Homeworld Bound A SAAB NBSG crossover story Book 1

by JonHarper

After 2yrs of running from the Cylons the Colonials are on the brink. Low on Food, Fuel and Morale they must play one last game of Cat and Mouse against the Cylons. Meanwhile Earth comes face to face against an enemy far more powerful than the Chigs.

12. Chapter 12 Face to Face

Sorry guys for the long time between updates, I've been having a hard time in Iraq lately. First I lost the chapter and luckily a few weeks later I happened to find it. Then my AC Power adapter got fried and it slowed me down some, but the Chapter is finished. We're getting close to the end now and before I submit the final chapter later I have a major rewrite of my early chapters, fixing errors in spelling, grammer but also to add more Dialouge, details and fix some plot holes. By the time I finish the last chapter it should be done.

So without further ramblings from me...

Chapter 12 Face to Face

Doctor Gaius Baltar was arguable the smartest human alive, which given the

fairly small number of candidates was perhaps not as grand as it sounded.

Despite his knowledge and mental quickness he was a wreck of a man, he lived

life on the perpetual brink of a nervous breakdown in absolute terror that

his greatest secret would one day become known. He had doomed the future of

his race for vanity and ego, he had been so busy leading his life of

debauchery he hadn't stopped to check exactly what his fabulously attractive

and equally smart co-worker had actually been feeding into the Colonial

military. Not everyone could claim to have seen the death of a civilization,

let alone be the cause of it, and he was afraid he would be found out. Not

because he felt sorry for the billions who died but because he felt sorry

for himself.

He stumbled on the way up to the shuttle in the cold hangar of Colonial One,

dropping hard onto his hands and grating them and his knees on the hard

steel stairs.

"Doctor Baltar?" A concerned voice asked behind him from the bottom of the

stairs.

"I'm fine Billy, just fine."

Baltar was aware of another presence, crouched at the top of the stairs in

the shuttle doorway just inches from him, close enough to reach out and

touch. It was her, it was always her. His angel, his devil, his conscience

and darkest driving desire. Her red dress clung to her figure in an expertly

arranged way best suited to catch his eye and hold it, her perfect blond

hair styled and immaculate framing her all knowing eyes. Her perfume filled

his nostrils and the warm sigh of breath she exhaled twitched the lank hair

hung around his face.

"Poor Gaius, you always seem to be falling for me." She smiled with perfect

teeth, a vision of what the Cylons considered the perfect female form. As

far as Baltar cared they hadn't been far wrong. "But you are never one to

stay down for long, are you Gaius?"

"So why are we on this little excursion?" Baltar asked as he picked himself

up. It was loud enough for Billy to think he was being addressed, but

actually it was the blond apparition Baltar was talking to.

"You know as much as me Doctor." Billy answered. "Commander Adama asked you

and President Roslyn over there immediately, he didn't say why on an open

channel."

The blond Cylon held her smile transfixed to her face, tilting her head as

she kept her gaze on Baltar. "He's found it."

"Found something?" Baltar started back up the stairs, Six retreated before

him into the shuttle. "Has Adama found something?"

"Maybe?" Billy shrugged.

"Absolutely." Smiled Six.

Baltar stopped at the top of the shuttle stairs. "Gods." His mind clicked

everything into place. "He's found Earth hasn't he?"

"Earth?" Wondered Billy.

"Earth." Confirmed Six.

He forced his legs to move again and take him into the shuttle, Six found a

luxurious chair and reclined across it, draping her long legs over one of

the arm rests and watching with a sense of amusement as Baltar sat opposite

and tried not to stare. In a fleet were luxuries like shampoo, expensive

perfumes and fresh silks simply didn't exist this Cylon was more than a

vision of perfection, she was a huge walking symbol of what Baltar had

managed to destroy and deny his people.

"How do you know?" he whispered frantically, Billy was still on the stairs

waiting for the President leaving Baltar and his friend alone.

"We know the scrolls better than you do." Six answered. "We found the same

clues in the same order and came to the same conclusions. Earth is close."

"That's impossible." Baltar dismissed. "There is no Earth."

"You can't lie to me Gaius, I know your soul." Six smiled. "The Thirteenth

colony exists, and you are nearly there. Finally you can fulfil your

promise."

"My err...My promise?"

"Yes, the one you made to me before the eyes of God to be his instrument."

He blinked and looked at her blankly. "I don't understand, there is nothing

more I can do for you."

"Yes there is." She kept smiling. "When you find Earth, you will send a

signal and let the Cylons know where it is."

"Why?"

"Because it means you fulfil your promise."

He gasped in exasperation. "No, I mean what will the Cylons do with this

information? Why do you care about Earth?"

He blinked, and in that fraction of a second he had moved to a new world,

his home on Caprica. Immediately the tension vanished, he relaxed on the

balcony overlooking the mountains and the lakes and laughed for the joy of

it. The cool breeze drew goose bumps on his skin, there was ever such a

slight hint of rain on the air, grey clouds filling the sky leaden with a

brewing storm. He drew breath, inhaling the glorious fresh air and could

have laughed for the joy of it. This was real, it was his ideal, this house

on Caprica far from the din of city life where he could just unwind. This

was who he was, not a hassled scientist looking extinction in the face.

President Adar was running the Colonies, the rag tag fleet was performing

errands across known space and the Battlestar Galactica was somewhere in

orbit with school kids marvelling over two full squadrons of ancient Vipers

and playing with the point defence turrets.

And to prove beyond doubt this was what he deserved she was also here,

curled up on the chair beside him, hair caressing his shoulder as she

watched him. He was at peace, calm and centred with life and safe in his

decisions.

"What are you thinking?" she asked in a whisper, so close it tickled his

ear.

"Not a single thing." He closed his eyes. "My mind is blissfully empty."

"You've earned it." She said. "But not yet. You promised."

"Promised." He repeated.

"You and I Gaius, two lights meant to be together." She said softly, warmly.

"But we can't until you become the instrument of God. You must do as I ask,

or we'll be parted."

The words cut him like hot shrapnel, he sat up and stared at her with a look

of horror. "No, I won't let them part us."

"You know what I am, and so do they." She said intensely. "They'll kill me."

"I won't let them."

"You can't stop them."

"I'll die before I let them touch you."

"But it won't save me." She sighed. "Not unless..." she tailed off.

"Unless what?"

She looked straight at him, her eyes moist as though she were fighting back

tears. It felt like iron fingers were crushing his chest. "They will never

leave us alone."

"Who?"

"Your old people." She replied. "If any of them survive they will grow

powerful and they will hunt us down."

"They won't find you."

"They will, even if it takes a thousand years they will find us and kill us

all, me and you."

"Me?" Baltar grew more alarmed.

"Do you think they won't find out?" She looked surprised. "They will find

out your purpose in God's plan and they will call you traitor. We're both

dead."

"It can't happen!"

"It will, if you ever reach the thirteenth colony it will all happen, we all

die and I'll never see you again."

Baltar could feel his peace slipping away and his frantic life returning. He

wanted to run from it, to exist in this utopia with this woman forever. He

would do anything.

"There is a way." She whispered, gripping his arm gently and restoring his

calm with a touch of her hand against his. " a way we can live in peace."

"How? Just tell me?"

"We must allow humanity to change." She said. "Under our guidance we must

educate them and move them away from their violent and murderous ways. When

we find Earth, we will teach them as God taught us. We will bring them

peace, the one thing they truly need."

"And if they resist?"

"Then you and I at least will have peace, and nothing else matters." Her

smile erased any doubts. "We are following your fleet, watching it, herding

it, stalking it. We have not destroyed you because we wanted you to lead us

this far, to the gates of Earth. Now you are here for just one reason."

"And that is?"

"God wills it." She leaned in ever closer, her breath warm on his neck.

"Signal the Cylon fleet when you confirm you have found the Thirteenth

colony, leave the rest to us."

"And then we will be together?"

She leaned in and answered with a kiss, long and lingering. Baltar

dissolved, the whole perfect world extending just as far as this woman and

nothing else. He didn't even register the Nuclear detonations in the

distance until the blast wave passed the mountains and boiled across the

lake.

Baltar snapped awake with a jolt, his head hitting the cushioned head rest

as his eyes darted around. He hated reality. Once more he felt every joint

ache and his weariness return, pulled down by the surly bonds he had made

for himself. It all returned to what he considered slow motion, as if time

itself was progressing at a frustratingly slow pace in order to mock him.

"I said you look like hell."

He noticed he was being spoken too, focusing his eyes he noticed Laura

Roslyn sitting opposite looking at him with a mix of concern and mild

suspicion.

"I've had trouble sleeping." He answered truthfully, he hadn't had a good

night's sleep since that day. He doubted many had, but in particular had

reason to lay awake at night. Every time he closed his eyes he saw a smiling

blond woman and a billion dead bodies.

"Maybe Doctor Cottol could prescribe something? It might help."

"No, no thank you." Baltar grinned nervously. "I'll manage, I prefer to stay

alert in case I am needed."

"Alright." Roslyn nodded. "Billy, let the Captain know we're ready to go.

Let's see what the military want us to do now."

Galactica

The air tight doors to Cmdr. Adama's quarters opened allowing the ocupant to

get a good look inside, it wasn't exactly what she expected. The room was adorned with wooden ships and stacks of books that

gave the feel of an old library; the subdued level of light gave a warm and

inviting atmosphere that Shane had only witnessed once before. It made her

feel at ease despite herself. She adjusted the headset translator she'd been

given to make sure the charge was good and stepped into the room, her marine

guard remained at the doorway.

"Thank you. You can leave us." Adama ordered. The Marine Guard saluted and

departed without a word.

"Please sit." Adama motioned towards a comfortable looking chair that Vansen

gingerly settled into before he settled himself in the oposite chair across

his desck.

"We've made contact with one of your ships." Adama began breaking the ice.

"As soon as its practical I will arrange for you to be transfered back to

your people, hopefully soon before all hell brakes loose."

At seeing Shane's raised eyebrows Adama continued. "Not too long from now

I'm to brief the head of our government about you and the encounter with

your people's ship. Inevitably the press and the civilian fleet are going to

find out as well. I'n not going to lie to you, when that happens its going

to be pandimonium out there."

Shane kept her peace as the ships Commander spoke. As soon as the

translators were working Dee had begun the task of informing Shane of

the situation she found herself in. Too say she was stunned was an

understatement. What this fleet had gone through in the 2yr flight from

their colonies with little food, fuel and Morale was truly awe inspiring.

Even if only half of what she had been told was true, what they accomplished

was nothing short of superhuman. Although Shane rarely accepted things at

face value she could find no reason of why these people would want to

decieve her.

"They'll want to talk to you." Adama said snapping Shane from her line of

thought. "Its my hope to have you back with your people before that

happens."

"Thank you sir." Shane replied honestly, feeling some of the tension ease

away. One of the many things on her mind latey was when she would get back

to her Ship and Squadron. She knew Juan Avila to be more than capable of

leading them in her absence, but she also had other, more personal reasons

for wanting to get back as well. In addition the thought of becoming some

media star wasn't exactly appealing.

"Please relax you don't have to call me sir." Adama said wanting to put her

at ease. "I also asked you here for another reason." Adama confessed."Begginings are a very delicate time and its my hope to avoid any potential misunderstandings from occuring."

"I can understand that." Shane answered with a guarded expression.

"Is there anything you can tell me about your people that could help in the

talks?"

"What do you want to know?" Shane asked slightly wary.

At that moment the wall mounted phone in Adama's quarters rang. Rising from

his own chair across from his guest Adama picked up the phone.

"Adama...Yes...Thank you Liutenant." Adama returned the phone to its cradle

and turned towards his guest.

"The presidents shuttle will arrive soon. I'm sorry, but we'll have to make

this brief.

Shane nodded as she considered the Commanders position before raising an

eyebrow. "So what do you want to know Commander?"

Galactica Port Launch Bay.

The bulky shuttle wobbled down onto the landing pad, engaging magnetic

clamps with a shudder and settling down on the massive warships port hangar

deck. The elevator beneath it jolted into life and brought the shuttle down

through the primary airlock before trundling into the main pressurized deck

area where ground crew swarmed forward and began preparing refuelling lines

and egress stairs.

Laura Roslin had grown used to the bustling activity of the fleet, the way

every little detail was treated with utmost urgency. In a way she

appreciated the efficiency of it, but sometimes it felt like she was being

swept out to sea by a rip tide and had lost her footing. Despite been

President of the Colonies, all forty nine thousand souls left of them, she

rarely felt like she was in total control of their fates. She had made the

decisions she believed were for the best, but often she had no choice when

making a call, everything was dictated by the simple need to survive.

"Madam President." She was greeted at the foot of the stairs by Lieutenant

Gaeta, one of the more amiable and diplomatic officers on the ship.

"Lieutenant, good to see you even at such short notice."

"If Doctor Baltar and yourself would accompany me, the Commander has an

issue of great importance to discuss."

"What is it?" Baltar half stumbled down the last few steps. "Why are we

here?"

"That's for the Commander to say sir." Gaeta replied. "If you will follow me

please."

They wound through the by now familiar steel grey corridors of the

Battlestar, Roslin smiling in greeting to familiar faces on the journey.

Recently she had spent almost as much time on Galactica as did on Colonial

One, mostly in the office of Doctor Cottle. Her health was taking a turn for

the worse again, with the Cylon engineered blood of Sharan Valerii and Karl

Agathons Child no longer providing the protection it once had. As young Hera

grew she was taking on more human traits, and one of those was a loss of

potency in her Cylon immune system.

That in turn had meant Roslins Cancer was beginning to return and fight

back...with a vengeance. Once again she was beginning to feel cold mortality

catching up, and she was in turmoil, alternating between despair and fury at

the gods for returning this curse to her. She had been given hope that just

maybe she would see Earth, now it seemed that it wasn't going to happen.

She made a sideways glance to Baltar, looking scruffy as always and

distracted. For a long while now she had been suspicious of her Vice

President, fleeting memories from during the height of her illness pointed

to him knowing a Cylon agent, which naturally raised questions of his

loyalty and integrity.

She was reserving judgement, but it seemed some caution dealing with him was

in order, and lately she had begun excluding him from major decisions on

security. Just in case.

Gaeta lead them to the door and knocked, banging on the air tight door.

"Come in." Adama's gravely voice stated, prompting the officer to disengage

the multiple locks and ease the heavy portal open.

"Commander, President Roslin and Doctor Baltar."

"Show them in Lieutenant." Adama stood. "Then return to CiC."

Gaeta made way for the two officials, then headed away, closing the door

behind him.

"Welcome aboard." Adama greeted. "Please take a seat."

"I'll come right out with it." Roslin said plainly. "I don't like being

called over by the Military, it sends the wrong impression." She settled

down, Adama politely waiting until she was seated before following suit.

Baltar had no such pretences and just collapsed into the first chair.

"I appreciate that Madam President."

"Looks like I'm taking orders from you, not the other way around."

"Again, normally you'd be right." Adama confirmed. "But in this circumstance

things are different, this information is so sensitive I needed to tell you

here, I couldn't risk going to Colonial One."

Baltar scoffed. "A poor excuse Commander, nothing is that important."

Adama held a neutral expression. "An hour ago we encountered an unknown

ship. It was crewed by humans."

That was news to Roslin. "More survivors?"

"Out here?" Baltar gasped.

"They aren't from any of the Colonies." Adama said bluntly. "They're from

Earth."

It was a very long moment before anyone spoke again.

"Rubbish." Baltar finally squeaked. "A lie, they're probably just pirates

from the old Colonies."

"Their ship is totally unique, a lot of it's systems are totally unlike

anything we have." Adama replied. "I'm not saying I'm certain, but it is

looking like the best explanaition."

"You've...You've spoken to them?" Roslin stuttered, her mind racing to keep

up.

"Briefly, yes." Adama said. "We managed to translate their language, and

I've invited them on board for a face to face meeting. That's the main

reason I wanted you here." Adama broke a smile. "As President, our first

real contact with Earth is your priviledge"

Roslin was nodding absently. "Earth."

"Madam President, surely you can't believe this!" Batlar demanded.

"I do believe it, with all my heart." She smiled wanly. "I was questioning

my faith in the Gods, and now they send us this message. Finally, finally we

are almost home."

The gentle laugh sent a shiver down Baltar's spine.

"I told you Gaius, it is Earth." Six spoke softly, perching on the arm of

his chair.

"But how can we be sure?" he asked.

"Of course we are sure." Six said.

"We will have to talk more with them." Adama replied. "But it looks likely,

based on the facts we have it is probably an Earth ship."

"A Warship." Six continued. "Ask him, you know I'm right."

"What sort of ship is it?"

"A military vessel, small but with some unique technology." The Commander

stated. "My guess would be it's a picquet ship."

"The first herald of a whole warfleet." The Cylon purred. "You see I was

right? Violence is a human disease, and we are the cure."

"So these people claiming to be from Earth are a space faring race?"

"I would say that was obvious." Adama answered.

"So they might be able to shelter us from the Cylon threat." Roslin

realised.

"They might." Adama agreed. "But it's a lot to ask after just meeting them."

"But we have to tell them, they could be in as much danger as we are."

Roslin said

"I agree on that." Adama concurred quickly. "They need to know the full

story, but we should hold off making too many requests at once."

"Well we're going to need fuel and food for the fleet." Roslin considered.

"It's a start."

"More than anything else we need to keep the Cylons away from here." Adama

emphasised. "If they learn about Earth they will attack it, they mustn't

find out."

"Too late for that." Six smiled. "We know they exist and are taking

measures."

"What are you going to do?"

"What we have to in order to survive." The blond apparition returned.

"Well as I said earlier, we'll meet with them and see if they are who they

claim to be." Adama said with a hint of annoyance. "After that it's up to

the President."

Roslin nodded slowly. "It's Earth commander, the answer to our prayers."

"It might be."

"I am sure of it." The President answered. "I know you do not share my

faith, but this is what I was born for, to lead our people to this promised

land."

Adama nodded. "Maybe, and if it's true, if this is truly Earth, and they

take us in then I'll be properly thankful."

"Why wouldn't they help us?" Baltar burst out.

"We don't know anything about them." Adama replied. "They might be

isolationist, or see us as a threat."

"Not us, but if we're being chased by Cylons we've lead them right to

Earth's front door." Roslin added.

"Imagine that." Six grinned. "Wouldn't it be awful if these Earthers found

out about the curse on this fleet? By contacting them they will bring the

Cylon fleet down on Earth."

"So we need to treat this situation carefully." Baltar mused.

"You need to tell the Earth people." Six said. "Let them know the Colonials

are running from us, let them know the doom they bring." She smiled. "Earth

will turn on its brothers and sisters and drive them away."

"So we tell them everything?" he again asked with nerves.

"As much as is safe." Adama agreed.

"They need to know about the Cylons." Roslin said. "Prepare them for the

threat."

"Tell them everything Gaius." Six whispered. "Find a way to keep these

people separate, or you will die, and so will everything else you care

about."

"They are coming aboard within an hour." Adama finished. I've prepared an

escort and Dee has the translator, she's fine tuning it now."

"This is a great day." Roslin remained breathless, light headed even. She

had believed in her role dictated by prophecy even though her faith had been

shaken recently. This confirmed everything, Salvation was near at hand, but

if prophecy was true then she would not live to set foot on Earth.

Oddly she wasn't scared, just serene.

"There is one more item." Adama cut in. "A few days ago we recovered a

pilot, a human. She wasn't from the fleet."

Roslin dropped straight back into President mode. "And you haven't said

anything earlier because...?"

"We needed to know she wasn't a risk to the fleet."

"What can one woman do?" Baltar scoffed.

"Bring False hope." The Commander replied. "That can be as destructive as

any Base ship."

"Can you be sure all of this isn't just some Cylon trick?" Roslin asked.

"It isn't." Six stated.

"We'll see." Adama shrugged. "If it is then I will make somebody pay for

it."

"It isn't a trick." Six lowered her voice. "But he is right, somebody is

going to pay for it."

Roslin stood and headed for the door. "Commander, let's take a walk."

Adama rose from behind his desk, turning off the lamp beside him and moving

around the furniture.

"Doctor Baltar, I'm sure you have something to be doing?" Adama suggested.

"What? Oh yes, yes I should prepare to analyse the atmosphere of Earth for

pathogens and...and retrovirus' that could..."

"I don't need to see the math Doctor, just the results." Roslin halted his

flow of consciousness. "We'll talk soon Doctor."

Adama waited until the ill dressed man left, then followed him out and

sealed the door behind him.

"CIC commander?" Roslin started walking.

"You remember the way." Adama fell into step beside her. "I'm a little

worried, you after my job?"

She laughed lightly. "Not for the world, believe it or not I think you have

the hardest job of either of us."

"I would dispute that Madame President. You have to make the decisions."

"And you have to keep us safe." She countered. "Though maybe not for much

longer."

"Even if this isn't a Cylon trick I don't figure on retiring." Adama said

sonorously. "Though I wouldn't say no to a vacation."

"That'll make two of us Commander."

"I think we've been through enough for you to call me Bill. At least in

private."

"Only if you call me Laura."

"Deal."

They took a flight of steps in a few energetic bounds and continued on their

path, dodging a maintenance team and a pair of Marines coming the other way.

"The timing couldn't have been better." Adama stated. "The Refinery ships

are running low on materials, I've ordered our machine shops to cut the

propellant charges on our ammunition so we can spread them out more. We're

close to critical levels."

"Making our discovery of Earth very convenient."

"That's what I thought Madam President, Laura, but I don't think our guest

is a Cylon."

"She could be a next generation model, more human than the others."

"She has flaws, imperfections, scars. The Cylons wouldn't engineer faults

into themselves. They are God's perfect children remember?"

"I wouldn't put anything past them Bill, not a thing."

"If it's a trick we'll just have to kick their butts twice as hard." Adama

said. "And hope we can find raw materials to replenish our magazines."

"What did you learn?"

"Not much, we've only just got the translator to work." He admitted. "But

Doc Cottle's analysis of her physiology tells us Earth is almost identical

to the Colonies, Gravity's a bit stronger, Atmosphere's a bit thinner but in terms of

sunlight and radiation A near perfect match for Caprica."

"Amazing." Roslin gasped lightly. "It must be the will of the Gods."

"It's certainly fortunate." Adama nodded. "Looking at the patches on the

uniform our guest wore, Earth has seven continents and is mostly water, and

there seems to be a unified government called the 'United Nations' or maybe

the 'United States' she mentioned both names."

"They have a military?"

"So it seems, looking at her escape pod and side arm they are pretty similar

to us, better computer technology but not so good with materials. Weapons

seem similar."

"So my point Bill, can they fight the Cylons or are we going to condemn them

all to death?"

He sighed. "We won't know until after we've talked to the Captain of that

ship out there. They have the technology, and I'd bet they have the skill,

but they might not have the numbers."

Roslin nodded slowly. "Until we know more, I don't think we should make a

final decision on our course."

"Agreed."

"We can't risk our last bastion of humanity."

"If it comes to it we've plotted a new course away from Earth, heading back

the way we came around the Cylons trailing us."

Roslin exhaled heavily and looked up at the roof, folding her arms across

her chest. "Gods Bill, can we do it?"

"Turn our back on Earth?"

"After coming all this way, we've given people hope. Now we remove it? Can

we tell them?"

"I never believed in Earth, part of me still doesn't." Adama stated. "We'll

try and find a habitable world of our own, then one day they'll find us."

"If we told the fleet we'd found Earth and then turned around, it'd destroy

us."

"So don't tell them until we're sure."

"Don't tell them what?" A female voice cut in from behind them.

The two leaders turned to see the grinning blond main of Diana Biers bobbing

up towards them, behind her Billy was rushing to keep up.

"Sorry." He huffed, out of breath. "She got away from me."

"Last I heard we still had a free press." Biers raised an eyebrow. "So what

do the people need to know?"

"Facts." Adama replied. "Not idle speculation."

"Anything to do with the pilot you picked up?"

"What Pilot?"

Biers smiled. "The one from Earth. At least that's what the rumours say."

"Like I said, idle speculation."

"Care to go on record with that Commander?"

"Care to leave my ship on a shuttle and not through an airlock?"

"Fair enough Commander, but I can only report what I'm told."

"That'd be a first." Adama said bluntly. "If you're done here I'll have

someone escort you back to your ship."

"I know the way." Biers stated, then strode imperiously away.

"She's going to run the story." Adama said.

"I know." Answered Roslin. "We need to do something."

"We should just come out with it." Billy suggested. "Just tell them we've

met an alien ship, most of the fleet must have guessed by now."

"We don't have to say Earth." Adama stated. "Just an unknown ship."

"People will put two and two together." Roslin figured. "Especially with

people like Biers stirring rumour."

"It's just guesswork." Billy remarked. "Which is the same for us, we don't

know ourselves yet, right?"

"Not yet." Roslin agreed.

"Madam President, we need to set the record straight. If the rumours get out

of hand it could be extremely damaging."

"When do we meet the Captain of the other ship?" she asked.

"Forty minutes." Adama informed. "I've got an honour guard set up and I'll

be heading down myself soon."

"We'll hold a press conference afterwards." Roslin said. "And we tell the

people what they need to know."

"The facts?" Adama questioned.

"What they need to know." Roslin repeated. "And Gods help us if we get it

wrong, our panic and selfishness might kill more billions. It won't happen

Bill, it just won't happen."

Kappa Reticuli system.

The Lidar system beeped steadily as it registered the emptiness of space

around them. Beyond the clear canopies of the fighters an endless expanse

stretched far from sight and understanding, an infinite mystery separated by

just half an inch of armoured cockpit. There was so much out there waiting

to be found, but truthfully there was only one thing that mattered.

"When we're done on this patrol I want to join the Search teams." Hawkes

repeated for the twentieth time.

"I'll ask the Colonel." West gave his same answer. "I'm sure he'll let us, I

think he wants to be out there too."

Cooper pounded the side of his canopy. "Whoever the hell those guys were

they picked the wrong planet to screw with!"

"Easy Coop, busting your fighter isn't gonna help." West cautioned. "We'll

get her back, we just will." He chuckled. "I got experience in this sort of

thing remember?"

"Yeah, yeah Kylen."

"I found her, and now she's safe." West confirmed. "Shane's a survivor, this

isn't the first time she's been MIA, she isn't the type of girl to stay lost

for long."

"No kidding!" Liutenant Mikey Goins cut in. "You see how much attention she gets in bars?

Hell I bet she's already pulling in every male fighter jock in twenty light

years."

"Well so long as they don't get any funny ideas." Hawkes quickly replied.

"Rescuing her is fine, but nobody puts the moves on my girl."

The Lidar cut off the banter, a steady warning beep indicating fast moving

objects entering range.

"Bogey on the HUD!" Hawkes called.

"Confirmed." West noted. "Form up and move to intercept."

"Lets give these Sons of bitches a little payback!" Hawkes enthused, setting

weapons to active.

"Hang on," West paused. "I'm getting IFF Squawk."

"They friendly?" Porter asked as he and Brody adjusted position in their

cockpits

"Affirmative." Mikey Goins added. "Getting a Navy ID signal."

West flipped the long range communications on. "Unknown squadron, this is

the 58th, identify yourselves."

After brief static a female voice came through loud and clear. "58 this is

the fighting Fourteenth, good to hear from you Wild Cards."

West grinned widely. "You too Bandits, you're a long way from home."

"We brought home with us." They could hear the smile in the squadron leaders

voice.

The Lidar rapidly began to fill up, unknown contact after unknown contact

clouded the display until the SA 43 computer system found an IFF match and

began registering the contacts as friendly. Ship after ship, squadron after

squadron.

"Wow." Hawkes exhaled. "Guess someone took us seriously."

West went back onto the open frequency. "Bandits, you still flying from the

Yorktown?"

"You bet, she's coming in any second now."

"They still got old Smoking Guns in charge?" David Goins asked.

"The same." Came a chuckling reply.

"They sent Smoking Guns Monroe?" Hawkes asked with surprise. "Damn, they

really did take us seriously!"

Every war had its fair share of heroes and enigmas, Admiral David Monroe had

been the Chig wars contribution to that pantheon. An able warship commander

he had shown a radical grasp of space combat using difficult, dangerous and

ultimately successful combat tactics to utterly out fight Chig forces. He

had taken command of the Kazbek sector at the decisive moment of the battle

and held on, giving Earth the victory in that campaign and ultimately the

war.

He had been likened to a modern day Patton or Sherman, straight talking,

brusque but more able than any of his peers when it came to getting the job

done and coming home in one piece. By sending him here Earth was putting

some of its best assets in the line of fire ready to match this new threat.

Munroe had also managed to call in as many ships as he could, along with the

Kennedy, lead ship of the US Carrier fleet and identical to the Saratoga he

had also called in the Yorktown, part of the Eisenhower subclass with a

heavier weapons fit adopted after lessons learned from the early days of the

Chig war. Both Carriers had full airwings and heavy escort squadrons

comprising of Cruisers, Destroyers and Frigates.

In addition to the two Carrier battlegroups Munroe had also secured two

fleets of battleships, The US second Battleship Division led by the Montana

and the British Fifth Battle Squadron led by the Warspite, both units had

seen heavy fighting in their times and were hardened veterans and skilled

proponents of Munroe's creative tactics. Likewise these ships had plenty of

escorts, and there was a roving cruiser squadron taking point for the

combined fleet following up on the 14th Squadron as it passed by the 58th.

"That's a lot of ships." Hawkes nodded.

"Biggest gathering of military power since the war ended." West guessed. "We

might need it."

The Squadron flew past the dark hulled warships, most little more than

shadows merging with the starfield. The Carriers had their running lights on

but around the edges of the fleet the escorts and Battleships were rigged

for low observability travel, a little surprise for any ambushes.

"Maybe we can join the search early now." Hawkes said hopefully. "With all

these ships they can take the strain, give us a break."

"Yeah, I hope so." West agreed. "We'll get our girl and head back to

Groombridge Naval station."

"And when the 'Toga gets patched up we'll be right back out here taking

names." Hawkes grunted. "Vansen included, just like the old days."

"I'll drink to that." West smiled. "But we still have to finish this patrol,

resume course and keep your eyes open, we're still the carrier's best

defence until the fleet gets closer. We do our job, then help find Shane."

USS Saratoga, an hour later.

"Vice Admiral Glen Ross, USS Saratoga, welcome aboard sir."

"Admiral David Munroe, Third United Earth Fleet. Good to see you again old

friend."

Monroe was a short man, strongly built with a red and weathered face and

close cropped white air. He had never publicised his real age, most guessed

he was in his sixties but had been fit enough to lift a support beam that

had pinned his executive officer at the battle of Ixion. He looked more like

a dock worker or a foreman than he did an Admiral, something Munroe found a

lot of amusement in.

"I wanted to see this for myself." Munroe said. "They gave your lady a bit

of a pounding, bastards."

"Yes sir, but she's still ticking." Ross answered. "I've got a full report

in the conference room."

"Lead on." Munroe nodded. "I'm eager to find out what we're up against.

The two flag officers made their way through the ship, stepping over buckled

deck plates and using the stairwells as most of the ships elevators were

still out of action. Every now and then the Admirals would stop to talk to

crew members and get an assessment on a particular area of damage before

continuing on up to the conference room. It was one of the few areas of the

ship still untouched, looking as peaceful and mundane as it did when the

ship was fresh from the yards, a sharp contrast to the chaos around it.

Ross sealed the door and gestured at the strategic map at the back of the

room.

"Aris." He stated. "We were on our way to investigate the communication

silence from that world and the disappearance of two destroyers in this

sector when all this started."

"You believe these aliens are to blame?"

"Seems logical sir, the enemy arrived from and retreated towards Aris."

"That's where I'll start." Munroe announced. "We've got two Brigades with

the fleet, including a heavy armour battalion. Whatever's down there we'll

grind it into the dirt."

"We've taken on some debris from the alien fighters, and lately some from

their heavy ships." Ross informed his superior. "We thought they might be a

new Chig design, but it turns out they're something else. It's hard to

explain."

"I don't need to know why and how Glen, just how to kill them." Munroe

stated simply. "How do they stack up to our stuff?"

"They're fighters are fast, and tough and they seem to fly automatic,

probably a type of AI. They can pull some high speed turns we can't match

but overall we got them beat in agility. With our turreted guns it isn't

hard to hit them, but they take some killing to beat their armour."

"Weapons?"

"They fire solid slugs, simple but effective." Ross answered. "Plus they

have about six missiles each, again pretty simple. Our weapons are more

advanced but usually we're outnumbered."

"The enemy Carriers looked pretty big."

"Yes sir, they carry at least three times the fighters we do, it was hell

trying to stop them. Thank General Electric for those point defences."

"Amen." Munroe agreed.

"But if it hadn't been for Tecumseh getting the jump on them we wouldn't be

here now." Ross clarified. "They took apart our escorts and nearly took us

down too, and we didn't manage to land a decent hit on any of their capital

ships."

"But when we do get up close and personal our heavy weapons proved

effective?"

"Tecumseh blew those guys a new ass hole. Pardon my French."

Munroe smiled. "Tell it straight Glen, that's my way." He looked over the

map. "I've got ten Battlewagons, and I'll make that eleven with Tecumseh."

"Heavy hitters sir."

"On top of that I've got ships from every country on Earth, German

destroyers, Japanese cruisers, Russian Frigates and of course a pair of our

Carrier battlegroups."

"Don't you mean three sir?"

Monroe patted his colleague on the shoulder. "Sorry Glen, but you've got

orders to head home."

Ross looked dumbstruck for a second as he heard the news. "Admiral, this

ship is still in the fight."

"Not any more, you did your bit Glen, you turned them back and got the

warning out. Now it's time to leave it to us."

"We still have two thirds of our fighters and most of the weapons turrets

are back up to full strength." Ross listed. "We've got main power, FTL,

conventional engines, full sensors and C4I, and on top of that they made us

angry."

"Saratoga is in no condition to get into a fur ball, and we both know it."

"She can handle it sir."

"I won't risk her." Munroe said with finality. "If this is a real war Glen

we'll need every ship, I can't throw away a ship like this. Take her home,

get her fixed, you might get a chance for revenge yet. I don't think this is

gonna be over anytime soon."

"There's something else, I've still got a pilot down out there."

Munroe closed his eyes for a second as he recalled. "Major Vansen, Silver

Knights."

"Yes sir. We've been going over her last known location with a fine comb. So

far nothing."

"She's been gone over a week Glen." Munroe lowered his voice, conveying real

feeling and sympathy. "Her air..."

"Shane's a survivor sir."

"No one can survive for over a week without air. I'm sorry Glen, call back

your birds and head for home."

Ross shook his head. "I can't leave her out here. Not after everything she's

done for this ship and our world."

"We'll bring her home for the proper ceremony." Munroe confirmed. "But first

we have to protect the living, then honour the dead. Take your people home

Glen, it's over. Leave it to me now, I'll make sure Major vansens name is

carved out of somebodies hide, along with the names of everyone we've lost

in this sneak attack."

Hawkes dropped his flight helmet on the makeshift bunk and unhooked his

G-suit. With their quarters damaged the squadron was bunked in one of the

wardrooms along with the day shift command crew. It was cramped and

uncomfortable, and with repair work going on below decks it was extremely

warm, but the unit was so tired they didn't even notice. There was a bed and

hot food, that was enough.

It was almost enough for Hawkes, but he couldn't shake that feeling at the

back of his mind. No matter how much work he took on or how much he told

himself he was playing an important role the only thing that truly mattered

to him was finding Shane Vansen. He wasn't alone, he knew the rest of the

squadron wanted her back, and he knew West and McQueen as old timers felt

the same as he did, at least to a point.

But Hawkes had a different perspective, Vansen wasn't just a friend and

colleague, not simply a veteran of the same battles, a victor over the same

adversary, a rock against the same storm. She was a sister to West, maybe a

daughter to McQueen if the hardened man would ever admit it, but to hawkes

she was everything. She was his life and his love, his only real connection

in a personal way. She was the thing that made him normal, one thing in all

the universe that defined him not simply as a Marine but as a living human

being.

If she was gone, Cooper Hawkes became nothing but the smart part of an SA 43

fighter, or the control mechanism of an assault rifle. He stopped being a

person, as far as he cared he stopped being alive.

The door swung open allowing Colonel McQueen to enter. Despite the

exhaustion that clouded their minds every person in that room was o their

feet and standing tall before he had two black booted feet over the

threshold.

"As you were." He ordered, letting the squadron collapse back on their

bunks. He caught Hawes' gaze, and despite his professional manner the

Colonel's eyes were troubled.

"As you know we've been relieved by Admiral Munroe."

"So we can concentrate on getting Major Vansen back, right sir?" Mikey piped

in.

"Our orders are to head for Earth along the most direct route." McQueen said

heavily. "SAR has been abandoned."

The room froze, even the command deck officers held their breath,

understanding what the order meant. It was confirming that Vansen was gone.

"Colonel." West stood up. "Request permission to transfer to the Yorktown to

continue SAR."

On cue the whole squadron stood up and followed suit.

"Saratoga needs you five eight." McQueen answered. "And the only place the

Yorktown is going is Aris. They won't be conducting Search and Rescue

either."

Hawkes shook his head. "I'm not going without her."

"She's gone Hawkes." McQueen snapped. "She's a Marine, and Marine's die."

West noticed the Colonel wasn't speaking in the past tense, whatever he said

he hadn't accepted her loss himself.

"I know she isn't dead Colonel, she's still out there and we can't leave

her!"

"It's over, they got her just like they did to hundreds of other men and

women." McQueen was suppressing anger, not at hawkes but at the situation.

"You know I'd move the Earth to stay here and find her, but we can't. we

have to protect our people, and that means going home, getting fixed, then

coming back here to set up some payback."

"I know she's alive Colonel." Hawkes said with certainty. "I know it."

"I understand what you are going through, but..."

"How do you understand?" Cooper snapped.

"I lost my whole squadron!" McQueen growled. "People who looked to me to

bring them home! All dead and buried! The 58th was mine, you know how many

people we lost in the war, Winslow, Wang, Damphousse, all of them! I lost a

wife not to war but to damn ignorance! So don't lecture me Lieutenant, I've

seen it all and felt it all before! And we will get her back, but not at the

cost of this ship!"

It was rare for the Colonel to lose his composure, West could remember only

once when it had happened before, right before Chiggy Von Rictofen had taken

the elevator to hell. The room returned to it's quiet state.

"We leave no one behind." McQueen confirmed. "But there is no way she

survived this long in her pod. Maybe she got picked up, maybe she got

captured. If she did then we'll get her back but we follow orders first no

matter how much we hate it because if we don't then we lose, and Vansens

life meant nothing."

The room remained quiet, accepting the truth and hating every bitter second

of it.

"we're going home, but until we get there we're staying at battle stations.

You've got patrol in six hours. Get some rest." He turned to leave. "We will

be back, and we will find her. You have my word."

The Carrier turned silently in space, Munroe assigned an escort detail to

bring the ship home to safety and protect her from surprise attacks, a small

mixed cruiser unit that complemented the Saratoga airwing and its battered

defences. While Ross took his small force one way Smoking Guns Munroe took

his much larger and more powerful force towards Aris. Earth didn't ask for

it and they didn't need it, but right now the world was again at war, and

there was nowhere to run to. Not for the Earth fleet, and with Munroe in

command not for the enemies of humanity either.

Colonial Fleet

"Look at the size of that thing!" Lieutenant Krycinski whistled from the

belly of the ISS APC. From the window beside him Captain Reynolds had to

agree, the newly contacted vessel was huge, a grey Whale of a warship that

continued to grow as they got closer.

"bet she weighs more than a whole battlegroup!" the Marine Lieutenant

remarked.

"Maybe three times as big as a Carrier, or more." Reynolds guessed. "Three

Million tons on her at least."

This was turning into quite a week for Reynolds, this would be the second

Alien ship he had made contact with, he hoped to hell it went better than

the first time. The scene from that meeting was still clicking hot with

radiation and debris, and while his ship had slipped away he didn't fancy

taking his chances against this new behemoth.

"We've got contacts." The pilot announced on the tannoy. "Two fast tracks

coming up either side, matching speed."

"Any hostile actions?"

"Negative sir, I'd say it was an escort. You should see them port and

starboard."

Like over eager tourists the APC passengers dived for the windows to get a

glimpse of the escorting fighters. The two sleek darts slid perfectly into

formation alongside the Earth vessel, helmeted pilots visible inside taking

an equally good look at the APC.

"Two different jets." Reynolds noted. One was a sleek grey fighter with a

hint of F/A-18 about it, the other was a more colourful white and red design

though both held the same basic features and design lineage.

"Well at least we know they're human size and shape." He concluded.

"Let's hope they stay friendly." Krycinski exhaled. "If they don't we're

boned."

The ISS APC held its course and looped around towards the back of the

warship, passing by engines the size of a Valley Forge class cruiser and

lined up on one of the vast extended pods on the side of the vessel. That

pod alone was huge, an enclosed flight deck that could have taken scores of

parked fighters.

They followed the landing lights in, preceded by the two fighters that

guided them to a suitably sized elevator halfway down the pods length. The

pilot rotated his engines and gently eased the big vehicle down neatly in

the centre of the pad, a few seconds later it jolted into life and began to

lower.

"Okay people lets look alive." Krycinski assembled his eight man squad, they

would be acting as honour guard for Captain Reynolds and dressed in uniform

blues and white caps as they would on formal state occasions. However they

were also carrying carbines, cut down versions of the M-590 better suited to

close quarter ship board battles.

"When we stop I want a conical formation, one fire team each side of the

door." He ordered sharply. "Martinez, stay on the turret!"

"Uh yah sir." The burly Marine replied. His job would be to be ready to man

the twin cannons fitted to the side of the APC passenger bay and provide

heavy covering fire as required.

"Watch your fire." Reynolds said. "And do not, I repeat, do not engage

without my express orders." He paused. "or unless they kill me, then I think

it would be classed as an hostile act."

The APC was conveyed along towards a set of huge red doors, the elevator

rising back behind it to pressurize the bay and allow access to the main

hangar deck. The doors awkwardly parted, shaking the deck as they did so and

allowed the US Navy transport to pass through into a wide and well lit deck.

"I see people!" Martinez yelled. "Humans!"

The passengers again crowded the windows.

"Holy... he's right, they look just like us!"

Reynolds kept an even expression. "So do AI's, keep your wits people."

The magnetic pulleys slowed the APC and halted it in front of a gathering of

people, most in some type of uniform.

"Unbelievable." Krycinski peered at them. "Where the hell did they come

from?"

"We'll find out." Reynolds adjusted his cap and straightened his own formal

uniform. "To your duties Lieutenant, lets get the show started."

The ship certainly looked human, simple grey in colour, angular and business

like streaked with grime and wear. Adama carefully noted every single detail

as it came to a halt, the markings on the side matched those on the uniform

and gear of the recovered pilot now stood beside him visibly anxious at

seeing her brethren arrive. It was armed, it bore hits from old weapons fire

and with the precision landing it had made without computer aid it clearly

had a well trained crew.

He glanced left, catching Starbuck's eye and nodding. She in turn made a

quiet hand signal to the Marines beside her to stand ready, just in case. He

looked right seeing The presumed human pilot stood with Lee who had

connected with her on some level. Beside her was President Roslin and the

perpetually nervous Doctor Baltar. Behind him Dee was standing by with a

palm computer incorporating the hastily patched together translation

programme, and beyond her Chief Tyrol, the whole deck crew and a hefty

contingent of Marines. The last piece of the puzzle was Colonel Tigh, up in

the CIC with his finger on the action stations button.

"Stand to!" he ordered, and around him the officers and crew of Galactica

came to attention, it was a long time since they had welcomed fellow

servicemen aboard, most thought it would never happen again, yet they moved

with uniform precision and purpose.

The door opened into darkness, before with a sudden blur of colour soldiers

dropped out in blue and white quickly forming up in front of the shuttle.

They likewise snapped to attention, their commander glancing around looking

for trouble. Adama liked that, these guys were serious.

Finally another man arrived in a dress white uniform with more

pronounced gold braid on it. He stepped down from the transport, fixed eyes

on Adama and walked straight and tall towards him with a proper military

bearing. He came to a halt a yard in front of the Commander and saluted in

almost perfect Colonial style. Adama responded in kind.

"Commander William Adama, Officer commanding the battlestar Galactica."

He heard the translator activate, its electronic voice speaking in what he

hoped was the correct language. Judging by the reaction it was and the man

spoke in reply, which was then also translated.

"Captain James Reynolds of the United States Ship Ruben James." they both

acknowledged and dropped the salute. "Welcome to Earth Space."

The entire deck had been on a knife edge listening intently to the

translation with the sort of anticipation never experienced before in their

lives. So much hung on this, so much was at stake, it was a dream on the

brink of coming true. When they heard those last words they exploded into

cheers, a ripple of yells tearing the air as years and months of tension

vanished in a cloud of joy. Callie was left breathless by a mighty bear hug

from Chief Tyrol, Starbucks head bobbed forward as Kat gave her a cheerful

slap from behind, even Lee rose above his usual demeanor and broke into a

cheer.

No one could put those feelings into words, for so long they had been

hovering beneath the executioners axe, not simply looking at the end of

their own lives but that of their species. That was gone now, they had

something new, something tangible. They had hope, and more than that they

had the promise of home.

Captain Reynolds looked understandably bemused.

"A long story." Adama managed over the cheers.

"Section chiefs!" Lee turned and yelled. "Simmer it down! Remember where you

are, lets save it for later!"

Gradually the room regained focus and once again they were looking at the

new people, suddenly filled with questions.

"May I introduce Laura Roslin, President of the Colonies and our leader."

Adama directed Reynolds down the line.

"Honoured." Reynolds took her hand.

"Not as much as I am Captain."

"And here..." Adama gestured behind him to a woman in standard US military

flight suit.

Captain Reynold's jaw dropped, in the chaos he hadn't even noticed her.

"Major Shane Vansen, Silver Knights."

"Holy hell Major, how did you get out here?"

"I've got a full report sir." She answered. "It's kind of a long story."

"Lot of that going around." He raised an eyebrow. "Who are these people?"

"Human, but not from Earth." She said. "At least not lately, maybe they were

once, I don't know."

"They treated you well?"

"Like home sir."

"You trust them?"

"With my life sir."

"Very well." Reynolds confirmed. "Commander Adama, madam President, I think

we have some things to talk about."

"My quarters are this way." Adama beamed despite himself. "if you'll follow

me?"

Reynolds agreed. "Lieutenant Krycinski, at ease."

The marines stood down, and as the captain left the blue clad soldiers were

mobbed by cheering people like they'd scored the winning point at the world

series. He smiled inwardly, this was certainly a better first contact than

the last one.

Reynolds was once again taken back by the commander's quarters, they could

have come straight out of an Admirals Carrier or battleship, from the book

collection to the model sailing ship it was impossible to perceive this room

as alien, or its occupants. There were differences in detail, idiosyncrasies

that distinguished it from a current Earth culture but it just held so much

in common the anomalies seemed barely noticeable.

It was a little tight in the room but they hardly noticed, Adama, Roslin and

Baltar were sat around the wooden desk commanding the room, Captain Reynolds

among them. Vansen, Dee and Lee Adama were sat at the edge of the room ready to

translate and help with some questions while everyone else waited outside

for the results.

"Long story short." Adama began the meeting with the obvious question. "Our

people can trace their origins to a world we call Kobol, there were 13

tribes of mankind, 12 went together and formed the Colonies, our home, but a

thirteenth went in a different direction. Legend says they settled their own

world away from the other twelve tribes, and they called it Earth."

Reynolds took that in without a blink. "We have evidence our race evolved on

Earth."

"Maybe it did." Baltar chipped in. "And...and perhaps we all came from Earth,

or maybe your evidence of evolution is fragmented or flawed, but there's no

denying we are the same species."

"Our DNA is all but identical." Roslin contributed. "We are brothers and

sisters."

"Leaving aside that question," Reynolds moved on. "Why are you here now?"

"there was a war." Roslin answered.

"Slaughter would be a better word." Adama put in.

"Many years ago we created Artificial intelligence, a race of machines we

called Cylons created to be our labourers and soldiers."

"We've been there too." Reynolds said. "Silicates, they rebelled against us,

lot of people died before we kicked them out."

Adama nodded in appreciation. "Same story, the Cylons waged a war on us, one

that we eventually won thanks to this old girl and her sisters." He tapped

the bulkhead. "We drove them off, but they didn't stay gone. They rebuilt,

they advanced, they massed their forces and then they hit us about two years

ago."

"They broke our military codes and shut down our warship computers." Roslin

stated sombrely. "We had hundreds of ships, many of them even bigger and

more powerful than the ship you stand on now. They all died without a fight,

and our twelve colonies were not long behind."

"Fifty Billion people." Adama spoke with bitterness. "Twelve civilized and

advanced planets, millennia of history, everything we could ever achieve,

gone in a day."

Reynolds was speechless, he had just been informed of the greatest act of

murder in human history, maybe in all history, and his world had never even

guessed. Five times the population of Earth had died in a few days space,

humanity had been a vast and teeming species, now it was suddenly a fraction

of its former size. If Earth had met these people in their prime it would

have been a joyous event, they could have so enriched each other. Now it

would never be.

"We are all who survived." Roslin said. "Forty seven thousand, six hundred

and three souls."

"And they've been hunting us ever since, determined to finish the job."

Reynolds frowned. "These Cylons, they don't happen to fly big six pointed

ships do they?"

Adama and Roslin shared a startled look. "Matter of fact they do."

"We've met them." Reynolds grimaced. "They destroyed one of our ships and

probably a colony too."

That was bad news for all concerned. "So they know there are humans out

here." Adama stated

"And not Colonials." Roslin sighed. "They'll guess it's a part of Earth

territory."

"So we ended up leading them right to Earth." Adama remarked sullenly.

"Frack."

"Sorry Captain, we had taken every precaution to avoid this." Roslin said

genuinely.

"It's alright Madam President." Reynolds said. "They're on a war of genocide

against the Human race, sooner or later that would involve us. This is

probably a better time, we've just finished a major war, we have ships,

crews and veteran officers ready to be called upon. They've already attacked

us, so just like you we're at war with the Cylons."

"At war with the Cylons." She repeated in that same silky voice she had long

ago trickled sweetness into Baltar's ear. On instinct he tensed, the fear of

somehow being discovered, of this long legged apparition being noticed by

the senior leaders around him and whisked away to the nearest airlock. Or

worse, whisking him away to the same fate.

"What do you expect, you killed Fifty Billion people."

"We Gaius, we killed Fifty billion people." Six corrected. "Never forget

that."

"Excuse me Doctor?" Adama frowned at him.

"They, I meant they killed Fifty billion people." He quickly clarified.

"They won't hesitate to destroy several billion more on Earth."

"He's right." Roslin agreed. "You need to warn your people."

"we don't want to." Six whispered. "But we need to, you heard him, he

declared war on us without even trying to find out why we destroyed his

ship. It could have been an accident or self defence. He just heard what we

did and in his anger called us enemies of Earth."

"The Cylons are enemies of Earth." Baltar said, getting a nod from Reynolds.

"We defend ourselves, that is all." Six sat on the arm rest of Baltars

chair, draping a long leg over his and causing him to shift nervously. "But

not all humans are our enemy, we don't want to destroy you all, many live

with us. Even on the Colonies we spared many, we will do the same on Earth."

"Doctor Baltar, as our resident expert can you predict what tactics the

Cylons will use?" Roslin posed the question.

"Well," he considered. "First they will no doubt try to override your

computer systems." He shifted as Six wrapped an arm around him. "But with

the different operating systems of Earth ships I doubt it will be

effective."

"We don't have our little Odysseus." Six smiled. "With our Trojan horse."

"They will have to rely on ships, I expect they will mass a large force and

attack Earth directly as soon as they are aware of it's location."

"Which will be soon." Six confirmed. "We're getting closer to our destiny."

"It is possible they won't destroy all of Earth, just its leadership and

defences."

"How is that a possibility?" Adama asked.

"They may wish to..." Six slid from the chair and sat on his knee, staring

straight into his face mere inches away. "...To study humans, Earth had no

part in the Cylon war, they may not... hate in the same way."

"I'd not take the chance." Reynolds said. "Not after what you've just told

me, we're going to have to mobilise a major fleet."

Six sighed, breath warm on Batlar's face. "Now you see why we do what we do,

why we are following divine guidance? Violence is humanities curse Gaius,

you live by the sword, and now you are dying by the sword. Well, not all of

you."

"have you perhaps considered communicating with them?" baltar suggested,

getting a grin from Six.

"They killed fifty billion people." Reynolds said coldly. "Our message to

them will be chalked up on a Nuke."

"They are as Godless as the rest."

"I need to get a message back to my ship." Reynolds announced. "See if we

have long range communications back, we need to get in touch with Earth

about this." He glanced at Shane. "And let the Saratoga know we've found you

safe and well."

"If you'll join me in CIC we can get on with that." Adama stood.

"I better go brief the Press." Roslin grimaced. "This should be a wonderful

moment, so why don't I feel overjoyed?"

"You will." Adama nodded. "Just tell them what you feel, even that Biers

woman has to appreciate the importance of this news."

"I'm sure she will." Six grinned. "Gaius, I need a favour. I need you to

tell Diane Biers something for me, can you do that?"

He swallowed his nerves, and nodded much to Six's pleasure.

As the historic meeting played out in Commander Adama's Quarters the

Civilian fleet was roused by a late breaking story from Diana Biers. As

the fleet tuned in mostly out of boredom Diana broke the news of the rescued

human pilot now residing on Galactica. As one would expect eyebrows were

raised throughout the fleet as people who hadn't really been following along

now listened with rapt attention to the unfolding story, particularly on Cloud

9 where an emergency session of the Quorum of 12 had been summoned. True to

form in her predictably flamboyant manner Diana withheld the news of the

first contact and subsequent face to face meeting with the captain of the

unknown ship until the final segment of her story. Before the fleet could

breakout into celebration however a message was relayed to the fleet that

the president would be making an announcement to the fleet. Slowly the

people began to settle down as a wave of nervous energy swept the fleet like a tsunami.

slowly on every ship groups of people gathered around monitors and radios

waiting for news with building tension like a volcano stiring from its

slumber.

Galactica

"She was one of the first of the Columbia class Battlestars constructed

during the early days of the Cylon wars 50yrs ago. Originally there were 12

Battlestars, Galactica represented Caprica the capital of the Colonies.

During the war she distinguished herself under her first Commander Peter

Dash, and later Commander Mangus when Dash was promoted to Admiral. Both men

would become legends in Colonial fleet as well as Galactica. She was also

the first ship I served on." Adama delivered that last line with barely

contained pride turning slightly to see Captain Reynolds look around the vast

corridors clearly impressed with the old girl. As Adama returned his

attention forward he had to suppress a grin as various crewman gathered

around the entourage particularly Captain Reynolds staring at the man with a

sense of awe.

"She's a beauty Commander." Reynolds said with genuine appreciation.

"Thank you. She's the best ship I ever served on I'd take her any day over a

Mercury class."

"Mercury class?" Reynolds asked

"A Beast of a ship and the pinnacle of Colonial might. Twice as big,

better armor and sensors, had 3 times the firepower as well as twice the

Viper compliment but only required half the crew size, they even had limited

production capabilities to enhance their endurance."

Reynolds could only shake his head in amazement, the kind of ships the

Colonials fielded was nothing short of terrifying particularly the

Battlestars a Battleship/Carrier hybrid which massed enough fire power alone

to give a US Carrier battlegroup pause. Factor in support ships such as

Cruisers, Destroyers and support tenders and Reynolds could only imagine the

power of the Colonial fleet at its height.

"How many of these ships did you have?" Reynolds asked.

"At the time of the attacks Colonial fleet amassed a force of 123

Battlestars operating in 77 Battlestar groups. Which was divided into 9

fleets covering the Syranus system as well as neighboring star systems.

Also factor in older model ships such as Galactica being decommissioned as

well as those ships undergoing resupply, overhaul or RR you had between 50

to 70 Battlestars operational at any given time."

Reynolds whistled as he factored in the numbers and coming away seriously

impressed. If Earth had had just a few of these babies he doubted the Chig

war would have lasted as long as it did or been as desperate as it had in

the early days.

"Sure wish we had a few of these babies." Reynolds whispered to himself as

the entrourage turned a final corridor heading to CIC.

"Well your in luck." Adama said hearing Reynolds whisper. "One of the many

things we have on our backup computer records are technical schematics for our Battlestar fleet including

the Columbia, Mercury and Valkyrie class Battlestars. In addition to technical data on

DRADIS sensors, Jump engines and Tylium reactors. Should we come to an

agreement I don't see why those records couldn't be reformatted and handed

over to Earth fleet."

They entered CIC and as had become standard all eyes suddenly diverted to

Captain Reynolds as the crew diverted their attention from their duties to

get a glimpse of the Earth captain in his spiffy dress whites.

"This is my executive officer Colonel Saul Tigh."

"Colonel." Reynolds said extending his hand.

"Captain." Col. Tigh responded taking his hand in a firm handshake. "Quite a

ship you have out there."

"You have quite a ship here yourself."

"She is at that." Tigh said with pride.

"Dee." Adama said watching as Duella resumed her station in the pit. "Give

me ship to ship direct line to the Ruben James."

"Your on sir." Adama motioned to the phone on the side of the plot table.

Reynolds picked it up and seeing as how the device wasn't so different to

systems he used back home. He looked to Adama who gave a nod before flicking

the switch to transmit.

"Ruben James this is Captain Reynolds come in."

"XO sir reading you loud and clear." Charlie McIntyre responded instantly

over the wireless.

"Charlie tell me our long range communications are back online." The Captain

asked. There was a brief pause on the other end before the XO came back

online "They're running the final checks now sir but all boards show green."

"Perfect. Get a contact report ready to transmit with all the information we

have on the hostiles, I'll be preparing my report shortly. Once thats done

we'll transmit it all in a FLASH dump back to Admiral Ross on Saratoga."

"Aye, Aye sir."

"I'll be heading back soon. Once the report has been sent up I want a staff

meeting with all department heads."

"We'll get right on it sir."

"Be seeing you soon Charlie." Reynolds said killing the mike tossing a nod

to Adama who promptly ordered the channel closed.

"Guess I need to be going. If this Cylon threat is as serious as you say it

is I need to get the ball rolling on our end."

"I understand." Adama gestured towards the exit "I'll take you to the

Landing bay. Its right this way."

It took them a few minutes to make the fairly long journey from Command down to

the flight deck, passing more and more crew members on the way who stood to the

side and allowed them to pass, staring with huge grins plastered on their faces

and engaging in hushed conversation as the officers walked by.

"Man, I feel like Elvis." Reynolds shook his head.

"One of Earth's leaders?" Adama wondered.

"In a way." Reynolds smiled. "I think you'll like Earth, wait 'til you get a

taste of Metallica."

Adama grinned. "I'm kind of hoping we can set up a new Pyramid League, if you

guys are tough enough for some real sport."

Reynolds laughed, amazed at how easily they'd settled into the banter. They

might be from different worlds, but both were warship commanders and both knew

the tests and responsibilities which came with that calling. Reynolds could

never understand what Adama had gone through, but he could at least understand

the way he was dealing with it.

They strode into the hangar to see things had calmed down, the jubilant crew had

gone back to their duties, though with more vigour and happiness, and the ISS

APC was being given the once over by Tyrol and the transports crew chief.

Alongside Starbuck was holding the two pilots captive with tales from her

missions while they nodded along with appreciative whistles at the right moment.

Vansen had preceded them and was also engrossed in the story.

"Lieutenant Krycinski, are all present and accounted for?"

"Aye sir." The Marine confirmed.

"Sorry to break this up but we've got places to be." Reynolds stated. "Heat her

up, we're heading back to our ship."

The APC crew moved quickly, shaking hands with their Galactica counterparts

before getting back inside, the Marines following suit. Tyrol gave one last tap

on the engines, then moved away and cleared the path the vehicle would leave on.

The ground crew gathered to watch the departure, knowing that they were

witnessing living history.

"Major Vansen." Reynolds spoke quietly. "I have a request, and I stress it is a

request, not an order."

"Yes sir?"

"I know you must be eager to get back on an Earth ship, and I know you've been a

stranger here, but I believe its wise to have a liaison remain aboard Galactica

from Earth."

"Yes sir."

"It's going to be a couple of days before the Saratoga can send someone to bring

you home, and while I can send one of my people over I think our best contact

would be you." He looked almost guilty asking. "You know these people and they

know you, this isn't an order, but you seem the best officer for the job."

"Absolutely sir, I'd be glad to stay for a few more days." Vansen said without

hesitation. "Just as long as my unit knows I'm safe and with friends."

Reynolds smiled. "With Friends." He repeated. "You know Major, I think you might

just be right. You've got our frequency if you need anything. Good luck, and

it's good to see such a qualified flyer still on the team."

"Yes sir, thank you sir." She saluted and stepped back, letting Reynolds board

the APC and seal the door behind him. She stood and watched the ship slowly taxi

away, Adama and Starbuck joining her.

"Making new friends?" he smiled at Starbuck.

"They know their stuff." The blonde nodded. "Can't wait to check out an SA-43."

"And I can't wait to try a Viper." Vansen added. "They look adequate." She hid a

smile.

"You are so gonna eat those words." Starbuck challenged. "When we get to Earth

I'll show you how a real pilot flies. Just ask Scar."

Vansen nodded in acceptance. "I'll see your Scar and raise you a Chiggy Von

Rictofen." She caught their blank gazes. "You're going to enjoy this story. It

starts with an Angry Angel..."

Galcactica Conference room.

"Mr. Keikeya is it true of the rumors of an Earth ship!?"

Mr. Keikeya can you confirm that Galacitca recovered a Human pilot more than

a week ago?"

Mr. Keikeya is it true that the President and Cmdr. Adama are in top level

negotiations-"

"Please...the Presi...Please...PLEASE!" Billy Keikeya practically shouted

over the press trying to and mostly suceeding in bringing a semblence of

calm to the press corp packed into the cramped conference room on Galactica.

The press assualted Billy the moment he stepped up to the podium, A nervous

energy permeated the group like a crowd waiting for the right moment to riot

on their hapless target. Of course Billy was far from helpless, made of

sterner stuff than most people gave him credit for Billy had become Roslyn's

right hand man and trusted advisor becoming her press secretary by default.

A position he sometimes wished he would have declined. His honest and kind

hearted nature often overshadowed his inner strength a unique mix which

surprisingly worked to his benefit as his opposition (namely the press corp)

often underestimated him. However all too often the press rarely took him at

his word, used to working with politicians who always had an angle the press

failed to recognize in Billy an honest man who often spoke the truth.

"Thank you. The President will be on shortly to make an announcement to the

fleet. We ask that you refrain from all questions until after the President

has made her announcement." Billy looked over the assembled crowd noticing a

vacent seat where Diana Biers was assigned. Frowning slightly Billy shrugged

and forced it to the back of his mind before he continued. "After the

President has made her announcement she will open the floor for questions.

Again thank you for your patience."

Billy turned and left the podium moving toward the airlock door to the far

left of the room. It was the same room where the press were assigned when

doing reports from Galactica or when the President was making a statement

"I warmed them up for you Madam president." Billy commented with a slight

grin.

"Thank you Billy." Roslyn said returning his smile. "Time to go feed the

wolves."

"Good luck madam President." Billy said taking a quick peek past the

slightly open door. "Your going to need it."

Roslyn laughed lightly; patting Billy on the shoulder before she departed

through the airlock door. Billy could hear the press immediately jump to

their feet peppering her with questions as she strolled confidently to he

podium.

"So much for patience." Billy sighed.

President Rosyln had no sooner shown her face before she was bombarded with

questions. She ignored them throwing the press a smile as she methodically

made her way to the podium. Taking a deep breath to gather her thoughts and

calm the butterflies in her stomach Roslyn waited until the press grew

quite.

"Thank you. Today is a momentous day for all of us." She began her

announcement, her voice transmitted over the wireless to over 40,000 people

who were listening in with rapt attention. "As I'm sure you've all heard, rumor

has it that Galactica has rescued a human pilot from Earth. This rumor for

the most part is true."

A hailstorm of questions erupted from the press as they jumped out of their

seats and strained their microphones as far forward as they could,

practically straining at the leash in their desperate bid to be overheard

by their fellow reporters.

"Madam President is the pilot from Earth!?"

"Madam President is it true that Cmdr. Adama kept this secret for over a

week?"

"Madam president when will the press be allowed access to the Earth pilot!?

"Madam President will-"

"Please! Please!" President Roslyn shouted over the crowd of reporters who

had practically jumped up out of their seats in hysteria as if in a feeding

frenzy. "All of this will be addressed. Now can we please continue?"

Grudgingly the reporters returned to their seats though they clearly

positioned themselves so they could immediately jump back out again.

"As I'm sure you all know." Laura continued. "Galactica recently put the fleet on

high alert a few hours ago. This was in response to one of Galactica's

Raptors detecting an unknown ship which approached our current hiding

place. It has been determined that this ship was not, is not Cylon in origin

but crewed by humans."

At this new information the crowd of reporters erupted again this time with

seemingly more enthusiasm than before. Laura sighed to herself, this was

going to be more difficult than she thought. She closed her eyes and

fingered her glasses slightly as she tried to fight her growing frustration.

She anticipated the press would get out of hand, of course it never made it

easier in dealing with them.

"Please! I will answer your questions now please!" Roslyn pleaded for calm.

The row of reporters grew quite again but fidgeted in their seats as the

president took another deep breath and continued.

"We have confirmed that the crew of the ship is human and that they are not

from the Colonies. Now I know we all want to believe they are from Earth I

too want to believe that but...but we must be careful in how we handle

this situation. This is a delicate time as we try to establish a dialogue

with these people I am asking for calm and for patience during these

negotiations. Questions?"

The crowd erupted into Chaos as voices drowned out each other as the press

screamed out questions. President Roslyn quietly stood at the center podium

watching the pandemonium and not uttering a word. She remained that way with

a passive expression on her face until the press quieted down.

"Now shall we continue in a civilized manner or shall I end this conference

right here?" she asked in her sternest school teacher voice.

The press looked to each other in uncomfortable silence before returning to

their seats not uttering a word.

"Thats better." Roslyn smiled. "Now who has a question?"

"How she doing?" Billy turned to hear the voice of Commander Adama behind

him.

"As well as can be expected given the circumstances." Billy replied.

Adama grunted in mild amusement thankful that it wasn't him out there.

"You've already seen Captain Reynolds off?"

"His shuttle left about 5 minutes ago Starbuck and Kat are escorting him

back to his ship now. I just came to check in on the President."

Billy nodded then frowned slightly. "You know I didn't seen Diana Biers out

there. Kind of odd don't you think?" Billy asked turning to face the

Commander. "Considering she was the one who broke the story."

Adama's gut tightened as he thought over Billy's question. It was a good

point, Biers never missed a story like a vulture never missed a dying

carcass and this story was every reporter's dream come true. Which could

only mean one thing, she had something even bigger in her sights. And Adama

had a pretty good idea of what that was.

"Ah hell." Adama muttered as he moved to the nearest wall mounted phone.

"Commander?" Billy inquired.

"I sure hope I'm wrong but I doubt it. I think Biers might be going after

our guest." Adama picked up the phone.

"This is the Commander...Yes...Colonel Tigh? Biers is on Galactica and she's not in the

press room for the conference. That means she's got something else in mind,

Get a Marine detail and isolate Vansen immediately I don't want Biers to get

within a hundred feet of her...Send Apollo if you have too."

Adama hung up the phone.

"You think she's going to go after Star?" Billy asked referring to Vansen by

her now famous nickname.

"Its not a question of if she's going to go after Vansen." Adama answered

"But if she hasn't gotten to her already." Adama looked on as the President

answered the various questions thrown at her. "I should have seen this

sooner."

I Wouldn't worry about it too much Commander. Star seems like a tough woman

I'm sure she can handle herself."

As Rosyln spoke roughly 40,000 civilians of the refugee fleet were glued to

the closest monitor or speakers with rapt attention. They hung on to the

Presidents every word as if their lives depended on it...which in retrospect

it did. For so long they had run from the Cylons and time and time again

they had been hunted down and attacked by their relentless enemy. They were

tired, weary and desperate to escape what they believed to be a living hell

always in a state of perpetual fear. Another thing that had been a constant

companion to the fleet from the beginning was the pain of loss. Those

families or relationships that hadn't been torn apart on that fateful day

were tested on the long journey and in more than a few cases people who

survived the holocaust were lost to Cylon attacks that Galactica failed to

stop completely. More than a few civilian ships had patch marks where Cylon

weapons found a mark and in each of those cases there had been casualties.

It was a sobering reminder from their enemy that they would never be truly

safe.

now it seemed that their long and tiresome journey would soon be over and

they could finally lay their burdens down. Impromptu celebrations broke out

as was inevitable, and on some ships the celebrations were so intense as to

almost border on Riots. Ambrosia and alcohol in all forms flowed freely as

did tears of joy as a sort of euphoria set the mood of the fleet.

Unfortunately the celebrations had one consequence that would have serious

repercussions for the fleet. With the news of first contact with a group of

humans (which everyone knew to be from Earth) The communications blackout

suddenly became non existent. It started on Cloud 9 as a young and excited

wife called her husband doing work on a nearby transport so both could revel

in the joyous news. Soon more people picked up on what was happening and

believing that the blackout had been lifted were calling loved ones and

friends themselves. Within 20 seconds of the first comm chatter being

detected on her screen petty officer Duella had immediately informed

Colonel Tigh of the violation of the blackout on Cloud 9. Colonel Tigh

immediately got on a secure channel and told the captain of Cloud 9 (in his

most pleasant and charming voice) To get control of the situation and

reinstate the blackout RIGHT THE FRAK NOW!!! Unfortunately the Order was

slow in filtering down to the civilian populace who simply ignored it. Tigh

and the Galactica CIC crew watched in dismay as the number of 'open'

communications chatter increased from 1 to 1000 from multiple ships in under

a minute and later jumped to 10,000 in under 5 from the entire fleet.

Despite repeated protests and threats from Galactica the warnings went

unheeded as the civilian population metaphorically gave the military the

finger and celebrated without regard for the consequences.

Cloud 9 Chamber of the Quorum of 12

"Well this was unexpected." A voice said somewhat bitterly. The occupant's

voice seemed to echo across the walls of the theater style room on Cloud 9

where the Quarum of 12 was now in emergency session albeit without its

President. The chamber of the Quorum was arranged in an elevated half sphere

that encompassed a center podium on a lower level it had been the same chamber chosen on Colonial day over 2yrs ago.

On the far wall a window gave the occupants a gleaming view of the doomed structure of one of Cloud 9's

massive tracts of farmland.

"I agree Tom." Sara Porter the representative from Geminon spoke up. "But at

present there's nothing we can really do about it."

Tom Zarak sat back in his chair with a hiss. The situation on Galactica was

rapidly spinning out of control (at least to him) and he had no way he could

effectively manoeuvre himself to meet with the Earth delegation without

drawing the ire of Adama. He needed something, anything to use as an excuse

to get his face into the press and get aboard Galactica to at least look

like he was doing something even if in truth he wasn't. Zarek had learned

long ago that actually doing something surprisingly didnt matter so long as

it looked like you doing something. Perception was the key. It wasn't the

best strategy he could come up with on such short notice and if it failed it

would certainly cost him what support he had in both in the Quorum and the

fleet, but it was something and Zarek figured he could use it to propel

himself to the fore front as an idea slowly took shape in his mind.

"This human pilot Diana Biers spoke of in her broadcast." Tom began as his

mind worked furiously. "Has been on Galactica for a week?"

"That's what she said over the wireless." Porter snapped.

"And yet Cmdr. Adama and the President failed to mention this in either of

the 2 quorum meetings since her supposed recovery? Only now going public

with this information after being caught red handed in a cover up?" Zarak

asked, subtly planting the seeds of doubt with the skill of a chess master.

All he had to do was stir the pot ever so slightly and let human nature take

its course.

"What could our dear President have to hide? What could be so disastrous? So

dangerous? Or disturbing?" Zarek asked rising from his seat as he walked

behind each representative. "That would compell her not to inform the dully

elected government of this fleet?" Zarak moved to the center podium reserved

for the president. "My fellow representatives." Zarek paused for dramatic

effect. "What is wrong with this picture?"

Each member of the Quorum looked to each other in uncomfortable silence as

Zarek spoke. Zarek could see in their eyes a tiny sparkle of doubt, all he

had to do was to nurture it and direct it against Roslyn at the appropriate

time then step into her place as the man who delivered salvation to the

fleet.

"If what you imply is true Tom." Sara Porter said carefully. "Then it would

seem that the President would have to explain her actions before this

Quorum."

"But we all know the troubled history between them." The Virgon

representative pointed out reasonably. "We all remember very well how Adama

over-reacted at Kobol."

"True." Zarek admitted with a nod though by his tone he didn't seem

convinced by that statement.

"You have something to add Tom?" Porter asked her tone not quite

challenging, yet. Zarek knew that would change of course as Sara Porter was

one of Roslyns strongest supporters.

"Doesn't it seem odd to you that the president has been aboard

Galactica...what? twice this past week alone?" Tom asked before

continuing. "Supposedly for medical checkups by Dr. Cottle. Now my friends I

ask of you that if this human pilot were rescued as Diana's excellent

reporting suggests. Then wouldn't it be reasonable to consider the fact that

our president knew of this and was keeping the identity of this women secret...What was it

they called her again?"

"I believe what they called her was 'Fallen Star' or 'Star' for short, her

name is being withheld according to Biers." Marshall Bagot added helpfully.

"Yes. Of course it is." Zarek smiled. He could see the growing discomfort

within them, they just needed to be pushed a little more in the right

direction. "Her name as well as the results from the test results on her

physiology and DNA and most disturbingly of all the results from the Cylon

detector test." The room seemed to grow cold with that little revelation.

"Highly unusual don't you think?"

"What are you suggesting Tom?" Sara asked. her tone changing from one of

defiance to one that was a bit more subdued.

"I'm not suggestion anything." Tom said with a slight grin. "I'm just...at a

loss as to explain our President's decisions as of late. Keeping secrets

from the civilian population for the good of the fleet is one thing and its

not taken lightly. But to keep information secret from the elected

government is not the act of a Democratically elected President. Therefore

what I'm proposing is that we present a united front and go to Galactica and

in front of the press demand the whole truth and access to this woman who

Adama claims to be from Earth. It would show to the people that we as the

elected officials of this fleet are looking out for their interests. Now is

that so hard?"

"Well in all fairness it wasn't actually Adama who-" Marshall began before

being cut off.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Quorum. Time is running out, if this is indeed

true we need to act quickly to show the fleet that we are acting in their

best interests and that means standing together united in our demanding an

explanation from the President. Now are you with me?" Zarek looked around

the room as he delivered his big finish. This was the moment of truth which

would either elevate his status among the Quorum and later the fleet or he

would be brushed aside into obscurity. Slowly one by one the Quorum members

looked to each other each with the same expression on their face before

nodding in compliance even Sara Porter though with far more reluctance.

"You've made the right choice my friends." Zarek said.

"May the Lords of Kobal guide us through these trying times." Sarah breathed

a small prayer.

"So say we all." The Quorum chorused.

"So say we all." Zarak echoed. Smiling like a conquering hero.

Galactica

In one of the many crew quarter bunks of Galactica The object of the fleets

current euphoric joy was resting in a bunk trying to catch up on some much

needed sleep. She had packed what articles of clothing and toiletries she

had hours ago and was currently thinking over her new assignment as Earths

'liason' to the Colonials now on temporary TDY aboard Galactica. So it was

with some small relief that she was alone with her thoughts as she tried to

get comfortable in the bunk until she heard some commotion outside. Listening

with half an ear Shane could hear her Marine Guard speaking, with the

door closed however it was hard to tell what he was saying or to who he was

saying it too. Personally Vansen didn't care just so long as she wasn't

bothered with yet more hero worship and thanks from some divinities the

Colonials seemed to worship known as'The Lords of Kobal' or something to

that effect. She had just found the sweet spot in the bunk and was getting

comfortable when suddenly the door opened and someone stepped in. Snapping

her head up in annoyance Vansen noted it wasn't her Marine guard she had

expected but instead a tall blond woman who was staring back at her with an

almost predatory smile.

Warning bells suddenly began to ring in Vansens head as she sat up in her

bed. She'd been told by Commander Adama an hour ago that a reporter by the

name of Diana Biers had discovered that she was aboard and had broken that

discovery to the rest of the fleet. The Commander had been prudent enough to

show Vansen a pic of said reporter just so Vansen could recognize her and

avoid her...and yet somehow that very same woman was now standing

imperiously by the door with a grin on her face Vansen immediately wanted to

remove.

Sighing to herself Vansen stood and retrieved the headset she'd been

given and placed it on her ears before speaking. "Can I help you?" she asked

with a tone that suggested she'd rather not be bothered.

Diana gave Vansen the once over as she moved into the room noting a small

circular table was all that stood between them.

"I am sorry to have disturbed you." Biers responded in perfect English and

was rewarded by a startled look on Vansens face. Realizing she had an

opening Diana moved to the circular table and sat down all the while never

taking her eyes off Vansen.

"Wont you sit?" Diana asked "I find it helps when both parties are

comfortable, don't you agree Shane?"

Vansen stared at the women for a long moment with a wary look on her face.

She had been literally dumb struck as she heard the flawless English escape

the reporters lips.

"how is it you can speak my language?" Shane asked the only question she

could think of.

"Details, details." Diana laughed. "All will be explained in time my dear I

assure you. I however would much rather talk about you and where you come

from."

Having recovered from her initial shock Shane removed her headset translator

and tossed it on her bunk. Her instincts which had gotten her out of many

jams in the past, right now they were screaming something wasn't right with

this situation. "Look I'm not sure thats a good idea."

"What could ever be the matter?" Diana inquired. "You are a hero to this

fleet. The Star of Earth as they're calling you over the Wireless."

"Thanks to You." Vansen said.

"Yes it is." Diana Admitted. "But its fair to say the people I represent are

just dying to hear more about you, to get to know who you are, and what its

like where you come from." Diana said.

Shane said nothing but like a cornered animal she tried to find another way

out of this situation. Her instincts were telling her to get out of there

fast. Not so much for the fact that reporters were always bad news

(especially to the Military) but that Bier's questions seemed particularly

urgent.

"Because if I'm right." Biers was speaking again. "You could be of great

value to us. So tell me Shane Vansen. What's Earth like? And how can we find

it?"

"Look I'm trying to be polite." Shane said again "But I really don't want to

be bothered so please can we do this some other time?" Diana didn't move a

muscle but the smile on her face grew noticeably.

"My dear Its just a few simple questions. What can it hurt to answer them?"

Diana said trying to pry for information. She could sense the growing

discomfort in her target and reasonably concluded that pushing too far too

fast might be counter productive to her objective.

"I don't have anything to say on the matter." Vansen stated firmly with just

a hint of irritation that any normal person would have taken the hint to get

lost. It was the exact same tone Vansen had used with reporters after the

Battle of the Belt as well as many men in various bars.

"I can understand your reluctance. I can't imagine how I would respond to

this kind of situation if I were in your position." Diana said switching

tracks hoping her new line of questioning would provide her the opening she

needed. "I wouldn't want to say anything that could jeopardize my people to

what could be a potential enemy."

Shane said nothing as Diana continued to speak but the look on her face grew

more irritated by the minute.

"I mean we just met after all." Diana said referring to the chance encounter

with the Colonial remnant "Its not like you know what our

motivations are for finding you."

"I hardly call this fleet a viable threat to Earth." Shane answered.

Diana smiled victoriously. "So you are from Earth. Now that wasn't so hard

was it? I'd say we're making some progress."

Shane could feel a flush of heat on her checks and neck as she fell for the

stupid mistake, even a rookie could've seen that one coming.

"I can understand that you don't want to say anything." Diana said switching

tracks. "But I wonder if your loyalty to Commander. Adama might be...how shall we

say misplaced?"

"What makes you think I have any loyalty to Commander Adama or this ship?" Shane

countered.

"Don't you think its odd that he's got a Marine following you around?" Biers

pressed with a glint in her eye.

"He's my protection from threats." Vansen answered. "People who might want to do

me harm. Shame he isn't there to guarantee me some rest from reporters too."

"Touche." Biers smiled, again surprising Vansen with her Earth terminology. "But

who are you being protected from? You're a living Saint on this fleet, no one

would dream of hurting you." Her smile grew. "maybe it's to stop you snooping

around on this ship."

"I've been free to look around when I liked."

"In certain areas." Biers said. "But there's a lot you don't know. Like the

other fleet."

Vansen blinked in uncertainty. "The Cylons?"

"There are no Cylons, those are Colonial ships, it's all a trick." Biers said.

"By saying this I'm putting my life in danger but Earth has to know. The

Colonial fleet is at full strength and it's coming here to conquer you, all they

need is for you to tell them where Earth is."

She shook her head. "That's not possible."

"We can take a Raptor, escape the jamming, go straight to Earth, you just need

to tell me where it is."

Vansen couldn't believe it. "No way, I've spoken to Commander Adama, I know him

to be a man of honour!"

"Yes it is, Admiral Cain is on her way with a fleet of ships bigger than this,

she ordered the destruction of your colony at Aris to draw them here, she

destroyed the Gettysburg!"

Vansen was fighting doubts, trying to trust her instincts about this crew when

she stopped cold. "Who said anything about Aris?" She looked up at Biers. "And

who told you we were looking for a ship called Gettysburg?"

For the first time in a very long time the smile left Diana Biers face. "You

must have mentioned it."

"The hell I did!" Vansen leapt up from the bunk. "How did you know? Who the hell

are you?"

Biers looked at the floor and began chuckling. "It would have been easier just

to tell me." She looked up, smiling again. "I guess now I have to make you." She

stood and from her waistband produced a hand gun, aiming it casually at Vansen.

"I borrowed it from your Marine. He didn't object, but of course it's hard to say

anything when your vertebrae are severing your wind pipe."

Vansen looked around the room for some sort of weapon, deciding to keep Biers

talking to buy time. "You killed him?"

"Snapped his neck." She was grinning. "That never gets old, I'd been looking

forward to it since I wound up on this bucket two years ago."

"you're not human."

"I'm better than that." Biers replied. "Now, where's Earth?"

"Go to hell."

"Been there." She shrugged. "They used to call it Caprica. Now which kneecap

shall we start with?" She waved the gun back and forth. "Then we can make a

start with fire, nice way of getting a conversation going."

Suddenly the tannoy beeped into life. "Major Vansen this is CiC, please

respond."

It was a momentary distraction, barely enough to make Biers turn her head, but

it was all Vansen was going to get, so she acted. With lightning speed she

snapped up a round kick, connecting her heel with Biers' wrist and causing a

reflex reaction. Biers cursed in surprise and pain, wishing the damn creator had

not made them quite so similar to humans as to be disarmed in the same way. The

gun skidded on the floor and Vansen made a dive for it.

She made it three steps before a hand clamped on her flight suit and lifted her

back, pulling her off her feet and putting her hard on the deck. Vansen twisted

her head to avoid a heavy boot slamming down on her dark hair, then kicked up

and connected with the arrogant blonde Cylon. Biers lost her balance, just long

enough for Vansen to get to her feet and back away.

"I'm really going to make you bleed now." Biers sneered.

"They're already on their way." Vansen guessed. "I bet they're at the door now."

"Let them, I'm not going to die, not this way." She scoffed. "Humans are weak."

"Don't you ever shut up?" Vansen snapped, then attacked, a fast punch caught the

reporter hard on the jaw, breaking the skin and starting a welter of blood from

Biers lower lip.

"You Frackin' Bitch!" Biers yelled, storming at Vansen with remarkable speed.

Shane had fought AI's before but even though the Cylon was more human she was

faster and stronger than expected. Biers put a hard fist into Vansen's gut,

doubling her over before dropping another strike on her back, slamming her again

to the floor.

"You got no idea what you're dealing with." Biers emphasised the point with a

massive kick to the kidneys, forcing a gasp of shock from the pilot. She

couldn't feel anything, but tried to stand anyway, a crunching kick to the ribs

putting her right back down again. Her face hit the steel floor, putting her

almost on top of the hand gun Biers had dropped.

"This fleet will never reach Earth." Biers announced. "We will not allow it,

they will be destroyed and unless you cooperate so will Earth."

Shane spat blood on her feet. "Frack you!" she said in perfect Caprican,

something she picked up from Tigh.

Biers kicked her again, skidding her sideways to exactly where she wanted to be.

Vansen grabbed the gun and swung it up, ignoring the intense pain and pulling

the trigger. But Biers was too fast, she was already pushing the barrel aside so the

bullet missed, ricocheting off the roof.

"That was your last chance." Biers snarled. She twisted Shane's wrists and took

the gun with a stab of pain lost in the overall agony. Biers pointed the weapon

at Vansen and backed up, the Marine by now in no condition to stand, let alone

fight. "Now, we were talking about Earth."

"Freeze!" Lee Adama exploded into the room, weapon drawn along with two armed

Marines. "Put the gun down right the hell now!"

"Thank the Lords!" Biers said. "You're just in time."

Shane managed to get one word from her injured lungs. "Cylon!"

"She's the Cylon." Biers pointed the gun at Vansen's head. "This was all a

trick, well it ends now." She began to squeeze the trigger.

Lee had to decide who he believed more, which of these two people he trusted.

Someone he'd seen for years and talked to often, or this pilot he had just met

and could barely communicate with. It took him less than a heartbeat.

Diane Biers hit the deck in a hail of bullets, as soon as Lee fired the Marines

joined in hurling her back into a heap in the corner. He dashed forward to check

on Vansen, who was still conscious and breathing.

"Thanks." She managed.

He signalled at her to stay still. "Carson, get a medic down here now!"

From the corner Biers coughed, even after taking upwards of thirty rounds she

was still alive. He stepped towards her, weapon ready.

"Just..." she coughed blood. "Prolonging the inevitable. You're all going to

die."

He raised the gun to her forehead.

"I'll be ba-"

She was stopped mid sentence by a .45 round to the forehead, a good way to end annoying

conversations. He checked for a pulse, then holstered the weapon. With a sigh he

reached for the intercom and made his report.

Galactica Life Station.

"How is she doctor?" The concerned voice of Commander Adama asked the moment

he entered the life station, he looked like a man prepared to hear the

worst.

"Lets talk privately Commander." Cottle motioned for the Ships master to

follow him. As Adama did he noted his son broke off from Vansen's bedside to

move into the adjacent morgue where Cottle had taken Adama.

"Lets hear it." Adama asked cutting to the chase.

"She took a hell of a beating namely in the form of some bruised ribs and a

fractured wrist, her concusion was agrivated and we're keeping a close eye

on that. Possible kidney damage, there's no internal bleeding that I can

dicern but that damn toaster did a number on her. She's resting as

comfortably as I can make her. I gave her something for the pain but I'd

like to keep her overnight for observation just to be on the safe side."

"Thank you Doctor." Adama nodded partly in releif. Cottle for his part moved

off to the slab of where Diana Bier's body now lay next to the body of the

fallen Marine she had killed.

"Captain. What the hell happened in there?" The Commander asked his voice

barely hinting at the rage he felt for the attack on their guest.

"Copral Hansen was stationed with her at the time of the attack we just

found his body 15 minutes ago, from what it looks like Biers killed him and

took his side arm."

"Snapped his neck like a twig." Dr. Cottle added grimly. "I've never seen a

human do that kind of damage she almost took his head completly off."

Adama didn't miss what Cottle was hinting at. "Your saying she was a Cylon?"

Adama asked in shock glaring at the body now laying less than 2 feet from

him.

"Its too early to tell without an autopsy but that would be my guess. Unless

she just went nuts and decided to take a shot at Star for the hell of it."

Cottle deadpanned.

"There's more." Lee Added quickly. "According to Shane Diana was able to

speak flawless English."

"What!?"

"Just before the attack Shane said Diana tried to goad her into telling her

about Earth and its location she said the questions seemed to have a

paticular urgentcy to them. When it became clear that Shane wasn't going to

tell her thats when Biers became agitated and attacked her." Lee reported.

Adama noted his son's use of Vansen's first name but kept his peace on the

matter It was obvious he cared for her, perhaps more than he should have.

Still Adama could feel his jaw pulling taunt as he thought over this latest

revelation. It was bad enough that one of his most trusted pilots turned out

to be an enemy agent but the best reporter in the fleet? The fallout from

this was going to be catastrophic.

"Didn't Baltar's Cylon detector test confirm Biers as human?" Adama asked

fighting past his rising anger.

"I told you that damn thing never worked from the start Bill!" Cottle spat.

"And we've had nothing but grief becuase of it. All its done is give people

a false sense of security."

"Which the Cylons have exploited to great effect. First Sharon, Now Biers

and Lords knows who else is out there lying in wait. " Lee spoke up in

agreement. "And that brings us to another problem concerning our new

friends."

"Such as?" The older Adama asked already having a good idea of what his son

was going to suggest.

"We have to tell them about the infiltrator models. Complete disclosure, no

holding back now."

"Given recent events we may have to now." The older Adama said accepting

that complete disclosure was now a must and he had a good idea where to

start.

"Thankyou gentlemen that will be all." Adama said by way of dismissal. Both

His son and Dr. Cottle took the hint and left without another word. He

followed them out and made his way to Vansen's bedside and sat down in the

chair his son had vacated earlier. Despite the pain he knew she had to be in

her eyes remained alert and as Adama noted they regarded him with slight

suspicion. It was a look he was hoping not to see on her face again, in the

brief time he'd known her Adama had come to appreciate her for her strength

and honesty. now it seemed whatever Biers had said to her may of had more of

an impact than either of them would have liked to admit, something else the

Cylons had tried to destroy.

The first bonds of friendships between lost bretheren.

"Its good to see your ok and I'm truly sorry for whats happened to you

please believe me when I say that."

Shane nodded but otherwise said nothing.

"But I...we haven't been completly honest with you either." Adama said

fighting past the discomfort over a subject that still gaped at him like an

old wound that refused to heal.

Shane turned her eyes to the Commander who spoke quietly and forcefully as

if he were fighting his inner demons.

"They first came to our attention at Ragnar Anchorage..."