Disclaimer: I never have and never will own the characters, Ideas or anything else based on these 2 shows. The TV studios that produced them, do. This story is also free as it is a pet project. Enjoy.
"Talking"
"Thinking"
"Wireless/communication"
Chapter 10: Friend or foe?
Planet P3X-367
Nirrti was busy working on her experimentation on humans. The Ancient DNA resequencer was proving to be the answer in her quest to create a better host. But the end results always proved to be unstable and did not live long.
What angered her was that she could not infiltrate Earth anymore, making it impossible for her to get to her other human guinea pig, Cassandra. She learned this, when lord Yu send an Ashrak infiltrator to Earth, only to never be heard from again. Earth must have found a way to stop him after he passed thru the stargate to Earth, so she could not risk it anymore.
That and the fact that she was an outcast for the System lords, after she had to buy her freedom, left her with few resources.
As she was experimenting on another poor soul, weapon's fire and screams could be heard from outside.
"Jaffa! What is going on?!" Nirrti demanded to know.
Just then, one of her Jaffa entered the main chamber, only to get shot in the back. Moments later, a large force of Jaffa entered the chamber, all having their weapons pointed at her and the humans she was experimenting on.
"You dare do threaten me!? Wodan, kill them!" Nirrti ordered one of the deformed humans.
Wodan did as ordered and used his telekinetic ability to start strangling the Jaffa. But moments later, it stopped and the Jaffa stood up again and resumed their stance.
"Wodan! I ordered you to kill them!"
"I am trying, my queen. Something is blocking me!"
Just then, a young man with blond hair and blue eyes entered the main chamber. "Yes, and that would be me. Strangling my solders? Not nice. Only I get to do that, if they fail me."
"Who are you!? How dare you threaten a god!?" Nirrti raged.
"You are no more a god that a worm is." another voice spoke from behind the blond man. Just then, a hooded figure entered the main chamber, surrounded by elite solders dressed in black.
"And who are you!?"
The elite Jaffa pointed their staff weapons at her, as their leader approached her and spoke: "This is the God Anubis! You would be wise to show respect!"
Nirrti's eyes showed pure shock. "That can't be! Anubis died many millennia ago!"
"The news of my death were greatly exaggerated, as you can see. I believe that the Tau'ri have a fitting saying. Whatever doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger." Just then, Anubis slightly removed his hood to let Nirrti see, who she is dealing with.
Nirrti was panicking. This was not how she imagined that things would go. "What do you want?"
"Your services, or your life. You choose."
"Please choose life. I would love to kill you!" the blond man next to Anubis said.
"Patience, my son. You will have plenty of opportunity for that in the future."
Nirrti was in shock again. "Son? How, I do not sense a Goa'uld presence in him!"
"That is because my son is a grown human with my genetic memory. On top of that I used an identical machine you are blindly tampering here with. I evolved my son to the next stage. As you can see, the results are far beyond the freak show you have here. And he is far more powerful."
Nirrti did not know how much more she could handle. "If that is true, why do you need me?"
"Simple. You will help Thoth with my Kull program, get it ahead of schedule. If you prove useful, I may let you live. If you fail me or prove incompetent... well, my son has already given you the answer. Either way, this Ancient machine is mine now. Unlike you, I know how to use it."
Nirrti knew what she had to do. She bowed. "As you command, lord Anubis."
"Good choice. Khalek, have fun." Anubis and his guards then left the chamber back outside, with Nirrti at his side. In the chamber, screams could be heard. Khalek was erasing Nirrti's experiments.
Anubis then turned to his Jaffa guards: "Destroy the neighboring villages. No witnesses."
As the group approached the Stargate, another Jaffa group at the gate bowed to him. Then Anubis's Goa'uld assistant asked him, while the Jaffa were dialing the gate: "My lord. Why the sudden change of plans?"
"Simple. The temporal shift I sensed means that in order to remain unpredictable, I have to do things I did not intend to do before."
"Of course, my lord." the Goa'uld responded, but in reality, he did not understand a thing.
Earth, SGC, 1 day later
SG-1 and SG-1A returned from their mission on the planet Juna. General Hammond was already waiting for them in the gate room.
"SG-1, how did it go?"
"Well, sir. The exchange went well. We got Cronus's ship and he got what he deserved. 2 pissed off Teal'c's." O'Neill answered.
"Yes, the rest of the team is still there. The Sodan Jaffa are helping to convince Cronus's Jaffa the error of their ways." Daniel added. "We have already contacted New Terra. The rebel Jaffa are beginning their raids on Cronus's worlds."
"Yes, hopefully, a better smash and grab than with Heru'ur." O'Neill said.
"While this is all good news, we do have a problem. Please come with me." the general replied. SG-1 minus Teal'c and SG-1A, also without their Teal'c as well as O'Neill, who was still under repair, followed him.
In the conference room, 2 people were already waiting for the SG teams to arrive. One was Richard Woolsey, the new liaison from the Earth oversight committee, that was made up of representatives of every nation that knew of the SG program.
The other person was someone that O'Neill only heard of, but never met.
"SG-1, I believe that you already know Mr. Woolsey. The gentlemen next to him is colonel Frank Simmons, Earth intelligence agency." the general said.
"Oh, the new agency for Earth defense?" O'Neill asked. "Didn't know, it was already operational." O'Neill shook Simmons hand, but with a bad taste in his mouth.
"Well, we can't let the SG program take all the glory." Simmons replied, smiling.
As everyone took a seat, Woolsey began to speak: "The reason that we are here is simple. The latest incident with these rouge forces that cost us the lives of our own soldiers on our own soil has not just the White house worried, but the EOC as well. Since they were after Dr. Jackson, we thought that you might have some insight on this matter."
Daniel and Jack look at each other, then Daniel spoke: "Well, we think that they are the remains of the rogue organization that the former senator Kinsey belonged to."
"Oh? I thought that that organization was in shatters?" Simmons replied arrogantly.
"That part we caught, maybe. But while I am no spy, we all know how these games work. Or to quote the Marvel comics: Hydra, chop off one head and 2 more take its place." O'Neill replied.
"Jack, now is not the time to quote comics." Daniel intervened.
"Sadly, what colonel O'Neill said, it all to true. Do you have any leads or other information that might be useful?" Woolsey asked.
"Yes. Speaking of spying, how did you get the information on the raid on Dr. Jackson?" Simmons asked.
"That is classified."
"I have top level clearance, colonel."
"Not the SG level one. If you don't like it, I have a red phone in my office that you can use." the general defended his people.
Simmons smiled again. This was as far as he was getting. "Very well. I will continue with this investigation. I assure you, we will find the ones responsible for this." He packed up and left.
"Why do I have the feeling that I need a shower right now?" Sheppard asked.
"So it is not just me." Mitchell added.
"Jack, Dr. Jackson, Mr. Woolsey and me need to talk with you in my office, the rest is dismissed." the general ordered as he stood up and went into his office.
Once they were inside the general's office and the doors were closed, the general asked: "Jack, where did you get the info on the raid?"
"Sir, is it wise to speak in front of... you know?" O'Neill looked at Woolsey.
"I assure you that I have the utmost confidence of the White house and the EOC."
"It is not who trust you that I question. It is your integrity I am questioning. If I tell you and you are a turncoat, a good, if annoying man, may die." O'Neill defended his position.
"I believe that it is a one Maybourne we are talking about?" Woolsey asked. "Do not worry. I may be a pencil pusher from your view, but I do have integrity and am honest, for a politician. If it is an undercover operation, my silence is guaranteed."
O'Neill sighed. He realized from the future info, that Woolsey, while being a bit of a wimp in a battle situation, had the heart on the right place. So he told him, what Harry told him.
"So, Mr. Maybourne is taking a risk. Commendable. I believe that we should keep this to ourselves, for the time being." Woolsey concluded.
"One thing, before we leave. I bet that Simmons is behind this. What better cover than to be the guy who investigates his own black OPS. And we know that he is dirty." O'Neill said.
"If it is true, I will try to find it. But a man like him is too careful to do stupid mistakes." Woolsey sighed.
"Jack, I might have remembered something. Mr. Woolsey, did recently something happen with a one Adrian Conrad?"
Woolsey looked a bit confused. "Yes, he disappeared. It was not reported to the media as of yet. We found his assistant and medical staff dead. Shot. He is still missing. What has this got to do with anything?"
Jack was rubbing his forehead. Now this happened. "Either Conrad did it himself, of Simmons goons did it. The reason is simple, Conrad has a Goa'uld in his possession and is dying. So you have a desperate man toying with something he does not understand and Simmons will or has taken advantage of it. I just never thought that it would happen so much faster than the first time."
"Emm, first time?" Woolsey asked, visibly confused, again.
"Something that is not important for now." the general came to Jacks defense. "No matter what, we need to search for Conrad and expose Simmons. Get to it, Mr. Woolsey. All we can hope is that Maybourne will be successful."
Just then, the phone in the general's office rang. Not the red one.
"Yes? Speaking. Well, that is not good. Thank you for the update." He ended the call and looked at Jack and Woolsey. "The ship our teams were suppose to retrieve that belonged to Osiris. Someone beat us to it. It's gone."
"Great, another migraine. Bet it was Simmons goons." O'Neill cursed.
Algae planet, Clyon rebel expedition fleet, 6 hours later
The trip back took far less time, since now they knew the exact route. Caprica was making good time. What slowed her down was the alien ship in tow. It was docked at the mid section of the 2nd Basestar.
Towing it was easy when compared to getting it into orbit in the first place. After several attempts of several different plans, the Cylons almost gave up. Only a Basestar had the engine power to lift it, but was too big for an atmospheric entry. The only solution left was also the most risky. 18 heavy raiders attached themselves on the hull of the alien ship in the hangar. The hangar was emptied of anything valuable and stored on the Basestars. Then the heavy raiders were set to a simultaneous jump into high orbit. They had to jump at the exact same time and to the exact same coordinates. Since they would be jumping with a mass so much bigger than themselves, so many were needed. And jumping inside an atmosphere was also something never tried before.
In the end, it worked and the alien ship appeared in high orbit, several kilometers from the nearest Basestar. 7 heavy raiders were badly damaged, but their pilots survived the jump. Ever since then, the ship remained docked and made every jump with its 'parent' Basestar intact.
"Well, let's take a few hours to rest here." Caprica ordered. She went to the main laboratory, where the alien tech from the Algae planet was stored and studied.
"So, Ben, anything newly discovered?" she asked the Two in charge of this operation.
"Not much, I am sad to say. The only thing we did find is this." he showed her a jewel inside a golden casing.
"This decorative thing. I already saw this."
"Yes, but now we know that it is not a piece of jewelry or decoration. It is in fact some sort of technology. The gem inside has some sort of power amplification properties."
Caprica takes the jewel into her hands and examines it. "So, it can be used for... what?"
"Not sure, yet. But as I said, not useless. Also, I believe, after reading the Sacred Scrolls, that this might be the Eye of Jupiter mentioned in them. Another case of stupid humans not understanding technology and assigning it to mythology."
As Caprica wanted to leave, the Basestar went to condition one. She ran to the command room and asked: "What is going on?"
"We have guests. The strange ship under Colonial control."
Discovery, Algae planet orbit
"Frak. Leave it to Baltar to send us into the hands of the Cylons." Shaw raged.
"Stow it. Every one to battle stations, set condition one." Apollo yelled out orders. "Get me a target lock on the lead Basestar. Dee, scan them. Any upgrades, like we saw that time?"
After several seconds, Dee responded: "Negative, sir. But there is something... gods! Sir, you might want to see this!"
As Lee went to her station, he saw it. "An alien ship docked to the 2nd Basestar. Frak. Can you analyze it?"
"Already on it. According to this, it is a destroyer, Xpios class, build by the same people that made the Discovery!"
Lee did not believe it. Things just went sideways. Now the Toasters had a ship from whoever the builders of the Discovery were, as well.
"I think that there is something else strange." Shaw said.
"And that would be?"
"They are not attacking, not launching raiders, not retreating, ... nothing. Just staying there, looking like playing dead."
Apollo did not like it. What were they up to? Just then, Dee responded. "Sir, am receiving a wireless transmission from the lead Basestar."
Apollo looked at Dee, then at Shaw, wanting suggestions.
"Sir, If it were the Basestars alone, I would blast them, but this ship... we need to know more." Shaw said.
"I agree with the XO, sir." Dee responded. The other bridge officers gave him similar suggestions.
Pinching his nose, Apollo agreed. "OK, let's hear it."
"This is Caprica from the Cylon rebels. We don't want to fight. We were on an exploration to find the Earth of the 13th tribe, not to engage in combat."
"OK, Dee, let's respond." As Dee opened a channel, Apollo continued. "This is commander Adama of the Discovery. Why should we believe anything you say? And why are you looking for Earth in the first place?"
"Simple, commander. Our leader, the One that helped you with the evacuation of the colonies, informed us of the deception by the One's. One part of this was the small fact that the 13 tribe was Cylon all ALONG!"
Silence followed. You could hear a pin drop on the bridge. "What... the... frak." was the response from a marine, guarding the entrance. Something they all thought at the moment.
Apollo regained himself and continued. "What fantasy are you talking about. The 13th tribe..."
"Was Cylon from the beginning. They were created on Kobol and left in search of the actual cradle of humanity. The real Earth! You Scrolls say: Life here began out there. In fact it should read: Life here, on Kobol, began out there, on Earth! They never found Earth. Maybe another cluster frak by your priests. Wouldn't be the first time. But they settled on a planet and called it Earth. Then they created their Centurions and the planet got nuked, millennia ago! Don't believe me, go and see it for yourself. I'll even give you the coordinates to Earth, so that you can choke on it!"
Silence followed again. "I want to speak to you personally. What assurances do I have that you won't just kill me or jump away?" Apollo asked.
"None. But that would not help either of us. And I believe that we would not get far, even if we jump, would we?"
"Very well. I and an escort will come to your ship in a raptor. I hope that we can settle this. Discovery out."
As the comm went silent, Shaw almost exploded: "YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!"
"Oh, I am deadly serious. We can't take the risk that she just told us the truth. Dee, your with me. Have 4 marines come to the port hangar. They will come with us. XO, you have the bridge. Also, keep wireless silence. We don't know if the toasters have gained some insight on the alien tech. If they did, they could track our comm to New Caprica."
Clyon Basestar, same time
Caprica was having a similar discussion with her people.
"You can't be serious! Leading the humans here. The ship we have is our only hope to beat the One's and you are risking it all here!" a Three argued.
"From what we know, we can't escape them. And the moment they saw our cargo, they would have never let us go. Maybe we can get something out of it. Prepare the conference room and have the other Basestar with the ship docked keep a distance from us, just in case. Have you removed the crystal from that ship and interfaced the power transfer from the Basestar?"
"Yes, but why are you asking this?" a Two responded.
"The Colonials might be useful in helping us in the war. That was our main objective, remember. Maybe a bribe or two might help."
28 minutes later, Basestar hangar
The raptor landed and the hatch opened up. The 4 marines inside went out and created a perimeter, all visibly on edge. The Centurions that were in the hangar, reacted similarly. Then Caprica and other human Cylons entered the hangar.
"Stand down!" she ordered the Centurions. They complied.
"Well, guess we will not be trusting each other for a while." Apollo said as he exited the raptor. Dee was right beside him.
"Guess we will need time for that." Caprica replied. "This way please." she pointed to the exit. "Also, for the time being, I will tolerate your marine escort being armed. Don't think of making it a habit for the future."
As Apollo, Dee and the 4 marines exited the hangar, they got for the first time a good view of the interior of a Basestar. The fact that there were many Centurions and human form Cylons, did not help to calm any of them down. After 2 minutes of walking, they reached a conference room. There was a big door leading somewhere else, but was closed.
As everyone took a seat, Caprica began: "So, let's agree to do this simple, I ask a question, you answer, then you ask and I answer. Is that OK?"
"That will work. Ask away." Apollo replied.
"Why have you come here? Or to be more specific, how do you know of this planet? Since the universe is so big, this is no accident."
"Let's say that Dr. Baltar found some information on this place. All I am saying. Now my turn. You said you knew where Earth is? Show me."
Caprica put her hand into the neural interface. An image of stellar constellations appeared on the screens around the room. "Here are the coordinates. Around 2260 Ly from here. I think you should be able to plan a course with this?"
"Why give this info up so willingly?"
"That is another question. Breaking the rules, are we? Sufficed to say, Earth has no more value for us. What value there was is docked with our other Basestar. Now my question. My mission was to find you. Well not you in person, but the Colonials. I imagine that you are aware of the civil war of my people currently raging on our side of the former border?"
"We are." Dee replied.
"Well, our Cavil, known to you as model One, hopes to get your help for our side. we were the ones that helped you in your liberation of the people still stuck on the colonies. "
"Help? We are in no position to help. we are just running in the hope to..." Apollo tried to reply.
"To find Earth. Yes, yes. Well, once you confirm the info I gave you, your plan is dead. Then what?"
"Why should we help you anyway. No matter what you say, all of you were there when our worlds got nuked!" Dee said.
"First off, I acknowledge that, but only the One's knew the real agenda. They were the ones pushing for this. The Centurios were lobotomized while the rest of us got our memories blocked and were lied to. Used as tools. But if you need a reason, I will give you one. If the One's win, they will resume their single minded pursuit of your fleet in order to eradicate you. The enemy of my enemy is my friend after all."
"Or just another enemy in the future." Apollo added. "You have to give us something before we even start to talk about anything like that. The ship you have..."
"Out of the question!" A Three slammed her hand on the table.
"Calm down. I will handle this." Caprica intervened. "As my sister just said, that is out of the question. However, we may have some other things of interest for you. Tell me, that other ship you now have, the big one. Does it or the one you came here with, need a special power source?"
Dee looked at Apollo. He was thinking hard how to answer that. "Why do you ask?"
Caprica looked at a model Two next to her. He stood up and went out of the conference room. Moments later, he returned, with a briefcase. He put it on the table, opened it and removed an object from it. After placing it on the table, the Cylons could see how the expression of Apollo and Dee changed.
"Based on your looks, I can assume that you know what this is?" the Two asked.
Dee looked at Apollo again. He nodded. "Yes, we do. The big ship, an outpostship, as we now know, is powered by one of these. At least the main power for the engines and other systems. It would need 3 to get to full power."
"3 of them? Well, I guess this is interesting. Show them." Caprica ordered the Two again. He took the other crystal from the briefcase and put it on the table. "We found one on the planet below us. The other was found on Earth. Our ancestors found the ship we have and realized that the crystal they took from Kobol with them, is compatible with it. So? How much is one of these worth to you?"
Apollo was in shock. To get at least one more of these power crystals would be a great acquisition. But at what price?
"What do you want in return for one of them?"
"Knowledge. You obviously know more on the alien systems than we do. Help us gain insight, so that we can get the upper hand in this war. Just to inform you, the Cavils found an alien ship in close proximity of the Kobol system. They have been reverse engineering the tech there. Sooner or later, they will gain an upper hand. We managed to stall them and gain some insight as well, but that is only a temporary bonus."
Apollo leaned back into the seat. "I guess this would explain the recent upgrades we saw in a Cylon battle." Apollo then explained what he and the crew witnessed during their scouting of the Cylons.
"If what you say is true, we already have a problem." Caprica said nervously.
Just then, an Eight entered the room: "The Discovery is hailing us. They want to speak with their commander."
Caprica looked at Apollo: "What is this?"
"Don't know. Can you put it here, so that you can see that we are not hiding anything?"
"Agreed."
They all turned to the big screen behind them. On it, colonel Shaw appeared on the Discovery bridge."
"Colonel, what is it?" Apollo asked.
"Sir, the admiral wants to speak with you."
"Why would he... You informed him!? I said to keep comm silence!"
"You may have, but I decided to overrule that decision."
Apollo rubbed his forehead. Great. Now this. "Can you put him thru here? I think he would like to see this development himself, now that you informed him."
Moments later, admiral Adama appeared on the screen with the president next to him. "Lee, what were you thinking!"
"Sir, look at the table in front of me, and you will understand." Apollo defended himself.
The admiral and president looked and realized what he meant. "Get Baltar here on the double!" the admiral ordered the guards in the back.
"Are those..." the president began to ask.
"Yes, they are." Apollo answered. He explained the whole story that the Cylons just told him. During this, Baltar appeared in the same room as the admiral and president and began to listen to the explanation as well.
After the explanation, the admiral turned to Apollo: "Lee, I'll let you decide on this one. I know you have good judgment. We will contact you again in 1 hour. Good luck."
The screen shut down again. "Guess we keep talking." Apollo said.
After about 30 minutes of debating and negotiating, some progress was made. The Cylons would hand over one crystal, the one that definitely came from Kobol, since the one from the Algae planet was not confirmed, from where it originated from. In return, the colonials, mostly Dee, would help the Cylons with the translation of the alien language and understanding of the basic of their technology. That was step one. One of many to come.
"I think you should also see this, before I let you take a look at the ship we have." Caprica said as she stood up. She moved to the closed large door and opened it. In the next room, it was visible, why the Cylons wanted to keep the doors closed.
"Well, you were busy." Apollo remarked. Inside were all the devices and artifacts that the Cylons found on the 13th Earth as well as on the Algae planet. including 2 rings and their tablets.
As they were being shown around and a Two was beginning to ask questions if anyone from the Colonials knew what any of this stuff was, Dee spotted something.
"What is that?" She went to a table. The object on it, that fascinated her, had the shape of a crystal inside a golden casing. "This can't be... the Eye of Jupiter!? Can it?"
"I think it is." The Two, Ben, replied. "But I have to add, it is not an artifact, it is a piece of technology. What kind is anyone's guess at the moment. Just like with those power crystals, your ancestors had a habit to mixing technology up with your Lords."
Apollo went to Dee. "Dee, is this Eye, whatever it is, valuable or important?"
"Most people would not know. But on my world, it is one of the sacred artifacts. Even if it is technological... either we can use it, for whatever it is meant for, or we give it to the priests. Our spiritual and religious leaders would be overjoyed."
Apollo began to think again. "Well, spirituality aside, if we knew what it is for... that would make me interested in it. Cause, if it is just some jewelry that some overzealous priest can use... don't care about that much."
Caprica listened to the interaction: "How about this? We give it to you free of charge?"
Ben looked puzzling: "Caprica, you sure that this would be a good idea?"
"Unless you can tell me what it is good for, it is as good as a paper weight. Shiny, maybe, but nothing more. If the Colonials want it and it helps this work together, why not?"
"Just like that?" Apollo asked, skeptical.
"You don't want it?"
"Did not say that. It is just that something that is free, is never really 'free'."
"Sir, we should take it." Dee pleaded.
"Uhh, fine. In return, I will arrange for you to have a tour of the Discovery. Only you and 2 humanoid Cylons who you choose. But only after we inspect that destroyer you have." Apollo agreed.
"Destroyer?" Caprica asked. She did not know the class that ship was.
"The Discovery identified it as a Xpios class destroyer, build by the same people who build the Discovery." Dee explained.
As they moved along, Caprica stopped at one of the 2 rings. "We know that the smaller ones that we found in the ground are some kind of teleporters. But the large ones? What can you tell us about them?"
"Nothing at this moment. Maybe later. Control first, trust later." Apollo replied.
"Very well. Now I think you should take your new possessions and return to your ship. Please report this to the admiral. Once you are ready, we will be aviating you in the 2nd Basestar. Any help you can offer would be appreciated." Caprica said.
31 minutes later, Discovery bridge
"Well, this is definitely an interesting development, Lee. Good job." the admiral said over the view screen.
"Yes, and to get the fabled Eye of Jupiter on top of that." the president added.
"Yes, well, madam president, we should keep that to us, until we know what it is good for and not include the religious nut jobs." Baltar argued.
"I agree with the vice president on that one. Even the Cylons don't know what it is used for, that is why they gave it to us. Well, that and to butter the negotiations." Apollo said.
Just then, the door to the bridge opened and Lt. Gaeta entered the bridge with the power crystal in hand. He was assigned to this mission on Baltars suggestion.
"Well, Felix? How does it look?" Baltar asked.
"We tested it. It has a 79,12% charge left.
"Hm, not as good as the one we have, but not bad at all." The admiral remarked.
"The charge aside, with 2 of them working hand in hand, not only will the drain on the one we have here be slowed, but they work together exponentially better, giving more output than just from 100% for one to 200% for 2. Don't know how that works, but every next one we would add, increases the combined output by more than just its charge." Baltar explained.
"So if we have all 3, it would be the best?" Apollo asked.
Baltar nodded.
"Well, I doubt that the Cylons will give that one up just like that. It is their last ace."
"One question, doctor. If what you just said is true, why did the original builders not design the power room in a way to have not just 3 of these crystals, but dozens of them or even more, if by adding more, the combined output would increase more than by just the added crystal?" the admiral inquired.
"No idea. Maybe the effect has limits?"
"Anyway, what is the next step, Lee?"
"We have a look at that destroyer, then the Cylons get a tour of the Discovery."
"Not a fan of the last part." the president protested.
"Me either, mam. But we have to show some cooperation from our side as well. I hate to say it, but we need to do something. If the One's win, they will start looking for us again. And they might find us, given enough time. Add the upgrades we saw them adding..."
"I get it, Lee. And... I have to agree. Do what you think is right. I'll ask the other commanders about their suggestions. Do you buy their 13th tribe story?"
"No idea. I mean, why lie about it. I see no reason for that. Once we do the first exchange and decide where to meet with them again, we take a look at the coordinates they gave us. But I fear that we will indeed find a dead planet."
"Best we keep this to ourselves. Don't want the Quorum to go nuts on me." the president said.
"Good. One last thing. Ask them, how they know where Earth is. If the 13th tribe is dead, who told them? Were there survivors? Will call again in 2 hours for an update. New Caprica out." the admiral added before ending the call.
Apollo looked at Dee and Gaeta: "Now that IS a good question. How do they know?"
"Or they are lying. Anyone think of that!" Shaw raged.
"Keep it to yourself. You are on thin ice for disobeying me anyway!" Apollo countered her.
New Caprica, Kobol control room, same time
Adama, Roslin and Baltar had ended the conversation.
"So, what do you think, admiral?" Roslin asked.
"If you mean if the Cylons are telling the truth... I fear that they are. We only got the truth from these Cylons. And I, like Lee, don't see the point of lying about this."
"I also agree, madam president." Baltar added.
"Based on this new info and the data we got from the scouting of the Discovery, I suggest that we begin to add a new contingency plan."
"That being?" Roslin asked.
"Another exodus."
Roslin has feared that he might say something like this. "The people will not like it."
"I don't care. We will say that it is a precaution. Call it whatever you like. It is going to be a military matter in the end. Doctor, based on this, I want you to double your efforts in, well... everything. The understanding of this tech, the unlocking of the mainframe, the upgrading... everything. I know that I am asking allot of you..."
"Yes you are. You may not like this, but I would be able to do things allot faster with the help of the Cylons. I know you don't like that idea, but we can start with Karl's wife. Work from there on. She may not be a scientist, but the best we got from the Cylons for now."
Adama felt a headache approaching. "OK, I'll tell her. I'll instruct the commanders to begin drawing up the evacuation plan. I'll look at it in the mooring. Right now, I need a fraken drink."
"You and me both, Bill." Roslin added.
Ancient destroyer, bridge, 2 hours later
Apollo, Dee, Gaeta and several engineers from the Discovery were currently looking around the bridge of the destroyer. The design was similar to the Discovery, but allot more Spartan. Smaller personal rooms, basic storage areas, more weapons ports and no neural interface chairs.
"So, these particles the ships comm system was emanating, are called tachyons? " the Two known as Ben asked.
"Yes." Dee answered. "They are used for short range communication and dradis."
"Why use something like that instead of what we have?"
"Well, we still don't get it completely, but in a nut shell: Tachyons do not appear naturally in, well, our dimension. The comm and dradis on these ships however can artificially create them. The tachyons are much faster than photons, but have barely any interaction with normal matter and energy. They bounce off or are absorbed by matter, but decay back into their dimension relatively fast. Using them inside a system, any planet would be able to track real time other planets, ship, station, or talk with them, as long as they are in the same system. This eliminates the need for FTL jumps for communication, like we used."
"So you can have real time comm over much greater distances and longer dradis, but is still limited to sub light? Why?"
"The decay rate. The tachyons decay back to their dimension before reaching the distance of a light year."
Ben nodded. He understood now. In just an hour, he learned so much.
"And since they are artificial and decay so fast, they technically don't break the law of relativity, I guess?"
"As far as we know. Even Baltar, while he does not admit it, doesn't understand it completely." Dee responded.
Just then, the consoles became alive on the bridge.
"Guess this would do it. we have power back." Gaeta said. "As long as the Basestar supplies it, that is."
"OK, can we get a status from this thing now?" Caprica asked?
"On it." Apollo replied. He went to the engineering console. Translating the writings would be left for later, if this friendship lasts as long. "Well, as we feared, the 2 reactors are bone dry. Only that crystal can power it independently now."
"Can we not refuel them?" Be asked.
"You don't have the right fuel. Tylium would barely get you to 40% of the total energy capacity. You would need it's big brother." Apollo informed them.
"This naquadah you mentioned?"
Apollo nodded. "Well, I have good and bad news. What do you want to hear first?"
"Start with the bad."
"Well, there are some power connections that are damaged. They are the main ones, so they can't be bypassed. The port turrets are all damaged, it's rear shield emitter is damaged, the long range sensors are destroyed, the sub light are damaged, only thrusters available and the FTL is destroyed. Can't be fixed. Not to even go to all of the hull breaches."
"Great, so it would need to be taken to battle?"
"Basically, yes. Now to the good news. All the damaged systems can be repaired. The shields and weapons are really that of a ship meant for war. They can both take and give a pounding. But the shields do not have the ability to eat nukes, like the Discovery has, but kinetic damage is not an issue for them. It lacks the big gun like the discovery has, but has 22 secondary plasma batteries all over the hull as well as 8 heavy guns identical o the 4 we have on the Discovery. Already has double fire power there. Its acceleration is nowhere as good as the Discoveries, but this thing can turn."
"Sir." Gaeta interrupted them. "You better take a look at this."
The group went to the comm console. "Sir, I looked at the logs of this ship. To understand what happened here, since this ship was manned, as we saw with the personal items in the rooms."
"Your point?"
Gaeta activated the last log. A woman dressed in a uniform unknown to anyone, began to talk in an unknown language. Except to Apollo and Dee.
"OK, she was the commanding officer of the Beux. The name of this ship. This is her last log. They are abandoning ship. They were in a battle with their allies against an enemy. Their enemy used some power draining technology to cripple the ship. Main power was lost and a freezing effect began, even inside the ship. Many died do to hypothermia." Apollo then pressed another button and a picture of a ship was displayed on the screen.
Caprica got worried. "This image. Were they fighting that?"
"According to this, yes. Why?"
"The ship the Cavil's have is just a small ship, maybe a scout, but the designs are too similar for comfort."
Apollo understood. The One's had the tech of the enemies of the builders of this ship. "Well, we now at least know that the builders were humans."
"Based on what? The woman in the recording? Did you forget that I am not human but still look like you race?" Caprica said.
"Point taken. Well, there are some other logs, but most are badly degraded. Let me see... Oh frak." Apollo said, not liking what he just found.
"What is it, Lee." Dee asked.
"According to the time stamp on this recording when compared to the one the ship is displaying now, this recording was made over 200000 years ago."
Silence followed. You could hear a pin drop. "Frak. Sir, it was already hard to hide the truth about the Discovery and Kobol, but another proof that the Scrolls are wrong..." Gaeta pointed out the obvious.
"I know. OK, Felix, what is the status of the transporters on this ship?"
"Emm, they look OK."
Apollo took his wireless. "Shaw, activate a transporter platform for a ship to ship travel. I'm coming back."
"Sir, that is a security risk!"
"You can shut it down after I get there and place marines before I come. I need to get there ASAP. The admiral needs to hear this!"
"Fine. But I will issue a formal protest."
"Noted, now do it." Apollo turned away to leave, but then stopped. He remembered something. "One last question. If the coordinates you gave us really lead to Earth, how did you know where to look for it?"
The Cylons looked visibly uncomfortable. Then, Caprica replied: "The Final five, our creators, parents if you will. They came from the 13th tribe." Caprica then told the story that Cavil told them. When she finished, the Cylons stood there, waiting for a response.
"OK, once we see this Earth, we can confirm at least some things. But you never said who the Final five were and where they are now." Apollo asked.
"That is on a need to know basis, and you don't need to know, yet." Caprica responded. She made sure to respond in a way that made it clear that this was the end of this discussion. And Apollo got the message.
As Apollo exited the bridge to get to the nearest transporter platform, the remaining Colonials and Cylons went back to inspect the ship.
New Terra, 2 hours later
"Well, we all agree, it has to be done. We might not like it, but for the sake of other human worlds, we have to do it." Weir said.
New Terra had grown greatly in the past 6 months. Over 1 million people now lived on this planet. Most of the population came from the planets that did not hide the greater universe from their population. That meant that Earth had a rather small presence. The Pack had settled on New Terra 4c, the 3rd moon of the 4th planet in the system, a gas giant. The moon had a nice temperate climate. Currently the representatives of most member worlds were present. Only the 2 planets under Tollan care were excluded. They would not understand the point of this meeting anyway. On top of that, the Jaffa rebels, the Sodan Jaffa as well as the Tok'ra and several SG teams were present.
"Yes, the Al'kesh had made a successful scouting run of the Aschen home world." Bra'tac said.
The holographic display showed an Earth like planet. Many orbital installations wee seen, from orbital bases to shipyards.
"Yes, as we can see, the Aschen are building a space force, but their space fairing technology is fairly basic. They still lack any hyper drive technology." Omoc reported.
"Does not mean that they could not upgrade them fast, if they get the knowledge. You Tollans are a good example of this." the Hebridan Serrakin representative said.
"Agreed." Woolsey said. "So this information confirms that the Aschen are not to be taken lightly."
"Why not just leak their coordinates to the System Lords. Let them take care of this?" the Tagrera representative asked.
"We can't for several reasons. It is not just morally wrong, but wrong on many other levels. The Goa'uld would level that planet." Daniel replied. "Also, the Goa'uld could gain access to Aschen tech, and that is really dangerous. And if, and I say if the Aschen would win, they would get interstellar technology."
"I believe that we can all agree with Dr. Jackson." Omoc said. "Now, let us recall the plan."
The plan was in three stages. Stage one would begin with the 'formal' first contact with the Aschen. The representatives of the Alliance would make contact with one of the planets under Aschen control, pretending to want to meet the Aschen. When the Aschen respond, the second phase begins. Several cloaked Al'kesh will land on the Aschen home world. The Sodan Jaffa will provide cover, while SG-1A will infiltrate the main Aschen mainframe installation. They will establish a connection with a DD-304 hiding in the same solar system, but far away from any Aschen activity. Once the connection is established, both Tok'ra and Tollan scientists and specialists will gain remote access and download the entire database of the Aschen. Why not use their knowledge for something good?
Phase three will start when the database is downloaded. Once analyzed, the scientists will say if phase three can be initiated or not. If they can create a virus to shut down and cripple the entire Aschen computer network and thereby cripple them, phase three will get a green light. If not, then a more direct approach will be initiated. An assault from space with the fleet that will be waiting outside the system. In either case, the Aschen Stargate will have to be located and the Aschen 'relieved' of it. Once they no longer have it, their interstellar quests are over for the time being. And if their database is destroyed via virus or orbital attack on the planet where the meeting will take place, they will not be able to create their own gate, or recreate their space forces for the foreseeable future. The biggest issue would be their bio weapons laboratories and storage areas. Those would be targeted and destroyed with high heat bombs and plasma strikes to ensure that all the pathogens would get destroyed. After the mission, a cloaked Al'kesh under the Alliance control will be placed permanently in orbit to continue monitoring the situation.
If this plan would fail, the only back up plan was the black hole address.
The 'negotiators', led by Joseph Faxon, who was kept in the dark on purpose to ensure that his reactions would be genuine, would have Jaffa guards with Sodan cloak's protecting them.
Once the operation, either of them, would be done, the Alliance would help the worlds that the Aschen destroyed.
The letting the Goa'uld know of the Aschen plan was dropped for a single reason, while the black hole one was not. The Goa'uld could become a bigger threat then they already are.
"OK, so let me just point out that allot of things can go wrong here. We just adapt to a changing situation?" O'Neill asked.
"Don't worry, colonel. We have contingencies for multiple scenarios." Selmak answered.
"It is the one's we don't have a backup plan that I am worried about."
"Well, it is settled then. The mission begins after the first contact is initiated in 3 days time. Ladies and gentlemen, good luck." Dr. Weir ended the conference.
Cronus home world, same time
"Nothing but cowards. I am surrounded by cowards!" the former first prime of Cronus raged on his personal Ha'tak. In the last hours he got nothing but bad news. His god was dead, most worlds raided, many, too many Jaffa sided with the traitors...! So many insults, that he could not bear it. Now he was waiting with the forces that remained loyal to Cronus in orbit of the capital world. Barely 14 Ha'tak's remained. When another System Lord would come to claim this world, and they would, he did not know, if he could hold this world. At least he would die whit his honor.
Suddenly on the Pel'tak the sensors began to react.
"Lord Ho'rokun. Hyperspace distortion detected. A fleet is approaching." the Jaffa at the console reported.
"Prepare for battle! Today we show the galaxy how real Jaffa battle and die!"
Minutes later, as expected, a fleet of 5 Ha'tak's exited Hyperspace.
"My lord..."
"I see it. What fool of a Goa'uld would send such a small task force here!?" Ho'rokun reacted to the situation.
"My lord, our ships did not receive the upgrades yet, we might still loose."
"Perhaps. Open a channel." said, done. "This is Ho'rokun, first prime of god Cronus. Surrender now or be destroyed."
A minute later, still no answer was given. "Enough of this, open fire."
In space, the 14 Ha'tak's opened up on the 6 intruders. The steady bombardment of plasma bolts hit the shields of the 6 Ha'tak's, and... nothing.
"My lord, the enemy forces have sustained no damage."
"I can see that! Even if they have the upgrades, we should be doing some damage with our numbers."
"My lord, we are receiving a signal from the lead ship."
"Let's see it."
On the screen, another Jaffa was seen. He was a young Jaffa with a strange symbol on his forehead. "I am Her'ak. First prime of a Goa'uld that will claim your forces. Join us, or die."
"You make threats like that!? What about the planet? No Goa'uld would leave a planet like this unconquered."
"My master wishes to stay in the shadows, the planet is of no importance. Now, will you join, or..." Just then, the head intruder Ha'tak fired a plasma bolt at Ho'rokun's Ha'tak. It penetrated the shields and damaged the hull as if there were no shields at all. "die? Decide quickly."
Ho'rokun could not believe it. His ships were completely ineffective. "Which god do you serve?"
"Anubis."
Discovery, orbit of Algae planet, 1 hour later
"Well, all I can say is that this tour was impressive." Caprica said as she and her colonial escorts mowed to the nearest transporter platform.
"Indeed it was an... eye opener." Ben added.
"Well, before we continue this 'friendship', we must confirm your data. We will go to the 13th Earth." Apollo said.
"Yes, of course. When can we meet again?" Caprica inquired.
"It should not take us more than 2 days. So at your travel speed, maybe meet at the binary system M660-A?" Gaeta suggested.
"That would work for us." Caprica acknowledged.
Once the Cylons departed, the Discovery set her course and entered hyperspace.
In their private quarters, Dee and Lee were having some private intimate time. But it was mostly talking about their newly discovered knowledge.
Their quarters was that of the captain of the ship, so the biggest quarters on the ship. They had months of time to get things arranged to their taste. Unlike the quarters on a Battlestar, these had a real bed, private washing room and toilette, as well as another room for other uses. And a large window with a great view of hyperspace passing by.
"So, what do you think." Lee asked as he laid on the bed, next to her.
"Uhhh, don't really know. If you ask me, and I hate to say it, but we might find just what the Cylons said. and I don't know what is scarier. The Cylons and us being on friendly terms or Earth being gone." she replied as she put her head on his chest.
"I know what you mean"
Just then, the comm device in the room lit up. "Uhh, what now? We can't get even a few hours of sleep it seems?" Lee groaned. "Yes, what is it?"
"Sir, we received a transmission from New Caprica."
"Something urgent?"
"Not for us, but our XO will not like it."
"OK, tell me."
"Sir, rear admiral Cain was almost killed."
"What."
"Yes sir. You heard right. Seems that she got a bit too careless on the planet and forgot that many people still had a mob mentality for her. That is what happened. Over 20 people waited until they got her in a corner alone. All are from the fleet the Pegasus raided. She is still alive, but if she will live, even with the alien medical tech, is anyone's guess. If she will, she will never be 100% again."
"Uh, frak this. As if we don't have enough problems as it is. Who is now in charge of the Pegasus?"
"Her XO."
Apollo did not like it. "OK, I'll tell Shaw. Have 2 marines escort me to her quarters, just in case. She is already pissed at me. Don't want her to do something stupid."
Delmak, same time
Apophis was having some entertainment in his throne room. Dancing girls, music and a fighting ring. Just as the next phase of his entertainment should begin, his first prime entered the room and approached him. "My lord, we have her."
Apophis smiled. He stood up and began to leave the room. "Continue with the festivities. I will return shortly."
Apophis and his guards and escorts went to the main prison building on Delmak. Here was the place where his personal prisoners were kept. As the first prime led his master to the cell, where the person of interest was, Apophis asked: "And the boy?"
"My apologies, my lord. But the traitor Bra'tac had him on a training mission. We could not locate them."
"No worries. This is more than enough."
As Apophis reached the cell, he took a look at its inhabitant. " Drey'auc of the Cord'ai Plains, how are your accommodations?" Apophis asked with a perverse sense of pleasure.
"What do you want, falls god!?"
His Jaffa reacted on the spot: "Traitor, how dare you...!" Apophis held his hand up and silenced them.
"Not long ago you worshiped me like all others did. Until your husband that is. And the Tau'ri."
"They showed me the truth about you."
"Well, I hope it will comfort you, when you die slowly. And I hope It causes the shol'va great pain. He will learn the price for his treason."
Apophis began to leave, his prime next to him. "Remove her symbiote. Let her die slowly. Also, leak the information of this. The Shol'va will come for her. If you capture him as well, you will get your own planet to command for me."
Cylon colony ship, 3 hours later
A group of One's was moving to the main laboratory where the parts of the now mostly in parts alien ship were being tested.
"Any idea what that moronic four wants?" one of the Cavils asked.
"No. Why are we letting them handle this anyway. A Four already betrayed us."
"That Four was 'in love'. We should have seen it and boxed him. Anyway, the Four's and Five's are doing good work... for a change. The upgrades were successful."
They reached the main laboratory. "OK, so what is the big discovery you have to announce?"
A Four approached them. "We may have found a log containing a set of coordinates."
"And?"
"This scout ship was part of a bigger ship. It was sent via FTl to scout that area where we found it. But according to this, the 'mother ship', of you want to call it like that, was damaged as well. Might be adrift like the scout."
"So, you are saying that it might still be there?"
The Four nodded. "OK, finally some good news."
"What good news? It is a wild goose chase. Chasing 'what if's' now?" another Cavil protested.
"We have nothing to lose. The rebels are now on the defensive since the field test. We can afford to send some ships to look for it. Speaking of it, what are the coordinates?"
The four led them to a map of the galaxy. "It should be there."
"That is on the edge of the galaxy in the opposite direction the Colonies? It will take months to get there!" a Cavil argued.
"We can spare 3 Basestars easy." another argued back.
"Ok, let's vote on it." Most cavils raised their hands. "That would be a yes, so send the damn Basestars!"
Planet Sateda, same time
The orbit of Sateda was filled with the remains of a Wraith fleet. Mere minutes ago, the fleet arrived in orbit, prepared to initiate a planetary bombardment before the culling would begin. Seconds after their arrival, a blinding force of white energy tore the fleet apart.
In the command bunker of Sateda, the military leadership was both shocked and relieved. They did neither anticipate an attack nor the end result.
As the military commander turned around to his general staff to demand questions, a white light appeared in the middle of the room. The guards drew their weapons and pointed them at the light, but the military commander stopped them.
"What are you?" he asked.
"You call us the ancestors."
Hearing this, every person in the command center lowered their head. "I assume that we have you to thank for this miracle?"
"In a way. But I will not be able to help you anymore in the future. I am here to inform you of an urgent matter. Sometime soon, the first humans will return to our capital city. They are meant to be our successors. They will stand up to the Wraiths, but they will need allies, friends. You will be one of those that will help them."
"Yes, ancestor. As you wish. If I may ask. What will they be called?"
"Humans from the planet Earth. And one of you must be the one that will aide them the most."
"Who?"
"Ronon Dex."
The light then disappeared. "Ronon Dex? Who is that?" the military commander asked.
"He is one of my best solders, sir." commander Kell responded.
"Good to know. Get him here on the double!"
Planet Othala, high orbit, fleet staging area
The Asgard were busy in the last 6 months as well. Fenrir mostly. His weapons and ship design capabilities were put to good use. The Aegis ship was repaired, but it's hull design was now a basis for a new, updated, big battleship design to lead the charge against the Replicators, aided by the O'Neill class and a new cruiser escort class.
"Supreme commander Thor. The first ships are ready." an Asgard scientist replied.
"Good. we will need them for the upcoming push."
Just then, Fenrir entered the bridge of the O'Neill. "So, what do you think of my designs?"
"I believe that they will serve their purpose very well. I just did not think that the Aegis upgrade would be twice as big as the O'Neill class."
"As the humans have a saying, the bigger the better. Besides, the cruiser escorts will complement them and the O'Neill class. I still hate that name, by the way."
"Then you will hate this even more. The battleship class is now officially named the Teal'c class, while the cruiser is the Samantha carter class."
Fenrir looked displeased. "You are too attached by these humans, if you ask me. What are you looking at anyway?"
"The reports we are getting from the Nox and Furlings are disturbing. A new unknown Goa'uld is working in the background of the war between Heru'ur and Apophis."
"So?"
"I believe that it is Anubis. He posses Ancient knowledge. We must not underestimate him. Hope your designs will hold up to him as well."
"I believe that you overestimate these parasites."
"Do you remember the whole temporal change that Janus started? You were briefed by the high council."
"Yes. Your point?"
"Anubis is one of those that would be able to know there is something different. He is acting sooner than anticipated. We cannot underestimate him."
The new ships were now entering orbit, for all to see. They all had the new, typical silver Asgard coloring. The Teal'c class was 2800 meters long, had the typical hammer head design in the front and the massive engine section in the rear. But unlike the O'Neill class, that had the wings like extremities with the pylons stretching out of them upward and down, the Teal'c class also had 2 large wings stretching from the main hull, but had instead a large ring superstructure encasing the entire rear part of the ship. This ring had many weapons ports clearly visible. In the front and on the wings, many large Asgard Ion guns were visible, many more than the O'Neill had.
The Samantha Carter had the same rear hull design of the O'Neill, but no hammerhead at the front. Instead, a more sleek, dagger shaped design was used, but again, many weapon ports were clearly visible there. The ship itself was just under a thousand meters long.
The O'Neill itself also got an upgrade in the form of several more weapon ports. Fenrir argued with the High council and won, that a war ship needs weapons and allot of them, not just 4 big guns with a narrow firing arc. That was the old Asgard mentality, when they had tech superiority and would win every battle quickly and did not need ships designed for a slugging match. Clearly, that was no longer the case.
"Once we test these new designs, we can go on the offensive again. Once we do, I'll go visit a planet where an answer to our problems might lie." Thor said.
"Oh, and that would be?"
"Patience, Fenrir. You will know soon enough."
Between planes of existence, Pegasus galaxy, same time
Chaya Sar was finished. She now needed to return to her planet.
"Nicely done, my dear." Janus said as he intercepted her.
"Well, you did good as well. The others know that something happened, but not by whom and what. How did you managed to do all of this alone?"
"Who said I did it alone?"
"OK, who did you get to help you?"
"My question exactly." another voice said out of nowhere.
"Uhh, and I was so hoping no one would notice. Hello Ganos Lal, long time no see." Janus replied.
Just then, Ganos appeared next to them. "Well? I am waiting for an answer."
"Ladies first. How did you notice this?" Janus asked.
"Let's just say that I know of the underside of the ascended plains. And don't try to charm me. Never worked then, won't now." Ganos narrowed her eyes. Janus realized that being cute would not work here.
"You could say that I am setting the chess board in a new way. A way that will benefit most if not all in the future."
Ganos rubbed her forehead. "I should have guessed. You were the one, weren't you. You even had a bad influence on Moros."
"You mean the whole Holy Grail thing? Well, maybe. But as always, he may see the big picture like me and unlike Oma, but he is doing it only half assed. I'm going for the finish line."
"Anyway, I will cover you as much as I can... and pray that we don't all get burned by your game." Ganos replied before disappearing.
"I think you just made a friend, Janus." Chaya said.
"Not really. More like a person that tolerates me."
Earth, unknown location, same time
In the middle of a large forest in north America, a single house stood alone. Outside many guards were patrolling the perimeter. Inside in the lower levels, there was a isolated room. Inside, a man was sitting, waiting for someone to come.
And someone did come. "What took you so long, human! These accommodations are unacceptable!" the man raged with a distorted voice.
"Oh really? Would a torture chamber be more accommodating?" Simmons asked.
"You would not dare to damage the human I am in."
"Oh, I would. I don't care about Conrad at all. What you know I do care about. And since the SGC is making one success story after another, I will not go gently with you, even if it kills you and your host."
"Idle threats."
Simmons snapped his fingers. The door behind him opened and guards entered, followed by scientists. One of them pushed a table in. On it were many Goa'uld torture devices.
"You were saying?"
"Still Idle threats, but I'll indulge you. What do you want?"
"As I said, your knowledge, all of it. But am willing to put that aside for the time, if you explain all the tech in a ship we captured. A ship that Osiris hid on Earth a long time ago." Simmons replied, smiling all the time.
New Terra, 1 day later
The rebel Jaffa had a great victory lately. With Cronus dead, a great raiding operation was launched. Over 20 key worlds in Cronus territory were raided and many ships captured as well as many Jaffa rebels switching sides. But still, they were a small force when compared with the System Lords. But with the growing numbers, they needed a world to call their own. Not that they had problems with the Humans, but it was something the Jaffa needed to do.
On the Pel'tak of the Jaffa Pride that was currently landed on the planet, Bra'tac was having a discussion with the other Jaffa leaders.
"So, it is decided. We will search for a viable world for our forces. Preferably one near this system. We can always do it the Tok'ra was and relocate a gate to that world, if it lacks one." a Jaffa leader said.
"Indeed. We are warriors after all. Helping the humans and getting help from them is one thing, but we must be our own masters now, if we want to one day lead a nation. I am not saying that we leave the Alliance, just get a bit more autonomy." Bra'tac agreed.
"Speaking of the alliance, the Tollans had asked us of a favor." Teal'c said.
"Ah, yes. Testing their new weapons on the Jaffa Pride. I believe that we can do that. We need to develop new means to defend against the false gods, so we should do as they ask. They have promised that the weapons are, as they say, 'dummies'. They only need to test their ability to bypass Goa'uld shields." Bra'tac summarized.
"Yes. Now, we should sent scouting parties to the nearby systems. I believe that we are done with this meeting?"
Earth of the 13th tribe, same time
Dee was near a beach looking around. She had a look of sadness on her face. Picking up a dying flower and looking at it.
"Major!" Lt. Gaeta called her as he approached and saluted.
"Felix, what is it?"
"The latest report. It is as the Cylons said. Skeletons of human form Cylons and husks of Centurions. But not our models. Radiological decay confirms the time as well."
"Yeah. Figured as much. That means that we were chasing only a dream from the beginning."
"But based on what the Cylons said, there might be a real Earth somewhere out there."
"Or another in a long line of cluster fraks of our religion. Come on, there is nothing for us here. Let's return to the Raptor and send our report to New Caprica."
New Caprica, Kobol ship, same time
In the medical center, admiral Adama was talking to Dr. Cottle. His current headaches were sitting in a cell, while their work was in a coma on a medical bed.
"So, doctor, how is she?"
"She will live. But the damage is done." Cottle replied as he lit a cigarette. "We had to remove a kidney. She was stabbed there so often, that is was no point trying to save it. The healing devices will take care of the scars, but she will need rehabilitation."
"So she is off the work roster for the time being?"
"For at least 6 months. Minimum. and I will keep her in a coma for a few more days. The swelling needs to go down, before I wake her."
Adama understood. Some things you just can't rush.
"Thank you doctor." He left the medical center, now under heavy guard. He went to the president's office. This mess needed to be resolved.
"Bill, thank you for coming. I was just about to call you." Roslin said as he entered her office.
"I guess we both think the same thing."
"Yes. This attack can't go unresolved. Someone needs to be punished."
"I agree. The only reason it came to this was because Cain and those directly responsible for the actions of the Pegasus crew on her civilian fleet, have not been prosecuted. We need to change that, or the civilians will take matters in their own hands, again."
"Yes, but you do know what that means, don't you."
"Besides charging Cain's attackers, yes. We need to filter out, who on the Pegasus is accountable. That means her current commander, other officers... frak, even Lee's OX is on that list."
"Yes, but what about Cain?"
"I think that she was punished by the people already. But in the interest of justice, I'll let the Quorum decide that."
On that moment, the admirals wireless started beeping.
"This is the admiral, report."
"Sir, we are receiving a report from the Discovery. I think you and the president should see this."
"OK, we are on our way."
Earth, SGC,days later, 1 hour before the Aschen mission
First contact with the Aschen was made thru the people on the planet Volia. An invitation was mada by the Aschen. They probably saw another stupid human world to conquer.
In the Gateroom, SG-1, their Sodan guards and ambassador Joseph Faxon.
"Well, the famous SG-1 I heard so much about. It is a pleasure to meet all of you." Faxon greeted them.
"Yes, ambassador, we have heard of you too, in a way." O'Neill replied.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It can wait for after the mission. Right, general?"
""Right, Jack. SG-1 and Sodan escorts, you know the mission. Once you go thru the gate, I'll give the green light to our fleet in their system. God speed."
Orbit of gas giant, outmost planet, Aschen solar system
Admiral Vix was studying the latest scans made by the Al'kesh already in orbit.
"Sir, you look nervous." his XO asked.
"I am nervous. This mission... a million things can go wrong. And assuming that everything will go right... assumption is the beginning of a big mess. I am thinking of back up plans when the primary ones fail. And some of them will fail.
Just then, his comm officer got a signal. "Sir, Earth SGC just gave the green signal."
"Uhh, so it begins. Send the command. Then we wait."
Unknown planet, capital city, cantina, same time
Aris Boch was taking a break from his bounty hunting as well as working undercover for the Alliance. He did do bounty hunts for them as well.
As he got his 3rd drink in a row, he overheard a conversation from 2 smugglers in a corner, one of them being an Oranian.
"I tell you, this is news!"
"You can't believe the gossip!"
" I say it is true. Apophis has the Shol'va's wife in prison, waiting for execution."
"That must be the Jaffa Teal'c then. Heh, he must have really pissed off Apophis."
Aris stood up and went to the 2 men talking. "What do you want!? This is a private talk, so beat it!"
"If you insist." Aris then punched the human male and grabbed him by the throat. When the Oranian wanted to intervened, Aris shot him with his Zat in the other hand.
"You did say to 'beat it'. So I beat you instead. Now, you will tell me everything you know about this!"
Minutes later, Aris raced thru the street. His goal, the star port where his Tel'tak was parked. He needed to inform the Alliance.
I just love John de Lancie, so I had to add his character of Simmons here.
Also, before someone points that this did not happen then and that did not happen then... yes, I changed the dates of some episodes or stories. Most notably the Wraith attack on Sateda. In the show, it happened in 1998, but I pushed it to 2000/2001.
Responding to Chloe: Some questions are already answered in past chapters. The knowledge of the future is limited and is now becoming less accurate since the future is changing. Janus program refused to give disruptors to Thor, because the Replicators are a necessary evil for now.
Responding to Guest: Don't know where the word naquadah originates from. No one knows. Maybe the Goa'uld came up with it, maybe the Ancients did. I will not come up with new names, I'll stick with naquadah.
Responding to Syed: "Ground vehicles, gate ships and so one will be added in the future. Remember, only 6 months have passed and stuff needs time to be developed and made.
Responding to A reader: OK, but remember. Earth got the entire Asgard tech, including their plasma beams. I HIGHLY doubt that they understand how they work, and they still use them and replicate them to be installed on other BC-304's. So why do that, if they don't understand them?