Infirmary, SGC, 0940 hours.
General Landry, Colonel Reynolds, and Dr. Gardner were waiting outside the infirmary to hear from Dr. Lam on the status of the unknown girl who just came out of the Stargate. The commander of the base looked through the glass window and saw the little girl sobbing in the gurney while holding on to something that was hanging from her neck. He saw Dr. Lam talking to the girl who made no motions, other than wiping her eyes, to talk or do anything that could identify who she was.
Some of the nurses had already started to wipe the dirt off the girl's face, before they closed the curtain around the bed.
'Finding out where she's from would be easy' thought the General to himself as he turned and walked back to Colonel Reynolds and Dr. Gardner, 'we have records of all incoming gate addresses, we need to know what happened, and if we could help anyone.'
"Sir" said Colonel Reynolds as he looked at the General, "anything?"
"She's very upset" he said, "given what she said…"
"All dead?" said Dr. Gardner as General Landry nodded his head before looking at the shut door, and then he looked back at Dr. Gardner and Colonel Reynolds.
"The both of you get back to Eden" said the General as Colonel Reynolds nodded his head, "tell the Cylons to try finding the Colony. If it's as armed as they say it is, we need to find it.. and then figure out whose side they're on."
"Understood, sir" said the Colonel.
"General" said Dr. Gardner, "you'll let us know about the girl's progress?"
The General nodded his head before Dr. Gardner and Colonel Reynolds made their way to the Gateroom. While they were walking away, General Landry walked back to the closed door and looked through the window into the infirmary just as the curtains were reopened and he saw the girl in a medical gown while Dr. Lam was holding a needle in one hand, and putting another hand on the little girl's shoulder. He saw her put the needle into the girl's arm, however the girl didn't react to the needle at all; all she did was wipe her eyes with the other hand as she looked down at the bed sheet. Frowning the General turned and walked down the hallway to the elevator before he headed to the control room. He saw Colonel Reynolds and Dr. Gardner were halfway up the ramp to the event horizon of the Stargate as he walked up the stairs to the control room.
"Walter" said the General as the Colonel and Dr. Gardner walked through the event horizon before the wormhole disengaged, "I want you to find the planet our mysterious guest came through, and then I want a MALP ready to be deployed. Have SG-37 geared up in radiation suits to go through the Stargate, I want to know what exactly happened there… and our guest is too shook up to talk to us right now."
"Understood, sir" said Walter before he leaned forward to make his announcements while General Landry rushed up the metal stairs in the control room to the briefing room upstairs, and then to his office. The General didn't want to tell General O'Neill or the President anything yet, for now they were being protected by SG teams as well as two of the SGC's biggest guns.
'But I need to know what happened there. I'm hoping that there are survivors on the planet… maybe the girl was being dramatic when she said that everyone died. I'm sure that there are other villages close by… but…. but the radiation readings. I just hope it's not what I'm really hoping it's not' thought the General to himself as he reached the briefing room level when he stopped, and then turned around before leaning forward and shouting, "Walter! Have Dr. Lam meet me in my office once she's done with our guest."
"Understood, sir" said the technician as General Landry headed back to his office.
New Kobol, at that same time.
Meanwhile on the planet that the Colonials had been relocated to, there was a large tent in the middle of a field close to the medical building where President Hayes, Woolsey, General O'Neill, Daniel, and Dr. Burke were seated at a large circular table that had to be brought in through the Stargate earlier that morning in half. There were two chairs on either side that had interpreters while Commander Adama, the Quorum members who came with Roslin's fleet, Baltar, the Vice-President, and Roslin herself were sitting down. Colonel Mitchell and the others had already begun their patrols of the perimeter, and checked in with Willow who was mentally connected with the nearby Earth forces every fifteen minutes. The entrances were covered by both Marines from Galactica, and some of the SGC's own personnel. In the tent, the secret service personnel stayed close to the President while Willow and Faith were standing near one of the walls close to President Hayes.
"Everyone's calm" whispered Willow as she looked at Faith before the both of them nodded at Colonel Carter who walked up to the both of them.
"Red says that things are five by five, Sam" said Faith as the Colonel stood next to Faith.
"Let's hope it stays that way" said the Colonel as she noticed the Colonials discussing something among themselves, as were the delegation from Earth.
Willow then suddenly closed her eyes as she found herself looking through her eyes when she was Athena
"Bill" said an older man as a little boy looked up at him, and then back at Athena, "say sorry to her."
"Sorry" said Bill with a grin on his face, a grin that Athena couldn't help but smile back at as she held the hand that the boy had reached out with, "my name is Bill."
"Hello, Bill" said Athena as she shook the boy's hand, "my name is… is Dani. Are you from this world?"
"Yes" said Bill as a red haired woman bent down and picked up the spilt cup before she frowned at Bill, who gave her a giggle, before she looked up at Athena and stood up.
"I am very sorry about your dress" said the woman as Athena smiled at her while shaking her head.
"It is quite alright" said Athena as she looked at her dress, and then at the woman, "I have many such as this."
"I know a respected cleaner in the city" said the woman, "I can have it cleaned in an hour, it is no problem… I will pay for it myself."
"No" laughed Athena as she crouched down and ruffled Bill's hair while looking up at the woman, "it is quite alright, really… it is. I think Bill should just watch were he walks the next time."
"Bill?" asked the man.
"I will be careful" said the boy as he held the cup close to his chest with one hand while holding on to Athena's hand with the other one, "you're pretty."
"Bill" laughed the woman as she ruffled the boys hair while Athena chuckled as Bill released her hand and the Ascended being stood up. The woman then looked up at Athena before introducing herself as Evelyn Adama, Bill's mother; and then motioning towards the man who nodded at Athena, "this is Joseph, my husband and Bill's father."
"Adama" said Athena as she looked at Bill, and then at the two parents, "it is a strong name."
"I don't recognize your accent" said Joseph, "are you from Caprica?"
"I have come here after visiting Leonis" said Athena with a smile, certain that they would freak out if she told them the truth about herself, "I have heard much about this museum, especially in regards to the mechanical device that stands in the glass case."
"The Cylon?" asked Bill excitedly, "we watched them beat the terrorists and save people on video, and…"
"It is a sight" said Joseph as he patted Bill's back while Athena nodded before she looked down at Bill who was looking back up at her with a grin. Athena then looked at the parents before telling them that it was time she had to go, that she was needed somewhere else.
"Again" said Evelyn, "I am sorry about your dress."
"Do not worry" said Athena smiling as she felt a tug on her dress. Looking down, she saw Bill looking back up at her and asking if he could get a hug.
"Bill Adama" said Joseph while Evelyn covered her smile with her hand, "is that something…"
"It is alright" said Athena as she crouched down and gave Bill a hug before whispering into his ear, "may you fare well, Bill Adama."
Athena then slowly got up before telling Joseph and Evelyn that she would have to leave. She said her goodbyes before turning around and heading to a staircase at the end of the floor they were on. While walking to the stairs, Athena looked down at the stain on her dress and watched it vanish before smiling to herself. Then just before she walked down the stairs, she looked over her shoulder and smiled at Bill who was looking back at her while he was being carried away in Joseph's arms.
It was then that there was a flash and Willow found herself back in the tent. It was just an instant to everyone who was present, although to the Willow it was more like ten minutes. Willow saw that the Commander was looking at her before he quickly looked away, which made the former-Athena smile before she stepped back slightly between Faith and Colonel Carter.
"Faith, Ma'am" said Willow while the delegations were still talking among themselves while they received cups of water, "you're not going to believe this but Commander Adama's mother? She's a dead ringer for Dr. Fraiser."
"Are you serious?" asked Colonel Carter as she looked at Willow, as did Faith, while the redhead nodded her head.
"I couldn't fully remember what she looked like when I had the dream in Paris" said Willow.
"You mean the one you had during our honeymoon?" asked Faith as Willow looked at her wife, "the one where I saw Athena and she was talking to Adama as a kid, and his parents?"
'Yea" said Willow, "I just got a memory flash from the Commander, he remembers Athena… and I remembered what his parents look like. And his mother is a serious dead ringer for Dr. Fraiser."
"That's….. wow… is that even possible?" asked Faith as she looked at Willow who shrugged her shoulders.
"Ra seeded the galaxy with slaves when he first came to Earth" said Colonel Carter, "it's entirely possible, although astronomically slim, that we have two versions of Janet who could be genetically different living on different worlds and in different times. It could be the same with Satterfield too."
"That's one probable reason" said Faith, "or when the Goa'uld Athena and her merry band of snakes kidnapped the early Colonials, maybe they separated families with twins? I mean, maybe some of the others had some mad experiments of their own that they wanted to see through and… well, they may have wanted to see if twins… I mean…. argh.. my head hurts thinking like a Goa'uld."
"They'd want to see if the same genetic line could carry out into a different planet or maybe they wanted to see what makes twins special; who knows" said the Colonel, "but they'd have to tag the twins, and their family for that experiment. Probably meant stealing one of the babies and then tagging it, before handing it off to another family."
"Forcing it on another family is more their M.O" said Willow, "like saying 'you take the baby, or the baby dies'?"
"Sounds Goa'uldy" said Faith as Willow nodded her head just as the meeting started.
"Willow" said Colonel Carter, "confirm that we're all connected mentally?"
Willow: "All connected, ma'am."
"Anything you feel, let us know" said the Colonel.
"Of course, ma'am" said Willow.
"President Roslin, Vice-President Hunt, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, Commander Adama, and honoured guests" said President Hayes as Dr. Burke translated for him, "on behalf of the United States, and the IOA; I'd like to welcome you to your new home, New Kobol. My name is President Henry Hayes of the United States of America, one of many countries Earth. I realize that we have a lot of things that need to be discussed, and there are many questions that need to be answered.. so let's begin."
"President Hayes" said Roslin, "your people have helped us immensely in this time of great need, especially with what we have heard of the ongoing war throughout the galaxy. Helping us as you, and your people, have done have shown us that humanity itself can never die. ON behalf of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, I thank you for this new home. But as you have already said, there are many questions that bear answers… as I'm sure you have questions for us that need to be answered."
"We do" said the President as Dr. Burke translated before the linguist pointed towards the translators at the table.
"We have translators on hand for your benefit, President Roslin" said Dr. Burke, "if you, or anyone else requires clarification while talks are still ongoing, all you need to do is raise your hand. They will explain everything that is going on, and if there are any questions that they can't answer, that they can translate your questions. All we ask is that any questions be answered one at a time so that everyone can understand what's being translated."
"Very well" said Roslin as she nodded her head, "I guess I'll throw the first question into the ring. President Hayes, you said that you are a leader of one country on your world; there is no single government like we have in the Colonies?"
"We have over a hundred and eighty countries on Earth" said the President while Dr. Burke translated, "with a combined population of just over seven billion."
That revelation shocked the Colonial delegation, even the military personnel, as they whispered to each other in surprise before the Vice-President spoke.
"On one world?" asked Roslin as Daniel confirmed what the President Hayes had said.
Woolsey then said that an United Earth government was something that could never be agreed upon given that every nation treasured its sovereignty and wouldn't allow everything they are to be given up to just one world government.
"I know what many of you are thinking" said Woolsey as Willow looked at both Faith and Colonel Carter looked at the redhead who whispered that he was just being rhetorical, "Earth isn't looking at New Kobol as a colony. You'll be your own world, with your own customs, and laws. The honest truth is that we have our own problems with on-going wars planet-side so, combined with the war with the Ori, we're not prepare to go out and start colonizing worlds until we've managed to fix our own backyard. However, we do have outposts that we use for scientific research throughout the galaxy manned by civilians and military personnel."
"That doesn't mean that we don't have one organization that's responsible for intergalactic matters" said the President.
"I see" said Roslin nodding her head.
"We have seen the results from the tests on the jawbone your people have given us" said one of the Quorum members, "and, although we've found the results to be interesting to say the least, we would like to examine more bones… or artifacts that you could provide us."
"That can be arranged" said Daniel, "there is a time period that we call Ancient Egypt; it occurred about ten thousand years ago and we can send over some artifacts from that period. That, and we can send written accounts of a period of time that the Ancient Greek civilization existed."
New Kobol, 1030 hours.
The talks went on for more than an hour before the topic turned to the Ori invasion of the Milky Way galaxy. Daniel reminded the Colonials in regards to the connections between the Ori and the Alterra; about how the Alterra escaped genocide by leaving their own galaxy for another home. He told them that they reached the Milky Way after thousands of years of travelling through space, and made landfall on Dakara first, before making Earth their homeworld; and the jewel of their empire as they spread out throughout the galaxy. Daniel told them about the plague that nearly wiped the Alterra out before telling them that many died, while some escaped the galaxy and left to find a new home. Daniel saw that Baltar was going to say something before the archaeologist, after having earlier discussed with Woolsey, General Landry, General Hammond and the President, revealed that the SGC and the IOA had found the ship that the Alterra had used to leave Earth in another galaxy; that they had occupied the ship and were now exploring the other galaxy.
"That's…. how is that….." said a speechless Baltar as Billy and Apollo enjoyed the traitor's confusion, however they themselves were surprised to hear what Daniel had just revealed to them. The other Colonials were just as surprised on hearing that there were humans from Earth occupying a ship that belonged to a dead race in another galaxy.
"Just like with Earth" said President Hayes while Dr. Burke translated, "you'll be able to visit this other galaxy, maybe we'll have a joint team of our two peoples working together, but it will take time."
"I… I agree" said a stunned Roslin as she rubbed her forehead.
"There is one more issue that I think we need to clear up" said Daniel, "and this is something that we leave to you to inform your people; well, if you want to inform your people. But whatever the case may be, I would hope that you keep an open mind into the possibility of what we'll be telling you."
The Colonials nodded their heads before Daniel took a deep breath and continued.
"Before I begin" said Daniel, "I mentioned that the Alterra either died, or left for another galaxy. What we didn't mention was that there was another group that managed to evolve beyond the limits of their physical bodies; they became living energy that moved on to a higher plain of existence."
"They became gods?" asked Racetrack who was standing with a stunned Starbuck.
"No" said Daniel, "they did gain immense power, and access to… along with the ability to gain more knowledge than that can be stored in a human mind. But they're not gods, just highly evolved humans. You see, they discovered that if people in the lower plains worshiped them, there would be a transfer of power because the lowers gave up their free will to those they saw as gods. The ascended Alterra, who later became known collectively as the Ancients after their remnant returned to Earth after having lost a war in their new galaxy, knew that the amount of power that they could gain from the lower plains could eventually corrupt them. So they, unlike the Ori, have a law of strict non-interference in the evolution of the lower plains of existence. The Ori on the other hand, know that they can't directly act in this galaxy, so they sent their Priors to convert as many worlds as they could to Origin so that the Ori could gain more power and eventually go to war with the Ancients, and win."
"This is ridiculous" said Baltar as he looked at the Colonials who were listening in shock, "that's impossible. Higher plains, living energy… I mean…"
It was then that Daniel dropped a bombshell on the Colonials; it was something that he had already discussed with the other Earth personnel before leaving the SGC.
"A few years ago" said Daniel, "my team and I were on another planet. These people, the Kelownan's, had found a new radioactive energy source that my people were interested in. To make a long story short, something went horribly wrong with the experiment, and I was doused with radiation… enough to kill me."
"But here you are" said Commander Adama.
"Yes" said Daniel nodding his head, "but I died, and just before I died, I had a… I guess you could call it a dream, or a vision, of meeting an Ascended being named Oma Desala."
Upon hearing Oma's name, Willow frowned as she recalled what Daniel told her the ascended being did to save the galaxy from Anubis' mad plan to use the Dakara super weapon to destroy all life in the galaxy and then recreate it in his image. Willow, after having her memories unlocked and after the resulting briefing on the content of her memories, then talked to Daniel in private at the observation platform on the top of Cheyenne Mountain. There, Willow told Daniel that she remembered being present when Oma realized her mistake in ascending Anubis to the higher plains. She told the archaeologist that she remembered being there when Oma begged the Others to send Anubis back to the lower plains, that she had made a terrible mistake.
"I agreed to punish my mentor" said Willow as the both of them stood at the observation platform at the top of Cheyenne Mountain looking at the lights in the distance, "I remember she was looking at me with eyes that were saying 'please help me' but.. but I knew that even she had gone too far. I told her that I was sorry… all of us that Oma helped ascend said our apologies. But we all knew that she had gone too far this time. We pushed Anubis halfway down, and… and he caused havoc throughout the galaxy because of that decision. Of all the things I've seen while ascended, the look on Oma's eyes when I agreed that she should be punished will stay with me forever. It was a few hundred years later that I met her again, and apologized for my part in punishing her."
"What did she say?" asked Daniel as he leaned on the railing and looked out at the lights of Colorado Springs.
"She forgave me" said Willow before glancing at Daniel, "I remember the day you died after coming back from Kelowna; I entered your mindscape with Colonel O'Neill. I remember the weird look that Oma gave me, but then I never thought about it. But now that I remember everything, I guess she knew that I didn't know who she was.. that I didn't know who I was. Or what I did to her."
"She'll be fighting Anubis for all time" said Daniel.
"Yes" said Willow.
"Thank you, Oma" continued Willow as she looked up at the starry sky and whispered, "you sacrificed yourself to save the galaxy, thank you for saving all of us."
Willow shook her head off that memory as Daniel revealed that Oma ascended him to save his life, and that he remained as an ascended being for a little more than a year before he was forcibly descended after he tried to act against Anubis. HE went on to tell them who, and what Anubis was, and the sacrifice that Oma made that saved the entire galaxy. Daniel told them that she was literally still fighting him in the higher plains to keep him distracted for all time from destroying the Milky Way.
"I'm a human just like you, President Roslin, Vice-President Hunt, Commander Adama, Dr. Baltar" said Daniel, "I'm not a god,I've never been a god, I don't have the powers of a god, I don't have my memories of when I was ascended, and I don't have the knowledge I gained when I was in the higher plains. But I was there."
"I was there when he ascended" said General O'Neill before Colonel Carter, and Willow spoke up to confirm his story.
"This is… unbelievable" said President Roslin shaking her head as she put both of her hands on the sides of her head, "but what does this have to do with the Colonies, and…."
"We know that your ancestors were kidnapped from Earth thousands of years ago" said Daniel as the Colonials all looked at each other at the conviction that was evident in the archaeologists voice, "we know that a group of Goa'uld…"
"Those parasites you talked about?" asked Starbuck before telling Daniel that she read the report.
'Yes" said Daniel, "we know that they took on the identities of what we now refer to as the Greek pantheon of gods; Athena, Hera, Zeus, Artemis, Poseidon, Ares… name it."
"But what you say cannot be proven" said one of the Quorum members as the other Colonials looked on in shock while other members of the Quorum were mumbling among themselves. Commander Adama himself was leaning back on his seat while taking off his glasses and putting them on the table in front of him.
"Actually" said General O'Neill as Woolsey and the President nodded at him while Dr. Burke translated, "we have the Goa'uld known as Athena in our custody."
"Excuse me?" asked President Roslin as she looked at the Earth delegation while the others started shouting explicative's at the Earthers. The military personnel looked on in shock, and they wanted to do something about what they thought was heresy at the very least. However, before Willow could even mentally tell the Earth officers to prepare themselves as the Secret service agents started to surround President Hayes, it was Commander Adama who whistled loudly before telling everyone to calm down; that they need to hear what the Earth delegation had to say before they make any judgements.
"I know this is a very controversial subject and I'm not trying to make light of anything about the history of your people" said Daniel gently while looking at the shock on Roslin's face, "but it's something that we'll have to deal with sooner or later. And telling you what we know would hopefully build some sort of trust with your people."
"Please" said the President as her voice broke before she shook her head, "please continue."
"The Goa'uld known as Athena is in our custody because she was involved in a group that has been creating problems on Earth, and some of our other allied planets" said Daniel, "this group is extremely dangerous and we need to keep a hold on her until we know everything she knows."
"We are willing to have your people question her" said Woolsey, "we can bring her to a buffer world for your protection, and there you could question her to your heart's delight. But what we're telling you is the truth."
"She's a witness to what happened" said Woolsey as Faith, and Colonel Carter looked at Willow.
"I still remember" said Willow softly, "Athena killing a man to show that she was a god, and then the Goa'uld taking them away."
"Maybe these guys will punish them now" said Faith, "or at least the snake we have in hold up."
"Hopefully" said Colonel Carter, "if they believe us that is."
"Most of your ancestors were kidnapped from an area of Earth that we call the Mediterranean" said Daniel, "Athena, Zeus and her partners wanted to carry out an experiment with humans. They wanted to see how far your ancestors would evolve after periods of war. They placed your ancestors into twelve tribes, and then used their usual lie of being gods to demand that you go to war for each of them."
"One tribe would be connected to one god" said Commander Adama while Roslin sat there next to him silently, feeling as if her heart was getting ripped out, "or so called god."
"Yes" said Daniel as he looked at Roslin who was still in shock, along with Vice-President Hunt, and the others. But Daniel knew that they needed to know what they knew… he knew it was the truth; that it was what Willow had told them after getting her memories back, but it had to be presented in a way to make the Colonials believe that it was a possibility. In the end, Daniel knew that the Colonials world would turn upside down again, "they would push for war, and then they would negotiate for peace. That's when the experiment would begin. They'd see how far your ancestors would develop socially, technologically, politically before they ordered their tribes to go to war again. This cycle would continue until they ordered a halt and negotiated a truce. And then the experiment would start again. Eventually, they got bored, and left the world where they kidnapped your ancestors."
"Kobol" said the Vice President as he rubbed his forehead in frustration.
"Then the gods who lived among us?" asked Roslin who was on the verge of tears, "couldn't they have been these ascended Ancients?"
"The Ascended can't interfere in the evolution of life in the lower plains" said Daniel, "that whole non-interference thing. If they tried to interfere directly, they would have been kicked out… like what happened to me. It's entirely possible that ordinary humans in the early Colonial society took on the names of the Goa'uld, and presented themselves as gods to keep their tribes united, and then these same 'gods' would go to war with the 'god' of another tribe. There are cultures on Earth where a title is passed down from one person to another as a birthright, and we believe that this is what happened on Kobol. When one Athena passed away, another female was chosen to become Athena… and it could have been explained away to the public by those who were more knowledgeable that Athena had been reborn in a new body so that she could look after her people. It seemed like an honour really, to be one who unites an entire tribe of humans. But then again, the tribes continued going to war with each other, and evolving… evolving until.. well…now."
The never ending cycle of violence and peace" said Roslin as she leaned back on her seat, glancing at her vice-president and then at the Commander before looking at Daniel again, "Dr. Jackson, what you're saying that everything we are, everything we know.. is a lie?"
"No.. no.." said Daniel shaking his head, "from what I understand, your people believe that humanity evolved on Kobol. Well, technically it did. Just as the other human populated worlds out there evolved on their own; where their version of humanity evolved independently from Earth. President Roslin, your people have their own culture, religion, societal norms that evolved over thousands of years from the time your ancestors were brought to Kobol. I believe your version of humanity did evolve on Kobol, we're not disputing that at all. All we're putting forward is that humanity as a whole, evolved on Earth before Ra and the other Goa'uld seeded humans throughout the galaxy."
Daniel had already talked to Willow before leaving for New Kobol, and asked her if she knew the Gate address for Kobol. Willow had nodded her head before telling the archaeologist that she knew the address, but there wasn't any DHD at the Kobol Stargate.
Remembering that conversation, Daniel told Roslin that they know that Kobol has a Stargate, and that even though it didn't have a DHD, they could still have an archaeological expedition consisting of both their peoples.
"Would that be something you'd be interested in, President Roslin?" asked Dr. Burke.
"Yes" said Roslin nodding her head, "but I've already been on that planet, as well as Commander Adama and a few others from the Galactica and I can tell you that there is a Cylon presence on that world."
"They can be taken care of" said General O'Neill after Daniel translated what Roslin told Dr. Burke, "but your people should get settled first. IN the meantime, Daniel and Dr. Burke could take to more about what we know about your ancestors who were taken from Earth, but for now… maybe we should into matters of your security."
"Yes" said Commander Adama.
Willow: "Sir's, Ma'am, I can feel the Colonials getting overwhelmed with everything we're telling them. Given that they're already stressed out about the situation, I suggest moving on to something a little bit more simple."
Woolsey, O'Neill: "Agreed."
Before Woolsey and General O'Neill could say anything, it was the Vice-President who spoke up first.
"It will take time to absorb everything we've learned so far" said the vice-president, "and this would be a good breaking point to discuss security while coming to grips about what we've just heard."
The two groups agreed to talk about history later at another date while, in the meantime, they wanted to continue talking about the security situation on the planet, and on the ships in orbit… particularly the ones that can't land on the surface. It had taken another hour but it was decided that there would be a civilian security force created by the Colonials; and the personnel would be trained by some of the military officers. In the meantime, it would be Earth that would be providing the security force with non-lethal weapons for the first few batches of trainees while the Colonial weapons were examined for compatibility with Earth ammunition. In the meantime, however, it would be the Colonial military who would be in charge of Colonial security until the civilian branch takes over.
It was after that discussion that Baltar asked about shielding technology for the ships in orbit. This was something that the IOA, the President, and Home World Security had been discussing ever since they found out that Admiral Cain had become a Prior and was working with the Ori army to upgrade her ship. General O'Neill suggested helping them with placing an Ancient shield generator on their main warship since the Asgard shields were a gift for Earth by the Asgard.
It was something that the President and the IOA agreed with, especially since the Goa'uld shields they had were ineffective against the more powerful Ori weapons. Back on New Kobol, it was Colonel Carter who answered Baltar by telling him, and then Commander Adama, that Earth will be providing them with shielding technology for their primary warship.
"But" said the Colonel as Dr. Burke translated, "Major Rosenberg, a few engineers and myself will need access to your ship, sir. We need to make sure that your power distribution network can take the load from the generators. We also need to see the ships' schematics to make sure how many shield emitters are needed."
"As the one who I'm sure will be training the others on the Galactica on how to operate, and maintain, the equipment" said Baltar as he stood up and smirked at Colonel Carter, "I'd like to be the one to show yourself, and Major Rosenberg there through the ship."
Faith noticed the grimace on Willow's face before the Slayer nudged her wife on her arm, guessing that she must have caught a stray thought from the Colonial scientist.
"You don't wanna know" said Willow, guessing at what her wife wanted to ask, while shaking her head at Faith before she whispered into the Colonel's ear.
"Commander" said the Colonel after Willow whispered what Balter was thinking. She knew about Baltar's role in the fall of the Colonies, and what Willow just told her sent a shiver up her spine, "you can attach guards to watch us, but to make sure that the shield doesn't short out… we need to examine your ship."
"But I am afraid that we can only give you the shields for defensive purposes" said President Hayes before Baltar, or the Commander, could say anything, "I'm sure that you have more than enough weapons on board for offensive purposes."
"How about those energy weapons?" asked Apollo as Racetrack nodded her head.
"Those would help a lot" said Racetrack.
"President Hayes?" asked Roslin, "they're right, it would help tremendously."
"President Roslin" said President Hayes, "it's our policy that we don't share our military technology. But given that there are many threats out there, including the Ori; it would be irresponsible for us to not offer your people shields. And these are the same shielding technology that has been used by the Ancients, it is one of the most advanced pieces of technology available to us."
"I guess we have no choice" said President Roslin as she nodded at Commander Adama.
"Very well" said the Commander as he looked at Colonel Carter, and then at Willow, "you will be allowed on board the Galactica, but I insist on having guards follow you to ensure that you do not enter any sensitive areas."
"Agreed" said the President, "how about we take a quick break before we continue these proceedings?"
"Very well" said Roslin as she nodded her head.
"Before we break" said General O'Neill, "Commander Adama, I think it would be easier to begin scanning your ship with the Cylon detectors? You can have as many people as you wish following our teams through your ship, but if any Cylons are found… they can't be harmed."
"Understood" said the Commander nodding his head before the two delegations went for a break.
Kobol, 1100 hours.
Tessa was a Number Six who was left on the planet called Kobol after the Basestar that was orbiting the planet was destroyed months ago. Unknown to her, that was the day that Boomer activated a nuclear weapon in the basestar's fighter bay. Ever since that day, no other basestars had come to pick her, or the other ten Ones, Three's, Six's and Eights, and their accompanying centurions who were stranded on the surface of the planet. They did have a Heavy Raider, but following the escape of a group of Colonials who made it to Kobol, the Raider was destroyed by Raptors when they came to rescue the group.
Once the rescued group had left, Tessa and her fellow Cylons and centurions were left on the planet. They were too far away by the time another group of Colonials had come to the planet with Roslin during their quest form the Tomb of Athena. Ultimately, they had made a camp their home for months following that incident and was already sick and tired of hearing the One say that they'll be rescued soon. The truth was, she wasn't aware that the Cylon race was now nearly extinct, and that she and the others were now a rare breed.
Tessa was now three hours away from the camp; she was doing something that she liked, hiking by herself as she explored the surrounding areas… it have her an excuse to escape the confines of the camp where the One insisted that they remain together in the event that rescue came for them. She continued walking with a branch as a walking stick as she thought about the history of the planet.
'Birthplace of our oppressors, humanity' thought Tessa to herself as she continued to walk through the forest. She continued walking for a few more minutes before she reached an entrance to an opening into the ground that was covered with moss, and debris. Sighing, she took out her flask and drank a bit of water before she looked around and then made a decision to go to her left. As she was leaving, the young Cylon heard something from inside the opening.
"Hello?" asked Tessa as she looked in before telling herself that it was nothing. That there should be no-one left on this planet. Shaking her head, Tessa started to head away when she noticed a shadow moving in the opening. Stepping back in shock, she hoped that it was just a trick of the sunlight that was over her shoulder.
"Hello?" she asked again as she looked into the opening as another shadow moved, "my name is Tessa, is there anyone there?"
Tessa cautiously took a few steps forward before she was nearly at the mouth of the opening. Once there, she heard a woman sobbing from the inside.
'It can't be' thought Tessa to herself, "there shouldn't be… oh God!"
Tessa screamed as a figured rushed towards from within the opening, grabbed her by the collar and then threw her just as easily against the sides of the inside of the opening. Her eyes widened when she saw the face of the nightmarish creature that was holding her against solid rock. She could make out the ridged forehead, she saw the yellow eyes.. and worst of all for Tessa, she saw the fangs that the creature was baring at her while growing like a animal.
"No!" shouted Tessa as the creature turned her head and held it to the wall, exposing her neck. She was in panic now as the creature leaned forward and bit into her skin. Tessa could feel that the creature started to suck more and more of her blood, so much more that she was starting to feel weak. Before she lost consciousness, Tessa knew that she had to fight back. She swung her hand and hit the side of the creature's face hard as it let go of the Cylon's neck. She then kicked out at it using all her strength as it fell to the ground before instantly getting up and then growling at her, her blood dripping down the sides of its mouth while Tessa's eyes opened wide at the sight. She knew she had to get out of there, so by instinct, he ran and jumped out of the opening with all her strength. Once she was some feet away from the opening while holding on to her bleeding neck, Tessa turned and saw the creature glaring back at her, and then at the sunlit ground before looking back up at her.
The creature then roared at her as she stumbled back in fear.
Tessa saw the creature head back into the opening before she turned and ran all the way to the camp. She needed to warn the others that they had a problem.
A very big problem.
TBC.