Worldwar: Establishing A Balance

by AlbertG

Summary-Book IV: Years ago, the Colonials of Cyrannus met the so-called 13th tribe. It didn't work out well. The Colonials met the Race. That didn't work out well either, but they were introduced to a much larger galaxy. Now their errors have come back and they know they are small fish in a large ocean trying to survive. Can they? Will the Race let them?

17. Chapter 17

Record keeping time:

Fanfiction net has been acting up in the TV section so I don't know if it will even post but I shall do so anyway But first…

Aletan Marxan: I will be discussing the Race's reaction in the next chapter as they respond to the President's speech.

Shadowwriter01: I am glad that you noticed that Goesel said a lot without saying anything. It was an excellent try but it all goes out the window in this chapter so fast that your head will swim. What he was trying to do is prepare his people for news that they might not like. And, here I don't want to portray the Colonials in a single light. They are changing but like we in the U.S. it will take time, and won't be smooth. The Race's secret will come out soon…

Fanswell: I am no politician but my source is a master speech writer and orator.

EvilTheLast: Yep, no violence. Not yet. A lot of your comments are about to be answered here, The Colonials don't know the truth but are about be swamped with information. Some of it real and some of it they are assuming to be real. Read and see what I mean.

Chloe: Need a break Yep. That is what the talking heads make you want to do. I have achieved my goal!

Thank you everyone for reading.

Now, on with the story…

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! THIS CHAPTER WILL CONTINUE LOTS OF TALKING AS I MENTIONED BEFORE IN THE LAST CHAPTER! WARNING! WARNING! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Chapter Seventeen

Revealing Truths and Consequences -Part Two

Cyrannus Star system

Caprica

"…power and the Goa'uld are a shadow of their former selves. However, they are rising again, striving to become that which they once were and, they have found us. That is not to say that this is a bad omen. Indeed, it may bring us into a new age of enlightenment.

Three months ago, an alien ship appeared at the border that once separated Cylon from Colonial space. The ship was pyramid-shape and its ambassador wished to contact our government. We have discovered that this ship design is common in the galaxy and many friendly governments as well as pirates and hostile entities use ship design called the Ha'tak. The ship is the standard vessel for what was known as the Goa'uld Empire. The Goa'uld encountered Humans on Earth eight thousand years ago… that number is correct according to all our research. It is a known fact that they took many Humans from Terra and transplanted them throughout the galaxy. They called the Humans of Earth the 'Tau'ri, which in the Goa'uld language means 'first world' and its people were also called the Tau'ri'. It was a derogatory term used by these aliens to the denote mankind of Terra. But the name Tau'ri is also known throughout the galaxy as 'the First World that fought back'.

A rebellion on Earth many thousands of years ago forced the Goa'uld to flee. For many thousands of years Earth had time to grow and mature. Twenty-six years by Terra's calendar, they encountered Earth again. The Empire did not tolerate any advanced Human world or alien species that might develop enough technology to threaten their rule. Hundreds of worlds and hundreds of species were obliterated by the Goa'uld. The Goa'uld encountered the Terrans and immediately hostilities began. Their leader Ra, trued to cripple or destroy Earth using a super-enhanced nuclear device. He failed and was killed. His death signaled that Earth was a threat, one they could not allow to continue to exist. Ra's death remained a mystery that the System Lords would not solve for years. Once they rediscovered Earth, it was designated a threat and they tried to once more enslave the people, or in failing that they would have destroyed Earth. Although badly outnumbered and technologically inferior, the people of Terra survived, becoming stronger. Through hard work, planning, gathering allies and huge amounts of blessings from the gods and luck, they crippled the Empire, killing most of the Goa'uld System Lords in the process. While all this was happening, we were hidden, safely isolated by our nebula, unaware of the desperate battle waged between Humanity and the Goa'uld. Earth is now a young, budding galactic power and the Goa'uld are a shadow of their former selves.

From the ashes of the old Empire a new Empire formed, the Ashtorath Goa'uld Empire. The ship that visited our system is one of vast number under the direct control of that empire that seceded the Goa'uld Empire. The Ashtorath are growing quickly, working diligently to become the power that they once were.

And, they have found us.

Although the crew that visited us are Humanoid, they are not Human, as we understand the term. The original Goa'uld Empire was vast, once ruling more than eighty percent the galaxy with an iron hand. Nut now, things have changed, attitudes have changed. One of the Ashtorath Lords came to us personally asking to establish an alliance between our people and theirs. I have been given time to think about this and tonight, I will respond to Lord Astartea's request.

To lord Astartea and the respective System Lords of the Ashtorath Empire, the Ashtorath Empire is one of great honor, yet it is also one of great concern. The people of the Colonies of Kobol are an ancient people whose culture goes back four thousand years in our recorded history. During this time, as we have strived to mature into a culture that the people of Kobol and others can be proud of, we acknowledge that we have made many mistakes. Our civilization has risen, and it has fallen and risen again and now we are at a point of transition. It is a time of glorious recognition for what has been revealed to us in the galaxy and it has also to our sorrow led to a collision of cultures. In the past few years we have discovered other human civilizations, we discovered evidence of alien, or should I say non-human civilizations that are growing and flourishing in the galaxy. Not all of these revelations have been beneficial. There has been conflict. There has been strife. There has been uncertainty among the different worlds. We have seen protest among the people as we struggle to understand our position in this new reality. It is a time where we seek to establish a balance amongst ourselves and for our new friends and distant relatives that we have so recently discovered. There is no easy answer for resolving any of these social and political challenges. At the same time we must respect not only the newly discovered people of the galaxy but we must also respect the changes within ourselves. I do not believe that we can settle ourselves if we struggle to keep our identities to the exclusion of all else. We can be in danger of giving in to impulsive actions that could cause damage to civilizations and inadvertently damage relations between the people Kobol and Ashtorath Empire.

If we choose to ally ourselves with you right now, then we do both you and ourselves a disservice. The Colonies of Kobol exist under a government served by democratic rule. In contrast, the Ashtorath Goa old Empire exist as a form of Regency. That is not to say that the two forms of government are incompatible. However, I feel it would be a disservice for the Colonies of Kobol to join itself with the Goa old Empire. The transitional state of my people are experiencing would not serve in the best interest to you, Lord Astartea and to your Empire. That is not to say that we do not appreciate the honor that you have offered us, indeed, there are many advantages for both sides. But we must also acknowledge that there would be a definite conflict between our people and yours. In order to join your people, we as a nation would have to deny our relationship with your traditional enemies. The newly formed United Coalition of Worlds in which Earth known as Terra is a part of and a founding member, is effectively in contest with your people. Because of lingering hostilities between your two people we believe that eventually this difference of ideologies will draw us into conflict against either or both of your two governments. This is something that we wish to avoid at all costs. We have had conflicts and we understand the bitterness that those conflicts produce. It is with this mindset that I regretfully, at this point in time, refused the offer that you have so graciously bestowed to us. That is not to say that we would not change our minds in the future, but it is saying that we as a people are not ready to take such an enormous step at this time. What I would propose however is that we take our time to learn about each other, build trust and respect, and seek to find areas of commonality by taking small steps. Let our respective people learn about one another in small matters such as trade, such as coming together to discuss our opinions and concerns as well as learning of the positive values that each of our respective societies have to offer. There is also the military component that exist between our two societies. If we are to reach a point of commonality with you, our forces must learn how to coexist peacefully with one another. And if we have any differences between our two nations then we must learn to pursue a political settlement that will benefit both sides in dignity and respect. I realize that this takes time. But it is also an opportunity for two nations to come together at the table and began to prepare a political groundwork that both of our people can benefit from.

I fully understand that this is not what you want to hear. Let me be clear. I also realize that the people of Earth will not be pleased with my answer and not outright rejecting the concerns of your government. What I'm proposing is that we lay groundwork between all three of our governments so that we can establish some type of peaceful and trusted co-existence that would not threaten each other, but in the long term benefit all three. I believe that each of us seeks peace. Each of us seeks peaceful resolutions between our differences whether they be political, social, or religious in nature.

I realize there are no easy answers for our nations to resolve all of our differences immediately. Obviously, it will take time. Resolving all these social forces that I have just mentioned means that we must respect that people will draw from their own traditions, be it religion or the culture that they have originated from. Our sense of nationhood is ingrained in all us. But I do not believe progress is possible if our desire to preserve our identities gives way to the need to dominate another group.

If our religion leads us to persecute those of another faith, if we jail or beat people who differ from what we consider the norm, if we continue our traditions which allows us to continue to enslave our children, treat them as property then ultimately our civilizations will falter and unravel. We now know that the galaxy is not some huge vast emptiness. We see it becoming smaller and smaller every day as we meet more and more of our brothers and sister, and aliens species, known and those yet to be discovered. We must learn to greet one another in peace and we must learn to embrace our differences rather than exploit them.

That's our great challenge and our great responsibility. We are ordinary people tasked with an extraordinary challenge. What our generation is attempting has been done before and after we are gone, others will do it again. It has to be done in small steps to ensure the integrity of all concerned, no matter the difficulties, no matter the need to move with haste.

I believe we can do this together, no matter who we are or what we look like or what we believe. We can take the reins of our fate. If we do this right, if we do this diligently then we will not fail. I am confident that we can meet these challenges.

I salute the gods of our fathers, I salute the Quorum and our religious leadership. I salute the people of the Colonies of Kobol, the people of Earth and their allies, and I salute the Lords of the Ashtorath System Lords. Let us come together and talk as mature people. Thank you.

Despite his aunt's insistence to the contrary, Antonia Goesel was not a religious man. Still, as he walked away from the podium he felt the need to thank the gods that it was over.

For now, at least.

There was little doubt that everyone was about to pile on top of him in ways that would make the invasion debacle with the Race seem like an insignificant warm up exercise. He'd just said 'no' to the Goa'uld who would not take that rejection lightly. He would openly admit that the Colonies invaded the Race and would accept responsibility but the real reason why it was done would never, ever be revealed until after the heat-death of the universe, if then. The very last thing the colonies needed was for Earth to find out of the aborted plan to surround their star system and use the Race as soldiers to subdue them. No, no, no – never admit that. Never. Besides, things and attitudes had changed. Plus, the unknown threat heading towards them was a priority and his people didn't need to know about that yet. He and his advisors agreed that using the Goa'uld threat and the failed attempt to conquer the Race as a smokescreen for what was really coming; and to continue to smooth things over with Earth would cover or at least delay a multitude of sins.

Certainly the members of the Quorum and the religious enclave were–silent. In shock, no doubt. The real explosion would happen in about a minute according to his estimates. He wasn't sure how well his speech went over with the people. Gemenon and the hardliners on in the Sag region were probably pissing themselves right about now. Too bad. Maybe he'd move them all off to one of the new colony worlds they were constantly finding, give them their independence and be done with it.

As he headed towards the safety of his stunned security, he heard the people finish clapping–and then the room erupted just as he knew it would.

'Less, than a minute, I see'.

Petre: "well… Any comments?"

Elissa: "It was suspected that the President would address the situation with the Terrans and reach out to them. We've seen that coming, but this speech was beyond anything I could have anticipated coming from the executive office.

Petre: "Indeed, this was all in all, stunning. For those who missed this extraordinary speech delivered by President Goesel. We will do a quick recap for you. He talked about the new colonies that are being developed several thousand light years from home. He discussed the colonists that are traveling there and how they're reconstructing and will be in the process of developing those worlds which are located not too far from the Sol system. He also discussed the safety of the travelers and how they would be protected from pirates, and dare I say aliens, that might try to take advantage of the long distance travelers. He discussed our positive relations with the Terrans and mutual advantages that both sides have in working and cooperating together. He also strongly implied that the people of the planet Earth are not the ancestors of the fabled Thirteenth Colony. In fact, he clearly stated that the people of Earth, known as the Terrans, have archaeological evidence and proof that they lived on Earth thousands of years before our own recorded history. That in itself is a stunning admission, one sure to invoke a lot of controversy and discussion among both the regular public as well as the religious enclaves as it directly contradicts some of the beliefs that we've held onto for thousands of years."

Elissa: "I can already see the communications board lighting up. To our viewers please be patient we will get to you as soon we can. But I want to say this which was even more shocking. Apparently, not only have we have had contact with alien life forms that are reptilian in nature, we have also had contact with another apparently very powerful empire known as the Goa'uld Empire. At this point we know very little about them other than what the President has just spoken to us about. He also offered to be a mediator to create an alliance of some sort with them or barring that, to at least establish some sort of peace conference."

William Arrarn: "Yes, however the history that he gave of that particular empire did not present them in a very favorable light. In fact, it is my understanding that this was a very dangerous nation that conquered a large portion of our galaxy and kept humanity under primitive conditions to the point of total slavery."

Elissa: "That's my understanding as well. But he also specifically stated…let me get my notes here… that the old empire has been burned away particularly through the actions of the Terrans and the new empire has taken over from the ashes of the old. I believe they're now called Ashtorath. This may be a more benevolent empire; however, this still appears to be some very bad blood between them and the Terrans."

Petre: "That, in and of itself, has grave implications for our people. We don't know anything about the Empire. We barely learned anything about the Terrans and what we do believe may not be correct in the first place, and we don't know the threat potential of this Empire. We do know that the Terrans are not to be trifled with as we learned that firsthand. Whether they are true Kobollians or not, it appears that we recognize them as fellow brothers and sisters. We are also concerned at how their own culture will affect us as we discussed earlier. Now we have a new group that we've never heard of before who are obviously enemies of the Terrans coming to visit us in seeking to form an alliance."

William: "You can see the problem here. We are starting to interact with three alien cultures: the Terrans, this new Empire, and let's not forget the Race…"

Petre: "let's not forget the so-called United Coalition of Worlds that the Terrans are part of."

William: "You're right. That's another unknown variable. I think we might be becoming overwhelmed with so many new things happening at once. Now, we have a basic understanding what the Terrans might do, and in fact I agree with the President that we should move in very careful steps as we begin to expand into the galaxy and meet new people and new species. We are not alone anymore and we had to understand what that means.

Elissa: "I understand exactly what you trying to say. The Goesel has all but guaranteed a cultural and religious battle. We have yet to see the proof of the Terrans claim, but to some people it won't matter if it's the truth or not because they will be locked into their own belief systems and they will refuse to even look at the evidence. Then, he said to certain colonial factions that child slavery, or should we say child servitude or ownership, were no longer be tolerated. That is something that has been going on for at least twenty generations and is ingrained in the people and they will not give up lightly. In fact I believe that some will be willing start a civil war to maintain their beliefs when it comes to this. I haven't even touched in the religious implications that are about to erupt when the conservatives start demanding more laws and regulations protecting our own religious beliefs. We all knew this was coming the moment Earth was discovered to be a monotheistic dominated world."

William: "I'm sure there will be some disruptions however I think that our people will act with a lot more maturity about this than we are them credit for. It will be very interesting to see how the religious enclaves response to this. Not only do they have to deal with alien life, the people that may not be the Thirteenth Tribe and their allies, and the religious upheaval that this is going to bring, but they have to examine themselves and help determine what direction we need to go from here. I'm sure there are going to be a lot of people coming to speak to our leadership the very near future and it will be their responsibility to help alleviate the fear that we are sure will occur. Then we have to take in consideration our military forces and how they're going to respond."

Elissa: "yes, I understand what the President has tried to do. I even applaud his openness but I hate to say it. There's a part of me that is very concerned about our future. We've dealt with the Cylons and despite the incredible loss of life we understood that to be a straightforward war. We knew who the good guys were and who were bad. Now, we are stepping into a whole new era. If you listened to the President, you noticed that he was very cautious about how he rejected the alliance to the Ashtorath. And I do agree that we should take things slowly. I also agree that we should all come together and see if we can form some type of pact that will allow peaceful coexistence between all of our nations. But I get the impression this is going to be a lot harder than the president has tried to convey to us. Then we have two consider the Empire of the Race. We have no idea what happened there, how our people encountered them, or how we were shot at by those aliens. We need facts, and right now we don't have any. For example, how close are the borders of the Empire of the Race to our own Colonial worlds and by this am referring to the new colonies? Are they a threat? How advanced is that technology and how many warships do they have that might to be in a position to attack those colony worlds? Is the Race allied with the…what is it called, the Coalition of Worlds? Can we sufficiently protect ourselves against the Empire of the Race? What is their position on our colonies being so close to the territories? Considering the previous history of the Empire, how dangerous are the Ashtorath? Would us allying sales with them be a benefit or detriment? These are just the first of many hundreds of questions that we need to have answered for we can effectively proceed."

William: "I can think of a few hundred questions myself. But let's get back to the religious leaders that were present. While the President was speaking, I was looking at their reactions very carefully. High Priestess Livia Stomata did not look happy."

Petre: "That's an understatement."

William: "None of them did. The quorum body looked as if they had been betrayed or lied to. It is unfortunate that at all of this time, the quorum body assumes that they should be informed of everything at any given moment. We all know that does not promote secrecy. I'm sure that initial first contact with the Ashtorath was a very delicate matter. The quorum's notorious inability keep and maintain state secrets is a well-known embarrassment to the government. I know very little to nothing about these Ashtorath but if they are direct descendants of the previous powers, then I am sure somebody in the quorum would inadvertently insult at them and we will be at war right now."

Elissa: "Oh come on now, certain members who shall not be named at this, and we all know who they are, are not that bad. But in times like this I do acknowledge that we had to be very careful especially as we know very little about any of this."

Petre: "On that note, I want to introduce our very special guest, Assistant Ambassador of the Terran United Coalition of Worlds, Doctor Craig Cheney. This is the first time we've been granted an exclusive, unscripted interview with ta Terran representative. He will be our guest commentator with us as we continue our analysis of the President's speech. For the convenience of our audience, Doctor Cheney is still learning our Kobollian language. He's become rather fluent but for this conversation he's going to use a translator to make sure that we understand each other. Doctor Cheney thank you for coming to speak with us."

XXX

"Who agreed to this?!" President Goesel demanded as the Colonial Broadcasting Network introduced the Terran to the entirely of the Twelve Colonies and beyond.

"We didn't know, sir," one of his aides all but wailed. "We can have security there in a few minutes..."

"And have that scene dragged out across the entirety Colonies? You want us to shut down CBN with Earth watching us!? Are you out of your mind?"

"But Mister President, he'll tell everything! We can't allow that! Every other network will pick this up! The political mess that this will cause…!"

"Frack! Frack, frack, Frack, FRACK!"

"Language, dear. What's done is done. It's time to listen and be ready to counter strike. You've just been rolled a hard six. Show these people why they elected you."

"I have to go to the toilet now while I can. Turn it up. I want to hear everything!"

XXX

Ambassador Cheney: On behalf of the people of Earth and the United Coalition of Worlds, I thank you for having me here."

Petre: "Thank you for coming on such short notice. But before we continue, can you please explain exactly what the United Coalition of Worlds is and what relationship does it have with Earth?"

Ambassador Cheney: "Of course. The United Coalition of Worlds is a newly formed organization consisting of several worlds, including the Tollanians and Orbanians that have come together for mutual cooperation in scientific, exploratory, economic, and defense. In this five worlds' coalition, Earth is the founding member. In our charter we are also responsible for maintaining the Protective Planets Treaty. This treaty exists to protect the worlds that are unable to protect themselves specifically included by the Asgard people to protect from the Goa'uld. We, the people of Terra, and by extension the UCW are responsible for these worlds protection. It is also in our charter to allow them to develop at their own pace. We may have contact with them but we try not to influence the culture in ways that can be detrimental to them. If required, we will give humanitarian aid, freely without expectations of compensation."

Petre: "How many worlds are there protected under this treaty?"

Cheney: "Approximately seventy-two worlds."

Petre: "On these worlds, are the inhabitant's Human?"

Cheney: "The far majority of them have humans as the majority inhabitants. There couple of worlds which have crystalline based life forms. In one world has humanoid–plant symbiotic lifeforms."

William: "That brings up more questions for later. But keeping to our current discussion, can anyone join this coalition? For example, could the Colonies join this coalition?"

Cheney: "At this time, no. The Coalition is still defining itself. Three other worlds are being considered. There is a possibility that the Race may be included in the Coalition eventually."

Elissa: "Let me clarify something. The Empire of the Race is a nonhuman government, is that correct?"

Cheney: "That is correct. There Empire is a collection of three different reptilian, or should I say reptilian-like species. To be accurate, we can't specifically label them as reptiles because they don't have true characteristics of reptiles as defined by our definition on Terra."

Elissa: "I'm having trouble wrapping my head around this. So, you would choose aliens to be added to your coalition, but you won't include the human colonies? Why is that?"

Cheney: "The coalition is a new organization. Our decisions have to be made carefully and we are vetting worlds very carefully. We're still in the process of learning about your people and you are still learning about us, just as your President said in his speech."

Elissa: "You're implying that you know more about the Empire of the Race than you do about us, the Colonies of Kobol. Are you also implying that these Lizardians, as you call them, are more important to you that we are?"

Cheney: "Our relationship between our respective governments and I am referring to the Race, is closer than it is with you. My government may consider asking you to join the coalition. But that will likely happen sometime in the future."

Elissa: "I'm sorry to repeat myself over and over but, you're saying that your government values the Race more than it does its own brothers and sisters."

Cheney: "Our relationship with the Race at this point in time is better than our relationship with the Colonies."

Elissa: "I find this hard to believe that you choose aliens over us! I don't understand this."

Cheney: "What would you like for me explain that to you?"

Elissa: "I would love for you to explain this to me and our listeners."

Cheney: "As you wish...In order to understand our position, you have to know a little bit of the history."

Petre: "Trust me, we want to hear this."

Cheney: "Less than five years ago the Cylon remnant arrived in our star system in battered, half destroyed ships filled with injured and all but starving humanoid Cylons, your own creations, rebellious as they were."

Elissa: "I will have to take issue with that comment. We did not make those clone creatures."

Cheney: "I agree, and your people are not to blame for the response of the Cylons trying to infiltrate your defenses so that they could commit genocide. In some ways, our war with the replicators, a robotic race was similar to yours, we wiped them out as they presented a clear and present danger not only to us but to everyone else. We are happy for your victory. But you committed genocide against a species that, unlike the replicators, could be reasoned with, and you brought your problems to our doorstep. I understand your people experienced a major war and you won that war.

However, they came to us as refugees. They could be reasoned with. They asked for nothing more than a little food and temporary sanctuary. They had no intentions of staying because they feared humanity. That was made the difference between the replicators and the Cylons. If your battlestars hadn't come, we would have supplied them with humanitarian aid and probably sent them on their way."

Elissa: But why show that kind of compassion? They're machines."

Cheney: "My superiors recognized them as intelligent life forms. Were they a danger to us? Not in their condition. We were debating whether to send them on their way or allow them to stay or perhaps even ask one of our allies to take them in. The Nox would have taken them in. Asking them was certainly a possibility. We'll never know because your military forces tracking them came wanting to finish your own acts of genocide. The people of Earth would not condone your final solution, not at our doorstep. If it had been outside of our territory, or if we had been unaware of the situation, we might have not involved ourselves in your war. We would not have liked it but that was your business, not ours. However, your military came into our star system not only demanding the Cylon refugees that we had given refugee status to, be given over to them for execution, but your military decided to add my world to your colonies as a little bonus. You used the Cylons as a pretense to attack us, assuming that we would offer little resistance. Your military believed it was a win, win situation. We defend ourselves against nuclear attacks with nuclear attacks of our own. We destroyed your battlestars when they purposely tried to enter orbit in order to use high-yield nuclear ordinance against our planet. As I mentioned before, we had the Cylon refugees and the Colonial forces in our star system. I must add that before the Colonial fleet arrived, there was another fleet that entered our star system ahead of them with the intent of conquer Earth."

Elissa: I find this hard to believe. We were never told any of this."

Cheney: "Those facts, that information should be discussed with your government. To continue, the six hundred strong Conquest Fleet of the Race demanded our surrender. All of this happened within a week's time; a week defined by Earth is equal to seven days. Approximately nine hundred years ago the Race sent probes to our planet, saw that we were very primitive and judged us ripe for conquest. Nine hundred years later which is approximately five years ago, they came to Earth to conquer it, expecting little or no change from what their probes had shown them. We surprised them by introducing our starships which were far in advance of theirs and explaining to them that if they wished to continue, we would wipe them out of existence." He smiled at the memory. "They tried to convince us that they had a legal right to Earth. They even had legal documentation from their empire stating that Earth officially belonged to them. We went to their home planet, spoke to their leadership, and explained the situation in a manner that clarified the very precarious position they were in. Once they understood the position they were in, the leadership was justifiably terrified but reasonable. During this time the elements of the Colonial Fleet attacked us in full view of both the Cylon refugees and the Conquest Fleet of the Race. That battle terrified the Race even more and brought them to the table very quickly. During all of this, we had to deal with your Colonial war fleet. There were many leaders on Earth that wished to retaliate in kind." The speakers in the room could feel the tension passing through their fellow commentators. "After much debate, we chose not to turn one of your worlds into a desolate wasteland in retaliation as an example. The leadership of the Race talked to us and the treaty was made which we have every reason to believe they will honor. Your government decided against coming to the table without getting certain concessions such as not recognizing our rights as an independent world, and Earth's acknowledgment that we are your Thirteenth Tribe. Your government chose to maintain a state of semi-cold war with my world. So naturally hostilities between our people simmered."

William: "We were that close to war?"

Cheney: "Fortunately, it didn't spill over into war, but still, relations between our two governments were tense. Two years later, the Colonial fleet attacked the worlds of the Race, all three of them. Although the Race is an empire, we can't use that name to really define a human concept of an empire. They had no defenses whatsoever on their planets. They lived in peace, granted after they went conquering their local neighbors. Otherwise they lived in a weaponless society. And before you say anything, I am not saying that the Race isn't dangerous, far from it. I am saying that their worlds exist at a level of peace that none of us have been able to achieve. The Colonial fleet conquered them in less than a day. And when Colonials were forced away from the Imperial worlds, there was a nuclear detonation that killed millions of Lizardians. We still don't know the exact reasons why this occurred in a matter still under intense investigation. But it was only then and the threat of the Tollanian's no-fly zone of the Colonies within thirty-five light years of Earth immediately following, did your people finally decide to open some form of legitimate communications with my people without the demands."

Petre: "Did I hear this correctly? Are you implying that Colonial forces invaded the Race's Empire?"

Cheney: "It is not implied. It is a fact. Millions died, compared to less than three thousand members of your own military forces and that was because of Tollanian interference in the protection of the Race."

William: "You're saying that our first contact with the Race was actually an invasion on our part?"

Cheney: "That is exactly what I am saying. The Empire of the Race, and I am going to use the name Lizardian to keep things simpler, that despite all the deaths that occurred are still willing to talk to your government. But they want restitution and justice. They want to know exactly what happened and they want to know why a nuclear detonation occurred on their home world, incidentally called Home, when none of their people had access to nuclear weapons because

Petre: "But you're saying…"

Cheney: "Please let me finish. Your people had secured them all. Furthermore, as part of standard Lizardian protocol all nuclear bomb making materials were located on one side of the planet and the detonators located on opposite side of the world or off world. Almost all the nuclear weapons were located either with the Conquest Fleet near Earth. It was believed that they have only two functional weapons on their entire planet, and those were in storage. Remember, I said that they didn't have any conventional weapons on their world. Other than security personnel having small caliper weapons, they were effectively a weapons-free planet, yet a nuclear detonation occurred."

William: "So, they are implying that we had something to do with that."

Cheney: "They simply want to find out the truth. They are also upset because every one of their political leaders were executed hours before you Colonials left. The only reason why the Emperor and his successor survived was because he was secreted away before Colonial Special Forces took the government palace. These are things that I believe that your government and the Lizardian leaders may want to discuss in the near future. As first contacts ago, that particular one was a disaster."

Elissa: "We asked several representatives of the Quorum to join our discussion of the President's speech, but none of them were able to join us. I would love to listen to and respond to your allegations."

Antonio Goesel couldn't stand it any longer. Je jumped up from his seat and strolled around the room in a righteous fury. Only his wife refused to cower around him as he muttered to himself.

"That's a totally different version of what was in the report," he growled as his professionalism took over once again. The official reports he received concluded that several members of the leadership were killed during the initial capture of the palace after a brief but fierce struggle for control of the government. The nuclear incident resulted from Race terrorists trying to destroy a Colonial garrison being established groundside.

The ambassador's story and the official reports he received from Governor Iblison didn't match. In fact, none of the official reports matched with what he was now hearing.

"Get me military Intel and Secretary Papulis. Have them bring all of the official Invasion, documents reports and summaries. When this is over, I want the ambassador of Terra in my office. I need to have a talk with

The President was worried. If any of Cheney's allegations were true, then this nightmare was a bigger explosion than he thought possible.

"I want both Terran and UCW ambassadors in my office as soon as possible, preferably as soon as this debacle is over. They have some explaining to do."

"And so do I…"

Gathering himself, he sat down to listen some more.

Cheney: "These are not allegations. And I will not expect you to take my word for it without collaborating evidence which is easy to obtain. I also hasten to add that the people of Earth cannot claim to be perfect by any means. We have made many mistakes and unfortunately, we will make many more as we continue to expand our influence in space. You might want to learn from our experiences. We chose not commit genocide even though the Lizardians tried to conquer our planet. We chose not to retaliate against you for trying to subdue and conquer my planet. We made peace with the Race and we're working to improve our relationship with you."

William: "I am not denying that we have a long way to go. At the same time…"

Petre: "Can I interject something here…?"

William: "Hold on a moment, Petre. Ambassador, we do have our differences. At the same time, although I really want to maintain a stable relationship with your people, I've noticed that your people have some distain for us, your cousins. Whether you're the Thirteenth Colony or not, there should be some type of compromise between our people. You've said it yourself. You respect the Race more than you respect my people. If, we could change, improve our relationship, how would suggest we approach this matter?"

Cheney: "I can't specifically answer that question. It's complex and as your President stated, our two peoples will require small steps to reach a wider understanding we can both be comfortable with. I am optimistic that we will come together…in time. I can understand why many of your people are concerned about who and what we are whether it be our military capabilities or our religious beliefs, but I'll also say this. Despite our differences and lack of trust, we're not your real problem."

Elissa: "I refuse to believe that our first real contact with alien life forms turned out to be a war with us as the aggressor. No, Mister Cheney, I am not implying that you are not speaking accurately. However, it seems impossible that instead of talking to them and establishing some form of positive communication with we went and tried to conquer them? That is not the Colonial people. That is not what we want to project to the people of the galaxy."

Cheney: "The records out there for all to see."

William: "I want to back track for a second. What you mean by Earth not being our problem?"

Petre: "And I want to know who the Nox are."

Cheney: "I would prefer to discuss the Nox at a later time as that conversation would distract from our present discourse. President Goesel was correct in his description of the Goa'uld Empire. Between eight and ten thousand years ago, they infested Earth, made slaves of the population, and transported said population throughout this galaxy. That is the reason why they're so many human inhabited worlds. The Goa'uld are parasites. Although they inhabit our bodies and use them like playthings for their amusement, they have little concept of respect for humanity. Let me make one thing clear. Had the Goa'uld discovered your Colonies a mere twenty years ago, they would have considered your worlds a threat. The reason why your people would have been considered a threat is because the Goa'uld believe any civilization that can advanced itself enough to understand scientific principles needed to be destroyed so that the Goa'uld would remain supreme.

They would have destroyed your culture, they would have destroyed your people, they would have destroyed your civilization. Whatever people were left after the slaughter, they would have turned into slaves or hosts. Reading and writing would have been forbidden under pain of death. They will have turned what was left of your people back into the Stone Age. They have destroyed countless civilizations to maintain their power base. That have obliterated civilizations more advanced than yours. The Tollan or as you know them, the Tollanians are a case in point. a natural worldwide catastrophe that ruined their home world and they relocated to another world. The Goa'uld never rested until they could either control or destroy them. The Goa'uld got through their defenses and bombed their civilizations into nonexistence. A few managed to escape and suffered attacks from the Lucian Alliance."

Petre: "I've heard rumors that their hatred for the Lucian Alliance is legendary."

Cheney: "That is true. The refugees suffered greatly from Lucian pirates and kidnappers during their journey to Earth." He smiled ruefully. "They thought of us as too primitive to be of help to them. But we found them and kept the Goa'uld from capturing their remnant fleet and the remainder of their people. The Goa'uld hated us for helping the Tollanian. It was just another reason on a very long list, for them to kill us all. They tried multiple times to destroy Earth. We've suffered pre-planned asteroid strikes, revenge attacks with the intent to wipe out all life on our planet. We've been threatened by the System Lords for being insolent, a crime punishable by death. Any resistance by our people against the Goa'uld was punishable by a death sentence. One of the system Lords called Anubis brought a fleet to Earth with the intent to obliterate us. We only survived because of an ancient weapon system that we discovered that was powerful enough to destroy the fleet. The result was that they hated us that much more.

They have a hatred and fear of anything that might rise up against them. The Ashtorath are a direct descendent of the previous Empire. Your President rejected their entreaty. It was done in a very nice way but it is still rejection. They don't take rejection well and they usually respond by destroying the offending nation. You must understand that the Colonies of Kobol are one of the few advanced civilizations in this galaxy and you've survived only because they were unaware of your presence. The Ashtorath are rebuilding their territory and their power base. The fact that they asked nicely for a possible alliance which your people means that they're not ready to begin conquering everything that they see and that's probably what has saved you so far. Their father was the system Lord Ba'al, one of the most dangerous of all the Goa'uld and most likely the smartest. His own children, the Ashtorath System Lords killed him to make sure he wouldn't threaten their plans. These are the people you're dealing with. I suspect that you are going to have a difficult time in the very near future."

Elissa: "Let me be the first to offer my sincerest condolences for the antagonism between you and the Goa'uld Empire. I understand that the people of Earth have had a very difficult time, however I cannot help but express my concern that the hostilities between your two nations have resulted because Earth and its allies have been involved in quite a few actions that have threatened the sovereignty of the Goa'uld… and let me explain what I'm trying to say. Our government has confirmed that it was Earth that violated Ra's territory, engaged in battle with him, and effectively blew up his ship thereby starting this conflict. Ambassador, I am not saying that the events that you've just related to us are incorrect but, we are only getting half the story. We do not have a Goa'uld representative here to explain this side of the same events. It is possible, indeed quite possible that they see this from an entirely different point of view. You stated yourself in so many words that Earth went around killing the system Lords, leaders of a culture that existed for, at least according to you, eight thousand years old or more. We may not agree with everything that they did but it appears to me that they were very stable society. Earth introduced an unstable element that triggered wars and various hostilities that you're speaking to us about. Is quite possible that they fought you simply because they wanted to survive and not just because they felt that you were a threat. In other words, how can we be sure that what you just told us is accurate?"

Cheney: "What I told you is accurate and once you get out and began to meet the other governments of this galaxy, you will discover truth for yourself."

Elissa: "I'm sorry, I'm having to dip very difficult time trying to compile what you just told me and then comparing it to the timeline. If I remember some of the previous conversations that your people have had with our press, you stated that you haven't been out space any longer than, what, twenty-five years? If that is true, how could she have possibly done so much damage to the Goa'uld and war fought them to a standstill? How can your people who have barely been in space with three or four space craft at the most, fought and star spanning empire to a standstill? How will you people even be in space doing what you have claimed to have done?"

Cheney: "I can almost understand your pessimism. We used a device called the stargate. This device creates a stable wormhole that allows us to step through from point a and arrive at point B instantaneously. The stargate allows us to move from world to world like opening and walking through a door. It is very common device found throughout the galaxy. It was this device that allowed us access to other worlds, other technologies, and to wage our war against the Goa'uld without excessive use of starships."

Elissa: "… Forgive me for laughing, but you actually expect my viewers to believe something like that? A stargate? You honestly want us to believe that you can travel to other worlds as easily as crossing the street? This is why have trouble justifying everything that you said. I can only imagine what our audience all over the Colonies are thinking right now."

Petre: "Excuse me, ambassador. If such a device really existed, would not our government know about this and have revealed this fact to us? The way you describe this device seems like it comes from the gods. If that is true, then we should have had some type of record of such a device. If it is as common as you are saying it is, then why don't we have one?"

Elissa: "I agree, Petre. Now, I don't mean of challenge you and your assertions but if you expect us to believe something like this, then you will have to show some proof to us. I will not disagree that your starships are powerful but as you yourself said you only had a very few of them. It's entirely possible that these Goa'uld that you keep referring to is such a threat may not be as big a threat as you're implying that they are."

Petre: "Indeed. For us to take what you've just said as truth, we would really have to see some proof."

Cheney: "That is something that you and your people will need to discover for yourselves. And by the way, we don't call our ships starships, though technically that is what they are."

William: "Your 'Trek to the Stars', or Star Trek uses the name starship for their vessels. Granted, your government continually insists that that show is fiction, but I can't help wondering if there is more than a hint of truth to those series that continually updated itself for the last sixty years, including the confirmation of alien life."

Petre: "Quickly, for our audience, Star Trek is a supposedly fictional series of stories involving a Terran Federation, much like their growing United Coalition of Worlds organization. Our reporters have search records and gathered evidence on this so-called Terran fictional series Next week, we will have a special event, Star Trek-Terran Fact or Fiction and what our government knows about the United Federation of Planets."

Cheney: "Humm, I thought 'Star Trek' was banned from civilian viewership. Well, I could argue with you about the television show, but…the truth is out there."

Elissa: "I noticed that you are not denying this series is based on more than just someone's imagination. You are right, we demand to know the truth."

William: He smiled somewhat hysterically as he said, "I am changing the subject. We are not going discuss Captains Sisko, Picard, Kirk, Spock, Janeway, and the others exploits. But seriously, this brings up another point of contention between your people and mine. You erroneously make the assumption that the people of Earth have to justify ourselves to you. You don't seem to understand that we don't have to bow to your wishes, or your demands. You expect us to show proof of everything that we say as if we were subservient to you and your wishes. We've seen this time and time again and this is something that you do on a conscience as well as subconscious level. So, let me clarify this once more. We are not subservient to you. We cannot be ordered to offer proof of things that you don't agree with. We offer this information freely and if you accept it fine, if we don't, fine. Earth and its allies are independent nations not subjected to your rules and regulations, or your demands. Occasionally, you seem to forget, when I say you I am referring to your government and your people, that our relationship is being built on a matter of respect, not because we expect to bend down to your wishes. As an ambassador, it is my responsibility to present Earth in the best light possible. We cannot do that if we lie. Whether you believe us or not is up to you. The Stargate does exist. It helped us win the war. We've given you much proof of our history, the history of the galaxy, and our conflicts with the Goa'uld. We've done this of our own free will. I understand you require further proof, but I offer you this warning. If you begin to meet other species, and other human societies and express the attitude that you're expressing right now to those people, you will find that the galaxy is a lot more hostile than you assumed. It will be a lot lonelier."

William: "I had to interject something here. Ambassador Cheney, it is not our intent to antagonize Earth by implying that you not speaking the truth. The truth is, we have no idea what's out there and frankly, we are stepping into unfamiliar territory. As our president said, small steps. There is an old colonial saying,' trust, but verify'. That is a truth that we must adhere to. Our relationship with Earth is just beginning, and we will require proof of what you say. However, I believe from the evidence that I've seen, that most of what you said is true. I will admit I'm skeptical of this stargate device. It seems too fantastic to be believable, but then having artificial intelligences trying to wipe my people out seemed to be too fantastic to believe at one time as well. So, I will keep open mind."

Elissa: "Ambassador Cheney, I am not trying to insult you. I also understand that we, the Colonial people, feel that you are part of us. But from your comments I see that you believe that you are a fully independent entity not connected to us. I find that disturbing."

Cheney: "You'll find a lot of people in the galaxy think that way and unless you change your attitude, it will continue to cause problems. Why do you believe that the people of Earth are so antagonistic against your people? Things might've been different if your people were the first to encounter human and alien species outside of your sphere of influence, but we did it first and for better or worse we trail blazed and established relationship as well as enemies throughout this galaxy. The opportunities that you could have had if you were first, will not happen now because of circumstances that cannot be changed. As you step out into the galaxy, you will have to move circumspectly. Can I go off air forcing your opinions, your religions, and attitudes on people that you've just met, under the assumption that they're somehow related to the Tribes of Kobol, thereby somehow being subject to your authority."

Elissa: "But for the sake of argument what if they are? Don't we have the right to let them know their heritage and their history? What if the history of Earth and its people have been misinterpreted? What then? We have thousands of years of history behind us both on planets as well as in space. Who are you to say that our history is wrong and yours is right? At this point, we're not sure and that's what I'm trying to get across."

Cheney: "And what if they don't agree with your assumptions, or ours for that fact? What if they want to go their own way? What will you do then, given the examples that you've tried to force us to follow your beliefs? What about the Race and your attempts to convert them to the gods of Kobol?"

William: "What? I didn't…."

Petre: I'm sorry to interrupt, but we're receiving a broadcast. Is very powerful and is burning through our networks. Is apparently coming from outside of the Cyrannus system. Producers are trying to block it for the last couple of minutes, but the power that is being transmitted is starting to overwhelm our networks."

Cheney: "Apparently someone was to talk to you. If it is who I believe it to be, it might be wise to listen to it, or it might burn out your entire satellite network."

Next: a Goa'uld response and a Lizardian one as well...