Record keeping: Sorry about the posting time skip. I've been somewhat busy and going over these next four chapters in detail and tossing things out as well as adding new materiel. This chapter is at the edge of the beginning where things start rapidly changing for the earth Alliance refugees and the Colonial mind sets. More importantly, I apologize if you have not received any replies from me or comments. The Fanfiction site has completely cut me off from communication to PMs and any type of notifications. I am aware that this isn't happening only to me, but to others as well. It is my hope and prayer that they get together. I spent two weeks following their instructions and trying to get them to respond. That was a failure in every sense of the word.
I hope that the site doesn't fail and that they can get their software updates together or go back to the older system. We will see what the future portends.
Arekanderu: I have not forgotten you and the Tollanian situation. Now on with the story before this site crashes and we lose everything (smile). I really do hope they are trying to fix this…
Roads Paved in Shadows
Chapter 38
Sol system
Pacific Ocean: two hundred miles west of Midway Island
City of Lemuria
"Welcome. This is Lemuria air traffic control. Follow the aircraft ahead of you and land on dock number three. Please enjoy the view."
"What are the city's dimensions?" Lieutenant General Cain asked.
She knew a little about architecture and if she hadn't chosen the military as a career, that would have been her career choice. What she now saw reminded her of the forgotten dreams of so long ago.
Not one institution in the Colonies was brave enough to even attempt to try to build a stable, floating city in the middle of an ocean this size without said structure being built on an island. Rigs and smaller structures were built, but not a city, A rather sizable one at that. The Colonies had huge space stations, larger than what he was seeing now. But that was in space, not one situated on a body of water his size. The planning of something like this alone had to have taken decades. It was impractical at first thought, but somehow, the Earthers had done it. It was as if they did it just because they could.
"How can they keep it stable?" Cain muttered. The question was more for herself than for the admiral, who hadn't heard her.
The co-pilot, now on top of the floating city, was able to get some detailed scans with DRADIS, wasted no time recording details, and calling out her findings to the others on the raptor.
"I'm getting some external specs now, sirs. Length, three thousand meters, length three thousand meters. Height of the tallest structure, five hundred thirty meters. I can't get any details on the internal structures, or what's submerged. The Tau'ri are using their stealth system, spoofing DRADIS to keep us from seeing anything."
The admiral nodded. The Earthers were keeping their secrets close to their chest. It was not important right now. He was confident the details would reveal themselves soon enough,
"Those look like apartment complexes," Cain whispered.
"Out here? What about the corrosive salt water and the storms? A major storm could capsize the entire structure if they don't have their calculations right."
"Well. they must have built them right," Kunningham deadpanned.
The woman stared wide-eyed as they approached the floating structure. "I would love to see the anchoring system they have on the ocean floor. Must be immense. I could see cities like this dotting the entirety of the Colonies' seas and oceans, if they are as sable as I think it is."
"The landing dock is big enough to support a Colombia or Minoan battlestar, but it might topple the city," the pilot mused. "It's probably used for supply freighters and transport ships. Probably small atmospheric ships can be supported here," he added.
A quick, but detailed look also convinced the admiral of that fact. The landing area housed over two dozen small to medium-sized civilian and fighter crafts. It also had three of the bizarre-looking Earth Alliance shuttles seen leaving orbit, headed to Earth. That confirmed that the newcomers were already here and not
Now secured on deck, the crew of the raptor began to unbuckle safety harnesses and remove their spacesuits. The suits would remain in the raptor, ready to be put back on when they left, as per standard protocol.
Leaving the raptor, they gaped at the hive of activity surrounding them which reminded them of the frantic activity on board any battlestar–minus the fresh salt air and birds flying overhead making their presence known, with their squawks and noises. Scores of people moved around, performing their duties, which again reminded the visitors of that familiar activity.
The raptor crew was surprised the moment they stepped foot on the deck. Each one of them expected to feel something. Some form of rocking, or the gentle throbbing of power systems. They didn't feel anything. It was as surprising as it was impressive.
What they observed was familiar to them, but what caught everyone's attention was the strange design of the two Earth Alliance shuttles. Both had rear-facing fins that looked out of place.
"What are those things?" asked the raptor pilot, Lieutenant Mertis. "The shuttles look like one of our earlier designs, but those fins look strange. Are they stabilizers of some type? Atmospheric?"
"I don't know." Cain was equally perplexed. "The engine exhaust ports look unusually small for shuttles of that size. I'm not even certain if those are exhaust ports, although they have to be."
The Colonial's speculation was placed on the back burner when two Earth officers met Kunningham and his entourage of seven, including the two viper pilots, and were led to an entrance. They piled into a small elevator. When the doors closed, the escorts keyed in some numbers into the panel. The visitors expected to feel some type of movement, but they didn't. Kunningham thought he detected a small flash of light inside the elevator. A second later, the door on the opposite side opened.
They exited the elevator and found themselves on one of the upper floors of a towering building. The trip took only seconds from the time the elevator doors closed. It was impossible for an elevator to move that fast without any feeling of acceleration, but he pushed those thoughts away for the time being.
Confused, the group piled out of the elevator and was startled by what they saw as they stepped into a huge hall. The hall was spacious and magnificently decorated, the ceiling had to be at least six meters tall. The room was designed in light colors and the windows stretched from the floor to the ceiling. The hall was naturally impressive, but what shocked them was that they were near the top of one of the skyscrapers. They hadn't felt any hint of acceleration, and the speed with which they arrived on the top floor would have been impossible to achieve. The confusion was maddening. How could they do this?
The hall was brightly lit, and the view was absolutely beautiful. There was a huge table in the center of the room and a second table filled with food of every description, which had captured the people's attention. The Jaffa and Race factions were here as well as other 'independent' colonies and Earth's world representatives. The Earth Alliance people were present, huddled around the hot food tray section and surrounded by several discreet security agents. He noticed the EA group immediately. All of them wore unique uniforms, and they all looked starved to death. As he examined them closely, he saw their uniforms were neat but there were signs they were ready to fall apart. They also moved in a manner that suggested long-term exposure to zero gravity on their vessels.
That observation was accounted for if these people were on the run and had to conserve power as much as possible. Gravity would be one of the first things sacrificed. The initial scans of their ships in orbit barely revealed anything other than general shape and length, but artificial gravity was detected, meaning that they had just activated it in orbit. The newcomers appeared uncomfortable, but not enough to keep them from eating. He was sorely tempted to walk over and introduce himself and open the lines of communication, but both General and colonel O'Neil, and several members of the UCW, were busy speaking with them and the discussion appeared very serious.
That he wasn't being included seemed to be another subtle insult, considering his status. He could have been invited into the conversation, listening and asking questions. However, he refrained from saying anything. He was slightly on edge. Not every action was an insult.
It still irritated him. These Earth people didn't respect him enough to include him in more important military discussions. Certainly, these were likely the enemy, or one of their enemies, the Tau'ri were worried about. But he wanted to confirm his suspicions. Well, he'd find out soon enough. Ambassador Isahan was with her staff, preparing for the talks.
One thing he did promise himself was to ask for a tour of the city. It was impressive and the quorum would want details of how they built something on an ocean this size that didn't sway. The skyscrapers here alone would persuade thousands to come to visit Earth if for nothing else than to have the opportunity to see something like this and the rest of this unspoiled world's natural beauty. These were major tourist attractions. The future for the Apellai looked promising, if they could just get off their arrogant butts and start acknowledging the truth.
The thoughts suddenly gave him paused. He had changed. He was now thinking of the independent worlds as colonies of earth instead of what they claimed. Never one for having real patience, he was close to beginning to assert himself more forcibly. If worse came to worse, and they were asked to leave. He would do so. But he would be back. This decision was especially true if he went to war for this planet and they didn't appreciate the sacrifice their Colonial brethren were doing for Earth.
Once more, he reiterated to himself that they needed to understand their position in the galaxy. Their isolation was swiftly coming to an end. And this battle would determine how easy or how hard things would go.
Lieutenant Generals Halima Cain and General Samantha Carter were in deep conversation by the liquor bar. He heard small snippets of their conversation about the city.
In his own opinion, this was a military installation of some sort, beautiful but probably armed to the teeth. Alone, in the middle of the ocean, with superior stealth systems to make the city invisible to scanners. It was perfect for a secret military base. The Quorum would love this as their lead operations center.
Kunningham would stress this point when unification talks began in earnest admittedly down the road. A joint administration of this city would be in everyone's best interest, and of strategic value for the new Colonia-UCW combine.
Two minutes later, he was in conversation with an officer who spoke Englisha Britanish. The language was so close to the Americana Englisha dialect, it was amusing. He wondered which was the senior dialect.
Two hours later, it was time to get some answers.
Earth Alliance ex-Senators David Sheridan, Brien Peterson, and Lydia Mander, along with Captain John Sheridan, were seated near to Richard Woosley, Elizabeth Weir, and an intense-looking General Jack O'Neill, Daniel Jackson and General Carter were present. Earth Alliance General Oliver Brindley, recovering from injuries, dehydration, and a damaged spleen, was live on video at his own assistance.
Because of Tau'ri advances in medical sciences, the constant roar of pain had subsided to a dull uncomfortable irritation, and he was almost breathing normally. He insisted on being in on this all too-important meeting. Leaders of the United Jaffa Nations, including Teal'c, sat near the members of the former SG-1. Teal'c stared impassively at a flushed Peterson, who recognized him immediately. After more than a decade, the politician still smarted from the tongue lashing given him at their first and last meeting on his Earth.
On video conference, the President of the US, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff were on. Senior members of the IOA and UCW were present.
Newly minted Ambassador Yanna of Tollanian was there and prepared to start the meeting with a report from her world. Her demeanor was as serious as anyone had ever seen the usually relaxed, controlled woman.
Ambassador Isahan, her staff, Admiral Kunningham, his staff, and lieutenant Halima Cain were now seated. Live transmissions were also being sent to the Colonial Fleet senior officers, as well as the ships of Earth Alliance. Kunningham stared at everyone in undisguised interest. All the locals were present. He could feel it.
He would finally get some answers. His momentary frown deepened as he acknowledged that these Earth Alliance reps were given more respect than his own people. The President and military staff of Earth hadn't given him the same accords as they did these Alliance members. It appeared to be another subtle insult.
The Race was not in attendance personally but did have two of the shiplords on video. One of whom he knew as Straha, whom he recognized.
Daniel Jackson began the meeting and introduced the Tollanian ambassador without preamble.
The Tollanian bowed. "I bid you greetings," Ambassador Yanna began. "I apologize for my abruptness and lack of decorum, but there has been an incident in my world which has a direct bearing on the events we are here to discuss. Two days ago, an unidentified Ha'tak claiming to have representatives of the independent Jaffa nations, who are not part of the UCW, attempted to land on our world using a known Jaffa convoy as cover. We intercepted the vessel, demanded its identity. It refused to comply with our repeated requests. Planetary defenses locked onto the vessel, ordering it to hold position. The Ha'tak attempted to retreat and fired two gigaton-level missiles at the heart of our capital. Those missiles were intercepted and destroyed before they could do any damage, and the ship was disabled. The ship survived re-entry, and we had the opportunity to examine it. Considering the damage our weapons did, we were surprised there was anything left. But portions of the hull survived reentry and the subsequent crash."
A three-dimensional image of the ship appeared in the center of the table. Everyone's attention was focused on it and the images that followed.
"Our forces examined the site. What we discovered was very disturbing," she said. Her horror and disgust were evident on her face as she continued. "The Jaffa on the ship were dead for a long time. Little remained, most of them had been eaten with the exception of one, who was the one who communicated with Traffic Control. The dead Jaffa's body was quickly examined, and we found remains of an unknown alien species. Some form of unknown parasite had infiltrated the brain and nervous system of the victim and the immature goa'uld he carried. We also discovered the remains of an unknown alien species throughout the remains of the ship. These creatures are seen on the main screen here."
On the center screen, an image of the remains of the dead aliens was shown. The creatures were at least nine feet tall, vaguely lizard/reptilian, with a large maw filled with teeth. The bodies were covered with scales and hooks, and the creatures had claws covering their appendages. The head had two or more curved horns and small claw-like extensions. Its feet were padded and possessed claw-like structures which ended with huge nails and talons.
Yanna continued. "Our soldiers also found that some of these creatures were in a semi-phased state, not unlike the Reetou. Our people couldn't continue the examination as the ship was discovered to have a destruct mechanism onboard." She paused for a moment. "The device appeared to be organic in nature. My people were unable to examine the creatures in detail, before the ship detonated. Three kilometers of land was incinerated in the sub-nuclear blast. There is at least one survivor from the vessel that has so far eluded us. We discovered a family of four, located ten kilometers from the site. The family was mutilated, ripped apart and their bodies drained of fluids. The six-year-old child's remains were most horrible. This alien seems to prefer children as its primary victims. Two more bodies were discovered, three kilometers from the first attack. Originally, we suspected a Wraith had landed on our world. But the attacks are pathologically different. Our sensors detected the creature before we lost it. It has the ability to phase itself. We have two Tollanian frigates hunting it down using Reetou detection devices. Our own science is not unfamiliar with this type of cloaking. We will find it."
"We know the events that transpired in the Tok'ra world," she continued. "Spectral analyses confirmed the same type of explosion was used on their world as the Ha'tak attempted to use on us. The Tok'ra scientist Anise, one of the few survivors of her people, described the creatures she fought before her city was destroyed. Her description matches the alien we have scans of."
Anises described her battle with these aliens in detail. The creatures not only drained the fluids of their victims but also consumed the victim's flesh. Anise insisted that the creatures could phase through walls, which was now confirmed. The woman survived the attack using an untested weapon and a biological compound that boosted her endurance, stamina, and strength fivefold. The compound wasn't fully compatible with the Tok'ra, but she had little choice if she wanted to protect her young charges and herself. The price was high. Between the creatures' attacks and the biological agent, she looked to have physically aged forty years.
The symbiote did everything it could to keep them both alive. Tollanian and Atlantean medical science helped her survive, but her recovery was slow. Anise was a pain in the butt; however, no one wished her any real ill will. She was a survivor and one of the last of thirty Tok'ra known to be alive. They were the last of a dying race, unless they could manage to find a way to reproduce Tok'ra symbiotes. So far, it seemed unlikely, although some form of cloning technique looked promising.
Like everyone else, the Colonials viewed the attack and the aliens with revulsion. It brought to mind every horror they could imagine, and Isahan, the admiral and the others witnessing the report knew that many of their brethren at home would look on all aliens as monsters, in spite of the fairly positive report about the Empire of the Race and the other aliens, and near- humans.
"We are taking this attack seriously as a prelude to war," Yanna announced. "The forces arrayed against us have made themselves clear. We are all threatened. When whose forces arrive here, we will also be here to aid you with everything at our disposal."
Kunningham and Isahan continued to be shocked and horrified by the recounts and scenes of the remains. They both had dozens of questions that demanded to be answered as soon as this meeting was over. The events were almost too much to take in. However, it was quite clear that this wasn't some civil war the UCW was preparing for. No, it was a real alien attack. The facts were there for all to see, but Kunningham's mind had resisted the signs. The Race and the other aliens were still not quite real in his mind, although his heart had already accepted the truth.
This was nothing less than an incoming alien invasion. The admiral wanted to know who the Tok'ra were, probably another earth faction. He knew of the Tollians, another independent group not acknowledged as a colony of Earth. It again brought home that humans on human worlds were more expansive than first assumed. The senior tribes would have lots of work to do.
If any of his mission objectives were to be salvaged, he needed to gather more information. Admiral Frankus Kunningham wanted to know more about Jaffa and these goa'uld creatures and more about Tok'ra faction, and the dangerous aliens, where their planet or origin was and how far they were from the Colonies.
He also needed more information on the Tollanians, and the kinds of technological secrets they possessed. At this point, the Kobollians were ignorant of these people, and he was going to demand answers by the time this meeting was over. If he returned home with almost no information, he was sure that the Twelve worlds would consider Earth a dangerous world of unpredictable monotheists that needed to be placed under control for their own good. At least that is what some of the more influential and more conservative religious leaders would shout to the high heavens. Not to mention, the hints of their advanced technology would be too much of a temptation.
President Goesel would have his hands full, trying to keep those who clamored for war under control. Kunningham was not familiar with Goesel's approach, and he could very well consider a pre-empted strike as a necessary evil. The President's aunt was the very influential Livia stromata, High Priestess of Athena and the gods, and head of the religious synod of the Colonies. Her power was extensive, and if the woman wanted to push for an aggressive response towards Earth's religious proclivities, then her nephew would certainly consider it, along with the Quorum. All-out war was something he wanted to avoid and would do everything in his power to prevent something so stupid. Intimidation was one thing. Total war, no matter how short, was another. The bitterness between the two sides would last decades, if not a few generations. In the end, however, it would be the president's and Quorum's final decision and he hoped their greed wouldn't overcome their common sense. If he, himself, felt that military inducement would be warranted, then he was sure the Colonies would feel the same.
But it wouldn't be as easy as everyone thought.
The Tau'ri's knowledge of aliens and the different worlds in this sector was a definite concern in and of itself. The Quorum would never stand for a lone colony to have such power and knowledge and not share with their brethren. He knew the Quorum would feel the need to have some level of control over these people, because that was how he felt. Just the hints of what he'd seen of their technology were enough to worry him. Who knew what else they had and how they might use it against his people if they decided to become hostile? Already, they didn't understand the dangers of the cylons and wouldn't allow him to interrogate those imitation human abominations, because of some misplace moral beliefs.
Continuing to try to convince them of the danger seemed a waste of time. Maybe it would be better if those machines attacked Earth and devastated a few cities to make them see the light. With a start, those thoughts made him grip his chair to keep from rising.
He had changed. Every experience, every disappointment, insult, and setback tore at him. First meeting with aliens, all of it, he now saw through the eyes of his people. No, the governing bodies of the colonies wouldn't stand for it for long and instead of being patient, they could easily make a snap judgement and come here not to help save these people from themselves, but to force them into compliance. A huge part of him agreed with that decision. Another part of him grumbled that it was wrong. These people had a unique culture separate from the colonies and, like oil and water, it didn't mix. The entire situation made his head hurt. His mission was paramount, and he would perform his duty, even if it destroyed Earth's culture in the long run. Another part of him hoped he was wrong, and it almost made him wish that the colonials had never found Earth. For now, he continued to listen. The Earth Alliance people were about to speak, and he wanted to hear what they had to say.
This brought another set of questions that needed answering. Of the worlds in the UCW, who many were viable life-sustaining planets? It seemed that every world possessed by the locals was Caprican, Earth-like biospheres. This entire sector was rich with planets just waiting for colonization. Why? How many worlds lay unclaimed, just waiting for his people to claim them? This was going to be another problem. The Quorum would have to decide what to do. The newcomers calling themselves Earth Alliance suggested there was yet another Earth type planet around. Compared to the desert that was Colonial territory, this sector was amazingly rich. He would admit when he was alone that he felt a stab of jealousy.
Speculation had run wild across the fleet about these people. The best rumor was that they were a faction-nation that lost a war and relocated to another world. Apparently, there was some hostility between the two. Hostile or not, the Earth Alliance faction wasn't the incoming fleet the Tau'ri were worried about. Naturally, that raised a multitude of additional questions he needed to find out about.