Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Battlestar Galactica

General O'Neill and Colonel Samantha Carter had requested a private audience with Admiral Adama. They had discovered that the President, Laura Roslin, was suffering from cancer and that it was too far along to be cured by either the Colonials or Earths own doctors. Leaps and bounds had been made in the treatment of cancer over the last few years with the use of stem cells, but in Roslin's case this would be of little help. However, the General had an ace card up his sleeve.

"They're called the Asgard, Admiral." The General said as he watched Adama pace around the room. The man had deduced that these 'people' that the General and his friend had been talking about were not human.

Adama stopped, and stared blankly at O'Neill. "And these… Asgard… They're aliens, correct?"

"Yes." Sam explained. "But they aren't like the Wraith. The Asgard are very close allies. And basically, our allies are their allies. They'll be very interested in meeting you and you're people, I'm sure. They have an interest in the Cylons, but that is for… different reasons."

Adama didn't like that. "And what 'reasons' would they be?"

"Well…" Sam wondered what the best way to explain the situation would be. "The Asgard had genetic problems. Their bodies were clones of the original Asgard race, with the minds transferred over again, and again, and again. A few years ago, the Asgard destroyed their own Homeworld and gave us their technology, their legacy. Last year, I discovered that the Asgard had placed their minds into storage; they had their own virtual world where they worked on a way to solve their problem. They were right under our noses for two years and we didn't even realise." Adama gave Sam a look that showed that he understood, but at the same time was quite bewildered by what he was hearing. "I worked on a way to help them with Dr. McKay, and together we managed to create a program which allowed them to exist in holographic bodies. They returned to their own galaxy without the need to continuously clone bodies, and continued to work on a way to find a permanent solution to their problem, a way to create new bodies without the worry of degradation."

It all clicked inside Adama's head. "And with what we told you about the human form Cylons…"

Sam smiled. "Exactly."

"Well, now that this little history lesson is over, let's get down to business." O'Neill stepped forward and began speaking once again." You can't keep your fleet out here, not when you've been found by the Wraith. There are, what? Tens of thousands of people in your fleet? That is one nice meal to those guys, and they will be looking for you, no doubt about it. I've decided that your fleet can come to New Lantea."

"I thought you said the Wraith were on their way there, General?"

"The Wraith are on their way there, but with so many Hives coming online at once Atlantis is the safest place to be in the Galaxy now. The city currently has two ZPM's almost fully charged, so the shield will be able to hold for a while. You won't be able to come into the actual city at first, but I'll be going straight back to Earth to get the International partners to agree to give your fleet sanctuary within the city. And don't worry. I don't intend to come back to the Pegasus Galaxy with 'no' as the answer."

Samantha Carter

The second his flagship dropped out from hyperspace, Supreme Commander Thor looked out over New Lantea and thought of the Ancients who once inhabited it. He had never seen the city himself, but what he had heard of it astounded him. There had been other Asgard who had come to Atlantis over the years, but even though Thor had wanted to see it, he had not yet been able to.

Thor had travelled to New Lantea aboard the Samantha Carter, the first of a new upgraded class of O'Neill type star ships. They were faster, more powerful, and once again re-instated the Asgard as the most powerful race in the known universe. They were still not ready to start taking care of the protected planets again, so for now that task fell to Earth.

Suddenly a voice came on over the intercom. "Asgard ship, this is Lieutenant Colonel Johnson of the Atlantis Expedition, I am in command until Colonel Carter, Colonel Sheppard or Dr. Daniel Jackson return. Would you like to land, or will your ship be remaining in orbit?"

"This is Supreme Commander Thor of the Asgard. My ship will be remaining in orbit, however I would like the opportunity to beam down to Atlantis if that is acceptable."

Thor heard the voice of the man once again. "Of course, we'll be ready for you. The shield is lowered so just come down when you're ready."

"I will let you know when I am ready. Thank you Lieutenant Colonel Johnson." With that, the communication was terminated.

Odyssey

A green hyperspace window formed near M1K-773, and the Odyssey soon dropped out of it. Alex Morgan took in the view of the beautiful blue and green planet sitting before her all the while thinking of the ship that would soon be in their possession. Her thoughts soon changed to what had occurred here such a short time before, Earth's first encounter with the Colonials. It certainly was an interesting time, to say the least.

"OK, I want a team down in that bunker within the hour, and I want that ship up and running as fast as possible." Alex sighed as she got up out of the command chair and walked closer to the large front window, staring at the large planet in front of them. "We're gonna need it."

Battlestar Galactica

Roslin sat in the infirmary bed, wondering how she ever managed to survive to see the day when the fleet would encounter the people from Earth. She should have been dead years ago, yet here she was, mostly thanks to Hera Agathon, the child she once thought about having flushed out an airlock… Of course that was before she was even born, and Laura was happy that it had never came to that, and not just because of the advanced cancer treatments that the baby had been integral to.

"Can I come in?" Bill Adama stood at the door of the almost empty room, smiling at her.

Laura smiled a weak smile back. "I'd be sad if you didn't."

The Admiral walked in and sat beside Laura. "Our guests have just returned to their ships. They've put an… interesting offer on the table."

She had been waiting to hear this all day. "And that would be?"

"Sanctuary." Adama replied. "In Atlantis. They are willing to offer us protection underneath the cities shield. Or at least they will eventually. One of the ships is disembarking; General O'Neill is supposedly going back to Earth. He says he is going to try ad convince the leaders there to allow us into the city."

"Do you believe him?" Laura asked.

Adama took a moment to answer; he hadn't actually asked himself that question yet with all of the commotion and revelations. "Yes… I do believe him. I think he is telling the truth, and I'd say the same about his people."

The president's lips curled into a smile. "Good." She trusted Adama's judgement.

"The other ship is waiting here." Adama continued. "They are going to escort us to Atlantis, on your order. It's your call, Laura."

She didn't even need to think about it. "What kind of leader would I be if I said no to this?"

"I thought so." Adama smiled.

"You know Bill… I never actually thought I'd live to see this. I put on a front; I said what people wanted me to say. There were times when I didn't believe in what I was saying, but I could never admit it… Not until now. I know I don't have long left, but…"

Adama cut her off. "You could have a hell of a lot more time then you think. There's something else I need to tell you."

Daedalus

Caldwell was confused. "How do you suppose we get this fleet to Atlantis Sam? From what you've said yourself, their means of travel are vastly inferior."

Sam had originally thought that this would be a big problem, but she had got some news before coming back to the Daedalus that made things a lot easier. "Well, when I beamed to the Hyperion after we left the Galactica we got some news through from Atlantis. Thor arrived, not long ago in fact. I've requested that he comes here and tows the fleet back to Atlantis."

"Ah… OK." Caldwell was happy that little issue was out of the way, but he soon saw another one. "But how long will that take? That means the ship is going to be back and forward across the galaxy dozens of times. Are you sure the Colonial leaders will like their fleet being split up like that?"

This thought had also crossed Sam's mind. "The ship Thor came on wasn't one of the original O'Neill class. It was an upgraded version, considerably faster and able to tow more than one ship at once. The Galactic can travel back and forth with groups of ships, and the Colonials can send a party over here to ensure the rest of the fleet is safe.

"Wow." Caldwell couldn't quite believe there was a ship out there capable of that. "So what's this super-ship called?"

"I… Don't know." Sam lied.

Hyperion

"Jack, these people need our help. You can't let the I.O.A or the government turn them down." Daniel Jackson pleaded with his old friend, hoping he realised what was at stake for the Colonials.

"Don't worry Daniel. I told the Admiral I wouldn't accept a 'no'. These people deserve protecting, after the kind of crap they've been through."

Daniel let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you agree. We don't even know if they'll put up any resistance yet."

Jack sniggered. "Oh, you can bet they will. Mind you, if I was asked to let thousands of aliens into Atlantis after they'd kidnapped two of my people, I doubt I'd greet the idea with open arms. I kind of wanted to take some of them back to Earth with me so that the I.O.A could meet them, but all things considered I think its best that I didn't."

"Yes." Daniel agreed. "There beliefs would make that… complicated. To say the least."

"Exactly. Either way, they're gonna have to come to Earth eventually… But for now, Atlantis should have to do. I should be back on Earth in a couple of hours, and I'm not planning on staying long."

Battlestar Galactica

The room was full of people. No, not people, vultures. Laura could barely stand but she had agreed to do this press conference, yet the people in front of her were screaming questions and demanding answers, wearing her down and not giving a damn, even though they were well aware of her condition.

Laura tried to pick one person from the crowd, finding it hard with all the commotion. She finally pointed at one journalist and the rest were silenced by the Admiral, allowing one voice to speak and to be heard. "When Tom Zarek spoke he told us that these humans weren't going to let us go to Earth, is that true?"

Laura sighed. She knew it was coming. "Yes. For now. We briefed Mr. Zarek and everything he said was true, but you need to remember that Zarek…" Laura stopped for a moment. "It doesn't matter. Next question."

Another voice spoke up, before anyone else had a chance. "So these humans, our supposed brothers and sisters, are denying us help?"

"No." Laura replied. "One of their people is returning to Earth as we speak, he wishes to provide sanctuary on another, well protected planet. One day he believes we will be allowed to visit Earth, though he has not yet stated why we cannot travel there today." Voices once again roared through the room, and Laura brought a hand to her head, attempting to sooth the pain away.

Lee stepped up to her side, and raised his voice in an attempt to be heard over the many voices. "OK, the President won't be answering anymore questions. If you have anymore, they can be directed at me." Lee had been offered the job of President at one point, after he had taken the role temporarily in the wake of Roslin's abduction by the Cylon hybrid on the Basestar that now helped to defend the Colonial fleet. He had handed the job back to Roslin, at the time not wanting to take it. She had then wanted him to be her Vice President, but realised that she couldn't just fire Zarek. So he want back to being a Viper Pilot, and that was when he realised that there was no where he would rather be. Despite this, he had been much more involved in important matters, and the President trusted him more than anyone else to speak for her.

The Admiral stepped up and led Roslin away, giving his son a smile of gratitude as Lee began to take questions. As she was taken from the room, the President stopped and looked directly into the Admiral's eyes. "If those people can help me Bill… They're going to have to do it soon."

Daedalus

Only an hour and a half after the press conference on Galactica, a flash of light filled the bridge of the Daedalus. Samantha Carter, Laura Roslin, Lee Adama, Karl Agathon and Kara Thrace all appeared onboard. "Colonel, how did it go?" Caldwell asked the second his colleague and friend appeared.

"It went well." Sam replied. Admiral Adama agreed to stay aboard the Galactica, and I am going to beam directly over to the Asgard ship as soon as it arrives along with the President and Lee Adama."

"The ship should be here any minute."

"OK. The President should be healed by the time the first group reaches Atlantis, and then she will return with the Galactica for the next group."

Laura stepped forward and shook Caldwell's hand. "Nice to meet you Colonel. Promise me you'll look after my fleet while we're gone."

Caldwell smiled and accepted the handshake. "Don't worry madam President. You have nothing to worry about."

"Good. I'll take your word for it. The Admiral trusts your people, and I trust him."

Carter reassured the President. "No harm will come to your fleet while the Daedalus is here. We won't allow it." Roslin wondered how someone could make such a promise with the threat of both the Cylons and Wraith constantly looming, but her thoughts were soon cut short.

"Colonels, a ship is dropping out of hyperspace… It's Asgard."

Caldwell watched as the large ship dropped out of hyperspace near the Galactica, and it was only then that the Colonials realised the amazing the view that was behind them. They all gasped in amazement as they took in the site of the Colonial fleet with the large alien ship sitting along side it. "Thank you Major. Open a communications channel with the ship."

An Asgard voice was heard on the bridge of the Daedalus, causing all to listen intently. "This is Supreme Commander Thor onboard the Samantha Carter. How may I be of assistance?" Caldwell gave Sam a look, and smiled as she blushed.

Galactica's CIC

Felix Gaeta informed the CIC the second that the alien ship dropped out of hyperspace. "Admiral, we're picking up a new ship on DRADIS. Going by what Colonel Carter told us, it's the alien ship."

"Thank you, Felix." Adama said.

"Arm all weapons and be ready to fire if they make a single wrong move." Colonel Tigh was quick to give out orders.

Adama however disagreed with his XO's course of action. "Delay that!" He looked at Saul and lowered his voice so only he could hear him. "What the hell do you think you're doing? These 'Asgard' are more powerful than the humans, and certainly more powerful than us."

Saul was quick to counter Bill's argument. "If they do try anything funny, then they could attack us within seconds, we should be ready."

"They aren't going to attack us, Saul. I'm sure of it." The Admiral raised his voice and addressed the CIC once again. "Open communications with the new ship and tell them we have formed a plan of action with Colonel Carter."

"Yes sir." Felix carried out the Admiral's orders without any hesitation.

Saul still wasn't sure. "Do you really think this is the right thing to do Bill. Can you really trust these 'people'?"

"I trusted you." The Admiral replied.