The Pegasus was still on course for the Uncharted Territories and her long-range sensors hadn't registered any Cylons or other alien vessels since their battle against the Cylon armada.
Commander Cain hoped things would stay that way until they had at least completed all battle repairs.
Following the repairs and with some luck, they should be able to locate the Galactica and the fleet. Aeryn had been able to supply the Galactica's last known co-ordinates and from there they should be able to track them down within the next few days. Cain was looking forward to being reunited with his daughter, Sheba.
On the bridge, Colonel Dex was on the command platform when short-range sensors beeped out an unexpected alert. A large ship appeared out of nowhere just off their port side.
"Where did that come from," the Pegasus' first officer said as he stared at the rather impressive ship on one of the close range monitors. It was alien in design, very sleek and powerful looking, but it just hung there, seemingly interested only in watching them. Taking no chances, he immediately activated the Pegasus wide interior comm.
"Yellow Alert! Commander Cain to the bridge!"
Then he looked over to Aeryn who stood close by. Although her mind had been elsewhere ever since Cain informed her about her pregnancy, the Sebacean insisted that she remain on the bridge in case she was needed.
"Do you recognize that ship configuration?" Dex asked quietly.
Aeryn could only shrug her shoulders. "Its lines are completely unfamiliar."
Moments later, Commander Cain entered the bridge. "What do we have, Colonel?"
"Visitors, sir," Dex answered. "We're not detecting any active weapon systems or shields. They're just sitting there, not making a move."
"Well, then it's time for us to take the first action," Cain said, moving up next to Dex and Aeryn. "Open a channel."
Dex nodded to Cain. "Communications open."
"Alien vessel, this is Commander Cain of the Colonial Battlestar Pegasus. We send you gree…"
Without warning, a bright column of light erupted above both Cain and Aeryn, draped over them, and whisked them away in a flash.
Dex gasped helplessly, staring at the spot on which Cain and Aeryn had been standing just microns before.
"Battle Stations!" he shouted to the equally shocked bridge crew.
------------------
One moment, Commander Cain and Aeryn had both been on the bridge of the Pegasus when they had experienced a brilliant flash of white light. The next, the white light had faded and they had found themselves together inside a huge chamber, with a large view port behind them. Through it, they saw the Pegasus herself, floating majestically against a brilliant field of stars.
Turning slowly, Cain studied the impressive interior of the strange ship. The ship, with its curved silver walls and copper-trimmed archways, appeared more like a piece of artwork than some alien and dangerous vessel. It was truly a thing of beauty. He doubted the ship was a combat ship - it was almost too beautiful and delicate looking to be taken into battle.
Aeryn also scrutinized her surroundings, but with a greater degree of suspicion, looking for and expecting for danger to leap suddenly at them any microt. She was concerned for her unborn child and was fiercely determined to protect it.
It was then that she saw… him.
Just a little distance away, a rather small, slender grey figure two large, solid-black eyes watched from a throne-like chair. The being wore no clothing and physically appeared to be completely sexless.
Staring in turn at the strange being, Aeryn reached back and touched Cain's hand, gaining his attention before pointing out the alien.
"By the Lords of Kobol…" Cain whispered before stepping forward to address the alien guardedly. "I am Commander Cain and this is Lt. Sun. I demand to know why you have taken us from our ship?"
The alien blinked its large dark eyes before speaking through its small narrow mouth. "My apologies. My name is Thor, Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet. I am searching for the Human who goes by the name John Crichton."
Aeryn tried to maintain an outward appearance of calm, but inside she grimaced at the thought of yet another alien taking aim at Crichton, for whatever reason.
------------------
"You hear that?" O'Neill asked suspiciously.
D'Argo nodded slowly as he leaned in and listened as the electronic lock to their cell hummed, bolts releasing. "Yes, someone is opening the door."
"Get ready for anything," Apollo cautioned as they all took a step back.
The door to their cell started to open very slowly before a man carefully poked his head in. One side of his face was covered by a coppery looking mask.
"Stark?!" both D'Argo and Rygel gasped in unison.
O'Neill, Daniel and Apollo looked on in confusion, asking, "Who?"
D'Argo ignored them and started to move forward to greet their former shipmate, but Stark sidestepped the Luxan and hurried to Apollo, pointing excitedly, "It's you! You are Adama's son, Apollo!"
D'Argo frowned, realizing Stark was his old self again. With little patience to listen to the Bannik's crazed rants, he moved cautiously to peer out through the now open cell door.
Meanwhile, Apollo just stared back at the strange man before saying, "Do I know you?"
"No, but I have seen your father. He wanted me to give you a message."
"My father?" Apollo replied hopefully. "Where is he?"
Calmly, Stark answered, "With Zhaan."
Listening, O'Neill's brow furled in in puzzlement before he looked down at Rygel. Zhaan? He remembered Chiana mentioning her on more than one occasion. She was their blue alien plant friend that died sometime back, but that didn't make sense. How could Adama be with her if she was…? He then saw the pained look on Rygel's face.
"Oh, frell," the Hynerian whispered.
Confused, Apollo looked to the others. "What's he talking about?" He focused on Stark again, sensing a growing dread before demanding, "What happened to my father?"
"Besides chattering like a mad splugorth, Stark can sense the souls of people who have passed on," Rygel informed him bluntly.
O'Neill stared at Stark. " You're saying he sees dead people?"
"Yes, yes, I have! I have seen him!" Stark said, becoming excited again. "Adama stood next to Zhaan, but they weren't dead."
This was becoming too much for Apollo. "What are you saying?" The Colonial tried to remain calm. "What happened to my father?"
"He moved on, becoming more, not dying, he's like Zhaan now. He cast off his physical form and ascended to a higher plane!" Stark declared eagerly.
"Ascended?" O'Neill looked over to Daniel. "Where did I hear that word before?"
"Oma!" Daniel answered.
"Ah," O'Neill nodded. "The bright light lady."
Both men recalled their encounter with the glowing, alien being from Kheb who had defended the Harcesis child and wiped out the entire Jaffa army that had threatened them. Apparently this Oma had stayed behind while the rest of her people left for a higher plane of existence. If her people could 'ascend', why not others, like this Zhaan or Adama?
"Are you sure about this?" Daniel pressed Stark.
"Yes, yes," Stark said quickly. "They gave me both a message for Crichton and for you." He stared at Apollo.
Apollo didn't know what to feel, it was too much to absorb all at once. His father was 'gone,' but not 'dead'? It would be easier to believe that all this was just the rambling of an obliviously unstable man. There was only one way to find out.
"What did my father say to you?"
"He said, it's up to you to lead your people to safety and to stop the Cylons. It's no longer just one civilization at risk, but an entire galaxy now. Have faith in yourself and our new friends." Stark saw the sadness in Apollo's eyes and added. "Don't grieve. He and Zhaan have gained much more than they lost. You will see him again."
Apollo found himself staring at the floor. This couldn't be happening, but it was. Unfortunately, he didn't have the time to mourn his father, whatever had happened to him. They had to make their escape, now. He looked up to the sympathetic stares of his friends.
"We need to get out of here and find the others," Apollo said before turning his attention on Stark. "There's more of our group missing. Can you lead us to the rest of our companions?"
"I can," Stark answered. "I can. I can. I know this base well. The Scarrans forced me here to help with the passing of their dying warriors. To help with the passing…"
"I don't suppose you remembered to bring a weapon or two or even three with you?" O'Neill inquired hopefully, to which Stark only shook his head vigorously.
"I'm not permitted to carry any weapon."
O'Neill frowned. "You could have lied for just a second to make us feel better."
"The corridor is clear," D'Argo said from his position at their cell door. "If we're going to go, it has to be now."
O'Neill nodded to D'Argo. "Okay, you take point. Teal'c, back him up. First priority is to find weapons, then the rest of our team."
"Who put you in charge?"
O'Neill turned around and looked down at Rygel, who stared determinedly back up at him.
"I'm sorry, did I leave anything out?" O'Neill replied evenly. They didn't have time to debate who was in charge.
"There is a Peacekeeper command carrier still out there and its captain is in here with us," Rygel pointed over to Braca. "We should make an effort to find a communicator and see if we can get help."
O'Neill had to give high marks to the little green guy for quick thinking. He turned to face Braca. "Can your ship help us?"
The Peacekeeper captain managed to shrug in spite of his injured shoulder and arm. "I don't know, a single command carrier against this entire base? Maybe we can do something inside to disable their defensive batteries."
"Okay, new plan," O'Neill announced. "First weapons, two our friends, three a radio and four, a giant monkey wrench to sabotage this joint."
------------------
Kwenn sniffed the air before making her way down the corridor and around the corner, only to see yet another long corridor leading off from the junction. An alert Sheba and Chiana followed closely behind her.
The Scarran female turned her attention back for a second to the Human. "Tell me, warrior, do you have a mate?"
Sheba's head shot up at the surprising question. "Ah, I don't think this is the right time."
Kwenn smiled politely. "Why not? Our current chances of survival are poor and I'm curious about you Humans. It would not hurt to know more about your species before we die."
Sheba had to chuckle at the Scarran's bluntness. "Don't you want to ask Chiana anything first?"
"I know much about the Nebari culture, such as it is after mentally cleansing their own population, and I've seen that she already has a mate."
"No, I don't have a mate," Sheba answered.
From behind, Chiana cooed playfully. "Liar."
Sheba stopped and glanced back hard at the Nebari, whispering angrily, "Chiana!"
Kwenn watched the little spat between friends and smirked. "Which is it?"
Chiana continued to smile at the Colonial before Sheba finally turned her attention to Kwenn, confessing, "I had someone not long ago, but it was an off and on sort of situation. It wasn't serious."
"Could've fooled me," Chiana teased.
"Chiana!" Sheba hissed.
"Shhhh!" Kwenn raised a hand, silencing them.
Alert, Sheba lifted her weapon. "What is it?"
Kwenn cautiously moved forward again. "I hear something."
"What?"
The Scarran gripped her weapon tightly. "Company."
------------------
"For a little guy, you are not as light as you look."
Rygel snorted as he hung on tightly to Daniel's shoulders, riding the Human piggyback. "Maybe you're not as strong as you think!"
"Hey, Luke and Master Yoda. Keep it down," O'Neill hushed them.
They were cautiously making their way down the corridor, hoping to avoid any guards until they could at least find some weapons. Teal'c was taking point and D'Argo, with his superior nose, was just behind him. O'Neill was next in line with Apollo, Braca, Stark, and Daniel and his passenger following in their turn.
O'Neill had a lot on his mind, but his first concern was making sure everyone got through this in one piece and. There was also another person right next to him that he was worried about.
"How are you doing?" O'Neill asked Apollo.
"Still absorbing everything, but I'll be alright," the Colonial Captain admitted slowly. "Just wish I was there for him."
"I won't kid you, I'm not the one who's really into knowing the secrets of the universe, but your father is not dead. He only ascended to a higher plane of existence."
Apollo stared at O'Neill for a moment. "In my culture, ascending to a higher plane does mean dying."
"Same with us too," O'Neill confessed. "But this is different, trust me."
Up ahead, Teal'c held up his hand, signalling everyone to stop. His attention was focused on the four-way junction they were nearing.
"Someone is approaching," he breathed cautiously.
Behind him, D'Argo didn't hear anything, but he sniffed the air and growled lowly, "A Scarran!"
The Luxan inhaled again through his nose and detected the strong foul scent of their blood. "This one might be seriously wounded."
O'Neill looked to D'Argo and Teal'c, the true muscle on their team. "If he's alone, can you two take him with our help?"
D'Argo frowned at the thought of physically confronting a Scarran, knowing how strong they were, but with surprise on their side, and this one injured, they might be able to do it. He nodded.
"If the Charrids and the Kalish have taken over, he might want our help if he's hurt." Daniel suggested.
"Too risky," Rygel said, still clinging to Daniel's back. "Scarrans are a temperamental race as it is and if he's hurt and angry, he won't care who we are."
"He's getting close," D'Argo warned. The scent of Scarran blood was almost overpowering now.
"We hit him as one and pile on," Apollo suggested.
"If he's fatally injured and dying, you must allow me to assist him in his journey to the afterlife," Stark insisted.
"Quiet " O'Neill warned before looking at D'Argo and Teal'c as they inched towards the corner of the junction, ready for the ambush. "We all go on your mark."
Teal'c was prepared and D'Argo's nose was drowning in the stench of Scarran blood. He couldn't smell anything else except… The Scarran scent was masking something else, too. If the Scarran was not alone, then they might have a serious problem. Whoever they were, they weren't Scarran.
He sniffed the air again, concentrating on the weaker scents. No, there were actually two more in addition to the Scarran.
They were…
Oh, no!
Teal'c charged forward and the rest started to move in to attack.
D'Argo stepped in front to stop them by throwing his arms out. "STOP!"
In a flash, Teal'c and the others found themselves all at the wrong end of three pulse rifles. Before them were three armed and very determined female individuals, a Scarran, a Nebari, and a Human.
"Teal'c?" A surprised Kwenn said as she slowly lowered her weapon.
Teal'c didn't blink, staring down the barrel of her weapon, and spoke calmly as if reading a street sign. "Prime Guard Kwenn."
"Sheba!" a grateful Apollo breathed in relief.
Smiling, Sheba lowered her weapon and moved forward to hug the Colonial captain. "Good to see you guys!"
"Daniel!" an ecstatic Chiana shouted before racing to her lover.
"Chiana," Daniel whispered happily, moving to meet her.
"Oh, no!" Rygel groaned as he helplessly held onto Daniel's back. He was too high up to simply jump off.
He pleaded. "Stop! Let me off first!"
But it was too late for the unfortunate Hynerian Dominar. Chiana threw her arms about Daniel and caught Rygel in her embrace as well before squeezing.
"Arrgh!" Rygel protested. "You are crushing me!"
O'Neill watched in amusement as Rygel was caught in the bear hug that Daniel and Chiana were giving one another.
"Glad to see you," he said before looking awkwardly up as Kwenn as the Scarran gazed back at him. "Uh, ladies. Have you heard what happened to Crichton or the others?"
Although he was worried about Crichton and Starbuck, he couldn't help but be more concerned for Sam.
Sheba pulled back from Apollo. "Crichton communicated with Chiana just a while ago. Sounds like he and the others are okay." Then she saw the look in Apollo's eyes. "What? What is it?"
"Something happened to Adama…"
------------------
General Rahzaro paced impatiently around the Katratzi command centre. The Goa'uld controlling him was not happy. Emperor Staleek was still on the loose and the surviving Scarrans, although contained, were still putting up fierce resistance. He had lost contact with several squads outside of those zones and more importantly, he had also lost contact with his Goa'uld comrades, Vakali and now Crichton.
He looked up at the main monitor and saw the Peacekeeper command carrier still sitting there quietly, probably awaiting further orders from Commandant Grayza. Well, they had a small surprise in store for the Peacekeepers…
Rahzaro stopped, almost tripping over two DRDs. One of them was repairing its companion, with several tools extended, working on the open side of the second. Ignoring them, he sidestepped around the two little machines. He'd taken only another five steps before coming across two more DRDs, one attending to the other.
The Goa'uld stared suspiciously at the DRDs. It was very unusual to see two DRDs requiring maintenance within mere paces of each other at the same moment.
"General!" The Goa'uld turned towards the Kalish who was staring transfixed at his security station. The panic in his voice was evident. "You need to see this!"
Marching over, he stood next to the Kalish and looked at the tiny monitor the Kalish was pointing out. In the picture, a Cylon was staring back at them.
It was standing in the middle of a corridor, in full view of the camera. The Goa'uld gasped when he saw the paint marks across its chest. It was one of the Cylon escorts of that green slug of a Hynerian! One of them had survived!!
"What is it doing?" the Kalish asked worriedly.
Good question, The Goa'uld thought. What is it up to? The Cylon was on the research level, which would explain why he had lost contact with the squad sent to that tier.
Quietly, the two DRDs finished repairing the last of their companion DRDs within the command centre. The signal was transmitted and all of their electronic eyes went from blue to red. Then they quietly started to move into position.
"It almost looks like he's waiting for something," the Kalish next to Rahzaro said.
Goa'uld Rahzaro nodded, but that was not the way Cylons behaved. They just didn't stand around doing nothing. Maybe this one was malfunctioning, or awaiting instructions or… He looked up to see numerous DRDs scaling the walls of the command centre from all sides. Their sensor eyes were now all red.
"That Cylon IS waiting for something!!!" he shouted.
DRDs stopped half-way up the walls before opening their weapon ports and firing, killing everyone in the spacious command chamber.
The Goa'uld grabbed the Kalish standing next to him and held him in front like a shield. The unfortunate Kalish took several shots meant for Rahzaro.
Chaos exploded all around him as the DRDs cut everyone down where they stood in their surprise assault. With little choice, the Goa'uld ran for the lift to escape, pushing by two fleeing Charrids, knocking them to the floor. He lunged for the open doors, but took a pulse blast to his back. Had it been just General Rahzaro, the Charrid would have died right there, but the Goa'uld symbiont kept him alive and going. With one last effort, the Goa'uld dove into the lift and the doors closed behind him as he abandoned the remaining personnel to the cruel end of the Cylon controlled DRDs.
------------------
In his own command centre, Sparky turned to address the forty Cylon centurions and ninety-three reprogrammed DRDs.
The Command Centre was now within their control. It was time for the next phase of their plan. Sparky gave the order for the DRDs in the Command Centre to cut main power throughout Katratzi.
Cylons and DRDs could see in the dark, but the aliens inhabiting the base could not. Tactical advantage over any resistance they should encounter belonged to the mechanical army.
"Move out. Find Dominar Rygel and protect him from harm. Eliminate all opposition."
------------------
Scorpius finished dragging in the last of the unconscious Kalish guards before shutting the door to Sikozu's quarters. He overheard Jolinar and Sikozu getting into a heated argument as the Kalish scientist tried to interrogate the Tok'ra to learn what she was. However, the Tok'ra did not appreciate having Sikozu referring to her as a parasite.
"Yo, Sputnik!" Crichton said loudly to Sikozu. "Jolinar just saved your life, so lay off her and worry more about what's out there."
However, Sikozu was still extremely suspicious of this alien named Jolinar who had a Human for a host. The thought of some alien lifeform able to enter your own body and have you as a host disgusted her, not to mention the potential threat such a species could be to an unsuspecting civilization. What was occurring here was a prime example of that threat.
Without warning, the lights in Sikozu's quarters went dark before the rather weak emergency lighting kicked in.
He had spoken too soon! In the shadows, Crichton sighed in frustration. "Why did I open my mouth?"
Starbuck drew his weapon and was on the move. "I'll watch the door."
"What happened to the power?" Jolinar asked.
Without a word, Sikozu approached a computer terminal situated on the far wall. She touched a few buttons, but nothing happened.
"This is impossible. Main power is completely out, but we have numerous backups," she said worriedly. "All we have left are the batteries."
"Forget to pay the bills?" Crichton muttered under his breath. This couldn't be good.
"Get serious," Carter whispered back as Jolinar released control of their shared body.
"I am," Crichton teased back. "Just lightening the mood."
Carter surveyed the darkened room. "We sure could use some of that 'lightening' right now…."
"Get serious," Crichton replied with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I am… Just lightening the mood."
Scorpius watched the two Humans playfully banter. They were in a life and death situation, but they both were taking a moment to make jokes. From what he could ascertain about these Humans, they excelled at doing whatever they wanted without reason. A very odd race. Then again, having both been placed within the Aurora chair might be responsible for their behaviour.
Pushing that thought aside, he turned to the armed Colonial guarding the door. "Human, do you have a communication device?"
"The name is Starbuck and yes I do."
Scorpius held his hand out. "May I have it?"
Overhearing, both Crichton and Carter turned, barking loudly, "NO!"
"If this entire base is without power, we can contact the command carrier and have a boarding party here shortly."
"Nice try, but we're not that desperate yet," Crichton answered, drawing his weapon. "We'd better get moving and take advantage of the Katratzi blackout while it lasts. Who's coming?"
Despite Scorpius' objection, they all gathered around the door, ready to go. Carter was up front taking point, readying her Ribbon Device.
"I guess its ladies first," Starbuck joked, standing next to her as he held his blaster at the ready.
Carter smiled slowly as she activated the Goa'uld weapon. "Just stay behind me so my forcefield can protect you if we run into trouble."
"No argument here," Starbuck nodded, placing his hand on the door control. "On three. One… Two… Three!"
He thumbed the control and the door opened. In the dimly lit corridor beyond, a Cylon was lurking. It stopped and turned towards them, its red sensor glowing in the darkness. Everyone momentarily froze at the surprising sight of the machine. Its body was a patchwork of glittering silver and golden armor, joined together to make the battle damaged machine whole again.
When Sparky built his Cylon army, he copied and downloaded his own memory matrix into each machine. Every Cylon was exactly like 'Sparky,' thus they only answered to him or Rygel, but they were programmed to recognize Rygel's close associates.
The Cylon instantly scanned the humanoids and identified the lifeforms from Sparky's ID files…
Name: Samantha Carter/Jolinar… Species: Human/Tok'ra Female…
Disposition: Ally
Name: Starbuck… Species: Human Male…
Disposition: Ally
Name: Unknown Subject…Species: Scarran Hybrid Male…
Disposition: Non-Hostile
Name: Unknown Subject… Species: Kalish Female…
Disposition: Non-Hostile
It fixed on the last Humanoid subject and the Cylon identified him quickly…
Name: John Crichton… Species: Human Male…
It recalled Sparky's data and remembered that Crichton was the one who had tried to destroy him. Unfortunately, it didn't know that Ptah was the one who was responsible for attacking Sparky.
The Cylon reacted accordingly.
Disposition: HOSTILE!The Cylon's red sensor eye suddenly stopped, focusing directly ahead. This happened sometimes when a Cylon Centurion was concentrating on performing a single task.
A single task such as kill.