I have been having problems with the fanfiction email comms here. So far, I cannot receive ant pm's or reviews, comments, etc. I have tried everything that was suggested but I will need to contact fanfiction directly. So, I apologize if you have emailed me, or made comments that I could not access. This started before I resubmitted chapter 36. That chapter was updated a while ago. So, I hope you received the notifications.
This chapter sets up for the reveal to the colonials and Earth Alliance refugees who and what the Tau'ri are. But before we get into it, we have seen what the Tau'ri believe what they think the Colonials would do. Now we find out what the Colonials expect from their long-term association with the Tau'ri/Earth.
Again, sorry if you didn't receive any notifications. Please enjoy.
Roads Paved In Shadow
Chapter 37
'My Little Brothers and Sisters'
Or
'I know you believe you understand what you think we are. But I am sure that you don't realize that what you think ain't gonna fly.'
Sol System
UCW Pacific Alpha Complex
Ambassador Isahan and her staff were extremely pleased with the accommodations at the fantastic floating city they were settled in for the duration of this extremely important meeting. By hosting them here, she understood exactly what the Tau'ri were doing. Simply put, they were showing off and doing an excellent job of it. Everything the Earthers had done was calculated to impress their Kobollian brethren, and she had to admit it was working better than they imagined.
The diplomatic fleet had been here and in just barely two weeks, already they'd seen wonders, hints of unexpected capability and technological knowledge that the Colonials needed to acquire as soon as possible. The small things intrigued her and her staff. Like the medical decontamination unit, it was a must have and the business representatives were busy trying to contract for it. It was easy to use and deceptively simple, although everyone knew that the technology was as complex as anything from the Colonies. The translator units were magnificent, and the computerized operating system running the translation's operating system would change computing and future designs at home. Some of their fail safes could easily be incorporated by industrial leaders, something that was desperately needed because of stagnation in the computer sciences.
The Colonies were still skittish about computers and AI. The Cylons proved how dangerous those systems could be. Computer science here went in a different direction. In some ways, they were behind what the Kobollians once were, but evidence suggested that they were quickly catching up. In other ways, these people were far in advance of the colonies.
They were also aware of the dangers of AI. But to make sure, she would stress upon them the dangers and consequences of those actions if they did. Being inexperienced, the Quorum couldn't take the chance of creating another form of Cylon to menace humankind. If they indulge in AI research, it could very well start a war between her people and Earth. They wouldn't be allowed to create AI. But the Apellai people were cautious and weren't likely to make the same mistakes their ancestors had. Perhaps with the help of their cousins, such mistakes could never be repeated.
Changing the subject in her mind for a moment to stave off the headache, she knew that her people would want to buy this city, or at least, obtain the schematics to build one of their own at home. If the Tau'ri were interested in selling this one, she was sure they would get a premium price for it. The Colonial's rich and famous would flock here and fight to buy condos and apartments. It would serve as an ambassadorial station and the ultimate tourist draw. But first, she needed to accomplish her mission, a feat that seemed impossible due to Tau'ri isolationism. That same isolationism hindered her mission objectives.
Jadria Kotopla, her adjutant and trusted aide, echoed her thoughts. Like everyone else, the redhead was delighted when she first saw Earth, but the local people proved frustrating. Unless things changed, the mission could be considered an overall failure to achieve their objectives. Talks between herself and Isahan were often heated, not against each other, but in their mutual disgust at how the mission was proceeding.
"First Contact, or rather the second contact, was somewhat of a success," Jadria complained for perhaps the twentieth time. "The Earthers hadn't outright rejected us, but they didn't exactly greet us with glowing adornment, either. Honestly, that was what I expected. I still do sometimes," she confessed. Looking at it from a realistic perspective, none of the parameters we prepared for are coming together. "We must change our approach if we want to salvage anything. I know it's early, but I expected more progress than what we've achieved here, and I have no idea how to do it, not with their attitudes."
Isahan nodded. "It's not just them, but all of their independent worlds. I knew we were in trouble when they rejected our gift. These people are so suspicious!"
"I know," her adjutant grumbled. "It would have made things so much simpler if they had trusted us and took the mobile dry dock for what it was. But no! They had to turn it down." She wiped her forehead in exasperation. "We could have used it for our own ships as well as theirs and we would have paid for the use. But their rejection complicates our overall plans for unification."
Isahan understood her frustration. The mobile drydock's outright rejection was an insult. She, the admiral, and the Quorum had fully expected it to be embraced. Its acceptance would have served its secondary purpose, establishing a secured position for use to the other colonial ships that were sure to come. The expectations that the locals would flock to the Colonial Business entities of the economists and CEOs were somewhat more encouraging, but no one was sure how much of a success that parameter was.
"They're not as impressed with us as I thought they'd be," she complained once more.
"No, they are not," agreed Isahan. "I think part of the problem could be the shock of us finding them. That may be part of the answer. They may have believed that they had more time. The mission really depended on us impressing them at the beginning. We could have already had contracts signed and arrangements being made to transport goods to and from the main colonies."
"Increased transport trave, increased tourism and us acquiring new sources of critical materials." Jadria took a moment to calm down. "Their cautiousness is slowing down our overall mission objectives. Now, our planned way stations will be delayed, and increased military protection from Cylons, pirates and now aliens we know to exist, will be delayed. Those would have been safe harbors for our long distance transports and the CDF supply stations. Everything was thrown off by contact with the Race! That threw us off from the very beginning!"
Isahan agreed. The entire mission's time line had been thrown off. Assuming that the mission was a success, the Quorum, civilian corporations, and military interests, had planned a series of space stations to be situated along the route from the Colonies to Earth sector. During their journey to Earth, the diplomatic fleet cataloged a series of possible solar systems to be used for such purposes. Not only would the routes have been protected, but those stations would have helped to solidify the connections between them and the Apellai.
"I know, I know, and stronger ties with these people. But the locals seemed uninterested and even contemptuous of the CDF… as if they had something better," she sniffed.
Jadria glared at the ambassador in shock. "They've really gotten to you, haven't they?"
"I can't complete this mission unless things change! The last mission statement is the worst. Although ex-President Adar and Newly minted President Goesel discouraged it, the push for unification seems out of the question for now. They wanted us to leave and return in another ten years or more. That is in tolerable!" she said, exasperated. "All the signs are there. They aren't interested. Nevertheless, it will happen. It just depends on how it's done. Return in seven to ten years with nothing to show for our original mission, other than the fact that we discovered that aliens are real, and that the Cylons know where Earth is? Oh, no."
Like it or not, the Colonials were here to stay, and they weren't going to give up, just because the locals overly valued their independence. "We will have to convince them that they are wrong."
"We need to get on their good side. We can act as mediators for this earth Alliance group that has appeared. Are these the enemies they are worried about?"
"I don't think so. But I am not sure. We will find out soon enough."
"And that brings us to the battlestar-sized problem in the house."
No matter how the ambassador and the others looked at it, the last part of his mission was going to be a problem they couldn't solve diplomatically. These people had huge swaths of monotheism and they were proud of it. Her people would take issue with that particular custom.
Religion was more than just belief. It was a cultural mandate that kept humanity connected to one another, no matter where they were. The Tau'ri weren't about to change, no matter what their elders thought. From what little she had read about the religious wars on earth indicated just how brutal they were and how stubborn the earthers would cling to their ill-conceived beliefs.
The very idea frightened the ambassador, because she was positive that the Quorum would insist that the CDF would be called in to maintain the peace. The locals wouldn't like that and there would be a military conflict, which would include the alien lizard empire and the Jaffa nations. That would become a political, religious nightmare that she had no intentions of touching, but couldn't see any way out of it.
"I am loath to admit this, but the religious problem on Earth is going to have serious repercussions when the Colonies receive our reports back home," Isahan stated. "I don't really have a personal problem with their religions, but as a representative of the Colonial government, I will have to make some recommendations that will not please either side. As with AI development, the Quorum and religious leadership will not look kindly on the prevalence of mono theism on Earth. I don't have to tell you that some will advocate sending religious instructors to educate the masses here, and others will advocate a more forceful solution. Everybody in the fleet knows the Earth colony will not submit to such intimidation, at least not initially."
"You're being diplomatic," Jadria Kotopla sniffed. "Earth will resist, naturally. But this is where I don't understand their ultimate motivations. I mentioned this earlier. Religion is at the core of humanity. It provides us with rules and laws to keep our society together. It can, at times, be messy. But it also unifies us as a people. This seems to be common across species as well. According to our researchers, the Race has a different belief as compared to us, but in the final analysis, it's the same for them. Religion is more than a set of moral imperatives or belief in something more than ourselves. It is cultural and as such it has to be unified across all of humanity."
"We cannot survive with so many false beliefs interfering with our cultural heritage." She continued. "Remember that even with our beliefs, we had different sects that caused problems from withing and let's not even touch the few who believed in the One God, which if the rumors are correct, the Cylons believe." She shivered in aggravated disbelief. "How can circuits, even if they are simulating real humans, have the vaguest concept of belief in the gods? And in only one god? That has to be placed in our report. The Earthers seemed so snide when they told us that bit of information. We can all see the comparisons about to slap us. Can you imagine the nightmare when the people find out?"
"Please, do not remind me." Isahan sighed. "This is why I am so hesitant to officially bring up the subject with the Apellai. If this isn't resolved quickly, I can easily see our government bringing a large fleet to intimidate the Apellai into changing their ways, not only about religion, but with AI."
"Which is exactly what they predicted could happen," her aide grumbled. "But with their attitudes, their isolationist obsessions, and their need to treat those monsters like they're really living beings, I can see us having some form of conflict with them."
"This world must not fall into the hands of the Cylons." The ambassador said with absolute conviction. "There is too much at stake and we, the Colonies, all of us, need the resources and worlds that these people have. They may force us to leave, but as I said earlier, we will be back. We have to be, and my fear is that hot heads back home will force the issue, especially our military. If the rumors are true, and I think they are, then we need access to the energy shield science and their power sources. We've been dancing around the issue, but I believe that it is time to bring it up considering this upcoming conflict, which may or may not involve aliens!" She almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. "Either way, the admiral believes we can handle anything these unknown forces can throw at us."
"A show of strength on our part?"
"Yes. It might be enough to dissuade any real resistance, if it comes to our worst-case scenarios coming to fruition. I like the people here and I would love to see us coming together without any sort of conflict. We haven't been to the other UCW core worlds, or the worlds of primitive people they are protecting. But if they are anything like Earth, then who knows how far we can extend throughout the galaxy?"
Miss Kotopla thought about that for a moment. "I cannot imagine what it would be like to have humanity spread across the galaxy. Now that we know other intelligent life exists, how would it work? I could see us having conflicts with other species. But that reminded me of our current issues. The Apellai are isolationists and I've been wondering why they are so adamant. It just hit me. The thirteenth left two thousand years after the colony ships left Kobol. Taking that into consideration, we can effectively say they felt abandoned by us. We only had enough ships to take a limited number of people from our dying world. The rest were left behind. During those times, they didn't have a choice." She paused. "What I'm trying to convey is that they were treated like orphans whom we abandoned. We don't know how they constructed enough ships to get off planet, considering the lack of resources. From the records, the colony ships took everything they could and left next to nothing when they left."
Ambassador Isahan looked intrigued. "I hadn't thought of these people from that perspective," she admitted. "I wish you could have thought of this earlier."
"I'm sorry, Ambassador. I thought about this just now. If we continue to follow this line of thinking, then when the Apellai reached Earth… here, survival had to be paramount. They lost their technology like our ancestors had and had to start over with nothing. They lost most of their heritage and history, although some small bit survived. We know this because we've seen evidence of it on Earth. But one thing remained: they felt abandoned and isolated from the rest of us. Their isolation became a part of them, over time."
"A possibility," Isahan mused. "But our researchers are finding evidence that the Earthers theory may have some validity."
The woman shook her head. Until our own people gather and analyze the data for themselves, without Tau'ri interference, I don't accept it," she responded quickly. "I know my idea has holes in it, but it's better than saying that humanity began on Earth. The one thing that bothers me is the number of languages we have heard in this world. If there was some disaster that separated these people from one another, I can see different languages evolving from their isolation. We have to consider the possibility that most of the Thirteen colony ships contained monotheists, and a lot of the smaller Kobollian tribes that spoke their own native languages, most of which our ancestors never brought on their colony ships. Of course, our languages were very limited, which is why we can understand each other for the most part. It is a shame they lost so much. But they created their own colonies and have done well. But deep down, they must still feel abandoned, and resentful of us. That would explain why they act so negatively towards us and any idea of unification. It's really sad."
The Colonial ambassador paused for several moments while she took what was said into consideration. The woman seemed to calculate how the coming events would take place in the light of this new theory.
"Our forces need to contact the so-called Earth Alliance ships and have a private conversation with them away from the Tau'ri," the senior aide said. "Get their point of view. If their faction is the fleet that is coming, the firsthand information would be extremely helpful in preparing our overall reports, it might be better for us to make contact, and build an alliance with them with the ultimate goal of unification, and then come back to the Tau'ri. They may shed light on the history the Tauri seem reluctant to share with us."
Isahan shook her head. "No, I don't believe that would be wise. Let's take this one step at a time. We need to find out who they are, where they came from and how close they are to Earth. I've gotten a few hints that they are a hostile nation. If that is true, then they are going to be a lot worse than the Tau'ri."
"Our fleet could deal with them if they're like Earth. Look around us. They don't even have fixed defenses protecting their planet. Their fleet consists of frigate sized patrol ships."
"Jadria, stop making assumptions. I've been making that mistake since I've been here. We need to keep our eyes open. For example, have you felt any rocking motion since we arrived in this city?"
She frowned. "No. I should have felt something…"
"Yes, we should have. I don't feel a thing in the middle of this ocean." Looking at her senior assistant, "As I said, let's not take anything for granted. Earth may have defenses we haven't detected yet."
"Getting back to the subject of religion, neither side would budge, not until open warfare broke out. This whole mess!" she exclaimed. "I blame our separation from one another for so long. We've grown apart and not for the better. That's what I worry about, not unification, but open war, all because they refuse to see the truth!"
"We must be patient. The Tau'ri will come around, eventually. In the future, when we get to know one another, we will come to an agreement. Hopefully, religion won't be too much of a problem when they lose some of their irrational stubbornness."
Isahan hoped so, too. But that was the future. For now, she prayed that cooler heads would prevail and that just maybe, this one world could keep their beliefs and not be pushed into a war by over- zealous Colonial religious synods. Angered, she thought that maybe a cooling down period was actually useful for all concerned. A couple of decades might not be that bad after all.
"It really is a pity that the Earthers and their affiliates were so stiff-necked."
"More than you suspect," Isahan muttered. "Let's get ready. We've new people to meet."
Sol system
South Pacific
Admiral Kunningham was confused when his raptor was redirected from the United States state called California and set on a course that would have them land somewhere in the middle of a vast ocean. He was informed that there was a city on the Pacific ocean, in the middle of nowhere. He had gotten used to commuting to the Americana nation and the one in Europa. Now they were having a meeting at yet another location. It didn't bother him too much since he had the opportunity to see more of the planet Earth in person.
From orbit, the ocean looked immense. This ocean was bigger than the Argogne Ocean back on Caprica. One could only imagine what kind of aquatic life forms lay beneath the waves. The reviews of some of the life forms under the waters of Earth, the variations, and sheer numbers, were stunning. The Colonial scientists would spend decades exploiting the rich ecosystem here. And they would come in droves. The Earthers didn't really know what was about to happen, that they were going to join the larger galaxy of humanity.
It was something of a pity, but it was the way it always happened. The more powerful would exploit the weaker among them. The protectorate worlds that were under the UCW authority would likely be the first to be annexed from the UCW when unification was eventually confirmed, he guessed. Those were virgin worlds with almost no technology and small populations of humans. They were perfect for expansion and obtaining virgin resources. Not that the native population would suffer, since they would be uplifted to the equal status of all of the Colonies. Hundreds of thousands of Colonials would move to those worlds, prepared for a new start in life, away from the crowded colony worlds.
Earth was rich and whether he agreed or not, the Quorum would do their best to acquire the riches of this world. The Twelve needed it badly and Earth would have to pay its fair share, no matter how isolated they thought they were. He couldn't imagine Earth remaining isolated with only a few lizards and primitive humans for company. If the reports were true, then the total number of humans in the area amounted to only about twelve billion in total. That wasn't counting the Race and its empire, which didn't count. nt. Neither did the Jaffa if he interpreted the Quorums' position about their existence properly. Of course, when the reports were finalized, he would do his best and try to minimize the damage, but Earth and its colonies were known, and progress always prevailed. All of them would be pulled kicking and screaming if necessary, towards their rightful places as colonies of Kobol. Humanity's unification of all of the tribes would complete what was once fractured.
The energy sources the people here possessed alone would guarantee swarms of scientists, engineers, miners, politicians, and families would soon arrive here in droves. That fact was impossible to stop. It could only be delayed for a while. The Apellai hadn't fully realized it yet, but their isolationist ways were over. He did suspect that ultimately the use of military intervention might be authorized by the Quorum, and he fully expected the Apellai to fight. But, the fighting would be half-hearted and short-lived when the full might of the Colonial firepower was brought in, for their own good, of course. The Quorum would never allow the Cylons to destroy such a beautiful and plentiful, rich world.
It would be a shame to wind up in conflict with the Earthers, but eventually, everyone would see the practicality of things and unification would happen. Some might accuse the Twelve of bullying the poor Thirteenth. However, it wasn't that way at all. Earth was always connected, and their return was right. They might not see it immediately, but the coming generations would look back and wonder what the fuss was all about.
"Religion would be an issue," he whispered to himself. "That problem could continue for decades, however the Earthers would understand the true nature of their lost cultural heritage and things would settle down. The Colonies would never allow such perverse religions to continue to flourish on Earth. It was unnatural. He didn't really have a problem with it, but he knew many would, and that would be a challenge in negotiating for a peaceful solution. Resolutions to this nightmare would take at least several decades to resolve.
Then, of course, there was the money.
The amounts of credits his people would be willing to pay would entice the locals here to the point that they wouldn't be able to help themselves in allowing them entry. Earth's economy alone would soar. The meetings with his fellow economist and consultants assured him that the temptations for Earth's people would be too much to ignore. The eco system alone would make the Colonies rich once these people were integrated into the system.
The most pressing problem was their obsession in insisting that they weren't part of the Colonies of Kobol. But once the credits started flowing, and possibly a little military intimidation as well as some real contact with their elder cousins, would change their lives. They could try to remain isolationists as long as they wanted. But progress was unrelenting. They would come to their senses as much as winter leads to spring. It might take a while though, he thought.
Sitting in the co-pilot's seat, he could easily see the Tau'ri fighter escort, looking superficially like one of the cylon fighters of old, in front, guiding them to their destination. According to data transmitted to them, their destination was five minutes away, but the raptors DRADIS hadn't detected anything on the surface of the water. He knew it was functional because it saw the Earther fighter, surface crafts, and the two viper escorts the Tari had so graciously allowed him to have as escorts as was his right as the supreme commander of this region of space. He scowled. He somehow thought this 'permission' was some form of veiled insult. They always said no, so why say yes now?
The vipers were the most advanced fighters in the galaxy and they seemed not to be impressed in any way. These people knew how to piss him off and disrespect his authority. This meeting would change all that. If the asylum seekers were present, and he was assured that they would be there, then he would finally get some answers, as the Thirteeners promised.
Lieutenant General Cain would engage them while he focused on what the Tau'ri would have to say. He knew Ambassador Isahan was ready for any mishaps that they might throw at them. And he expected resistance, even though they promised to reveal some of their truths.
With their attitudes, he really didn't expect that much, but he did expect them to discuss this upcoming battle with this unidentified enemy, whom he believed (without proof) was this Earth Alliance faction. He would get more details later, but he wanted to know Cain's opinion of the newcomers.
Her initial thoughts didn't surprise him.
"I would suspect them to be a breakaway colony from earth," she started. "They hate the word 'colony', but too bad. Sir, you've seen the numbers of countries stuffed on that world. one of those country nations probably lost a war on earth and escaped to another world and continued their war. It might now be a war the earthers are constantly mumbling about. There is a major tension between them.
"The fact that these refugees call themselves Earth Alliance proves the close connection both sides have with each other. We could mediate between the two. It might allow us to score points in the future," she speculated. Then a thought occurred to her. "We need more information. It could be that this faction might be the rightful leaders of this world instead of the Tau'ri." She shrugged. "Like I said, we need more information."
Admiral Kunningham didn't say anything in response, but those same thoughts had occurred to him as well. It might be a good thing to keep an opened mind.
"Sir, we're two minutes out," his worried pilot told him. Kunningham saw that for himself. "There's nothing out there."
She was right. There wasn't anything out there on the surface, of in the air, other than the current contacts. Now he was concerned. He had no desire to land on water. He was about to order the communications officer just behind him to contact the Tau'ri when he saw it. He stared wide-eyed as he saw a dot sized city in the middle of the ocean.
"DRADIS isn't seeing a thing on the surface," his pilot gulped. "We're on top of them. It's impossible for them to shield something that size in the middle of nowhere.! How are they spoofing our DRADIS? Wait sir, I'm getting something, just barely. We are five kilometers out. DRADIS has acquisition. Sir! I couldn't confirm it target until we were three kilometers out! How are they doing this?"
Kunningham shrugged. He didn't understand how they could do such a thing lie creating a functional stealth system to cover an entire floating city in the middle of an ocean. But the realization and the implications were etched across the admiral's face. "I don't know. The Tau'ri have tricks we need to learn about."
The more he thought about it, the less he liked it. An already complicated mission seemed to get more complicated each day. More importantly, his mission objectives appeared to become more difficult, and, despite fringing optimism, he felt that the mission was becoming more of a failure than a success.
The locals had some stealth capability good enough to selectively fool DRADIS!
The DRADIS scanners could see air vehicles and boats, and watercraft for two hundred kilometers in all directions, but couldn't see a floating city right in front of them!
It explained how the Tauri were able to spy on the Colonies without their knowledge. Their ships or probes could be right on top of a Colonial vessel, or the fleets, and no one would ever know. They could spy on communications, even remain in orbit for months, gathering information and data. It explained why everyone in the UCW knew about the colonies and it also indicated that these people had spied on them for a very long time.
Seated next to him, Cain looked sour. Obviously, she was connecting the dots, too. If there was ever a battle, the Earthers already had a serious advantage. What he had to decide was whether to confront them on their spying activities, which they certainly would deny. Or would he remain quiet when every Tau'ri having two brain cells knew what he was thinking?
"Keep your eyes open," he said. "Find out what you can."
"Yes sir, I will. Keep an eye on Colonel O'Neill. He's just like his father. They both try to disarm you with their clueless act, but they are anything but. I've talked to him several times, General carter, too. You can't get anything out of them unless they want you to know."
Frankus just nodded. That was expected.
"They're military, and if they did lower their guard, then they weren't worthy of the rank they had."
"Two kilometers out. We're starting final landing procedures. Look at the size of this city, stuck out here in the middle of this ocean. It's floating there all by itself, and not on any trace of land," the pilot said in awe. "We could probably fit a half million people here without a problem." Now he was receiving ILS data supplementing his raptor even as he followed the Earth fighter towards the landing strip. "We're coming up on the landing dock, sir."
"Welcome. This is Lemuria air traffic control. Follow the aircraft ahead of you and land on dock number three. Please enjoy the view."
TBC