RenS: that the sort of review I meant by 'if you're just going to bitch about my spelling without checking my profile to see why I make mistakes, I'd rather you didn't post reviews'.
Constructive criticisms always welcomed. Flames cheerfully ignored.
When two Tribes go to war... (Part 4)
Telemachus followed Rommie and Captain Ryan across the landing bay to the bottom of the ramp leading up to Colonial One. The three of them stood patiently as the delegation made its way down to them.
"Captain, may I introducePresident Laura Roslin of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, CommanderWilliam Adama of the Battlestar Galactica, Captain Lee Adama, Commander Air Group, and Lieutenant Kara Thrace." Rommie stood to attention, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Captain Ryan; commanding officer and core A.I. of the High Guard cruiser Wrath of Achilles."
"Madam President, Commander." Ryan bowed slightly, "I bring you greetings on behalf of the Reformed Systems Commonwealth. I must say, there was quite a bit of excitement when Mr. Harper arrived at Sinti with news of your fleet's existence: a large part of human history will have to be re-written, once we decipher what exactly happened thousands of years ago."
"On behalf of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, I thank you for your help and hospitality." President Roslin returned the bow, "If I may ask, how far back do your historical records go?"
"We know of more than 15,000 standard years of recorded history, but alas a large part of that was lost when the old Commonwealth." Ryan admitted, "Earth itself has some 3,000-years of recorded history before first contact some 4,000-years ago."
"If you don't mind, I would like to ask a few questions." Commander Adama stepped in.
"I will do my best to help you, but I am not at liberty to divulge any military or state secrets." Ryan nodded, "Please, follow me to the conference room, and we can talk on the way."
"Of cores." Adama nodded, "My first question is, why do High Guard A.I.'s look human?"
"Commander…"President Roslin looked ready to bust the old warrior down to crewman.
"It's quite all right." Rommie assured the Colonial leader, "Although several races had developed A.I.'s by the time Earth was contacted, only humans had ever considered the idea making them sentient, capable of independent thought and self determination. The first androids like Captain Ryan and myself where being built on Earth some 6,000-years ago. Although other races have since copied the concept, and generated A.I. personas based on their own physiology, those A.I.'s that are allowed to chose their own appearance commonly chose to appear human as a way of remembering our origins."
"You make it sound almost like a Religion." Apollo spoke up from the rear of the group.
"It is a very complex situation Captain." Ryan turned to the young pilot, "To an A.I., where we came from, and what we where created for, is the very bases for who we are: I am a warship, built to defend the Systems Commonwealth. I could never imagine doing anything else, but if I wanted to leave the High Guard, no one would stop me."
"Interesting." Adama senior seemed to be mulling over what had been said, "How exactly did the original Systems Commonwealth fall?"
"There was a war."Telemachus stepped in before the two A.I.'s could respond, "The Nietzscheans, my people, rebelled. They believed that Commonwealth had grown soft and decadent, willing to compromise with enemies who killed indiscriminately. They almost succeeded in taking over, but the bulk of their fleet was destroyed during the final battle with the remaining High Guard ships. Order, prosperity and peace gave way to 300-years of bloodshed and anarchy."
"I take it your ancestors where not involved in this insurrection?" President Roslin asked.
"No."Telemachus stopped dead in his tracks, "One of my ancestors was the Andromeda Ascendants First Officer at the time of the fall: he betrayed his captain, and tried to hand his ship over to the traitors." The young officer looked haunted, "It is something I have to live with, and try and make up for."
"I'm sure you will." Ryan opened the next door, "If you would step through here, we can begin to work out what we're going to do next."
"I would like to have a quick word with the Admiral." Rommie stood aside as the others stepped through, then looked at Rhade, "You didn't need to bare your soul like that Admiral."
"Maybe." Telemachus shrugged, "But I noticed you left out part of the History of A.I.'s."
"The Colonials have enough reason to fear and hate my kind." Rommie sighed, "Telling them about the Replicant War would only make things worse…"
"Sensors have detected a transport leaving the Galactica and docking with the vessel identified as Wrath of Achilles."
"How soon was this after the shuttle from Hostile #2 docked?"
"10 microns."
"A council of war perhaps?"
"Insufficient data to analyse."
"Indeed, but interesting. I feel that we should find out what's going on over there. Prepare an un-armed scout pod for departure: I will investigate this myself."
"The Council have prohibited any such contact."
"The Council is not here, and they placed me in charge of this Task Force, or what little remains of it. I will make contact with this Systems Commonwealth, and determine how much of a threat they represent."
"By your command."
"…so it shouldn't be too difficult to make your ships slipstream capable." Ryan sat at the conference room table. He suddenly looked up, "A transport is approaching the fleet: it claims to be carrying an ambassador from the Cylon Alliance."
"It's a trick!" Adama sprung to his feet, "During the last war, the Cylons used un-armed transports, claiming to be peace envoys, to deliver nuclear weapons to important targets."
"I am detecting no fusion or fission-like device on the transport." Ryan shook his head, "Nor dose there appear to be any kind of chemical, radiological or biological weapon. I even scanned it for anti-matter, even though I can tell from your ships that you lack the technology needed to generate and contain it." He looked at Telemachus, "You have more experience with Cylons than I do: what do you sagest?"
"I don't think we can trust them." The Nietzscheans voice was level and measured, "But we still only know one side of the story: it would be unwise to progress any further without at least investigating the possibility of a peaceful settlement to this conflict."
"I agree." Ryan stood, "Madam President, Commander Adama: on the off chance that this is a trap, I sagest that you remain here, for your own safety."
"I concur." Adama cut off President Roslin before she could respond, "But I must insist that you take my son and LieutenantThrace with you."
"As you wish." Ryan nodded, "Captain, Lieutenant; if you will follow me."
The airlock to the landing bay open before the five officers to reveal a large contingent of Lances, dressed in thick body amour, all with their force-lances drawn and aimed at the Cylon transport.
"Ok, now I want everyone to keep calm, and not do anything unless I give the order." Ryan looked at Apollo and Starbuck, "That means you two too."
"As you wish." Apollo glanced at Starbuck, who already had her hand resting on the butt of her sidearm.
A click and hiss of steam heralded the opening of the transports hatch, and the guards centered their aim at the opening. A tall figure in a slinky red dress stepped out of the shadows, and Telemachus shot Rommie a quick glances.
"I bring greetings on behalf of the Cylon Alliance." Six looked at the party, "I hope we can work this out in a mutually beneficial way…"
"By the Lords of Kobol!" Adama jumped out of his chair as Ryan's holographic Avatar appeared in the corner of the room.
"My apologies Commander, Madam President." The High Guard captain bowed slightly, "I did not intend to startle you like that. The Cylon Emissary has arrived, and I wanted to give you a fair warning before she arrives."
"She?" Adama raised an eyebrow.
"The Emissary chose a female persona, and thus should be referred to as 'she'." Ryan explained, "I can understand your feelings, but she is a ambassador from a sentient species, and will be treated as such while onboard this ship."
"This is too much." President Roslin looked pail, her head swaying from side to side, "I don't feel so good…" She fell to the side, Adama only just catching her in time.
"I've summoned a medical team." Ryan moved to the Colonial leaders side, "Dose she have any pre-existing medical conditions?"
"Cancer, she has malignant breast cancer." Adam lay the President down on the deck, taking of his own jacket to use as a pillow, "We've been keeping it under tight wraps so as not to start a panic…"
"You have no cure for cancer?" Ryan looked shocked.
"You do?" Adama looked up, his eyes full of hope.
"Yes: in most cases all that is needed is a simple injection of medical nano-bots to the affected area." Ryan nodded, "That has proven effective in 90% of cases. There are other options if that proves ineffective…"
"Damn you, can you save her or not?" Adama glared at the hologram as the medical team burst through the door.
"Why, yes." Ryan nodded.
To Be Continued…