Beta Site, 1845 hours.
Sharon was in the Mess Hall having a bite to eat as she recalled the message she left on the video to Helo. She smiled as she was eating the red jell-o from her cup when she remembered Triana holding the camera while the humanoid Cylon told Helo that everything was alright, that she was being well taken care of at the Earthers outposts, that their baby was being well taken care of, and that she was going to be healthy.
"See," Sharon recalled saying into the camera as she got up from her seat, with help from Triana after the Furling set the camera down on the table and then rushed around the table to help the Cylon woman stand up. Once the pregnant humanoid Cylon was standing up, Triana went back to the table and picked up the camera, and then pointed it at Sharon once again. She lifted the bottom of her shirt and revealed her bump which Triana filmed and then pulled up the camera to the grin on Sharon's face, "I told you the baby was going to be a girl when we went to Kobol to search for the Arrow of Apollo, remember?"
Back in the Mess Hall, Sharon remembered putting her shirt back down and covering the bump before Triana placed the camera on the table again, and the headed to Sharon to help her sit back down on her seat . Triana then went back to the table, picked up the device and started recording as Sharon told Helo that this was the first baby that was going to be born in the Earthers outpost, "the base commander told me that there's already bets going on what we'll name our baby… yes, I said we'll name our baby; the both of us. I already have a few names in mind; I'd like to know what you think. I miss you, Karl. I'm glad that the Earthers allowed this and… oh, they allowed me to show you and the others some interesting things. So show them this video too. Hold on."
The camera recorded Sharon reaching to her left before she looked at the camera again while holding a few books in her hand, and then showing the covers, and placing the books on the table.
"It was easy for me to learn their language," said Sharon into the camera, the same camera that Helo had already seen when he was sitting on the stairs that led to the Stargate, the same camera that he had shown the Colonial's on Lozan after he watched Sharon's message to him, "technically I'm a machine, so it's not that hard. But anyway, it's amazing Karl. Their history somewhat parallels Colonial history. The gods that the Colonials worshipped, the gods like Athena, Hera, Zeus, Artemis, Poseidon, name it.. the Earthers worshiped as well at one point in time. But that was a long time ago. All I've been doing since I got here was read their historical texts… I've seen pictures of their Earth; I mean not the planet itself, but pictures of the surface. And… and it looks like any place on the Colonies. I've seen pictures of ancient temples that were built in a place called Athens, then from places called Rome, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Mycenae, so many other places. Karl, these places are older. Much older than anything the Colonies had… or we had as Cylons. I'm just sorry that I couldn't see these with you, the Earthers aren't letting me travel through the Gate to the Stars because of my pregnancy. If I could, I'd be going with Triana to see you. I love you, Karl. And I hope to see you, and hear your voice soon."
That was the end of the video from what Sharon remembered as she took another bite of Jell-o. Then after that was recorded, Colonel Pratt took a look through and decided that there were no revealing information on the location of Earth itself. He then handed the camera to Triana, and told Captain Lance Hunter who was going to be accompanying Triana to Lozan that the video was clear for viewing before he accompanied the Furling through the Stargate. Finally finished with her cup of Jell-o, Sharon leaned back on her chair while she caressed her abdomen before she looked up, smiled, and nodded at a couple of Airmen who walked past her. They then returned the smile and the nod.
Once the Airmen had walked past her, Sharon then looked at the door on the far side of the Mess Hall open and then saw Triana walk in; the Furling woman holding the camera in her hand as she walked up to Sharon with a smile on her face.
"Sharon," said Triana nodding her head as she helped the Cylon woman stand up, "there's something you need to see."
"Ok," said Sharon as Triana reached for the wheelchair that was on the other side of the table and brought it up behind Sharon, who then grabbed the armrests and slowly brought herself down into the chair. With her heavily pregnant state, Sharon's doctor ordered that she travel on the wheelchair for long distances, but she was allowed to walk in short bursts as long as she was supervised until the baby was born. Triana then reached from behind Sharon and handed the young Cylon the camera; the Furling then told Sharon that there was a message just for her, and that she should listen to it in private.
"It's nothing dirty," whispered Triana as she bent down and whispered in Sharon's ear, "it's just something for you."
"Thank you," replied Sharon chuckling to herself as Triana stood tall again and then pushed Sharon towards another door. The two of them were talking among themselves, especially about the parts where the Orbanians had taken the Cylon Council, and the Colonial delegation to their homeworld of Orban with SG-1 as their escort. Triana told Sharon that the Orbanians wanted to open trade with both the Colonials, and the Cylons… with the Colonials mostly unhappy about the deal.
"But the Orbanians insisted on it," said Triana, "and then when we went to their homeworld. Sharon, it's so beautiful. They took us on a quick tour of one of their main city's with buildings so high… it was.. wow. There were even some steppe pyramids in various sections of the city that contained homes, laboratories, schools. Some were even their places of worship that reflected their earlier civilization on Earth; at least that's what one of the Earthers told us."
"Wow," said Sharon impressed as Triana pushed her wheelchair down another hallway while telling the Cylon about the translation technology that the Orban at given the Earthers.
"It's so small, Sharon," said Triana as they continued on while Triana said that the Cylons on Eden were eager to know how the Furlings on Furling Earth managed to procreate sexually, "I was angry at them… I.. honestly I didn't want to tell them anything."
"No one could blame you," said Sharon softly.
"But then I thought about you," said Triana as Sharon smiled and stroked her own abdomen, "you're creating a life in you and… and do I have the right to take that away from a race that's by all accounts descended from my race? Descended from Furling technology."
"So you changed your mind?" asked Sharon as she looked over her shoulder at Triana who nodded her head.
"But I'm not going to Eden," said the Furling woman, "the people here will take whatever they need from me, and then it'll be sent to the Cylon homeworld. They can experiment with my blood, flesh, any sampled that they asked for. I'm sorry, Sharon.. I can't see myself literally looking at myself, or at the copies of my father who were among the ones responsible for the murder of Twelve planets."
"I understand," said Sharon as they came up to a set of double doors, beyond which was the infirmary, and it was then that Sharon noticed Triana was speaking in what she knew to be English, not Colonial Standard.. or what the Earthers called Ancient Greek.
"How is this…" said Sharon as she was gently pushed through the doors and into the infirmary where she saw six people, one of who she knew was a full fledged Cylon, sitting on beds getting examined, "possible?"
The six of them then stared at Sharon; and she at them.
She looked at the look of disgust on Colonel Tigh's face as Ellen Tigh held on tightly to her husband while they sat on the same bed, Sharon then looked at another man she didn't know, she then looked at the dark skinned woman who was looking back at her with her eyes wide open.. she was looking at Sharon's face, and then at her abdomen, and then at her face again before shaking her head; and then Sharon looked at the one she knew as the Number Three model who was staring back at her in shock with her hands covering her mouth.. her eyes tearing up at the sight of the Cylon civilization's first natural birth.
Sharon then looked at the last person from the Galactica, the same man she had seen in her dream had perished in the nuclear blast; the same man that Boomer had loved on the Galactica before she betrayed everyone.
"Chief," said Sharon as she nodded her head and gave him a small smile.
"Sha.. Sharon?" asked the Chief as he remained seated while medics were looking over him, "are.. are you alright? The baby?"
"She's fine," said Sharon as she nodded her head, she glanced over at the Colonel who could only look away in disgust while Sharon recalled how he and some of the Galactica crew hadn't fought for her, and left her trapped in the Pegasus. Sharon then closed her eyes and took a deep breath before shaking her head and pushing those thoughts to one side, the pregnant Cylon kept on telling herself that it wasn't Commander Adama's fault, he did what he did to save the lives of Chief Tyrol and Helo.
'Sometime's I'm still so angry,' thought the Cylon to herself as she looked at the unknown male who Chief soon introduced as Samuel Anders, and then he introduced Tory Foster. She then nodded at them before glaring at the disgusted look on Colonel Tigh who looked back at her, "Colonel Tigh, how's it feel to be a Cylon? Want me to send you to the Pegasus?"
"Shut your mouth," said the Colonel as he got up from the bed and moved towards Sharon, he only managed a step before Captain Hunter pulled him back, while the other S.F's inside the room who were against the walls were prepared to make a move. The Colonel then jerked his arm away from Captain Hunter's grip before he turned around and sat on the bed next to his wife, while Triana put her hand on Sharon's shoulder and squeezed, silently telling her to calm down.
"I'm sorry, Colonel," said Sharon shaking her head while she rubbed her forehead, "I lashed out.. this must be just as jarring for you as it was when I found out I was pregnant. On the way here, Triana was telling me that you don't believe you're a Cylon.. that there was some mistake. I really did see you, Mrs. Tigh, and the Chief in a vision. The people here, the Earthers? They won't harm you… you'll be safe."
"After your check-up's," said Captain Hunter, "I'll show you to your quarters; there'll be certain places in this base you won't be allowed to go to simply due to the dangers involved. I will be your liaison, so if you need anything at all, just tell one of the security personnel and they'll let me know."
Captain Hunter then told Colonel Tigh that he was authorized to give him one of the translation devices, and that he should have it with him at all times. The older man looked at the device, and then at the Captain before nodding his head. The captain then told the Five, and the Number Three, that they were guests here on the base.. just as Sharon and Triana were, and they'd have to follow the rules.
"Despite, your rank, sir," said the Captain as he nodded at the Colonel, who nodded his head and sighed.
"I'll find a way to unlock your memories of your lives on Earth," said Triana as the Colonel, Ellen, and Ander looked away and then sighed. However, she noticed that the Chief was looking at Sharon, and Tory was looking at her with a look that indicated the woman wanted to know more, so Triana continued, "the Earthers said that they'll be sending a few of their engineers and computer programmers to help me find out whatever happened. And that'll be the final proof that Saul, Ellen, Sam, Tory, and Galen… that would be the final proof that you know me. And that I know you."
"Then at least I'll know why I was made to look the way I do," said Sharon as she looked at the camera, and then back up at the Five, and the Number Three, "I want to see what Helo sent me, I guess we'll see more of each other soon.. during dinner."
"Could I… umm… could I walk with you?" asked the Number Three, D'Anna as she got up before telling the nurse checking her to hold on for a few moments. She then looked at Sharon and gave a hopeful look.
"I'd like some time alone," said Sharon, "I know you want to ask about my baby; just know she's gonna be healthy."
D'Anna closed her eyes, smiled, and said a silent prayer before she opened her eyes and nodded her head at Sharon. The pregnant Cylon then grabbed her wheels and turned around, telling Triana that she'd like to be alone outside while the Furling talked to the Five. Captain Hunter then asked one of the S.F's to take Sharon outside, and just stay close by… but far enough for her privacy.
"Thank you," said Sharon as one of the S.F's pushed her out of the infirmary, but not before Triana squeezed the pregnant Cylon's arm.. letting her that she'll see her soon.
It was a few minutes later that Sharon, her wheelchair at the door, with the S.F by her side holding her arm slowly walked her over to a nearby empty table near a line of trees. The young Cylon woman was then help down to the seat by the S.F before she thanked the young man and then asked him to give her some privacy. The man then nodded his head and told the humanoid Cylon that he'll be at the door they just got out of if she needs anything.
"Thank you," replied Sharon as she watched the S.F walk away before she turned the wheelchair again and opened the screen that was on the side of the video camera. She smiled when she activated it, and a still image of Helo came on the screen; she then looked around at the darkening surroundings before she looked back at the screen and pressed play. Sharon's smile grew wider, and tears gathered in her eyes when she finally saw the father of her child, and the man she loved again.. he was looking right at the camera lens with the Stargate behind him.
"Hi, Sharon," said Helo's recording as Sharon put a hand over her mouth and closed her eyes, a tear rolling down her left cheek, "I'm… I'm sorry I couldn't be with you. You look so beautiful.. actually, you look like you're glowing. I listened to the video you sent me so many times.. and I even saw it another time before recording this message. Things have changed here, we have a new home.. I mean I guess you know that by now already. And for now this could be the best way for us to talk… at least until the Earthers allow me to the outpost. I…. I haven't shown Commander Adama and President Roslin the pictures of Earth. I mean the pictures in the books you showed me… I have to saw that it looks beautiful. That building in what you said was called Athens was particularly interesting. It reminded me of the temple of Athena in Gemenon."
"Me too," whispered Sharon as she chuckled while wiping a tear.
"Maybe one day the Earthers would really let us visit Earth," said Helo, "you and I could go to this Athens, or even to that city you talked about.. I think it was called Rome. Just you, and me, and our daughter."
"Yes," said Sharon as she brushed her finger on the screen at Helo's face, "just us."
"I was thinking about names," said Helo as Sharon smiled, "maybe Athena, Alena, Hermione, Hestia, Hera, Caroline.. I mean I have so many names in my head; and it's nice to know that the Earthers there are accepting of all this that's going on."
"They are an interesting people," said Sharon even though she knew that Helo couldn't hear her, and that the camera wasn't recording.
"I can only hope that I can at least get to hold our baby together," said Helo as Sharon nodded her head and smiled. The young Cylon listened for another ten minutes before the video was finished. She then rewound the video, and played it again while a huge grin appeared on her lips; then finally after she listened to it the third time… Sharon finally taped her response.
Eden, 1855 hours.
The members of the Cylon Council were first taken to a buffer planet from Orban, and then from there they were sent to Eden led by Dr. Gardner who was wearing a translator on her. While they were waiting to be sent to Eden from the buffer planet, the Cylon Council were told about meeting the ascended being known as Athena; the same person who Willow and the rest of SG-1 knew of as the redhead's mother back in Atlantis.
Suffice it to say, Natalie and the others were stunned at that revelation; and were told by Dr. Gardner that the SGC didn't want to reveal that fact in front of the Colonials since they would get the wrong idea about 'Athena'. Willow and the others then reiterated that the ascended were not gods; they were just highly evolved beings living in another plain of existence. Before Simon could ask for proof of this meet, Dr. Gardner and Colonel Cater told the Cylons that not only were the both of them, and Daniel there when 'Athena' manifested herself to confirm what the Earthers had told Triana; so were Anna and the other Cylons in Camp Three... as well as Giles who could confirm everything when they return from their archaeological field study.
Colonel Mitchell told the group that the Cylons on the archaeological study were told not to inform the Cylon Council about this fact yet; that it would be better once the Council heard it officially from the SGC. The other Cylons present at Camp Three could be interviewed by the Cylon Council as witnesses to what happened, and what was said between Athena and the people present at that moment in time.
"The Colonials would have insisted that they are gods," said D'Anna as she looked at Daniel and then at Colonel Mitchell, "you would have been looking at a fight to prove that Athena wasn't a real god."
"We thought that your people would be more logical," said Dr. Gardner as Natalie looked at her and nodded her head, "and I know you have a lot more questions, but I suppose we could save that for later."
"I think we will be suffering from information overload," said Boomer, "we'll need some time to absorb all of this."
"Understood," said Colonel Carter, "we'll have some engineers coming by tomorrow to test our power generators on your ships. You're aware of the restrictions that we'll be placing on the use of the generators, the shields, and the energy weapons?"
"Dr. Gardner's already explained everything to us," said Natalie, "and observers are welcome on board the two vessels that'll carry the weapons, and the shields, all to make sure that we don't do anything bad."
"Thank you, again," said Leoben, "with what you say is out there, and with the Ori, and Cain.. these weapons and shields will be for our protection only. As for the Colony? We'll quicken our search for it, but without the Hub, and given that Cavil's changed the jump frequency.. it will be difficult. All I can recommend for now is that you should warn your allies again. They should open fire with everything they have if they happen upon the Colony, because Cavil will have no qualms about attacking anyone be they Colonial, Earthers, us, or any of your other allies."
"They already know that," said Vala as she nodded her head; and then the Cylons said their goodbye's to SG-1 before they, and Dr. Gardner, headed back to Eden. Once they reached the new Cylon homeworld, Dr. Gardner walked down the Stargate pedestal alongside the Cylons. As they were walking towards the camp in the distance, she apologized again for keeping them in the dark. She then told the Cylon Council members that they now knew the same things that the Earthers themselves knew in regards to the Furling Earth, and the Ancients.
Natalie smiled and nodded her head at Dr. Gardner, as did the others before they went their separate ways; Dr. Gardner to her housing unit, and the Cylon Council back to their baseship so that they could deliberate on what they had seen and heard that day.
However, there was something in D'Anna's mind that needed to be shared with the others.. she knew that the Council needed to see what she saw; and then maybe they would have an explanation. It was a few minutes after that the five of the Cylons that made up the Council were heading towards the large room that they used as their meeting place. One of the doors swished open before they entered a hallway with a door at the end, the outside of the door guarded by two Centurions who Natalie soon thanked, and then told them that they could go and go offline, until they were needed again.
Natalie saw the two metallic robots look at each other with their roving red eyes, and then look at Natalie before they nodded their heads. The two Centurions walked away while door opened before the Council members walked into the room with was now empty; compared to its usual state of having various Cylon models doing work, or sending commands to other humanoid Cylons or to the Centurions which was the case for earlier in the day. For now however, D'Anna started them off by asking the Cylons to share the data they collected at the meeting.
D'Anna put her hand into the basin of clear running water, the lights in the basin turning red once she made contact and a screen on the end of the basin was raised. It then activated as the other Council members placed their hands in the basin as well, and then a video played on the screen of the group walking through the Stargate and looking at the Colonial delegation, followed by the Earthers they knew as SG-1, the Orbanians and finally, the Five.
The Councillors were looking at the memories in each of their brains being played out for review.
"I could say that everything went as we believed it would," said D'Anna, "although I have to say that Starbuck taking out a gun again... surprised me."
"She's went through a lot," said Leoben as he thought about Triana, and the screen before them showed the woman that the Number Six's were based off of. Leoben looked at Triana, and then shook his head; he knew that this needed to be disclosed to the rest of their brothers and sister's on Eden. The Council members had already agreed that whatever they find at the meeting between the delegations would be shared among the surviving Cylon's on Eden as Leoben though to himself, 'there are some of my model's, and some of the Number Six's who are in a... how would I put this, enjoyable? Yes, enjoyable.. they are in a mutually enjoyable relationship. Now that is going to be an awkward conversation.'
The humanoid Cylon then shook his head when he heard D'Anna talking to him from the other side of the basin with a grin on her face.
"Leoben's obsessed with Starbuck," said D'Anna as the other's chuckled while Leoben just frowned at the woman before he placed his hand into the basin as well, along with the others in the Council.
"Let us discuss what we've seen and heard today," said Natalie as the others nodded their heads while she put her hand into the basin of flowing water.
"There's something I would like to touch on," said D'Anna as she looked at the screen which was now playing a video from her point of view. It showed her back on Lozan, and looking at Colonel Mitchell as he nodded his head without being told anything. D'Anna then looked at Leoben, Natalie, Boomer, and Simon and asked them if they saw what she saw.
"What?" asked Boomer, her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward towards the screen, "what're you trying to show us?"
"Watch," said D'Anna as she mentally rewound the video, and then played it once again.
They watched as the redhead they learned was Major Rosenberg whispered into the ear of the woman she was standing next to; the latter who then nodded her head. D'Anna then slowed the recording and showed her fellow council members that the redhead and the other woman looked away from each other, but their lips weren't moving. D'Anna then paused the video again, zoomed out, rewound the video for a second, and then played it at normal speed while telling the others to look at the male Colonel. They saw the man nod his head a little without looking behind him at the two women, he was looking at the Colonials, the Cylons, and at the Five before he told them that maybe it was time every one took a break to absorb what they learned so far.
"Ok," said a confused Natalie after that section of the video was over, "and that implies what?"
"Why did he nod his head?" asked D'Anna, "the two of them whispered with each other, and he didn't hear anything.. I mean look at the time between they finished talking, and him nodding his head. If it was that important, then he would've told us about us taking break… not after the two girls finished whatever they were talking about."
"Still," said Leoben as he looked at D'Anna, "what are…"
"What I'm saying is that they probably have another way of communicating that we're not aware of," said D'Anna, "I mean the two of them didn't even tell this Colonel Mitchell anything, and he still nodded his head and then asked everyone to take a break."
"Of course the Earthers will have technology we don't know about," said Natalie, "I mean it's understandable, from what Dr. Gardner's told us, the Colonials aren't getting any more advance technology than we are… and if I were an Earther, then I'd give us our older technology to use as a base."
"What are you thinking?" asked Simon after he asked D'Anna to rewind the video again, "some kind of direct mental communication? Using a type of wireless, or something similar to the subspace transceivers that allow us to download? Maybe they use a version of that for wordless communication?"
"They still use their version of wireless technology," said Natalie, "I've seen the Earthers stationed here talk into them… even Dr. Gardner uses those technologies to speak to one another."
"Or maybe you're just over thinking things a bit," said Leoben as he looked at D'Anna who frowned at him before sticking her tongue out at the man, who responded sarcastically, "oh yes, that's being an adult, D'Anna."
"I don't think it's any technology," said D'Anna as she looked around at her
"Ok, look at this," continued D'Anna as she showed them another video; this time it was the redhead lifting up her weapon towards Starbuck before the latter made a move, "how did she know that Starbuck would take out her sidearm, before she actually took out her sidearm?"
"Her hand's are already on her holster," sighed Boomer as she pointed out to the screen with her finger at a section of Starbuck's hand that was just out of sight, "the red haired woman, Major Rosenberg, must have thought that Kara was reaching for her weapon, and she did… and then she took it out anyway. And you've already seen what Starbuck tried to do to Triana, remember?"
"Ok, I'll give you that," said D'Anna frowning, "but while all of you were looking elsewhere, this is what I noticed when Starbuck had the weapon in her hand. Remember? Roslin asked her to hand over the weapon after Kalan told everyone to calm down… here, look."
D'Anna pointed at the screen as they watched Starbuck grip the handle of the weapon while it was in her hand; the Cylons said that they believed that Starbuck was thinking of handing her only weapon.. her only means of defence, as a good thing. D'Anna repeated to the Council members present that Starbuck was gripping the sidearm tightly.
"Now watch this," said D'Anna.
The Cylons gasped when the weapon just jumped out of Starbuck's grip, and fell onto the grass. They then saw D'Anna, the video from her point of view, looking up at Starbuck's face which was etched with confusion as she stared at her empty hand. D'Anna then looked at the Earth officers who lowered their weapons with a sigh of relief, and then she looked at the Orbanians who seemed relieved that the ordeal seemed to be over. It was a few minutes later that they had taken a break from the proceedings.
"So," said D'Anna as she rewound the video and played the section where the sidearm jumped off Starbuck's hand, and then paused the video at that exact moment. She then looked at the other Council members, who looked back at her surprised, and then again at the screen, "any ideas? Any explanations?"
"What exactly are you saying, D'Anna?" asked Natalie, "because if you're thinking what I think you're thinking? Then it's simply not possible."
"The Colonials have those seers from Gemenon, Caprica, Picon," said D'Anna, "supposedly they could see the future, and…"
"Those are just hallucinations caused by the Chamalla extract they have to drink," said Simon shaking his head, "there is nothing supernatural about…"
"And the Hybrids on the Baseships are in touch with God, we think that they see things that are yet to be," said Leoben softly as he leaned on the basin while he looked at the nodding D'Anna, "so is it too far to say that either these Earthers, or Orbanians have some kind of supernatural abilities we're not aware of? The only reason I say this is because I see nothing that could make the weapon jump out of Starbuck's hand."
"Her hand never moved," said D'Anna as she looked at the others, and then back at Leoben, and then finally at Natalie, "and the Earthers, and the Orban, never touched her."
"You're going to say it, aren't you?" asked Boomer dryly as she looked at D'Anna who nodded her head before looking at th e screen again.
"Maybe the Orban, or the Earthers have telekinetic abilities," said D'Anna, "that coupled with what could be a technological way to wordlessly speak to one another; they really are a force to be reckoned with."
"Whether true or not, we keep this to ourselves, for now," said Natalie as she looked at everyone, "the Earthers have told us things only when we needed to know. But if we approach them with this? Then chances are that they'll deny it, and they'll know we've been recording our interactions."
"Agreed," said the others while D'Anna just nodded; the woman wanted to get to the bottom of this, but she also knew that they had bigger problems on the horizon as the conversation shifted to Triana, and her agreement to help the Cylons in reproducing their species naturally, followed by the issue with the Colony.
Stargate Command, Earth, 1855 hours.
"It's so good to be back home," said Faith as she walked through the Stargate behind the others in SG-1 with the wormhole behind her shut down once she was on the ramp. They walked down the ramp and then handed their weapons to the awaiting S.F's while Walter was telling the team to head for their medical check-up before meeting with General Landry for their briefing in an hour. It was after their post-mission checks with Dr. Lam that the team headed up to the briefing room where Colonel Mitchell, and the others caught up the General to what happened on Lozan.
Colonel Carter then told the General about the translation devices they were given by the Orbanians, and that she'll be working with Willow on getting an Earth-made prototype out as soon as possible. She told him that they had brought one back to the SGC, while one was going to be given to the Cylons on the Beta Site, another given to Dr. Burke on New Kobol, and another one was given to Dr. Gardner on new Eden.
"How did the Cylon Council take to being told about 'Athena'?"
"Surprised, sir," said Willow nodding her head, "but if we said the same thing to the Colonials?"
"Even telling them that we have the Goa'uld Athena," said Faith as she leaned back on her seat, "wouldn't fix anything. Even if they get the confirmation they need that the Goa'uld were their so called gods in the early days of Kobol wont convince them if they hear that 'Athena' appeared to the Cylons out of the blue to confirm a story."
"The Colonial may believe they have been slighted," said Teal'c, "a scenario could occur where if news of that incident wee to spread, then the SGC teams on New Kobol cold be in grave danger."
"A coup," said Colonel Mitchell as Teal'c nodded his head, "we could see what happened in Cylon, or Furling, Earth happen on New Kobol. And there's a lot more people there… Roslin could lose control and they could demand that the gate be dialled to Eden. Then they could go to that planet… and we'll have another massacre on our hands. The Colonials and Cylons killing each other over why one of the Colonial 'gods' appeared to the machines."
"Which is precisely why Homeworld agreed not to tell the Colonials," said General Landry.
"Any news from our dear Goa'uld Athena?" asked Vala.
"She's given up some trust operatives," said the General, "she's been put into a cell that has teleportation dampeners to prevent anyone from beaming her out without authorization."
"Anything on Ba'al, sir?" asked Colonel Mitchell.
"She's given us the range of frequencies his clones are using," said General Landry, "and we've already raided two worlds last night; killed fourteen clones.. so we know Athena's intel has been accurate. We'll find the others, but knowing Ba'al? The original may have taken out his subspace tracker, and instead left trackers on all his other clones."
"So we may not get the original," said Faith.
"We kill off as many as we can find," said General Landry looking at Faith, and then at the other members of SG-1, "destroy his data, his equipment. And eventually we'll get the original Ba'al."
"Anything of what the Goa'uld Athena referred to as the Old Gods, sir?" asked Colonel Carter, "she mentioned them when Willow and I we interrogating her."
"She refuses to say," said the General, "all she mumbles is that, and I quote, 'the time of reckoning will be high upon us'."
"I could talk to her again, sir," smiled Willow.
"She'll probably shut down if she see's you again, Major," replied the General as Faith nudged Willow. The General then told everyone that they have done a good job, and that he'd like for them to take a three day break and get their batteries recharged.
"Understood," said the two Colonels.
"Oh, before I forget," said the General before he talked to the surprised SG-1 about what happened in Sunnydale at the BPRI before going on to talk about Kathy. Willow and Faith were the most surprised upon hearing that Angel had a sister, which was something that they weren't aware of. The General told them about the Potential who died while the others in the BPRI could only look on, which led to quick approval by Home World to give the BPRI access to the Prometheus' scanners, and limited use of the teleportation technology.
"Do you need us there, sir?" asked Colonel Mitchell as the General shook his head.
"For now, the BPRI is handling this," said the General, "Major Davis is on hand and he'll notify us if everything goes pear shaped. But for now, we're at stand down."
General Landry then looked at Willow and Faith and told them that they'll need to talk to Buffy about the trip to Nairobi to visit Sineya's grave. He said that the death of Callie may have changed their plans.
"I'll call B," said Faith nodding her head.
"While Miss Lehane is calling Mrs. Summers-Harris," said the General before he looked at Willow, "Major, I'd like for you to get a read on the young girl we talked about.. the one from the planet that the Cylons nuked."
"Umm.. Camille, right sir?" asked Willow, remembering the report that SG-1 received on the young girl being the only survivor of her planet when they were back on New Kobol during the talks between both Colonials and Earth delegations. As the General nodded his head, he leaned forward and told the redhead that Camille said she saw a woman.. and she believed that this woman was the one who sent her to Earth.
"I'd like you to see who she is," said the General, "I'm certain it's an Ancient but given that we know of very few who interfered like this… I'm curious."
"Me too," said Daniel.
"Alright, sir" said the redhead at General Landry, "I'll check it out."
"Very well, in that case," said the General as he stood up, "all of you off. Move."
The General then headed back to his office, while Vala turned to Teal'c and told him that it was finally time they checked the internet to find out the meaning of 'blue balls'.
"Oh God," said Daniel and Colonel Mitchell together while Teal'c nodded his head before following Vala out of the briefing room.
"This is going to be so funny," said Colonel Carter as Daniel and Colonel Mitchell rushed after Teal'c and Vala. The female Colonel then looked at Willow and Faith who were giggling while they watched Colonel Mitchell and Daniel running down the hall, catching up to Teal'c and Vala. The redhead and the Slayer then turned smiling to the Colonel who asked them if they wanted to have a girls night; the three of them and Debra.
"Oh," said Willow as her voice went to a higher pitch, "I wanna play with her cute feet."
"Translation is, yea sure Sam," said Faith as she shook her head at her redheaded wife who was mumbling about playing peek-a-boo with Debra, "I'll call B first, and Red will do her thing then we're all yours."
"I'll see you two in the locker room then?" asked Colonel Carter as Faith and Willow nodded their heads, "I'll go talk to Vala."
"Oh boy," said Willow as the Colonel walked past them, "good luck, ma'am."
"Can't wait for the questions from Vala," said the Colonel rolling her eyes before she walked down the hallway, followed soon by Willow and Faith.
"After the girl's night," whispered Faith into Willow's ear, "you and me, our place… no Dawn… no Jon, we're gonna have some fun."
"Can't wait," grinned Willow as they continued down the hallway.
The Colony, Somewhere in Deep Space, at that same time.
Cavil was in the main control room as he looked at a screen that played back video of the attack on Torallia. He was standing next to one of the many Doral's, while others were putting their hands into basins of water and connecting themselves to the hybrids on the Colony, who were themselves reaching out to any Cylon raiders that were still in range. The Colony had made another stop and sent out groups of raiders to examine distant planets that their advanced telescopes indicated had environments for human life to exist. Now it was the duty of the raiders to examine those planets closely; they were to jump into the planet's atmosphere, check for life signs, and then jump out and report back to the Colony.
So far the Cylons heard no news yet on the planets where the Raiders had been sent.
In the meantime, Doral wanted to show Cavil a video… a video of the instant before a Cylon nuclear weapon exploded over what seemed to be some kind of factory complex on the last planet; in reality, unknown to Cavil, they were looking at the naquada refining facility on Torallia.
"Watch this," said Doral, as one of the Number Eight's with an explosive collar walked up to Cavil who wrapped his hand around the uneasy female's waist, while he showed Cavil video's of various other interlaced explosions on the screen.
"Humans died," said Cavil with a smirk on his face before pointing at the section of the screen with the paused video of the refinery, "so what? What's so special about that factory, or whatever that thing is?"
"Watch," said Doral as he played the video.
The Number Eight felt a chill go up her spine as Cavil moved his hand under the shirt she was wearing and brushed his fingers along her bare back. She glanced over at the insane Cylon and remembered the last of the Number Three's who was killed after she was found trying to disable a Raider, and then slip into it. Now, with that Number Three dead, that particular model in the Colony was extinct. This particular Number Eight, naming herself Alana, feared Cavil like the rest of her sisters.
And now the Number Eights had another reason to fear him.
Alana noticed the look of glee on Cavil's face before she turned her head. She witnessed the video rewind, before it played again… showing a nuke that exploded just above the factory. The explosion caused another massive explosion that the sensors on the Colony read as being over two hundred megatons; there wasn't an exact reading since the sensors were showing an error message just before the jump out of Torallia's orbit.
"What was that?" smiled Cavil in glee.
"I'm not sure," said Doral as Alana just looked in shock at the paused video, "whatever was in those factories, it enhanced the effect of the nuclear weapon to unimaginable levels."
"Please tell me the raiders scanned the surface of the planet, especially whatever was in the factory?"
"I'm going through the Raiders memory banks," said Doral, "we'll extract whatever readings they found, I'm guessing that whatever was in those factories is something neither we, nor the Colonials have ever seen before. I'll search for unknown or unfamiliar readings."
"Do it," said Cavil as he looked at Doral, "once you have it, send another group of Raiders to search for whatever it was that caused that explosion. If we can find that.. thing.. whatever it is, we can enhance our own nukes."
"By your command," Doral as he rushed off, leaving Cavil and Alana alone.. the Cylon woman's eyes just staring in horror at the paused video of the enhanced blast before Cavil pushed her along. Her mind was numb at the thought of what Cavil could do with enhanced weapons; she heard the distant voice of Cavil, who was right next to her, telling her that she'll soon be like the other one.. the other Number Eight that he had already broken, but her mind was far away. She hated the Colonials for what they had done, but Alana knew that these people they already bombed weren't Colonials… that they were too far out of Colonial space. She had no problem with nuking the Colonials, in fact she was one of the voices who, along with Cavil, supported it. But these weren't Colonials.. she found out from Cavil that there were other humans, that the Thirteenth Tribe existed, and it was they who were responsible for the near extinction of the Cylon race.
At first Alana was shocked, but she also knew that there would be repercussions from their act of nuking.
But she couldn't say anything to Cavil, or it would mean her death.
All she could do was silently pray for forgiveness; she walked alongside Cavil while praying for the humans who would sure be annihilated if Cavil managed to enhance their nuclear weapons.
'Please forgive us,' thought Alana as she was taken out of the control room.
TBC.