Record keeping time: Again, this chapter is being split into two parts due to length. As you will see, a lot of questions will be introduced here by both the Colonials and their uninvited guests, all of which muddies the question 'Who are the Colonials and what is really Earth? Are they the 13th Tribe or something else? I should call this chapter 'Truth or lies?'

Again, I thank everyone for reading. And, 'Shadows' will be posted after the next chapter in this series-coming up soon.

Chapter Eighteen

'Do these people ever shut up?'

CBN NEWS-Caprica

Ambassador (Doctor) Craig Cheney: "… As you step out into the galaxy, you have to move circumspectly. You cannot go out, forcing your opinions or your religious attitudes on people that you've just met under the assumption that they're somehow related to the Tribes of Kobol, thereby being somehow subjected to your authority. That attitude will be a recipe for disaster. You may be unpleasantly surprised by their reactions."

Elissa: "I agree that religion is a sensitive topic but for the sake of argument, what if they are? Don't we have the right to let them know of 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 living on planets as well as in space. Who are you to say that our history is wrong and that yours is right? At this point, we're not sure, and that's what I'm trying to get across to you and the public."

Cheney: "I will…suggest that you are not as aware of the current state of the galaxy as you may believe. Things are not black and white. There are a multitude of cultures out there that no idea that the Colonies exist. They have their own cultures and beliefs that have existed for thousands of years. 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 our producers have informed me that there is some kind of interference disrupting our network transmissions. We're receiving a broadcast that is forcing its way across all our networks. It's apparently coming from just outside of the Cyrannus system. Our producers are…trying to block it. This has been happening for the last few minutes. Hold on…the power that is being transmitted us starting to overwhelm our networks. At this point, I hope we can stay on the air…"

Cheney: "Not to state the obvious but apparently someone wants to talk to you. If it is who I believe it to be, it might be wise to listen to it. They will not hesitate to burn out your entire satellite network."

Petre: "Are your people somehow responsible for this? Is this your coalition trying to break into our broadcast system? If so, is this another attempt to intimidate us?"

"Chaney: Shaking his head emphatically he heatedly responded. "It is not our policy to interfere with governments in such a manner unless it is an extreme emergency that would affect your people."

Elissa: "If it's not your people, then who is doing this? We can't allow someone to break into our networks with impunity like this! The amount of power that they are shunting through take years to repair. They are rules and regulations…"

Cheney: "Whoever is doing this, I don't think they really care. I also find it amazing that after our conversation we have just had, you would accuse my government of something like this. To clarify, no, I believe that this is someone else."

Elissa: "But you don't know for sure."

Petre: "The signal is coming through all channels. Our producers can't block it. We going to go live with this transmission in about a minute. Ambassador, you don't look happy about this. Do you know the origin of this signal, which by the way could be interpreted as an act of war?"

Cheney: "I do not and yes, I do have a suspicion as to who is transmitting. After the broadcast signal is over, I will be able to provide fact-based comments."

Petre: "We're getting our first transmissions now. It is in a language that I've never heard before. It's coming through quite clearly along with video now… None of our producers are familiar with the language. Ambassador is this a Terran sub-tongue?"

Cheney: The ambassador shook his head as if he were having a headache. "It's Goa'uld. The language is Goa'uld."

Petre: "The aliens the President was speaking of?"

Cheney: "Yes."

Elissa: "Can you translate it?"

Petre: "Are you able to translate it?"

Cheney: "I am sorry, not at this time. I don't speak the language and my translator app doesn't include that language."

Petre: "What is an app? Hold on a second. Our producers are telling me that the language in the transmission has changed…. Hold on... it's confirmed, the language is different…it has changed. It is now being transmitted in Terran Englisa. We're able to get the translation now. I remind people that the transmission is being sent throughout Cyrannus, so you are hearing the transmission live. Whatever is being said can't be blocked. For reasons of security and to avoid mass panic, I am sure that our military and Intelligence organizations are trying to block it but have been unsuccessful so far."

William: "It's too late now, everyone knows that someone or something from outside is actively attempting to communicate with us. There's no way that anyone here or at the government can hide it now."

Petre: Okay… Okay. Our network is about to rebroadcast the signal and will have a translation running simultaneously. Here is the broadcast from the beginning."

Throughout the of the star system of Cyrannus, from the most secured telecommunications located in the military and intelligence services, to the oldest Colonial televise/television sets, an image appeared of a woman, that only a handful of Colonials had ever seen and even fewer knew.

Colonial Capital Building

Colonial Presidential Suite

President Goesel's face looked as if he had bitten into a rotten lemon. He was somewhat prepared for the firestorm that his speech was already generating. The Terran political situation wasn't as bad as it seemed because by all accounts the relationship was improving to everyone's delight. There would be roadblocks along the way, of course. The religious aspect was another hydra that would take a generation or more to settle according to the most optimistic forecasts, an obvious fact that even the village idiot would have predicted.

The Race problem however was going to be tricky. Dealing with aliens, that was a new frontier he had no experience with, complicated by the fact that he had personally ordered the conquest of their civilization. Given enough time, apologies, platitudes, and a few gifts spread here and there, he was certain that he could smooth things over. It would take a time. Somewhere, there was a lizard colony called Home II and that star system had massive amounts of raw materials and tyllium ore as well as solium and other precious materials in their asteroid belt just waiting to be mined. It was also much closer to the new colonies than to the far distant Cyrannus home worlds. If they could get mining rights, then the Cyrannus system would enjoy immense wealth in the long run. Colonial Intelligence didn't know where the star system was located, but they were actively (and quietly) looking for it. The conquest debacle had taught him well. He had no intentions or anything to aggravate the Race, but it was good to know where the system was located.

Shaking his head slightly, he grimaced at the thoughts that had led to this entire situation. The original plan was moronic. There was no way that his people could have surrounded Earth. It is a stupid idea in the first place even though it seemed logical at the time. Looking back, he was not surprised by how much he had matured since being in office. Dealing with the Race was going to be a challenge and the Colonial leader had a pretty good idea how many of his people would react; with suspicion, some with outright hostility. However, he had faith in his people. He also expected that many, although be initially shocked, would come to accept a nonhuman species as part of everyday life…eventually.

The future didn't look too bad, but first, they were certain hurdles that needed to be addressed and to overcome. The civilization of the Race, according to Terran ambassador implied that his people were responsible for the nuclear explosion that happened during the end of the occupation. The belief that the Colonial military would authorize a nuclear detonation against a group that did not resist the occupation was almost unthinkable and he would deny this assertion emphatically unless they somehow discovered some evidence his military was responsible. True, it was the nature of war that incidents occurred, but his commanders would never condone a nuclear strike on a population that had already surrendered and were under control. Inquires were already made about the incident and obviously more information was about to be uncovered.

Several conspiracy theories had already surfaced within his own cabinet. The best one was the suspicion that the Terrans had set off the bomb to punish the CDF for the invasion. It was crap, but deep down it did please some part of the president to think that someone else was responsible. Whatever the circumstances were, he intended to discover the truth, The Race's cooperation was more critical than ever. Terrans and their allies were already given contracts for those raw materials and were even using the tyllium as a fuel source for the ships and fighters that were confiscated during the war. The new colonies desperately needed access to those vast reserves, without going to war, something that was unthinkable now with the Terran Coalition watching the CDF's every move. Besides, he wanted to develop a mutual cooperation pact with them, not war. There was too much war on his plate already. He needed to find out what happened and do it as soon as possible. The regional governor, High Priest Iblison needed to be brought home and interrogated. The man was causing the Colonial government no end of grief and Goesel suspected he knew a lot more than he was telling. The man was even responsible for almost inciting a war with the Terrans in the first few days he arrived in the sector. The Makaria incident was still raw in Goesel's mind, plus he didn't like the man, personally. His governorship was still causing the government along with everyone in the Terran sector pain, and he had a feeling that things were about to get worse.

These were dangerous times for the Colonies. The relationship with the Terrans was tenuous and there were a lot of people that didn't like how he was treating with them since they were constantly pressuring him to take a more aggressive stance. The Lizardian Incident was another mess that could well derail his Presidency. The ever-present menace of the unknow aliens was on the horizon and Research and Development was rushing to prepare for that eventual threat.

"You wanted to be President, my dear," Jennifer said, smiling her perfect political smile. She looked the personification of calm. Looks, he knew were deceiving. "Being President, you take the bad with the good. You will overcome this. You always do."

The President wasn't so sure. He hoped against hope that the Ashtorath's response would be at worst a verbal assault. His response to their offers was crafted as a gentile, respectful rejection, of their offer.

"Thank you for that reminder, dear," he practically hissed. "Roberta, how much of a hit are we taking?"

"Initial polls are all over the place, Mister President," his aide answered. "We think it has more to do with the questions being asked and that events are still unfolding. Forty-three percent are unsure that the Terrans are right and that we our origin comes from Earth, not Kobol. Fifty-five percent believe that the Terrans live on a barely functional, totalitarian world that is crumbling under the weight of their military budget. At it point sir, it's too early to tell."

"It's only been fifteen minutes," Jennifer cautioned. People need time to absorb everything."

She was about to expand on the obvious when Heradius, another of his senior aides, nearly fell into the room. "Sir, long-range telemetry has detected twelve what are assumed to be pyramid-shaped, enemy warships are near our borders. They're transmitting a signal, very powerful. We're at maximum alert, Condition One."

Antonio could feel the blood draining from his face. What he didn't plan on was that the Goa'uld would crash the party so soon. Apparently, they were listening to his little speech in real-time and didn't like what they heard. It was a clear rejection they hadn't taken it well and from the intensity of the transmissions overriding communications all over the system (and that revealed yet another glaring weakness of the Colonial systems as compared to the Goa'uld) they were more than eager to respond in kind. The secret deal offered by the Terran AT&T conglomerate looked better and better all the time. His people would have to swallow that big, nasty pill, take the deal and smile while sucking up to the Terrans–again. He also abhorred the phrase 'you take the bad with the good'. His wife drowned him with it. His aunt alluded to it on a constant basis. He knew what he was getting into, at least he thought so, but he had no idea that it would be this stressful with the Terrans, Goa'uld, the Race, and this as of yet enemy, although he strongly suspected whom they were talking about, being thrown into the mix. Pretty soon, the bags under his eyes would become permanent and he'd look like his father at age sixty.

Before his speech, the CDF was activated, to quell any serious rioting or disturbance of the peace. However, the CDF wasn't in any way prepared for a Goa'uld response coming so quickly. The Goa'uld were making their presence known. It was, of course, at the worst possible time. "What's the matter with us? Why aren't we blocking the signal!"

"All of our networks are trying to block it but its too strong. The signal will get through."

"We're mobilizing everything," the President told his staff. "If they strike at us, we will fight them off," he added in an absolute confidence that hid his prayers. From the looks in their eyes, his his staff believed him.

"Sir, the signal is coming through." The aide paused for a moment listen to his phone. "The signal is in Englisa now and the networks are translating."

Of course, they would. "We can't stop it," he said. "Might as well see what they have to say."

"CBN is replaying the message, sir."

The huge 60-inch audio-video monitor that dominated the room began slowly clearing from the intense static. The image was still blurry, but the image was viewable. So far, only a control center of some sort visible. There were no people or anything else that he could conclusively identify on the screen. The image remained the same for a few moments, then, it focused to crystal clarity. Now, the President and everyone else in the room could see two women. Both women were immediately recognizable to him. "I see our visitors have returned," he said coolly. "Turn the volume up. Let's hear what they have to say."

As the president and his staff looked on, they could see the face of the enemy. One was sitting on what suspiciously looked like a throne, while the others stood closer to the screen and a little off to the side. President Goesel stared impassively at the Ashtorath System Lord Astartea. Like last time, she was dressed in an elaborate golden gown laced with blue and silver trimming. She wasn't wearing her elaborate helmet this time, so her face was clearly seen. And anyone with half a brain could clearly see the rage in her eyes which were incidentally, glowing with an unnatural white light. There was a tension in her face that gave the impression that someone has stolen the family jewels. Standing next to her was her, what Goesel considered her twin sister. He looked at her with intense interest as if he were trying to see into her soul.

This time, her hair was loose, styled in a long ponytail that reached her waist. Like her Goa'uld master, she was very similar dress which was more accented with silver trimming is compared to gold. Despite her beauty, her demeanor was just as cold as her older sister's, if that's what she was. Goesel's wife hadn't known that he had met this woman before and he really had no desire for polite conversation tonight about Myrana and the proposal she had offered him months earlier, which he politely and wisely rejected.

The System Lord known as Astartea began speaking without preamble. Her voice was guttural as she spoke. The words were unknown, but the anger in her voice was crystal clear. The hatred etched on her face marred her almost ethereal beauty. Her elder twin's beauty looked equally vile and Goesel was glad he had rejected the Goa'uld offer.

Lord Hades lived in both their eyes.

If anyone in the Colonies thought Astartea's style of dress was too flashy or perhaps too gaudy, most of them would not have noticed. The intensity in her eyes made it clear the threat she exuded. She spoke for perhaps five minutes before Myrana, her counterpart began translating. Goesel wished he could see how the people across the Colonies were responding to this unprecedented event, but that was impossible. Instead, he discreetly stared at his staff members. All of them, including his wife were political animals and judging by the looks on their faces they were riveted even if they didn't understand the language. They were all concerned but they didn't appear to be afraid at this point. With a hint of pride, he knew every single one of them were analyzing the woman's body language searching for hidden clues for the meanings behind her unknown words. Not only that, they were staring at Myrana as well although it was difficult as the Goa'uld's eyes were flashing in rage and the promise of retributing even as sat on her throne. The unusualness of that was distracting and offered conclusive proof of what she truly was, an alien.

"Gods, she worse than Livia and I don't even understand what she's saying," his wife muttered to no one in particular. "Her arrogance could cut through butter like a laser."

"No, this person is far more dangerous," countered her husband. "They have destroyed countless civilizations in their history. The is one of the supreme leaders of a stellar empire that once spanned this galaxy and should not be underestimated. If she declares war on us…"

"Why would she do that?" asked one of his confused aides. "Why is she even here? We don't know anything about them, do we?" the aide's eyes went wide and then narrowed somewhat as she stared at her Commander-in-Chief. "Sir?"

"Need to know," he answered curtly. He turned back to the television. Myrana was about to translate and he didn't want to miss a word.

"The Colonial of Kobol," Myrana all but sneered. "The beloved servants of the High System Lords, Lord Zeus, Lord Hera, Lord Athena, Lord Poseidon, Lord Ares Lord Demeter, Lord Chronos, Lord Hecate, Lord Hades and Lord Iris, your masters, your old gods, those who loved you as their children and made you what you are today. You have already forgotten some of the names of those who loved you. You have forgotten that you were slaves under the heels of those who would become the Tau'ri. You were nothing until your most high and noble Lords found you, lifted you up from the mud in which you dwelled in. Your gods, they were your masters. They were the ones that loved you and took care of you. Your people were savages. Your gods gave you your laws, gave you civilization. They walked among you as if you were there equals. They taught your people how to read and write, how to build, how to be civilized. Your ancestors loved them for it. You have forgotten your history of your Lords. You do not remember your past.

"You do not remember how your ancestors, the members of your so-called Thirteenth Tribe rebelled and tried to take the power of the gods for themselves. You do not remember how your ancestors drove away the betrayers, the Thirteenth Tribe, forced them to leave the paradise that was once the world called Kobol. You do not remember the Thirteenth Tribe and the depredations and how they poisoned your world. You do not remember how your people fled, barely able to survive as you traveled the stars in search for a new home because of the war with the Thirteenth Tribe. You found your new home, but you have forgotten your past.

"We do not deny that many of the greatest System Lords of old were rigid. Some were cruel. We remember Sokar and his cruelty, but his actions were nothing compared to the cruelty of the Tau'ri. They were directly responsible for the deaths of most of the old System Lords. It did not matter if the Lord was cruel or not, they made no distinction and they killed them. The Supreme System Lord Ra's ship was blown up by the Tau'ri. His brother, Lord Apophis was murdered when the Tau'ri infected his ship with replicators, creatures not unlike your enemies, the Cylons.

We do not deny that Lord Apophis sought revenge for the murders of his brother just as we condemn the Tau'ri who almost destroyed the galaxy when they infected his sip with the replicators forcing his ship to crash into an inhabited world and causing the deaths of thousands of innocents in their arrogance.

Lord Chronos the Great, vanquished Sokar, who imagined himself a demon lord and saved many from his cruelty. The Sho'va Teal'c, shot him in the back on the orders of the Tau'ri General Jack O'Neill, killer of Goa'uld, and the one responsible for destroying your fleet when you entered the Tau'ri system. It was by his order that many of the Colonials that surrendered were killed without mercy. Lord Yu was mocked and killed by one of the SG-1, Colonel Samantha Carter, suspected concubine of O'Neill. Her actions were as vicious as any of the Tau'ri. There are many others including the ones you called the Lords of Kobol who fell to Tau'ri treachery. How did they kill your gods? Ask them! Demand answers of them, if you dare.

We do not deny some of the Goa'uld demanded to be worshiped by primitive humans as gods. We do not deny that they fought one another to protect their own servants. We do not deny that some forbade reading and writing but we do deny that this was common among the System Lords. Your gods loved and protected you until the Thirteenth Trible and drove them away. Rather than fight your ancestors, your gods chose to leave so that the bloodshed would not continue. The Thirteenth Tribe known throughout the galaxy as the Tau'ri, continued the war against my people.

The lords of old are gone and the Ashtorath have taken their place. We, the new System Lords have learned from the mistakes of the old and we desire peace with the people of the galaxy. We have no interest in adding to our territory through conquest no matter what lies the Tau'ri spread about us and our father Lord Ba'al. Know that he taught us that peaceful expansion benefits the whole and we follow his teachings. We however will not tolerate the continued attacks on our territory by the Tau'ri and their blind allies. They have used the Protective Planets Treaty treacherously, secretly forcing primitive humans to submit to their rule. We will not stand by and follow the gods of old, the System Lords Yu, Ra, Apophis, Heru'ur, Hathor, Nirti, the enemy of all Anubis, Sokar, and the list continues including your Lords of Kobol, and our father, Ba'al. The Tau'ri are responsible for the deaths of all of them. Their plans are obvious. They wish to drive the Goa'uld into extinction. Millions of Jaffa are dead, thousands of Goa'uld are dead. They kill any who are in their way. You are already tainted by their touch. They have intimidated you, tried to force you to bend your knee to them, become their servants.

We have done nothing to you or your people but meet with you in peace with the intent for cooperation. We came come to you openly, and peacefully so that both sides, ours and yours could benefit from cooperation, and protection against the enemy that will soon invade your territory. The Ashtorath came to you, President Goesel, offered to treat with you, offered a gift. We lowered ourselves to you, so that both of our people might survive the future.

"To the people Kobol, we have listened to your President's words. He has rejected us and instead, sided with your future Tau'ri masters because you have believed their lies. The Tau'ri claim to be peace loving, but their genocidal actions prove otherwise. For a moment she allowed her words to sink in to the Colonial people. "Your Lords loved to you and this is how you betray them. The Thirteenth Tribe, the Terrans, the Tau'ri," and here she's bit out the word as the greatest of curses, which was for her, an accurate assessment, "are responsible for killing your gods through deceit and treachery. Their ancestor destroyed your heritage. You want to stand by them, become like them!

"The Ashtorath Empire will not stand by and allow the Tau'ri to destroy us as they have done the others. You leader's rejection of our entreaty has sealed your fate. We will not allow you to become the slaves of the Tau'ri. The war is here, the enemy is close, and we will not allow the Tau'ri to acquire your resources. Myrana glared at the screen in hatred and contempt. "Your god," and Myrana snarled, "is most displeased. Your leader chose foolishly, and it is on his head. We will destroy your worlds rather than allow the Tau'ri succeed."

"Well, that sounded positive," grimaced the President. "If that wasn't a declaration of war, I don't know what is." He was rather stunned by the claims of Astartea. Her assertions may have been accurate, but he wasn't in a position to determine what the truth was at this time. The experts would have to dissected speech later when there was time. But unfortunately, which had interjected seeds of doubt about the Terrans. Had the Terrans killed the Lords of Kobol? Were the Terrans the original sinners of Kobol and was that the reason why they were kicked off the planet that they, in effect ruined? Was the history the Terrans gave them all a lie? "I was really hoping that it wouldn't come to this." President Goesel had gone pale and every single one of his staff looked shaken. His wife looked like she was about to faint. "I want every military asset we have prepared for war."

"Sir," asked an aide. "Is there some truth in what she said?"

"Never assume anything!" he ordered. "It's not important now. We may be at war within the next hour. Focus on that."

"Sir, we need to get you to a safe location now!" Said one of his aides. His security compliment was rated to grab him and his wife and usher them to a safe location a mile beneath the capital where a secure train with taken to the most secured area on the planet/

"No. What I need to do is respond to these people now and try to avert this war."

"Mister. President! I strongly advise you to go to with your security compliment to a safe location and you can speak to them then."

"I'm the president of the Colonies of Kobol. I have no intention of running at the first-line danger. I need to talk to them first. We need to prevent this. We've already had one for the victors. This war these Goa'uld will make the Cylon war look like a minor street brawl. I need to talk to them now! Take me to COMSAT."

"Yes, sir, although for the record, I strongly recommend that you not talk to them until you are secured in a safe location," stated General Horton, the Chief of Staff of Ground Forces. "You have your responsibilities. So do I, and one of those responsibilities is to protect the President from threats internal or external, sir."

"Duly noted, General." Then he turned to the General and to all the staff looking at him anxiously. "Ladies and gentlemen, I understand your concern and your fears. My purpose here is stop this before it begins. Therefore, we must talk to them." Without another word he walked out of the room heading towards the main communications center located inside the capital building. He was closely followed by the general and his staff.

Walking briskly, he strolled passed the two security guards were immediately came to attention before he opened the door and walked into the room. The room was staffed by more than a dozen men and women of the CDF who immediately jumped to attention. He barely paid them any attention. "Get me a line to those ships."

"Yes, sir. We must use the subspace communications system to speak to them in real time. We are too far away for real-time communications to be effective without a significant lag time."

"Do it."

"Channel opened, Mister President. All frequencies." A few seconds later the operator gave him the go-ahead signal.

"This is President Goesel, leader of the people of Cyrannus. Lord Astartea I wish to speak to you so that we may find a way past the bloodshed that will occur if we continue down this path. Would you please respond?"

The response was quick. "Kobollian Sho'va." Goesel recognized Myrana's voice. "Die." The channel closed.

"Sir!"

He nodded numbly as he was led to the secret elevator that would take him to the Athena Complex and supposed safety.

needless to say...

TBC