Notes: Apologies in the long delay in posting. Life has been strange to me and I'm having trouble getting back into the normal rhythm of writing. I promise to do better.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Secrets, Surprises and Time

"Why have you summoned me, Iblis? I'm already late for the meeting Hammond is hosting between the Colonials and the ambassador of our world."

"The situation has grown more dire, Senator. The Cylons just might lose this war if Earth enters the conflict."

"We're just one planet. What can we do compared to the likes of the Peacekeepers or the Scarrans?"

"Don't undervalue your own species, Senator."

"I'm doing what I can, but this ambassador Tigh is proving to be a capable negotiator, especially with that toad by his side. He won over the President and he might do the same with the other world leaders."

"And that is why I want you to enter the briefing room with this."

Kinsey went pale at the sight of the device being handed to him. "You want me to kill them?"

"Colonel Tigh, General Hammond, Dominar Rygel and the world ambassadors. I want them all eliminated."

"If I walk in there only to leave again, it will raise suspicions."

"You won't be leaving. Set the device to detonate with enough time to allow you to take your seat."

"You want me to kill myself. But you promised I would become President!"

"I'm offering you more, Senator. I offer you Ascension, or are you refusing to obey me." There was a subtle threat in Iblis' voice.

"No… Of course not."

"Then carry out my will."

-+-

For the ambassadors of England, France, and China, it was as though they had stepped into the twilight zone, or at least one of those silly reality shows that pulled pranks on unsuspecting guests. However, this was the Pentagon and the lack of humour was well known. It had to be real.

"Help me to understand," the Chinese ambassador requested of the strange Human and the alien who were seated at the same table. "You claim that we are descendants from this world of Kobol, the same world that you came from." He gestured to the dark skinned man.

Tigh merely nodded. "Yes."

"And now, you come here to ask us for help after being nearly wiped out by these Cylons who wish to exterminate every Human, including us. You are about to bring a war to our very doorstep!"

Tigh stared very seriously at the Chinese ambassador. "The situation is far graver than you know."

The British representative looked even paler than he had been not five seconds before. "It's worse?"

"The Cylon Empire has expanded far beyond what we ever imagined," Tigh said. "We have already formed alliances with many alien governments, including the Hynerian Empire." He gestured to Rygel, seated next to him in his hover sled.

"The Cylons are formidable," Rygel said. "They are second to none on the battlefield and their basestars can lay waste to entire planets with ease. Only a coordinated effort from several fronts can stop them."

"It sounds as though you want us to help you fight them?" the French ambassador observed suspiciously.

"That would be correct," Colonel Chekov said.

"What! How?"

"We have something to show you gentlemen," General Hammond said with a nod toward Major Davis, standing ready next to the main monitor. With a touch of the remote he held, a 3D imagine of a slope wing fighter appeared.

"Ambassadors, this is X-302," Major Davis announced. "An advanced prototype of a space combat fighter we have been developing for the last two years based on the design of a Goa'uld Death Guider. Until a few days ago, the prototype was still about 13 months from completion, but, thanks to the Colonials and technology delivered by ambassador Tigh, it might be ready for test trials in three."

The Chinese ambassador was nearly beside himself. "Your government is developing a space capable attack fighter with alien assistance? This is unacceptable to my government!"

"Whatever aid we give to this government, you will all receive the same, plus the full technical design on the X-302 so you can produce your own version of it," Tigh promised calmly. "This is being done in the spirit of cooperation."

"To fight in this war against these Cylons," the British ambassador said, his voice faint, as if he still couldn't believe his ears.

"You can't be serious!" the French ambassador exclaimed, staring at Tigh and Rygel. "You want us to go to war against these Cylons and put our own world at risk?"

"They are coming and it's only a matter of time, Ambassadors," Tigh said calmly. The door to the conference room parted and Senator Kinsey entered carrying a black leather briefcase.

"Sorry I am late, gentlemen," Kinsey said as he took his seat at the table between General Hammond and Colonel Chekov. "I hope I didn't miss much," he added, placing the briefcase on the floor next to him.

"Ah, Kinsey…" Rygel answered dryly. "Chiana sends her greetings."

General Hammond cleared his throat, while Kinsey simply glared at the Hynerian.

"I'm sure the aliens already promised a great deal to gain our support in their war against the Cylons," Kinsey finally said, still staring at Rygel.

"We're just starting on that," Colonel Chekov said.

Aware of the explosive in his briefcase counting down, Kinsey was suddenly happy to know that at least he'd be taking the annoying Hynerian and the troublesome General Hammond with him. Too bad that SG-1 and that female Nebari weren't here, too. As for Colonel Tigh, he had nothing personally against him yet, but his years as a politician had taught him to be on the lookout against those who could be a potential threat politically. When Tigh had met with the President of the United States and his Chiefs of Staff, he had seen that he had a commanding presence. Very disciplined, direct and even charismatic. He could be a dangerous man on the world stage, and that was perhaps why Iblis wanted him out of the way.

With nothing to lose, Kinsey aske, "Did Colonel Tigh informed you that they were the ones who started the war against the Cylons?"

"Only after they attacked our neighbours," Tigh responded before the ambassadors could react to Kinsey's accusation. "We helped to liberate their planet from Cylon occupation, which would have led to their extinction."

Kinsey estimated that they had little more than a minute left before the bomb was to detonate. "Have you even tried to negotiate with them?"

"Are you frelled in the head!" Rygel cried out.

"Why can't we negotiate with them?" the French representative asked, and a few other ambassadors nodded in agreement. "Surely we can't be a serious threat to them."

"The Cylons don't negotiate because you can't make peace with a race of machines programmed to kill," Tigh countered before looking to Rygel and General Hammond. "It's time to show them."

With that, General Hammond activated the intercom on the table. "Send him in."

The ambassadors looked questioningly at Hammond. However, Colonel Chekov smiled, knowing full well who was about to enter the room.

The door to the conference room burst open with a whirlwind force and a green Cylon marched in with deadly purpose. Its appearance was so sudden and startling that the ambassadors from France, England and China jumped to their feet, ready to flee for their lives.

The green Cylon strode smoothly toward the conference table until, coming to a stop next to Rygel. The Dominar didn't look the least bit concerned with the towering machine looming beside him. For himself, Colonel Chekov had a good chuckle at the reaction of the other ambassadors. There were indeed bonuses to his country's partnership with the Americans and the SGC. Although Chekov was forced to admit to himself that he'd had nearly the same response when he first saw the green Cylon up close for the first time. There was some very unsettling about staring into that vascillating red eye.

"This, ambassadors, is a Cylon," Rygel announced to his still startled audience. "It's a fighting machine and not built for negotiations. It merely destroys anything unfortunate enough to get in its way. Seeing the real thing up close instead of seeing simple photographs is a completely different matter, do you agree?"

"I thought they were programmed to kill humans?" the British ambassador demanded. "Why are we still breathing?"

"This one has been reprogrammed to fight on our side," Tigh answered. "But we can't do it to the entire Cylon army."

Kinsey looked down at his briefcase, realizing they didn't have long now. "Did you also tell them how long you've been fighting the Cylons? A thousand yahrens was it?"

"What is a yahren?" The Chinese ambassador asked.

"It's a thousand of your years."

The French representative tore his eyes away from the Cylon and shifted his attention to Tigh. "During my country's own history we fought wars that lasted nearly a hundred years, but a thousand…!"

General Hammond tried to get things under control. As he had expected, Senator Kinsey was doing his best to sabotage this meeting and twist it to his advantage, whatever that might be.

"Gentlemen, please, we're getting far ahead of ourselves. This…"

Hammond stopped when the green Cylon unexpectedly moved from Rygel's side and circled around the table.

-+-

"This reminds me a bit of being inside Moya. You know, with that natural, home-grown look," Crichton mused as he wandered about the spacious TARDIS before turning towards the owner. "So, Doc, what kind of mileage do you get out of this baby?"

"The TARDIS is not only a ship, but a time machine as well," the Doctor stated proudly, Rose Tyler by his side. "There is no destination beyond its reach, whether it's some point on a starmap or a date on any ancient or future calendar." He finished with a smile.

Not far from them, a very pregnant Aeryn walked around the centre control hub, studying the odd-looking instrument panels. One control looked like a tiny bell.

"Can I ask how far back in time you went?" the former Peacekeeper asked.

"I witnessed the beginning of the universe."

Crichton's eyes narrowed, wondering if he was joking, but the Time Lord looked serious. "You saw the birth of the universe?"

Elsewhere in the chamber Commander Apollo, Colonel O'Neill, Sam and Jacob Carter stopped their curious inspection of the TARDIS to listen intently instead.

"The big bang?" O'Neill questioned carefully. "You saw the big bang… Was it a big bang that started everything?"

Doctor nodded to them both, as if it was no big deal. "Yes. Our existence was indeed started by a great explosion."

Apollo wasn't sure if he should believe this strange new ally of theirs, but his curiosity grew. His people also theorized that an explosion started the very existence of everything. "What was the trigger?"

"I'm not sure if you are ready to know," the Doctor said. "Many religions across this galaxy alone might come to an end if I reveal the secret."

"You can't be serious," Rose argued. "You teased us and now you won't say what it is. What if we all promise not to tell?"

"I don't know, Rose," the Doctor said after a long moment of contemplation. "I don't think you can handle the truth."

"Oh, for crying out loud! Who are you, Jack Nicholson, now?" O'Neill protested. "We're all adults here and I'm military. I am trained to keep my mouth shut."

Next to him, Sam and Jacob Carter rolled their eyes, muttering in unison, "We wish."

"Huh, was that a crack?" O'Neill shot them a look and got playful smiles in return.

From across the room, Aeryn laughed. "Why are you stumbling over each other for the answer? Obviously, he doesn't know what he is talking about!"

The Doctor immediately looked offended. "Now listen here young and pregnant lady. I am a Time Lord and I have seen things you can't possibly comprehend or even wish to."

"You're right, Aeryn," Crichton now agreed. "He doesn't know."

"I do!"

"So disappointing. I've heard better fish tales," O'Neill added with Sam and Jacob nodding in agreement.

Apollo looked very disappointed at the Time Lord. "You shouldn't make claims you can't back up."

"Trying to goad me into talking?" The Doctor shook his head and stood firm, his arms held across his chest in defiance. "That tactic won't work on me."

"Such a let down," Rose sighed to her friend and growing mentor. "And I actually looked up to you."

"You are joining them?" The Doctor couldn't believe it. "This is uncalled for!"

"Maybe," Rose smiled. "Is it working?"

"Close enough," the Doctor finally relented. "Very well, I will tell you all what has to be the grandest secret of all time, just this once."

Apollo, O'Neill, Sam, Jacob, Crichton and Aeryn joined Rose as they stood around the Doctor like a bunch of kids huddling about a campfire to listen to the adult telling an engrossing story.

"But promise that you won't repeat it. It must not leave this room," the Doctor stated seriously. "The explosion or what some of you call the big bang was caused by… Another time travelling ship?"

"Are you ever going to tell us the truth?" Aeryn demanded.

"It is the truth. A time travelling ship was sent back to learn and perhaps to record the creation of the universe, but ended up actually being the cause of it."

"A single ship," Apollo whispered incredulously. "That's almost impossible to conceive, the necessary power alone is immeasurable. It simply doesn't exist."

"It very much does," the Doctor replied grimly. "The TARDIS and other ships like it are powered by what is called the Time Vortex, among other names."

The Doctor turned and stared at Crichton.

Time Vortex… Vortex!

"You're talking about a wormhole!" Crichton exclaimed.

The Doctor smiled like a proud teacher. "Yes. The most powerful source of energy in the entire galaxy. Not even the power of a thousand suns over a thousand years could match it."

Crichton felt ill. "How did it happen?"

That was all that Crichton could manage to say. Everyone else was a little shocked at this information, save for the Doctor, who calmly continued to explain everything.

"A ship-wide system failure caused the Time Vortex that was channelled through the ship to destabilize and…" For effect, the Doctor placed his hands together and parted them. "Well, the good thing was that the universe was naturally quite barren at the time and no harm was done except for the loss of the ship. Over time, the explosion would give birth to the stars, then the planets and the rest. You can fill in the blanks yourself. And that's how everything began, a simple accident by a time travelling vessel like my own."

Crichton barely heard Aeryn whisper next to him, "I don't feel good…"

Crichton nodded in agreement. He didn't felt so good either. It was bad enough to think that a wormhole weapon could destroy a planet, but if what he heard was true, one could rearrange the entire universe back to a barren wasteland. He was going to be sick…

He turned to Aeryn and was ready to extend a comforting hand. "You're not alone on that… AERYN!"

She was almost doubled over, holding her stomach and staring down at the deck of the TARDIS. There Crichton saw a dampened puddle collect around where she was standing. Her water had broken!

Reaching out, he managed to get his arms around her as Aeryn's legs gave out. Crichton helped her down as the others all gathered around to offer any assistance they could, but they were crowding in a little too much.

"Just give her some room," Crichton pleaded with them as they took a few steps back before looking to Aeryn who was in considerable discomfort. "Sweetheart, is it the baby?"

The answer that came out of Aeryn's mouth was bordered between a growl and a sneer. "Yes, it IS the baby."

At that moment, everyone except for Crichton decided to take another few steps back for their own safety.

"Is there a doctor on this ship?" Crichton turned to the retreating people.

O'Neill pointed to the Time Lord. "He is."

The Doctor stared back at the Colonel in surprise. "I am?"

"You said, and I quote, that you are an expert in a little of everything."

"Everything except delivering babies!"

Nearby, Sam spoke to her father. "Dad, is there anyone on this ship that can help?"

Jacob shook his head. "There is no one here able to help. The Tok'ra don't need doctors in the sense you're thinking."

"I can have Cassiopeia here on a shuttle in twenty centons," Apollo said to Crichton and Aeryn.

Aeryn shook her head. "I don't think I have that long."

"I can help," Rose finally said, stepping forward to kneel down beside them.

"You?" Aeryn gasped between growing contractions. "How old are you again?"

"Aeryn, please. She's trying to help," Crichton whispered before looking to Rose, who looked even younger than Chiana. "Can you help?"

"Back on Earth, a woman suddenly went into labour in the department shop I was working at."

Crichton was encouraged. "So you delivered the baby, right?"

"Not really," Rose said. "A doctor happened to be there, too, and she did the delivery."

Not the answer he wanted, Crichton thought. "But you helped?"

"Not really," Rose said again. "I held her hand as the doctor delivered the baby, but between all the screaming and crying, I remember everything she did."

Aeryn glared at Rose, then at Crichton and back to Rose before her dagger eyes focused on everyone else. "Get someone here who knows what they're doing!"

"Rose is a very capable and responsible person," the Doctor said, stepping in to defend his friend. "If she says she can do this, then she can."

"What does she know about Sebaceans?" Aeryn countered.

The Doctor looked reassuringly at her. "Sebaceans are nothing more than genetically reengineered Humans."

When both Aeryn and Crichton gave him a wide-eyed saucer look, the Doctor froze, realizing that Apollo, Sam and her father were showing the same surprise.

"You didn't know about this?" the Doctor said and everyone shook their heads in the negative. The Doctor just shrugged, realizing that this was just another example of the hazards of accidentally revealing information before it was supposed to be known while time travelling. "Now you do. Surprise!"

Before anyone could say another word, a Tok'ra hurried into the TARDIS and approached Jacob.

"The Emperor's shuttle is on approach, sir. And he's 'requesting' that we meet with him immediately."

Apollo didn't look too surprised. "He's requesting?"

"Not exactly in those words," the Tok'ra answered.

"This entire Alpha male business the Emperor is pulling is getting old," O'Neill sighed. "How many times do we have to tell them we're fighting on the same side?"

"It must be important if he's coming to us," Jacob said. "Tell him that he can land but put security on alert and double the guards around the hangar, just to be safe. Now, anyone care to draw straws to see who will meet him?"

"I think it will be best if we all meet him together," Apollo suggested.

"I agree," Jacob concurred.

"If you don't mind I would be most interested to meet the Scarran leader," the Doctor said.

"Doctor, you're leaving?" Rose asked, a little worried that he wasn't going to remain here.

Looking at Rose with great confidence, the Doctor approached and knelt down beside her. "You don't need me, Rose. You can do this, believe me." With a cheerful and comforting smile, he stood up and left.

O'Neill and Carter watched as Apollo, Jacob and the Doctor left. O'Neill called out to them. "To be honest, I'm not in the mood to meet with the Lizard King, so we'll stay here and help out."

It was then he heard Rose, Aeryn and Crichton talking behind him.

"You're doing great, Aeryn," Rose encouraged her.

"I don't feel great," Aeryn replied, although she was speaking through clenched teeth. "If this was a Sebacean baby, it would have been born by now!"

"With Humans, labour can last for days," Rose cautiously informed her.

"Days!" Aeryn almost shouted. "I knew Cassiopeia wasn't being completely honest with me!"

"Honey," Crichton said soothingly. "Maybe she was afraid that you might kil… err harm the messenger."

"And where does that leave you? You did this to me!"

"Uh, honey, I love you?"

Rose was doing her best, remembering everything she could from her experience during that one hectic day at the department store. Amazingly, she could recall everything, but she was slightly distracted by the morbid fascination of the verbal exchanges between Aeryn and Crichton.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Besides taking my place and giving birth instead of me? No, you've done enough!"

Rose looked at Aeryn's clothing, studying the dark jumpsuit. She didn't want to move her, but she needed to cut an opening in the suit for the baby.

She turned to O'Neill. "Sir, may I borrow your knife?"

The Air Force Colonel stepped toward her, reaching for the combat knife on his belt. "Sure, what for?"

Aeryn was in the grips of another contraction when she caught sight of the weapon and reached for the knife herself. "That's an idea, cut it out of me!"

Crichton quickly restrained her. "Whoa, Aeryn! I don't think that's what she had in mind!"

That exchange was enough for O'Neill and he turned to Carter to hand over his knife. "Sam, can you stay and assist with Rose?"

"You're leaving." Sam couldn't believe it. "You can face a room full of Jaffa, but not one…"

"Aeryn, remember your breathing," Crichton quietly urged the woman he loved.

"I know HOW TO BREATH!"

"…One very hot tempered pregnant woman," Carter sighed. "Okay, you can go."

O'Neill gave her a quick kiss. "You're the best. Is Jolinar okay with holding the fort?"

Go and join the others if that's your wish, The Tok'ra insisted softly. I know now there are more important things than personal self-interests.

-+-

By the time O'Neill reached the hanger level, he found Commander Apollo, Jacob and the Doctor, who had been joined by Teal'c, several Tok'ra guards and a handful of green Cylons, including Sparky himself. It was nice to have Sparky and his green buddies around as bouncers whenever the Scarrans decided to show.

"Teal'c," O'Neill called out to his friend. "Glad to see you made it."

"As you would say, I wouldn't miss this for all the tea in Canada."

O'Neill thought about correcting Teal'c's misspoken phrase, but decided to do it later.

"I heard that Lt. Aeryn has gone into labour," Teal'c then observed. "How is she?"

"She was fine when I left," O'Neill said half jokingly. "Unfortunately, there're probably a lot of tears and great suffering by now."

Teal'c and the others listening looked concerned. "Is Lt. Sun in that much pain?" the Jaffa asked.

"Oh, no," O'Neill assured them. "Not Aeryn, I'm talking about the poor souls left behind to help her deliver the baby."

"There's no need to worry," the Doctor said with a warm and reassuring smile. "Aeryn is in good hands with Rose."

Apollo looked to the Doctor. "Being a time traveller must have endless advantages, knowing events before they happen…"

"Not always," the Doctor answered honestly. "Right now, I'm as clueless as you are as to what is about to happen. Time is always fluid and when I interact directly with a timeline, things are impossible to predict."

"I don't understand. Why is that?" Apollo asked.

"Time is like an entity with a life of its own," the Doctor tried to explain. "My people always feared that even with the mere idea of interfering with history and the repercussions it might have on us that we isolated ourselves behind a planetary shield from the rest of the universe. If it hadn't been for that decision, we could have been the ones to influence the shape of the galaxy and not the Ancients."

"Huh," O'Neill looked ready to check his hearing. "What was that about the Ancients?"

The Doctor became apologetic saying, "Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against them, but we mastered both space and time. If my people weren't isolationist and were running things, we could've come up with something better than those stargates they dotted the galaxies with. Not that they're bad, just no creativity."

A stunned Jacob jumped into the conversation. "You actually knew the Ancients?"

"A little," the Doctor admitted. "Not like we were the best friends or allies. It was something close to your American government doing business with the French."

O'Neill frowned at the comparison. "That bad?"

Behind them, the airlock to the main hangar opened as the spacious room beyond finally became fully pressurized. Through the hatch they could see the Scarran shuttle.

"By the way," Jacob said to the group as they prepared to enter and greet the Scarran Emperor. "My people informed me that Scarrans have targeted this ship with every weapon they have even before his ship left the base."

"No surprise there," O'Neill muttered. "Where has all the trust gone in our relationship?"

Apollo wasn't looking forward to this meeting either, but he put on a brave face as he stepped into the hangar. "Let's find out what he wants and make it through another day."

"Do I have to smile?" O'Neill asked as he followed Apollo in.

"No," Apollo said with a grin. "But no frowning."

"Okay."

"Or making sarcastic remarks."

"Doh!"

Lining up and facing the Scarran shuttle, they waited for the Emperor to disembark. Teal'c was naturally very composed as the Honour guards for the Emperor exited from the shuttle first and he was pleased to see Kwenn leading them. The female Scarran glanced in their direction and gave a barely noticable nod, but her eyes soon locked on the Doctor, curious about the new face amongst them.

Apollo counted twelve huge Scarran guards marching out of the shuttle. He knew that Kwenn was trustworthy, but he still had to worry about the other eleven Scarrans plus whatever was still onboard that shuttle. He carefully looked over his shoulder toward Sparky and a second green Cylon, standing on either side of the hangar door. The Colonial commander was grateful for their presence.

Before Apollo could face forward again, Sparky nodded his head in acknowledgement. Surprised, Apollo stared back for a moment before nodding his head in reply. Cylons were indeed developing personalities… It could be a good thing until they decided to, as O'Neill had suggested, go on strike.

Finally, Emperor Staleek himself exited the shuttle. Clad in red and gold armor with a flowing red cape, he was as massive as ever. He scowled at the gathered Humans, the lone Tok'ra, Jaffa and the Time Lord. In turn, they stood unflinching.

"I received a report from the battle at Darakan. You successfully captured the Cylon base and the weapon itself, but you chose to destroy it," Staleek thundered angrily at Colonel O'Neill. "Why?"

O'Neill met his hostile stare, refusing to budge. "We couldn't hold it and if we could have, we'd all be fighting and killing each other over it right now. It was the right thing to do."

"How noble of you," Staleek sneered. "Now, tell me what you learned from it?"

For a moment in time Jacob, Teal'c and Apollo all quietly hoped that O'Neill wouldn't say a word to the towering Scarran emperor. One thing both Staleek and O'Neill had in common was pure stubbornness.

"Well, it was bigger than a bread basket and lots of buttons and pretty lights and tons of chrome…"

Well, so much for that hope.

Staleek growled down at the Human before him. "You are trying my patience."

O'Neill still didn't budge. "You just read my mind, Godzilla, and the feeling is mutual."

Furious -- he didn't know what a Godzilla was, but obviously it was meant to be an insult – Staleek's fists clenched tightly and he appeared ready to crush every bone in O'Neill's body.

Before anyone could move to rescue O'Neill, a figure quickly darted between the two. Staleek found a smiling Sebacean like creature looking up at him.

"Hello! I am the Doctor and you must be the leader of the Scarran Empire. I heard so much about you."

"Is that title meant to impress me?" Staleek demanded.

"You've never heard of me?"

"Should I have?"

"Yes, because I'm the one who saved your race from extinction," the Doctor declared. "And it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. But just look at the results of my actions only a few million years later. Very startling and regrettable."

TBC…