Usual disclosures: Much to my dismay, I do not own in whole or part the Battlestar Galactica Universe nor any of its characters. It is and remains the sole property of the Sci-fi Channel. Next, this story is an alternate universe and does not follow cannon. The first thing I have changed is that I never liked the concept that the 13th tribe was Cylon. I also decided that I did not like the story to take place in the year 150,000 BC, thus I have changed Earths time line (you will see).

I have read a few stories where the Colonial's (pre-fall) send a fleet to bring Earth into the Colonies by force. However, I thought what if instead, the Colonial Fleet was sent to aid us in our darkest hour...

Battlestars for Earth

Chapter 1

Commanders Quarters

Battlestar Galactica

3 AU from Planet Caprica

Helios Alpha System

Martius 25, YR98 (Colonial Calendar)

June 2, 2065 (Earth Calendar)

Authors note: An AU is an astronomical unit(s). 1 AU is the distance between Earth and the Sun.

Commander William Adama reached over to pulverize the annoying noise maker, better known as his alarm clock. Sitting up he ran his hands over his face. Like Galactica, he was getting up there in years and it was not too far off to retirement. He forced himself out of his bed to start his morning routine. He had just got out of the shower when the growler phone started to demand his attention. Picking up the receiver, his gruff voice answered. "This is the Commander."

On the other end was his senior watch officer, Lieutenant Felix Gaeta. "Sir, we just received priority orders from Fleet HQ. Galactica is to jump to the bone yard and you and the XO are ordered to Picon Anchorage and report to Admiral Coleman."

Adama huffed. Surely they were not thinking of scrapping him and the old girl just yet. "Did they say why?"

"No Commander." Adama could tell his officer had more to say. "Out with it Lieutenant."

"Yes Sir. The President called an emergency session of the Quorum. He has also called a press conference to address the Colonies at 1300. Something is definitively going on, sir."

Adam closed his eyes and prayed to the Lords it was not the Cylons. "Thank you Mr. Gaeta. Have the deck prep a Raptor for launch and have Colonel Tigh meet me there. In the meantime, you are in command until I return. As soon as the Colonel and I leave, jump Galactica to the Bone Yard and await further orders. And Mr. Gaeta?"

"Sir?"

"I don't need to tell you to keep your eyes open. Launch a CAP as soon as you jump and take the ship to condition two."

"Yes sir."

Adama hung up the phone and quickly put on his uniform before making his way down to the hanger deck. His executive officer was waiting for him at the hatchway.

"Morning Bill. Any idea what this is all about?"

"Not yet, but I don't think I am going to like it."

Saul Tigh snorted. "That's for fraking sure. Well I suppose we should get to it." The two officers boarded the raptor as Lt. Gaeta's voice announced. "All stations make ready for FTL in t minus 5 minutes."

Adama looked at his pilot as he sat down. "Know where we are going Boomer?"

Lt Sharon Valerii turned to face her superior officer. "Yes sir, Commander. I am your taxi to Picon Fleet Headquarters."

Adama gave a nod. "When ever your ready Lieutenant."

"Aye aye Sir!" The raptor lifted off and exited the flight pod. As soon as she was clear, Adama looked out the canopy and watched his ship jump away. Valerii announced. "Jumping in five, four, three, two, one, JUMP!" With a flash the raptor was gone.

Picon Anchorage

Headquarters of the Colonial Navy

In orbit of Planet Picon

Helios Alpha System

Martius 25, YR98 (Colonial Calendar)

June 2, 2065 (Earth Calendar)

With a flash, a raptor jumped into Picon Fleet space. Picon Anchorage's control officer looked at the dradis as IFF gave the proper identification. "Raptor 092 this is Picon Anchorage Control."

Lt. Valerii responded. "Picon Control, this is Raptor 092 of the Battlestar Galactica. My call sign is Boomer. I have Galactica Actual and XO aboard. Request docking instructions."

The controller quickly checked his list for expected arrivals. "Confirmed Boomer. We are clearing a pad now, stand by and hold current position."

"Understood Control." Sharon looked off to the right of the massive station and her eyes went wide at what she saw. "Commander, are we at war?"

Her ECO, Lt Karl Agathon, leaned up and looked out to see what she was looking at. "Sir I think you should see this."

Both Adama and Tigh stood up and hunched over to see out the raptors front canopy. Off to the right of the station, many fleet ships where lining up in convoy position. There had to be at least a thousand vipers out on CAP.

"Frak me, that's a lot of ships." Tigh commented. Adama nodded in agreement. "I would say about three Battlestar Groups." He then answered Boomers question. "I am not sure Lt. But I think it is possible."

Control then came back. "Boomer, you are cleared for landing pad delta. An escort will be waiting for Commander Adama and Colonel Tigh. Once landed, your raptor will be prepped for prelaunch back to Galactica."

Sharon looked to the Commander, wondering how he was going to get back. Adama leaned forward and pushed a button. "Picon Fleet Control, this is Galactica Actual. Please clarify your last transmission."

"Commander Adama, welcome to Picon Anchorage. Sir I have been informed that your meeting with Admiral Colman is not expected to take long. Your raptor is going to be made ready to take you back to your command with minimal delay. Admiral Coman's orders sir."

Adama just grunted. "Well boomer, you heard the man. Take us in."

"Aye sir." The raptor quickly made its way to landing pad delta, which then lowered the raptor into the anchorage. As promised, an officer was waiting for the Commander as he disembarked from the raptor. "Welcome Commander Adama, Colonel Tigh. This way please."

The officer quickly turned and started to walk away. Adama and Tigh just gave each other a look and quickly followed. After all they did not have much choice. They were quickly brought before Admiral Coleman who looked like he was in the middle of a half dozen irritating things all at once as various officers made there way in and out of the office. He held up a finger to indicate he needed a minute as his other hand had a phone to his ear. "I don't give a flying frak what that jackass wants. Battlestar Valkyrie will join the expeditionary forces, no ifs ands or buts. And you tell that old warmonger that if one single Colonial vessel crosses the Armistice line or antagonizes the Cylons in any way, I will personally space his ass, right after I shove a grenade up it! Am I in anyway unclear!" The Admiral listened for a few minutes, grunted and then hung up. He mumbled. "Fraking moron." He looked up and returned the quick salute from his two subordinates. "Ah. Commander Adama, Colonel Tigh, please have a seat." He turned to the other officers invading his space. "Give us the room."

Once the doors were closed and they were alone, Adama spoke up. "Sir. Forgive me for eavesdropping but I take it from your conversation that this is not about the Cylons."

Coleman grunted. "No it is not. Though if General Maximum had his way, it would. That idiot has never forgiven me for axing the Valkyrie mission to go into Cylon space. Anytime a mission comes up for the Valkyrie he tries to interfere and insist we send a force in strength to see what the Cylons have been up to all these years. I think the fool is unable to comprehend that would start another war."

Tigh spoke up. "Forgive me sir, but shouldn't we know if the toasters are about to frak with us?"

Coleman smirked. "Oh I didn't say we are not keeping an eye on them, just that we don't need to send a Battlestar to do it."

Adama nodded. "Yes sir. So if this is not about the Cylons…"

Coleman quickly consulted his watch. "Its almost time for Adar's press conference. What the President has to say will give you both the necessary background." He picked up a remote and turned his wall screen on. Adama and Tigh turned to watch.

The screen showed a reporter in front of the gates of the Presidential Compound. "...to address all the Colonies. While it is not yet known what the President will be saying, I can report that the Quorum of Twelve has been in emergency session since early this morning."

The screen split to show a news anchor. "Connie, have you heard any word about a possible Cylon attack?"

"Bruce, there has been absolutely no word coming from any source about the Cylons. However one of my sources confirmed that three battle groups are currently gathering in orbit of Picon. This has lead many to fear that there is currently a threat to the Colonies."

"Thank you Connie. That was Connie Morgan of the Caprica City Journal. For those just joining us, President Adar is set to address all the Colonies in just a few minutes. No one on the President's staff is willing to disclose the subject matter however what is known is that the Quorum of Twelve has been in emergency session since 3 am local Caprica time. Also known is that elements of the Colonial Fleet are gathering at Picon, leading many to believe that the Colonies will soon be at war if we are not already. We now go to the Office of the Presidency for an address from President Adar."

The screen cut to the Seal of the President of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, then cleared to show President Adar. "Good afternoon my fellow Colonials. First let me say that there has not been any attacks or incursions by the Cylons on the Colonies or any of our space. While it is true that your Quorum has been in session and the fleet is mobilizing to deal with a treat to the Colonies, it has nothing to do with the Cylons.

Two years ago, the Colonial Fleet launched the Pathfinder Mission. Its goal was to expand our knowledge of the Universe and seek new resources and planets for our benefit and use. The Admiralty sent the Battlestar Hera commanded by Commander Ashley Lyndel. Hera was escorted by the Gunstars Sword and Orion commanded by Colonels William Stoner and Gregory Denton. Six months ago, the Pathfinder group found nebula about ten jumps from Colonial space. Inside this nebula is what astro-physicists refer to as a wormhole.

Put simply, a wormhole is a tunnel through space and time that connects two separate points of space together. Most wormholes are unstable and transitory. This one though demonstrated an unusual stability and did not dissipate after being watched for two weeks. A probe was launched and sent through the wormhole. It arrived safely on the other side and was able to signal back to Hera.

Commander Lyndel intended to drop a navigational beacon for further follow up by our scientists when the probe started to pick up on radio and television signals from its side. After much debate, Commander Lyndel allowed a volunteer Viper pilot to go through the wormhole." The screen split and on the left of the president, the picture of a young Colonial officer was shown. "Lt. James Marks successfully piloted his Viper to the other side with no ill effects.

Lt. Marks discovered that the other end of the wormhole was 1 AU from an eight planet solar system and that the signals were coming from the third planet. Lt. Marks Viper was equipped with stealth capabilities and he was able to approach the third planet undetected. What he found will forever change the Colonies.

Commander Lyndel brought her group threw the wormhole and launched Raptors to confirm Lt. Marks discovery and gain more information." The screen changed to show a blue world with white clouds. "It is with extreme pleasure that I inform you that we have found our lost brothers and sisters. My fellow Colonials, may I present the Planet Earth and home of the Thirteenth Colony of Man."

The President paused to allow for shock. Adama gripped his chair and his eyes went wide. Tigh whispered, "Holy Frak."

The President continued. "How we know this is Earth will be released at a later time. For now, rest assured that we know this is Earth. We do yet know what happened to our Brothers but what we do know is that at some point in their history, the Thirteenth tribe lost its knowledge of Kobol and whom they are. It is only a recent discover that has given them a hint at the truth. For this alone, I would feel obligated to send a mission to Earth and share with them our rich history and what it means to be Colonial.

However, there is a much more pressing reason why we need to rush to our brothers side." The screen then cut to show the footage of the Calimar jumping into Earth orbit and their demands. The footage then showed Orion's view of the battle between the Calimar and the Battlestar Hera and Gunstar Sword. "I regret to inform my fellow Colonials that all were lost in the battle. Commander Lyndel and the crews of the Hera and Sword will be mourned and remembered. Their sacrifice will not be in vain.

I have ordered the Admiralty to bring our forces to full alert. As I speak, a task force is assembling in Picon orbit to rush to Earths aid. Let us remember that Earth is the Thirteenth Colony and we will not allow one of us to be enslaved and murdered. So Say We All. Thank you."

The screen switched to the Seal of the Presidency. After a minute, Adama repeated. "So Say We All." He turned back to Coleman. "Admiral. Give us the supplies and Galactica will be combat ready in 12 hours."

Coleman smiled. "I am glad to hear that. Galactica's resupply is already underway. That's why I had you send her to the bone yard. There is a fleet replenisher that was already prepping Pacifica and Colombia. Crew should be embarking shortly."

Tigh could not resist. "Why sir? Don't get me wrong. Galactica is one tuff ship. But these are old ships, sir."

Coleman nodded. "I am aware of that Colonel. The reason I am getting them ready for combat is because they are going to be the ships that create Earths Planetary Defense Fleet."

Adama gasped. "Your going to give Galactica, my ship….."

"Commander, I know what Galactica means to you. But lets face it. She is old and in a few years would either become a museum piece if she is lucky or worse scrapped. That was the fate awaiting Pacifica and Columbia. Earth does not have any space forces. At least this way, Earth can learn how to use, fix and fight with modern Battlestars and the old girls get to continue with dignity."

Adama thought about it for a minute before he agreed it was a much kinder fate for his beloved ship. "What about my crew."

Coleman smirked. "Well, we now can not afford to loose any Colonial personnel, so I will just have to find something else for you and them to do." He picked up a piece of paper. "Oh look, here is that something else." He handed it over to Adama.

Adama quickly read the paper and handed it to Tigh. "The Warstar Olympia?"

Coleman nodded. "Absolutely. Your people have performed superbly with Galactica. Even knowing that she did not have much longer in service, that did not stop your people from taking care of her as if she was the flag ship of the Colonial Fleet. That deserves a reward."

Adama was glad that his people would have somewhere to go. "Good. May I ask who will command her?"

Coleman just looked him in the eye. "Olympia's commanding officer is and will be, William Adama."

Now Adama was frowning. "Warstars are not commanded by worn out Commanders that are about to retire."

Coleman went back to smirking. "Yes, we will need to deal with that as well. Commander Adama, I DO NOT regret to inform you that your request for retirement is denied. As of this date and time you are hereby promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. You are required to take Battlestar Group 75 to Earth and then teach the Earthers in Battlestar operations and maintenance. Once Olympia's construction is complete, you are to assume command with the crew of the Battlestar Galacia."

He handed over Admiral bars to Adama. He then turned to Tigh. "I am afraid though you will need a new Executive Officer as Commander Tigh will be assuming command of the Battlestar Poseidon once she is complete."

Tigh gasped. "Why the frak are you promoting me!"

Coleman laughed. "Direct. I like that. Because you deserved it and the fleet needs able Commanders and that would me you. Besides, Pacifica will need a Commander for the journey to Earth and I have no one else I can spare. Admiral Adama, you might as well hand Tigh your Commander pips. Gentlemen, you have your orders. Dismissed."