Cadence
Admiral Stryker finished his speech and moved out from the podium, exiting the building with his entourage of guards and other officials that went with him. He entered the Capitol building when he suddenly slowed, staggering slightly. He began to feel a shortage of breath and his vision blurred. Admiral Thorn and President Roslin who were behind him realized that something was wrong as they looked at the staggered Fleet Admiral. Thorn quickly came closer and asked him if he was he okay.
"I'm fine," Stryker said shortly, slightly breathless, and straightened beginning to move slowly away, but a few steps later he collapsed to the ground. Thorn immediately called medics but he himself checked for a pulse and was relieved that Stryker's pulse was strong and steady. Stryker was only unconscious.
"Get the Fleet Admiral to the Asclepius medical wing pronto," Admiral Thorn yelled loudly.
Asclepius, the only colonial hospital ship that survived, was built on Mercury frame. Now this ship was docked on Invictus and acted as the medical wing of the station, no matter that the station already have medical bay; this was the most advanced hospital in the fleet.
In less than twenty minutes Stryker was on board the Asclepius. Medical staff rushed all around doing their job. For the next few days doctors tried their best to figure out why the Admiral collapsed and why he was still unconscious. Admiral Thorn was with him almost the whole time but as second in command he was also forced to take over Stryker's duties as Fleet Admiral until he recovered.
"How is he?" Admiral Thorn asked as he entered the medical section where Stryker was located.
Doctor Halsey who was in command of the Asclepius medical unit responded quickly.
"Admiral Stryker is unconscious, there have been no changes, and preliminary checks do not show anything wrong with him. His body works normally, a little overstretched and tired, but other than that he's fine, just unconscious," Doctor Halsey said.
"Can you wake him up?" Admiral Thorn asked confused now that he was hearing Stryker was fine.
"Admiral, we can try, but I would not recommend it. As hard as this may sound, I do not believe that Admiral Stryker's collapse and his falling unconscious have any physical relation. It may be psychologically related," Doctor Halsey said.
"What are you saying doctor?" Admiral Thorn asked.
"Admiral Stryker is exhausted. Physically he's fine though more rest is a good idea. However, he's clearly been psychologically exhausted. His mind was too stretched, and latest developments were crucial in triggering this. His mind was strong, but he took too much burden on his own shoulders. Truly it was not really surprising that sooner or later it would take effect on him. This would also answer the questions that I had after I received findings on his brain wave patterns," Doctor Halsey said.
"I am not a doctor, I don't understand what you are saying. Please explain this to me doctor," Admiral Thorn said, visibly nervous.
"Admiral Stryker appears to be like people in a deep coma, with exception that those people have very little to no brain activity – depending on the brain trauma that they received. However, Admiral Stryker's brain is full of activity, like he is dreaming, and yet he is in a state of a half coma, which is a medical term we use for people who fall unconscious but couldn't be woken up. Usually when people collapse and fall unconscious they recover within seconds, minutes or a few hours, sometimes even days. However in each unconscious person, there is brain activity, much more than those who had some serious head injuries, but not as much activity as Admiral Stryker has. His brain works like he is awake and yet he isn't. Don't ask me why, I don't know myself and this is the first time I've seen something like it. The most important thing is that all his vital signs are normal," Doctor Halsey said and turned his head in the direction of Admiral Stryker, "we now only need to wait for the Admiral to awaken on his own."
Admiral Stryker lay in his bed, his eyes were closed and he looked peaceful, from the outside at least, but his mind was active. The stress of the job he didn't want, the burden to save as much as he can and at the same time keeping his own people and enemy from destroying what's left of humanity. He was torn to pieces; he was not ready for such a burden. This was simply too much for him.
Admiral Stryker opened eyes only to see everything around him was white, there was nothing else around him, except infinite white, in all directions.
"Am I dead?" Admiral Stryker asked himself and was surprised when he heard another voice behind him.
"You aren't," a woman's voice said in response.
He turned only to see a beautiful young woman, in a white dress and with long white-yellow hair. Athena.
"Where am I?" Stryker asked.
"I suppose you believe you are in heaven. You are not. This is your mind, or actually your mind created this place. I believe you humans always create a dark tunnel with a light at its end in near death experiences. However, you are not near death, this is an illusion your mind created to calm you, and help deal with such an unfamiliar experience as this," Athena said.
As she said this, the entire white abyss changed, becoming a green meadow. All kinds of flowers, trees and bushes surrounded the meadow; smaller animals roamed the meadow in search of food. He recognized this place from his past; the Athelon plains on Caprica.
"Did you do this?" Stryker asked.
"Yes. I believe a familiar place from your youth would calm you down, more than that white abyss," Athena said.
"Why did you bring me here?" Admiral Stryker asked, not referring to the green meadow surrounding them.
"I didn't," Athena said, bending to pick up a small flower, she smelled it and on her face was joy.
"It's appearing I was right all along; you are a special one. You have a gift Marcus, and your gift is your kindness, unselfishness, and willingness to help. You brought all the survivors on Avalon; you gave them hope and a future. But in the process you stressed yourself, you took on more than you could handle, I believe that's why you humans have hierarchy. Not one person to do the entire job, but more, dividing it among others. After all that happened you keep pushing toward a better and safer future for your people.
When we found your people the first time, they were savages; primitive brutes. The last time we saw them, they were still living in that way on the planet from which we took your people and brought them to Kobol. But the people of Kobol evolved, even if this evolution was relatively small: you evolved. Unfortunately it was worse because of all the wars you had, and all the deaths and destruction that Kobol saw.
Unification of the twelve tribes was your biggest achievement. Maybe it didn't end perfectly but you are at least under one banner, united as single race should be," Athena said, and she stopped as she saw that Stryker had a look on his face to show he didn't understand.
"You don't think you understand, but you do. Humans are at the beginning of their journey as a race and already your species has suffered so much. And you didn't see a tiny fraction of things that my own race saw Marcus; we saw much more death and destruction. Destruction of whole star systems, the extermination of whole species; untold atrocities. The majority of my own people was rendered extinct, and we that evolved and remain to this day are a mere shadow of a once ancient and proud civilization. But the most important fact is that we adapted and survived. Even as higher beings we chose to watch over others, to give others hope. That's why we chose your race; humanity has great potential for both good and bad. We shaped your species not in our image; but to prepare you for what lies in front of you, to make you reach your race reach its potential so you could overcome what is to come. But mankind was much too difficult and stubborn. You decided to play god of your own, creating the Cylons.
You are special because you did something not many others could. Anyone could lead a fleet of survivors away, but very few could do what you've done. And in the end your journey is not ending here on Avalon. You help created a root for civilization on Avalon, but you have another task and this last one will be to set up a root of humanity on another world: the one from which you came from. Yes, you will find the planet of your ancestors and there you will create root that will evolve into a much, much, larger civilization," Athena said.
"Why me?" Stryker asked in a small voice, believing himself unworthy of all Athena described.
"Because you are willing to do whatever you can to ensure the survival of humanity. Avalon will be a beacon in the darkness, but it will not be the only one. I admire your strength and tenacity and I know you can do what must be done," Athena said and drew closer, quickly kissing him on the cheek.
Stryker couldn't respond. He didn't know what to say. He still didn't understand what she was saying to him. Taking that she was an ascendant being; probably she could see the future as well as the past.
"So you are responsible for my collapse," Admiral Stryker said, raising an eyebrow.
"In a way yes," Athena said shortly, then continued after a moment's thought, "In my ascendant form I can move where ever I want, there is no limit, but I cannot stay in it for long. My people did ascend, but only ones like my father can achieve full ascension and stay a higher being all the time," Athena said.
"But you are thousands of years old?" Stryker said, confused.
"Years of age doesn't really matter. But as you probably realized, I did guide you from the beginning of your journey to this point," Athena said and then pointed with her finger to his forehead, "Think."
Stryker suddenly found himself in front of his old High school. He could see things that had already happened before.
"You can see everything, but you can't interact with anyone," Athena said and took his hand.
He saw a young man just graduating. He had made up his mind to join the navy but his father didn't agree. The young man sat on the bench, thinking, covering his eyes with arms covering his head, his expression full of sadness.
A woman approached him and sat near him.
The older Stryker realized that it was Athena, "But that is you," he said and she only nodded, looking at the younger Stryker.
"Why are you sad?" the woman asked the young man.
The younger Stryker removed his arms from his head and turned to see who was speaking to him, only to see a beautiful woman. He never really had luck with girls, especially not with beautiful ones like her.
He didn't want to be rude, but had to ask anyway, "Why would someone like you be interested in my problems?"
"Like me?" the woman asked, bemused.
"Yea, I mean I was not really lucky with girls, not the coolest in school," the younger Stryker said.
Athena smiled but said nothing.
"My father forbid me from joining the colonial navy, he believes its nonsense. A waste of time," Stryker said.
"And what do you believe?" Athena asked.
"I don't really know, I respect my father, and I do want to hurt him with a bad decision," Stryker said.
"What does your heart say?" Athena asked.
"My heart?" Stryker asked, confused.
"Yes, your heart. Your father is a wise and smart man, but it is you who decides for yourself. Nobody else can do that. What do you want to do?" Athena asked.
"I wish to join the colonial navy," Stryker said.
"Is there any reason for it?" Athena asked.
"My father and grandfather were in the military. They fought against the Cylons. I want to join and to do my part to protect Caprica and the other colonies," Stryker said.
"That is very noble of you," Athena said and continued smiling before saying, "you should follow your heart. Sometimes it is irrational and sometimes it's just right. Your life is only yours and you are the one who makes your own destiny, not others. Follow your dream and never stop believing in it Marcus."
Young Stryker was confused, he wanted to ask her how she knew his name, but by the time he turned his head in her direction, she was gone. He turned around but she was nowhere to be found.
All he found on her side of the bench was a small medallion. On one side was the sign of Athena, goddess of wisdom, courage and inspiration, on the other side was Athena herself under which was written, "Those that believe were the courageous ones."
Older Stryker again watched Athena.
"You gave me that medallion," Stryker said.
"Yes I gave it to you, and it brought you luck. But the medallion itself didn't make you wise or courageous, or in short the man you are today. You did that, you did it yourself; the medallion was only a small push that gave you strength to believe, not in me, but in yourself. And that strength is what has been pushing you all these years. On that day when you found your inner self, you became more confident. You became what you are today," Athena said.
As she said that they moved again, this time only to his home where they witnessed the young Stryker confronting his father.
"I will join the colonial navy father; you can't stop me in that. It is my wish and my right to do so," Young Stryker said confidently.
His father was surprised; this was the first time his son shad stood in front of him as an equal, without fear of punishment for disobedience. He stood in front of him like a man, a young one, but a man.
"I know you want a peaceful life for me dad, I know that you and mom have been doing all that you could to ensure me and my sister have a better life, but I am not a little child anymore. I want to do what I believe is right. Your father died in the war with the Cylons, but he died a hero and will always be remembered. You fought in the same war and you survived, all the good deeds you did, all those that you saved. I understand that war took a piece of you. But there is peace now thanks to you and people like grandfather. And serving in the military is a great honor. The Cylons are still somewhere in space, who knows what they plan, they may even return one day but I won't stand down. I want to be there to help stop them if they ever return," Stryker said.
Stryker's dad said nothing. He only watched his son, and suddenly tears appeared in his eyes, "Marcus the reason I didn't want you to join the military is I wanted you to have some decent job, to live your life without orders, without the possibility of going to war. Yes you are right, Cylons are there, somewhere, they can return but I do not want that to happen. I do not want to lose you or sister. You both are more important to me than anything else. But you are right, you are almost a grown man, you have to choose your own future. I can't force you to do what I want, after all we are not like the Sagittarians who do so. Your mother will not be happy, but you have my permission and support."
Then he hugged his son.
"On that day he finally realized that I am not a child, that I have my own future," the Old Stryker said sadly.
"Yes, and with his blessing it was the first step of your journey. Your father didn't want you to join the military because he wanted to protect you, but he was well aware that if the war came, everything would change. He knew that because he witnessed the destruction and death in the first war between humans and Cylons," Athena said.
Time shifted again this time he saw his younger self in uniform, near an old Mk IV Viper.
"That is me three years later; I applied for fighter pilot training," Stryker said.
"Yes, observe," Athena said.
"Captain Stryker!" a uniformed man yelled, approaching the young man near the mark IV viper.
Marcus turned to face Colonel Stahinsky who approached slowly.
"Yes colonel," Stryker said.
"Your papers were in work, and your actions last week deeply impressed the brass. They put you in for promotion. Also your applications for command school was received and approved. You may even skip a few ranks with your current speed. I wish you would stay with the fighter force, you are a damn good pilot," Colonel Stahinsky said.
"Thank you sir," Stryker said, saluting respectfully, but said nothing else.
"Carry on then," Colonel Stahinsky said.
Time shift again, this time as young Stryker was being promoted to Major.
"This was your last day as a fighter pilot wasn't it?" Athena asked.
Old Stryker nodded, "Irony is, the day I was promoted to Major, I left the fighter corp. This was also the first time I would serve on a real Battlestar. Not some small gunstar, or on the ground."
"You were a little disappointed?" Athena asked.
"Disappointed?" Stryker said, scrunching his eyebrows together.
"Yes, you are happy for your promotion, but you were depressed. For two and half years you were on the ground, with only a few months spent on a small ship in space. Not as you say on a real ship. It wasn't what you expected," Athena said.
"It wasn't. But I didn't expect things to go fast. Although I believed I would serve on some Battlestar at the time," Stryker said.
"And your wish was finally granted," Athena said, pointing with her arm. Time changed again and he recognized corridors of Battlestar Bellerophon. His first battlestar. He was major and new CAG of Bellerophon. At the same time he was studying hard for command school. He may remain on the academy and study for it, but he wanted to use his time as maximally as humanly possible.
"I stayed on this ship for only a couple of months before I was promoted again. Due to my success on all the tests, I even skipped the rank of lieutenant colonel. It was not strange; a few other officers skipped ranks when they proved themselves," Stryker said.
"And you proved yourself this time, you deserve it didn't you?" Athena asked.
"I did, I saved several crewmembers, stopped the Canceron pirates with my fellow fighter pilots," Stryker said.
"All that leads to your eventual promotion," Athena said.
"I was the youngest colonel in the Colonial navy," Stryker said.
Time shifted again this time to the C.I.C. of Battlestar Poseidon.
"This is at the time of the war game with Pegasus," Stryker said.
Athena nodded.
Battlestar Poseidon C.I.C
"Commander all sections are ready. We are good to go," Colonel Stryker said.
"Very well colonel Stryker. Let's kick Pegasus' ass shall we?" Commander Barney said, smiling.
"All hands to battlestations, prepare for a war game," Colonel Stryker yelled and the crew quickly compied.
"Colonel, the C.I.C. is yours," Commander Barney said.
"Sir?" Colonel Stryker asked, confused.
"You are in command now, which means all orders you give will be done as if I gave them. It is your game Marcus," Commander Barney said, and then came closer and said, "if you win this one command may even give you your own ship."
Young Stryker had been second in command of the Poseidon for the last two years. Having his own ship was his dream. All he needed was to beat that arrogant Admiral Cain and her precious Pegasus.
"Very well sir, I am taking the command," Colonel Stryker said.
Commander Barney nodded and stepped down, letting Colonel Stryker come forward: the crew looking to him for all orders now. Stryker's chances were very slim, he knew that. Poseidon was a Valkyire class Battlestar and was facing the much bigger and stronger Mercury class Battlestar Pegasus. If young Stryker could defeat it, he would most surely deserve a promotion to commander and his own ship.
Simulated battle started…
"Launch all fighters, each squadron in diamond formation. Squadrons Red and Blue in defensive position, squadrons Green and Yellow in attack posture," Colonel Stryker ordered, and Commander Barney relayed the orders to the crew.
"Helm bring us about, full speed, offensive pattern Charlie-07, avoid enemy fire as much as you can, and as we get closer start rotating the ship to minimize damage," Colonel Stryker ordered.
"Aye sir," Helm officer replied shortly.
"Weapon control, all defensive turrets on loose mode, let them swing in the ships movement, main weapons target enemy soft spots, fire missiles on their flight decks, try to get some inside. As we pass; target the main engines, those Mercuries have a dead zone there. A few good hits can temporarily shut them down," Colonel Stryker said.
Poseidon moved forward at full speed, her fighters buzzing in defensive position. This was almost an impossible scenario; taking on the sheer power of a Mercury class Battlestar and its larger number of fighter squadrons. And Admiral Cain decided to have every possible fighter out there; she intended to win, although most of her crew believed they would: counting on the superiority of their ship.
Poseidon roared as she closed the distance, firing long range missiles that slammed into the forward section of Pegasus head, most were taken down but some found their target.
There was no real damage, everything was simulated by computer, all canon fire, missiles, dog fights with fighters: everything was simulated. If the fighter was damaged or destroyed by the enemy, the computer inside the fighter would simply shut the whole fighter down, rendering it useless. Same thing applied for Battlestar combat. This simulation was quit realistic, since all damage was accompanied by shaking and fake sparks and explosions.
Poseidon continued her aggressive approach. The helm officer executed defensive maneuvers just in time when the main guns of Pegasus were fired, the whole KEW volley missing by mere meters. But the secondary guns start pounding away at the Poseidon hull.
Stryker stood in middle of the C.I.C. holding on tightly to the holding pipes on the main console table and watching the main screen.
"Turn left, 90 degrees, right beneath their belly, fire every missile we've got," Stryker ordered.
"Sir we are too close," the weapons officer warned.
"We are where we need to be lieutenant, do as I told you," Stryker responded shortly.
"Yes sir," the weapons officer said.
Missiles were fired and they hit the close to point blank range, blasting parts of the Pegasus armor on her soft belly, some damage was also on Poseidon as simulated debris hit the ship.
A large blast rocked the ship as Pegasus' guns found its target again.
"Guns seven and eight out of commission, hull breach on decks four and six," the tactical officer reported.
"Close the sections with breaches, continue barraging the low side of Pegasus," Stryker ordered quickly and asked "What is the status of our fighters?"
"Half destroyed, the rest are fighting on," the tactical officer replied quickly.
He was forced to use all their fighters to keep the enemy at bay, however some got through and were now pounding away at the Poseidon with their small cannons and missiles.
"Launch all combat Raptors, get those damn fighters off of our backs. Helm set course 1-3-1, get behind them," Stryker said.
Another simulated explosion rocked the ship.
In the corner of the C.I.C. the older Stryker and Athena watched everything.
"This was my first test of command, my first combat experience, even simulated; to me it was like real combat," the older Stryker said.
"Were you scared, did you question yourself what to do?" Athena asked.
"No, I was focused, for the first time I was truly focused on my mission; Commander Barney gave me his trust, I didn't want to let him or the crew down," Stryker said.
Athena nodded in understanding, "Yet despite all odds you managed to prevail. You won against a stronger opponent. You showed the strength of command and you showed your own strength. I understand this Marcus, my people were once like yours. We had ships like yours, maybe not the same in design but in purpose. We were the same."
The fight continued, more vicious than ever. The smaller Battlestar buzzed around the larger one with speed and maneuverability that the larger and heavier Mercury couldn't compare with. Poseidon was already badly damaged and lost half of its weapons, the majority of her fighters were down but they took out quite a number of enemy fighters as well.
Colonel Stryker realized that if something was not done quickly, they would lose. And then he decided to use his last card he had to play.
"Helm, get us close to their engines, rotate the ship as much as you can. Weapon officer stand by to fire nukes one to-four, nukes five to eight on standby," Stryker said.
Commander Barney came closer still holding on to the holding pipe of the nearest console.
"Nukes Marcus, are you sure, we are still too close to Pegasus, and they could take us with them," Commander Barney said.
"Not if we are fast enough, this ship is smaller and maneuverable, it moves faster than the Mercury class. With luck we will avoid the main blast. A nuke volley in the engines will disable the engines of Pegasus, and will place her dead in the water, all we need to do then is finish her," ColonelStryker said.
"I hope you are right," Commander Barney said.
"Me too, sir," Colonel Stryker said.
Poseidon moved from behind, Admiral Cain probably realized that Poseidon was going for the engines and ordered a hard turn to port when suddenly four simulated flashes were launched from Poseidon.
Battlestar Pegasus C.I.C.
"Radiological alarm, nukes incoming, four of them," the tactical officer reported.
"What the frak?" Admiral Cain said furiously, "What are they doing? Hard to port, fire all defensive weapons, get any viper in the air to stop the blasted missiles now!"
Nukes rapidly closed distance with the Pegasus engine block, two were taken down by her point defenses but the other two impacted the engine block, simulated explosion rocked through the Pegasus: shutting the majority of the ship down, rendering it dead and defenseless.
Poseidon was also rocked by the shockwave but it wasn't as strong as it was believed it would be.
"Pegasus disabled sir," the tactical officer reported, blinking rapidly from shock.
"Good, take us about, weapon officer launch rest of the nukes on my mark," Colonel Stryker said.
Commander Barney closed again, "maybe we should issue orders to surrender to them, if you finish them you know that Admiral Cain will go after you. She is not the kind of person that takes defeat lightly."
"With respect sir, she is an arrogant bitch that deserve to be taken down, her aggressive style and way of command is not the way that colonial navy works and yet she continues her tyranny. I think she needs to feel some humility," Colonel Stryker said.
Commander Barney smiled, he didn't like Cain either. He only pointed with his arm for Stryker to continue.
"Weapons officer, fire all nukes now," Colonel Stryker said.
"Yes sir, with pleasure," the weapons officer said.
The rest of the nukes were fired and rapidly closed on the lifeless Pegasus.
"Four nukes incoming, we can't stop them admiral," the tactical officer reported.
Cain watched in terror and anger as the nukes closed and closed.
And then they struck, blasting and exploding; massive fireballs formed as the Pegasus is consumed by fire and was torn apart.
She had lost, she lost to a rookie.
On the nearby Battlestar Atlantia, Fleet Admiral Torres and Admiral Nagala watched as the smaller ship beat its much larger and dangerous opponent.
"We may have found ourselves a candidate for our mission Richard," Torres said.
"But the mission is not ready yet, it will take two-three years for it," Admiral Nagala said.
"Yes, Colonel Stryker showed us what he can do though. He is the youngest officer and frankly one of the best I ever saw. For now we will give him a ship of his own to command, before transferring him to the Operation Exodus mission," Torres said, having made up his mind.
Behind them older Stryker and Athena stood.
"They chose me because of this victory," Stryker said, in disbelief.
"Yes, one small war game showed them what kind of person you are; dedicated, aggressive, and smart. All they needed for the person to lead humans in case of destruction. They knew that the end was coming, they couldn't know when. They chose you for a reason Marcus," Athena said.
Time shifted for the last time.
"So you finally get your own command brother. I am proud on you, mom and dad are proud on you too," Nina Stryker said.
"Thank you sis, and I hear you become lieutenant, and damn good pilot," Marcus Stryker said.
"Well I suspect you were involved in my promotion, and I was always a better pilot than you," Nina said.
"Haha, I don't know about that but you did earn that promotion. Mom and dad are proud of you. After all, Dad told me yesterday that he was wrong for forbidding us to join the military, we've done great so far sis," Marcus said.
"Sure we do, we are Strykers; we never quit," Nina said, grinning.
"Damn true sis," Marcus said.
In shadows behind the two young people, older Stryker stood with Athena by his side. He watched his younger self and his sister, and tears poured from his eyes down his cheek. Athena noticed it and took a fingertip to his tears, wiping it away.
"You are proud aren't you? You and your sister did more than you both believed you could do. Your parents realized how important a military career was to both of you and after the day when you stood in front of your father and confront him, you both got chance to really do what you want, and you did good," Athena said.
The Older Stryker finally got himself together and asked, "Why are you showing this to me, I didn't know your people have time manipulation capabilities."
Athena smiled, "No we don't. All images, all of what you saw, this shifting came from your head Marcus. I only help you to re-live it at least in tiny fraction again, and see other related details as they happened. To see how much you achieved.
You have skills, leading skills to lead, you have talent and you have intelligence. Your collapse gave me a chance to visit you and show you this. You yourself created it."
"But you said…" Stryker said trailing off in confusion.
"That I had something to do with it; no it is you. You did it. You exhausted yourself but your journey is not over yet. The danger to Avalon and its people is not over, not near as close to the end as you think. You see humans have something we didn't have: tenacity and stubbornness. My people didn't really have a choice, we were forced to evolve fast to fight the Harvesters and other dark beings from the darkness of this universe. You have the choice and the freedom to do what you want. You have the choice to live your lives as you want, my people chose to help you with it. In a way we interfered with your way of life but we did it with a good reason," Athena said.
"I don't understand much of what you say, what reason, why did you bring us to Kobol?" Stryker said.
"My father would probably punish me for telling this to an 'inferior being,' I apologize for calling you that way, but in the eyes of my people humans are still very primitive.
Reason why we decided to help in the first place is because humanity is our offspring. We settled the world from which you came. We settled it millions of years ago. Some of our people degenerate, de-evolves on that world, it was as we later found out: because of the sun. Because we didn't originate from that world our DNA was different, radiation from the sun affects us different than those that evolve and were born on that world. We dispatched those degenerative of us to that world, believing they would die. A great catastrophe hit the world and we were forced to evacuate, most of animal life was destroyed, and we decided to preserve those that were to stay by placing them in cryogenically chambers deep beneath the ground. Those were released from those chambers after thousands of year of sleep and left on the new world, a world that barely had any kind of life, left to survive on their own. When we returned, to our surprise those devolved versions of us were different. They evolve into a different species – humans. Although they lived in tribal statse and were primitive, they were intelligent," Athena said.
"So what you're saying is that humanity was evolved from some of your people who had degenerative disease that devolved them," Stryker said.
"It is a crude conclusion but yes. Your people had our genetic material that was mixed with that of the planet on which they live and out of necessity they changed; creating a brand new species, one that looked like us but more primitive. Our people helped further by manipulating the new young species. To help you evolve faster, but work stopped as our people were engaged in a deadly war against the Harvesters and their masters. We then took some of those people and brought them to Kobol where thousands of years would pass before small tribes became bigger and bigger, where you started using more complex technology and eventually fought between yourselves. Most of my people were killed, exterminated in this war: including our home planet that became the nexus – or home world of Harvesters. Those of us that survived ascended.
But because of the fact that you are the second generation of our people that you evolved from our devolved ones; you are our responsibility. You are not some unknown species that we come across; you are us, a more primitive and simplified version but you are us. Do you understand the reason why we took on the responsibility to watch over you?" Athena asked.
"Although it is hard for me to understand all this, if this is a true, why didn't you help us, why didn't you stop the Cylons?" Why didn't you stop the wars on Kobol?" Stryker asked.
"It was your destiny, we could guide you as best we could, like parent guiding their children, but we could not interfere with you. We could but then you would become too dependent on us. Your worshiping us as gods was far too much. Some of our people believed it was not necessary but it was the only way allowing us to be close to you, and slowly guide you to reject us as gods and to seek your own future. We did this although your people still worship us," Athena said.
"There is no point in saying that I don't understand, I would probably understand it one day," Stryker said.
"You will. That day will come faster than you think, and when that day finally comes, I'll explain everything to you and you will understand it. You are chosen, for what you will find on your own. Now it's time for you wake up," Athena said.
As she said that, she forcibly put her hand against his chest, with raw power and a bright white light quickly surrounding the two of them.
Ascelpius medical wing
A nurse was checking the monitors near the Fleet Admiral's bed, when suddenly he opened his eyes and lurched forward as if he was grabbing for air.
Nurse was shocked but quickly regained herself and ran out of the room to call for the doctor.
Admiral Stryker stood in his bed with open eyes, shocked and disoriented. He shook a bit and only quietly said, "Frak."