Record keeping time: Hello people. I put this chapter out earlier than I planned and it is mostly set and preparation for what is coming. I have not put the Tollanian portion in this chapter and am saving that for the next one which will introduce everyone to everyone.

EvilTheLast: your question is coming up. The Colonials and EA will begin to see what the Terrans are, not what they assume. Please note that in the colonial's case, they aren't all locked into their attitudes. This will also show Earth Alliance under Clarks presidency-imperial domain.

Thor94: This chapter answers your comment in he review. Ths short answer is no. Now, the short answer is yes (smile).

Mundanebeast: you're right. The Asgard are about to make heir presence know. That will cause reprucesions because oftheir decision in this chapter.

AdmiralSpikyness: Hahahaha. You are right. It this point, it is about 12 days into the visit and the Colonials have run into a typical situation. Some wish to hold onto their attitudes and for others the hints and overt talks and observations are soaking through. But every single one of them have felt insulted. Because… one world should not be so defiant to te majority. This has happened before with the twelve colonies history. It brings back bad memories and they really want Earth to join them without bloodshed. And yes, I do say that as this is an alternative to the Worldwar series, 'Reunions are a deleted', and consequences of actions. This story s an alternative to those, with the exception of Consequences of Actions which is the closest and almost (But not quite) a continuation of what could have happened in that story, although Ash would have gone in a different direction.

RoboReader21: I answered several of your comments via email. I hope you get those.

I suspect tat there will be a few questions coming up, I will try to answer them for you. BUT BE IT KNOWN! I will not answerything because you will have to wait for it to come out the slow way. Thank you everyone for you kind comments. And, yes, i am working on AUOC and Master Xander. Those chaters will be coming. Now, please enjoy this tidbit of the life and times of SG Earth and their visitors...

AlbertG

RPIS

Chapter 33

Sol system-Earth

San Diego UCW Conference Center

Commander Demetrius Eddlison's eyes narrowed as he prepared to ask the questions dominating his mind for a while now. The Earthers acted outside of what he considered the norm. What they continually said seemed contrary to how they acted and to him, they were giving mixed signals.

"Doctors Jackson, General O'Neill, I have a couple of questions that need answering. Why are you so antagonistic against every overture? Are you trying to provoke us? Is this some type of test, as if we are some form of imminent threat?"

Daniel was the one to respond. Taking off his glasses, he stared intently at the commander, but it was obvious that he was speaking to every Colonial in the room. "To be honest, we are testing you. The reason we are responding the way we are is because we want you to open your minds to new ideas. The Kobollians see us, Earth, as one of your colonies, a small isolated one in desperate need of your help and assistance. But you've seen the reverse is true. Every encounter on your travels here is new, completely outside of your historical and personal experiences. It is natural that you're responding to those experiences in ways you can understand. This will change as you stay here. For example, using the translation devices was unusual, but you adjusted quickly. But it took some time. We encountered the same problems and had similar responses when we first ventured into space. During our journeys, we made many, many mistakes, but we're growing. But we also ad help. The first step is admitting that there are things outside of your experience," he continued. "Your assumptions about those experiences, including your beliefs about us, require reevaluation. You've come here and you're disappointed by our attitudes towards you. If you are to survive and prosper and interact peacefully with the people of the galaxy. Then you have to open your eyes to new concepts. There are dangerous enemies that you can't handle, and with your attitudes will get your civilization preyed upon at best or slaughtered and enslaved. Then it will get worse." "

The Colonials were about to erupt at what they perceived as a gross insult. These, these primitive, almost feral children, were insinuating that they were the ones acting like children. To a man, the Colonials felt they were the senior members of humanity and that the Thirteeners needed a radical education in their attitudes towards their elders. Alien contact aside, there was nothing they'd seen or heard so far that suggested otherwise. To them, the Tau'ri were children, trying to act as adults.

Lieutenant General Cain looked incensed. The woman was mulish and the longer she was at this meeting, the more stubborn she was becoming. Isahan was angry but cooling down as some of what Jackson had said sank into her brain. Eddleson and the rest were quietly absorbing what was being said. Kunningham, for a change, didn't appear as angry as much as it appeared a blank slate.

Admiral Kunningham's opinion had shifted. He intended to help Earth, but he determined to add to his final report that the fleet deploy here to save these people from themselves. The resulting conflict would be a short one. Whatever was coming couldn't be any worse than a dedicated Cylon attack. The other independent colonies of earth would quickly fall in line after witnessing colonial strength. As he thought about it, maybe this upcoming conflict would make his point. Meanwhile, he continued listening to Jackson's irritating monologue.

"Consider these experiences as growing pains. You and your people are the best of the best, coming here to represent your people. If you are having trouble adjusting, how much worse will it be for your home worlds? You need to be inoculated and you need time before your people can successfully encounter life out here. Believe me, there are forces that will cripple your people in a heartbeat. It's been done before, with far more advanced cultures than yours. You Colonials need to watch and learn before you assume and act."

Ambassador Isahan reluctantly agreed with some of those points, but the Apellai were the ones needing proper instruction. She was still smarting about their greatest gift being rejected out of hand, and unconsciously insinuated that colonial power was being dismissed as if they were unable to do anything to help with this upcoming skirmish they had so obviously inflated.

"Trust me," Jack said. "It's going to be rough and thinking the way you do will make you hated across this galaxy, and it will pull you into wars, and get your civilization killed, if you are not careful. Does that answer your questions?"

Eddleson slowly nodded as some of the words soaked through.

The others were naturally having trouble. The Colonial diplomatic leadership was slowly coming to the conclusion this mission was heading towards a colossal failure, on a level that future historians would never believe, and it was all because of Earth's misplaced attitudes. Inexperienced or not, the Earth colony representatives had no right to treat them so callously.

Kunningham and the other commanding officers were focused on the matter at hand. From the earther's intelligence, a battle was coming over the horizon, and preparations needed to begin now. The meeting was going to have to be postponed, which was difficult because they were about to learn previously denied information about the Tau'ri. Nevertheless, this presented a special opportunity to show these people what their cousins were made of, and how it would be beneficial for all concerned if they worked together and united with one another. War always brought people together. Colonial firepower wouldn't be sneered at by their cousins and Kunningham intended to be in the front lines, defending Earth for everything he was worth. The sacrifice was worth it, and it might just save this debacle of a mission.

"I think we should delay this for a while. There are preparations to be made/."

Daniel glared at Jack, almost daring him to make a face.

Milky way galaxy

Sector Zero Seven Zero

The Rift

An older Beliskner-class Asgardian mothership, the Valkner, exited hyperspace cloaked, some six million kilometers from the edge of the anomaly, known by the Earthers and Asgard as the Rift.

Although the anomaly was light-years long, there were only a few segments that most space-faring vessels could successfully transverse. Shielded ships of the younger races had difficulties passing through and not being severely damaged. The Tau'ri were advanced enough to pass through, but before they were upgraded, they had some difficulty, even protected by their shielding. The organic armored ships of the Vorlons were capable of traversing, but none of the others known could. The Minbari and centauri ships of that universe had tried, and the result was a seriously damaged ship and the loss of their crews.

Within moments, the Asgard arrived at their targeted destination. Scans had no trouble acquiring their objective.

"The probe is at its proper coordinates and functioning, Commander Jonir," the science officer said to her captain.

Captain Baldr nodded his confirmation.

"Sir, upon further screening, the transmission signal is not being received. Something is interfering with the transmission, but the diagnostic indicates no malfunctions. Transmissions are being selectively blocked," the officer announced while trying to find the source of the blockage. "This suggests interference by an advanced race, not a natural occurrence. The transmission is not recoverable, but the recordings are still available on the probe."

"Find the source of the interference," the captain ordered. "And collect the recorded data directly from the probe for analysis."

Another one of the crew now signaled for his captain's attention. "Scans detected several ships twelve million kilometers distant and heading away from the rift. The quantum signature matches that of vessels we have encountered on the other side of the rift. Those vessels are heavily damaged, and life support is at a minimum."

"Our probe detected their entry into our universe, but the transmissions did not reach us due to interference."

Captain Baldr's suspicions rose another notch. Everything pointed towards infiltration by a hostile entity.

"No, they did not," the first officer stated. Like his captain, he harbored similar suspicions. "We have discovered another object. It is organic in nature. Its purpose is unknown. It is not Vorlon-based technology."

"It is likely the object that is blocking our probe's transmission." A few seconds later: "Confirmed. It is the source of the interference."

"Shall we bring it onboard for detailed analysis?"

Baldr thought about it for a second. "Negative. Perform a detailed scan on the object. Then destroy it. It is selectively blocking our scans of the rift. That is a hostile action. Once it's destroyed, then move us towards the vessels. I will speak to them. We will not linger here long. No doubt when the probe is destroyed, someone will come to investigate. I want to keep our presence a secret a while longer."

"Commander, I am performing a scan of the surrounding area. We have detected something situated in the rift. The object is acting as a bridge, allowing ships to enter unimpeded by the destructive energies. Ships can be seen entering and exiting the rift."

"Can you identify the ships?"

"Yes. We have confirmation that the ships entering the rift are identified as the Kobollian vessels, different configurations. Ships exiting are confirmed as Earth Alliance vessels, warships. There are defense systems protecting the opening of the rift, and a station is being constructed on this side of the rift. Our information suggests that the Kobollians were unaware of the rift, and scans indicate that the Colonial vessels have sustained weapons damage. Shall we investigate?"

"No, not at this time. Continue towards the Earth alliance ships. We will make contact. I want a study of our scans and the records of the probe. Send our results home, and send a copy of the data to the UCW."

Earth Alliance Omega type II Comanchero

Captain John Sheridan honestly had no idea what he was going to do. The four ships under his command were effectively lost in space-literally in another universe, fleeing from Clark's war machine,. Who, thank God, didn't know that they were here. But it was only a matter of time before either they would run out of fuel or life support.

Half the overall crew were injured in one way or another, many seriously. And riding the rift, as the popular saying went, was brutal. Even with the Abbai-derived shields, the five-minute journey was stressful to both man and machine. Space was empty for scores of light years in every direction, with no stars of detectable planets. There were no beacons, (none that he dared trust). Those beacons had to be waypoints towards the Colonial system. He knew, according to coded data, the Kobollian system was nineteen parsecs from the main rift way point.

One thing in their favor was that Clark's people were heading towards what had to be the Cyrannus star system. They were also free with their transmissions. They were overconfident, comforted by the fact that no one in this universe could break their tachyon transmission encrypted codes. The Tauri might have been able to detect it, however, they were much too far away to even be aware that Earth Alliance was there. In other words, overconfidence made their security slack, something that John laid squarely on Supreme General Harris' shoulders. Communications OPs were flooded with tachyon transmissions, and what was being said chilled everyone who heard them.

Clark had ordered the entire system sterilized after they stripped the Colonial system bare of resources. The EA evidently found the location of Earth in this universe and was preparing an armada.

The president's need for revenge was legendary and General O'Neill, whom he never physically met or spoke to, who ruined his plans, his life, and delayed and crippled his long-term plans, remained the subject of his ire. He hated and feared the man. The experience and humiliation caused by O'Neill's actions festered within him like a cancer. He was obsessed with the other Earth's power, and he wanted it. As President, he had gained so much power, but it wasn't enough. The man wanted it all. Especially the substance that was so close to quantium-40, but so much more valuable. Obtaining that substance would increase Earth Alliances, and his, power to the point that no one would dare consider opposing Earth's will.

Clark was one of those responsible for the death of President Santiago, and later, the destruction of the Babylon Five station. He and his cronies, along with the Psi-Corps organization, terrified the colonies, and turned Earth Alliance into a neo-fascist empire. He couldn't have done it by himself. He had help. There were rumors…

The four earlier stations were small, commissioned by Earth Alliance and the Centauri, before Catagia murdered his way into power, were built to help pave the way for peace by direct, face-to-face contact between the different races. But they failed in one way or another. Two were sabotaged and destroyed. One was attacked and the fourth one suffered a nuclear meltdown, cause unknown. The huge Babylon Five station, by some miracle, was completed.

Most of the races were hostile to the station and earth Alliance, but they also saw the wisdom in striving for peace. When Clark ascended into power, the station's agenda changed. It turned into a military complex, justified by the increasing insanity and warmongering by the Mad Emperor. The diplomatic agenda collapsed and Clark turned it into a human centric station. It was on that station where the rebellion established itself. It was the reason why Clark ordered it destroyed, along with a half million people and the few aliens that had chosen to leave the station too late.

Those were dark times. So many people fought and died trying to keep the President from turning Earth into a fascist state. So many people died, changed sides, and rebelled and fought against their own. In the end, the rebellion failed, and Clark's people purged anyone considered a threat. Tens of thousands of people on earth died. Clark was now President-for-life, and after almost fifteen years, a whole new generation of Earthforce officers and crews were fully indoctrinated by the Clark agenda. Some people would call earth Alliance an empire now.

John knew he did.

"Captain," Lieutenant Ramos said, cutting off his musings. "We're being contacted. Tight beam tachyon burst. It's right on top of us!"

"Scans are clean!"

"Signal's close!"

"Where are they?" John snapped. Something had sneaked up on them, completely unaware.

"We can't see it! None of our ship's scanners are registering anything."

"They requested we open comms again, sir."

"All weapons go active," ordered John. "Open channel, low power signal transmission."

He and the crew were frightened. They were alone in the night and couldn't even see who was contacting them. All they knew was that it was on top of them. "This is Captain John Sheridan of the Earth Alliance ship Comanche. Identify…please identify yourself."

The voice coming through communications was unemotional and alien. "I am Commander Baldr of the Valkner." Surprisingly, the voice was in English, not using INTERLAC, as everyone expected. "You are from beyond the rift. Please state your reasons for being here."

The alien was polite, but there was a definite air of menace in its voice, backed with power behind it.

A ship appeared in front of them, less than two kilometers away. It was totally invisible to sensors, and it was huge and spoke of power. Scanners couldn't penetrate its hull, let alone detect it. The power source was completely unknown. The only thing Sheridan could think of was First One. His gut screamed at him that fighting against this ship was suicidal and he didn't even want to try. Truth was the only way out of this.

"We are all that remains of the resistance against our government. We came here seeking asylum and to find a planet called Earth. I assume you are familiar with it since you are speaking to us in English. We have vital information. Earth Alliance is planning an invasion of this universe's Earth. They have already decimated the system called Cyrannus and will use it as a launching point. Do you know where Earth is and can you contact them? It is critical that we speak to them."

"Captain Sheridan, our translation system, can analyze and communicate with a variety of languages. I am Commander Baldr," he replied with a voice that chilled the soul. "But we are allies of the Tau'ri. We will contact them and receive instructions. They may wish for you to come to Earth. If they do not, then we will bring you safely to a planet where you can replenish yourselves and tend to your wounded."

The Tau'ri.

He heard that name before. His father and others on this ship had used that name to describe the other universal Earthers here.

"Commander, even if we are not allowed to go to the home of the Tau'ri, we still have vital information they require." He paused for a second and took a chance. "Please help us," he pleaded.

"We will help. We will not leave you alone here. It is good that your Earth did not harm General Jack O'Neill and his crew. If you had, then the Minbari would have found only irradiated dust. My father would have obliterated your world in retaliation. But we have changed somewhat. Our responses are more measured."

"Thank God!"

"I must ask you. Have you had any contact with the Vorlon Empire?"

John had to think, trying to remember everything he knew about those mysterious aliens. "The last time anyone had seen a glimpse of them was during the earth Minbari warm before the Tau'ri left. There has been no contact with them for more than a decade now. Something happened in their territory. Long range sensors have detected several stars going nova. We don't know much more than that."

"I understand. We have contacted Earth and they wish for us to bring you there. We will tractor your ships. They are fragile and we will compensate. It will take no longer than six hours. Prepare yourselves. Travel will begin in four of your minutes."

John wanted to ask how were they going to handle four ships, but the transmission was cut off. And he was intimidated. He didn't know these aliens. All he had was faith. He hoped it was enough. He had to go and speak to his father and the other senators as well as the commanders of the other ships. Apparently, they were about to go on a journey to Earth if these aliens were telling him the truth.

Either way, he had no choice, none at all.