama again. "Down to business. Probably the first thing I'll want to do is get an assessment of your military capability. Including what repairs we might be able to do on Galactica. We don't have a full dockyard, but I'm confident we can manage something."
"The repairs will be much appreciated, Admiral," Adama said gratefully.
"Truth be told, I'm looking forward to the chance to poke around in her," Hackett said. "Never seen anything like your ship. If we can fit her with mass effect cannons… I'd feel a hell of a lot better about our chances."
"There's also the basestar," Starbuck said.
"Built by your own version of the geth." Hackett threw his hands in the air. "I know, I know. They're friendly. Still. It's a hell of a thing."
Adama nodded, showing that he had taken no offense. "That it is."
"Admiral Hackett?" One of the other officers stepped to his side. "We've got another ship coming in. It's … well, I don't know what it is."
"One of yours?" Hackett raised an eyebrow. "Thought this was everyone I needed to meet."
Shepard activated her omni-tool. "EDI, who's heading for the Hong Kong?"
"A Heavy Raider from Galactica," EDI replied. "I am reading three Cylons aboard."
"That's a very smart VI you have there," Hackett said, emphasizing the 'VI'. "Almost sounds like an AI."
"Almost," Shepard agreed neutrally. Adama remembered that AIs were illegal. It sounded like Hackett was tacitly acknowledging and approving of EDI's presence on the Normandy. It was the sort of thing Adama might have done himself, anyways.
"Admiral, the - ah,"
"Heavy Raider," Adama supplied.
"The Heavy Raider," the younger officer continued, "says it can connect to the airlock and doesn't need to come onboard. It's just dropping off two passengers."
"That's a fine piece of flying," Hackett said, looking over at Adama. "I wouldn't want to do that with a Kodiak or a Hammerhead."
"The Cylons are excellent pilots," Adama replied.
"Good to know." Hackett turned, gesturing for them all to follow. "Mind giving me your assessment of these unexpected additions, Admiral?"
"They're our allies. Probably want to be included in military discussions."
"If that's the case, why wasn't one onboard Normandy in the first place?"
"She was, but…" Adama trailed off, realizing that the Cylons didn't exactly view Athena as their representative. He shook his head, cursing himself for the oversight.
"She went back to help Galactica navigate the relays," Lee said, finishing his father's thought.
"I see." Hackett paused, looking thoughtful. "Would this same Cylon be one of the ones coming aboard now?"
"Not sure," Adama replied, even though he was fairly positive that Sharon wasn't on the Heavy Raider. If she'd been coming back, she'd have used a Raptor, and she wouldn't have sprung this on him unannounced.
Hackett sighed. "Guess we'll find out soon enough." He lead them through the halls of the Hong Kong at a brisk pace. The layout was reminiscent of the Normandy, but with subtle differences that Adama couldn't put his finger on. Shepard had said the Normandy was a joint turian-human project, so that probably explained the differences.
Up on what Adama thought of as the flight deck, Hackett paused before a door, squinting to read some text on a display. "Airlock cycle's almost done," he said.
"Pilot's requesting confirmation when the passengers are onboard, Admiral," one of the officers said.
Hackett nodded his permission. The group waited in silence until, finally, the door slid open.
Adama looked at the two tall figures walking toward them and realized that he should have been able to predict who the Cylons would send. If he had, he could have better prepared Hackett to meet them. He was getting sloppy. He needed a break, but he wasn't really going to get one. Too late now for recriminations; he'd have to deal with things as they stood.
The last remaining Three stopped in front of the group and smiled, in that cocky manner that she seemed to frequently adopt. "Admiral Adama. And you must be the famous Commander Shepard." She met Shepard's gaze. "I've heard so much about you. Brave warrior, leader of the Alliance military, a friend to every known species in the galaxy. It's an honor just to be in your presence."
"I'd say the same, if I knew who you were," Shepard replied dryly.
"Well, you can call me D'Anna Biers. It's as good a name as any. I don't have quite the resume that you do, but I am the only one of my model left."
"So you're Sharon Agathon's replacement?" Williams asked.
"No, no," D'Anna laughed. "She is Sharon Agathon's replacement on board the Normandy." She tilted her head to the tall Six who stood behind her, face expressionless beneath her blonde curls. "I'm here to contribute to the military plans. After all, we are equal partners in this alliance. Aren't we, Admiral."
"Of course we are," Adama said, keeping his tone even. "You have my apologies for not coming to speak with you sooner."
"It's already forgotten." D'Anna waved his apology away. "So, you going to introduce me to everyone else here?"
"This is Admiral Hackett, leader of the Systems Alliance Navy," Adama said.
"Until someone more senior steps forward," Hackett added.
D'Anna's smile grew wider. "Oh, don't sell yourself short. I'm sure you'll do a fine job."
"I'm Lieutenant Commander Williams. Part of Shepard's crew," Williams said.
"Another fine hero of the Thirteenth Tribe, no doubt." D'Anna nodded. "And this is-"
"I can introduce myself, thank you," the Six said, stepping forward. At the sound of her voice, Shepard and Williams both stiffened in shock. That was interesting, Adama thought. They'd heard many people say that EDI sounded like a Six, but apparently actually hearing that was very different. To be fair, the Six spoke with more emotion and - the word came to mind almost unwillingly - humanity, than the AI.
"My name is Caprica." She looked between Shepard and Williams. "I'm looking forward to seeing your ship."
"It'll be an adventure," Shepard said with a wry smile. "We should be on our way."
"Twist the Council's arms for us, Shepard," Hackett said. "We won't survive this without help."
Shepard saluted him. "I'll do my best, sir."
"Kara," Adama said to Starbuck. "Stay alive out there."
"Will do, Admiral," Starbuck assured him, grinning broadly.
Adama stepped forward, grasping Lee's shoulder and pulling him in for a quick embrace. "I'm proud of you, son," he said softly.
"Thanks, Dad," Lee responded, just as softly.
Adama watched them go - Shepard and Williams, Lee and Starbuck, and the Six who had helped Athena escape, putting herself in the hands of her enemy by doing so. The Six that had gotten to his old friend Saul, for reasons that Adama understood better now, but still couldn't quite accept.
"We should get started," Hackett said. "The conference room is this way."
Adama reluctantly wrenched his gaze away, nodding before turning to follow the other Admiral.