Record keeping time: I hope and pray that everyone had a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving for those who celebrate here in the US and around the world. Shorter chapter here. I am working on the other stories, so beware. They will be out around Christmas according to my schedule. Shadows keep stealing things from my world war series. And so has the Universe of Change series. As for Master Xander, am working on doing a very hot Latin dance session with Xander Mis Dolorese Umbridge. The man loves to play dangerously.

Now I will try to give an idea of where the books of the Worldwar and Shadows story originates from.

Roads paved in shadows: To get context, please read Consequences of Actions, book I and II, by Bob Regent on FFN. Many of the characters are there that you see in RPIS and the Worldwar series. RPIS is a what if happens if the Earth Alliance and Vorlons and shadows found the Achilles Rift and came through.

The Worldwar series is based more on the Reunions are a (Deleted) on FFN, Bob Regent and is based on the what if premise that the EA never found or could not get through the rift. The Vorlons did in both cases and there was a war not described between the Asgard, Earth and the Vorlon Empire. And again, I had permission from the author. Both of us had collaborated with one another on numerous occasions, including the ATV series and Ruination series. We are talking decades here (UGH!).

Now, Kunningham (or Cunningham, depending on the story) is the same character with the same attitude in a different situation. In the worldwar series, Halima and Helena Cain are sisters and Agustus Cain is the daddy of two nutty daughters. As you will see, the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Apparently, FFN seems to have corrected itself with comments reviews and emails. So, if you have any, please contact me and I will get back to you as I can. Work is still a challenge and slows me down when I at home so I'm not as fast as I used to be. Everyone, please take care and as per usual. Please enjoy.

Roads Paved in Shadows

CHAPTER 40

Earth

Lemuria City

Admiral Frankus Kunningham found himself in a titanic struggle, trying to keep from cursing to the high heavens. How could he have underestimated these people so completely? His assumptions were completely wrong concerning the Thirteenth Tribe, if that was who they really were. It was a possibility that the Tau'ri might be telling the truth. Maybe Earth Alliance was the real Thirteenth Tribe! He just didn't know, and he was exasperated from the lack of concrete answers. His self-confidence had taken another blow, and he wasn't sure of anything anymore. The fear of losing control grated on him and he viciously pushed it aside. No commanding officer could afford self-doubt to cloud his judgement.

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts; he missed some of the words the senators had spoken.

"We are willing to share all our data with your people and the Tau'ri," Senator Sinclair announced. "Earth Alliance has fought several major conflicts in the last twenty years," he continued with his history address, giving all of the listeners a sense of what was coming. "Earth Alliance defeated the warlike Dlgar and the Minbari. We acquired technologies from both the Drazi and the Centauri. The Earthforce military's capabilities have advanced a hundred years. We took the secret of energy shields from the Abbai, which affords us protection on a level previously unknown to us. You are aware how that changes the equation in any battle," he said, looking at the UCW residents. We've almost reverse engineered the Minbari's energy systems."

Those words confirmed what Kunningham always suspected, but didn't have any definitive proof until now. It meant that if the Race patrol ships had defeated the Cylons fleet, then the toasters didn't have a chance in Hades of withstanding such an attack.

For the first time, sense arriving here, instead of feeling frustration and anger, he felt fear. If the Earth Alliance refugees were telling the truth, then his worlds were in flames. If they were lying, he would have to keep the Quorum from trying to intimidate the Apellai. That wouldn't work and instead of a quick little conflict, it would turn into a slaughter on both sides. But the biggest conflict warring within himself concerned the one question that could answer so many other questions (and with his luck, create a thousand more). Was the Earth Alliance the real Thirteenth Tribe of legend? Why was he afraid to ask that one simple, essential question?

Trying desperately to portray a calm, professional manner, he continued listening before his head could explode.

"…stealth technology far above anything you have," David said, speaking to the Colonials. "When the Tau'ri were in our territory, they gave us artificial gravity, and sensor technology superior to anything in the region. Research and development are greater now than at any time in human history. We've had skirmishes with the Centauri, and they fear us and our fleets. Clark has created an armada, separate from our fleets, and he still wants more. That is why he wants to take what he wants from the Tau'ri and obliterate the remains. Clark will not stop, doesn't know how. He will come after you. He knows where your planet is now. he will do everything he can to overwhelm your forces. Trying to broker a peace is a waste of time, and he will interpret it as a sign of weakness. Anything he might sign will be a faint to lull you to a place of complacency if you are foolish enough to trust him."

The senator spoke of the threat the Earth Alliance represented, but no one listening could miss the almost proud way the man spoke of his people's accomplishments.

He turned to face the President and members of the governing bodies of Earth. "for the past ten years, Earth Alliance R&D calculated their strengths when we acquired the Abbai shielding. Our specialists have found a way to overwhelm your shields. We estimated that your science would increase their strength using your 21st century technology base and added that to the calculations. When you fought the Minbari. Earthforce knew how many strikes it took to weaken and break through your shields. Taking into account any progress you have made with your shields in the last fifteen years, they have adjusted their calculations accordingly. Earthforce and the scientific division IPX, scientists have increased the strength of the Abbai-derived shields by over twenty percent. Clark has prepared for this attack for a long time."

"Busy little snit."

"Yes General, he has been busy."

General Oliver Brindley's ring tone buzzed, requesting to add more. His voice was slow, but steadier than it had been some hours earlier. "As you may have surmised, Clark is an ambitious man. His lust for power will push him to destroy everything you've built. I was one of his trusted officers, if there was such a thing," he reflected. "The mistake I made was to try to broker a temporary cease-fire between the rebels and Earthforce on an Earth Alliance station called Babylon. Earthforce was ordered to destroy the station filled with a quarter million humans to make a statement. The last of the rebel forces were there as a temporary refuge. I have…had no love for anyone who does not respect the rightful leadership of the rightful government." He shrugged in disgust as he relived the moment.

"I didn't want those people on the station to die because of the presence of a few destitute rebels trying to get some fuel and provisions to run as far away as possible. We could have taken them out when they tried to escape. Clark rejected my proposal. I immediately became a liability. He lost his trust in me. I confronted him and tried to contradict his plans. He wanted to destroy the station and when I suggested a cease-fire, even a short-term one, I shamed him in front of his associates. I didn't believe it, but when Nightwatch tried to arrest me, I had to run. I didn't want to 'disappear' like so many others had. Long story short, I escaped with the very people I spent years hunting. Earthforce destroyed the station even though the resistance had left. Mister President, members of the IOA, UCW, and Kobollians, as well as allies of the Tau'ri. Clark believes he has the upper hand. He will not stop until you are destroyed and has taken what he wants from you. He has massive reserves to draw upon, enough to overwhelm your small fleet you and your allies have. We also estimated the numbers of ships you could have built, according to our original discussion, and have taken that into account."

Eyes downcast, he shook his head. "I thought you should know that. I was never a part of his inner circle, but I do know that he was rumored to have associates that helped him with certain operations. My suspicions were confirmed when we arrived in your region of space. We never knew who attacked the centauri and decimated one of their fleets. It wasn't us, although Clark took credit for it. When we received some transmissions concerning an attack on a neighboring government next to the Colonials of Kobol, it confirmed to me what the rumors had been spewing for as long as the Clark presidency existed. I didn't tell the senators or crews," he slowly said. "I wasn't in the best of condition to have long conversations until we reached here. I believe that Clark has unidentified alien military support. I can't account for Earth Alliance forces attacking that neighbor at the same time as attacking the Kobollians. I suspect that these events are connected to Clark's plans. I don't know who these others are, but it would make sense and it would explain certain events which couldn't be accounted for. If this is true, and I am beginning to believe it more and more, then Clark is using alien support to achieve his goals. This flies in the face of everything he has said. His entire agenda is based on humanity first and how aliens had tried to subvert and tried to keep humanity from its rightful space in the stars."

Admiral Kunningham's mind reeled at this latest information from the stricken general. The only neighbors they had were the Cylons, and this man stated that the Cylons have been attacked and possibly defeated? It was impossible! His mind couldn't accept it. This senator actually claimed that their forces defeated an enemy that defied Colonial military might for the last half century. Shields or not, numbers or not, the sheer weight of the Cylon war machine could withstand this Earth Alliance. The mere name would push the machines into a war frenzy. Then they could come after the Colonials. But if what they were saying was true…

Isahan hadn't said anything yet, and he assumed she was still processing everything she heard. But for the admiral, everything just snapped. His world view had just been ripped apart–without any real proof. Not yet.

"We don't know who you people are," he interrupted. "You come here telling us that your forces have attacked not only us, but our greatest enemies?" The man was livid. "You're little more than rebels, pitiful survivors of an Earth Colony that's unable to think of an original name for your world! It's no wonder why the Tau'ri kicked you off Earth. As supreme commander of the Colonies of Kobol, I demand to see proof of your so-called claims. I demand your proof–now!"

Senator Mander stared at the admiral. Shocked. "You believe us to be a colony?" She looked at the general. "He doesn't have a clue, does he?"

The president cut in. "No. and now isn't the time," he admonished.

The Nepalese, Senator Mander bowed, acknowledging his authority. She glared at the admiral. "Your authority means nothing to us," she yelled back at him. A moment later, she calmed herself. Now wasn't the time to start a fight. "With respect, we will supply you with all our information and transmissions we've received. We are not your enemies," she told the admiral. "We are here to help warn and aid you in any way we can."

"Not good enough! You've made claims that place us in a state of war with your alliance. If you are here to help, then prove it!" he demanded once more. "I want your data now, and I want every detail of your sensor system technology, your weapons and numbers made available to my people. I expect to receive every scrap of information you have about your people, and I am ordering the confiscation of your ships to be placed under my direct control. Order your officers and crew to prepare to be interrogated by those under my command. I demand that you acquiesce to these demands." Glaring at the Earthers and their allies, he all but dared them to refuse his request. "You will submit to this now, in front of the UCW and Earth!"

Earnest Boyd, President of the United States, had had enough. "Admiral, stop your ranting," he snapped through the video screen. "Your authority extends to the edge of your diplomatic fleet. You are here at our pleasure. You've been told several times, and it bears repeating once more. We are not your Thirteenth Tribe. We are not Kobollians. Your authority does not extend to Earth Alliance, nor the UCw, nor Earth Alliance refugees here unless they choose to submit to you. And I do not recommend that they do so. Admiral Kunningham, if you continue your outbursts, I will have you escorted from this room. Have I made myself clear?" The president's voice was calm and all the more chilling because of it.

Ambassador Isahan was horrified. The entire mission was close to being damaged beyond repair. There was no question in her mind that Kunningham's demands were well within his purview. In Colonial space, the rules were clear. Earth Alliance refugees had no rights in this case. But the Admiral's approach was not appropriate. This wasn't Colonial territory, and his attitude could ruin what progress they had achieved. She had no problem with him asserting his position. Nonetheless, directly confronting the leadership of this world wasn't the way to do it.

Halima Cain was livid, but attempting to do the same, trying to calm down an escalating situation.

The man wasn't listening.

"I will find out the truth," he said dangerously. "These people," he growled, all but snarling at Senator Sheridan and then Mander, "have implied that the Colonies are under attack. I want details. I find this improbable at best, inflammatory at worst." The man was steaming, trapped between his rage and almost overpowering fear that the man was speaking the truth. Not knowing how to handle the situation, he fell back to what he was most comfortable with. "If I don't get this information immediately, I will use my authority given to me by the Quorum, the rightful and legal government of Humanity, to imediately impound the Earth Alliance ships and determine the proof myself." He glared at Dr. Jackson, but his words were meant for all the Tau'ri and their allies.

"These people are rebels, resistance against their rightful leadership. Whether they are here to help you or not, they are traitors. They have no rights other than what we give them." His face tightened as his command presence mixed with anger forced its way to the forefront.

"You denied my requests to interrogate the Cylon filth. If you wish to establish long-term, diplomatic relations with your cousins, you will not oppose my actions here and now. I also want unfettered access to the Cylon prisoners!" he added as an afterthought. "this is strictly a military matter between two governments that are not part of the UCW or Earth. The Earth Alliance refugees have not officially been granted asylum. We have the right to determine the truth and validate the claims. To facilitate political necessities and absolve the UCw of any responsibilities, I formally request that you temporarily deny their petition for asylum."

Both Earth Alliance and the Colonial fleets were online and listening to the proceedings very carefully. Half the colonial fleet was horrified.

Ambassador Isahan couldn't believe how quickly things had fallen apart. She had no idea how to salvage any of this.

"Admiral," Captain John Sheridan said, capturing the man's attention. His voice was slow, measured, deadly. "We have no quarrel with you. We came here to warn Earth of the incoming danger posed by my government. We didn't even know you were here, but our intentions were to warn Earth of what we knew about the Colonies. Understand this admiral Kunningham. I will not subject my crew or the people under my command to your authority. If you do anything, show any aggressive moves against my people. We will respond, and you will see why your military is losing."

Admiral Kunningham almost appeared to be happy with the words. It sounded like a challenge. "All colonial units, set condition One! Prepare for further orders," he yelled, knowing that every ship in the Colonial fleet would hear him over the video conference. Comms.

"Admiral!" Isahan screamed. He was about to start a war right here in the middle of the most important diplomatic talks ever with the Tau'ri. He was letting his temper ruin everything! "Please."

"Oh, for cryin' out loud," muttered an irate General O'Neill.

TBC