Many apologies one and all: that old friend 'writer's block' showed up again, and put this story on the back burner for a very long time.
When two Tribes go to War... (Part 5)
Rommie blinked as Ryan informed her of President Roslin's condition, and she agreed that it was imperative that the Cylons did not find out. They silently agreed on a plan of action as she escorted Apollo, Starbuck and Six to the conference room.
Ryan's utility bots had been busy while they were away: the conference table had been rearranged into a horseshoe shape, with Ryan at the head, and Commander Adama on one side.
"Captain Ryan, Commander Adama, my I introduce Six, emissary of the Cylon Alliance." Rommie stopped in the doorway to do the formal introductions, "Ambassador, this is Captain Ryan, commanding officer of the High Guard starship Wrath of Achilles, and Commander William Adama of the Colonial Battlestar Galactica."
"Captain, Commander." Six nodded, "I was expecting to see the Colonial President. Is there some reason they are not here?"
"I decided that, for security reasons, the President should be elsewhere during our, talk." Adama did his best to keep his poker face, but his emotions slipped through slightly.
"As you wish, Commander." Six took the seat opposite the Colonial officer, "I am here to negotiate the surrender of the Galactica, and the other Colonial ships under her protection."
"What the frack!" Starbuck jumped to her feet, "What kind of negotiation is this?"
"The kind that is best of the Cylon Alliance and the Systems Commonwealth." Six smiled, "Do you really think they want to be drawn into your war?" She turned to Captain Ryan, "Humans can be so bothersome, can't they? We'll be happy to take any more off your hands if you wish."
"I think you misunderstand the reason for this meeting." Ryan placed his hands on the table, "The Systems Commonwealth is not interested in being draw into any conflict, but we will not allow the slaughter of 50,000 innocent sentient beings, human or otherwise. I am here to try and negotiate an end to hostilities that will allow both sides live in peace."
"Are you that much under the thumb of these organics?" Six looked shocked.
"I am a sentient being, and full citizen of the Systems Commonwealth." Ryan looked at the Cylon agent, "I am also an officer of the High Guard, and as such it is my duty to explore any and all possible peaceful ends to this conflict. Admiral Rhade and Andromeda have informed me of what they have learned of Colonial history, but I would like to hear the Cylon side of things before I pass judgment." He held up a hand to silence Commander Adama's objections, "Please Commander Adama; I must have all the facts before I can make up my mind."
"As you wish." Six nodded, "It started like this..."
"Do we trust her?" Ryan asked after the meeting had adjourned.
"I trust her about as far as I could throw this ship." Telemachus shook his head, "I don't like the 'holier than thou' attitude the Colonials have, and I still believe their hiding something." He sighed, "Truth be told, Commander Adama strikes me as an honorable man, and I trust him."
"I agree." Rommie nodded, "As much as I want to believe that a society of A.I.'s would be reasonable, I can tell you from personal experience that they are not."
"I agree with both of you." Ryan nodded, "But we picked up a Cylon fighter exiting the system, and returning several hours later. We have to assume that they have called for reinforcements."
"You think they'll attack?" Telemachus asked, leaning asked against the wall.
"I think it's a distinct possibility." Ryan nodded, "But the Andromeda Ascendant and the Twelve Centuries are due here within 24-hours to provide additional support. Hopefully they will have a proper ambassador with them, and I can pass this all on to someone better qualified."
"So do we trust them?" Adama asked Apollo and Starbuck once they where back adored Colonial One.
"I don't trust the Cylons any further than I could throw the galaxy, but I think we have to trust the Systems Commonwealth." Apollo bowed his head, "What other chance do we have?"
"I saw we make a run for it!" Starbuck shook her head, "Our ships are all fully fueled, and we're running at 110 on supplies since that fleet tender arrived and started handing out add packages. We could keep going, get as far away from the Cylons as we can..."
"And go where?" Adama asked, "And go where? We have maybe supplies for 8-mounths, a year if we push it." He shook his head, "No, our only hope is sanctuary from the Systems Commonwealth: they've offered it to Baltar and that computer chip in his head, so they may help us."
"What else can they do?" Apollo looked at his watch, "We'd better get back."
"Madam President?" Billy Keikeya looked down at the Colonial leader, "Are you ok?"
"Billy?" President Roslin looked up, linking away the affects of the painkillers she'd been given, "What happened?"
"You collapsed in the conference room. They brought you to the medical bay for treatment."
"The cancer?"
"Gone; they gave you an injection, and it disappeared."
"How? Where's the doctor?"
"I am right here Madam President." A tall red Than appeared at her bedside.
"Bug?" President Roslin blinked.
"Ape?" The doctor looked down, "My name is Contemplation of Destiny, and I am the Wrath of Achilles' Chief Medical Officer."
"Bug!" President Roslin blinked again, still confused.
"My species is called Than-Thre-Kull: we are a native of the Triangulum Galaxy." Destiny explained, "You had a question about your treatment?"
"What did you do to me?"
"We injected you with a dose of medical nanobots tailored spastically to your physiology and genetic make up. I did find a few differences with the humans I am used to working on, but I was able to eradicate the tumor, and the effected area is heeling nicely."
"Nanobots?"
"Molecule-sized devices used for a variety of purposes. I assure you there are no side-effects of the procedure..."
"You put machines inside my body!"
"Yes; it was the most expedient way to save your life."
"How dare you do that without my consent?"
"You where unconscious at the time: Commander Adama gave his consent on your behalf..."
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" President Roslin back away into the corner of the bed, "GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME AND GET THESE THINGS OUT OF ME!"
"Excuse me." Telemachus stopped Adama on the way back to the conference room, "We have a slight problem with President Roslin: she appears to object to the method of her treatment, and is acting out dangerously."
"What?" Adama asked, confused, "What did she say?"
"She was a little upset at the use of nano-tech to save her life, and insulted the doctor."
"I'd better go calm her down..."
"GET AWAY FROM ME YOU FRACKING MACHINE!" President Roslin threw a bed-pan at Ryan's holographic form.
"Madam President, I must ask you to calm down." The High Guard captain did his best to sound reassuring as the projectile passed through him and hit the floor, "You need to rest."
"DON'T TELL ME WHAT I NEED!" President Roslin kicked the bed over, "YOU FRACKING CYLON!"
"I assure you that I am not a Cylon." Ryan sighed as the door opened and Adama and Telemachus stepped through, followed by Apollo and Starbuck.
"What's going on?" Adama asked, surveying the scene, "Madam President, control yourself!"
"Don't you dare tell me to control myself!" President Roslin sank to the floor, crying, "You let them do this to me!"
"Do what?"
"Put these machines inside me; turn me into one of them."
"I did no such thing: I asked them to save your life. The fact that they had to use technology that we may not understand is beside the point."
"You bastard!" President Roslin collapsed into tears, "You bastard..."
"What was that all about?" Adama asked.
"We think she suffered an adverse reaction to some of the medication we gave her." Ryan explained, "There are some unusual markers in her DNA that appear to be hereditary, but artificial. It's as if someone, many generations ago, altered your peoples DNA so that it could be traced over long distance and time."
"Someone altered our DNA?" Adama asked, "Who? Why?"
"That is something I'd like to know Commander." Ryan looked at him, "Because it was carried out approximately 2,000-years before humans where first contacted by any other race."
To Be Continued...