It's not mine 'coz if it were, it wouldn't be set 100,000 years in the past.
Not intended for profit.
Thank you for all the good feedback.
"I am Dr. Daniel Jackson, ambassador-at-large for the Tau'ri. To my right is Col. Paul Davis, Officer in Charge of all Tau'ri forces in this system and to my left is Col. Samantha Carter, commander of this ship. Together we represent the Tau'ri for these negotiations." Daniel started the negotiations by identifying himself and what he represented. For now, it was deemed that the number of people directly involved be kept to a minimum. They could add Vala and her personal brand of rapport later.
"I am Capt. Kara Thrace, mission commander for the Demetrius mission." Starbuck began, taking Dr. Jackson's nod as a signal to introduce her team. "To my left and right respectively are Lt. Sharon Agathon and Lt. Samuel Anders, two of my pilots. On Lt. Anders' right is Miss Jean Barolay, a civilian volunteer. We were dispatched from the Colonial Fleet to find a way to Earth." She then leveled her stare at the party at the other side of the table. "So far it seems to have lead us straight to the Cylons," then met Daniel's eyes, "and you."
Daniel and the other two Tau'ri delegates' faces remained neutral at this confirmation that the Colonials were also seeking Earth. And the Cylon delegation took the silence as cue to begin introducing themselves.
"I am Natalie Faust, de facto leader of the Cylon Rebel faction. This is Amanda, an Eight." She indicated the tanned female to her right. "And this is Leoben, a Two." This was the tall blond man on her left. "Some of our people originally jumped to this region of space completely by accident in order to escape an ambush laid out for our fleet. We now believe we were deliberately lead here where Kara Thrace would soon appear." This last sentence was accompanied by a pointed look at Kara Thrace. "And where the Tau'ri could provide some protection and mediate." This time the look was aimed at the Tau'ri panel.
Daniel gazed impassively at both delegations in turn before speaking again. "Setting aside the possibility that we were all lead to this time and place by unknown influences, what do you all plan to do now?"
Capt. Thrace simply nodded across at the Cylon delegation, and it was Leoben who spoke out. "The... hybrid will want to see you. I'm sure of it."
Laura Roslin held on to the dieing woman's hand as she faded away. How ironic that she should survive the Fall of the Colonies only to find this. A slow death to a lingering illness that slowly ate at her from inside out. Was this the fate that awaited her? Was this the fate of their people? Cursed to wander the stars looking for a home that may not exist? Slowly dieing out on their battered old ships?
There had to be something else. Laura thought as she gazed down at the woman's peaceful expression. It was over. The indicators all said she was gone. Yet at the end she had found a certain measure of peace. From the words spouting off of Gaius Balter, no less. Perhaps there was something more to the Colonials' suffering. Perhaps there was something else at work.
It was vexing. Anything associated with the man inevitably brought strong feelings. But what did Gaius Baltar know? The man was undeniably brilliant. Had he somehow gained some insight into what the future might hold? Used his advanced knowledge of mathematics and statistics to somehow come up with a model that would predict what fate awaited the remnants of the Colonies?
Not likely. Laura thought ruefully. She was just jumping at shadows. Baltar had not been doing much in the way of research since his acquittal. In a way, Gaius Baltar had gone through more upheavals than anyone else in the fleet. He had been there on the surface of Caprica as the bombs fell. Forced to rely on the vagaries of fate to gain a place of relative safety on the fleet. Not something a successful and educated person could stomach easily, as Laura well knew. Forced to use his charisma to gain public office. That part was Laura's fault. She had invited him to join politics in the first place. Baltar had gained the pinnacle of public office only for it all to come crashing down as the Cylons took over. Now, bereft of everything, Baltar was just getting by. Stripped down to depending on faith. Faith and the belief that things would get better.
In a way, the story of the rise and fall of the Colonies was also Baltar's story in macrocosm. If he wanted to spout off some mumbo-jumbo, who was she to argue? As long as somebody listened. As long as somebody could die peacefully, reassured by his words. In the end it was nothing to her anymore. Should be nothing. The fact remained that Baltar apparently knew something. Had a sense of how things were going to play out. It was something that would bear looking into.
"Why is it always Kara? You've been obsessed with her since the beginning!" It was Lt. Anders who reacted first, so agitated he forgot to address her by rank.
"Because it has to be her. Look at her. She's finally free of all doubt, all questions. She is now ready to take the next step of her journey. To lead us all home."
"A blue planet, covered in clouds," Leoben continued. "So beautiful. I cried when she first described it to me. Her eyes had never seemed alive. You have to meet her Kara. She'll tell you things."
"Why me? What happened to me the two months I was gone?" Capt. Thrace asked, visibly keeping herself under control. "And before that. The mandala, the paintings, my mother. What did it all mean?"
"I don't know." The Cylon male answered sympathetically. "This is not all that we are, Kara. That's a basic article of faith. Whatever's in the past, you have to let it go. Trust that the answers will reveal themselves in time."
"Alright." Daniel finally decided to cut in. "So the Cylon faction wishes to invite Capt. Thrace for an audience with their hybrid. Capt. Thrace will you accept the invitation?" He was answered with a simple nod.
"Very well then," he continued. "Understand that as the mediating party we cannot simply allow any visits on ships between your two factions. This is not meant to derail or delay the process in any way. Rather, it is for your own protection. Your two peoples have been at war on a scale rarely seen in the galaxy at large. There is bound to be some hard feelings. Therefore we find it prudent to minimize direct unsupervised contact between your two groups."
"Hard feelings, huh? That's what you call them?" Lt. Anders decided to cut in once more. "They came to us speaking of peace and unity, when all they were interested in was keeping us down at the point of a gun."
Daniel fought the urge to sigh. The man was a stereotypical alpha male. With a physique that belonged on a professional athlete of some kind. The face was not bad-looking either and if he'd been an athlete on Earth, the two combined would have made him a darling of product endorsements.
"As I was saying," he continued patiently. "Hard feelings for both groups concerned. I understand going through an occupation was hard, Lt. Anders. But I'm also well aware of the sort of horrors a determined guerilla resistance could come up with. Particularly if you consider your oppressors to be less than human."
Daniel looked at the Cylon delegation and spoke on. "For better of for worse your former robotic slaves have decided to take on human form. As far as I am concerned that makes them susceptible to all the usual failings of humanity. Fear, hatred, rage."
"We are the children of humanity." The tanned female that looked a lot like Capt. Satterfield asserted. "We learned everything from them." The double meaning of her words was clear.
Daniel simply nodded as if confirming something. "This meeting is hereby adjourned until we come up with a proper set of protocols to govern your impending ship visit, Capt. Thrace. Bear in mind this will likely be a precedent for future ship visits once the peace is formalized and the Basestars join your fleet, if ever."
As they filed out of the conference room, Kara was surprised to find Leoben had stayed behind, a Tau'ri guard watching him closely.
"What do you want?" She asked him straight off.
"Here." Leoben handed out a portable mini-drive typically used with Colonial tablets.
"What is it?" Sam asked suspiciously.
"A recording of our first encounter with the Tau'ri." The blond Cylon explained. "Why we know better than to take them lightly."
"Time?" Helo asked Lt. Diana Seelix.
"T minus 9 hours six minutes," the younger officer replied, keeping her eyes on the Dradis displays.
"Almost 6 hours gone. It's the waiting that's a real bitch." Helo mused. "I hope they're ok. I hope they were able to save Felix."
Instead of replying, Seelix called out the Dradis contact alert. "It's the raptor. They're hailing us. Requesting to dock."
"Do it." Helo nodded and moved to the airlock. Whatever it was, it seemed urgent. He was greeted by his wife holding out a portable mini-drive. "What is this?" Athena had removed her helmet but looked as if she was planning on heading back out, staying close to the airlock.
"Information about the Tau'ri. The Cylons gave it to us after we met with them and the Tau'ri. Said it was proof that the Tau'ri were not to be taken lightly." Sharon shuddered as she remembered how the Tau'ri had dealt with the Cylons that attacked it. "I think it's proof the Cylons wouldn't dare double-cross us while the Tau'ri are watching."
"What does Kara want us to do with it?" Helo asked, realizing that this was more than just a simple status update.
"Starbuck wants you to jump ahead to the rendezvous. Leave as soon as possible. The Old Man has to see it so the fleet can prepare." Sharon's voice was tight. "I'll return to the Tau'ri. We'll delay as much as we can before heading back to the fleet as well," she continued.
"You really think there will be peace with these particular Cylons?" Helo couldn't help but wonder how his wife felt about the prospect of peace with her own people.
"I don't really know." Sharon was in no mood to speculate. "It looks like the Tau'ri are here to stay, though. Which makes it important that the Old Man see what's on the portable."
"Very well. Begin jump prep." Helo called out to the bridge before turning towards his wife once more. "Will you be heading out?" He wished he could spend more time with his wife.
In response, Sharon moved closer and put her arms around him. "Hey," she said soothingly. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Just visiting the family." She kissed him lightly.
"Alright." Helo kissed her back before letting her go. "You'd better be heading back as well. We'll keep the light shining back at the fleet."
"There she goes." Capt. Satterfield was manning the long range sensors when the Colonial Raptor requested to launch. It had seemed suspicious, but there really was no reason to keep either Colonials or Cylons forcibly within the vicinity. Now not long after the Raptor had jumped to where the other Colonial ship was maintaining position, the long range sensors had detected a wormhole jump straight out to deep space.
"Where do you think they're going?" By coincidence, Col. Davis had also happened to be on the Hammond's bridge.
"Deep space. Rejoining their fleet maybe?" The younger officer speculated. " It looks like the Raptor's jumped back. It's requesting landing instructions."
"Let them proceed." Paul pursed his lips in thought for a minute before continuing. "Signal the Odyssey. Give my regards to Col. Gant. Have them shadow the Colonial ship. Discreetly."
"Do you think it was wise to let the Colonials know how badly the Tau'ri can beat Baseships?"
Leoben paused before replying to Natalie's question. "No harm done. Maybe it will make them trust us a bit more. At the very least it'll keep them from trying to frak around with the Tau'ri."
"Adama will no doubt be looking at that footage by now." Natalie persisted. Unwilling to drop the subject just yet.
"I don't see anything wrong with that. At least he's got sense."
"What do you think Amanda's doing?" The Eight had opted to stay on the Hammond.
"I don't really know. She mentioned something about taking a look at the Hammond's medical facilities. Though she won't say why."
All this of course, had been said over the datastream. If you were to ask most anybody watching them, they'd tell you that the two Cylons had simply sat quietly in their seats, hands on their consoles as they piloted the Heavy Raider back to the Baseship. They would also happen to be incorrect. While it was possible for a Bio-Cylon to directly control a Heavy Raider, such was not its default mode of operation. Heavy Raiders, were, like their smaller brothers, also fitted with an artificial brain capable of simple tasks such as ferrying people back and forth between larger ships with little to no supervision.
As for why they were arguing over the datastream, it just so happened they were not alone. The Tau'ri had finally allowed the visit to push through. Though not without certain conditions. The number of visitors was to be kept to a minimum. No non-essential personnel, which explains why the civilian volunteer was absent. Kara had brought Athena with her, and Sam had absolutely refused to be left behind. The conditions also stipulated that they were to be escorted by Tau'ri soldiers at all times. Hence the Heavy Raider was packed practically to capacity as a delegation of Tau'ri, led by Dr. Jackson himself, along with a few other key Tau'ri officers also sat in the by now crowded compartment.
"Are we there yet?" One of the Tau'ri, a Vala Mal Doran had been asking that question repeatedly since the trip began.
"No!" The number of people joining in the answer seemed to increase each time.
Presently they were there, and the hatch opened to a landing bay that was completely empty of either Bio-Cylons or Centurions. Only Heavy Raiders and captured Raptors parked in berths were visible. Natalie had already ordered the corridors leading to the Hybrid to be cleared beforehand. Another condition imposed by the Tau'ri. She watched the Tau'ri surreptitiously as they filed out of the Heavy Raider. Looking out for any signs of disapproval, but finding none. Dr. Jackson simply nodded to himself with a satisfied air. Gone was the expensive-looking business suit he had worn at the conference earlier. That one looked as if it had been taken straight out of a Caprican fashion magazine. Now he was dressed like the other Tau'ri were. A holstered sidearm was strapped to his side. The ever fashion-conscious Six approved. He wasn't hard to look at either, filling out the BDU's and tactical vest rather nicely.
"Well... Like what you've done to the place. All silver and shiny," she remarked with a catty grin. "I like shiny."
Dr. Jackson simply nodded to another Tau'ri who looked much like him. A Col. Mitchell, Natalie remembered, and the officer quickly arranged the other Tau'ri into an escort formation around Capt. Thrace and Lt. Anders. Athena had opted to stay with the Heavy Raider, and three of the Tau'ri, including one junior officer were left behind to watch her. When everybody was ready, Natalie led everyone deeper into the Baseship.
Sharon watched the hatch close behind the party, then turned towards the Tau'ri assigned to guard her and the Heavy Raider. "I don't know about you. But if things go south we may have to leave pretty quickly, so I'm gonna be inspecting this here Heavy Raider for any damage, ok?"
"You can fly this?" The Tau'ri officer left in charge asked.
"If I have to."
The Tau'ri pursed his lips then motioned one of his men to accompany her. She then set off on a circuit of the Heavy Raider, pausing to more closely inspect the various dents and scratches she found. So engrossed was she that she did not notice her Tau'ri escort when he first tried to call her attention. She was therefore surprised when she turned around to find herself confronted by several other Eights.
"What do you want?" She asked. More surprised than annoyed.
"They call you Athena now. You even wear their uniform like you're one of them." One of the Eights, the leader, she supposed, said reverently. "You were the first to say no."
"No to what?" Athena asked, curious as to what exactly this audience was about.
"The entire plan. You joined the humans. You had a child. You showed us that we don't have to be slaves to our programming." Athena rolled her eyes, the Eight was almost in tears. She glanced at her escort, curious as to what he made of the whole thing. He seemed uncomfortable and embarrassed. Obviously, seeing a pack of Cylons break down in tears was not what he had signed up for.
"We wanted the same thing, but it turned out to be a disaster." The Eight continued once she had regained herself. "The Sixes have made one mistake after another. They have to be stopped before they get the rest of us killed."
"Ask." One of the other Eights prompted the leader.
"You could help us." The leader said, her eyes pleading.
"You guys want me to lead a mutiny against the Sixes?" Athena was flabbergasted at what they were asking her to do.
"It's the only way," the leader insisted.
"You guys make me sick," she responded disgustedly.
"Why?" The leader asked, perplexed.
"Because you pick your side and you stick. You don't cut and run when things get ugly. Otherwise you'll never have anything. No love, no family, no life to call your own. Now if you guys don't need anything else, I've got work to do."
Lt. Andrew Joseph Spencer had seen the whole exchange and his respect for the Capt. Satterfield lookalike grew. He had first noticed the Eights as they approached the Heavy Raider from a different direction than the hatch they were watching. He had realized, belatedly, that there must be other hatches in the landing bay. Idly he wondered if there was some way to secure these other hatches and was surprised when he turned around and almost bumped into her.
She was a vision of beauty. With long blond hair, and dressed in a simple white dress that at once covered yet emphasized her various assets. He could not help but stare as she stared back, blue eyes wide with innocent curiosity. She was tall, too. Maybe an inch or two taller than him. Curiosity then turned to shock when she reached up and, placing her hands on either side of his face pulled him in for a kiss. A very deep kiss.
"All these things at once and many more not because it wishes harm but because it likes violent vibrations to change constantly then shall the maidens rejoice at the dance structural integrity of node seven restored repressurizing Anomalous energy readings detected bearing three-fifteen, two-ninety-five by fourteen. For thieves have overrun the home and the Firstborn shall drive them out. End of line."
The Hybrid was babbling to itself as the visiting party entered the Hybrid chamber. "This is the Hybrid." Leoben introduced her to the visitors.
"Was she always like that?" Daniel eyed the fluid and the cabling it concealed.
"She doesn't get out much, does she?" Vala's eyes were wide despite the one-liner.
"And she acts as the central processing core for your ship?" Maj. Hailey was clearly intrigued.
"Yes. Because she is hooked up directly to the Baseship's sensors we believe she experiences reality differently. Has a different view from ours." Leoben explained.
"So what now? I thought she had something for me." Starbuck asked uncertainly.
"Just move closer." Natalie urged her on.
The Hybrid seemingly paid them no heed. "But you are a spark of God's fire core update complete. Threat detection matrix enabled dendritic response bypassed the received dose is altered by the delayed gamma burst going active execute the children of the one reborn shall find their own country, end of line."
"Well, I'm here." Starbuck squatted down in front of the Hybrid. "What, am I supposed to have an epiphany of some kind? What do you want from me? Please..."
Then it happened. The Hybrid suddenly focused on her. "Thus will it come to pass the Dying Leader will know the truth of the Opera House the missing Three will give you the Five who have come from the home of the Thirteenth you are the harbinger of death Kara Thrace you will lead them all to their end. End of line."
Starbuck remained crouched, shell-shocked while the Tau'ri watched the whole scene wordlessly. She stayed still until Sam moved closer to place a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's gonna be okay."
"She will lead us to the end. We will now know the truth of the Opera House." Leoben muttered, piecing together what the Hybrid had said.
Natalie was just as intrigued. "The home of the Thirteenth..."
"What are you saying?" Kara asked, getting to her feet.
"The Hybrid said, the missing Three will get you the Five, who have come from the home of the Thirteenth." Natalie explained. "The home of the Thirteenth Tribe of Humans."
"And the Five is your Final Five Cylons." Starbuck replied, comprehension dawning.
"If they've come from the home of the Thirteenth Tribe, then they must know the way back." Natalie mused.
"They know how to get to Earth."Starbuck completed the thought.
"What about the missing Three?" Sam asked, his face tight.
"D'anna. The one we boxed for looking at the faces of the Five." Leoben answered.
Daniel, Cam, Vala and Hailey exchanged glances. Things were about to move along it seemed.
"She can recognize them. We have to get back to the fleet." Starbuck said decisively. The discussion clearly over. "You will be speaking on behalf of the Cylons?" She asked the two. The two Cylons exchanged glances before Natalie nodded. "Gods help us then. You realize you're giving away the future of every Cylon aboard your two ships."
"We gave it to the right person." Leoben said with conviction.
"Cut the crap. I don't even know if the Old Man will listen, or simply blast you all into the next life." She turned to Athena. "Try to interface with the ship. See what you can do about a friendly or at least neutral IFF."
Athena nodded before trotting off.
"Well then," Starbuck smiled at the assembled Tau'ri. "Looks like it's time you met our fleet."