A/N: Wow, it's been two years since I've started this story. Can't believe it, not really. Anyway, I wanted to thank everyone for continuing to read this story. Cheers.
Lozan, Orban Colony World, 1510 hours.
Merrin remembered her memories of earth with fondness, she remembered how eager Major Carter was to learn about their naquada reactor technology, she remembered the flowers that she drew, she remembered Colonel O'Neill taking her to a school where they actually taught using the old methods.. the method used before nanites to spread information, the same methods that the Orban were adopting slowly.. but steadily. Merrin didn't have any nanites after they were extracted from her mind, but she remembered the fun she had; out of all the things she learned, she remembered the simple pleasures of playing, of painting, of being with children her own age free to do what they wanted.
Instead of reverting to a childlike state after her Avarium, it was Merrin who started changing an entire culture through her nanites which were given to everyone on Orban, and her colonies. While her people were getting the final tables set for their talks with the Colonials and the Cylons under a large tent with a warm summer breeze tussling her curling blonde hair, Merrin looked at the Stargate and remembered how she and the other children who underwent the Avarium started absorbing knowledge like sponges. She remembered that teachers from Earth were sent to help the Orbanian adults teach the children in their old ways, and it was only a few months later that… in some cities, there were reports of some of the children teaching the other children.
Now adults were teaching the adults, and while it was a slow process; their reliance on the nanites weren't as pervasive as they had once been. The nanites were now being studied as a way to improve the overall health of the Orban with some experiments on healing small injuries a rousing success. They had known about the replicator invasion of the galaxy after they had told the SGC about their experiments with nanites; the worries of the SGC were allayed when the Orbanian leaders assured them that the nanites' only programming would be to heal should the body be injured, and when not in use.. they would remain dormant.
One of the stronger alliances that Earth has had since the Stargate was activated, the Orban even allowed some scientists with the SGC to observe the experiments with their version of the nanites; now, the Orbanian Science Council was considering a request with the SGC to work together on a few projects… some of which Merrin would be a part of. It made her look forward to actually teaching Colonel Carter and Willow about the nanite technology that was uniquely theirs… nanite technology that hadn't risen against their creators.
It was a few minutes later that the Stargate chevron's lit up on the Orban colony world. Merrin, who was accompanied by Tomin and his father, Kalan… both of whom knew, and worked with SG-1. Tomin was now about the same age as Merrin, he was nineteen with a full head of brown hair. He chose to undergo the Avarium early after Teal'c had told him about the dangers that the Goa'uld presented so that his people would be able to prepare themselves… and he was there when the Orban were told about the Ori and the dangers that they presented; something which he had to study the old fashioned way. The three of them walked towards the Stargate and looked on as it activated, the unstable vortex rushing out before settling back down into the event horizon. They saw the ripples on the blue pool just before SG-1 walked through the Stargate with a group of eleven people behind them; Dr. Burke who smiled as she walked down the stairs from the Stargate, and ten people behind her who were looking around with shock evident on their faces as they whispered to each other before looking around their surroundings while the people that Merrin knew as SG-1 walked down the stairs of the Stargate pedestal.
"Samantha" said Merrin as she hugged Colonel Carter, "it is good to see you again."
"HI, Merrin" said the Colonel as she stepped back, "the General says hi, and he's sorry he missed your birthday."
While Merrin nodded her head and then talked with Willow, Tomin welcomed Teal'c and Vala to the planet while Kalan welcomed Daniel and the others. All the while the Colonials, led by Roslin, looked on surprised at the fact that they just travelled thousands of light years in a few seconds and at the fact that the team in black uniforms, the ones who Dr. Burke referred to as SG-1, was hugging and talking to , as unbelievable as it seemed to her and the other Colonials, other human beings.
They looked on at Colonel Mitchell then introduced Dr. Burke to the three people who Roslin assumed was their welcoming party before she glanced up, while at the same time nudging Commander Adama's side before nodding towards a large tent a few meters away where here were four more people waiting. While the Colonials were still looking around, Colonel Carter and Willow were handed one of the translators so that they could bring it back to the SGC and reverse engineer it to their own specifications.
Willow and Colonel Carter were amazed at how small the devices were in comparison to the Tollan's translation devices, with Merrin playfully telling the both of them that she'll be glad to teach them how it works. It was that offer which made the two scientists nod their heads in excitement while Kalan and Tomin handed the other three translators to Dr. Burke, who playfully said that she was being pushed out of a job if they did manage to recreate the translation technology; Daniel, and the fourth one would be given to Dr. Gardner when she arrives on the planet.
Once they put on the translation devices, it was Merrin who explained that the devices would be translating in real time, that device would enable speaking and hearing each other in their own language. She added that the first few sentences may seem a bit strange since the translation matrix was still building it's vocabulary. Merrin also said that one major flaw of the device was that one device was capable of translating within a certain distance; she said that in their tests, the devices were useful with anywhere up to three hundred meters of the speaker… anymore than that, people would be hearing their own language mixed with another language.
"So they'll be listening to gibberish" said Colonel Carter.
"Yes" replied Tomin, "it can be countered by having more people with the devices in close proximity with the people who are being talked to, or you could gather people who do not know the language close to your proximity but…"
"That makes it weird for everyone involved" said Willow as she looked at the device and imagined herself trying to talk to fifty Colonials who were trying to squeeze towards her so that they could understand what she was saying. Shaking her head, she then placed the device above her left breast, "so I'm talking in Ancient Greek?"
"English" said Colonel Carter and Dr. Burke.
"Let's test this out then" said Daniel as he turned around and smiled at the Colonials before speaking in English, the device translating what he was saying to them, "ladies and kitchens, can you spray me?"
"Yea…. As if we'd want to spray you" said Starbuck after listening to the words the device translated in real time as she tried not to laugh, however it was a few seconds later that she broke out into a fit before asking him in Ancient Greek what he'd like to be sprayed with.
"Spray him with a nose" said Faith as Starbuck stopped laughing, and the other Colonials looked at Faith while the other Earthers and Orbanians smiled. The Colonials were surprised that the dark haired Slayer was speaking in Ancient Greek… something that she wasn't able to do before. Roslin and the others looked at the other Earthers who were trying not laugh at the same time, especially the ones who she knew did know their language.
"Yeah" said Faith in English that the device on Daniel translated to Ancient Greek, "the translating stuff need a bit of rocks."
"But how?" asked Roslin as she looked at Faith, and then at Colonel Mitchell, "you haven't shown knowledge of our language and… how?"
"Translation technology" said Kalan as he stepped forward and pointed at the small device that was attached to his lapel, "welcome to Lozan, I am Kalan… that is my son Tomin."
"And I am Merrin."
"These people are members of a race of humans who were brought to another planet from Earth by another alien race who, unfortunately, we haven't had much contact with" said Daniel in English while the other Colonials heard it as Ancient Greek; this time they were more surprised to learn that there were races that the Earthers didn't have much information on.
"I.. I am President Laura Roslin of.. of New Kobol" said the red haired woman as she shook Kalan's hand before she motioned towards the others, "this is Commander William Adama of the Battlestar Galactica, Captain Karl Agathon, and Captain Kara Thrace."
"We welcome you all" said Kalan before he motioned to the others behind the group of Colonials.
"They don't matter" said Roslin as she glanced at Colonel Tigh and the others.
It was Merrin and Tomin who walked towards the Five before welcoming them to Lozan, much to the surprise of the human Colonials. Merrin told the Five that she had heard about them from their briefing, while Tomin welcomed D'Anna who shook his hand in surprise.
"You know what I am?" said D'Anna as Merrin and Tomin nodded their head, "then why.."
Before she could finish what she wanted to say, D'Anna, the Colonials and the Five were ushered to one side by Dr. Burke and SG-1 who had already armed their weapons and stood in front of the Orbanians, and the Colonials to protect them while Orbanian security at the tent armed their own weapons.
They stood down when Dr. Gardner's voice came through SG-1's radio, telling them that they were on the way through to Lozan. After Colonel Mitchell acknowledged Dr. Gardner, the blonde woman walked through the Stargate with the Cylon High Council made up of D'Anna, Natalie, Boomer, Leoben, and Simon; the original Cylons who arrived at Eden months ago to speak with Dr. Gardner and her team. The Cylons looked at the Colonials while wondering what was the urgent thing that they needed to discuss; Dr. Gardner had just told them that there was an urgent need for the High Council to accompany her to Lozan, that there was something that they needed to know about their role in the galaxy, and their future.
As Natalie looked at the Colonials, she noticed the D'Anna who was embedded in the Galactica smiling back at her.. and at her people. She glanced over at the D'Anna who was standing next to her and saw that she had a grin on her face upon seeing her 'sister'. The five members of the Cylon council walked down the stairs behind Dr. Gardner, who shook the hand of another woman who was introduced to them as Dr. Winnie Burke.
Natalie could sense the tension in the air with the Colonials glaring at them, and she could see Starbuck with her hand on the butt of her sidearm, ready to pull it out at a moment's notice. She, along with the others, then met with the Orbanians present and were surprised to see that they weren't judging them for their actions.
'Or they haven't been told about what happened' thought Natalie to herself as she listened to the one called Merrin welcome them, 'Dr. Gardner told us about these people from Orban have helped Earth greatly and… and we never asked if they were told the truth about what we did. Maybe.. maybe it's time we did. We've already accepted what we've done, and what's been done to us in return is divine punishment from God. We won't have the forgiveness of the Colonial's anytime soon, if ever… but it's time we publically admit our faults."
The truth was that the Orbanians were already told by the SGC of what happened between the Colonials and the Cylons before this meet was set up. The Orbanians were shocked at the scale of the slaughter of human beings, but they were just as equally shocked at the scale of destruction that would lead to the extinction of a sentient machine race. They, like the Tau'ri of Earth, didn't want to sit back and watch a race vanish.. no matter what that particular race might have done. The Tau'ri told the Orban that the Cylons on Eden were doing everything they could to fix their mistakes; first by telling them about the Colony, and then helping to find out its location so that it could be destroyed since it had already destroyed human lives on two worlds so far.
The Cylons on Eden had also made the case that they would like to join in the battle to take down the Colony should they find it, that it was a danger to the galaxy at large and that they could not have it remain under Cavil's control. Natalie had told them that if they could not gain control of it, then it needed to be destroyed.
Back in the present, the Stargate activated again as the Cylons, and the Colonials separated into two groups and watched as a very familiar person walked through the event horizon with a man in green BDU's, and tactical gear.
It was Natalie who couldn't believe it; she was looking at a copy of herself who, in turn, looked around the surrounding area in surprise before looking at her with anger.
Triana looked at her copy in anger while wondering what role she could have played in the destruction of the Colonies, she then looked at the copy of Sharon who was looking back at her as well. Triana looked at the copy of her father and imagined what he'd be telling the Cylon about the deaths of billions of innocents. She then looked at D'Anna before looking away.
'Maybe one of their friends, or someone they knew personally' thought Triana as she looked at the final dark skinned man. Triana thought that he could be based on someone that they knew personally, and was important to them in some way. Shaking her head, she then followed the armed Captain who was her escort through the Stargate down the stairs with part of her still in surprise that she was on another world through a device that she was told was created by the Alterra. Once she was standing on the grass, she looked back at the Stargate as it disengaged before wondering if the race that her people were named after were just as advanced as the Alterra.
She knew that her race was named after the Furlings, that they were already an advanced race that build A.I that was capable of evolving beyond its programming.. but the Stargate network was a completely different beast. Deciding to push those thought away in the meantime, Triana nodded at Willow, Daniel and Colonel Carter before the Captain… a Lance Hunter introduced her to the rest of SG-1. It was then that Dr. Burke and Dr. Gardner introduced themselves, with Triana handing the video recorder she was carrying to Dr. Burke.. telling the woman that it contained a message for Helo from Sharon.
Dr. Burke told her that she'll make sure it gets to Helo before Captain Hunter told Dr. Burke that the video was already examined for anything that may undermine security.
"It's all been approved, Doc" said Captain Hunter while Dr. Burke nodded her head.
Triana then met the Orbanians who told her not to worry, that everyone would be kept safe during this meeting. The Furling then asked how it was that they understood each other's language, and was surprised to hear that a device was being used to translate what everyone was saying. Dr. Garner asked Triana if she'd like to meet with the Cylons first which led to Triana looking at the confused looked on her copy's face before she turned around and looked at Colonel Tigh and the others. The Furling woman walked towards the Five instead, past the stunned Colonials who just looked transfixed at the silver-blonde haired woman who was herself transfixed on the Tighs, Anders, Tyrol, and Tory.
However, it was Starbuck who first came to her senses and stepped in front of Triana and raised her sidearm… which made Triana step back and raise her hands while Willow, Faith and the others raised their weapons at the Colonial Officer.
"Weapons down, please" said Kalan as he approached them with his hands held out high, "this is a neutral place for both of your groups to talk. You will be safe here, put your weapons down."
"President Roslin" said Dr. Gardner as she approached the redhead, and the Commander who was standing next to her, "the Cylons came here unarmed as a show of good faith, even though they knew that one of you would be bringing a weapon. Please… the reason we're here concerns the Colonials, as well as the Cylons. And the woman that your friend is pointing the weapon at is important to this conversation.. she is the key; the proof that you need to find out the truth of where you came from, where the Colonials came from.. and maybe where you're headed for the future. This is true for you, and the Cylons."
"And SG-1 will open fire" said Dr. Burke as she looked at the leaders, and then at Helo, and back to the Commander and Roslin again. It was then that she noticed Helo putting his hands up as he walked up to Starbuck who was still pointing her weapon at Triana, telling her that she was not going to give the Cylons behind her any ideas of freedom.. that they had betrayed the Colonies and their fates were in the hands of the Colonials.
"Kara" said Helo as he stood in between her weapon and Triana, "put the gun down."
"Helo?" said Starbuck, "this.. this is wrong and…"
"Weapon down" said Colonel Mitchell while mentally telling Willow to knock Starbuck out mentally if she even thinks about squeezing the trigger.
"Starbuck" said Helo while Dr. Burke and Dr. Gardner were talking to the Commander and Roslin, and Kalan had signalled the four members of their own security team to be on standby, "we're here to talk. Let's hear what they have to say… we'll be taking the Cylons back with us… the Earthers have already agreed to that. It's our decision what we do with them."
"Weapon down, Kara" said the Commander softly as he looked back at his officer.
"Boss?" asked Starbuck as her hand trembled.
"Put the weapon down, Starbuck" said the Commander again as Helo gently reached for Starbuck's hand with his own, and pushed it down gently towards the grass. It was then that SG-1 lowered their weapons as well while Helo took Starbuck's weapon out of her hand, put the safety on, and then handed it back to her while Triana walked past her. In the meantime, Helo put a hand gently on his friend's shoulder and squeezed.. he knew how she felt about having someone close to her being discovered as a Cylon. He knew what happened between her and Anders on Caprica, he knew about the relationship they shared.. and he knew that his being revealed as a Cylon was breaking her apart even as she tried to hide it.
Willow: "Colonels, I don't know how I missed this. I knew al of them were stressed but…"
Faith: "Emotional Overload?"
Willow: "Could be."
Carter: "Continue keeping an eye on her, Willow."
Willow: "Will do."
"It's going to be alright" said Helo gently while looked straight into Starbuck's eyes, "this is just a special meeting for today. It's not a regular thing, the Earthers know it.. and we know, and the Cylons know it. We're just here to listen."
Starbuck then nodded her head after she closed her eyes and stepped back. Helo helped the Colonial officer put her weapon back into her holster while she looked back at Anders, who was looking back at her with his mouth open. Starbuck could see his lips moving... but she heard nothing before she looked away from the man who was mouthing 'I love you' to her. The blonde officer then walked away while Colonel Mitchell and the others lowered their weapons, and then Helo sighed before looking back at Triana who put a hand on his chest and lowered her head in respect before looking back up at the man, and then putting her arm down. The Cylons and the Colonials had seen this exchange between the both of them, while Willow mentally told the others in SG-1 that she really did show the traditional Furling greeting.
"It is my people's method of greeting strangers" said Triana, "thank you."
"Ummm… yea" said Helo as he stepped to one side before he looked away and walked up to, and then stood next to Starbuck, Triana looking back at him before nodding her head. She then walked towards Colonel Tigh and the others before stopping a few steps away.
"Saul, Ellen, Tory, Galen, Sam" said a smiling Triana as she looked at the five of them who looked back at her in surprise before looking at each other. All the while the Cylons were unsure of what was going on, so they looked to Dr. Burke who told them that everything will be explained shortly. In the meantime, they saw Triana giving the Five a smile while D'Anna stepped away to the side while looking at her sister on the Cylon side of the group. She then looked at Triana as she recalled what Dr. Burke had said, that this woman who really did look like the Number Six was originally from Earth. Shaking her head, the Cylon listened to what Triana was saying, "I… I know you don't know who I am. But I know who the five of you are and…"
"You're a Cylon" said Ellen, "we are not one of you and… and we refuse to believe that we are anything like you."
"We're human, Bill" said the Colonel as he looked at his best friend who was standing a few steps to his left, "you have to believe me, we're all… despite what the Earthers have shown us… we're can't be Cylons."
"You are more than that" said Triana as the Colonel looked back at the young woman, "I don't know why you don't have your memories; well, Sharon has an idea and I… I don't know if…"
"Lady" said Chief Tyrol as he looked at Triana, "you don't know what you're talking about and…"
"The Five of you left my Earth to save Kobol" said Triana the mention of the word shutting up anything else that the Five had to say. Triana then looked back at the Colonials, and then at the Cylons who were just out of earshot before she looked at Dr. Burke and Dr. Gardner.
"If you'd come with us" said Dr. Gardner as she and the others led the two groups to the tent. Triana followed behind the Five who were looking back at her before they looked forward again. Before entering the tent, Triana noticed Willow and Faith.. along with the rest of SG-1 and the Orbanian security taking their places around the tent; Dr. Burke, Daniel, and Dr. Gardner were sitting in the tent with Merrin and the others. While the Colonials were still sitting down.. doing their best to keep away from the Five, and the Cylons; the Five were trying to stay away from the Cylons and trying to get a place as close to the Colonials as possible.
While a game of musical chairs was being played of who should sit where, Triana approached Willow who was talking to Faith and Colonel Mitchell while the others had already taken their spots around the tent.
"Excuse me" said Triana noticing the device on Willow's chest; which told the blonde that the redhead and the people around her would understand what she was saying.
"Yep?" asked the Colonel while Willow and Faith looked at the young woman.
"Triana" said Willow as she motioned to the people standing next to her, "that's Lt. Colonel Cam Mitchell, and this is Faith Lehane."
"Hey" said Faith as Triana bowed her head in greeting to the both of them, "you doing alright at the Beta Site?"
"Yes" replied Triana as she looked back at the Colonials and then at the Cylons; then back at the three of the Earthers in front of her, "With everything I have learnt, it is a little overwhelming. Talking with Sharon has helped much… she is different from these Cylons and…"
Triana looked at Willow before telling her that Sharon told her something that she had seen the redhead do on Caprica; and she just wanted to know if it was true.
"Forgive me if it sounds rude" said Triana as she looked at Willow who smiled and shook her head.
"If you mean about me stopping my friend from bleeding out?" said Willow as Triana nodded her head, "that was just me being lucky. I put enough pressure to at least slow down the bleeding, which is why we had to get her out of there fast. It took some blood transfusions and a lot of rest but she's doing alright."
"That's what I thought as well" said Triana while Willow mentally gave a sigh of relief to Colonel Mitchell and Faith.
"Triana" said Dr. Burke as the young woman turned around and then looked back at Willow and the others again. She then walked towards the tent while the three people of SGC one just looked on.
"That was close" whispered the Colonel as he headed for his station before telling Willow and Faith to get to where they're supposed to go. The Colonel then mentally told Willow to connect all members of SG-1; once connected, he told everyone to keep an eye on Starbuck since she was the one with the weapon. He then told everyone to keep an eye out on the Cylons as well, that they were stronger than normal humans so Faith and Teal'c had the lead on dealing with them.
That was something that made Faith, who was standing next to Willow glance over at the Colonel who was doubling up with Teal'c, and Colonel Carter was doubled with Vala.
It was a few minutes later that Dr. Gardner told everyone present that they were here as the guests of the Orban. Kalan then got up and told them about the Orban; he was specially curious about the concern in the eyes of the Colonials, including the Five, and the curiosity showing on the faces of the Cylons upon hearing what the Orban have done with nanites. There were a flurry of questions from the Colonials, and Triana who was stunned at hearing that revelation, and then from the Cylons; however the entire group was asked to hold off any questions until later. Then Tomin told the group about the first time he had met Teal'c, followed by Merrin who told them about what happened to her.
It was Kalan who told the group that it was after Merrin's Avarium that everything changed; that her experiences and what she learned on Earth from the people at the SGC changed everything for their society.
It had forced them to adapt; something that was happening slowly, but surely.
It was then that the Orbanians answered whatever questions they could, telling both party's that they'll be open to trade with both civilizations in food, clothing, and medicine. Kalan could tell that the Colonials were not happy with that idea, but they still grudgingly accepted it… but he also told them that dangerous technologies wouldn't be traded until their peoples had gotten to know one another. He offered them a tour of the city as one group, or as separate groups to show them what their life was like. After a few more questions with the Earth personnel keeping a look out, it was Triana who then stood up and looked at the Colonials, and Cylons, and then at the Five.
Willow and the others saw the looks of shock and disbelief through both groups as Triana talked about her heritage, her version of Earth, the war that destroyed an entire planet, and ended with the escape of Five scientists from Earth who were going to travel to Kobol to warn their cousins.
"Look after your creations" said Triana softly as she looked at the ground while the others looked back at her, "keep them close. Treat them well… we made a mistake. We enslaved our machines, and they fought back. I lost my father, my friends… everyone I knew or loved died on that world. Saul and the others were supposed to go to Kobol and change how the other tribes lived."
Triana then looked at the Five who were seated away from the Colonials, and from the other Cylons.
"The five of you were scientists on Earth" said Triana as Commander Adama, and the others turned with surprise evident on their faces to look at Colonel Tigh and the others who were looking at Triana in equal shock, their minds trying to make sense of everything she was telling them, "you were given the authority to begin research on recreating something our people lost thousands of years ago after landing on Earth, Resurrection."
"No" said Colonel Tigh while the Cylons looked at each other trying to make sense of all the information.
"My father recommended you and your team to the President" said Triana as she looked at Leoben, and then at Colonel Tigh again, "his name was General Leoben Connors. You recreated these Cylons in the images of people you knew; one was made looking like your friend… and another one who looked like his daughter."
"Wait" said Leoben standing up and taking a step forward just as Triana turned and took two steps back with her hand held up and out, telling him to come no further.
"You launched an unprovoked attack" said Triana with tears in her eyes, "you and your people bloodied the name of the ones who created my race, and the ones that we named ourselves after."
The Colonials looked one confused at the turn of events while Leoben sat back down on his seat, with D'Anna putting a hand on the man's shoulder while he watched Triana wipe her eyes before looking away.
Triana took a deep breath before she told the two groups about what she learnt in her history classes; she told them about the Kobol class Furling ship that crash landed on the planet that would later be called Kobol, she told them about the sensor reading they had found later in their life.. the reason that made them search for the Earth of the Alterra; she told them that the Furlings were trying to reach the Alterra, but there was no response. She said that they didn't know what happened to the Furlings, but they must have left the planet. Triana told them about the intervening years after the crash was just darkness for her people… the Organic Drones. She told them that their A.I's were so advanced that they were capable of advancing beyond their original programming. She told both groups about the humans, who the Drones later found were brought to Kobol from Earth, had discovered them when they came upon the buried ship.
"They were already in twelve tribes.. the humans, I mean" said Triana as she looked at a spot on the ground, "my ancestors became their servants, their.. their cleaners, their Slaves… they even fought wars for the humans."
The Colonials and the Cylons looked at each other at that revelation and looked away; Roslin muttering to herself that what happened before, happened again.
They then listened to what Triana had to say about her ancestors using resurrection to transfer their consciousness from one body to another. She said that eventually, the humans saw the machines as human… they became the Thirteenth Tribe. She then told them what happened in the years after that; that while the human Kobolians were teaching that humanity evolved on Kobol, the Thirteenth were discovering that humanity evolved on Earth.. or at least, according to the sensor readings that they had found, that the Kobolians were brought to Kobol from another world.
"We found that the Furlings were trying to contact the Alterra on Earth" said Triana, "that's why my ancestors believed that Earth was the home of humanity; the place where the Kobolians had been taken from."
"Did your ancestors tell the Kobolians? The other Twelve Tribes?" asked Helo.
Triana told him that they did; that instead of listening, the Kobolians had branded them heretics. She told them about the civil war that led to the entire Thirteenth Tribe evacuating Kobol for Earth. Triana told them that there must have been a malfunction in the ship's jump drive. She glanced at SG-1, and remembered what she was told by Colonel Pratt at the Beta Site about not mentioning Athena or any ascended beings; so she covered that story up with a malfunction. She told the Colonials, and the Cylons that they thought it was Earth since they had no idea about the malfunction… that they didn't see any sign of the Alterra, or the Furlings when they landed. She told them what life was like for her ancestors on that world; she told them about the hardships, and most importantly, the need to give up resurrection if they were to grow as a race.
"Biological procreation" said Simon with his eyes wide open as Triana nodded her head, "your people succeeded."
"Yes" said Triana nodding her head, "we found out the key to having children and… and eventually we gave up resurrection. Our society grew… our philosophical differences grew as it should… and our people split up as it should. We called ourselves Furlings to honour the ones who created us. We knew we were on Earth, and we hoped that we would meet the Alterra; the allies of the Furlings."
Triana told them that she was from Tarath, the most advanced country on Earth. She told them about the machines they created which use spread from Tarath to the entire globe. She told them that their society was advanced but complacent, that they had forgotten the lessons of the past. She said that there were people who warned the rest of what could happen if they continued to treat their machines the way they did.
"There was an uprising" said Triana, "it was put down hard. But there was always the concern that they could rise again. A culling was ordered… a reprogramming of machines that had seen battle. We suspect that people who were against to removing free will from the machines didn't reprogram them; at least that's we suspected later on."
Triana then told them about the Five scientists who were recommended by her father to begin research on the recreation of resurrection technology in case the machines rose up again. She looked at Colonel Tigh and the other four, telling them that they volunteered to be the guinea pigs once Ellen found the secret to successful resurrection.
"We wanted to share it with the word" said Triana softly, "the President and his cabinet, the military would be first.. that was the plan after a test. Saul and the others already had their bodies and…. it was too late. I was in the war bunker when the first missiles hit. I watched the machines rise and.. and destroy everything. Saul and the others died and were resurrected… my father and I told them to leave for Kobol. That it was already too late for our world and maybe they could save our cousins from repeating our mistakes. After they left in their ship, my father told me to get into the cryo pod.. me and a few others. Then I went to sleep. My companions died because of a malfunction… and I woke up to a dead world. I met these people from Earth… the real Earth and… and here I am."
"We are sending one of our ships to your Earth" said Colonel Mitchell; who was himself told about it by General Landry. Triana nodded her head and thanked him after the Colonel said that the ship will be running a scan for the most minute of power fluctuations. Triana then remained silent as she looked at the faces of the Cylons, the Colonials and the other Five, waiting and steeling herself for the inevitable questions.
However none came.
Triana could see that they were all stunned with the information that she had given them about the Furlings, Kobol, Earth… the war that ended an entire world. She could see that they were all trying to process everything; she knew that she just upended their worlds.
"President Roslin" said Dr. Burke as the woman who was sitting back on her seat while covering her mouth with her hand looked at the linguist, "we're still leaving the Colonel Tigh and the others with you as we agreed, it's up to you to decide how you want to proceed… all we ask is that they shouldn't be put to death. Like Triana said, they are part of Triana's race even if they do have Cylon bodies. Which I know brings up a very interesting question."
"Why you don't have your memories" said Natalie who now stood up slowly while looking at the woman claiming to be her template, the woman she was modelled after. She approached Triana who stepped back again; stopping, Natalie put her hands up and took a step back before putting her hands down again.
"I was made to look like you" said Natalie softly, "meaning that someone who knew you… remembered you, made me and…"
"Saul" said Triana as she looked at the suddenly tired looking old man, "you and Ellen. I'm sorry I don't know why you don't remember but it's the truth. You and the others remembered me, and created her in my image."
"Then what about me?" asked Boomer as she looked at Triana, "I met the human.. human version of me and…"
"We have an idea on that" said Colonel Carter as everyone looked at the blonde, "it's just a theory but we believe that the Goa'uld may have separated twins from thousands of families on Earth as some sort of sick experiment. Taking one twin to another world and forcing them on another family for an experiment, maybe to see how each one would grow up… the truth is that we don't know. But that makes the most plausible explanation."
"It could be that those five people there" said Vala as the others turned to look at the Tigh's, and then back at the dark haired alien, "could have met the twin of Major Satterfield's ancestors. Maybe she made an impact that those five decided to create a Cylon who looked just like her? If you think about it…"
"It makes sense" said Boomer as she sat down on her seat and rubbed her forehead, "I don't know what to think anymore."
"Bill" said Colonel Tigh, "this is… all I know is that I don't feel like I'm a Cylon. I've never met this Triana before and.."
"The five of you are like my family and…" said Triana, "you already knew me and my father, and we've… what I'm trying to say is that I can try and find out why you can't remember. I was one of the people who helped develop the new bodies that you were supposed to resurrect into and… I mean I helped develop the programming. I'm really good with computers and… and I can try and bring your memories back. I don't know if they were blocked after.. I mean maybe Sharon was right. Maybe you died again and were resurrected into new bodies and…"
"That frackker" said Simon as everyone looked at the man, "he must have known… he was the first of us all. He must have known…"
"Cavil" said D'Anna as she looked at Simon who nodded his head. She then looked at Triana, and then at the Colonials; and she could feel the tension in the air growing with all the revelations. She then glanced over at the redheaded Earth officer as she whispered something into the woman she was standing next to who nodded her head. It was then that she noticed the one male Colonel nod his head slightly before telling everyone that maybe it was time they had a break. That each side needed to adsorb this knowledge and let things calm down a bit.
"I've made a decision" said Tory as she suddenly stood up and looked at Roslin, Commander Adama and then at Natalie and her Cylons, before looking at the President of New Kobol again, "if I am a Furling…. If this body is a Furling then… then I want to stay with Triana and…."
"Tory" said Roslin as she stood up.
"Tory" said Chief Tyrol as he stood up and put a hand on her shoulder, "whatever anyone says, we're not Cylon's we're…."
"How does Triana know our names before we even introduced ourselves?" said Tory as she jerked her shoulder away from Chief Tyrol before looking at Roslin, Helo, Commander Adama, and then at Starbuck who had her hand on the butt of her weapon, "I am not a Cylon. I'd know if I was a Cylon and… and if I really am a Furling then… then I'd want to be with my own people and…"
"Don't" said Willow as she pointed her Zat at Starbuck when the redhead received images of the blonde Colonial officer imagining shooting Tory while taking her weapon out of its holster.
"Starbuck" said Commander Adama as even the Orbanian security team raised their weapons, while the Earth forces raised their weapons at the Cylons who were about to make a move, while Ellen and the others were asking the Commander to calm down.
"Yea" said Colonel Mitchell and Carter pointing their weapons at the Cylons, "everyone take it easy; calm down."
"Please" said Kalan as he ran in between the groups, "you are our guests and thus guaranteed protection. But I insist you follow our rules. This was just meant to be a gathering to gain knowledge about your shared history; not one where you kill each other. I understand that anger goes deep for the Colonials, but for once I am asking that you listen. And I speak the same to the Cylons, please… stay calm."
"Kara" said Roslin closing her eyes and rubbing her forehead before she reached her hand out to the blonde officer, "give me your weapon."
"Ma'am?" asked Starbuck.
"Give me your weapon" said Roslin while Starbuck looked at Roslin, and then at Anders who was looking back at her. The blonde could feel her heart breaking when she imagined the things she had done with Anders.
Willow herself was seeing those thoughts that Starbuck was having, and immediately knew it was a mistake to bring her to this meeting. She saw her memoires of having sex with Anders, she felt her disgust at having a relationship with a machine; Willow then saw her prepare to hand over the weapon to Roslin when she suddenly stopped… then put her hand tightly around the butt of the gun and looked at it. Willow saw what she intended to do.. so she mentally knocked the gun out of Starbuck's hands and onto the grass. The redhead saw Starbuck look at her empty hand confused while Helo picked up the weapon, and then took out the magazine and ejected the round that was in the chamber.
The Earth officers then lowered their weapons while Willow mentally told SG-1 that she saw Starbuck wanting to point the weapon at her own head and shoot herself for her relationship with Anders.
Faith: "You did good, Red."
Teal'c: "For Kara Thrace's mental state, we cannot keep her and Samuel Anders in the same location."
Vala: "She'll try again either way."
Carter: "Cam and I will talk to Roslin and Commander Adama. Maybe we can have an arrangement where the five of them can remain at the Beta site under our custody."
Mitchell: "You know they're not gonna like that."
Carter: "No other choice. She just tried to kill herself. What'll she do when the five of them return with the Colonials?"
Daniel: "Any idea on if we're getting those experts from the FBI talk to these guys?"
Mitchell: "In a few days."
Daniel: "That'll help in at least trying to convince the Colonials that the Five of them didn't have anything to do in this war… I mean as far as knowing about it from the beginning."
Faith: "True."
The groups then broke up to take a break, with Colonel Tigh, Ellen, Ander and Chief Tyrol trying to convince Tory that they belong to the Colonials… that they were Colonials.
Nothing more, nothing less.
All Tory did was shake her head.
The groups stayed separate with the Earth and Orbanian forces watching over them before they continued their talks again fifteen minutes later, with Willow and the others in SG-1 hoping that no one starts killing each other in hand to hand combat.
TBC.